• 생명과학회지
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• 제17권7호통권87호
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• pp.923-930
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• 2007

성체흰쥐의 경우 항암제인 싸이클로포스파마이드 (CY)처리로 퇴축된 가슴샘은 2주 후에 정상조직으로 재생된다. 가슴샘 발생과정에서 이미 알려진 Wnt신호전달의 중요성과는 달리 성체의 가슴샘 재생과정에서 그 역할에 관해서는 알려진 바 전혀 없다. 본 연구의 목적은 발생중인 가슴샘 상피세포에서 발현이 증가된다고 이미 알려져 있는 Wnt7b가 성체의 가슴샘재생과정에서 어떤 발현 양상을 보이는지를 조사하는 것이다. Wnt7b는 가슴샘의 급성 퇴축 이후 3일째 되는 시기에 mRNA와 단백질의 양이 급격히 증가 하였으며, 이중 면역 염색 형광법을 통해 큰포식 세포와 위치적 분포가 일치함을 확인하였다. 또한, Wnt7b유전자의 발현 조절 기전을 밝히기 위해 Wnt7b의 Reporter Vector를 제작하여 Luciferase assay를 이용하여 상위의 신호를 분석하였고, 그 결과 Wnt7b는 RANKL에 의해 그 발현이 감소된다는 사실을 처음으로 밝혔다. 따라서, 본 연구 결과들을 통해 Wnt 7b는 가슴샘의 급성 퇴축 초기 과정에서 나타나는 손상된 세포를 처리하는 큰포식 세포의 기능 조절에 관여할 것으로 생각된다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제41권9호
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• pp.830-841
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• 2018

Recent studies have indicated that microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. In this study, we showed that miR-766-3p was decreased in approximately 72% of HCC tissues and cell lines, and its low expression level was significantly correlated with tumour size, TNM stage, metastasis, and poor prognosis in HCC. Ectopic miR-766-3p expression inhibited HCC cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion. In addition, we showed that miR-766-3p repressed Wnt3a expression. A luciferase reporter assay revealed that Wnt3a was a direct target of miR-766-3p, and an inverse correlation between miR-766-3p and Wnt3a expression was observed. Moreover, Wnt3a up-regulation reversed the effects of miR766-3p on HCC progression. In addition, our study showed that miR-766-3p up-regulation decreased the nuclear ${\beta}-catenin$ level and expression of Wnt targets (TCF1 and Survivin) and reduced the level of MAP protein regulator of cytokinesis 1 (PRC1). However, these effects of miR-766-3p were reversed by Wnt3a up-regulation. In addition, PRC1 upregulation increased the nuclear ${\beta}-catenin$ level and protein expression of TCF1 and Survivin. iCRT3, which disrupts the ${\beta}-catenin-TCF4$ interaction, repressed the TCF1, Survivin and PRC1 protein levels. Taken together, our results suggest that miR-766-3p down-regulation promotes HCC cell progression, probably by targeting the Wnt3a/PRC1 pathway, and miR-766-3p may serve as a potential therapeutic target in HCC.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제41권9호
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• pp.868-880
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• 2018

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most aggressive cancers presenting with high rates of invasion and metastasis, and unfavorable prognoses. The current study aims to investigate whether EZH2/miR-139-5p axis affects epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and lymph node metastasis (LNM) in PC, and the mechanism how EZH2 regulates miR-139-5p. Human PC and adjacent normal tissues were collected to determine expression of EZH2 and miR-139-5p, and their relationship with clinicopathological features of PC. Human PC cell line was selected, and treated with miR-139-5p mimics/inhibitors, EZH2 vector or shEZH2 in order to validate the regulation of EZH2-mediated miR-139-5p in PC cells. Dual-luciferase report gene assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay were employed to identify the relationship between miR-139-5p and EZH2. RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis were conducted to determine the expression of miR-139-5p, EZH2 and EMT-related markers and ZEB1/2. Tumor formation ability and in vitro cell activity were also analyzed. Highly-expressed EZH2 and poorly-expressed miR-139-5p were detected in PC tissues, and miR-139-5p and EZH2 expressions were associated with patients at Stage III/IV, with LNM and highly-differentiated tumors. EZH2 suppressed the expression of miR-139-5p through up-regulating Histone 3 Lysine 27 Trimethylation (H3K27me3). EMT, cell proliferation, migration and invasion were impeded, and tumor formation and LNM were reduced in PC cells transfected with miR-139-5p mimics and shEZH2. MiR-139-5p transcription is inhibited by EZH2 through up-regulating H3K27me3, thereby down-regulation of EZH2 and up-regulation of miR-139-5p impede EMT and LNM in PC. In addition, the EZH2/miR-139-5p axis presents as a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of PC.

