• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.241-248
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• 2022

NF-κB acts as a critical transcription factor in inflammation and innate immunity, and it is also closely involved in cell survival and tumorigenesis via induction of anti-apoptotic genes. In these processes, NF-κB cooperates with multiple other signaling molecules and pathways, and although many studies have demonstrated that Hsp90 regulates NF-κB activity, the exact mechanism is unclear. In this study, we investigated the relationship between Hsp90 and IKKγ in the regulation of NF-κB using expression plasmids of IKK complex components. Wild-type and deletion mutants of IKKγ were expressed together with Hsp90, and the combined regulatory effect of Hsp90 and IKKγ on NF-κB activation was assayed. The results show that Hsp90 activates NF-κB by promoting the phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα and that activation of NF-κB by NIK and LPS was increased by Hsp90. IKKγ elevated the effect of Hsp90 on NF-κB activation by increasing phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα. The positive regulation on NF-κB by Hsp90 and IKKγ was also proved in analysis with IKKβ-EE, the constitutively active form of IKKβ. In experiments with the deletion mutants of IKKγ, the N-terminal IKKβ binding domain, C-terminal leucine zipper, and zinc finger domains of IKKγ were found not necessary for the positive regulation of NF-κB activity. Additionally, the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines was synergistically elevated by Hsp90 and IKKγ. These results indicate that inhibiting the interaction between Hsp90 and IKKγ is a possible strategic method for controlling NF-κB and related diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.11
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• pp.833-840
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• 2022

Chronic inflammation has been shown to be closely associated with tumor development and progression. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is composed of a family of five transcription factors. NF-κB signaling plays a crucial role in the inflammatory response and is often found to be dysregulated in various types of cancer, making it an attractive target in cancer therapeutics. In this study, CDC-like kinase 3 (CLK3) was identified as a novel kinase that regulates the NF-κB signaling pathway. Our data demonstrate that CLK3 inhibits the canonical and non-canonical NF-κB pathways. Luciferase assays following the transient or stable expression of CLK3 indicated that this kinase inhibited NF-κB activation mediated by Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) and Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), which are known to activate NF-κB signaling via the canonical pathway. Consistent with data on the ectopic expression of CLK3, CLK3 knockdown using shRNA constructs increased NF-κB activity 1.5-fold upon stimulation with TNFα in HEK293 cells compared with the control cells. Additionally, overexpression of CLK3 suppressed the activation of this signaling pathway induced by NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK) or CD40, which are well-established activators of the non-canonical pathway. To further examine the negative impact of CLK3 on NF-κB signaling, we performed Western blotting following the TNFα treatment to directly identify the molecular components of the NF-κB pathway that are affected by this kinase. Our results revealed that CLK3 mitigated the phosphorylation/activation of transforming growth factor-α-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), inhibitor of NF-κB kinase alpha/beta (IKKα/α), NF-κB p65 (RelA), NF-κB inhibitor alpha (IκBα), and Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2-Mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK1/2-MAPK), suggesting that CLK3 inhibits both the NF-κB and MAPK signaling activated by TNFα exposure. Further studies are required to elucidate the mechanism by which CLK3 inhibits the canonical and non-canonical NF-κB pathways. Collectively, these findings reveal CLK3 as a novel negative regulator of NF-κB signaling.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.488-498
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• 2003

