• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제65권2호
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• pp.113-120
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• 2022

구슬말(Nostoc commune Vaucher ex Bornet & Flahault)은 이형세포를 갖는 특징으로 다른 목들과 구분되는 남조류의 일종으로 극지방에서 열대지역까지 광범위한 지역에 분포하며 단세포가 연결되어 형성된 수많은 trichome들이 점액질에 둘러 쌓인 형태로 커다란 군체를 형성한다. 주로 토양, 암반, 잔디 위 등에 서식한다고 알려져 있으나 흔히 관찰되지 않기 때문에 현재 연구가 거의 없는 실정이다. 이에 본 연구에서는 토양 남조류인 N. commune HCW0811을 분리 및 동정하였으며 항염증 활성을 조사 하고자 하였다. 그 결과 N. commune HCW0811는 LPS로 유도된 RAW 264.7세포에서 80%이상의 세포 생존율을 나타내었으며 NO, PGE2 및 TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β의 생성을 효과적으로 억제하였다. 또한 western blot assay를 통해 iNOS, COX-2 및 MAP kinase (p38, ERK1/2, JNK)와 NF-κB 세포내 신호전달 경로에서의 단백질 발현을 조사한 결과 이들의 발현이 유의하게 억제됨을 확인하였다. 본 연구에서는 이러한 결과를 근거하여 HCW0811가 다양한 염증 인자를 표적으로 하는 피부 면역 질환을 포함한 염증성 질환의 예방과 치료를 위한 항염증 기능성 화장품 및 식품소재로의 개발가능성을 제시한다.

• 약학회지
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• 제56권1호
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• pp.26-34
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• 2012

Mast cells play an important role in early and late phase allergic reactions through allergen and IgE-dependent release of histamine, proteases, prostaglandins, and several multifunctional cytokines. In this study, we investigated whether Cudrania tricuspidata extract (CTE) suppresses IgE-mediated allergic responses in mast cells, an allergic animal model, and its mechanism of action in mast cells. We found that CTE inhibited IgE-mediated degranulation and cytokine production in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 mast cells and bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC), as well as passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in mice. With regard to its mechanism of action, CTE suppressed the activating phosphorylation of spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk), a key enzyme in mast cell signaling processes and that of LAT, a downstream adaptor molecule of Syk in $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$-mediated signal pathways. CTE also suppressed the activating phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases and Akt. The present results strongly suggest that the anti-allergic activity of CTE is mediated through inhibiting degranulation and allergic cytokine secretion by inhibition of Syk kinase in mast cells. Therefore, CTE may be useful for the treatment of allergic diseases.

• 대한화장품학회지
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.31-41
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• 2002

The production of matrix matalloproteinases(MMPs) by the UV irradiated skin fibroblast and the degradation of extracellular matrix(ECM) by these enzymes is known as one of the main reasons of photoaging. Recently, Fisher group showed that the MMP expression is mainly regulated by the mitogen-activated protein(MAP) kinas family, such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK), c-Jun amino-terminal kinase(JNK) and p38, each of which forms a signaling pathway. In this work we first examined the effect of nitric oxide (NO) on the production of MMP-1 and MMP-2 by the human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). NO is a multifunctional messenger molecule generated from L-arginine and involved in many kinds of signaling pathway. We found that the treatment of HDF with NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP) enhanced the expression of MMPs with or without UV irradiation and the treatment with nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors resulted in the significant decrease of MMPs production. From these results, we concluded that the production of MMPs by the UV irradiated HDF is regulated through the signaling pathway involving NO and cyclic GMP.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.467-473
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• 2009

Our previous study suggested that OsBWMK1, a gene which encodes a member of the rice MAP kinase family, generates transcript variants which show distinct expression patterns in response to environmental stresses. The transcript variants are generated by alternative splicing and by use of alternative promoters. To test whether the two alternative promoters, pOsBWMK1L (promoter for the OsBWMK1L splice variant) and pOsBWMK1S (promoter for the OsBWMK1S splice variant), are biologically functional, we analyzed transgenic plants expressing GUS fusion constructs for each promoter. Both pOsBWMK1L and pOsBWMK1S are biologically active, although the activity of pOsBWMK1S is lower than that of pOsBWMK1L. Histochemical analysis revealed that pOsBWMK1L is constitutively active in most tissues at various developmental stages in rice and Arabidopsis, whereas pOsBWMK1S activity is spatially and temporally restricted. Furthermore, the expression of pOsBWMK1S::GUS was upregulated in response to hydrogen peroxide, a plant defense signaling molecule, in both plant species. These results suggest that the differential expression of OsBWMK1 splice variants is the result of alternative promoter usage and, moreover, that the mechanisms controlling OsBWMK1 gene expression are conserved in both monocot and dicot plants.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.201-207
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• 2009

