• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.67-72
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• 2009

Microtubule-interfering agents (MIAs), including paclitaxel, have been attributed in part to interference with microtubule assembly, impairment of mitosis, and changes in cytoskeleton. But the signaling mechanisms that link microtubule disarray to destructive or protective cellular responses are poorly understood. This study investigated the effect of paclitaxel on differentiation such as type II collagen expression and sulfated proteoglycan accumulation in rabbit articular chondrocytes. Paclitaxel caused differentiated chondrocyte phenotype as demonstrated by increment of type II collagen expression and proteoglycan synthesis Paclitaxel treatment stimulated activation of ERK-1/2 and p38 kinase. Inhibition of ERK-1/2 with PD98059 enhanced paclitaxel-induced differentiation, whereas inhibition of p38 kinase with SB203580 suppressed paclitaxel-induced differentiation. Our findings suggest that ERK-1/2 and p38 kinase oppositely regulate paclitaxel-induced differentiation in chondrocytes.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 2009

The aim of this study was to examine the microtubule distributions of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) and parthenogenetic porcine embryos. Porcine SCNT embryos were produced by fusion of serum-starved fetal fibroblast cells with enucleated oocytes. Reconstituted and mature oocytes were activated by electric pulses combined with 6-dimethlyaminopurine treatment. SCNT and parthenogenetic embryos were cultured in vitro for 6 days. Microtubule assembly of embryos was examined by confocal microscopy 1 hr and 20 hr after fusion or activation, respectively. The proportions of embryos developed to the blastocyst stage were 25.7% and 30.4% in SCNT and parthenogenetic embryos, respectively. The frequency of embryos showing $\beta$-tubulins was 81.8% in parthenogenetic embryos, whereas 31.3% in SCNT embryos 1 hr after activation or fusion. The frequency of the embryos underwent normal mitotic phase was low in SCNT embryos (40.6%) compared to that of parthenogenetic ones (59.7%) 20 hr after fusion or activation (p<0.05). The rate of SCNT embryos with an abnormal mitosis pattern is about twice compared to that of parthenogenetic ones. The spindle assembly and its distribution of SCNT embryos in the first mitotic phase were not different from those of parthenogenetic ones. The result shows that although microtubule distribution of porcine SCNT embryos shortly after fusion is different from parthenogenetic embryos, and the frequency of abnormal mitosis 20 hr after fusion or activation is slightly increased in SCNT embryos, microtubule distributions at the first mitotic phase are similar in both SCNT and parthenogenetic embryos.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.228-231
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• 2009

We have purified Phytophthora capsici alpha and beta tubulin from Escherchia coli BL21(DE3). The recombinant alpha and beta tubulins were assembled into microtubule in vitro with specific conditions. The metagenome library was isolated from soil in the Mt. Yeo-Ki, Suwon, Korea and manufactured with the method mentioned in experiment contents for in vitro screening of microtubule assembly screening. FRET effect was used for microtubule assembly inhibitor screening with metagenome library. We got 2 metagenome clones from in vitro screening, and these 2 hit clones showed P. capsici growth inhibition activity on the growing pepper plants. These results suggest that new development of potent inhibitor for pepper blight disease and new approach to prevention of pepper blight disease.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.73-79
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• 2010

We investigated the microtubule dynamics, including the inheritance of donor centrosomes and the mitotic spindle assembly occurring during the first mitosis of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos in pigs. SCNT embryos were fixed 15 min and 1 h after fusion in order to assess the inheritance pattern of the donor centrosome. The distribution and dynamic of the centrosome and microtubule during the first mitotic phase of SCNT embryos were also evaluated. The frequency of embryos evidencing $\gamma$-tubulin spots (centrosome) was 93.2% in the SCNT embryos 15 min after fusion. In the majority of the SCNT embryos (61.5%), however, no centrosome was observed 1 h after fusion. The frequency of the embryos with no or abnormal mitotic spindles 20 h after fusion was 19.6%. The $\gamma$-tubulin spots were detected near the nuclei of somatic cells regardless of cell cycle phase, whereas $\gamma$-tubulin spots in the SCNT embryos were observed only during the inter-anaphase transition. These results showed that the donor centrosome is inherited into the SCNT embryos, but failed to assemble the normal mitotic spindles during first mitotic phase in some SCNT embryos.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.63-69
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• 1997

We have previously reported that NF-kB is involved in the regulation of nitric oxide synthase gene expression during differentiation of chick embryonic myoblasts. However, how NF-kB is timely activated during myogenesis remains elusive. One of the most prominent events in myogenesis is myoblast membrane fusion, which is accompanied with massive cytoskeletal reorganization. Here we show that the activity of NF-kB markedly increases in L6 rat myogenic cells that have just initiated morphological changes by treating nocodazole, a microtubule-disrupting agent. Furthermore, the induction of NF-kB activation was closely correlated with the myoblast fusion. In addition, a variety of agents that disrupt microtubules stimulated the myoblast fusion as well as the induction of NF-kB activation. In contrast, taxol, a microtubule-stabilizing agent, suppressed the induction of NF-kB activation and inhibited spontaneous differentiation of L6 cells as well. In addition, we found that the NF-KB in the cells consists of p50/p65 heterodimers. These results support the idea that reorganization of microtubule at early stages of differentiation plays a role as a signal for NF-KB activation during myogenesis.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2001.03a
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• pp.18-18
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• 2001

