• KSBB Journal
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2013

Curcumin has diverse anticancer activities that lead to tumor growth inhibition of cancer cells and induction of apoptosis. Curcumin is involved in the regulation of multiple genes via transcription factors including NF-${\kappa}B$, STATs, AP1, and SP. Notch signaling plays critical roles in maintaining the balance between cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, and thereby may contribute to the development of various cancers involving breast cancer. This study was to investigate the effects of curcumin on Notch1 gene expression and to explore the underlying mechanism. Here, we found that curcumin decreased the levels of Notch1 mRNA and protein in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells, along with the downregulation of Sp family genes (Sp1, Sp2, Sp3, and Sp4). The repressive effect of curcumin on Notch1 gene transcription was confirmed by performing Notch1 promoter-driven reporter assay and three Sp-binding sites were identified on Notch1 promoter that may act as curcumin-respose elements. Moreover, treatment with mitramycin A, a specific Sp inhibitor, decreased the levels of Notch1 mRNA and protein in human breast cancer cells. Taken together, our results indicate that Notch1 gene expression is downregulated by curcumin, at least in part, through the suppression of Sp family, which may lead to apoptosis in human breast cancer cells.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.39-52
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• 2000

Polypeptide growth factor belong to a class of potent biologic mediator which regulate cell differentiation, proliferation, migration and metabolism. 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin $D_3$ decrease cell proliferation, and stimulate alkaline phosphatase activity which express in osteoblast during cell differentiation period. IGF-I is known to stimulate cell proliferation and differentiation too. 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin $D_3$ is known to increase IGF-I binding sites and IGF binding protein which inhibite the effect of IGF. The purpose of this study is to evaluate potential role of IGF-I as mediator that control the action of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin $D_3$. MC3T3-E1 cell were seeded $5{\times}10^5/ml$ at 100mm culture plate in ${\alpha}-MEM$ containing 10% fetal bovine serum. After 48 hour incubation period, medium were changed ${\alpha}-MEM$ containing 5% fetal bovine serum. After 24 hours, $10^{-9}M$ 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin $D_3$ added. Total mRNA was extracted at 0, 6, 24, 48, 72 hour. PRPCR method was programed for the detection of IGF-I mRNA. In the both groups of 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin $D_3$ treated and control, alternative splicing form of IGF-I, IGF-IA and IGF-IB were expressed. In the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin $D_3$ treated group, IGF-I mRNA expression was matained until 24 hour, there after expression was decresed. MC3T3-E1 cell were seeded $2.5{\times}10^4/ml$ at 24well plate in ${\alpha}-MEM$ containing 10% fetal bovine serum. After 48 hour incubation period, medium were changed ${\alpha}-MEM$ containing 3% fetal bovine serum. After 24 hours, $10^{-9}M$ 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin $D_3$ and 10 ng/ml IGF-I were added separately or together. Cell were cultured for 1 and 3 days, $2{\mu}Ci/ml\;[^3H]$ -thymidine was added for the last 24h of culture of each days. ${[^3H]}$-thymidine incorporation in to DNA was measured and expressed counter per minute(CPM). DNA synthetic activity was significantly decreased by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin $D_3$ both at 1 day and 3 day, and in the combination group of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin $D_3$ and IGF-I, DNA synthetic activity was also decreased both at 1 day and 3 days. IGF-I did not affect the DNA synthetic activity compared to control group both at 1 day and 3 day. From the above results, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin $D_3$ was potent inhibitor of cell proliferaton in MC3T3-E1 cells. It assumed that the effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin $D_3$ on osteoblast proliferation may be mediated in part by decreased level of IGF-I.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.561-567
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• 2012

Ellagic acid (EA) is a phenolic compound in fruits and nuts including raspberries, strawberries, grapes and walnuts. Previous studies have indicated that EA possesses antioxidant activity, growth-inhibition and apoptosis-promoting activity in cancer cells. However, macrophage mediated cytotoxicity and immunomodulating effects on cancer cells have not been clarified. In the present study, we show that EA increased effects on macrophage mediated tumoricidal activity and NO production without direct tumor cell cytotoxicity. To further determine whether TLR4 (toll like receptor 4) is involved in anti-tumor activity, cells were treated TLR4 signaling inhibitor, CLI-095 in the presence of EA. CLI-095 treatment partially reduced macrophage-mediated tumoridial activity. EA also has inhibitory effects of NO production induced by LPS, whereas phagocytic activity was not changed. These results suggest that EA induces macrophage mediated tumoricidal activity which is partially related to TLR4 signaling and has a potential adjuvant in cancer therapy.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.116-121
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• 1996

