• Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology : HEB
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.835-845
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• 2018

We studied the role of ethylene control in regulating energy metabolism, antioxidant enzyme activity, and vase life of cut rose Rosa hybrida 'Carola'. Rose flowers at stage II were sprayed with one of the following solutions: water (control), $10{\mu}L\;L^{-1}$ 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), or $0.5g\;L^{-1}$ 2-chloroethanephosphonic acid (ethephon). After harvest, ethylene production rate, respiration intensity, energy charge (EC), activities of energy metabolism-related and antioxidant enzymes, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were measured. Results showed that 1-MCP enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase, $H^+$-adenosine triphosphatase, $Ca^{2+}$-adenosine triphosphatase, succinic dehydrogenase, and cytochrome c oxidase, increased adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content, maintained high EC levels, inhibited respiration intensity, reduced peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity and MDA accumulation, and prolonged vase life. Ethephon promoted ethylene production and respiration intensity, increased POD and PPO activity, reduced ATP content and EC levels, and accelerated senescence. Our results support a novel role for ethylene control in regulating senescence of 'Carola'.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.272-281
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• 2003

Nontraditional or alternative medicine is becoming an increasingly attractive approach for the treatment of various inflammatory disorders and cancers. Curcumin is the major constitute of turmoric powder extracted from the rhizomes of the plant Curcuma longa. Resveratrol is a phytoalexin present in grapes and a variety of medicinal plants. In this report, We investigated the effect of curcumin and resveratrol on regulatory protein of cell cycle, induction of apoptosis and MMP activity. Treatment with 75 M curcumin for 24 hrs produced morphological changing in HN-4 cells. Curcumin and resveratrol inhibited the cellular growth in HN-4 cells. Inhibition of cell growth was associated with down-regulation of cell cycle regulatory proteins. Curcumin-induced caspase-3 activation and Bax degradation were dose-dependent with a maximal effect at a concentration of 100 M. The elevated caspase-3 activity in curcumin treated HN-4 cells are correlated with down-regulation of survivin and cIAP1, but not cIAP2. Curcumin induced a dose-dependent increase of cytochrome c in the cytosol. Curcumin induced-apoptosis was mediated through the release of cytochrome c. In addition, curcumin-induced apoptosis was caused by the generation of reactive oxygen species, which was prevented by antioxidant N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC). Cotreatment with NAC markedly prevented cytochrome c release, Bax cleavage and cell death. Also resveratrol-induced apoptosis was preceded by down-regulation of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, cIAP1, and caspase-3 activity. However, resveratrol-induced apoptosis was not prevented by antioxidant NAC. In addition, HN-4 cells release basal levels of MMP2 when cultured in serum-free medium. Treatment of the cells with various concentrations of PMA for 24 hr induced the expression and secretion of latent MMP9 as determined by gelatin zymography. HN-4 cells were treated with various concentrations of curcumin and resveratrol in the presence of 75 nM PMA, and MMP2 and 9 activities were inhibited by curcumin and resveratrol. These findings have implications for developing curcumin-based anticancer and anti-inflammation therapies.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.1-14
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• 2007

Background: It is generally accepted that skeletal muscle contraction is triggered by nerve impulse and intracellular $Ca^{2+}\;([Ca^{2+}]_i)$ released from intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ stores such as sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Specifically, this process, called excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling, takes place at intracellular junctions between the plasma membrane, the transverse (T) tubule L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel (dihydropyridine-sensitive L-rype $Ca^{2+}$ channel, DHPR, also called tetrads), and the SR $Ca^{2+}$ release channel (ryanodine-sensitive $Ca^{2+}$ release channel, RyR, also called feet) of internal $Ca^{2+}$ stores in skeletal muscle cells. Furthermore, it has been reported that the $Ca^{2+-}$ dependent and -independent contraction determine the expression of skeletal muscle genes, thus providing a mechanism for tightly coupling the extent of muscle contraction to regulation of muscle plasticity-related excitation-transcription (E-T) coupling. Purpose: Expression and activity of plasticity-associated enzymes in gastrocnemius muscle strips have not been well studied, however. Methods: Therefore, in this study the expression and phosphorylation of E-C and E-T coupling-related mediators such as protein kinases, ROS(reactive oxygen species)- and apoptosis-related substances, and others in gastrocnemius muscles from rats was examined. Results: I found that expression and activity of MAPKs (mitogen-activated protein kinases, ERK1/2, p38MAPK, and SAPK/JNK), apoptotic proteins (cleaved caspase-3, cytochrome c, Ref-1, Bad), small GTP-binding proteins (RhoA and Cdc42), actin-binding protein (cofilin), PKC (protein kinase C) and $Ca^{2+}$ channel (transient receptor potential channel 6, TRPC6) was observed in rat gastrocnemius muscle strips. Conclusion: These results suggest that MAPKs, ROS- and apoptosis-related enzymes, cytoskeleton-regulated proteins, and $Ca^{2+}$ channel may in part functionally import in E-C and E-T coupling from rat skeletal muscles.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.209-220
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• 2021

