• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.58-63
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• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Telomeres are located at the chromosomal ends and progressively shortened during each cell cycle. Telomerase, which is regulated by hTERT and c-MYC, maintains telomeric DNA sequences. Especially, telomerase is active in cancer and stem cells to maintain telomere length for replicative immortality. Recently we reported that walnut phenolic extract (WPE) can reduce cell viability in a colon cancer stem cell (CSC) model. We, therefore, investigated the effect of WPE on telomere maintenance in the same model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: $CD133^+CD44^+$ cells from HCT116, a human colon cancer cell line, were sorted by Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and treated with WPE at the concentrations of 0, 10, 20, and $40{\mu}g/mL$ for 6 days. Telomere lengths were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) using telomere specific primers and DNA extracted from the cells, which was further adjusted with single-copy gene and reference DNA ($ddC_t$). Telomerase activity was also measured by qRT-PCR after incubating the PCR mixture with cell protein extracts, which was adjusted with reference DNA ($dC_t$). Transcriptions of hTERT and c-MYC were determined using conventional RT-PCR. RESULTS: Telomere length of WPE-treated cells was significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner ($5.16{\pm}0.13$ at $0{\mu}g/mL$, $4.79{\pm}0.12$ at $10{\mu}g/mL$, $3.24{\pm}0.08$ at $20{\mu}g/mL$ and $3.99{\pm}0.09$ at $40{\mu}g/mL$; P = 0.0276). Telomerase activities concurrently decreased with telomere length ($1.47{\pm}0.04$, $1.09{\pm}0.01$, $0.76{\pm}0.08$, and $0.88{\pm}0.06$; P = 0.0067). There was a positive correlation between telomere length and telomerase activity (r = 0.9090; P < 0.0001). Transcriptions of both hTERT and c-MYC were also significantly decreased in the same manner. CONCLUSION: In the present cell culture model, WPE reduced telomere maintenance, which may provide a mechanistic link to the effect of walnuts on the viability of colon CSCs.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.84-91
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• 2006

A Saccharomyces cerevisiae pgs1 nulI mutant, which is deficient with phosphatidyl glycerol (PG) and cardiolipin (CL) biosynthesis, grows well on most fermentable carbon sources, but fails to grow on non-fermentable carbon sources such as glycerol, ethanol, and lactate. This mutant also cannot grow on galactose medium as the sole carbon source. We found that the incorporation of $[^{14}C]-galactose$, which is the first step of the galactose metabolic pathway (Leloir pathway), into the pgs 1 null mutant cell was extremely repressed. Exogenously expressed PGS1 (YCpPGS1) under indigenous promoter could completely restore the pgs1 growth defect on non-fermentable carbon sources, and dramatically recovered $[^{14}C]-galactose$ incorporation into the pgs1 mutant cell. However, PGS1 expression under the GALl promoter $(YEpP_{GAL1}-PGS1myc)$ could not complement pgs1 mutation, and the GAL2-lacZ fusion gene $(YEpP_{GAL2}-lacZ)$ also did not exhibit its $\beta-galactosidase$ activity in the pgs1 mutant. In wild-type yeast, antimycin $A(1\;{\mu}g/ml)$, which inhibits mitochondrial complex III, severely repressed not only the expression of the GAL2-lacZ fusion gene, but also uptake of $[^{14}C]-galactose$. However, exogenously expressed PGS1 partially relieved these inhibitory effects of antimycin A in both the pgs1 mutant and wild-type yeast, although it could not basically restore the growth defect on galactose by antimycin A. These results suggest that the PGSI gene product has an important role in utilization of galactose by Gal genes, and that intact mitochondrial function with PGS1 should be required for galactose incorporation into the Leloir pathway. The PGS1 gene might provide a clue to resolve the historic issue about the incapability of galactose with deteriorated mitochondrial function.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.227-237
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• 2003

