• Molecules and Cells
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• 제38권2호
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• pp.138-144
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• 2015

Raloxifene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that binds to the estrogen receptor (ER), and exhibits potent anti-tumor and autophagy-inducing effects in breast cancer cells. However, the mechanism of raloxifene-induced cell death and autophagy is not well-established. So, we analyzed mechanism underlying death and autophagy induced by raloxifene in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Treatment with raloxifene significantly induced death in MCF-7 cells. Raloxifene accumulated GFP-LC3 puncta and increased the level of autophagic marker proteins, such as LC3-II, BECN1, and ATG12-ATG5 conjugates, indicating activated autophagy. Raloxifene also increased autophagic flux indicators, the cleavage of GFP from GFP-LC3 and only red fluorescence-positive puncta in mRFP-GFP-LC3-expressing cells. An autophagy inhibitor, 3-methyladenine (3-MA), suppressed the level of LC3-II and blocked the formation of GFP-LC3 puncta. Moreover, siRNA targeting BECN1 markedly reversed cell death and the level of LC3-II increased by raloxifene. Besides, raloxifene-induced cell death was not related to cleavage of caspases-7, -9, and PARP. These results indicate that raloxifene activates autophagy-dependent cell death but not apoptosis. Interestingly, raloxifene decreased the level of intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and activated the AMPK/ULK1 pathway. However it was not suppressed the AKT/mTOR pathway. Addition of ATP decreased the phosphorylation of AMPK as well as the accumulation of LC3-II, finally attenuating raloxifene-induced cell death. Our current study demonstrates that raloxifene induces autophagy via the activation of AMPK by sensing decreases in ATP, and that the overactivation of autophagy promotes cell death and thereby mediates the anti-cancer effects of raloxifene in breast cancer cells.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제24권8호
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• pp.837-842
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• 2014

이 연구의 목적은 사람 폐 섬유아세포인 IMR 90 에서 Brunfelsia grandiflora 에탄올 추출물(BGEE)이 SIRT1 및 p53 활성화를 통해 autophagy의 유도에 대한 효과를 조사한 것이다. BGEE는 $5{\mu}g/ml$ 이상의 농도에서 IMR 90 세포에서 세포독성을 나타내었다. 본 연구에서 처음으로 BGEE가 autophagy를 유도 하는 것이 발견되었다. 또한, BGEE는 $2.5{\mu}g/ml$ 이하에서 Beclin-1 및 $5{\mu}g/ml$ 이상에서 Atg7 의 활성화가 autophagy의 유도에 관여함을 확인하였다. 더욱이 BGEE는 autophagy와 관련된 단백질 발현을 조절하였는데 p53 및 p-p53 단백질 발현이 세포독성이 없는 농도의 BGEE존재하에서 감소되었다. 하였다. 반면에, SIRT1의 발현수준은 세포독성이 없는 농도의 BGEE로 처리된 IMR 90 세포에서 증가되었다. 더욱이 BGEE로 처리된 사람 페 섬유아세포에서 노화 마커의 지표인 SA-${\beta}$-gal staning이 감소되는 것이 관찰되었다. 이상의 발견들은 BGEE는 사람 폐 섬유아세포에서 p53 및 SIRT1의 조절을 통하여 autophagy 및 항노화 유발을 촉진 시키는 것을 시사하고 있다.

• BMB Reports
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• 제54권2호
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• pp.118-123
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• 2021

The bacterial effector protein RavZ from a pathogen can impair autophagy in the host by delipidating the mammalian autophagy-related gene 8 (mATG8)-phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) on autophagic membranes. In RavZ, the membrane-targeting (MT) domain is an essential function. However, the molecular mechanism of this domain in regulating the intracellular localization of RavZ in cells is unclear. In this study, we found that the fusion of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) to the MT domain of RavZ (GFP-MT) resulted in localization primarily to the cytosol and nucleus, whereas the GFP-fused duplicated-MT domain (GFP-2xMT) localized to Rab5- or Rab7-positive endosomes. Similarly, GFP fusion to the catalytic domain (CA) of RavZ (GFP-CA) resulted in localization primarily to the cytosol and nucleus, even in autophagy-induced cells. However, by adding the MT domain to GFP-CA (GFP-CA-MT), the cooperation of MT and CA led to localization on the Rab5-positive endosomal membranes in a wortmannin-sensitive manner under nutrient-rich conditions, and to autophagic membranes in autophagy-induced cells. In autophagic membranes, GFP-CA-MT delipidated overexpressed or endogenous mATG8-PE. Furthermore, GFP-CA△α3-MT, an α3 helix deletion within the CA domain, failed to localize to the endosomal or autophagic membranes and could not delipidate overexpressed mATG8-PE. Thus, the CA or MT domain alone is insufficient for stable membrane localization in cells, but the cooperation of MT and CA leads to localization to the endosomal and autophagic membranes. In autophagic membranes, the CA domain can delipidate mATG8-PE without requiring substrate recognition mediated by LC3-interacting region (LIR) motifs.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.211-219
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• 2021