Background : Activation of the transcription factor NF-${\kappa}B$ has been shown to protect cells from tumor necrosis factor-alpha, chemotherapy, and radiation-induced apoptosis. NF-${\kappa}B$-dependent cIAP expression is a major antiapoptotic mechanism for that. NF-${\kappa}B$ activation and cIAP expression in A549 lung cancer cells which is relatively resistant to radiation-induced cell death were investigated for the mechanism of radioresistance. Materials and methods : We used A549 lung cancer cells and Clinac 1800C linear accelerator for radiation. Cell viability test was done by MTT assay. NF-${\kappa}B$ activation was tested by luciferase reporter gene assay, Western blot for $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ degradation, and electromobility shift assay. For blocking ${\kappa}B$, MG132 and transfection of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$-superrepressor plasmid construct were used. cIAP expression was analyzed by RT-PCR and cIAP2 promoter activity was performed using luciferase assay system. Results : MTT assay showed that cytotoxicity even 48 hr after radiation in A549 cells were less than 20%. Luciferas assay demonstrated weak NF-${\kappa}B$ activation of $1.6{\pm}0.2$ fold compared to PMA-induced $3.4{\pm}0.9$ fold. Radiation-induced $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ degradation was observed in Western blot and NF-${\kappa}B$ DNA binding was confirmed by EMSA. However, blocking NF-${\kappa}B$ using MG132 and $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$-superrepressor transfection did not show any sensitizing effect for radiation-induced cell death. The result of RT-PCR for cIAP1 & 2 expression was negative induction while TNF-${\alpha}$ showed strong expression for cIAP1 & 2. The cIAP2 promoter activity also did not show any change compared to positive control with TNF-${\alpha}$. Conclusion : We conclude that activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ does not determine the intrinsic radiosensitivity of cancer cells, at least for the cell lines tested in this study.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.133-139
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• 2005

Cobrotoxin, a venom of Vipera lebetina turanica, is a group of basic peptidescomposed of 233 amino acids with six disulfide bonds formed by twelve cysteins. NF-kB is activated by subsequent release of inhibitory IkB and translocation of p50. Since sulfhydryl group is present in kinase domain of p50 subunit of NF-kB, cobrotoxin could modify NF-kB activity by protein-protein interaction. We therefore examined effect of cobrotoxin on NF-kB activities in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-stimulated Raw 264.7 mouse macrophages. Cobrotoxin suppressed the LPS and SNP-induced release of IkB and p50 translocation resulted in inhibition of DNA binding activity of NF-kB. Inhibition of NF-kB resulted in reduction of the LPS and SNP-induced production of inflammatory mediators NO and PGE2 generation. The inhibitory effect of cobrotoxin on the NF-kB activity were blocked by addition of reducing agents dithiothreitol and glutathione. These results demonstrate that cobrotoxin inhibits activation of NF-kB, and suggest that pico to nanomolar range of cobrotoxin could inhibit the expression of genes in the NF-kB signal pathway.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.189-195
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• 2014

The NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway transcriptionally controls a large set of target genes that play important roles in cell survival, inflammation, and immune responses. While many studies showed anti-tumorigenic and pro-survival role of NF-${\kappa}B$ in cancer cells, recent findings postulate that NF-${\kappa}B$ participates in a senescence-associated cytokine response, thereby suggesting a tumor restraining role of NF-${\kappa}B$. In this review, we discuss implications of the NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling pathway in cancer. Particularly, we emphasize the connection of NF-${\kappa}B$ with cellular senescence as a response to chemotherapy, and furthermore, present examples how distinct oncogenic network contexts surrounding NF-${\kappa}B$ produce fundamentally different treatment outcomes in aggressive B-cell lymphomas as an example.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.1-13
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• 2010