Silibinin is a polyphenolic flavonoid compound isolated from milk thistle (Silybum marianum), with known hepatoprotective, anticarcinogenic, and antioxidant effects. Herein, we show that silibinin inhibits receptor activator of $NF-{\kappa}B$ ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis from RAW264.7 cells as well as from bone marrow-derived monocyte/macrophage cells in a dose-dependent manner. Silibinin has no effect on the expression of RANKL or the soluble RANKL decoy receptor osteoprotegerin (OPG) in osteoblasts. However, we demonstrate that silibinin can block the activation of $NF-{\kappa}B$, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in osteoclast precursors in response to RANKL. Furthermore, silibinin attenuates the induction of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) c1 and osteoclast-associated receptor (OSCAR) expression during RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis. We demonstrate that silibinin can inhibit $TNF-{\alpha}$-induced osteoclastogenesis as well as the expression of NFATc1 and OSCAR. Taken together, our results indicate that silibinin has the potential to inhibit osteoclast formation by attenuating the downstream signaling cascades associated with RANKL and $TNF-{\alpha}$.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.462-469
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• 2017

Objective: The aim of this study is to identify genomic regions or genes controlling growth traits in pigs. Methods: Using a panel of 54,148 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), we performed a genome-wide Association (GWA) study in 562 pure Yorshire pigs with four growth traits: average daily gain from 30 kg to 100 kg or 115 kg, and days to 100 kg or 115 kg. Fixed and random model Circulating Probability Unification method was used to identify the associations between 54,148 SNPs and these four traits. SNP annotations were performed through the Sus scrofa data set from Ensembl. Bioinformatics analysis, including gene ontology analysis, pathway analysis and network analysis, was used to identify the candidate genes. Results: We detected 6 significant and 12 suggestive SNPs, and identified 9 candidate genes in close proximity to them (suppressor of glucose by autophagy [SOGA1], R-Spondin 2 [RSPO2], mitogen activated protein kinase kinase 6 [MAP2K6], phospholipase C beta 1 [PLCB1], rho GTPASE activating protein 24 [ARHGAP24], cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 4 [CPEB4], GLI family zinc finger 2 [GLI2], neuronal tyrosine-phosphorylated phosphoinositide-3-kinase adaptor 2 [NYAP2], and zinc finger protein multitype 2 [ZFPM2]). Gene ontology analysis and literature mining indicated that the candidate genes are involved in bone, muscle, fat, and lung development. Pathway analysis revealed that PLCB1 and MAP2K6 participate in the gonadotropin signaling pathway and suggests that these two genes contribute to growth at the onset of puberty. Conclusion: Our results provide new clues for understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying growth traits, and may help improve these traits in future breeding programs.

• BMB Reports
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.325-332
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• 2007

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade is one of the major and evolutionally conserved signaling pathways and plays pivotal role in the regulation of stress and developmental signals in plants. Here, a novel gene, termed Gossypium hirsutum MAPK (GhMAPK), was isolated from cotton. The full-length cDNA of GhMAPK encodes for a 372 amino acid protein that contains all 11 of the MAPK conserved subdomains and the phosphorylationactivation motif, TEY. Amino acid sequence alignment revealed that GhMAPK shared high identity with group-C MAPK in plants and showed 83~89% similarities with MAPKs from Arabidopsis, apricot, pea, petunia, and tobacco. Southern blot analysis indicated that the GhMAPK belonged to a multygene family in cotton. Two introns were found within the region of genomic sequence. Northern blot analysis revealed that the transcripts of GhMAPK accumulated markedly when the cotton seedlings were subjected to various abiotic stimuli such as wounding, cold (4$^{\circ}C$), or salinity stress; Furthermore, GhMAPK was upregulated by the exogenous signaling molecules, such as salicylic acid (SA) and hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2C$), as well as pathogen attacks. These results indicate that the GhMAPK, which has a high degree of identity with group-C plant MAPKs, may also play an important role in response to environmental stresses.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.756-766
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• 2005