Alopecia is a distressing condition caused by the dysregulation of anagen, catagen, and telogen in the hair cycle. Dermal papilla cells (DPCs) regulate the hair cycle and play important roles in hair growth and regeneration. Myristoleic acid (MA) increases Wnt reporter activity in DPCs. However, the action mechanisms of MA on the stimulation of anagen signaling in DPCs is not known. In this study, we evaluated the effects of MA on anagen-activating signaling pathways in DPCs. MA significantly increased DPC proliferation and stimulated the G2/M phase, accompanied by increasing cyclin A, Cdc2, and cyclin B1. To elucidate the mechanism by which MA promotes DPC proliferation, we evaluated the effect of MA on autophagy and intracellular pathways. MA induced autophagosome formation by decreasing the levels of the phospho-mammalian target of rapamycin (phospho-mTOR) and increasing autophagy-related 7 (Atg7) and microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3II (LC3II). MA also increased the phosphorylation levels of Wnt/β-catenin proteins, such as GSK3β (Ser9) and β-catenin (Ser552 and Ser675). Treatment with XAV939, an inhibitor of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, attenuated the MA-induced increase in β-catenin nuclear translocation. Moreover, XAV939 reduced MA-induced effects on cell cycle progression, autophagy, and DPC proliferation. On the other hand, MA increased the levels of phospho (Thr202/Tyr204)-extracellular signal regulated kinases (ERK). MA-induced ERK phosphorylation led to changes in the expression levels of Cdc2, Atg7 and LC3II, as well as DPC proliferation. Our results suggest that MA promotes anagen signaling via autophagy and cell cycle progression by activating the Wnt/β-catenin and ERK pathways in DPCs.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제30권6호
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• pp.616-624
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• 2022

Mebendazole (MBZ), a microtubule depolymerizing drug commonly used for the treatment of helminthic infections, has been suggested as a repositioning candidate for the treatment of brain tumors. However, the efficacy of MBZ needs further study to improve the beneficial effect on the survival of those patients. In this study, we explored a novel strategy to improve MBZ efficacy using a drug combination. When glioblastoma cells were treated with MBZ, cell proliferation was dose-dependently inhibited with an IC₅₀ of less than 1 µM. MBZ treatment also inhibited glioblastoma cell migration with an IC₅₀ of less than 3 µM in the Boyden chamber migration assay. MBZ induced G2-M cell cycle arrest in U87 and U373 cells within 24 h. Then, at 72 h of treatment, it mainly caused cell death in U87 cells with an increased sub-G1 fraction, whereas polyploidy was seen in U373 cells. However, MBZ treatment did not affect ERK1/2 activation stimulated by growth factors. The marked induction of autophagy by MBZ was observed, without any increased expression of autophagy-related genes ATG5/7 and Beclin 1. Co-treatment with MBZ and the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ) markedly enhanced the anti-proliferative effects of MBZ in the cells. Triple combination treatment with temozolomide (TMZ) (another autophagy inducer) further enhanced the anti-proliferative effect of MBZ and CQ. The combination of MBZ and CQ also showed an enhanced effect in TMZ-resistant glioblastoma cells. Therefore, we suggest that the modulation of protective autophagy could be an efficient strategy for enhancing the anti-tumor efficacy of MBZ in glioblastoma cells.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제45권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2020

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease observed in approximately 0.5-2.2% of the population, and it is recognized as a premalignant lesion that can progress into oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The rate of malignant transformation is approximately 1.09-2.3%, and the risk factors for malignant transformation are age, female, erosive type, and tongue site location. Malignant transformation of OLP is likely related to the low frequency of apoptotic phenomena. Therefore, apoptosis-related genetic factors, like p53, BCL-2, and BAX are reviewed. Increased p53 expression and altered expression of BCL-2 and BAX were observed in OLP patients, and the malignant transformation rate in these patients was relatively higher. The involvement of microRNA (miRNA) in the malignant transformation of OLP is also reviewed. Because autophagy is involved in cell survival and death through the regulation of various cellular processes, autophagy-related genetic factors may function as factors for malignant transformation. In OLP, decreased levels of ATG9B mRNA and a higher expression of IGF1 were observed, suggesting a reduction in cell death and autophagic response. Activated IGF1-PI3K/AKT/mTor cascade may play an important role in a signaling pathway related to the malignant transformation of OLP to OSCC. Recent research has shown that miRNAs, such as miR-199 and miR-122, activate the cascade, increasing the prosurvival and proproliferative signals.