목적: 만성 골수성 백혈병 세포인 K562 세포주는 방사선 및 다양한 항암제에 대한 apoptosis에 저항성을 가진다. 지난 연구에서 K562 세포는 방사선에 대하여 내성반응을 보이며, 세포내 PTK의 작용을 억제하고자 방사선 조사와 함께 투여한 herbimycin A (HMA)에 의하여 방사선에 대한 apoptosis와 같은 감수성반응이 유도되는 반면, genistein에 의하여 방사선에 대한 apoptosis 반응이 저해됨을 확인하였다. 본 연구에서는 타이로신 인산화효소 억제에 의한 K562 세포의 방사선 반응변화를 조절하는 신호전달경로를 조사하였다. 대상 및 방법: K562 세포를 지수증식기의 세포들만 선택하여 실험에 이용하였다. 방사선조사는 6 MeV 선형가속기(Clinac 1800C, Varian)를 이 용하여 $200\~300$ cGy/min 선량률로 $0.5\~12 $ Gy를 균일하게 조사하였다. HMA와 genistein은 각각 $0.25/muM,\;25\muM$을 방사선 조사 후 즉시 투여하였다. 실험에서 신호전달 경로로 abl kinase, MAPK family, NF-kB, c-fos, c-myc, thymidine kinase1 (TK1) 등에서의 단백질 또는 유전자 발현 및 활성을 조사하였다. 또한 약제 투여에 따른 유전자 발현차이(differential gene expression)를 조사하였다. 결과: Abl kinase의 발현 및 활성 변화를 조사하였으나 PTK 저해제에 의한 방사선 유도 세포사의 변화와의 연관성을 찾을 수 없었다. 세포 생존 및 사멸의 신호전달체계에서 주요 조절과정인 MAPK family의 관여 여부 확인에서 방사선으로 인한 SAPK/JNK의 활성화의 유도가 관찰되었으나, PTK 저해제에 따른 변화는 없었으며, 또한 MAPK/ERK와 p38 MAPK 활성은 모든 조건에서 변함 없이 일정하였다. 전사인자 활성화에 대한 조사에서 방사선 조사와 함께 genistein을 투여한 경우에 NF-kB활성이 증가하였다. 유전자 발현 차이의 조사에서 genistein 투여에 의한 TK 1 유전자 발현 및 단백질 활성이 증가하였다. 결론: PTK 억제에 의한 K562 세포의 방사선에 대한 반응 변화는 bcrabl kinase 활성과는 무관하게 진행되며, MAPK family 경로 외의 다른 경로를 통한 전사인자 활성화 과정이 연관되어 있음을 확인하였다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.398-409
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• 2023

LncRNAs play crucial roles in the progression of colon adenocarcinoma (COAD), but the role of LINC01232 in COAD has not received much attention. The present study was designed to explore the related mechanisms of LINC01232 in the progression of COAD. LINC01232, miR-181a-5p, p53, c-myc, Bcl-2, cyclin D1, p16, Bax, VEGF, E-cadherin, vimentin, N-cadherin and SDAD1 expressions were determined by western blot and qRT-PCR. CCK-8, tubule formation, and Transwell assays were employed to detect proliferation, angiogenesis, and migration/invasion of COAD cells, respectively. The relationship between LINC01232 and miR-181a-5p was predicted by LncBase Predicted v.2, and then verified through dual luciferase reporter gene assay. According to the results, LINC01232 was highly expressed in COAD cells and enhanced proliferation, angiogenesis, migration, and invasion of COAD cells. Downregulated LINC01232 promoted expression of p53 and p16, and inhibited c-myc, Bcl-2 and cyclin D1 expressions in COAD cells, while upregulation of LINC01232 generated the opposite effects. LINC01232 was negatively correlated with miR-181a-5p while downregulated miR181a-5p could reverse the effects of siLINC01232 on cell proliferation, angiogenesis, migration, and invasion. Similarly, miR-181a-5p mimic could also offset the effect of LINC01232 overexpression. SiLINC01232 increased the expressions of Bax and E-cadherin, and decreased the expressions of VEGF, vimentin, N-cadherin and SDAD1, which were partially attenuated by miR-181a-5p inhibitor. Collectively, LINC01232 enhances the proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis of COAD cells by decreasing miR-181a-5p expression.

