• Molecules and Cells
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.378-387
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• 2007

The Bcl-2 family of proteins interacts at the mitochondria to regulate apoptosis. However, the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and $Bcl-X_L$ are not completely localized to the mitochondria. In an attempt to generate Bcl-2 and $Bcl-X_L$ chimeras that are constitutively localized to the mitochondria, we substituted their C-terminal transmembrane tail or both the C-terminal transmembrane tail and the adjacent loop with the equivalent regions from Bak or Bax mutant (BaxS184V) as these regions determine the mitochondrial localization of Bak and Bax. The effects of these substitutions on subcellular localization and their activities were assessed following expression in HeLa and CHO K1 cells. The substitution of the C-terminal tail or the C-terminal tail and the adjacent loop of Bcl-2 with the equivalent regions from Bak or the Bax mutant resulted in its association with the mitochondria. This change in subcellular localization of Bcl-2 chimeras triggered cells to undergo apoptotic-like cell death. The localization of this Bcl-2 chimera to the mitochondria may be associated with the disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential. Unlike Bcl-2, the loop structure adjacent to the C-terminal tail in $Bcl-X_L$ is crucial for its localization. To localize the $Bcl-X_L$ chimeras to the mitochondria, the loop structure next to the C-terminal tail in $Bcl-X_L$ protein must remain intact and cannot be substituted by the loop from Bax or Bak. The chimeric $Bcl-X_L$ with both its C-terminal tail and the loop structure replaced by the equivalent regions of Bak or Bax mutant localized throughout the entire cytosol. The $Bcl-X_L$ chimeras that are targeted to the mitochondria and the wild type $Bcl-X_L$ provided same protection against cell death under several death inducing conditions.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제39권1호
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• pp.27-33
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• 1999

In the mammalian ovary, follicular development and atresia continuously occur during the reproductive cycles. Follicular atresia occurs through granulosa cell apoptosis. Apoptosis is known as the physiological cell death, which is regulated by bcl-2 gene family. In the bcl-2 gene family, bcl-2 and bcl-xLong are known as inhibitors of apoptosis, whereas bax and bcl-xShort are known as inducer of apoptosis. We thought that bcl-2 protein is associated with follicular development and atresia. But it is not known that the distribution of cells containing bcl-2 protein during follicular development and atresia. Therefore, to examine the distribution of cells with bcl-2 protein during ovarian follicular development and atresia, the immunohistochemistry was used in the rat ovary. Bcl-2 immunoreactivity was localized in the interstitial cells, theca externa cells and granulosa cells around of antrum. All positive signals were observed in the cytoplasm of these cells. Positive signals were strongly observed in the interstitial and theca externa cells of growing antral follicles. While, positive signals were weakly observed in these cells from atretic antral follicles. Positive signals were very weakly observed in the granulosa cells of growing and atretic antral follicles. According to these data, we suggested that bcl-2 proteins which were strongly expressed in the interstitial cells and theca externa cells of growing antral follicles inhibit follicular atresia. And we purposed that bcl-2 proteins regulated follicular development and atresia through the action of bcl-2 gene family.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제80권2호
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• pp.179-186
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• 2017

Background: Although the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was revised in 2015, its clinical implications for lung SCC subsets remain unclear. We investigated whether the morphologic characteristics of lung SCC, including keratinization, were associated with clinical parameters and clinical outcome of patients. Methods: A total of 81 patients who underwent curative surgical resection of diagnosed lung SCC, were enrolled in this study. Attributes such as keratinization, tumor budding, single cell invasion, and nuclear size within the tumor, as well as immunohistochemistry of Bcl-xL and pS6 expressions, were evaluated. Results: The keratinizing and nonkeratinizing subtypes did not differ with respect to age, sex, TNM stage, and morphologic parameters such as nuclear diameter, tumor budding, and single cell invasion at the tumor edge. Most patients with the keratinizing subtype (98.0%) had a history of smoking, whereas the nonkeratinizing group had a relatively higher proportion of never-smokers relative to the keratinizing group (24.0% vs. 2.0%; p=0.008, chi-square test). Expression of pS6 (a surrogate marker of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 [mTORC1] signaling that regulates keratinocyte differentiation), and Bcl-xL (a key anti-apoptotic molecule that may inhibit keratinization), did not correlate significantly with the presence of keratinization. Patients with the keratinizing subtype had a significantly shorter overall survival (85.2 months vs. 135.7 months, p=0.010, log-rank test), and a multivariate analysis showed that keratinization was an independent, poor prognostic factor (hazard ratio, 2.389; 95% confidence interval, 1.090-5.233; p=0.030). Conclusion: In lung SCC, keratinization is associated with a poor prognosis, and might be associated with smoking.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.267-280
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• 2024

