• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.384-389
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• 2014

Adiponectin, an adipokine predominantly secreted from adipose tissue, exhibits diverse biological responses, including metabolism of glucose and lipid, and apoptosis in cancer cells. Recently, adiponectin has been shown to modulate autophagy as well. While emerging evidence has demonstrated that autophagy plays a role in the modulation of proliferation and apoptosis of cancer cells, the role of autophagy in apoptosis of cancer cell caused by adiponectin has not been explored. In the present study, we demonstrated that globular adiponectin (gAcrp) induces both apoptosis and autophagy in human hepatoma cell line (HepG2 cells) and breast cancer cells (MCF-7), as evidenced by increase in caspase-3 activity, Bax, microtubule-associated protein light chain 3-II (LC3 II) protein levels, and autophagosome formation. Interestingly, gene silencing of LC3B, an autophagy marker, significantly enhanced gAcrp-induced apoptosis in both HepG2 and MCF-7 cell lines, whereas induction of autophagy by rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor, significantly prevented gAcrp-induced apoptosis in hepatoma cells HepG2. Furthermore, modulation of autophagy produced similar effects on gAcrp-induced Bax expression in HepG2 cells. These results implicate that induction of autophagy plays a regulatory role in adiponectin-induced apoptosis of cancer cells, and thus inhibition of autophagy would be a novel promising target to enhance the efficiency of cancer cell apoptosis by adiponectin.

• BMB Reports
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.150-155
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• 2017

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the third most common cancer that spreads to the bone, resulting in osteolytic lesions caused by hyperactivation of osteoclasts. Activating mutations in epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase (EGF-TK) are frequently associated with NSCLC, and afatinib is a first-line therapeutic drug, irreversibly targeting EGF-TK. However, the effects of afatinib on osteoclast differentiation and activation as well as the underlying mechanism remain unclear. In this study, afatinib significantly suppressed receptor activator of nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ (RANK) ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast formation in bone marrow macrophages (BMMs). Consistently, afatinib inhibited the expression of osteoclast marker genes, whereas, it upregulated the expression of negative modulator genes. The bone resorbing activity of osteoclasts was also abrogated by afatinib. In addition, afatinib significantly inhibited RANKL-mediated Akt/protein kinase B and c-Jun N-terminal kinase phosphorylation. These results suggest that afatinib substantially suppresses osteoclastogenesis by downregulating RANK signaling pathways, and thus may reduce osteolysis after bone metastasis.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.158-170
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• 2018

Objectives: The objective of this study is Korean mistletoe lectin (Viscum album coloratum agglutinin, VCA) and bee venom (BV) to experimental prove comparative study of VCA and BV on the anti-cancer effect and mechanisms of action. Methods: In this study, it was examined in a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, Hep G2 cells. Cytotoxic effects of VCA and BV on Hep G2 cells were determined by 3- (4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) -2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay in vitro. VCA and BV killed Hep G2 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Results: The apoptotic cell death was then confirmed by propidium iodide staining and DNA fragmentation analysis. The mechanisms of action was examined by the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases. Treatment of Hep G2 cells with VCA activated poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) known as a marker of apoptosis, and mitogen-activated protein kinases signaling pathways including SAPK/JNK, MAPK and p38. BV also activated PARP-1, MAPK, p38 but not JNK. The expression level of anti-apoptotic molecule, Bcl-X, was decreased by VCA treatment but not BV. Finally, the phosphorylation level of ERM proteins involved in the cytoskeleton homeostasis was decreased by both stimuli. Conclusion: We examined the involvement of kinase in VCA or BV - induced apoptosis by using kinase inhibitors. VCA-induced apoptosis was partially inhibited by in the presence.