• BMB Reports
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• 제55권2호
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• pp.98-103
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• 2022

Increased mRNA levels of cancer upregulated gene (CUG)2 have been detected in many different tumor tissues using Affymetrix microarray. Oncogenic capability of the CUG2 gene has been further reported. However, the mechanism by which CUG2 overexpression promotes cancer stem cell (CSC)-like phenotypes remains unknown. With recent studies showing that pyruvate kinase muscle 2 (PKM2) is overexpressed in clinical tissues from gastric, lung, and cervical cancer patients, we hypothesized that PKM2 might play an important role in CSC-like phenotypes caused by CUG2 overexpression. The present study revealed that PKM2 protein levels and translocation of PKM2 into the nucleus were enhanced in CUG2-overexpressing lung carcinoma A549 and immortalized bronchial BEAS-2B cells than in control cells. Expression levels of c-Myc, CyclinD1, and PKM2 were increased in CUG2-overexpressing cells than in control cells. Furthermore, EGFR and ERK inhibitors as well as suppression of Yap1 and NEK2 expression reduced PKM2 protein levels. Interestingly, knockdown of β-catenin expression failed to reduce PKM2 protein levels. Furthermore, reduction of PKM2 expression with its siRNA hindered CSC-like phenotypes such as faster wound healing, aggressive transwell migration, and increased size/number of sphere formation. The introduction of mutant S37A PKM2-green fluorescence protein (GFP) into cells without ability to move to the nucleus did not confer CSC-like phenotypes, whereas forced expression of wild-type PKM2 promoted such phenotypes. Overall, CUG2-induced increase in the expression of nuclear PKM2 contributes to CSC-like phenotypes by upregulating c-Myc and CyclinD1 as a co-activator.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제24권9호
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• pp.995-1000
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• 2014

바이러스 분리 및 검출 측면에서의 해양바이러스 연구는 높은 빈도의 돌연변이와 유전적 다양성 때문에 한계가 있어 왔다. 현재 해양바이러스를 검출하기 위해 사용되고 있는 방법 중 ELISA를 기반으로 하는 혈청학적 방법이 가장 보편적이다. 혈청학적 방법은 항체의 질과 고도로 정제된 정확한 항원을 요구한다. 최근에 바이러스 외피단백질을 항원으로 이용하고자하는 새로운 실험시스템이 yeast surface display (YSD)를 사용하여 개발되었다. 이 연구에서는 붉바리 신경괴사 바이러스(RGNNV)의 외피단백질 유전자를 YSD와 HA-tagging 시스템을 이용하여 발현시키고 정제하였다. 2개의 RGNNV 외피단백질 유전자 조각(RGNNV1 및 RGNNV2)을 염기서열 데이터베이스에 기초하여 합성하였고, 효모 발현 벡터인 pCTCON로 클로닝하였다. 효모 strain EBY100에서의 RGNNV 외피단백질의 발현은 발현벡터에 의해 코드되는 C-말단의 c-myc tags를 인지하는 형광표지된 항체를 이용하여 flow cytometry로 검출되었다. 발현된 RGNNV 외피단백질은 ${\beta}$-mercaptoethanol 처리 후 Aga1과 Aga2 사이의 이황화결합 절단에 의해 효모표면으로부터 분리되었다. Anti-HA 항체를 사용한 Western blots을 수행하였을 때 각 RGNNV 외피단백질이 정해진 크기에서 검출되는 것이 확인되었다. 이러한 결과는 YSD와 HA-tagging 시스템이 재조합 RGNNV 외피단백질의 발현과 정제에 적용가능함을 나타낸다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권14호
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• pp.6047-6053
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• 2015

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Its prevalence is increasing in many countries. Plant products can be used to protect against cancer due to natural anticancer and chemopreventive constituents. Strobilanthes crispus is one of plants with potential chemopreventive ability. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the anticancer effects of Strobilanthes crispus juice on hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Materials and Methods: MTT assays, flow cytometry, comet assays and the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to determine the effects of juice on DNA damage and cancer cell numbers. Results: This juice induced apoptosis after exposure of the HepG2 cell line for 72 h. High percentages of apoptotic cell death and DNA damage were seen at the juice concentrations above 0.1%. It was found that the juice was not toxic for normal cells. In addition, juice exposure increased the expression level of c-myc gene and reduced the expression level of c-fos and c-erbB2 genes in HepG2 cells. The cytotoxic effects of juice on abnormal cells were in dose dependent. Conclusions: It was concluded that the Strobilanthes crispus juice may have chemopreventive effects on hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제51권
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• pp.20.1-20.12
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• 2021