• 한국식품영양학회지
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.551-557
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• 2015

본 연구에서는 장미꽃 methanol 추출물의 항염증 활성을 조사하기 위하여 LPS에 의해 염증이 유도된 RAW 264.7 대식세포에서 염증억제 효과를 알아보았다. 염증 억제의 지표로서는 세포가 방출하는 NO 생성량과 iNOS 및 $NF-{\kappa}B$ 발현 정도를 측정하였다. 실험 결과, RAW 264.7 대식세포에 대한 품종별 장미꽃 methanol 추출물($500{\mu}g/mL$)이 NO의 함량을 감소시키는 경향을 나타내었다. NO의 생성에 영향을 미치는 iNOS 단백질의 발현량을 측정한 결과, LPS 처리에 의해 활성화된 iNOS 단백질의 발현이 장미꽃 methanol 추출물 처리 시 유의적으로 수준으로 억제하는 경향을 보였다. Luciferase activity를 실행한 결과, LPS로 자극한 세포와 비교하였을 때 염증과 관련된 $NF-{\kappa}B$ promoter activity가 장미꽃 methanol 추출물 처리시 현저히 감소하는 경향을 나타내었고, 세포질의 $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$의 인산화를 저해함으로써 전사요소인 $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65, p50을 핵 속으로 유리시키는 과정을 억제하였다. 이 결과로 장미꽃 methanol 추출물이 전사단계에서 저해활성을 나타낸다는 것을 확인하였다. 본 연구결과, 장미꽃 methanol 추출물은 항염증 효과를 나타냄에 따라 만성 질환 예방을 위한 기능성 식품의 원료로 활용될 수 있을 것으로 여겨진다.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.119-125
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• 2007

Dlx3 is a homeodomain protein and is known to play a role in development and differentiation of many tissues. Deletion of four base pairs in DLX3 (NT3198) is causally related to tricho-dento-osseous (TDO) syndrome (OMIM #190320), a genetic disorder manifested by taurodontism, hair abnormalities, and increased bone density in the cranium. The molecular mechanisms that explain the phenotypic characteristics of TDO syndrome have not been clearly determined. In this study, we examined phenotypic characteristics of wild type DLX3(wtDlx3) and 4-BP DEL DLX3 (TDO mtDlx3) in C2C12 cells. To investigate how wtDlx3 and TDO mtDlx3 differentially regulate osteoblastic differentiation, reporter assays were performed by using luciferase reporters containing the promoters of alkaline phosphatase, bone sialoprotein or osteocalcin. Both wtDlx3 and TDO mtDlx3 enhanced significantly all the reporter activities but the effect of mtDlx3 was much weaker than that of wtDlx3. In spite of these differences in reporter activity, electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that both wtDlx3 and TDO mtDlx3 formed similar amounts of DNA binding complexes with Dlx3 binding consensus sequence or with ALP promoter oligonucleotide bearing the Dlx3 binding core sequence. TDO mtDlx3 exhibits a longer half-life than wtDlx3 and it corresponds to PESTfind analysis result showing that potential PEST sequence was missed in carboxy terminal of TDO mtDlx3. In addition, co-immunoprecipitation demonstrated that TDO mtDlx3 binds to Msx2 more strongly than wtDlx3. Taken together, though TDO mtDlx3 acted as a weaker transcriptional activator than wtDlx3 in osteoblastic cells, there is possibility that during in vivo osteoblast differentiation TDO mtDlx3 may antagonize transcriptional repressor activity of Msx2 more effectively and for longer period than wtDlx3, resulting in enhancement of osteoblast differentiation.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제12권4호
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• pp.240-246
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• 2014

Mutation in HNF1B, the hepatocyte nuclear factor-$1{\beta}$ (HNF-$1{\beta}$) gene, results in maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) 5, which is characterized by gradual impairment of insulin secretion. However, the functional role of HNF-$1{\beta}$ in insulin secretion and glucose metabolism is not fully understood. We identified a family with early-onset diabetes that fulfilled the criteria of MODY. Sanger sequencing revealed that a heterozygous P159L (CCT to CTT in codon 159 in the DNA-binding domain) mutation in HNF1B was segregated according to the affected status. To investigate the functional consequences of this HNF1B mutation, we generated a P159L HNF1B construct. The wild-type and mutant HNF1B constructs were transfected into COS-7 cells in the presence of the promoter sequence of human glucose transporter type 2 (GLUT2). The luciferase reporter assay revealed that P159L HNF1B had decreased transcriptional activity compared to wild-type (p < 0.05). Electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed reduced DNA binding activity of P159L HNF1B. In the MIN6 pancreatic ${\beta}$-cell line, overexpression of the P159L mutant was significantly associated with decreased mRNA levels of GLUT2 compared to wild-type (p < 0.05). However, INS expression was not different between the wild-type and mutant HNF1B constructs. These findings suggests that the impaired insulin secretion in this family with the P159L HNF1B mutation may be related to altered GLUT2 expression in ${\beta}$-cells rather than decreased insulin gene expression. In conclusion, we have identified a Korean family with an HNF1B mutation and characterized its effect on the pathogenesis of diabetes.