• 한국응용과학기술학회지
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.91-101
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• 2020

이 연구는 비만이 심장 조직에서 자가포식 관련 단백질 발현에 미치는 영향을 확인하기 위해 고지방 식이(20주)를 통해 비만을 유도한 후 8주간의 트레드밀 운동을 실시하고, 자가포식의 유도, 형성 그리고 자가포식포와 라이소좀 융합단계를 조절하는 단백질의 발현을 확인하였다. 실험동물(SD rat)은 20주간의 고지방식이(탄수화물: 20%, 지방: 60%, 단백질: 20%)를 통해 비만을 유도하였으며, 8주간의 트레드밀 운동(주 5일, 하루 30분, 5분; 8m/min, 5분; 11m/min, 20분; 14m/min)을 실시하였다. 집단 구분은 정상식이 비교군(n=10), 고지방식이 비교군(n=10), 고지방식이 운동군(n=10)으로 구분하였다. 8주간의 트레드밀 운동 실시 전과 후에 경구당부하검사를 실시하여 곡선 하 면적(area under the curve; AUC)을 산출하였으며, 공복시 인슐린 농도와 포도당 농도를 통해 인슐린 저항성 지표인 HOMA-IR과 체중 당 복부지방량(abdominal visceral fat/Body weight; AVF/BW)를 산출하여 비교하였다. 또한 심장 조직에서 자가포식 관련 단백질을 분석하여 운동 트레이닝의 효과를 검증하였다. 장기간의 고지방식이를 통해 HFD-CON 그룹에서는 비만이 유도되었으며, ND-CON 그룹에 비해 체중, AUC, HOMA-IR, AVF/BW가 증가되는 것으로 나타났다. 하지만 8주간의 트레드밀 운동을 실시한 HFD-TE 그룹에서는 AUC, HOMA-IR, AVF/BW가 개선되는 것으로 나타났다. 체중의 경우, 감소되는 경향은 있었지만, 통계적으로 유의한 차이는 없었다. 자가포식 유도에 관여하는 mTOR와 AMPK는 비만상황에서 모두 감소되었지만, 운동을 통해 증가되는 것으로 나타났다. 자가포식 형성에 관련된 Beclin-1, BNIP3, ATG-7, p62, LC3는 비만상황에서 모두 증가하는 것으로 나타났으며, 운동을 통해 감소되는 것으로 나타났다. 자기포식포와 라이소좀 융합단계 조절하는 Cathepsin L과 LAMP2는 비만상황에서 모두 감소되었으며, 운동을 통해 증가하는 것으로 나타났다. 트레드밀 운동과 같은 신체활동은 대사성 질환에서 나타나는 병리학적 현상을 개선하고 자가포식 과정을 정상적으로 유도하는 것으로 나타났다. 따라서 트레드밀 운동이 심장 관련 질환의 예방 및 치료에 있어 일차적으로 고려해야할 필요성이 있다고 제안한다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제29권12호
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• pp.1305-1313
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• 2019

감초(Glycyrrhiza inflata)의 뿌리에서 분리된 Licochalcone (LC)은 항염증 및 항종양과 같은 많은 약리학적 효과를 가지고 있다. 현재까지 LCC는 구강암과 방광암에서 연구되었지만 폐암에서의 연구는 밝혀진 바 없다. 또한, 암에서 LCC에 의해 유도된 autophagy에 대한 연구는 없었다. 본 연구는 gefitinib-민감성 또는 내성을 갖는 폐암 세포에 대한 LCC의 효과 및 작용 메커니즘을 조사하기 위해 고안되었다. MTT 분석 데이터는 LCC가 비소세포폐암 세포주인 HCC827 (gefitinib-민감성) 및 HCC827GR (gefitinib-내성)에서 세포생존율을 유의하게 억제함을 보여주었다. 흥미롭게도, Annexin V/7-aminoactinomycin D 이중 염색 및 세포주기 분석에서 가장 높은 농도의 LCC 처리는 apoptosis를 유도하는 비율이 약 10%였다. LCC는 비소세포폐암 세포주에서 세포주기 G2/M 관련 단백질인 cyclin B1 및 cdc2의 발현을 감소시킴으로써 G2/M 정지를 야기하였다. LCC의 처리는 autophagy marker 단백질인 microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) 및 autophagy과정에 관여하는 단백질인 autophagy-related gene (Atg)5의 발현을 증가시킴으로써 autophagy를 유도하였다. 또한, LCC는 reactive oxygen species (ROS)의 생성을 증가시켰으며, ROS 억제제인 N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC)에 의해 세포생존율이 부분적으로 회복되었다. Western blotting 분석에서, NAC과 LCC의 동시처리에 의해 cdc2의 발현이 증가하고 LC3의 발현은 감소되었다. 이러한 결과는 LCC가 비소세포폐암에서 ROS-의존적 G2/M 정지 및 autophagy를 유도함으로써 항종양 효과에 기여할 수 있음을 나타낸다. 결론적으로, LCC 치료는 비소세포폐암에 대한 잠재적 치료제로서 유용할 수 있다.