The signaling mechanism underlying aburatubolactam C-induced FasL upregulation was investigated in human Jurkat T cells. After treatment with aburatubolactam C, the src-family PTKs $p56^{lck}\;and\;p59^{fyn}$, and MAP kinases ERK2 and JNK1, were activated prior to FasL upregulation; Both $p56^{lck}\;and\;p59^{fyn}$ were directly activated 2.4- and 2.2-fold, respectively, in vitro by aburatubolactam C. The aburatubolactam C-induced cellular changes, including the activation of ERK2 and INK1, and FasL upregulation, were completely prevented by the PTK inhibitor genistein. The activation of protein kinase C (PKC$\delta,\;\epsilon\;and\;\mu$ was also induced following aburatubolactam C treatment. Although the activation of $p56^{lck}$ and tyrosine phosphorylation of the cellular proteins were not blocked by the PKC inhibitor GFl09203X, the activation of ERK2 was completely abrogated, along with a detectably enhanced JNK1 activation; FasL upregulation, and apoptosis. However, the FasL upregulation and apoptosis were significantly inhibited by the PKC activator PMA, with a remarkable increase in the ERK2 activation. The cytotoxic effect of aburatubolactam C was reduced in the presence of the anti-Fas neutralizing antibody ZB-4. Although ectopic expression of Bcl-2 failed to completely block the cytotoxicity of aburatubolactam C, it was clearly suppressed. The c-Fos mRNA expression was upregulated in a biphasic manner, where the second phasic expression overlapped with the FasL upregulation. Accordingly, these results demonstrate that aburatubolactam C-induced apoptosis is exerted, at least in part, by FasL upregulation dictated by activation of the PTK ($p56^{lck}\;and\;p59^{fyn}$) /JNKI pathway, which is negatively affected by the concurrent activation of the PKC/ERK2 pathway proximal to PTK activation.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.137-145
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• 2012

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is the most important etiologic agent of aggressive periodontitis and can interact with endothelial cells. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) are chemokines, playing important roles in periodontal pathogenesis. In our current study, the effects of A. actinomycetemcomitans on the production of MCP-1 and IL-8 by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were investigated. A. actinomycetemcomitans strongly induced the gene expression and protein release of both MCP-1 and IL-8 in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Dead A. actinomycetemcomitans cells were as effective as live bacteria in this induction. Treatment of HUVEC with cytochalasin D, an inhibitor of endocytosis, did not affect the mRNA up-regulation of MCP-1 and IL-8 by A. actinomycetemcomitans. However, genistein, an inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinases, substantially inhibited the MCP-1 and IL-8 production by A. actinomycetemcomitans, whereas pharmacological inhibition of each of three members of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase family had little effect. Furthermore, gel shift assays showed that A. actinomycetemcomitans induces a biphasic activation (early at 1-2 h and late at 8-16 h) of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) and an early brief activation (0.5-2 h) of activator protein-1 (AP-1). Activation of canonical NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway ($I{\kappa}B$ kinase activation and $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ degradation) was also demonstrated in these experiments. Although lipopolysaccharide from A. actinomycetemcomitans also induced NF-${\kappa}B$ activation, this activation profile over time differed from that of live A. actinomycetemcomitans. These results suggest that the expression of MCP-1 and IL-8 is potently increased by A. actinomycetemcomitans in endothelial cells, and that the viability of A. actinomycetemcomitans and bacterial internalization are not required for this effect, whereas the activation of protein tyrosine kinase(s), NF-${\kappa}B$, and AP-1 appears to play important roles. The secretion of high levels of MCP-1 and IL-8 resulting from interactions of A. actinomycetemcomitans with endothelial cells may thus contribute to the pathogenesis of aggressive periodontitis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.169-183
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• 2005