Antisense oligonucleotides seem to provide a promising new tool for the therapy. Choi et al. (1995) reported antisense phosphorothioate oligonucleotides (PS-ODN, 25 mer) complementary to TGF-.betha. mRNA designed for scar formation inhibitor to eliminate scars, which was caused by undesired collagen deposition due to overexpression of TGF-.betha., in wounded skin. PS-ODN were evaluated in vitro for skin penetration using normal and tape-stripped damaged rat skin. The in vitro skin transports were carried out with partially modified PS-ODN (6S) and fully modified PS-ODN (25S). The cumulative amount of PS-ODN (6S) penetrated through normal rat skin was $0.234{\pm}0.041{\mu}g/cm^2$ and that of tape-stripped damaged rat skin was $1.077{\pm}0.301{\mu}g/cm^2$ over 8 hrs. PS-ODN (25S) can not be found in receptor medium through normal skin due to high molecular weight (Mol.Wt.=8,000) and polyanionic charge. However, the cumulative amount of PS-ODN (25S) penetrated across damaged rat skin in PBS was $0.340{\pm}0.296{\mu}g/cm^2$ over 8 hrs. The absense of dermis raised the cumulative amount of PS-ODN (6S) penetrated through rat skin. And the fluxes of PS-ODN (6S) and PSODN (25S) at 8hrs across damaged rat skin were $134.63{\pm}37.67{\mu}g/cm^2$ h, and $42.50{\pm}36.95ng/cm^2$ h, respectively. While PS-ODN (25S) was stable in 10% heat inactivated fetal bovine serum (FBS) during 24 hrs, PS-ODN (6S) was less stable than PS-ODN (25S), but was markedly stable than unmodified phosphodiester. It is suggested that the cumulative amount of PS-ODN (6S) penetrated through damaged rat skin is larger than that of PS-ODN (25S) since the former is easier to degrade by nuclease than the latter and then is apt to penetrate into skin. Thus, PS-ODN represents a logical candidate for further evaluation due to the potential for delivery into the wounded skin.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.1012-1018
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• 2014

Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai (Korean name, Jeju-Joritdae) is one of the most abundant plants on Mt. Halla, Jeju Island, and it has long been used in traditional medicines. Recent studies have reported it as possessing various beneficial functions, including anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-hypertension, anti-gastritis, anti-oxidant, and anti-cancer effects. However, the molecular mechanisms of its anti-cancer activity have not been clearly elucidated. In this study, we investigated the anti-cancer effects and mechanism of S. quelpaertensis on human colon cancer HT-29 cells. Cell growth inhibition by S. quelpaertensis was determined by MTT assay. Apoptosis was performed by DNA fragmentation, flow cytometry with propidium iodide staining (PI), and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to confirm the anti-apoptotic factors, such as inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) family members. $NO^{\bullet}$ production was determined by Griess assay. S. quelpaertensis treatment resulted in the time- and dose-dependent inhibition of the cell viability of HT-29 cells by inducing apoptosis, as evidenced by the accumulation of the sub-G1 cell population stained by PI, as well as the ladder-like DNA fragmentation in a dose-dependent manner. S. quelpaertensis-inducing apoptosis was accompanied by the induction of S cell cycle arrests, increasing $NO^{\bullet}$ concentrations, and the down-regulation of IAPs, including X-chromosome-linked IAP (XIAP), cellular IAP-1 (cIAP-1), cIAP-2, and survivin. Taken together, these findings have important implications for future clinical developments of S. quelpaertensis in colon cancer treatment.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.15 no.4 s.71
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• pp.657-663
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• 2005

Collagenases are generally defined as enzymes that are capable of degrading the polypeptide backbone of native collagen under conditions that do not denature the protein. An extracellular collagenase-producing bacterial strain was isolated from kimchi and identified to be Bacillus subtilis JS-17 through morphological, cultural, biochemical characteristics and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Optimum culture condition of Bacillus subtilis JS-17 for the production of collagenase was $1.5\%$ fructose, $1\%$ yeast extract, $0.5\%\;K_2HPO_4,\;0.4\%\;KH_2PO_4,\;0.01\%\;MgSO_4\cdot7H_2O,\;0.01\%\; MnSO_4\cdot4H_2O,\;,0.1\%$ citrate and $0.1\%\;CaCl_2$. The production of collagenase was optimal at $30^{\circ}C$ for 72 hr. A collagenase was isolated from the culture filtrate of Bacillus subtilis JS-17. The enzyme was purified using Amberlite IRA-900 column chromatography, Sephacryl S-300 HR column chromatography and DEAE-Sephadex A-50 column chromatography The purified collagenase has an specific activity 192.1 units/mg. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 28 kDa by SDS-PACE. The purified collagenase has $100\%$ activity up to $55^{\circ}C$.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.384-393
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• 2011

Sulfonylurea herbicide-resistant weeds are spreading widely and distributed about 106,951 hectare in paddy rice fields in Korea. Morever all biotype of Scirpus juncoides which were collected at 69 spots all over paddy rice fields in 2008 were identified biotype of sulfonylurea herbicide-resistant. Benzobicyclon is a p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) inhibitor, which is absorbed through root and basal stem of weeds so cause bleaching of newly developing leaves. Benzobicyclon was very effective to control Scirpus juncoides, Monochoria vaginalis, sedges and broadleaves weeds, so it have been developed various formulation like a suspension concentrate (SC), a water dispersible granule (WG), a granule (GR) and a DT (tablet for Direct application). During recently 6 years, benzobicyclon-mixtures herbicides have been registered over than 54 products in paddy fields. Herbicidal efficacy by formulations of benzobicyclon and its mixture herbicides were highest in DT, followed by SC and GR. Herbicidal efficacy of the kaolin and $CaCO_3$ carrier of GR was better and stable than that of talc and bentonite carrier. Growth and yield of rice were not affected much by formulations, application rates and rice cultivation methods.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.63-68
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• 2002

