• Journal of Interdisciplinary Genomics
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.35-41
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• 2023

Background: Ca²⁺ signaling plays a vital role in neuronal signaling and altered Ca²⁺ homeostasis in Parkinson's disease (PD). Overexpression of αSYN significantly promote the Ca²⁺-Calmodulin (CaM) activity and subsequent nuclear translocation of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) transcription factor in dopaminergic neurons of midbrain. However, the exact role of Ca²⁺-CaM and NFAT in PD pathology is yet to be elucidated. Methods: We designed the CaM-NFAT-oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN), a synthetic short DNA containing complementary sequence for NFAT transcription factor and CaM mRNA. Then, the effect of CaM-NFAT-ODN on 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP⁺)-mediated neurotoxicity was investigated in mimic PD model in vitro. Results: First, the expression of αSYN and CaM was strongly increased in substantia nigra (SN) of PD and the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) was strongly increased in control SN. Additionally, the expression of apoptosis marker proteins was strongly increased in SN of PD. Transfection of CaM-NFAT-ODN repressed CaM and pNFAT, the target genes of this ODN in rat embryo primary mesencephalic neurons. It also reduced ERK phosphorylation, a downstream target of these genes. These results demonstrated that CaM-NFAT-ODN operated successfully in rat embryo primary mesencephalic neurons. Transfection of CaM-NFAT-ODN repressed TH reduction, αSYN accumulation, and apoptosis by MPP⁺-induced neurotoxicity response through Ca²⁺ signaling and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling. Conclusion: Synthetic CaM-NFAT-ODN has substantial therapeutic feasibility for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.59-69
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• 2024

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) such as human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells, and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)-hESCs can permanently self-renew while maintaining their capacity to differentiate into any type of somatic cells, thereby serving as an important cell source for cell therapy. However, there are persistent challenges in the application of hPSCs in clinical trials, where one of the most significant is graft rejection by the patient immune system in response to human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatch when transplants are obtained from an allogeneic (non-self) cell source. Homozygous SCNT-hESCs (homo-SCNT-hESCs) were used to simplify the clinical application and to reduce HLA mismatch. Here, we present a xeno-free protocol that confirms the efficient generation of neural precursor cells in hPSCs and also the differentiation of dopaminergic neurons. Additionally, there was no difference when comparing the HLA expression patterns of hESC, homo-SCNT-hESCs and hetero-SCNT-hESCs. We propose that there are no differences in the differentiation capacity and HLA expression among hPSCs that can be cultured in vitro. Thus, it is expected that homo-SCNT-hESCs will possess a wider range of applications when transplanted with neural precursor cells in the context of clinical trials.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.782-784
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• 1998

Ginseng total saponin (GTS) can modulate dopaminergic activity at both presynaptic and postsynaptic dopamine receptors (Kim et al, 1998). The present study investigated t he effect of GTS on the bovine adrenal tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), which catalyze L/tyrosine to DOP. GTS inhibited the bovine adrenal TH by 42.4, 51.5 and 55.3% at concentrations of 40, 80 and 100${\mu}g$/ml, respectively. The IC50 value of GTS was 77.5${\mu}g$/ml. GTS exhibited noncompetitive inhibition with a substrate L-tyrosine. The Ki value was 155${\mu}g$/ml.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.169-174
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• 1986

Bilateral lesion of nucleus accumbens septi (N, AB), one of the mesolimbic nuclei, resulted in hyperirritability and muricide including mouse eating behavior in rats. The effects of various drugs on hyperirritability and muricide induced by NAB lesion were investigated in rats. Hyperirritability in NAB rats were significantly reduced by L-DOPA L-5-HTP major and minor tranquilizers but not reduced by MA, ATP and imipriamine-like antidepressants. On the other hand, muricide in NAB rats was significantly suppressed by L-DOPA, L-5-HTP, major and minor tranquilizers, furthermore, selectively suppressed by MA, ATP and antidepressants. These results suggested that the neural mechanism for inducing muricide is distinct from for hyperirritability in NAB rats, and that muricide in NAB rats is resulted from the increasing of cholinergic activity and reduction of dopaminergic and serotonergic activity.

