• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권5호
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• pp.2851-2857
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• 2013

Objective: REPS2 plays important roles in inhibiting cell proliferation, migration and in inducing apoptosis of cancer cells, now being identified as a useful biomarker for favorable prognosis in prostate and breast cancers. The purpose of this study was to assess REPS2 expression and to explore its role in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods: Protein expression of REPS2 in ESCCs and adjacent non-cancerous tissues from 120 patients was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and correlated with clinicopathological parameters and patient outcome. Additionally, thirty paired ESCC tissues and four ESCC cell lines and one normal human esophageal epithelial cell line were evaluated for REPS2 mRNA and protein expression levels by quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting. Results: REPS2 mRNA and protein expression levels were down-regulated in ESCC tissues and cell lines. Low protein levels were significantly associated with primary tumour, TNM stage, lymph node metastasis and recurrence (all, P < 0.05). Survival analysis demonstrated that decreased REPS2 expression was significantly associated with shorter overall survival and disease-free survival (both, P < 0.001), especially in early stage ESCC patients. When REPS2 expression and lymph node metastasis status were combined, patients with low REPS2 expression/lymph node (+) had both poorer overall and disease-free survival than others (both, P < 0.001). Cox multivariate regression analysis further revealed REPS2 to be an independent prognostic factor for ESCC patients. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that downregulation of REPS2 may contribute to malignant progression of ESCC and represent a novel prognostic marker and a potential therapeutic target for ESCC patients.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.97-107
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to explore the antitumor mechanism and effects of tetrodotoxin through a literature review of experimental and clinical studies. Methods : Medical databases, including The Cochrane Library, Pubmed, NDSL, RISS4u and National Assembly Library, were searched for relevant articles published from January 1, 2000 to October 31, 2014 using the keywords 'tetrodotoxin', 'cancer' and 'tumor'. The results were classified into experimental studies(in vitro and in vivo) and clinical studies. Analysis of the results was conducted on several research areas including the mechanism, antitumor effect and adverse effects of tetrodotoxin(TTX). Results : A total of 34 experimental studies(32 in vitro and 2 in vivo) and 3 clinical studies were found in the search. Most of the experimental studies suggested blocking of voltage-gated sodium channels in metastasis of tumor cells as the main antitumor mechanism of TTX. The most common type of cancers mentioned in the experimental studies were prostate and breast cancer. All of the clinical studies were on the application of TTX on moderate to severe cancer-related pain. No adverse effects of TTX were reported in in vivo studies but mild to moderate adverse events were reported in clinical studies. Conclusions : The results show that tetrodotoxin, which is the main component of Tetraodontidae(commonly known as pufferfish) poison, could be clinically used for antitumor therapy. However, further studies should be conducted on its safety.

• BMB Reports
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• 제56권3호
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• pp.184-189
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• 2023

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the most common gynecological malignancy worldwide, and chemoresistance occurs in most patients, resulting in treatment failure. A better understanding of the molecular processes underlying drug resistance is crucial for development of efficient therapies to improve OC patient outcomes. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) and ferroptosis play crucial roles in tumorigenesis and resistance to chemotherapy. However, little is known about the role(s) of circRNAs in regulating ferroptosis in OC. To gain insights into cisplatin resistance in OC, we studied the ferroptosis-associated circRNA circSnx12. We evaluated circSnx12 expression in OC cell lines and tissues that were susceptible or resistant to cisplatin using quantitative real-time PCR. We also conducted in vitro and in vivo assays examining the function and mechanism of lnc-LBCSs. Knockdown of circSnx12 rendered cisplatin-resistant OC cells more sensitive to cisplatin in vitro and in vivo by activating ferroptosis, which was at least partially abolished by downregulation of miR-194-5p. Molecular mechanics studies indicate that circSnx12 can be a molecular sponge of miR-194-5p, which targets SLC7A11. According to our findings, circSnx12 ameliorates cisplatin resistance by blocking ferroptosis via a miR-194-5p/SLC7A11 pathway. CircARNT2 may thus serve as an effective therapeutic target for overcoming cisplatin resistance in OC.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제48권2호
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• pp.171-180
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• 2024

Background: Epimers of ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) have a low bioavailability and are prone to deglycosylation, which produces epimers of ginsenoside Rh2 (S-Rh2 and R-Rh2) and protopanaxadiol (S-PPD and R-PPD). The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and potency of these molecules as anti-cancer agents. Methods: Crystal violet staining was used to study the anti-proliferatory action of the molecules on a human epithelial breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and compare their potency. Cell death and cell cycle were studied using flow cytometry and mode of cell death was studied using live cell imaging. Anti-angiogenic effects of the drug were studied using loop formation assay. Molecular docking showed the interaction of these molecules with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2) and aquaporin (AQP) water channels. VEGF bioassay was used to study the interaction of Rh2 with VEGFR2, in vitro. Results: HUVEC was the more sensitive cell line to the anti-proliferative effects of S-Rh2, S-PPD and R-PPD. The molecules induced necroptosis/necrosis in MDA-MB-231 and apoptosis in HUVEC. S-Rh2 was the most potent inhibitor of loop formation. In silico molecular docking predicted a good binding score between Rh2 or PPD and the ATP-binding pocket of VEGFR2. VEGF bioassay showed that Rh2 was an allosteric modulator of VEGFR2. In addition, SRh2 and PPD had good binding scores with AQP1 and AQP5, both of which play roles in cell migration and proliferation. Conclusion: The combination of these molecules might be responsible for the anti-cancer effects observed by Rg3.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제41권6호
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• pp.523-531
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• 2018

