• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2014

Beta-catenin (CTNNB1, catenin (cadherin-associated protein), beta 1) is involved in various biological processes, including embryogenesis, tumorigenesis, angiogenesis and progression of metastasis. CTNNB1, as a multifunctional and oncogenic protein, has important roles in adhesion between Sertoli cells through an N-cadherin-dependent manner and in various cancer types through its over-activation. In addition, CTNNB1 can interact with estrogen/estrogen receptor alpha complex, which regulates the transcription of WNT (wingless-type MMTV integration site family)/CTNNB1 target genes. Recently, we investigated the functional roles and expression pattern of CTNNB1 during the morphological changes of embryonic gonads of chickens and the estrogen-dependent regulation of CTNNB1 in oviduct development and potential functions as a biomarker of CTNNB1 in human epithelial ovarian cancer using the chicken as a biological research model. Therefore, in this review, we provide a new insight of potential role of CTNNB1 in the development of the female reproductive tract during early embryogenesis and ovarian carcinogenesis of laying hen models.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.159-168
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• 2005

Phytoestrogens, especially Yak-kong or soybean-derived isoflavones have been traditionally used as a supplement of estrogen for preventing postmemopausal osteoporosis in oriental folk medicine. In our previous study, the treatment of Yak-kong and soybean increased estrogen receptor-a (ERa) expression and proliferation of MG-63 osteoblastic cells. In contrast, the increase of estrogen receptor-$\beta$ (ER$\beta$) expression in proliferating MG-63 cells with Yak-kong and soybean treatment was less pronounced, which suggested that ER$\beta$ may play a role rather in the regulation of bone cell differentiation To determine the role of ER$\beta$ in Yak-kong or soybean mediated regulation of bone cell differentiation, we established MG-63 cell lines stably expressing either ER$\beta$ or antisense ER$\beta$ RNAs. Increased expression of ER$\beta$ did not affect ERa expression and proliferation of MG-63 cells. However, increased expression of ER$\beta$ in MG-63 cells (ER$\beta$-MG63 cells) selectively enhanced Yak-kong or soybean induced expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG), a novel soluble glycoprotein which is secreted from osteoblasts and mediates the signal for osteoclast differentiation. Inhibition of ER$\beta$ expression by antisense ER$\beta$ RNAs (As-ER$\beta$-MG63) caused these cells to insensitize Yak-kong or soybean induced expression of OPG but increased MG-63 cell proliferation. Furthermore, the comparable effects between Yak-kong and the combined treatment of genistein and daidzein at $0.5{\times}l0^{-8}$ M, which is a concentration of these two isoflavones similar to Yak-kong at 0.001 mg/mL, on OPG expression in ER$\beta$-MG63 cell demonstrate that the enhanced expression of OPG with Yak-kong treatment is mediated by the synergistic effect of low leveled isoflavones in the extracts. Together, coupled with low level of ER expression in osteoclasts, our data demonstrate that ER$\beta$ in osteoblasts plays an important role in Yak-kong and soybean mediated inhibition of osteoclast differentiation indirectly by enhancing the expression of OPG.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Life Science Conference
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• 2006.09a
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• pp.71.1-71.1
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• 2006

• Toxicological Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2006

Many of endocrine disrupting chemicals induce effects via interaction with hormone receptors and responsive elements in target cells. We investigated endocrine disrupting effects of some food additives and contaminants including BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin, propionic acid, sorbic acid, benzoic acid, CPM, aflatoxin B1, cadmium chloride, genistein, TCDD and PCBs in yeast transformants expressing human steroid hormone receptors along with steroid responsive elements. The response limit of genetically recombinant yeast to $17{\beta}$-estradiol, testosterone and progesterone was $1{\times}10^{-16},\;1{\times}10^{-12}\;and\;1{\times}10^{-13}M$, respectively. BHT induced weak transcriptional activity in estrogen sensitive yeast, while BHA and sorbic acid interacted weakly with androgen receptor/responsive element. CPM induced transcriptional activities in all types of yeasts sensitive to steroid hormones. Zearalenone and genistein induced high transcriptional activation in estrogen sensitive yeast with relative potencies almost $10^8$ folds lower than $17{\beta}$-estradiol. TCDD induced transcriptional activation weakly in estrogen- and progesterone- sensitive yeasts. This study elucidated that recombinant yeast is a sensitive and high-throughput system and can be used for the direct assessment on chemical interactions with steroid receptors and responsive elements. Also, the present study raises the requirement of evaluation on the endocrine disrupting effects of BHT, BHA, sorbic acid, CPM and TCDD for their transcription activity in yeast screening system though weak in intensity.

• BMB Reports
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• v.42 no.8
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• pp.516-522
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• 2009

SH2D4A, comprising a single SH2 domain, is a novel protein of the SH2 signaling protein family. We have previously demonstrated SH2D4A is expressed ubiquitously in various tissues and is located in the cytoplasm. In this study we investigated the function of SH2D4A in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells using interaction analysis, cell proliferation assays, and kinase activity detection. SH2D4A was found to directly bind to estrogen receptor $\alpha$ (ER$\alpha$), and prevent the recruitment of phospholipase C-$\gamma$ (PLC-$\gamma$) to ER$\alpha$. Moreover, we observed its inhibitory effects on estrogen-induced cell proliferation, involving the protein kinase C (PKC) signaling pathway. Together, these findings suggested that SH2D4A inhibited cell proliferation by suppression of the ER$\alpha$/PLC-$\gamma$/PKC signaling pathway. SH2D4A may be useful for the development of a new anti-cancer drug acting as an ER signaling modulator.

