• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.149-159
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• 2004

Backgrounds & Objectives : The water extract of Gyungokgo (GOG) has traditionally been used for treatment of general weakness and hemoptysis in oriental medicine. However, little is known about the mechanism by which the water extract of GOG rescues cells from these damages. This study was designed to investigate the protective mechanisms of GOG on H2O2­induced cell death in H9c2 cardiomyoblasts. Methods : In this study, we used H9c2 cells. Cells were treated with oxidative stress in the absence and presence of 1000㎍/ml GOG for 12hrs. Cells were treated with various concentrations of GOG for 12hrs. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Oxidative stress, which markedly decreased the viability of H9c2 cells, was characterized by apparent apoptotic features such as chromatin condensation as well as fragmentation of genomic DNA and nuclei. Results : GOG significantly reduced H₂O₂-induced cell death and apoptotic characteristics. The cotreatment of GOG and H₂O₂ in H9c2 cells also induced the phosphorylation of ERKs in a time-dependent manner. Moreover, PD098059, a MEK1 (upstream activator of ERK) inhibitor attenuated the protective effect of GOG on H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity in H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells. Conclusions : These results suggest that MEK/ERK pathways play important roles in the protective effects of GOG in H9c2 cells. Taken together, they suggest that the protective effects of the water extracts of GOG against oxidative damages may be mediated by the regulation of HO-1, Fas/FasL and Bcl-XS proteins.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.942-949
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• 2010

Morus alba L., a kind of Oriental medicinal herbs, has been traditionally used to treat pulmonary asthma and congestion. According to recent studies, extracts of M. alba L. have showed anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-tumor and hypoglycemic effects. However, the molecular mechanisms on how it acts as a death-inducer in cancer cells have not been fully understood. In this study, we investigated the cell death effects of methylene chloride extracts of M. alba L. (MEMA) in A549 human lung carcinoma cells. It was shown that MEMA induced the apoptotic cell death proved by increased sub-G1 phase cell population, apoptotic body formation and chromatin condensation. MEMA treatment induced the expression of death receptor-related proteins such as death receptor (DR) 4, DR5, Fas and FasL, which further triggered the activation of caspase-8 and the cleavage of Bid in a concentration-dependent manner. However, MEMA reduced anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL expression which contributed to the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and the activations of caspase-9 and caspase-3. Meanwhile, the morphological study indicated a characteristic finding of autophagy, such as the formation of autophagosomes in MEMA-treated cells. Furthermore, markers of autophagy, namely, the increased MDC-positive cells, conversion of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3)-I to LC3-II and increased beclin-1 accumulation, were observed. Taken together, these findings demonstrated that MEMA triggered both autophagy and apoptosis in A549 cancer cells. They might suggest that M. alba L. could be a prospective clinical application to treat human lung cancers.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.731-745
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• 2005

Cyclosproin A(CsA)는 세포 이식거부방지를 위한 면역 억제제 및 자가 면역질환 치료제로 널리 사용되어 왔다. CsA는 매양된 사람 치은섬유아세포를 증식시킴이 알려져 있지만 CsA에 의한 세포증식기전에 대한 세포사멸기전 및 Bcl-2의 역할은 연구되어 있지 않다. 이번 연구는 사람 섬유아세포에서 CsA에 의한 세포증삭기전에 세포고사기전 및 Bcl-2 family가 관여하는지 밝히는 데에 목적이 있다. 세포 생장력은 MTT 방법으로 측정하였다. Bcl-2 family와 Fas 발현 정도는 RT-PCR 방법이나 western blot으로 확인하였다. Caspase-3 및 -9의 활성은 ELISER reader로, reactive oxygen species(ROS)는 fluorescence spectrometer에 의해 측정되었다. 미토콘드리아에서 세포질로 분비된 cytochrome c는 Western blot으로 조사하였다. CsA는 $0.1{\sim}10\;{\mu}M$에서 사람 섬유아세포의 생존률을 시간과 농도 의존적으로 증가시켰으며, 50 ${\mu}M$ CsA에서는 오히려 세포가 죽였다. 또한, CsA 처리로 미토콘드리아에서 세포질로 유리되는 cytochrome c 양과 VDAC 1 및 3 발현량이 감소되었고, caspase-9과 caspase-3의 활성도도 감소되었다. 한편, CsA 처리한 섬유아세포에서 death receptor 구성요소인 Fas 발현이 감소되었다. Bcl-2 family에 대한 RT-PCR, western blot 분석결과, 세포고사를 억제하는 Bel-2 발현은 증가되었으나 세포고사를 자극하는 Bax와 Bid의 발현은 감소되었다. 이러한 결과들은 사람 섬유아세포에서 CsA유도 세포증식에 Bcl-2 family와 ROS가 매개하는 미토콘드리아 의존 및 death receptor 의존 세포고사기전이 관여함을 시사하였다.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.213-223
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• 2021

Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) is routinely used in the in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycles to increase the number of retrieved mature oocytes. However, the relationship between repeated COH and ovarian function is still controversial. Therefore, we investigated whether repeated ovarian stimulation affects ovarian aging and function, including follicular development, autophagy, and apoptosis in follicles. Ovarian hyperstimulation in mice was induced by intraperitoneal injection with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Mice subjected to ovarian stimulation once were used as a control group and 10 times as an experimental group. Repeated injections with PMSG and hCG significantly reduced the number of primary follicles compared to a single injection. The number of secondary and antral follicles increased slightly, while the number of corpus luteum increased significantly with repeated injections. On the other hand, repeated injections did not affect apoptosis in follicles associated with follicular atresia. The expression of autophagy-related genes Atg5, Atg12, LC3B, and Beclin1, cell proliferation-related genes mTOR, apoptosis-related genes Fas, and FasL was not significantly different between the two groups. In addition, the expression of the aging-related genes Dnmt1, Dnmt3a, and AMH were also not significantly different. In this study, we demonstrated that repeated ovarian stimulation in mice affects follicular development, but not autophagy, apoptosis, aging in ovary. These results suggest that repetition of COH in the IVF-ET cycle may not result in ovarian aging, such as a decrease in ovarian reserve in adult women.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.77-81
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• 2012

We assessed the toxicity of cryoprotectant agents (CPAs) to gametophytic thalli of red alga Porphyra yezoensis at room temperature. The CPAs used were: dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), ethylene glycol (EG), glycerol (GC), 1,2-butanediol (1,2-BD), 1,3-butanediol (1,3-BD), 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BD), 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PD) and propylene glycol (PG). CPA concentrations of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50% were employed with 30 or 60 s immersion. The toxicity of the eight CPAs to gametophytic thalli of P. yezoensis was in the order: 1,3-BD < DMSO ${\approx}$ 2,3-BD ${\approx}$ PG ${\approx}$ EG < GC < 1,3-PD ${\approx}$ 1,2-BD. All thalli were more sensitive to high CPA concentrations, and most (>75%) thalli survived exposure to 10-25% CPA for 60 s. These data will facilitate selection of the optimal cryoprotectant concentration for cryopreservation of P. yezoensis thalli.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.67 no.5
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• pp.348-352
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• 2023

p97, a universally conserved AAA+ ATPase, holds a central position in the ubiquitin-proteasome system, orchestrating myriad cellular activities with significant therapeutic implications. This protein primarily interacts with a diverse set of adaptor proteins through its N-terminal domain (NTD), which is structurally located at the periphery of the D1 hexamer ring. While there have been numerous structural elucidations of p97 complexed with adaptor proteins, the stoichiometry has remained elusive. In this work, we present the crystal structure of the p97-N/D1 hexamer bound to the FAF1-UBX domain at a resolution of 3.1 Å. Our findings reveal a 6:6 stoichiometry between the p97 hexamer and FAF1-UBX domain, deepening our understanding from preceding structural studies related to p97-NTD and UBX domain-containing proteins. These insights lay the groundwork for potential therapeutic interventions addressing cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.417-420
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• 2015

