• Molecules and Cells
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• v.42 no.12
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• pp.858-868
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• 2019

Shoot branching is an essential agronomic trait that impacts on plant architecture and yield. Shoot branching is determined by two independent steps: axillary meristem formation and axillary bud outgrowth. Although several genes and regulatory mechanism have been studied with respect to shoot branching, the roles of chromatin-remodeling factors in the developmental process have not been reported in rice. We previously identified a chromatin-remodeling factor OsVIL2 that controls the trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3) at target genes. In this study, we report that loss-of-function mutants in OsVIL2 showed a phenotype of reduced tiller number in rice. The reduction was due to a defect in axillary bud (tiller) outgrowth rather than axillary meristem initiation. Analysis of the expression patterns of the tiller-related genes revealed that expression of OsTB1, which is a negative regulator of bud outgrowth, was increased in osvil2 mutants. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed that OsVIL2 binds to the promoter region of OsTB1 chromatin in wild-type rice, but the binding was not observed in osvil2 mutants. Tiller number of double mutant osvil2 ostb1 was similar to that of ostb1, suggesting that osvil2 is epistatic to ostb1. These observations indicate that OsVIL2 suppresses OsTB1 expression by chromatin modification, thereby inducing bud outgrowth.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.57-65
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• 2008

Purpose: Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are a group of proteins that are activated when cells are exposed to a variety of environmental stresses, such as infection, inflammation, exposure to toxins, starvation, hypoxia, brain injury, or water deprivation. The activation of HSPs by environmental stress plays a key role in signal transduction, including cytoprotection, molecular chaperone, anti-apoptotic effect, and anti-aging effects. However, the precise mechanism for the action of small HSPs, such as HSP27 and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs: extracellular-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), p38MAPK, stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK), is not completely understood, particularly in application of cell stimulators including platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), angiotensin II (AngII), tumor necrosis factor $\alpha$ (TNF$\alpha$), and $H_2O_2$. This study examined the relationship between stimulators-induced enzymatic activity of HSP27 and MAPKs from rat smooth and skeletal muscles. Methods: 2-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) and matrix assisted laser desorption ionizationtime-of-flight/time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF/TOF) analysis were used to identify HSP27 from the intact vascular smooth and skeletal muscles. Three isoforms of HSP27 were detected on silver-stained gels of the whole protein extracts from the rat aortic smooth and skeletal muscle strips. Results: The expression of PDGF, AngII, TNF$\alpha$, and $H_2O_2$-induced activation of HSP27, p38MAPK, ERK1/2, and SAPK/JNK was higher in the smooth muscle cells than the control. SB203580 (30${\mu}$M), a p38MAPK inhibitor, increased the level of HSP27 phosphorylation induced by stimulators in smooth muscle cells. Furthermore, the age-related and starvation-induced activation of HSP27 was higher in skeletal muscle cells (L6 myoblast cell lines) and muscle strips than the control. Conclusion: These results suggest, in part, that the activity of HSP27 and MAPKs affect stressors, such as PDGF, AngII, TNF$\alpha$, $H_2O_2$, and starvation in rat smooth and skeletal muscles. However, more systemic research will be needed into physical therapy, including thermotherapy, electrotherapy, radiotherapy and others.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.536-544
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• 2017

Abeliophyllum distichum Nakai is deciduous shrubs of flowering plant in Oleaceae. It is important plant resources and consists of one species in the world. Also the endemic plant of A. distichum has been protected and designed endangered plant in Korea. For this reason, study on the immature seeds of A. distichum (ADS) hasn't progressed. In the present study, we evaluated the antioxidant activity and inhibitory effects on proteins and mRNA levels were related in the whitening effect in B16F10 cells. ADS was effective for reaction oxygen species (ROS). ROS causes various diseases such as aging, inflammation, cancer, and etc. Antioxidant properties were evaluated DPPH, ABTS radical scavenging activity and Reducing power. Plants were known that contained phenolic compounds were related in antioxidant activity. Phenolic compounds were phytochemicals commonly named natural polyphenols. These are secondary metabolites of plants involved in the defense against different types of stresses. In results, ADS suppressed the expression and transcription of Tyrosinase, TRP-1, TRP-2, and Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF). Tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1), tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-2) are known to play an important role in melanin biosynthesis. MITF regulated the expression and transcription of Tyrosinase, TRP-1, and TRP-2. In conclusion, ADS was effective in both antioxidant activities and whitening effects. Also, they were associated with the content of phenolic compounds. We suggested that ADS can be use antioxidants and skin-whitening functional cosmetics material derived from natural plant resources.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.219-226
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• 2014