Tumour metastasis is one of the most serious challenges of cancer as it is the major cause of mortality in patients with solid tumours, including osteosarcoma (OS). In this regard, anti-metastatic genes have potential for metastasis inhibition strategies. Recent evidence showed the importance of breast cancer metastasis suppressor 1 (BRMS1) in control of OS invasiveness, but the regulation of BRMS1 in OS remains largely unknown. Here, we used bioinformatics analyses to predict BRMS1-targeting microRNAs (miRNAs), and the functional binding of miRNAs to BRMS1 mRNA was evaluated using a dual luciferase reporter assay. Among all BRMS1-targeting miRNAs, only miR-151b, miR-7-5p and miR-3200-5p showed significant expression in OS specimens. Specifically, we found that only miR-3200-5p significantly inhibited protein translation of BRMS1 via pairing to the 3'-UTR of the BRMS1 mRNA. Moreover, we detected significantly lower BRMS1 and significantly higher miR-3200-5p in the OS specimens compared to the paired adjacent non-tumour bone tissues. Furthermore, BRMS1 and miR-3200-5p levels were inversely correlated to each other. Low BRMS1 was correlated with metastasis and poor patient survival. In vitro, overexpression of miR-3200-5p significantly decreased BRMS1 levels and promoted OS cell invasion and migration, while depletion of miR-3200-5p significantly increased BRMS1 levels and inhibited OS cell invasion and migration. Thus, our study revealed that miR-3200-5p may be a critical regulator of OS cell invasiveness.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제23권9호
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• pp.1109-1117
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• 2013

본 연구에서는 인체 폐암 세포인 A549를 사용하여 택란 메탄올 추출물의 항암활성과 그 분자적 기전에 관하여 연구하였다. 먼저 택란 추출물이 A549의 세포증식에 미치는 영향을 알아본 결과 처리 농도 및 시간 의존적으로 A549의 성장이 저해되었으며, 세포 주기 변화를 분석한 결과 강력한 G1 arrest가 유도되는 것을 확인하였다. 이러한 택란 추출물에 의한 G1 arrest는 세포주기 조절 단백질인 Cyclin D1, Cyclin E 및 Cyclin-dependent kinase인 CDK2, CDK4, CDK6의 발현 감소와 연관되어 있었다. 또한 택란 추출물에 의한 CDK/Cyclin complex의 발현 저해는 DNA 손상에 의해 활성화되는 CHK2의 활성화 형태인 p-CHK2의 발현 증가에 따른 CDK 활성화 효소인 Cdc25A phosphatase의 발현 억제에 의해 나타나는 결과로 사료된다. 반면 종양억제유전자인 p53 및 CDK 억제제인 p21과 p27의 발현량은 증가되지 않았다. 이러한 결과들로부터 택란 추출물은 DNA damage에 의한 ATM/CHK2/Cdc25A/CDK2 pathway를 통해 A549의 G1 arrest를 유도하여 세포의 증식을 억제할 것으로 판단되며, 이때 택란 추출물에 의해 유도되는 G1 arrest는 p53 비의존적인 경로일 것으로 사료된다. 본 연구결과는 택란이 Cdc25A를 target으로 하는 새로운 항암활성 소재로서 사용될 수 있는 가능성을 시사한다. 또한 본 연구결과는 택란 추출물의 세포주기 조절에 의한 항암기전을 이해하고 향후 지속적 연구를 하는 데 있어서 귀중한 기초자료로 사용될 수 있을 것이다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제24권12호
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• pp.1316-1324
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• 2014

신령버섯균사체(Agaricus blazei mycelia: ABM)를 대두박이 함유된 액체배지에 배양하고, 이것을 자가분해($53^{\circ}C$, pH 5.5, 120 rpm, 3 hr)하여 항암성이 강한 isoflavone-conjugated glycoprotein (Gluvone 이라 명명)을 분리하였다. Gluvone은 지금까지 알려진 당단백질과는 달리 분자량이 작고(9,400 Da), isoflavone이 결합되어 있다는 점이 다르다, Gluvone은 60% 탄수화물(glucose, fructose, ribose), 31% 단백질 및 2% isoflavone (daidzein, genistein)으로 구성되어 있었다. 이 Gluvone은 S-180 복수암세포, MCF-7 인체유선암세포에 대한 독성이 강하였고, S-180 세포로 유발한 mouse 복수암을 강하게 억제하였다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.9-17
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• 2019