• Journal of Interdisciplinary Genomics
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2022

Purpose: Mastectomy is performed as a surgical treatment for patients with breast cancer who have the BRCA 1/2 mutation. In this study, we have reported the trends in Korea for both immediate breast reconstruction and prophylactic mastectomy. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted from 2019 to 2021. Both skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate implant-based breast reconstruction with prepectoral and/or subpectoral techniques were performed in five patients with BRCA 1/2 mutations. Data on age; body mass index; cancer stage; BRCA 1/2 mutation; estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 expression; diagnosis; and complications were collected. Results: The average (±standard deviation [SD]) age was 44.0±6.48 years old; BMI 24.5±2.25 kg/m²; and breast volumes were 365.8±70.34 and 382.4±96.33 cc for right and left ones, respectively. The BRCA 1 and 2 were diagnosed in four and one patients, respectively. The estrogen and progesterone receptors and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 were detected in one (20%), one (20%), and three (60%) patients, respectively. The applied implant-based breast reconstruction techniques for ten breasts were subpectoral technique (n=7, 70%) and prepectoral technique (n=3, 30%). For the cancer stage, those with I, II, and III stages were one (20%), two (40%), and one (20%), respectively. There were no major complications such as Infection, seroma. Conclusion: When mastectomy is performed as surgical treatment in BRCA 1/2 mutation positive breast cancer patients, it is possible to obtain a better outcome with both implant-based breast reconstruction and different circumstances between breast cancer and contralateral breast.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.55 no.8
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• pp.265-271
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• 2012

Phytoestrogen is an estrogenic compound that occurs naturally in plants. The most common sources of phytoestrogen are soybean products, which contain high levels of isoflavones. This compound, which has structural similarity with estrogen, can act as an estrogen receptor agonist or antagonist. Animal studies provide evidence of the significant effects of phytoestrogen on sexual development, including altered pubertal timing, impaired estrous cycling and ovarian function, and altered hypothalamus and pituitary functions. Although human studies examining the effects of phytoestrogen on sexual development are extremely limited, the results of some studies agree with those of the animal studies. In this paper, we review the possible mechanism of phytoestrogen action and the evidence showing the effects of phytoestrogen on sexual development in animal and human studies.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.215-220
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• 2000

Most of endocrine disrupters (EDs) have been reported to exhibit estrogenic or anti-androgenic activity and thereby may disrupt reproductive development in human or wildlife. This study was performed to investigate the effects of estrogen (E$_2$), bisphenol (BP) and octylphenol (OP) on the mouse Leydig cell line (TM3). TM3 originated from testis of 11~13-daly-old BALB/c nu/＋ mice was cultured in DMEM supplemented with 10％ FBS alone or medium with estrogen (E$_2$), bisphenol (BP) and octylphenol (OP; 1 pM, 1 nM, 1 $\mu$M, 1 mM, respectively) for 48 hours. After culture, total cell number and viability were assessed by heamocyto-meter and trypan blue stain. Expression of cytochrome P450scc (CYPscc) mRNA whose product is involved in steroid hormone biosynthesis and estrogen receptor $\alpha$(ER $\alpha$) mRNA were detected by RT-PCR. As a result, treatment of TM3 with E$_2$, BP and OP(1 mM, respectively) significantly decreased the viability but not all of groups as high as 1 $\mu$M. Exposure of TM3 to OP significantly reduced the total cell number but not E$_2$ or BP. The expression of CYPscc mRNA was slightly reduced in BP (1 nM, 1 $\mu$M) and significantly decreased in OP (1 nM, 1 $\mu$M) treated TM3, except E$_2$ group. But the expression of ER $\alpha$ mRNA was sightly increased in all treated groups. In conclusion, BP and OP (high concentration) might inhibit steroidogenesis by decreasing the CYPscc mRNA expression in the mouse testis. These results suggest that BP and OP might impair spermatogenesis and subsequently disturb testicular function.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2002.05a
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• pp.75-75
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• 2002

Two types of normal human breast epithelial cells (HBECs) have already been established and characterized. Type I HBECs are deficient in gap junctional intercellular communication and are capable of anchorage-independent growth and of expressing luminal epithelial cell markers, a variant estrogen receptor (ER), and stem cell characteristics.(omitted)

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.378-384
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• 2005

Estrogen metabolites are carcinogenic. The comparative mitogenic activities of $17{\beta}$-estradiol (E2) and four metabolites, 2-hydroxyestradiol (2-OHE2), 4-hydroxyestradiol (4-OHE2), $16{\alpha}$-hydroxyestrone ($16{\alpha}$-OHE1) and 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME), were determined in estrogen receptor(ER)-positive MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Each of the E2 metabolites caused proliferation of the MCF-7 cells, but only E2 and $16{\alpha}$-OHE1 induced a greater than 20-fold increases in transcripts of the progesterone receptor (PR) gene, a classical ER-mediated gene. This suggests that the mitogenic action of E2 and $16{\alpha}$-OHE1 could result from their effects on gene expression via the ER. E2 metabolites altered the expression of E2-regulated proteins including heat shock proteins (Hsps). $16{\alpha}$-OHE1 and 2-ME as well as E2 increased levels of Hsp56, Hsp60, $Hsp90{\alpha}$ and Hsp110 transcripts, and the patterns of these inductions resembled that of PR. Hsp56 and Hsp60 protein levels were increased by all the E2 metabolites. Levels of the transcripts of 3 E2-upregulated proteins (XTP3-transactivated protein A, protein disulfide isomerase-associated 4 protein and stathmin 1) and an E2-downregulated protein (aminoacylase 1) were also affected by the E2 metabolites. These results suggest that the altered expression of Hsps (especially Hsp56 and Hsp60) by E2 metabolites such as E2, $16{\alpha}$-OHE1 and 2-ME could be closely linked to their mitogenic action.