We investigated the relationship between viability and IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) activity in D-shaped and umbo larvae of the surf clam Spisula sachalinensis after treatment with vitrification solution (VS) or freezing. In a toxicity assay, VS1, containing 5 M dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), was very harmful to D-shaped and umbo larvae. However, VS2, containing 5 M ethylene glycol (EG), was not harmful to either larval stage. Although VS2 had a promising toxicity test outcome, none of the larvae survived vitrification. After immersion into VSs and freezing, IGF-1R ${\beta}$-subunits were detected in all larvae; however, tyrosine phosphorylation of intracellular ${\beta}$-subunits was detected only in the control and live groups. These results suggest that activation of IGF-1R may influence surf clam larvae viability.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.209-214
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• 2015

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of different milking systems (AMS, automatic milking system and CMS, conventional milking system) and of supplemental fat feeding on milk composition and milk fat characteristics. The composition, MFG (milk fat globule) size, fatty acids (FAs), and free fatty acids (FFAs) of the milk from 4 AMS and 4 CMS dairy farms were analyzed on the basis of the milking system and feeding of protected fat. The milking system did not affect milk composition, MFG size, and milk FAs, but FFA content of AMS milk were significantly higher than that of CMS milk. Feeding of protected fat resulted in the production of milk much higher in LCFAs (long chain FAs); however, the milk composition was not affected by fat supplementation. Cows administered protected fat supplements produced milk containing MFGs with a large average diameter.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.239-246
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• 2005

In the central nervous system, nitric oxide (NO) is associated with many pathological diseases such as brain ischemia, neurodegeneration and inflammation. The epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a major compound of green tea, is recognized as protective substance against neuronal diseases. This study is aimed to investigate the effect of EGCG on NO-induced cell death in PC12 cells. Administration of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a NO donor, decreased cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner and induced genomic DNA fragmentation with cell shrinkage and chromatin condensation. EGCG diminished the decrement of cell viability and the formation of apoptotic morphologenic changes as well as DNA fragmentation by SNP. EGCG played as an antioxidant that attenuated the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by SNP. The cells treated with SNP showed downregulation of Bcl-2, but upregulation of Bax. EGCG ameliorated the altered expression of Bcl-2 and Bax by SNP. The release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into cytosol and expression of voltage -dependent anion channel (VDAC)1, a cytochrome c releasing channel in mitochondria, were increased in SNP-treated cells, whereas were attenuated by EGCG. The enhancement of caspase-9, preceding mitochondria-dependent pathway, caspase-8 and death receptor-dependent pathway, as well as caspase-3 activities were suppressed by EGCG. SNP upragulated Fas and Fas-L, which are death receptor assembly, whereas EGCG ameliorated the expression of Fas enhanced by SNP. These results demonstrated that EGCG has a protective effect against SNP-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells, through scavenging ROS and regulating the mitocondria- and death receptor-mediated signal pathway. The present study suggest that EGCG might be a natural neuroprotective substance.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.289-295
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• 2006

Sodium fluoride (NaF) has been shown to be cytotoxic and elicit inflammatory response in human. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying NaF-induced cytotoxicity in periodontal tissues have not yet been elucidated. This study is aimed to investigate the mechanisms of NaF-induced apoptosis in human gingival fibroblast (HGF). NaF decreased the cell viability of HGF in a dose- and time-dependent manner. NaF gave rise to apoptotic morphological changes including cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, and DNA fragmentation. However, NaF did not affect the production of ROS. In addition, NaF augumented cytochrome c release from mitochondria into the cytosol, and enhanced caspase -9 and -3 activities., cleavage (85 kDa fragments) of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and upregulation of voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) 1. These results demonstrated that NaF-induced apoptosis in HGF may be mediated with mitochondria. Furthermore, NaF elevated caspase-8 activity and upregulated Fas-ligand (Fas-L), suggesting involvement of death receptor mediated pathway in NaF-induced apoptosis. Expression of Bcl-2, an anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family, was downregulated, whereas expression of Bax, a pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family, was not affected in NaF-treated HGF. These results suggest that NaF induces apoptosis in HGF through both mitochondria- and death receptor-mediated pathway mediated by Bcl-2 family.