• 한국약용작물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2007.05a
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• pp.251-252
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• 2007

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Sericultural Science Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.112-113
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• 2003

Kynurenic acid (KYNA), tryptophan metabolite is known to have cell protective effect against various insults in the brain. But so far, the protective mechanism is largely unknown. In this study, we investigated how the KYNA exerts protective effect against 6-OHDA, a causative molecule of Parkinsonian syndrome, using SH-SY5Y cells. (omitted)

• BMB Reports
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.323-330
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• 1995

Recent studies have shown that dopamine applied to cultured swimming motor neurons of Polyorchis penicillatus produces an inhibitory action by opening potassium channels through $D_2$-like receptors. In this study, it was demonstrated that dopamine found in the hydromedusa was not from exogenous sources and the content of dopamine depended on the $Ca^{2+}$ content of the dissecting media. In addition, a combination of thin layer chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography showed the presence of DOPA and DO PAC-like compounds in the jellyfish. The glyoxylic acid method for catecholamines suggested that a population of small cells, neither swimming motor neurons nor B-like neurons, had dopaminergic systems. From all these results, it is suggested here that DA synthesized from DOPA in some cells is released. being dependent on calcium concentrations, into a synaptic cleft and degraded into DOPAC after acting as an inhibitory transmitter to swimming motor neurons.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.25-30
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• 1998

The roles of dopamine(DA) and N-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA) system in the development and expression of morphine dependence were investigated by monitoring the concentrations of extracellular DA and its metabolites by in vivo microdialysis and simultaneous observation of behavioral changes in morphine dependent rats. Extracellular DA level in caudate putamen of morphine-dependent rat was decreased and the concentrations of its metabolites, dihydroxy phenylacetic acid(DOPAC) and homovanillic acid(HVA), were increased during naloxone-precipitated withdrawal. DA contents were recovered to normal levels by pretreatment of MK-801, a noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist, which may explain the mechanism of diminishing effect of MK-801 on withdrawal symptoms in morphine-dependent rats. MK-801(0.3 mg/tg, i.p.) induced the untoward hamful neurological signs such as ataxia and severe rotations, which may be produced by hyperactivation of dopaminergic system. These results suggest that MK-801 may inhibit the expression of mophine dependence by altering the dopamine release.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1996.04a
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• pp.215-215
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• 1996

The present study examined chronic effects of transient focal cerebral ischemia on the substantia nigra, a remote exofocal area, using immunohistochenmical and receptor autoradiographic techniques. Transient focal cerebral ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion for 60 or 90 min followed by reperfusion using silicone-coated 4-0 nylon monofilament in male Wistar rats. After 1- or 2-week reperfusion following transient MCA occlusion, there were partial losses of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive dopaminergic neurons, incieases in glial fibrillary acidic protein-immunoreactive cells (gliosis), decreases in [$^3$H]YM-09151-2 binding for dopamine D$_2$ receptors, and marked atrophy in the ipsilateral substantia nigra. The precise mechanism(s) of exofocal damage to the substantia nigra is remained to be elucidated.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1996.04a
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• pp.214-214
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• 1996

Intraperitoneal injection of morphine (5 mg/kg) in mice every other day for 8 days produced conditioned place preference (CPP). CPP effects were evaluated by assessing the difference in time spent in the drug-paired compartment and the saline-paired compartment of the place conditioning apparatus. The injection of a non-competitive NMDA antagonist, MK-801 (0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg, i.p.), prior to and during morphine treatment in mice Inhibited morphine-induced CPP. The development of postsynaptic dopamine (DA) receptor supersensitivity in mice displaying a morphine-induced CPP was evidenced by the enhanced response in ambulatory activity to the DA agonist, apomorphine (2 mg/kg). MK-801 inhibited that development of postsynaptic DA receptor supersensitivity MK-801 also inhibited apomorphine-induced climbing behavior, suggesting that MK-801 Inhibits dopaminergic activation mediated via the NMDA receptor.