• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.41-47
• /
• 2019

The apoptotic effects of shikonin (5,8-dihydroxy-2-[(1R)-1-hydroxy-4-methylpent-3-enyl]naphthalene-1,4-dione) on the human colon cancer cell line SNU-407 were investigated in this study. Shikonin showed dose-dependent cytotoxic activity against SNU-407 cells, with an estimated $IC_{50}$ value of $3{\mu}M$ after 48 h of treatment. Shikonin induced apoptosis, as evidenced by apoptotic body formation, sub-G_1$ phase cells, and DNA fragmentation. Shikonin induced apoptotic cell death by activating mitogen-activated protein kinase family members, and the apoptotic process was mediated by the activation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, leading to activation of the $PERK/elF2{\alpha}/CHOP$ apoptotic pathway, and mitochondrial $Ca^{2+}$ accumulation. Shikonin increased mitochondrial membrane depolarization and altered the levels of apoptosis-related proteins, with a decrease in B cell lymphoma (Bcl)-2 and an increase in Bcl-2-associated X protein, and subsequently, increased expression of cleaved forms of caspase-9 and -3. Taken together, we suggest that these mechanisms, including MAPK signaling and the ER- and mitochondria-mediated pathways, may underlie shikonin-induced apoptosis related to its anticancer effect.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.17 no.7 s.87
• /
• pp.1023-1025
• /
• 2007

Ajuba is a number of proteins containing cytosolic LIM domain. Its function may provide a new pathway whereby cell-cell adhesive events are transmitted to the nucleus to regulate cell proliferation and differentiation decisions. Here, Ajuba gene expression was investigated its molecular properties associated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stresses (tunicamycin, DTT, A23187 and BFA) which induced remarkable ex-pression of Ajuba mRNA. The mRNA half life of Ajuba was also determined, its half life of Ajuba mRNA in FRTL-5 cells was approximately 2 hr after the initial translation. Although the obvious bioligical function of Ajuba is not clear, on the base of the results, Ajuba gene expression is deeply associated with ER stresses.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.248-251
• /
• 2003

The kinetics of dimerization of a newly synthesized thyroglobulin (Tg), the precursor protein in the manufacture of thyroid hormone, was investigated in the endoplasmic reticulum of thyrocytes FRTL-5 cell line. The folded monomeric Tg was first detectable in a conformationally unstable form, from the examination of lysates of pulse labeled cultured thyrocytes by denaturing and nondenaturing gel electrophoresis by 15 min after biosynthesis. The first dimeric Tg was formed by 30 min after; the monomer declined and the dimer progressively increased, and 40 min after remarkable dimeric Tg form was found. Finally, dimerization was complete at 60 min after.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.47 no.10
• /
• pp.563-568
• /
• 2014

Human genome projects have enabled whole genome mapping and improved our understanding of the genes in humans. However, many unknown genes remain to be functionally characterized. In this study, we characterized human chromosome 4 open reading frame 34 gene (hC4orf34). hC4orf34 was highly conserved from invertebrate to mammalian cells and ubiquitously expressed in the organs of mice, including the heart and brain. Interestingly, hC4orf34 is a novel ER-resident, type I transmembrane protein. Mutant analysis showed that the transmembrane domain (TMD) of hC4orf34 was involved in ER retention. Overall, our results indicate that hC4orf34 is an ER-resident type I transmembrane protein, and might play a role in ER functions including $Ca^{2+}$ homeostasis and ER stress.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.359-363
• /
• 2010

The miniature pig is a very suitable donor species in xenotransplantation of human organs. Intestine ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and apoptosis has been associated with the onset of diverse diseases. Thus, we examined the effect of intestine I/R on the expression of ER stress and apotptosis related molecules. In the present study, I/R induced phosphorylation of protein kinase-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), IRE, and ATF-4. I/R also increased the expression of the proapoptotic transcription factor CAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP). In addition, I/R decreased the expression of Bcl-2, but increased the expression of Bax, cleaved PARP, and cleaved caspase-3. Moreover, I/R increased splicing form of XBP-1 mRNA and the expression of caspase-6 and caspase-3 mRNA. In conclusion, intestine I/R induced ER stress and apoptosis in miniature pig.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.45 no.5
• /
• pp.317-322
• /
• 2012