• The Magazine of the Society of Air-Conditioning and Refrigerating Engineers of Korea
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.264-274
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• 1983

Two-dimensional jet flows into a couple of confined rectangular enclosures such as an Ondol flue channel and their flow distributions were analyzed by numerical graphics : rectangular space in one enclosure is vacated and the other has 8 rectangular small posts. Both enclosures have a protruded inlet nozzle and on outlet on its center line. Steady state incompressible laminar viscous flow was assumed. The primitive forms of Navier-Stokes equations and continuity equation in a cartesian coordinate system were solved numerically by the Marker and Cell method for Reynolds numbers of 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40. From the numerical graphics it was found that the flow regions in both enclosures were devided into tow parts ; one part was the jet flow localized in a narrow center region of the enclosure and the other part was the very slow recirculating flow occupying the rest of the flow region in the enclosures. However there were a little differences in the shapes of jet flow in both enclosures for Reynolds numbers of 5 and 10 and also in the shapes of recirculating flows in both enclosures for all Reynolds number. Also it was found that waving flow appeared right before the outlet at Reynolds number of 20 and more.

• BMB Reports
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.116-121
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• 2024

We investigated the therapeutic potential of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned medium (BMSC-CM) on immortalized renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (RPTEC/TERT1) in a fibrotic environment. To replicate the increased stiffness characteristic of kidneys in chronic kidney disease, we utilized polyacrylamide gel platforms. A stiff matrix was shown to increase α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) levels, indicating fibrogenic activation in RPTEC/TERT1 cells. Interestingly, treatment with BMSC-CM resulted in significant reductions in the levels of fibrotic markers (α-SMA and vimentin) and increases in the levels of the epithelial marker E-cadherin and aquaporin 7, particularly under stiff conditions. Furthermore, BMSC-CM modified microRNA (miRNA) expression and reduced oxidative stress levels in these cells. Our findings suggest that BMSC-CM can modulate cellular morphology, miRNA expression, and oxidative stress in RPTEC/TERT1 cells, highlighting its therapeutic potential in fibrotic kidney disease.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.654-661
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• 2023

Background: Ginseng has been used as a traditional medicine and functional cosmetic ingredients for many years. Recent studies have focused on the potential biological effects of the ginseng berry and its ingredients. (+)-Syringaresinol (SYR) is enriched in ginseng berry and its beneficial effects on the skin have been recently reported. However, little is known about the its effects on the wound healing process of skin. Methods: Here, we evaluated the skin wound healing effect of (+)-SYR using the human fibroblast Hs68 cell and ex vivo pig and human skin tissue model. Scratch wound test and hydrogen peroxide (HPO) induce chemical wound model were employed. Results: (+)-SYR promoted the migration and proliferation of Hs68 cells without significant cytotoxicity at the tested concentrations. Especially, in ex vivo pig and human skin tissue, HPO-induced chemical wound was recovered almost completely by (+)-SYR. In line with the finding in Hs68, the protein expression levels of TGF-β and PCNA, a proliferation marker were increased, demonstrating the beneficial effects of (+)-SYR on skin wound repair. Conclusion: Collectively, we demonstrated that (+)-SYR from ginseng berry, can enhance the wound healing effect by accelerating cell proliferation and skin regeneration, suggesting the potential utility of (+)-SYR for skin wound repair.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.448-457
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• 2015

Developing rice lines with various amylose contents is necessary to diverse usages of rice in terms of raw materials for processed food production, and thereby to promote rice consumption in Korea. A rice mutant line, 'Namil(SA)-dull1' was established through sodium azide mutagenesis on 'Namil', a non-glutinous Korean Japonica rice cultivar. Namil(SA)-dull1' had dull endosperm characteristics and the evaluated amylose content was 12.2%. A total of 94 F2 progenies from a cross between 'Namil(SA)-dull1' and 'Milyang23', a non-glutinous Tongil-type rice cultivar, was used for genetic studies on the endosperm amylose content. Association analyses, between marker genotypes of 53 SSR anchor markers and evaluated amylose contents of each 94 F2:3 seeds, initially localized rice chromosome 6 as the harboring place for the modified allele(s) directing low amylose content of 'Namil(SA)-dull1'. By increasing SSR marker density on the putative chromosomal region followed by association analyses, the target region was narrowed down 0.94 Mbp segment, expanding from 28.95 Mbp to 29.89 Mbp, on rice chromosome 6 pseudomolecule. Among the SSR loci, RM7555 explained 84.2% of total variation of amylose contents in the $F_2$ population. Further physical mapping on the target region directing low amylose content of 'Namil(SA)-dull1' would increase the breeding efficiency in developing promising rice cultivars with various endosperm characteristics.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.797-806
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• 1999

