• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권8호
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• pp.3293-3299
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• 2015

Background: Arm protein lost in epithelial cancers, on chromosome X (ALEX) is a novel subgroup within the armadillo (ARM) family, which has one or two ARM repeat domains as opposed to more than six-thirteen repeats in the classical Armadillo family members. Materials and Methods: In the study, we explore the biological functions of ALEX1 in breast cancer cells. Overexpression of ALEX1 and silencing of ALEX1 were performed with SK-BR3 and MCF-7 cell lines. Cell proliferation and colony formation assays, along with flow cytometry, were carried out to evaluate the roles of ALEX1. Results: ALEX1 overexpression in SK-BR3 breast cancer cells inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis. Furthermore, depletion of ALEX1 in MCF-7 breast cancer cells increased proliferation and inhibited apoptosis. Additional analyses demonstrated that the overexpression of ALEX1 activated the intrinsic apoptosis cascades through up-regulating the expression of Bax, cytosol cytochrome c, active caspase-9 and active caspase-3 and down-regulating the levels of Bcl-2 and mitochondria cytochrome c. Simultaneouly, silencing of ALEX1 inhibited intrinsic apoptosis cascades through down-regulating the expression of Bax, cytosol cytochrome c, active caspase-9, and active caspase-3 and up-regulating the level of Bcl-2 and mitochondria cytochrome c. Conclusions: Our data suggest that ALEX1 as a crucial tumor suppressor gene has been involved in cell proliferation and apoptosis in breast cancer, which may serve as a novel candidate therapeutic target.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권7호
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• pp.3223-3228
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• 2016

Reports indicate that 15-deoxy-delta-12,14-prostaglandin-J2 (15d-PGJ2) has anticancer activities, but its mechanisms of action have yet to be fully elucidated. We therefore investigated the effects of 15d-PGJ2 on the human breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 (estrogen receptor $ER{\alpha}+/ER{\beta}+$) and MDA-MB-231 ($ER{\alpha}-/ER{\beta}+$). Cellular proliferation and cytotoxicity were determined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays while apoptosis was determined by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry using annexin V-propidium iodide (PI) staining. ER expression was determined by Western blotting. Intracellular calcium was stained with Fluo-4 AM while intracellular caspase activities were detected with Caspase-$FLICA(R)$ and measured by flow cytometry. We showed that 15d-PGJ2 caused a significant increase in apoptosis in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. $ER{\alpha}$ protein expression was reduced in treated MCF-7 cells but pre-incubation with the $ER{\alpha}$ inhibitor' ICI 182 780' did not affect the percentage of apoptotic cells. The expression of $ER{\beta}$ was unchanged in both cell lines. In addition, 15d-PGJ2 increased intracellular calcium ($Ca^{2+}$) staining and caspase 8, 9 and 3/7 activities. We therefore conclude that 15d-PGJ2 induces caspase-dependent apoptosis that is associated with an influx of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ with no involvement of ER signaling.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.104-112
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• 2003

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of Sohaphyang-won and is to study the mechanism for neuronal death protection in hypoxia with Embryonic day 20(E20) cortical cells of a guinea pig(Sprague Dawley). Methods : E20 cortical cells, used in this investigation were dissociated in Neurobasal media and grown for 14 days in vitro (DIV). On 14 DIV, Sohaphyang-won was added to the culture media for 72 hours. On 17 DIV, cells were given a hypoxic shock and further incubated in normoxia for another three days. On 20 DIV, Sohaphyang-won's effects for neuronal death protection were evaluated by LDH assay and the mechanism was studied by Bcl-2, Bak, Bax, caspase family. Results : This study indicates that Sohaphyang-won's effects for neuronal death protection in hypoxia is confirmed by LDH assay by the method of Embryonic day 20(E20) cortical neuroblast. Conclusions : Sohaphyang-won's mechanism for neuronal death protection in hypoxia restrains inflow of cytochrome C into cellularity caused by Bcl-2 increase and reduces the caspase cascade initiator caspase-10 and the effector caspase-3.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제24권12호
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• pp.1378-1382
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• 2014