Pacific herring, Clupea pallasii, a keystone species with significant ecological and commercial importance, is declining globally throughout much of its range. While traditional fishing equipment methods remain limited, new sensitive and rapid detection methods should be developed to monitor fisheries resources. To monitor the presence and quantity of C. pallasii from environmental DNA (eDNA) extracted from seawater samples, a pair of primers and a TaqMan^® probe specific to this fish based on mitochondrial cytochrome b (COB) sequences were designed for the real-time PCR (qPCR) assay. The combination of our molecular markers showed high specificity in the qPCR assay, which affirmed the success of presenting a positive signal only in the C. pallasii specimens. The markers also showed a high sensitivity for detecting C. pallasii genomic DNA in the range of 1 pg~100 ng rxn^-1 and its DNA plasmid containing COB amplicon in the range of 1~100,000copies rxn^-1, which produced linear standard calibration curves (r²=0.99). We performed a qPCR assay for environmental water samples obtained from 29 sampling stations in the southeastern coastal regions of South Korea using molecular markers. The assay successfully detected the C. pallasii eDNA from 14 stations (48.2%), with the highest mean concentration in Jinhae Bay with a value of 76.09±18.39 pg L^-1 (246.20±58.58 copies L^-1). Our preliminary application of molecular monitoring of C. pallasii will provide essential information for efficient ecological control and management of this valuable fisheries resource.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.147-154
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• 2017

The present study was performed to evaluate the hangover relieving effect of germinated buckwheat (GB) and Sanghwang mushroom mycelium cultured in GB (SGB). Both GB and SGB showed 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activities and significantly increased (p < 0.001) aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activities; up to 140% increase at concentrations of $16{\mu}L/mL$. Locomotor activity test results from alcohol-SGB and alcohol-GB groups showed improved motor activities over that of the alcohol-water group at 90 min post-administration. Both alcohol-GB and alcohol-SGB groups had significantly reduced (p < 0.001) alcohol ($40.02{\pm}33.38{\mu}g/mL$, $66.01{\pm}22.04{\mu}g/mL$, respectively) and aldehyde ($5.72{\pm}0.47{\mu}g/mL$, $6.72{\pm}1.70{\mu}g/mL$, respectively) concentrations in blood compared to those in the alcohol-water group ($199.75{\pm}33.83{\mu}g/mL$, $50.43{\pm}13.88{\mu}g/mL$, respectively) at 90 min post-administration. Based on cDNA microarray analysis, expressions of ALDH genes ALDH1a7 and ALDH18a1 and cytochrome P450 (CY450) gene CYP4a30b were upregulated in the alcohol-GB and alcohol-SGB groups compared to levels in the control group. Overall, the results suggest that both GB and SGB have hangover relieving effects by reducing blood acetaldehyde levels. The molecular mechanisms may involve ALDH activation and upregulated expression of alcohol metabolism-related genes such as ALDH and CYP450.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.92-100
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• 2004