Apoptosis, programmed cell death pathway, is a vital physiological mechanism that ensures cellular homeostasis and overall cellular well-being. In the context of cancer, where evasion of apoptosis is a hallmark, the overexpression of anti-apoptotic proteins like Bcl2, Bcl-xL and Mcl-1 has been documented. Consequently, these proteins have emerged as promising targets for therapeutic interventions. The BCL-2 protein family is central to apoptosis and plays a significant importance in determining cellular fate serving as a critical determinant in this biological process. This review offers a comprehensive exploration of the BCL-2 protein family, emphasizing its dual nature. Specifically, certain members of this family promote cell survival (known as anti-apoptotic proteins), while others are involved in facilitating cell death (referred to as pro-apoptotic and BH3-only proteins). The potential of directly targeting these proteins is examined, particularly due to their involvement in conferring resistance to traditional cancer therapies. The effectiveness of such targeting strategies is also discussed, considering the tumor's propensity for anti-apoptotic pathways. Furthermore, the review highlights emerging research on combination therapies, where BCL-2 inhibitors are used synergistically with other treatments to enhance therapeutic outcomes. By understanding and manipulating the BCL-2 family and its associated pathways, we open doors to innovative and more effective cancer treatments, offering hope for resistant and aggressive cases.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.262-266
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• 2017

Objective: This study was conducted to screen scrotal hernia in domesticated swine from selected breeders in the Philippines. This defect is associated with a cytosine to thymine mutation in the BCL-2 associated X protein (BAX) gene of swine. Methods: Genetic screening was done by DNA extraction followed by amplification and digestion using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism, amplifying the 416 bp region of the BAX gene that was subjected to digestion using the Ear I enzyme. Sequencing was also conducted to validate the results. Results: Results revealed that out of 538 samples tested, 411 (76.4%) of the samples were found to be normal whereas the remaining were carriers of the mutation in which 80 (14.9%) were heterozygous mutants and 47 (8.7%) were homozygous mutants. Pietrain breed was found to have the highest incidence. Conclusion: Having a scrotal hernia eliminates the chances of using the boar as a breeder stock because the following generations arising from it would most likely exhibit herniation. It is therefore advised to establish a genetic screening method for Scrotal Hernia in the Philippines to eliminate the negative gene from the herd.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제56권5호
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• pp.450-464
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• 2004

연구배경 : FHIT 유전자의 homozygous deletion과 이와 관련된 mRNA 발현 이상, 단백질의 발현 결손은 폐암에서 매우 높은 빈도로 관찰되고 있다. 일부 연구에 의하면 FHIT 유전자를 폐암 세포 내에 이입시켰을 때 apoptosis가 유발되었고, 세포 주기의 이상 소견이 관찰되었으며, 종양형성 능력이 억제됨이 관찰되었다. 하지만 아직까지 FHIT 단백질의 기능에 대한 지식은 미진한 상태이다. 본 연구에서는 FHIT 유전자를 폐암 세포에 이입시켰을 때 유발되는 apoptosis의 기전을 규명하고자 하였다. 방 법 : FHIT 유전자가 결손된 NCI-H358 세포주에 FHIT 유전자를 stable transfection 시킨 후, cisplatin 혹은 paclitaxel을 가하고 apoptosis가 항진되어 나타나는가를 DAPI staining과 flow cytometry로 관찰해 보았다. 또한 이 과정에서 나타나는 caspase system의 변화와 Bcl-2 family의 변화를 Western blotting으로 조사해 보았다. 결 과 : FHIT를 발현시킨 세포에서는 cisplatin 혹은 paclitaxel을 투여하였을 때 유의하게 생존율이 감소하였으며, 이는 apoptosis 증가에 의한 것으로 확인 되었다. 이 과정에서 FHIT가 발현된 세포는 caspase-3, caspase-7의 활성화가 유의하게 증가되었으며, Bcl-2와 Bcl-xL 발현은 유의하게 감소하고 Bax와 Bad 발현은 유의하게 증가하였다. 결 론 : FHIT가 발현된 폐암 세포에 항암제를 투여하였을 때 유의하게 증가한 apoptosis는 caspase system과 Bcl-2 family의 활성화와 관련되어 있다.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.358-364
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• 2006