Cobrotoxin의 항암효과를 알아보고자 암세포인 PC-3 cell에 cobrotoxin을 처리한 후 cell viability, cell death, apoptosis, cell cycle 및 관련단백질, Adk, 및 MAP kinase 관련 단백질의 변화를 관찰하여 다음과 같은 결론을 얻었다. 1. PC-3 세포에 각각 cobrotoxin을 각각 0-16 nM까지 투여시 대조군에 비하여 모두 농도 의존적으로 세포들의 모양이 길죽한 나선형 모양에서 둥글게 응축되는 모습으로 변하였으며 고농도로 갈수록 세포들의 성장이 억제를 보였다. 2. MTT assay를 이용하여 세포 생존력을 측정 한 결과, 0.1, 1 및 4nM의 cobrotoxin 처리군은 정상군에 비하여 세포활성의 감소를 나타내었고, 8, 16nM의 cobrotoxin 처리군은 정상군에 비하여 세포활성의 유의한 감소를 보였다. 3. PC3-cell에 cobrotoxin을 처리한후 FACS analysis를 통하여 세포주기를 측정한 결과 세포주기 중 S phase에서 0.0lnM cobrotoxin 처리군은 변함이 없지만, 1, 2, 4, 8 및 16 nM 의 cobrotoxin 처리군에서는 정상군에 비해 감소를 보였다. G2-M phase에서 0.1, 1, 2, 4, 8 및 16M의 cobrotoxin 처리군에서 정상군 에 비하여 증가를 보였다. 4. Cobrotoxin 처리후 Cox-2의 발현을 48시간 관찰한 결과 12시간에서 최대치를 이루었고, 6, 12 및 24시간후에서 대조군에 비하여 유의한 감소를 나타내었다. 5. G1 phase에서 활성을 이루는 Cdk4, cyclin Dl의 발현을 살펴본 결과 Cdk4는 cobrotoxin 1, 2, 4 및 8nM 처리군에서 정상군에 비하여 농도 의존적으로 감소하였고, cobrotoxin 4, 8nM 처리군은 정상군에 비하여 유의한 감소를 나타내었다. Cyclin Dl은 cobrotoxin 1, 2, 4 및 8nM 처리 군에서 정상군에 비하여 농도 의존적으로 감소하였다. Cycline E는 cobrotoxin 1, 2, 4 및 8nM 처리 군에서 정상군에 비해 큰 변화가 없었다. G2/M phase에 관여하는 단백질인 Cyclin Bl 은 cobrotoxin 1, 2, 4 및 8nM 처리군에서 정상군에 비하여 농도 의존적으로 감소하였고, cobrotoxin 2, 4, 8M 처리군은 정상군에 비하여 유의한 감소를 나타내었다. 6. 세포성장 단백질인 Akt의 발현을 살펴본 결과 1, 2, 4 및 8nM의 cobrotoxin 처리군에서 정상군에 비하여 농도 의존적으로 감소하였고, 4, 8nM친 cobrotoxln 처리군은 정상에 비하여 유의한 감소를 나타내었다. 7. MAP kinase에 관여하는 단백질인 ERK, p-ERK, JNK, p-JNK p38, p-p38에 미치는 영향을 살펴본 결과, ERK은 1, 2nM의 cobrotoxin 처리군에서 정상군에 비하여 증가를, 4, 8nM의 cobrotokin 처리군에서 정상군에 비하여 감소를 나타내었다. p-ERK은 1, 2, 4nM의 cobrotoxin 처리군에서 정상군에 비하여 증가를, 8nM의 cobrotoxin 처리군에서 정상군에 비하여 감소를 나타내었다. JNK와 p-JNK는 1, 2, 4 및 8nM의 cobrotoxin 처리군에서 정상군에 비하여 증가를 나타내었다. p38는 1, 4, 8nM의 cobrotoxin 처리군에서 정상군에 비하여 감소를, 2nM의 cobrotoxin 처리군에서는 정상군에 비하여 감소를 나타내었다. p-p38는 1nM의 cobrotoxin 처리군에서 정상군에 비하여 증가를, 2, 4, 8nM의 cobrotoxin 처리군에서는 정상군에 비하여 유의한 감소를 나타내었다. 8. PC 3-cells 성장의 억제 역시 세포사멸을 유도한 세포성장억제 인지를 알아보기 위해 DAPI staining을 통한 세포의 핵을 염색하여 그 모양을 관찰한 결과, 정상세포가 동글동글 하고 균일한데 비하여 세포사멸이 일어난 세 포는 핵이 응축되고, 여러 조각으로 나뉜 모습을 관찰할 수 있었다. 또한, 세포사멸을 살펴본 결과 1, 2, 4, 8 및 16nM cobrotoxin 처 8nM의 cobrotoxin 처리군에서 정상군에 비하여 유의한 변동을 나타내지 않았다. Bcl-2 는 1, 2, 4 및 8nM의 cobrotoxin 처리군에서 정상군에 비해 농도 의존적으로 유의한 감소를 나타내었다. 9. 세포사멸 관련 유전자인 caspase family (caspase 3, 9)와 Bcl-2 family (Bcl-2, Bax), p53의 발현을 살펴본 결과, Bax는 1, 2, 4 및 Caspase 3과 9는 1, 2, 4nM의 cobrotoxin 처리군에서 정상군에 비하여 유의한 변동을 나타내지 않았으나, 8nM cobrotoxin 처리군에서는 유의한 감소를 나타내었다. 이상의 결과를 종합해보면, 일정수준(pico 또는 namo molar 수준)의 cobrotoxin이 prostate cancer cell의 성장을 억제하고, 세포사멸을 유도 하여 항암 효과가 있음을 확인할 수 있었으며 향후 cobrotoxin의 항암 효과를 실제 임상에 활용할 수 있게 되기를 기대한다.