Effect of the depletion or oxidation of GSH on mitomycin c (MMC)-induced mitochondrial damage and cell death was assessed in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cells. MMC induced cell death and the decrease in the GSH contents in SCLC cells, which were inhibited by z-LEHD.fmk (a cell permeable inhibitor of caspase-9), z-DQMD.fmk (a cell permeable inhibitor of caspase-3) and thiol compound, N-acetylcysteine. MMC caused nuclear damage, release of cytochrome c and activation of caspase-3, which were reduced by N-acetylcysteine. The depletion of GSH due to L-butionine-sulfoximine enhanced the MMC-induced cell death and formation of reactive oxygen species in SCLC cells, whereas the oxidation of GSH due to diamide or $NH_2Cl$ did not affect cytotoxicity of MMC. The results show that MMC may cause cell death in SCLC cells by inducing mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to activation of caspase-9 and -3. The MMC-induced change in the mitochondrial membrane permeability, followed by cell death, in SCLC cells may be significantly enhanced by the depletion of GSH. In contrast, the oxidation of GSH may not affect cytotoxicity of MMC.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.373-381
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• 2017

Hippocampus abdominalis, the big belly sea horse, is widely known for its medicinal value in Chinese folk medicine. In this study, extract obtained by proteolytic degradation of this species was investigated for its effects on skeletal muscle development, both in vitro and in vivo. Muscle cell lines ($C_2C_{12}$ and $L_6$) treated with the bioactive peptide did not have any detrimental effects on the cell viability, which was above 80%. Optical microscopy analysis on the morphology of the sea horse extract (SHE)-treated cells showed enhanced differentiating ability with myotube formation. Moreover, cells incubated with the hydrolysate displayed decreased proliferation rate, as recorded by the electric cell substrate impedance sensing system, thereby supporting enhanced differentiation. For a period of 12 weeks, mice models were fed with SHE and simultaneously subjected to treadmill exercise, which increased the expression of Myogenin, a key myogenic regulatory factor. In addition, there was an increase in the expression of AMPK- and Cytochrome C, both of which are important in mitochondrial biogenesis. Thus, the SHE from Hippocampus abdominalis can be a promising candidate as protein supplement aiding muscle development.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.43-53
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• 2019

The anticancer activity of guava (Psidium guajava L.) leaf extract (GLE) occurs via the induction of apoptosis in cancer cells. However, the mechanism behind GLE-induced apoptosis in the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the apoptotic effects and mechanism of action of GLE in cultured HepG2 cells. The results showed that GLE induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) synthesis and disrupted the mitochondrial membrane potential (${\Delta}{\Psi}m$). Moreover, GLE increased the expression of apoptotic pathway proteins, such as the cleaved forms of caspase-3, -8, and -9; the translocation of Bax and cytochrome c (cyt-c) from the mitochondria to the cytosol; and the downregulation of Bcl-2. In addition, p53 protein expression was increased upon GLE treatment. These observations indicate that the GLE-induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells is mediated by mitochondrial ROS generation, followed by caspase activation and cyt-c release, suggesting that GLE may be a promising candidate for the development of novel drugs for the treatment of liver cancers.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.197-203
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• 2003

Apicidin, a histone-deacetylase inhibitor, has been successfully used to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. In this study, the apoptotic potential and mechanistic insights of apicidin were investigated in human myeloid leukemia U937 cells. Treatment of U937 cells with apicidin resulted in a decrease of cell viability with apoptotic characteristics, including chromatin condensation and ladder-pattern fragmentation of genomic DNA. Apicidin converted the procaspase-3 protease to catalytically active effector protease, resulting in subsequent cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and inhibitor of caspase-activated deoxyribonuclease (ICAD). In addition, apicidin induced the activation of caspase-9 protease and the cytosolic release of mitochondrial cytochrome c with mitochon-drial membrane potential transition. Moreover, apicidin transiently increased the expression of Fas and Fas ligand proteins. Taken together, the results suggest that apicidin induces apoptosis of U937 cells through activation of intrinsic caspase cascades and Fas/FasL system with mitochondrial dysfunction.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2001.05a
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• pp.22-40
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• 2001

Apoptosis is characterized by DNA fragmentation, chromatin condensation and plasma membrane blebbing. These apoptotic processes have been mainly associated with genetic mechanisms. Recently, these processes have been also associated with mitochondrial events that include the release of cytochrome c and Diablo/SMAC by modulation of mitochondrial membrane permeability.(omitted)