Phospholipase D (PLD)는 세포막을 구성하는 주요지질인 인지질을 분해하여, 이차신호전달물질인 phosphatidic acid (PA)를 생성함으로써 세포의 성장 및 증식, 생존신호전달등 세포내 다양한 생리현상을 조절하는 중요한 신호전달 핵심단백질로 대두되고 있다. PLD의 비정상적인 발현과 활성은 다양한 암을 비롯한 여러 질환에서 나타난다. PLD에 의해 생성된 PA는 세포사멸 유전자의 발현을 감소시켜서 세포사멸에 대한 내성을 나타내고 있다.최근에, 세포사멸과정에서 PLD 단백질의 turnover dynamics에 관한 분자수준에서의 연구가 규명되었다. PLD는, 세포사멸시 활성화되는 단백질 분해효소인 caspases의 새로운 기질로 작용하여 세포사멸을 차별적으로 조절을 한다. Caspase에 의한 PLD동위효소의 차별적인 분해양상이 PLD의 효소활성과 세포사멸억제 기능을 조절한다. 그래서 PLD는 암치료의 표적분자로서의 가능성이 제시된다. 본 리뷰논문에서, 세포사멸조절 PLD의 기능적 역할에 대해 서술하고자 한다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.145-149
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• 2007

We have previously shown that 2,4,3',5'-tetramethoxystilbene (TMS), a synthetic trans-stilbene analogue acting as a potent inhibitor of human cytochrome P450 1B1, induces apoptotic cell death in human cancer cells. In the present studies, we report the mechanisms of apoptotic cell death by TMS in human promyelocytic leukemic HL-60 cells. We found that treatment of HL-60 cells with TMS suppressed the cell growth in a concentration-dependent manner with $IC_{50}$ value of about 0.8 ${\mu}M$. Immunoblot experiments revealed that DMHS-induced apoptosis was associated with cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. The release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into the cytosol was significantly increased in response to TMS. TMS caused activation of caspase-3 in a concentration-dependent manner and TMS-mediated caspase-3 activation was partially prevented by the caspase inhibitor, zVAD-fmk. Interestingly, we found that the cytotoxic effect of anticancer drugs such as paclitaxel, docetaxel, or etoposide was enhanced in the presence of TMS. Simultaneous treatment with TCDD also significantly increased cytotoxic effects of TMS alone or TMS and anti-cancer agents. Taken together, our present results indicated that TMS leads to apoptotic cell death in HL-60 cells through activation of caspase-3 activity and release of cytochrome c into cytosol. The ability of TMS to increase cytotoxic effect of anticancer drugs may contribute to its usefulness for cancer chemotherapy.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.213-223
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• 2002

The fruiting bodies of Isaria japonica have been traditionally used in Korea to treat cancer. An apoptosis-inducing compound, 4-Acetyl-12, 13-epoxyl -9-trichothecene-3, I5-diol (AETD), was isolated from the methanol extract of fruiting bodies of Isaria japonica Yasuda by bioassay -guided fractionation. The apoptosis of murine bladder cancer cell line (NBT-Ⅱ) by the compound was accessed by propidium iodide staining flow cytometric analysis, and apoptosis-inducing activity at $IC_{50}$ concentration (5 nmol／L) was further confirmed by a nuclear morphological change, a ladder pattern of DNA fragmentation, and an activation of caspase-3. These results indicate that AETD induces apoptosis of NBT-Ⅱ cells via expression of caspase-3.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.86-87
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• 2015

Objectives: Condurango is widely used in various systems of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) against oesophageal and stomach ailments including certain types of cancer. However, until now no systematic study has been conducted to verify its efficacy and dose with proper experimental support. Therefore, we examined if ethanolic extract of Condurango could ameliorate benzo[a]pyrene (BaP)-induced lung cancer in rats in vivo to validate its use as a traditional medicine. Methods: After one month of scheduled BaP feeding (50 mg/kg body-weight), lung cancer developed after four months. BaP-intoxicated rats were then treated with Condurango (0.06 mL) twice daily starting at the end of the four months for an additional one, two and three months, respectively. Effects of Condurango were evaluated by analyzing lung histology, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant biomarkers, DNA-fragmentation, RT-PCR (Reverese Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction), ELISA (Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) and western blot of several apoptotic signalling markers and comparing the results against those obtained for controls. Results: A histological study revealed gradual progress in lung tissue-repair activity in Condurango-fed cancer-bearing rats, showing gradual tissue recovery after three months of drug administration. Condurango has the capacity to generate ROS, which may contribute to a reduction in anti-oxidative activity and to an induction of oxidative stress-mediated cancer-cell death. Condurango-activated pro-apoptotic genes (Bax, caspase-3, caspase-9, p53, cytochrome-c, apaf-1, ICAD and PARP) and down-regulated antiapoptotic-Bcl-2 expression were noted both at mRNA and protein levels. Studies on caspase-3 activation and PARP cleavage by western blot analysis revealed that Condurango induced apoptosis through a caspase-3-dependent pathway. Conclusions: The anticancer efficacy of an ethanolic extract of Condurango for treating BaP-induced lung cancer in rats lends support for its use in various traditional systems of medicine.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제37권4호
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• pp.413-424
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• 2013