암조직의 내부에서 hypoxia와 glucose depletion 등의 microenvironmental stress를 받게 되면 necrosis가 유도되고, 실제로 암 조직 내부에서 necrotic core 형성이 관찰된다. Necrotic cells은 high mobility group box 1(HMGB1)를 extracellular space로 방출하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 방출된 HMGB1은 tumor-promoting cytokine으로 작용함으로써 tumor development 시 inflammation, metabolism 및 metastasis에 기여한다. 본 연구에서 non-invasive breast cancer cells MCF-7이 solid tumor의 in vitro model인 multicellular tumor spheroid (MTS) 배양을 통해 완전한 구형의 MTS를 형성하며 MTS가 성장함에 따라 inner region에 necrosis가 유도됨을 밝혔다. 또한 MCF-7 세포의 MTS 배양은 Snail 의존적으로 epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)를 유도함을 관찰하였다. HMGB1의 cell surface receptors인 RAGE, TLR2, TLR4 발현이 MTS 배양에 의해 증가됨을 발견하였다. RAGE, TLR2, TLR4 를 knockdown한 결과 MTS 성장을 억제할 뿐만 아니라 MTS에 의해 증가되는 Snail 발현을 억제함을 밝혔다. 이는 MTS-induced Snail 발현이 RAGE/TLR2/TLR4의존적으로 조절되며 RAGE/TLR2/TLR4-Snail이 MTS 성장에 관여하는 것으로 보인다. 또한 Snail, RAGE, TLR2, TLR4 shRNA는 MTS 배양에 의해 유도되는 EMT를 억제함을 밝혔다. 실제 인간 암조직에서 정상조직에 비해 RAGE, TLR2, TLR4 유전자의 발현이 높음을 관찰하였다. 따라서 HMGB1이 RAGE/TLR2/4-Snail axis를 통해 MTS 배양에 따른 성장 및 EMT에 중요하게 작용할 것으로 예상된다.

• 분석과학
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• 제24권6호
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• pp.510-518
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• 2011

최근 질량분석기와 다차원 크로마토그래피 분석법과 대용량 데이터를 처리하는 생물정보학 프로그램 등과 같은 복합적인 기술요소들의 발전은 대량 프로테옴을 분석하는 것을 가능하게 했다. 하지만, 이런 대량의 프로테옴을 분석하는 것은 단백질 절편화 과정의 긴 소요 시간과 낮은 재현성으로 인하여 한계를 가진다. 이 연구에서는 어쿠스틱 기술을 이용해 빠르게 단백질을 분해하는 새로운 방법을 제시했다. 이 어쿠스틱 기술의 시간과 강도를 최적화하기 위해서 여러 가지 조건에서 BSA 단백질을 트립신으로 절편화한 후 액체 크로마토그래피와 질량분석기로 분석하였다. 16시간동안 인큐베이션하는 기존의 방법과 슈퍼 어쿠스틱 기술을 사용한 방법을 비교하였을 때 슈퍼 어쿠스틱 기술이 기존의 방법보다 더 높은 아미노산 동정율을 보였으며, 유방암 세포와 같은 단백질 복합체에 적용하였을 때 30분의 절편화 시간에서도 효율적인 결과를 확인할 수 있었다. 이 새로운 방법은 샘플 전처리 과정에서 많은 양의 단백질일지라도 더 좋은 효율성을 가지게 되고 또한, 소비되는 시간도 줄여주며 일정 시간내의 샘플 처리량도 증가하게 된다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제10권3호
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• pp.293-299
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• 2000

Many methods have been developed for screening chemicals with hormonal activity. Using recombinant yeasts expressing either human estrogen receptor [Saccharomyces cerevisiae ER + LYS 8127 (YER)] or androgen receptor [S. cerevisiae AR + 8320 (YAR)], we evaluated the hormonal activities of several chemicals by induction of ${\beta}-galactosidase$ activity. The chemicals were $17{\beta}-estradiol$ (E2), testosterone (T), ${\rho}-nonylphenol$ (NP), bisphenol A (BPA), genistein (GEN), 2-bromopropane (2-BP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), and butylparaben (BP). To assess the estrogenicity of NP, the result of the in vitro recombinant yeast assay was compared with an E-screen assay using MCF-7 human breast cancer cells and an uterotrophid assay using ovariectomized mice. In the YER yeast cells, E2, NP, BPA, GEN, and BP exhibited estrogenicity in a doseresponse manner, while TCDD did not. All the chemicals tested, except T, did not show androgenicity in the YAR yeast cell. The sensitivity of the yeast (YER) assay system to the estrogenic effect of NP was similar to that of the E-screen assay. NP was also estrogenic in the uterotrophic assay. However, in terms of convenience and costs, the yeast assay was superior to the E-screen assay or uterotrophic assay. These results suggest that the recombinant yeast assay can be used as a rapid tool for detecting chemicals with hormonal activities.