• 생명과학회지
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.89-95
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• 2011

식품에서 추출한 파이토케미컬은 여러 암종에서 암세포의 증식억제와 apoptosis를 유도한다. 최근에 이러한 파이토케미컬의 세포 내 신호전달 기작에 관한 관심이 높아지고 있으며, 본 연구에서는 파이토케미컬의 일종인 커큐민과 EGCG를 HCT116 대장암세포에 처리함으로써 암세포의 증식억제와 apoptosis 유도 효과를 알아보고, 암세포의 증식에 관여하는 Akt의 활성과 종양 억제유전자인 p53의 신호경로를 규명하고자 하였다. 그 결과, 커큐민과 EGCG를 처리했을 때 HCT116 세포의 증식이 억제되었고, 암세포에서 apoptosis 효과가 나타남을 확인하였다. 동일한 조건에서 Western blotting을 실시했을 때 Akt의 활성은 감소하였으며 p53의 발현은 증가하였다. 또한 Akt의 저해제인 LY294002를 처리했을 때 암세포의 증식이 더욱 강하게 억제되었으며, p53의 발현은 더욱 강하게 증가하는 것으로 나타났다. 따라서 HCT116 세포에서 커큐민과 EGCG 처리에 의한 암세포의 증식 억제 및 apoptosis는 p53의 발현이 증가함에 따라 유도되며, 이러한 p53의 발현 증가는 Akt 신호경로를 저해함으로써 일어난다는 것을 확인하였다.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제41권4호
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• pp.599-611
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• 2020

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Hwanggi-tang on glucose digestion, uptake, and metabolism in murine C2C12 myotubes. Methods: Hwanggi-tang was prepared according to the Dong-ui-bo-gam (≪東醫寶鑑≫) prescription by 70% ethanol extraction. The effect on glucose digestion was examined by determining the inhibitory effect of Hwanggi-tang on α-glucosidase activity. We also compared and verified the gene and protein expression of genes related to glucose uptake in C2C12 myotubes treated with Hwanggi-tang or insulin. Glucose metabolism was assessed by the expression levels of associated enzymes. Results: Hwanggi-tang caused a dose-dependent inhibition of α-glucosidase activity, induced glucose uptake by activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in the insulin signaling pathway, and promoted glucose oxidation and β-oxidation. Conclusions: Hwanggi-tang exerts an anti-diabetic effect on murine myotubes by inhibiting glucose digestion and inducing glucose uptake and consumption.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제28권10호
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• pp.1233-1243
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• 2018

SREBPs는 지질의 항상성 및 대사를 조절하는 전사 인자이다. 이들은 내인성 콜레스테롤, 지방산(FA), 트리아실글리세롤(TG) 및 인지질 합성에 필요한 효소의 발현을 정밀하게 조절한다. 3종류의 SREBP 단백질은 2개의 다른 유전자에 의해 암호화 된다. SREBP1 유전자는 SREBP-1a와 SREBP-1c를 만든다. 이는 RNA의 alternative splicing에 의한 대체 프로모터의 이용으로부터 유도된다. SREBP-2는 별도의 유전자에서 유래한다. 또한, SREBPs는 ER 스트레스, 염증, 자가포식 및 세포사멸과 같은 수많은 병인과정에 관여하며, 비만, 이상 지질혈증, 당뇨병 및 비알콜성 지방간 질환 등을 유발하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 유전체의 분석은 SREBPs가 생물학적 신호 전달, 세포 신진 대사, 및 성장을 조절하는 중요한 연결고리임을 보여 주었다. 이 과정에서 SREBP는 PI3K-Akt-mTOR 경로를 통해 활성화 된다고 알려져 있다. 하지만 정확한 분자 메커니즘은 좀더 밝혀져야 한다. 이 리뷰에서는 세포, 기관 및 생물개체 수준의 생리학 및 병태 생리학 영역에서 SREBP의 역할에 대한 포괄적인 이해를 넓혀 줄 것이다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제46권1호
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• pp.39-53
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• 2022