목적 : 이 연구는 봉약침의 봉독과 그 주요성분인 멜리틴이 NF-${\kappa}B$의 활성억제와 세포자멸사 관련 단백질의 발현 조절을 통하여 세포자멸사를 유도함으로써 전립선 암세포주인 PC-3 세포의 성장을 억제하는지를 확인하고 해당 기전을 살펴보고자 하였다. 방법 : 봉독이나 멜리틴을 처리한 후 PC-3의 성장억제를 관찰하기 위해 WST-1 assay, CCK-8 assay를 시행하였고, 세포자멸사 조절단백질의 변동 관찰에는 western blot analysis를 시행하였고, 세포자멸사와 연관된 NF-${\kappa}B$의 활성 변화를 관찰하기 위해 EMSA를 시행하였으며, PC-3에서 봉독이나 멜리틴과 NF-${\kappa}B$의 상호작용을 관찰하기 위해 transient transfection assay를 시행하여 세포생존율과 NF-${\kappa}B$의 활성 변동을 측정하였다. 결과 : PC-3 세포에 봉독이나 멜리틴을 처리한 후, 전립선암세포의 성장, 세포자멸사의 유발, 세포자멸사 관련 단백질의 발현, NF-${\kappa}B$의 활성, NF-${\kappa}B$의 p50, $IKK{\alpha}$, $IKK{\beta}$ 치환 후 NF-${\kappa}B$의 활성과 PC-3 세포 증식에 미치는 영향을 관찰하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 1. PC-3 세포에서 봉독이나 멜리틴을 처리한 후 세포자멸사가 유도되어 세포성장이 억제되었고, 세포자멸사 관련 단백질 중 분리된 PARP, caspase-3, -9는 유의한 증가를, Bcl-2, XIAP, cXIAP2는 유의한 감소를 나타내었다. 2. PC-3 세포에서 봉독이나 멜리틴을 처리한 후 NF-${\kappa}B$의 활성은 유의한 감소를 나타내었다. 3. PC-3 세포에서 NF-${\kappa}B$의 p50, $IKK{\alpha}$, $IKK{\beta}$를 치환하여 작용기를 없애고 봉독이나 멜리틴을 처리하였을 경우에도 NF-${\kappa}B$의 활성이 유의한 감소를 나타내었다. 결론 : 이상의 결과는 봉독이나 멜리틴이 NF-${\kappa}B$의 활성 억제를 통하여 인간 전립선암세포주인 PC-3의 세포자멸사를 유발함으로써 증식억제 효과가 있음을 입증한 것으로, 전립선암의 예방과 치료에 대한 효과적인 치료제 개발에 도움이 될 것으로 기대된다.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.39-48
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• 2009

목적 : 이 연구는 봉약침의 주요성분인 멜리틴이 NF-${\kappa}$B의 활성억제를 통하여 세포자멸사를 유도하고, 전립선 암세포주인 DU-145 세포의 성장을 억제하는지를 확인하고 멜리틴의 NF-${\kappa}$B 활성억제기전을 살펴보고자 하였다. 방법 : 멜리틴을 처리한 후 DU-145의 성장억제를 관찰하기 위해 WST-1 assay를 시행하였고, 세포자멸 사의 관찰에는 DAPI stairung assay를 통한 세포형태관찰을 시행하였으며, 염증관련유전자 발현 관찰에는 western blot analysis를 시행하였고, 세포자멸사와 연관된 NF-${\kappa}$B의 활성 변화를 관찰하기 위해 EMSA와 luciferase assay를 시행하였으며, DU-145에서 멜리틴과 NF-${\kappa}$B의 상호작용을 관찰하기 위해 transient transfection assay를 시행 시 세포생존율과 NF-${\kappa}$B의 활성 변동을 측정하였다. 결과 : DU-145 세포에 멜리틴을 처리한 후, 전립선암세포의 성장, 세포자멸사의 유발, 염중관련유전자 발현 및 NF-${\kappa}$B의 활성, NF-${\kappa}$B의 p50 치환 후 NF-${\kappa}$B의 활성과 DU-145 세포 증식에 미치는 영향을 관찰하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 1. DU-145 세포에서 멜리틴을 처리한 후 세포자멸사가 유도되어 세포성장이 억제되었다. 2. DU-145 세포에서 멜리틴을 처리한 후 염증관련유전자 발현 및 NF-${\kappa}$B의 활성에 유의한 감소를 나타내었다. 3. DU-145 세포에서 NF-${\kappa}$B의 p50와 IKK들을 치환하여 작용기를 없애고 멜리틴을 처리하였을 경우에도 세포활성 및 NF-${\kappa}$B의 활성의 유의한 감소를 나타내었다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.185-194
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• 1999