The immune system protects the body from bacterial infection and disease, as well as cancer that develops following the mutation of cells. Aging exerts adverse effects on the immune system, such as chronic inflammation, resulting in rheumatoid arthritis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effectiveness of Scutellaria baicalensis, which contains baicalin. HPLC analysis showed that S. baicalensis hot water extracts (SBWE) contained 42.2 mg/g of baicalin. To evaluate the cytotoxicity of SBWE, an MTT assay was carried out in Raw264.7 cells. No cytotoxicity was observed below 160 ${\mu}g/ml$ of SBWE. SBWE at 40 ${\mu}g/ml$ reduced the amount of nitric oxide produced by macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide by 40%. In addition, SBWE inhibited phagocytosis stimulated with zymosan. Furthermore, the content of tumor necrosis factor-alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$) produced by the macrophages was decreased in the presence of SBWE in a dose-dependent manner. SBWE also inhibited the production of interleukin-1 beta ($IL-1{\beta}$) in a time course experiment. Moreover, treatment with 20 ${\mu}g/ml$ of SBWE remarkably decreased the expression level of cyclooxynase-2. The results provide evidence that SBWE may exert an anti-inflammatory effect through modulation of the immune system.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.235-245
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• 2016

In this study, we examined the effects of various molecular weights (1, 10, 50, 100, 660, and 1500 kDa) of sodium hyaluronate (HA), which were prepared by enzyme hydrolysis, on the collagen synthesis, anti-inflammation and skin absorption. These HA did not significantly affect the viability of human dermal fibroblast Hs68 cells. Among them, 1500 kDa, 50 kDa HA most significantly increased collagen production by 59%, and 50% in the Hs 68 cells, respectively. Whereas 1500 and 660 kDa HA hardly pass through mouse transdermis membrane, lower molecular weights (1, 10, or 50 kDa) of HA showed time-dependent increase in skin permeation. HA of 50 kDa showed highest anti-inflammatory effects by reducing nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-${alpha}$ production in the RAW 264.7 cells, comparing to other HA (1, 10, and 100 kDa HA). Recently, there is no report about anti-wrinkle and anti-inflammatory effects and skin permeation of different molecular weights HA (1, 10, 50, 100, 660 and 1500 kDa), which were produced by enzyme hydrolysis. These results suggested that 50 kDa HA can be potent candidates for the development of effective anti-aging and anti-wrinkle cosmetic agents. The results of this study demonstrated that among those HA with different molecular weights, 50 kDa HA showed highest anti-inflammatory activity, significant capability to induce collagen synthesis and high level of skin permeation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.927-934
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• 2014

Sanguinarine, a benzophenanthridine alkaloid originally derived from the root of Sanguinaria canadensis, has been shown to possess antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-cancer properties. Although tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is known to induce apoptosis in cancer cells, but not most normal cells and has shown efficacy in a phase 2 clinical trial, development of resistance to TRAIL by tumor cells is a major roadblock. Our previous study indicated that treatment with TRAIL in combination with subtoxic concentrations of sanguinarine sensitized TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in TRAIL-resistant human gastric carcinoma AGS cells; however, the detailed mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we show that sanguinarine sensitizes AGS cells to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis as detected by MTT assay, agarose gel electrophoresis, chromatin condensation and flow cytometry analysis. Combined treatment with sanguinarine and TRAIL effectively induced expression of death receptor (DR) 5 but did not affect expression of DR4 and mitogen activated protein kinases signaling molecules. Moreover, the combined treatment with sanguinarine and TRAIL increased the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS); however, N-acetylcysteine, ROS scavenger, significantly recovered growth inhibition induced by the combined treatment. Taken together, our results indicate that sanguinarine can potentiate TRAIL-mediated apoptosis through upregulation of DR5 expression and ROS generation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.12
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• pp.1445-1453
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• 2013

