• BMB Reports
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• 제50권1호
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• pp.5-11
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• 2017

One of the characteristics of the neurons that distinguishes them from other cells is their complex and polarized structure consisting of dendrites, cell body, and axon. The complexity and diversity of dendrites are particularly well recognized, and accumulating evidences suggest that the alterations in the dendrite structure are associated with many neurodegenerative diseases. Given the importance of the proper dendritic structures for neuronal functions, the dendrite pathology appears to have crucial contribution to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Nonetheless, the cellular and molecular basis of dendritic changes in the neurodegenerative diseases remains largely elusive. Previous studies in normal condition have revealed that several cellular components, such as local cytoskeletal structures and organelles located locally in dendrites, play crucial roles in dendrite growth. By reviewing what has been unveiled to date regarding dendrite growth in terms of these local cellular components, we aim to provide an insight to categorize the potential cellular basis that can be applied to the dendrite pathology manifested in many neurodegenerative diseases.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제22권6호
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• pp.1444-1448
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• 2008

본 논문은 라벤더 에탄올 추출물이 ${\alpha}$-MSH 유도 멜라닌 생성에 미치는 효과에 관한 것으로 라벤더 추출물이 미백효과에 미치는 연구를 중심으로 한다. 라벤더 에탄올 추출물은 복용 의존적으로 멜라닌 함량과 티로시나아제 활성을 억제했다. 라벤더 에탄올 추출물 처치는 ${\alpha}$-MSH로 촉진된 멜라닌 형성, 티로시나아제 활성, 수상돌기 성장을 효과적으로 억제했고, 라벤더 처치에 의해${\alpha}$-MSH로 유도된 티로시나아제의 mRNA 발현이 유의미하게 감소되었다. 본 연구를 통해 라벤더 추출물이 미백효과가 있음을 알 수 있었으며, 따라서 라벤더가 색소과다침착증에 미백제로 사용될 가능성이 있다는 내용이다.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제21권5호
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• pp.1142-1147
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• 2007

In this study, we investigated the effects of the flowers of Lespedeza bicolor on melanogenesis in a mouse melanocyte cell line, B16/F10 cells. Our results show that the flowers of Lespedeza bicolor significantly inhibits melanin synthesis in concentration-dependent manner. In addition, it was also found to inhibit the activity of tyrosinase, the rate-limiting melanogenic enzyme. While the flowers of Lespedeza bicolor have no direct inhibitory effect on tyrosinase activity in cell free assay system using mushroom tyrosinase. Moreover, the flowers of Lespedeza bicolor effectively suppressed the ${\alpha}-MSH-stimulated$ melanin formation, tyrosinase activity and dendrite outgrowth. These results suggest that the flowers of Lespedeza bicolor is a potent depigmetation agent.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.574-580
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• 2009

Melanogenesis is induced mainly by ultraviolet radiation of sunlight and ${\alpha}$-Melanocyte stimulation hormone (${\alpha}$-MSH) which binds to a specific G protein coupled receptor. ${\alpha}$-MSH and cAMP-elevating agents are known to melanin syntheisis and dendrite outgrowth. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of melanogenesis inhibition in B16/F10 cells by ethanol extract of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba. In the present study, ${\alpha}$-MSH led to a stimulation of melanin synthesis that appeared to result from an increased tyrosinase activity and melanin content. However, the ethanol extract of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba inhibited the ${\alpha}$-MSH-induced tyrosinase activity and melanin content. In control conditions, B16/F10 cells displayed a fibroblastic appearance while ${\alpha}$-MSH treatment promoted the emergence of small and numerous dendrites from the plasma membrane. The ethanol extract of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba abolished the ${\alpha}$-MSH-induced dendricity. Regarding protein levels of the melanogenic enzymes, the amounts of tyrosinase were increased after incubation with ${\alpha}$-MSH. The treatment of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba ethanol extract decreased the ${\alpha}$-MSH expression levels of tyrosinase. Based on these findings, it is likely that the ethanol extract of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba exerts its depigmenting effects in B16/F10 cells through the suppression of tyrosinase expression, which are key enzymes for melanogenesis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.16-26
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• 2007

Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is a serine protease catalyzing the proteolytic conversion of plasminogen into plasmin, which is involved in thrombolysis. During last two decades, the role of tPA in brain physiology and pathology has been extensively investigated. tPA is expressed in brain regions such as cortex, hippocampus, amygdala and cerebellum, and major neural cell types such as neuron, astrocyte, microglia and endothelial cells express tPA in basal status. After strong neural stimulation such as seizure, tPA behaves as an immediate early gene increasing the expression level within an hour. Neural activity and/or postsynaptic stimulation increased the release of tPA from axonal terminal and presumably from dendritic compartment. Neuronal tPA regulates plastic changes in neuronal function and structure mediating key neurologic processes such as visual cortex plasticity, seizure spreading, cerebellar motor learning, long term potentiation and addictive or withdrawal behavior after morphine discontinuance. In addition to these physiological roles, tPA mediates excitotoxicity leading to the neurodegeneration in several pathological conditions including ischemic stroke. Increasing amount of evidence also suggest the role of tPA in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis even though beneficial effects was also reported in case of Alzheimer's disease based on the observation of tPA-induced degradation of $A{\beta}$ aggregates. Target proteins of tPA action include extracellular matrix protein laminin, proteoglycans and NMDA receptor. In addition, several receptors (or binding partners) for tPA has been reported such as low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) and annexin II, even though intracellular signaling mechanism underlying tPA action is not clear yet. Interestingly, the action of tPA comprises both proteolytic and non-proteolytic mechanism. In case of microglial activation, tPA showed non-proteolytic cytokine-like function. The search for exact target proteins and receptor molecules for tPA along with the identification of the mechanism regulating tPA expression and release in the nervous system will enable us to better understand several key neurological processes like teaming and memory as well as to obtain therapeutic tools against neurodegenerative diseases.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제28권5호
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• pp.597-604
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• 2018

ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)은 4-17세의 아동 및 청소년의 약 10%가 겪는 흔한 신경 발달 장애이지만 그 핵심 기전이 알려져 있지 않은 가운데 관련한 여러 단백질들이 보고되어왔다. 이중 GIT1 (G-protein coupled-receptor kinase interacting protein-1)은 중추신경계에서 dendritic spine formation와 growth에 영향을 미치는 multifunctional adaptor protein으로, GIT1이 제거된 생쥐는 과잉행동, 주의력결핍 그리고 충동성을 보이는 ADHD 증상을 보이게 된다. 이 논문에서는 GIT1 유전자 변형 생쥐를 이용하여 genotype별로 신경교세포의 전달물질(gliotransmitter)을 비교 분석하는 실험을 진행하였다. 그 결과 주요 흥분성 전달물질인 glutamate는 HE (hetero)와 KO (knock-out)의 세포 내에서 WT (wildtype)보다 더 높은 농도로 존재했다. 한편, 억제성 신경전달물질인 GABA와 glycine의 경우 전반적으로 HE에서 가장 많은 함유량을 보였지만 소뇌 세포내의 경우, KO이 WT보다 많은 양을 함유한 것에 비해 대뇌 세포 내에서는 KO보다 WT의 억제성 전달물질 함유량이 높았다. 또한, glutamate와 GABA를 기준으로 흥분성/억제성 비율(excitation/inhibition ratio)을 보았을 때, 소뇌 세포 내/외 모두에서 KO이 가장 높은 수치를 보였고, 대뇌에서는 세포 내/외 모두 HE에서 가장 높은 수치를 보였다. 억제성 신경전달물질인 GABA가 KO의 대뇌 세포 외에서 가장 많은 것으로 보아 GIT1 결손을 보완하기 위해 억제성 물질을 더 많이 분비하거나 또는 과도하게 분비된 GABA를 재흡수하지 못하는 것이라 사료된다. 이는 ADHD 병리기전으로써 기능할 가능성을 제시하며 후속 연구를 통해 해당 기전에 대한 규명이 필요할 것으로 보인다.