Background: NF-$\kappa$B is a characteristic transcriptional factor whose functional activity is determined by post-translational modification of protein and subsequent change of subcellular localization. The involvement of the NF-$\kappa$B family of the transcription factors in the control of such vital cellular functions as immune response, acute phase reaction, replication of certain viruses and development and differentiation of cells has been clearly documented in many previous studies. Several recent observations have suggested that the NF-$\kappa$B might also be involved in the carcinogenesis of some hematological and solid tumors. Investigating the possibility that members of the NF-$\kappa$B family participate in the molecular control of malignant cell transformation could provide invaluable information on both molecular pathogenesis and cancer-related gene therapy. Method: To determine the expression patterns and functional roles of NF-$\kappa$B family transcription factors in human lung cancer cell lines NCI-H792, NCI-H709, NCI-H226 and NCI-H157 were analysed by western blot, using their respective antibodies. The nuclear and the cytoplasmic fraction of protein extract of these cell lines were subsequently obtained and NF-$\kappa$B expression in each fraction was again determined by western blot analysis. The type of NF-$\kappa$B complex present in the cells was determined by immunoprecipitation. To detect the binding ability of cell-line nuclear extracts to the KB consensus oligonucleotide, electrophoretic mobility shift assay(EMSA) was performed. Results: In the cultured human lung cancer cell lines tested, transcription factors of the NF-$\kappa$B family, namely the p50 and p65 subunit were expressed and localized in the nuclear fraction of the cellular extract by western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry. Immunoprecipitation assay showed that in the cell, the p50 and p65 subunits made NF-$\kappa$B complex. Finally it was shown by Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay(EMSA) that nuclear extracts of lung cancer cell lines are able to bind to NF-$\kappa$B consensus DNA sequences. Conclusion: These data suggest that in human lung cancer cell lines the NF-$\kappa$B p50/p65 complex might be activated. and strengthen the hypothesis that NF-$\kappa$B family transcription factors might be involved in the carcinogenesis of human lung cancer.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.219-240
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• 2009

Since NF-${\kappa}B$ has been identified as a transcription factor associated with immune cell activation, groups of researchers have dedicated to reveal detailed mechanisms of nuclear factor of ${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) in inflammatory signaling for decades. The various molecular components of NF-${\kappa}B$ transcription factor pathway have been being evaluated as important therapeutic targets due to their roles in diverse human diseases including inflammation, cystic fibrosis, sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, atherosclerosis, ischemic injury, myocardial infarction, osteoporosis, transplantation rejection, and neurodegeneration. With regards to new drugs directly or indirectly modulating the NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway, FDA recently approved a proteasome inhibitor bortezomib for the treatment of multiple myeloma. Many pharmaceutical companies have been trying to develop new drugs to inhibit various kinases in the NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling pathway for many therapeutic applications. However, a gene knock-out study for $IKK{\beta}$ in the NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway has given rise to controversies associated with efficacy as therapeutics. Mice lacking hepatocyte $IKK{\beta}$ accelerated cancer instead of preventing progress of cancer. However, it is clear that pharmacological inhibition of $IKK{\beta}$ appears to be beneficial to reduce HCC. This article will update issues of the NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway and inhibitors regulating this pathway.

• BMB Reports
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• v.41 no.10
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• pp.705-709
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• 2008

NF-${\kappa}B$ is a transcriptional regulator involved in many biological processes including proliferation, survival, and differentiation. Recently, we reported that expression and activity of NF-${\kappa}B$ is comparatively low in undifferentiated human embryonic stem (ES) cells, but increases during differentiation. Here, we found a lower expression of NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 protein in mouse ES cells when compared with mouse embryonic fibroblast cells. Protein levels of NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 and relB were clearly enhanced during retinoic acid-induced differentiation. Furthermore, increased DNA binding activity of NF-${\kappa}B$ in response to TNF-$\alpha$, an agonist of NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling, was seen in differentiated but not undifferentiated mouse ES cells. Taken together with our previous data in human ES cells, it is likely that NF-${\kappa}B$ expression and activity of the NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling pathway is comparatively low in undifferentiated ES cells, but increases during differentiation of ES cells in general.