• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권11호
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• pp.6363-6367
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• 2013

Atractylis lancea (Thunb.) DC. (AL), an important medicinal herb in Asia, has been shown to have anti-tumor effects on cancer cells, but the involved mechanisms are poorly understood. This study focused on potential effects and molecular mechanisms of AL on the proliferation of the Hep-G2 liver cancer cell line in vitro. Cell viability was assessed by MTT test in Hep-G2 cells incubated with an ethanol extract of AL. Then, the effects of AL on apoptosis and cell cycle progression were determined by flow cytometry. Telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assays was performed to investigate telomerase activity. The mRNA and protein expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and c-myc were determined by real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting. Our results show that AL effectively inhibits proliferation in Hep-G2 cells in a concentrationand time-dependent manner. When Hep-G2 cells were treated with AL after 48h,the $IC_{50}$ was about 72.1 ${\mu}g/mL$. Apoptosis was induced by AL via arresting the cells in the G1 phase. Furthermore, AL effectively reduced telomerase activity through inhibition of mRNA and protein expression of hTERT and c-myc. Hence, these data demonstrate that AL exerts anti-proliferative effects in Hep-G2 cells via down-regulation of the c-myc/hTERT/telomerase pathway.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• 제43권3호
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• pp.236-243
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• 2013

Many plant species in subalpine regions are under threat of extinction as a result of climate change. In this study, the genetic diversity and geographic differentiation of three regions and six populations of Primula farinosa subsp. modesta (Bisset & Moore) Pax in Korea were assessed using the ISSR (Inter Simple Sequence Repeat) marker. The average genetic diversity (P = 60.62, SI = 0.299, h = 0.190) was relatively lower than that of other long-lived perennials, even though it is a self-incompatible species. AMOVA analysis showed that 50% of the total genetic diversity was partitioned among regions and Bayesian cluster analysis showed some remarkable geographic trends that were structured into 2 or 3 regions, suggesting limited gene flow among regions. Considering the population fragmentation, low level genetic diversity, and high genetic differentiation, it is essential to establish in situ and ex situ conservation strategies for P. farinosa subsp. modesta.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.267-273
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• 2013

This study employed inter-simple-sequence repeat (ISSR) to assess genetic variation among 189 individuals representing 10 populations (nine in Korea and one in Japan) of Millettia japonica, which has recently been lifted from the endangered species of Korea. The calculated Shannon's information index value (I = 0.2689) of the species was appreciable and was higher than other endangered leguminous woody taxa. Gochang (I = 0.2968), Namhae (I = 0.2951), and Mt. Toham (I = 0.2823) populations showed relatively high genetic diversity, whereas the Kyushu (in Japan) population (I = 0.2487) exhibited the lowest. The results of an analysis of molecular variance indicated that 86.49% of the diversity was attributed to within populations, and 13.51% to differences among populations, suggesting that M. japonica populations do not have significant geographic differentiation and that the gene flow between populations exists to some extent (Nm = 1.8446). Continuous habitat monitoring should be conducted to conserve genetic diversity of M. japonica, particularly for those populations with relatively high genetic diversity. Selection of many individuals from the populations in Gochang, Namhae, and Mt. Toham is thought to be an appropriate strategy for ex situ conservation of M. japonica in Korea.

• Development and Reproduction
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.105-112
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• 2003

Previously, we discovered a new MMP-2 isoform GA110, of which appearance in human follicular fluid(FF) and serum was increased by EDTA. The present study was conducted to investigate how GAI 10 can appear by EDTA. To examine possible involvement of protein disulfide isomerase(PDI), an enzyme responsible for the dimerization of protein via disulfide formation, effect of PDI inhibitor on the appearance of GA110 by EDTA was investigated. When PDI inhibitor added to FF before EDTA treatment, the gelatinolytic activity of GA110 was abolished in a concentration dependent manner. By contrast, the activity of 72 kDa gelatinase increased. However, the PDI inhibitor added to FF after EDTA treatment, the gelatinolytic activity of GA110 was unaffected. To find out the nature of the enzyme which converts 72 kDa gelatinase into GAI 10, chromatographic separation method of FF proteins was done. Using hydroxyapatite column, fractions rich in 72 kDa gelatinase were isolated and pooled. By using this pool as substrate for the 72 kDa converting enzyme, protein fractions containing the converting activity were obtained from chromatographic separation of FF onto glutathione sepharose fast flow column. When immunoblotting was performed on this enzymatically active protein fractions against polyclonal anti-PDI antibody, distinct immunoreactivity was observed, although appeared in smaller molecular weight region. Based on these observations, it is suggested that the appearance of GAI 10 in FF by EDTA treatment could be due to an activation of PDI-like enzyme, which dimerizes 72 kDa gelatinase into GAI 10 via the formation of disulfide bond between molecules.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권10호
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• pp.5915-5920
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• 2013