Ginsenoside Rb₁ (Rb₁), one of the most important ingredients in Panax ginseng Meyer, has been confirmed to have favorable activities, including reducing antioxidative stress, inhibiting inflammation, regulating cell autophagy and apoptosis, affecting sugar and lipid metabolism, and regulating various cytokines. This study reviewed the recent progress on the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of Rb₁ against cardiovascular and nervous system diseases, diabetes, and their complications, especially those related to neurodegenerative diseases, myocardial ischemia, hypoxia injury, and traumatic brain injury. This review retrieved articles from PubMed and Web of Science that were published from 2015 to 2020. The molecular targets or pathways of the effects of Rb₁ on these diseases are referring to HMGB1, GLUT4, 11β-HSD1, ERK, Akt, Notch, NF-κB, MAPK, PPAR-γ, TGF-β1/Smad pathway, PI3K/mTOR pathway, Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, Nrf2/ARE pathway, and MAPK/NF-κB pathway. The potential effects of Rb₁ and its possible mechanisms against diseases were further predicted via Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway and disease ontology semantic and enrichment (DOSE) analyses with the reported targets. This study provides insights into the therapeutic effects of Rb₁ and its mechanisms against diseases, which is expected to help in promoting the drug development of Rb₁ and its clinical applications.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.43-49
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• 2012

Stimulation of mast cells through the high affinity IgE receptor (Fc${\varepsilon}$RI) induces degranulation, lipid mediator release, and cytokine secretion leading to allergic reactions. Although various signaling pathways have been characterized to be involved in the Fc${\varepsilon}$RI-mediated responses, little is known about the precious mechanism for the expression of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) in mast cells. Here, we report that rapamycin, a specific inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), reduces the expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells. IgE or specific antigen stimulation of RBL-2H3 cells increases the expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ and activates various signaling molecules including S6K1, Akt and p38 MAPK. Rapamycin specifically inhibits antigeninduced TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA level, while other kinase inhibitors have no effect on TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA level. These data indicate that mTOR signaling pathway is the main regulation mechanism for antigen-induced TNF-${\alpha}$ expression. TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA stability analysis using reporter construct containing TNF-${\alpha}$ adenylate/uridylate-rich elements (AREs) shows that rapamycin destabilizes TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA via regulating the AU-rich element of TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA. The antigen-induced activation of S6K1 is inhibited by specific kinase inhibitors including mTOR, PI3K, PKC and $Ca^{2+}$chelator inhibitor, while TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA level is reduced only by rapamycin treatment. These data suggest that the effects of rapamycin on the expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA are not mediated by S6K1 but regulated by mTOR. Taken together, our results reveal that mTOR signaling pathway is a novel regulation mechanism for antigen-induced TNF-${\alpha}$ expression in RBL-2H3 cells.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제42권11호
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• pp.773-782
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• 2019

Cellular senescence is an irreversible form of cell cycle arrest. Senescent cells have a unique gene expression profile that is frequently accompanied by senescence-associated heterochromatic foci (SAHFs). Protein kinase CK2 (CK2) downregulation can induce trimethylation of histone H3 Lys 9 (H3K9me3) and SAHFs formation by activating SUV39h1. Here, we present evidence that the PI3K-AKT-mTOR-reactive oxygen species-p53 pathway is necessary for CK2 downregulation-mediated H3K9me3 and SAHFs formation. CK2 downregulation promotes SUV39h1 stability by inhibiting its proteasomal degradation in a p53-dependent manner. Moreover, the dephosphorylation status of Ser 392 on p53, a possible CK2 target site, enhances the nuclear import and subsequent stabilization of SUV39h1 by inhibiting the interactions between p53, MDM2, and SUV39h1. Furthermore, $p21^{Cip1/WAF1}$ is required for CK2 downregulation-mediated H3K9me3, and dephosphorylation of Ser 392 on p53 is important for efficient transcription of $p21^{Cip1/WAF}$. Taken together, these results suggest that CK2 downregulation induces dephosphorylation of Ser 392 on p53, which subsequently increases the stability of SUV39h1 and the expression of $p21^{Cip1/WAF1}$, leading to H3K9me3 and SAHFs formation.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제45권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2020