Korean Red Ginseng extract (KRGE) is a traditional herbal medicine utilized to prevent endothelium dysfunction in the cardiovascular system; however, its underlying mechanism has not been clearly elucidated. We here examined the pharmacological effect and molecular mechanism of KRGE on apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in a serum-deprived apoptosis model. KRGE protected HUVECs from serum-deprived apoptosis by inhibiting mitochondrial cytochrome c release and caspase-9/-3 activation. This protective effect was significantly higher than that of American ginseng extract. KRGE treatment increased antiapoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-$X_L$ protein expression and Akt-dependent Bad phosphorylation. Moreover, KRGE prevented serum deprivation-induced subcellular redistribution of these proteins between the mitochondrion and the cytosol, resulting in suppression of mitochondrial cytochrome c release. In addition, KRGE increased nitric oxide (NO) production via Akt-dependent activation of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), as well as inhibited caspase-9/-3 activities. These increases were reversed by co-treatment of cells with inhibitors of eNOS and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and pre-incubation of cell lysates in dithiothreitol, indicating KRGE induces NO-mediated caspase modification. Indeed, KRGE inhibited caspase-3 activity via S-nitrosylation. These findings suggest that KRGE prevents serum deprivation-induced HUVEC apoptosis via increased Bcl-2 and Bcl-$X_L$ protein expression, PI3K/Akt-dependent Bad phosphorylation, and eNOS/NO-mediated S-nitrosylation of caspases. The cytoprotective property of KRGE may be valuable for developing new pharmaceutical means that limit endothelial cell death induced during the pathogenesis of vascular diseases.

• 대한한방부인과학회지
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.91-110
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• 2007

Purpose : These experiments were undertaken to evaluate the effect of administration of Palmultang on ovarian functions and differential gene expressions related cell viabilities caspase-3, MAPK and MPG in female mice. Materials and Methods : We administered the Palmultang to 6-week-old female ICR mice for 4, 8, or 12 days. The female mice were injected PMSG and hCG for ovarian hyperstimulation. And then recovered ovaries were minced and extracted mRNA and analyzed cell viability related gene expression. We chose the caspase-3 for cell apoptosis, MAPK and MPG genes for cell viability and DNA repair. To compare the differences, we set a control group treated with plain water at the same volume by the same way. Results : In case of administration of Palmultang, the mean number of total ovulated oocytes and the number of morphologically normal oocytes increased significantly compared to a control group. We were also examined the embryonic developmental competence in vitro. The administration of Palmultang in a concentration with 10 and 100 mg/ml were beneficial effect of embryonic development in preimplantation period. The administration of Palmultang play a role of prevention of cell apoptosis and DNA damages and also increased cell proliferation resulted in ovarian functions. Conclusion : From our results suggested that the medication of Palmultang has beneficial effect on reproductive functions of female mice via prevention of cell apoptosis and DNA damaging and promotion of cell proliferation.

• 대한한방부인과학회지
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• 제35권3호
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• pp.1-23
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate anti-breast cancer and anti-inflammatory effects of Chungganhaewool-tang and Shipyeukmiyeugi-eum. Methods: MDA-MB-231 cells were used to measure cytotoxicity, Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, protein expression amounts of Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), B-cell lymphoma-extra large (Bcl-xl), Cytochrome C Caspase-3, Caspase-7, Caspase-9, Poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), Nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD (P) H Quinone Oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) to evaluate the anti-breast cancer effects of Chungganhaewool-tang (CHT) and Shipyeukmiyeugi-eum (SYE), and THP-1 cells, differentiated into macrophage and induced inflammation with Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), were used to measure production amounts of ROS, Nitric oxide (NO), and protein expression amounts of Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Cyclooxygenase (COX-2), Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of CHT and SYE. Results: CHT and SYE reduced MDA-MB-231 cell counts, increased protein expression of Bax and Cytochrome C, and decreased protein expression of Bcl-2, Bcl-xl. The protein expression amounts of Caspase-3, 7, and 9 decreased, but amounts of the active form, cleaved Caspase-3, 7, and 9, increased. In addition, PARP protein expression decreased, the amount of PARP protein in the cleaved form increased, and the amount of protein expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 decreased, but NQO1 showed no significant difference. In THP-1 cells CHT and SYE reduced ROS and NO, and reduced protein expressions of iNOS, COX-2, IL-1, and TNF-α, but only SYE groups reduced IL-6. Conclusions: This study suggests that CHT and SYE have potential to be used as treatments for breast cancer.