Aim: Although aberrant miRNA expression has been documented, altered miR-101 expression in cervical cancer and its carcinogenic effects and mechanisms remain unexplored. The aim of our study was to investigate the role of miR-101 alteration in cervical carcinogenesis. Methods: Expression of miR-101 was examined by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR) in Hela cells. After modulating miR-101 expression using miR-101 mimics, cell growth, apoptosis and proliferation, and migration were tested separately by MTT or flow cytometry and cell wound healing assay and protein expression was detected by qRT-PCR. The expression of COX-2 in Hela cell was also examined by immunohistochemical staining and the correlation with miR-101 expression was analysed. Results: The miR-101 demonstrated significantly low expression in Hela cell. When we transfected miR-101 mimics into Hela cells, the modulation of miR-101 expression remarkably influenced cell proliferation, cycling and apoptosis: 1) The expression of microRNA-101 tended to increase after transfection; 2) Overexpression of miR-101 was able to promote cell apoptosis, the apoptosis rate being markedly higher (97.6%) than that seen pre-transfection (12.2%) (P<0.05); 3) The miR-101 negatively regulates cell migration and invasion, scratch results being lower ($42.7um{\pm}2um$) than that observed pre-transfection ($181.4um{\pm}2um$); 4) miRNA-101 inhibits the proliferation of Hela cells as well as the level of COX-2 protein, which was negatively correlated with miR-101 expression. Conclusions: Overexpression of miR-101 has obvious inhibitory effects on cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Thus reduced miR-101 expression could participate in the development of cervical cancer at least partly through loss of inhibition of target gene COX-2, which probably occurs in a relative late phase of carcinogenesis. Our data suggest an important role of miR-101 in the molecular etiology of cancer and indicate potential application of miR-101 in cancer therapy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권5호
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• pp.1901-1906
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• 2012

Background: The discovery that microRNA (miRNA) regulates metastasis provide a principal molecular basis for tumor heterogeneity. A characteristic of solid tumors is their heterogenous distribution of blood vessels, with significant hypoxia occurring in regions (centers of tumor) of low blood flow. It is necessary to discover the mechanism of breast cancer metastasis in relation to the fact that there is a differential distribution of crucial microRNA in tumors from centers to edges. Methods: Breast tissues from 48 patients (32 patients with breast cancer) were classified into the high invasive and metastatic group (HIMG), low invasive and metastatic group (LIMG), and normal group. Samples were collected from both the centers and edges of all tumors. The first six specimens were detected by microRNA array, and the second ten specimens were detected by real-time qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses. Correlation analysis was performed between the miRNAs and target proteins. Results: The relative content of miR-20a and miR-20b was lower in the center of the tumor than at the edge in the LIMG, lower at the edge of the tumor than in the center in the HIMG, and lower in breast cancer tissues than in normal tissues. VEGF-A and HIF-1alpha mRNA levels were higher in the HIMG than in the LIMG, and levels were higher in both groups than in the normal group; there was no difference in mRNA levels between the edge and center of the tumor. VEGF-A and HIF-1alpha protein levels were higher in the HIMG than in the LIMG, and protein levels in both groups were higher than in the normal group; there was a significant difference in protein expression between the edge and center of the tumor. Correlation analysis showed that the key miRNAs (miR-20a and miR-20b) negatively correlated with the target proteins (VEGF-A and HIF-1alpha). Conclusions: Our data suggest that miR-20a and miR-20b are differentially distributed in breast cancer, while VEGF-A and HIF-1alpha mRNA had coincident distributions, and VEGF-A and HIF-1alpha proteins had uneven and opposing distributions to the miRNAs. It appears that one of the most important facets underlying metastatic heterogeneity is the differential distribution of miR-20a and miR-20b and their regulation of target proteins.

• THE JOURNAL OF KOREAN ORIENTAL ONCOLOGY
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.15-37
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• 2003

Objective: We are aimed to identify anti-tumor effects of Curcuma longa L. on the stomach cancer cells through molecular biologic methods. Material & Methods: We used AGS as human stomach cancer cells obtained from American Type Culture Collection. The boiled extract of Curcuma longa L. $5{\mu}l$ (Sample I), $10{\mu}l$ (Sample II) was treated to cultural media(ml) for 0, 6, 12, 24, 48 hours. We measured the killing effect on stomach cancer cells through Trypan blue exclusion test and the suppressive effect on viability of stomach cancer cells via MTT assay. For identification of its anticancer mechanism, the revelation of Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, and Bax which are genes related to apoptosis using the quantitative RT-PCR, change of mitochondria membrane permeability and membrane potential via flow cytometry, the cycle of cell mitosis, caspase cleavage and annexin V staining were examined. Results: 1. showed significant killing effect on stomach cancer cell than the control group with a time(6 hours later) and density dependent manner, which was statistical significance. 2. Extract of Curcuma longa L. showed suppressive effect on viability of stomach cancer cells that each test groups had more suppressive effects on viability of stomach cancer cells than the control group with a time(6 hours later), which was statistical significance.(p<0.05) 3. In the test about the revelation of genes related to apoptosis, the revelation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL decreased with a density manner which was statistical significance. but the revelation of Bax was not changed with statistical significance. 4. Extract of Curcuma longa L. caused apoptosis by decreasing the absorbance of mitochondria with statistical significance, and also induced apoptosis by decreasing the membrane potential of mitochondria. 5. Extract of Curcuma longa L. destructed the cell cycle of cell mitosos. 6. Cell apoptosis was induced by extract of Curcuma longa L. certificated by method of caspase cleavage and annexin V staining. Conclusion: This experiment showed that Curcuma longa L. has anti-tumor effect with statistical significance. This is in vitro experiment and basic experiment on Curcuma longa L.. We hope more progressive research on Curcuma longa L. will go on and its anti-tumor effects will be more practically identified.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제57권1호
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• pp.50-53
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• 2014