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease observed in approximately 0.5-2.2% of the population, and it is recognized as a premalignant lesion that can progress into oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The rate of malignant transformation is approximately 1.09-2.3%, and the risk factors for malignant transformation are age, female, erosive type, and tongue site location. Malignant transformation of OLP is likely related to the low frequency of apoptotic phenomena. Therefore, apoptosis-related genetic factors, like p53, BCL-2, and BAX are reviewed. Increased p53 expression and altered expression of BCL-2 and BAX were observed in OLP patients, and the malignant transformation rate in these patients was relatively higher. The involvement of microRNA (miRNA) in the malignant transformation of OLP is also reviewed. Because autophagy is involved in cell survival and death through the regulation of various cellular processes, autophagy-related genetic factors may function as factors for malignant transformation. In OLP, decreased levels of ATG9B mRNA and a higher expression of IGF1 were observed, suggesting a reduction in cell death and autophagic response. Activated IGF1-PI3K/AKT/mTor cascade may play an important role in a signaling pathway related to the malignant transformation of OLP to OSCC. Recent research has shown that miRNAs, such as miR-199 and miR-122, activate the cascade, increasing the prosurvival and proproliferative signals.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제22권6호
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• pp.617-625
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• 2018

Neddylation is a post-translational protein modification process. MLN4924 is a newly discovered pharmaceutical neddylation inhibitor that suppresses cancer growth with several cancer types. In our study, we first investigated the effect of MLN4924 on colon cancer cells (HCT116 and HT29). MLN4924 significantly inhibited the neddylation of cullin-1 and colon cancer cell growth in a time and dose-dependent manner. MLN4924 induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in HCT116 and HT29 cells. Moreover, MLN4924 also triggered autophagy in HCT116 and HT29 cells via suppressing the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Inhibiting autophagy by autophagy inhibitor 3-MA or ATG5 knockdown reversed the function of MLN4924 in suppressing colon cancer cell growth and cell death. Interestingly, MLN4924 suppresses colon cell growth in a xenograft model. Together, our finding revealed that blocking neddylation is an attractive colon cancer therapy strategy, and autophagy might act as a novel anti-cancer mechanism for the treatment of colon cancer by MLN4924.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제44권1호
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• pp.50-62
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• 2021

Among all cancer types, lung cancer ranks highest worldwide in terms of both incidence and mortality. The crosstalk between lung cancer cells and their tumor microenvironment (TME) has begun to emerge as the "Achilles heel" of the disease and thus constitutes an attractive target for anticancer therapy. We previously revealed that crosstalk between lung cancer cells and endothelial cells (ECs) induces chemoresistance in multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTSs). In this study, we demonstrated that factors secreted in response to crosstalk between ECs and lung cancer cells play pivotal roles in the development of chemoresistance in lung cancer spheroids. We subsequently determined that the expression of hypoxia up-regulated protein 1 (HYOU1) in lung cancer spheroids was increased by factors secreted in response to crosstalk between ECs and lung cancer cells. Direct interaction between lung cancer cells and ECs also caused an elevation in the expression of HYOU1 in MCTSs. Inhibition of HYOU1 expression not only suppressed stemness and malignancy, but also facilitated apoptosis and chemosensitivity in lung cancer MCTSs. Inhibition of HYOU1 expression also significantly increased the expression of interferon signaling components in lung cancer cells. Moreover, the activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway was involved in the HYOU1-induced aggression of lung cancer cells. Taken together, our results identify HYOU1, which is induced in response to crosstalk between ECs and lung cancer cells within the TME, as a potential therapeutic target for combating the aggressive behavior of cancer cells.