Background: About 20% of small cell lung cancer(SCLC) patients have bone marrow(EM) metastasis at the time of diagnosis and the remaining patients are also considered with micrometastasis. In an attempt to detect EM micrometastasis, we used cytokeratin(CK)-20 as a molecular marker, which is specific for epithelial cells. Method: A sensitive RT-PCR assay was used to compare CK-20 expression both in SCLC cell line H209 and normal leukocyte and to evaluate EM aspirates of 28 SCLC patients. Result: H209 cell line showed CK-20 expression but normal leukocyte did not, suggesting CK-20 expression is lung tissue-specific. Of 28 patients(11 limited disease, 17 extensive disease), only 2(1/11, 1/17) samples tested revealed positive signal for CK-20. Two patients with CK-20 expression had EM metastasis or multiple bone involvement during follow-up. Conclusion: Although circulating tumor cells were detected in EM of small portion of patients with bone metastasis, CK-20 doesn't seem to be a reliable marker for the detection of micrometastasis in SCLC. This study emphasizes that identification of more specific marker for micrometastsis is mandatory prior to clinical application.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.130-134
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• 2011

Paprika (Capsicum annuum L.), a colored bell-type sweet pepper, is one of the most important money making vegetable crops in Korea. The cultivation area, total production, and exports of paprika are gradually getting increased, but the paprika cultivars used in Korea are all imported. It was well-known that the genic male sterility (GMS) is the main way to produce paprika hybrid seeds. However, it is little known that how many and what kinds of ms genes are used for breeding of paprika $F_1$ varieties. In this study, eight paprika cultivars ('Special', 'Debla', 'Plenty', 'Fiero', 'Boogie', 'Fiesta', 'Derby', and 'Minibell'), popularly cultivated in Korea and three different genic male sterile lines ('GMSP', 'GMS3', and 'GMSK') were used. For allelism test among the $F_1$ cultivars, half diallel crosses were performed. The result demonstrated that the most of the GMS in paprika cultivars except for 'Minibell' were same allele. To identify which GMS gene(s) were used for paprika $F_1$ cultivars, top crosses between previously known GMS lines and the $F_1$ cultivars were performed. As a result, we found that the $ms_k$ and the $ms_p$ genes were alleles for the GMS of 'Minibell' and for the other cultivars, respectively. We also confirmed that the GMS gene identification using GMSK-CAPS marker linked to the $ms_k$ gene and the PmsM1-CAPS marker linked to the $ms_p$ gene in $F_2$ progenies of 'Minibell' and 'Fiesta' and 'Derby' cultivars, respectively. In addition, we developed the PmsM2-CAPS marker for 'Plenty', 'Fiero', and 'Boogie' cultivars. We expect that these markers will be very useful for breeding new maternal (male sterile) line of paprika.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.46-50
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• 2002

In DNA level, genetic study of Angelica species was firstly conducted to discriminate the bolting-resistant or low bolting variety, so called as Manchu, from other Korea collected lines and also this technuque was applied to identify the origin of commercial dried materials obtained from current oriental medicinal market. By RAPD analysis with 72 primers including sixty of 10-mers and twelve of 20-mers, respectively, three primers, which were related to the bolting resistant traits of Angelica gigas, were identified. Comparing the RAPD bands, URP04 primer showed the 1.7 kb specific band, which seemed to be related to delaying bolting traits, since it was observed only in Jinbu elite lines but not in others. On the other hand, since 1.2 kb band amplified by OPD11 was observed in other collected lines but not in Manchu var. and Jinbu line, this primer also could be considered as a selection marker for identifying bolting resistant or delaying bolting traits. In the same manner, since OPP09 did not show 1 kb major band but produced 0.8 kb and 1.2 kb bands in Manchu var., these three bands amplified by the primer could be considered one of the important key specifying Manchu var. related with the trait of Angelica gigas. OPC02 primer showed the same band patterns in all Korean collected lines, but not in other foreign introduced lines, such as A. sinensis from China, and A. acutiloba from Japan. Since these four RAPD primers, OPD11, OPP09, URP04, and OPC02 showed the specific polymorphisms in Angelica species, thus, these were useful to discriminate the three Angelica species, A. gigas, A. sinensis, and A. acutiloba.