Despite of importance of integrated events of nucleus and microtubule remodeling in nuclear transferred embryos with somatic cells, little information is available on this subject. In this study we configured chromatin and microtubule organization following somatic cell nuclear transfer in pre- and non-activated bovine oocytes in order to clearify nuclear remodeling process and to demonstrate centrosome inheritance during nuclear transfer. The cumulus-oocyte complexes were collected from slaughterhouse and were matured in vitro for 20 h in TCM 199 supplemented hormone. Matured bovine oocytes were enucleated by aspirating the frist polar body and metaphase chromatin using a beveled pipette. Bovine fibroblast cells were fused into enucleated oocyte by electrical stimulation. Reconstructed oocytes were activated with ionomycine and 6-dimethylaminopurin, and then cultured in CRlaa medium. The organization of nuclear and microtubules were observed using laser-scanning confocal microscopy. At 1 hour after fusion, microtubule aster was seen near the transferred nucleus in most oocytes regardless activation condition. While most of fibroblast nuclei remodeled to premature chromosome condensation (PCC) and to the two masses of chromosome in non-activated oocytes, a few number of fibloblasts went to PCC and multiple pronuclear like structures in activated oocytes. Microtubular spindle was seen around condensed chromosome. Gamma-tubulin was detected in the vicinity of condensed chromosome, suggesting this is a transient spindle. The spindle seperated nucleus into two masses of chromatin which developed to the pronuclear like structures. Two pronuclear like structures were than apposed by microtubular aster and formed one syngamy like nuclear structure at 15 h following nuclear transfer. At 17 to 18 h after fusion, two centrosomes were seen near the nucleus, which nucleates micrtubules for two cell cleavage. While 31% of reconstructed oocytes in non-activated condition developed to morulae and blastocysts, a few reconstructed oocytes in pre-activated condition developed to the blastocyst. These results suggested introduction of foreign centrosome during nuclear transfer, which appeared to give an important role for somatic cell nuclear reprogramming.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.693-699
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• 2016

Clostridium difficile toxin A is known to cause deacetylation of tubulin proteins, which blocks microtubule formation and triggers barrier dysfunction in the gut. Based on our previous finding that the Clostridium difficile toxin A-dependent activation of histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC-6) is responsible for tubulin deacetylation and subsequent microtubule disassembly, we herein examined the possible effect of potassium acetate (PA; whose acetyl group prevents the binding of tubulin to HDAC-6) as a competitive/false substrate. Our results revealed that PA inhibited toxin A-induced deacetylation of tubulin and recovered toxin A-induced microtubule disassembly. In addition, PA treatment significantly decreased the production of IL-6 (a marker of inflamed tissue) in the toxin A-induced mouse enteritis model. An in vitro HDAC assay revealed that PA directly inhibited HDAC-6-mediated tubulin deacetylation, indicating that PA acted as a false substrate for HDAC-6. These results collectively indicate that PA treatment inhibits HDAC-6, thereby reducing the cytotoxicity and inflammatory responses caused by C. difficile toxin A.

• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.192-197
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• 2022

Cell signals for growth factors depend on the mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) surrounding the cells. Microtubule acetylation is involved in the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β-induced myofibroblast differentiation in the soft ECM. However, the mechanism of activation of α-tubulin acetyltransferase 1 (α-TAT1), a major α-tubulin acetyltransferase, in the soft ECM is not well defined. Here, we found that casein kinase 2 (CK2) is required for the TGF-β-induced activation of α-TAT1 that promotes microtubule acetylation in the soft matrix. Genetic mutation and pharmacological inhibition of CK2 catalytic activity specifically reduced microtubule acetylation in the cells cultured on a soft matrix rather than those cultured on a stiff matrix. Immunoprecipitation analysis showed that CK2α, a catalytic subunit of CK2, directly bound to the C-terminal domain of α-TAT1, and this interaction was more prominent in the cells cultured on the soft matrix. Moreover, the substitution of alanine with serine, the 236th amino acid located at the C-terminus, which contains the CK2-binding site of α-TAT1, significantly abrogated the TGF-β-induced microtubule acetylation in the soft matrix, indicating that the successful binding of CK2 and the C-terminus of α-TAT1 led to the phosphorylation of serine at the 236th position of amino acids in α-TAT1 and regulation of its catalytic activity. Taken together, our findings provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the TGF-β-induced activation of α-TAT1 in a soft matrix.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.387-398
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• 2023

Microtubule acetylation has been proposed as a marker of highly heterogeneous and aggressive triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The novel microtubule acetylation inhibitors GM-90257 and GM-90631 (GM compounds) cause TNBC cancer cell death but the underlying mechanisms are currently unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that GM compounds function as anti-TNBC agents through activation of the JNK/AP-1 pathway. RNA-seq and biochemical analyses of GM compound-treated cells revealed that c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and members of its downstream signaling pathway are potential targets for GM compounds. Mechanistically, JNK activation by GM compounds induced an increase in c-Jun phosphorylation and c-Fos protein levels, thereby activating the activator protein-1 (AP-1) transcription factor. Notably, direct suppression of JNK with a pharmacological inhibitor alleviated Bcl2 reduction and cell death caused by GM compounds. TNBC cell death and mitotic arrest were induced by GM compounds through AP-1 activation in vitro. These results were reproduced in vivo, validating the significance of microtubule acetylation/JNK/AP-1 axis activation in the anti-cancer activity of GM compounds. Moreover, GM compounds significantly attenuated tumor growth, metastasis, and cancer-related death in mice, demonstrating strong potential as therapeutic agents for TNBC.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2002.06a
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• pp.51-51
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• 2002

Despite of importance of integrated events of nucleus and microtubule remodeling in nuclear transferred embryos with somatic cells, little information is available on this subject. In this study we compared chromatin, r-tubulin and microtubule organization in porcine oocytes following somatic cell nuclear transfer and parthenogenetically activation in order to clarify nuclear remodeling process and to demonstrate centrosome inheritance during nuclear transfer. (omitted)