The possibility for mass production of phytol, inhibitory diterpene against ACAT (Acyl-CoA: Cholesterol acyltransferase) was investigated by using callus culture of lettuce. The callus were induced from lettuce cotyledon explants on MS medium containing 0.5 mg.L$^{-1}$ NAA after 4 week's culture. Adventitious roots were formed from the explants on MS medium containing 0.5 mg.L$^{-1}$ IBA or 1.0 mg.L$^{-1}$ NAA. Adventitious shoots and roots were emerged from the callus when the callus was transferred to MS medium containing auxin alone, or with cytokinin. The plant growth regulators and their concentrations for the organogenesis were 1.0 mg.L$^{-1}$ NAA, 0.1 mg.L$^{-1}$ BA, 0.5 mg.L$^{-1}$ NAA with 0.1 mg.L$^{-1}$ kinetin, or 0.5 g.L$^{-1}$ 2.4-D with 1.0 mg.L$^{-1}$ kinetin. Analyses of chlorophyll contents showed that chlorophyll contents were higher in morphogenic calli than in non-morphogenic calli. However, the chemical analyses of gas chromatography indicated that phytol contents were not proportionate to the chlorophyll contents of callus. The content of phytol was higher in callus than in lettuce cotyledon.ledon.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.93-97
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• 2006

To investigate whether GyeongshinhaeGihwan 1(GGT1), an anti-obesity herbal medicine widely used in oriental medicine, regulates the expression of obesity-related genes, we measured the changes in mRNA levels of these genes by GGT1 in human growth hormone transgenic (hGHTg) obese male rats, and these effects by GGT1 were compared with those of reductil (RD), an anti-obesity drug approved by FDA. Rats received once daily oral administrations of autoclaved water, RD, or GGT1 for 8 weeks. At the end of study, rats were sacrificed and tissues were harvested. Total RNA from adipose tissue, liver and kidney was prepared and the mRNA levels for LPL (lipoprotein lipase), PPAR $\gamma$ (peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma), PPAR$\delta$ (peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-delta), leptin, TNF$\alpha$ (tumor necrosis factor-alpha), and internal standard G3PDH (glyceraldehyde-3- phosphate dehydrogenase) were analyzed by RT-PCR. PPAR$\gamma$ mRNA levels of liver and kidney were decreased in drug-treated groups compared with control group and the decrease of PPAR$\gamma$ expression was more prominent in GGT1 group than in RD group, suggesting that GGT1 is effective in the inhibition of adipogenesis and lipid storage by decreasing the PPAR$\gamma$ expression. In contrast, PPAR$\delta$ mRNA levels of adipose tissue and kidney were increased by RD and GGT1 , and the magnitudes of increase were higher in GGT1 group than in RD group, indicating that GGT1 stimulates fatty acid oxidation and energy metabolism by activating PPAR$\delta$ expression, Compared with control and RD groups, GGT1 group had higher concentrations of serum leptin, a well-known inhibitor of appetite. However, The mRNA levels of leptin, LPL, and TNF$\alpha$ were not changed by GGT1 and RD, compared with DW. These results demonstrate that GGT1 not only decreases PPAR$\gamma$ expression of liver and kidney, but also increases PPAR$\delta$ expression of adipose tissue and kidney, leading to the regulation of obesity and that these effects were more pronounced in GGT1 group compared with RD group. In addition, GGT1 seems to prevent obesity by increasing the serum leptin levels.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.63-70
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• 2006

Natural product compounds are the source of numerous therapeutic agents. The marine environment produces natural products from a variety of structural classes exhibiting activity against numerous disease targets including anticancer agents. Among these, pectenotoxin-2 (PTX-2), which was first identified as a cytotoxic entity in marine sponges, which depolymerizes actin filaments, was found to be highly effective and more potent to activate an intrinsic pathway of apoptosis in p53-deficient tumor cells compared to those with functional p53 both in vitro and in vivo. However, the anti-proliferative mechanism of the compound at non-cytotoxic concentrations has not yet been explored. In the current study, we sought to investigate anti-proliferation and apoptosis of PTX-2 against U937 human leukemic cells and its underlying molecular mechanism. Exposure of U937 cells to PTX-2 resulted in growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis in dose- and time-dependent manner as measured by MTT assay, fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometric analysis. The anti-proliferative effect of PTX-2 was associated with a marked increase in the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase p21 (WAF1/CIP1) mRNA which was tumor suppressor p53-independent. The increase in apoptosis was connected with a time-dependent down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-XL and inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) family such as XIAP and cIAP-2. Though additional studies are needed, these findings suggested that PTX-2-induced inhibition of U937 cells was associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death and the results provided important new insights into the possible molecular mechanisms of the anti-cancer activity of PTX-2.