• 대한화장품학회지
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.389-392
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• 2004

본 연구에서 프로모터-리포터 분석방법을 통해 인슐린 유사 성장인자-1의 프로모터를 자극하는 천연물을 선별한 결과 사인 추출물이 가장 좋은 프로모터 자극효과를 나타냈으며, 무모생쥐에서 패쇄첩포 후 RT-PCR로 실험한 결과 IGF-1 mRNA를 $35\%$ 증가시키는 것으로 나타났다. 사인 추출물의 피부 주름개선 효과를 알아보기 위하여 인체 섬유아세포에서는 type-I collagen과 MMP-1 합성 변화를 관찰하였으며, 무모생쥐에서는 콜라젠의 증가와 진피 두께를 관찰하였다. 그 결과, 동위원소를 이용한 콜라젠 증가실험에서 type-I collagen은 $38\%$ 증가하였으며 무모생쥐에서 실시한 RT-PCR 결과에서는 mRNA가 $21\%$ 증가하는 것으로 관찰되었다. MMP-1 효소발현의 경우 ELISA 분석을 통해서 $63\%$의 높은 발현저해능을 확인하였고 Western blot에서도 발현이 저해되는 것을 확인하였다 추출물을 무모생쥐에 패쇄첩포 하였을 경우 대조군에 비해 진피 두께가 두꺼워지고 콜라젠 양도 증가되는 것으로 조직염색 관찰을 통해 확인하였다. 이상의 결과를 통해 사인추출물은 피부 주름개선에 좋은 효과를 나타내는 것으로 보이며, 여기에는 인슐린 유사성장 인자-I의 발현증가와 관련된 기전이 관여하는 것으로 판단된다.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제30권6호
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• pp.7-15
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• 2015

Objectives : Rosa laevigata Michx. has been used for the treatment of renal disease in traditional Korean medicine. In this study, we investigated cytoprotective effect of R. laevigata water extract (RLE) against oxidative stress induced by arachidonic acid (AA) + iron.Methods : To evaluate the protective effects of RLE against AA + iron-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cell, cell viability and changes on apoptosis-related proteins were assessed by MTT and immunoblot analyses. The effects of RLE on reduced glutathione level, production of reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial membrane potential were also monitored. Furthermore, to verify underlying molecular mechanism, NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) was examined by immunoblot analysis. Additionally, Nrf2 transactivation and its downstream target genes expression were also determined by reporter gene and realtime RT-PCR analyses.Results : RLE pretreatment (30-300 μg/ml) prevented cells from AA + iron-mediated cell death in a concentration dependent manner. In addition, 100 μg/ml RLE inhibited AA + iron-induced glutathione depletion, reactive oxygen species production and mitochondrial dysfunction. RLE accumulated nuclear Nrf2 and also transactivated Nrf2, which was evidenced by antioxidant response element- and glutathione S-transferase A2-driven luciferase activities and mRNA level of glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 and sestrin 2. Moreover, protective effect of RLE against AA + iron was abolished in Nrf2 knockout cells.Conclusions : These results indicate that RLE has the ability to protect hepatocyte against oxidative stress through Nrf2 activation.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제20권5호
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• pp.655-661
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• 2010

흑색종세포주 SK-MEL-2에서 레티노이드에 의한 GD3합성효소(hST8Sia I)의 발현억제기작을 규명하게 위하여 hST8Sia I의 프로모터 활성을 조사해 본 결과 -1146에서 -646영역에서 레티노이드에 의한 활성억제를 나타내었다. 또한 부위특이적 변이와 ChIP분석은 -731에서 -722영역에 위치한 전사인자NF-kB 결합부위가 hST8Sia I의 레티노이드에 의한 활성억제에 중요하게 관여하고 있음을 나타내었다. 이러한 발현 억제는 PKC/ERK 신호전달경로를 통하여 일어난다는 것을 신호전달경로 저해제를 이용한 RT-PCR과 프로모터 활성조사에 의해 규명하였다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제38권2호
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• pp.130-137
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• 2015

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, endogenous RNAs that play important gene-regulatory roles by binding to the imperfectly complementary sequences at the 3'-UTR of mRNAs and directing their gene expression. Here, we first discovered that miR-576-3p was down-regulated in human bladder cancer cell lines compared with the non-malignant cell line. To better characterize the role of miR-576-3p in bladder cancer cells, we over-expressed or down-regulated miR-576-3p in bladder cancer cells by transfecting with chemically synthesized mimic or inhibitor. The overexpression of miR-576-3p remarkably inhibited cell proliferation via G1-phase arrest, and decreased both mRNA and protein levels of cyclin D1 which played a key role in G1/S phase transition. The knock-down of miR-576-3p significantly promoted the proliferation of bladder cancer cells by accelerating the progression of cell cycle and increased the expression of cyclin D1. Moreover, the dual-luciferase reporter assays indicated that miR-576-3p could directly target cyclin D1 through binding its 3'-UTR. All the results demonstrated that miR-576-3p might be a novel suppressor of bladder cancer cell proliferation through targeting cyclin D1.