Human skin is constantly exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, polluted air, and chemical products. UV rays, in particular, will affect the skin in a variety of ways, including causing wrinkles, fine lines, rough skin, and xeroderma, thereby resulting in skin aging. This study aimed to investigate the whitening effects of Juniperus rigida Sieb., which is a cedar tree that is found throughout the world. The whitening efficacy that was measured by tyrosinase inhibition revealed 49.4% efficacy in water extract and 80.0% efficacy in ethanol extract. Among the B16F10 black cells, the effect of the ethanol extract was higher than the effect of the water extract in the restrain creation of melanin pigment, tyrosinase, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase related protein-1 (TRP-1), and tyrosinase related protein-2 (TRP-2). Thus, the results of these studies demonstrated that the ethanol extract had greater efficacy than the water extract and Juniperus rigida Sieb. Ethanol extracts could be utilized as materials for functional cosmetics, such as whitening products.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.796-805
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• 2021

Hepatic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress contributes to the development of steatosis and insulin resistance. The components of unfolded protein response (UPR) regulate lipid metabolism. Recent studies have reported an association between ER stress and aberrant cellular lipid control; moreover, research has confirmed the involvement of sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs)-the central regulators of lipid metabolism-in the process. However, the exact role of SREBPs in controlling lipid metabolism during ER stress and its contribution to fatty liver disease remain unknown. Here, we show that SREBP-1c deficiency protects against ER stress-induced hepatic steatosis in mice by regulating UPR, inflammation, and fatty acid oxidation. SREBP-1c directly regulated inositol-requiring kinase 1α (IRE1α) expression and mediated ER stress-induced tumor necrosis factor-α activation, leading to a reduction in expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1-α and subsequent impairment of fatty acid oxidation. However, the genetic ablation of SREBP-1c prevented these events, alleviating hepatic inflammation and steatosis. Although the mechanism by which SREBP-1c deficiency prevents ER stress-induced inflammatory signaling remains to be elucidated, alteration of the IRE1α signal in SREBP-1c-depleted Kupffer cells might be involved in the signaling. Overall, the results suggest that SREBP-1c plays a crucial role in the regulation of UPR and inflammation in ER stress-induced hepatic steatosis.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.263-275
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• 2019

In the present study, thickness of MOR zeolite membranes was controlled by changing seed size, seeding amount, and aging time of hydrothermal solution, and then effect of membrane thickness on pervaporative ethanol dehydration for 90 wt.% ethanol-water mixture was investigated. First, nanosize MOR zeolite seeds with a diameter of 20 to 30 nm was successfully prepared by planetary milling a laboratory synthesized MOR zeolites and the coating amount was controlled by seed concentration and infiltration volume of coating solution during vacuum-assisted seeding. As seeding amount decreased, membrane thickness was reduced up to around $4{\mu}m$. The MOR zeolite membrane having a thickness of $4{\mu}m$ showed a water/ethanol separation factor of 760 and water flux of $1.0kg/m^2h$. The excellent water flux was due to the reduced membrane thickness which was derived from the nanosize seed. Therefore, it could be concluded that membrane thickness control by using nanosize seed can be a crucial factor to improve pervaporative water flux of MOR zeolite membrane.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.326-335
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• 2021

This study was undertaken to determine the effect of fermented soybean extract and its fractions on skin cell proliferation and growth. The extract was procured by the pepsin and Lactobacillus rhamnosus fermentation of soybean. LC-MS analysis was performed subsequent to soybean fermentation, and cell viability was measured by the WST-1 assay. Cell proliferation was observed to increase after exposing cells to the fermented soybean extract and its fractions at all concentrations tested (0~2,000 ㎍/mL). In particular, compared to the normal control group and 120 % proliferation of the EGF (epidermal growth factor) positive control group, 160~180 % cell proliferation was achieved at 800 ㎍/ml, indicating the excellent potential as an application material for skin aging inhibition and skin cell regeneration. In addition, we also examined the effects of fermented soybean extract and its fractions on wound healing ability, in HaCaT cells and fibroblasts. Our results indicate excellent cell migration abilities after treatment with fermented soybean extract and its fractions, as compared to the control treatment. Similar cell migration abilities were observed in the positive control group (EGF). Taken together, our results indicate that fermented soybean extract and its fractions (F4 and F5) exert amelioratory effects as a natural material for skin.