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) occurs in the primary form (genetic or familial) or secondary form (acquired). The familial form of HLH (FHL) is a potentially fatal autosomal recessive disorder that occurs because of constitutional defects in cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Here, we report a fatal neonatal case of type 2 FHL (FHL2) that involved a novel frameshift mutation. Clinically, the newborn presented with severe sepsis-like features and required mechanical ventilation and continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration. Flow cytometry analysis showed marked HLH and complete absence of intracytoplasmic perforin expression in cytotoxic cells; therefore, we performed molecular genetic analyses for PRF1 mutations, which showed that the patient had a compound heterozygous mutation in PRF1, that is, c.65delC ($p.Pro22Argfs^*2$) and c.1090_1091delCT ($p.Leu364Glufs^*93$). Clinical and genetic assessments for FHL are required for neonates with refractory fever and progressive multiple organ failure, particularly when there is no evidence of microbiological or metabolic cause.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제8권4호
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• pp.368-376
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of lycopene on the migration, adhesion, tube formation capacity, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) activity of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) cultivated with high glucose (HG) and as well as explore the mechanism behind the protective effects of lycopene on peripheral blood EPCs. MATERIALS/METHODS: Mononuclear cells were isolated from human peripheral blood by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation. EPCs were identified after induction of cellular differentiation. Third generation EPCs were incubated with HG (33 mmol/L) or 10, 30, and $50{\mu}g/mL$ of lycopene plus HG. MTT assay and flow cytometry were performed to assess proliferation and apoptosis of EPCs. EPC migration was assessed by MTT assay with a modified boyden chamber. Adhesion assay was performed by replating EPCs on fibronectin-coated dishes, after which adherent cells were counted. In vitro vasculogenesis activity was assayed by Madrigal network formation assay. Western blotting was performed to analyze protein expression of both phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated p38 MAPK. RESULTS: The proliferation, migration, adhesion, and in vitro vasculogenesis capacity of EPCs treated with 10, 30, and $50{\mu}g/mL$ of lycopene plus HG were all significantly higher comapred to the HG group (P < 0.05). Rates of apoptosis were also significantly lower than that of the HG group. Moreover, lycopene blocked phosphorylation of p38 MAPK in EPCs (P < 0.05). To confirm the causal relationship between MAPK inhibition and the protective effects of lycopene against HG-induced cellular injury, we treated cells with SB203580, a phosphorylation inhibitor. The inhibitor significantly inhibited HG-induced EPC injury. CONCLUSIONS: Lycopene promotes proliferation, migration, adhesion, and in vitro vasculogenesis capacity as well as reduces apoptosis of EPCs. Further, the underlying molecular mechanism of the protective effects of lycopene against HG-induced EPC injury may involve the p38 MAPK signal transduction pathway. Specifically, lycopene was shown to inhibit HG-induced EPC injury by inhibiting p38 MAPKs.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• 제41권1호
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• pp.33-43
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• 2013

A bacterium producing a fibrinolytic enzyme was isolated from Cheonggukjang. The bacterium was identified as a strain of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens by 16S rDNA analysis and designated as B. amyloliquefaciens HC188. The optimum culture medium appeared to be one containing 0.5% (w/v) maltose and 0.5% (w/v) soytone. Bacterial growth in the optimal medium at $37^{\circ}C$ reached the stationary phase after 27 h of incubation and the fibrinolytic enzyme showed optimum activity at 24 h. The enzyme was purified by 20-80% ammonium sulfate precipitation, CM Sepharose fast flow ion exchange chromatography, and Sephacryl S-200HR column chromatography. Its specific activity was 38359.3 units/mg protein and the yield was 5.5% of the total activity of the crude extracts. The molecular weight was 24.7 kDa and the amino acids of the N-terminal sequence were AQSVPYGVSQIKAPA. The fibrinolytic enzyme activity had an optimum temperature of $40^{\circ}C$ and an optimum pH of 8.0, and the enzyme was stable in the ranges $20-40^{\circ}C$ and pH 6.0-8.0. Enzyme activity was increased by $Ca^{2+}$ and $Co^{2+}$ but inhibited by $Cu^{2+}$, EDTA, and PMSF. It is suggested that the purified enzyme is a metallo-serine protease.