We explored the link between mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial morphology using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in lymphoblasts of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients and compared these characteristics between tumors and control samples. Gene expression of mitochondrial biogenesis markers was analysed in 23 ALL patients and 18 controls and TEM for morphology analysis was done in 15 ALL patients and 9 healthy controls. The area occupied by mitochondria per cell and the cristae cross-sectional area was observed to be significantly higher in patients than in controls (p-value=0.0468 and p-value<0.0001, respectively). The mtDNA copy numbers, TFAM, POLG, and c-myc gene expression were significantly higher in ALL patients than controls (all p-values<0.01). Gene Expression of PGC-1α was higher in tumor samples. The analysis of the correlation between PGC-1α expression and morphology parameters i.e., both M/C ratio and cristae cross-sectional area revealed a positive trend (r=0.3, p=0.1). The increased area occupied by mitochondria and increased cristae area support the occurrence of cristae remodelling in ALL. These changes might reflect alterations in cristae dynamics to support the metabolic state of the cells by forming a more condensed network. Ultrastructural imaging can be useful for affirming changes occurring at a subcellular organellar level.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제12권6호
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• pp.230-239
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• 2012

Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) is an enzyme that is predominantly expressed in germinal center B cells and plays a pivotal role in immunoglobulin class switch recombination and somatic hypermutation for antibody (Ab) maturation. These two genetic processes endow Abs with protective functions against a multitude of antigens (pathogens) during humoral immune responses. In B cells, AID expression is regulated at the level of either transcriptional activation on AID gene loci or post-transcriptional suppression of AID mRNA. Furthermore, AID stabilization and targeting are determined by post-translational modifications and interactions with other cellular/nuclear factors. On the other hand, aberrant expression of AID causes B cell leukemias and lymphomas, including Burkitt's lymphoma caused by c-myc/IgH translocation. AID is also ectopically expressed in T cells and non-immune cells, and triggers point mutations in relevant DNA loci, resulting in tumorigenesis. Here, I review the recent literatures on the function of AID, regulation of AID expression, stability and targeting in B cells, and AID-related tumor formation.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제17권
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• pp.83-88
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• 2001

Most reactive oxygen species (ROS) are free radicals and implicated in the development of a number of disease processes including artherosclerosis, neurodegenerative disorders, aging and cancer. ROS are byproducts of a number of in vivo metabolic processes and are formed deliberately as part of nor-mal inflammatory response. On the other hand, ROS are generated either as by products of oxygen reduction during xenobiotic metabolism or are liberated as the result of the futile redox cycling of the chemical agents including several chemical carcinogens. A better understanding of the mechanisms of free radical toxicity may yield valuable clue to risks associated with chemical exposures that leading to the development of chronic diseases including cancer. The molecular biology of ROS-mediated alterations in gene expression, signal transduction and carcinognesis is one of the important subjects in free radical toxicology. Epidemiological studies suggest that high intake of vegetables and fruits are associated with the low incidence of human cancer. Many phytopolyphenols such as tea polyphenols, curcumin, resveratrol, apigenin, genistein and other flavonoids have been shown to be cancer chemopreventive agents. Most of these compounds are strong antioxidant and ROS scavengers in vitro and effective inducers of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutatse, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in vivo. Several cellular transducers namely receptor tyrosine kinase, protein kinase C, MAPK, PI3K, c-jun, c-fos, c-myc, NFkB, IkB kinase, iNOS, COX-2, Bcl-2, Bax, etc have been shown to be actively modulated by phyto-polyphenols. Recent development in free radical toxicology have provided strong basis for understanding the action mechanisms of cancer chemoprevention.