2-deoxy-D-glucose(2DG)-caused endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress inhibits protein phosphorylation at tyrosine residues. However, the accurate regulatory mechanisms, which determine the inflammatory response of chondrocytes to ER stress via protein tyrosine phosphorylation, have not been systematically evaluated. Thus, in this study, we examined whether protein phosphorylation at tyrosine residues can modulate the expression and glycosylation of COX-2, which is reduced by 2DG-induced ER stress. We observed that protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) inhibitors, sodium orthovanadate (SOV), and phenylarsine oxide (PAO) significantly decreased expression of ER stress inducible proteins, glucose-regulated protein 94 (GRP94), and CCAAT/ enhancer-binding-protein- related gene (GADD153), which was induced by 2DG. In addition, we demonstrated that SOV and PAO noticeably restored the expression and glycosylation of COX-2 after treatment with 2DG. These results suggest that protein phosphorylation of tyrosine residues plays an important role in the regulation of expression and glycosylation during 2DG-induced ER stress in rabbit articular chondrocytes.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.240-244
• /
• 2007

Cigarette smoking causes serious health problems in humans, especially if smoking habits are established during their adolescence. Nicotine is known to mutate DNA and interfere with apoptosis. Apoptosis is considered as a potent defense mechanism against cellular damaging agents. This study aims to investigate the effect of nicotine on the progression of apoptosis induced under ER stress conditions using four different established cell lines: HEK293, 3T3-L1, C2C12, and HepG2. When treated with nicotine, the progression of apoptosis was notably inhibited in the four cell lines according to the assays of caspase-3 activation and DNA fragmentation. In ER-stressed cells, nicotine appears to inhibit the progression of apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. When cells were treated with nicotine prior to ER stress, GRP94 level significantly increased compared to other ER stress markers of PDI and GRP78. This observation suggests that the inhibitory effect of nicotine may results from up-regulation of GRP94, an anti-apoptotic chaperone, under nicotine treatment. Taken together, the present study strongly implies that nicotine may inhibit apoptosis, caused by prolonged ER stress, based on promotion of GRP94 expression.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.23-28
• /
• 1973

The changes of rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum of plasma cells in the regional lymph node after injection of Bovine Gamma Globulin summarized as follow: The rough ER of plasma cells before antigenic stimulation shows flattened sac but changed to vesicular at 3rd day and vacuolar at 7th to 10th day. lntradisternal granules are appeared within the lumina or rough ER at 7th to 10th day. The rough ER is changed to distended sac or flattened sac at 20th day. The results suggest that normally flattened sac of rough ER is changed to vesicular and then to vacuolar after antigenic stimulation. But they are returned to distended sac or flattened sac with disappearance of antigenic stimuli.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.20 no.12
• /
• pp.1820-1828
• /
• 2010

Cobalt(II) chloride, a chemical compound with the formula$CoCl_2$, has been widely used in the treatment of anemia, as a chemical agent for the induction of hypoxia in cell cultures, and is known to activate hypoxic signaling. However, excessive exposure to cobalt is associated with several clinical conditions, including asthma, pneumonia, and hematological abnormalities, and can lead to tissue and cellular toxicity. It is also known to induce apoptosis. One of the questions was that of whether $CoCl_2$ might induce apoptosis via endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in neurons. To address this question, first, the level of DNA fragmentation was measured for assay of apoptotic rates using $CoCl_2$ with neuron PC12 cells. After confirmation of apoptosis inductions, under the same conditions, the expression levels of ER stress associated factors [ER chaperones Bip, calnexin, ERp72, ERp29, PDI, and ER membrane kinases (IRE1, ATF6, PERK)] were examined by RT-PCR and Western blotting. These results indicated that apoptosis is induced through activation of ER membrane kinases via ER stress. In conclusion, during induction of apoptosis through $CoCl_2$-induced hypoxia in neuron PC12 cells, ER membrane kinase of IRE1 was dominantly up-expressed, and, consecutively, TRAF2, which has been suggested to be one of the links connecting apoptosis and ER stress, was strongly up-expressed.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.126-130
• /
• 2015

There are several studies that show hypothermia improves cellular ischemia damages on experimental and clinical bases. However, its exact molecular mechanisms are unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that hypothermia induced insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) gene expression, and its expression was dramatically decreased under ischemic insults. It was also demonstrated that hypothermia activated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress sensors especially both the phosphorylation of $eIF2{\alpha}$ (eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha) and ATF6 (activating transcription factor-6) proteolytic cleavage. However, the factors of apoptosis and autophagy were not associated with hypothermia. We suggest that hypothermia-treated IGF1 gene expression after ischemia may show a good possibility for the development of treatments and diagnostic methods in cerebral ischemic damages.