To investigate the possible mechanism of Drynariae Rhizoma extracts as a candidate of anti-cancer drug, I examined the effects of Drynariae Rhizoma extracts on the apoptosis of U937 cell line. MTT assay, flow cytometric analysis, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Western blot analysis, and RT-PCR were performed. Drynariae Rhizoma extracts treatment reduced the cell viablilty of U937 cells in a dose-dependent manner, which was associated with induction of apoptotic cell death. Drynariae Rhizoma extracts treatment also reduced the levels of Bcl-xL anti-apoptotic protein expression and increased the levels of caspase-3, p53, pro-apoptotic protein, in U937 cells. RT-PCR data revealed that the level of bcl-2, bcl-xL mRNA expressions decreased in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that Drynariae Rhizoma extracts may have induction of apoptotic cell death via regulation of several growth regulatory gene products. The abbreviations used are: FBS, fetal bovine serum; PBS, phosphate buffered saline; PI, propidium iodide; OD, optical density; DiOC6, 3,3-dihexyloxa carbcyanine iodide; MTT, 3 [4-5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl] -2-diphenyltetrazolium bromide.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제3권2호
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• pp.75-79
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• 2003

Purpose: Evidence exists that dysregulation of apoptosis is involved in the pathogenesis of cancer development. The Bcl-$x_{L}$/Bcl-2-associated death promoter (BAD), a member of the Bcl-2 family, is a critical regulatory component of the intrinsic cell-death pathway that exerts its pro-apoptotic effect upon heterodimerization with anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-$X_{L}$. Expression of the BAD protein has been reported in several cancer types, but not in stomach cancer. The aim of this study was to explore the expression status of the BAD protein in gastric carcinomas. Materials and Methods: In the current study, we analyzed the expression of the BAD protein in 60 advanced gastric adenocarcinomas by using immunohistochemistry and a tissue microarray approach. Results: Immunopositivity (defined as $\geq\30\%$) was observed for the BAD protein in 57 ($95\%$) of the 60 cancers. Normal gastric mucosal cells showed weaker expressions of the BAD protein than gastric carcinomas. Conclusion: Taken together, these results suggest that stomach cancer cells in vivo may need BAD protein expression for apoptosis. Also, the higher expression of the BAD protein in stomach cancer cells than in normal gastric mucosal cells suggests that apoptosis might be easily triggered in susceptible stomach cancer cells, thereby producing selective pressure to make more apoptosis-resistant cells during tumor development.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.262-268
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• 2014

Rutaecarpine is one of the major alkaloids present in the fruits of Evodia rutaecarpa. In this study, rutaecarpine was evaluated, both in vitro and in vivo, for its hepatoprotective properties against thioacetamide (TAA)-induced hepatic fibrosis. The results showed that rutaecarpine inhibited TAA-induced cytotoxicity, reduced the expression of the fibrogenic cytokine transforming growth factor ${\beta}1$ ($TGF-{\beta}1$), and induced the expression of bcl-2. To evaluate its in vivo effects, animal models with TAA-induced hepatic fibrosis were utilized. Levels of liver tissue injury-associated enzymes, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were monitored. $TGF-{\beta}1$ and the ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin (${\alpha}$-SMA) were measured as markers of the protective effects on hepatic fibrosis. The AST and ALT levels in blood were greatly enhanced by TAA and completely blunted by rutaecarpine. Rutaecarpine led to the down-regulation of $TGF-{\beta}$ and Bax mRNA expression, as well as the up-regulation of Bcl-2 and $Bcl-X_L$ mRNA levels. In conclusion, rutaecarpine inhibited TAA-induced hepatic fibrosis and apoptosis by inducing the expression of Bcl-2 while blocking $TGF-{\beta}1$ in our TAA-intoxicated model.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제23권10호
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• pp.1252-1259
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• 2013

인간 암세포의 생육에 미치는 혈전용해효소(BK-1)의 영향을 조사하기 위해, 세포증식, 생존력, 형태변화 및 apoptosis 유도 등을 포함한 여러 가지 생화학적 실험을 하였다. 그 결과, AGS 인간 위장 암세포 및 T24 인간 방광 암세포상에의 BK-17 처리는 그 암세포들의 생존력 및 생율을 농도의존적 방법으로 감소시켰다. 현미경 관찰은, BK-17 처리에 의한 항 생육 효과는 막 수축, 세포의 rounding up, apoptotic bodies와 같은 형태학적 변화를 나타내었다. 특히, RT-PCR과 Western blotting data는, BK-17 처리가 항 apoptosis Bcl-2 군들 특히 Bcl-2, and $Bcl-X_L$의 down-regulation 그리고 AGS 세포에서, apoptosis 촉진 매개체 Bax와 Bad의 up-regulation를 유도했다는 것을 보여주었다. BK-17에 의해 유도된 AGS 세포의 apoptosis는 caspase-3, caspase-8 그리고 caspase-9의 단백질가수분해 활성과 관련이 있었다. 이상의 결과를 볼 때, BK-17은 apoptotic cell death의 유도와 밀접한 관련이 있다는 것을 보여주고 있다.