• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.391-398
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• 2006

$NF-{\kappa}B$ is a transcription factor involved in the innate immunity against bacterial infection and inflammation. It is also known to render cells resistant to the apoptosis caused by some anticancer drugs. Such a chemoresistance of cancer cells may be related to the activation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ transcription factor; however, the mechanism of activation is not well understood. Here, we demonstrate that a chemotherapeutic agent, etoposide, independently stimulates the $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ degradation pathway and PI3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway: The classical $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ degradation pathway leads to the nuclear translocation and DNA binding of p65 subunit through $IKK{\beta}$ kinase, whereas the PI3-kinase/Akt pathway plays a distinct role in activating this transcription factor. The PI3-kinase/Akt pathway acts on the p50 subunit of the $NF-{\kappa}B$ transcription factor and enhances the DNA binding affinity of the p50 protein. It may also explain the role of the PI3-kinase/Akt pathway in the anti-apoptotic function of $NF-{\kappa}B$ during chemoresistance of cancer cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.86-93
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• 2022

Lupeol is a type of pentacyclic triterpene and has been reported to have pharmacological activities against various diseases; however, the effect of lupeol on glucose absorption has not been elucidated yet. This study aimed to investigate the effect of lupeol on glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Lupeol significantly facilitated glucose uptake by translocating glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) to the plasma membrane of the 3T3-L1 adipocytes, which was related to activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) and 5 'adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathways. In the PI3K/AKT pathway, lupeol stimulates the phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), which activates PI3K. Its activation by lupeol promotes the phosphorylation of AKT, but not the atypical protein kinase C isoforms ζ and λ. Lupeol also promoted the phosphorylation of AMPK. The activation of AMPK increased the expressions of the plasma membrane GLUT4 and the intracellular glucose uptake. The increase in the glucose uptake by lupeol was suppressed by wortmannin (PI3K inhibitor) and compound C (AMPK inhibitor) in the 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The results indicate that lupeol can facilitate glucose uptake by increasing insulin sensitivity through the stimulation of the expression of plasma membrane glucose transporter type 4 via the PI3K/AKT and AMPK pathways in the 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.61-66
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• 2009

Leflunomide is an immunomodulatory agent used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Leflunomide known as a regulator of iNOS synthesis which largely decreases NO production in diverse cell type. However, the effect of leflunomide on chondrocyte is still poorly understood. In our previous studies, we have shown that direct production of Nitric oxide (NO) by treating chondrocytes with NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), causes apoptosis via p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in association with elevation of p53 protein level, caspase-3 activation. In this study, we characterized the molecular mechanism by which A77 1726 inhibit apoptosis. We found that A77 1726 inhibit NO-induced apoptosis as determined by MTT (Thiazolyl Blue Tetrazolium Bromide) assay and DNA fragmentation. The inhibition of apoptosis by A77 1726 was accompanied by increased PI-3 kinase and AKT activities. So, inhibition of phosphatidylinositol (PI)-3kinase with LY294002 rescued apoptosis. Triciribine, the specific inhibitor of AKT, also abolished anti-apoptotic effect. Our results indicate that A77 1726, the active metabolite of leflunomide, mediates NO-induced apoptosis in chondrocytes by modulating up-regulation of PI-3 kinase and AKT.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.69-75
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• 2015

Background: Ginseng has been shown to exert antistress effects both in vitro and in vivo. However, the effects of ginseng on stress in brain cells are not well understood. This study investigated how Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) controls hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis via regulation of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt and estrogen receptor (ER)-${\beta}$ signaling. Methods: Human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells were pretreated with KRG and subsequently exposed to $H_2O_2$. The ability of KRG to inhibit oxidative stress-induced apoptosis was assessed in MTT cytotoxicity assays. Apoptotic protein expression was examined byWestern blot analysis. The roles of ER-${\beta}$, PI3K, and p-Akt signaling in KRG regulation of apoptosis were studied using small interfering RNAs and/or target antagonists. Results: Pretreating SK-N-SH cells with KRG decreased expression of the proapoptotic proteins p-p53 and caspase-3, but increased expression of the antiapoptotic protein BCL2. KRG pretreatment was also associated with increased ER-${\beta}$, PI3K, and p-Akt expression. Conversely, ER-${\beta}$ inhibition with small interfering RNA or inhibitor treatment increased p-p53 and caspase-3 levels, but decreased BCL2, PI3K, and p-Akt expression. Moreover, inhibition of PI3K/Akt signaling diminished p-p53 and caspase-3 levels, but increased BCL2 expression. Conclusion: Collectively, the data indicate that KRG represses oxidative stress-induced apoptosis by enhancing PI3K/Akt signaling via upregulation of ER-${\beta}$ expression.

• BMB Reports
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• v.49 no.8
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• pp.437-442
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• 2016

We aimed to study the role of protein L-isoaspartyl methyltransferase (PIMT) in neuronal differentiation using basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-induced neuronal differentiation, characterized by cell-body shrinkage, long neurite outgrowth, and expression of neuronal differentiation markers light and medium neurofilaments (NF). The bFGF-mediated neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells was induced through activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling molecules [MAPK kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and p90RSK], and phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling molecules PI3Kp110β, PI3Kp110γ, Akt, and mTOR. Inhibitors (adenosine dialdehyde and S-adenosylhomocysteine) of protein methylation suppressed bFGF-mediated neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells. PIMT-eficiency caused by PIMT-specific siRNA inhibited neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells by suppressing phosphorylation of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 in the MAPK signaling pathway and Akt and mTOR in the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Therefore, these results suggested that PIMT was critical for bFGF-mediated neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells and regulated the MAPK and Akt signaling pathways.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.397-406
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• 2008

Computational modeling of signal transduction is currently attracting much attention as it can promote the understanding of complex signal transduction mechanisms. Although several mathematical models have been used to examine signaling pathways, little attention has been given to crosstalk mechanisms. In this study, an attempt was made to develop a computational model for the pathways involving growth-factor-mediated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt). In addition, the dynamics of the protein activities were analyzed based on a set of kinetic data. The simulation approach integrates the information on several levels and predicts systems behavior. The in-silico analysis conducted revealed that the Raf and Akt pathways act independently.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.370-379
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• 2008

Akt, a serine/threonine protein kinase as a viral oncogene, is a critical regulator of PI3K-mediated cell proliferation and survival. On translocation, Akt is phosphorylated and activated, ultimately resulting in stimulation of cell growth and survival. As a part of our program toward the novel Akt1 inhibitors with potent activity over PI3K signaling pathway, we found primary hit compound 2 with an $IC_{50}$ value of $620\mu}M$ from protein kinase focused library. Based on the structural features of 2, new 1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives were designed by the introduction of aromatic and heteroaromatic moieties onto thiadiazole nucleus. In this work, a series of 1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives 1a-1 were synthesized and evaluated for Akt1 inhibitory activity.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.48-52
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• 2008

We here demonstrate an anti-inflammatory action of raloxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells. Treatment with raloxifene at micromolar concentrations suppressed the production of nitric oxide (NO) by down-regulating expression of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene in LPS-activated cells. The decreased expression of iNOS and subsequent reduction of NO were due to inhibition of nuclear translocation of transcription factor NF-${\kappa}B$. These effects were significantly inhibited by exposure to the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) inhibitor, LY294002, or by expression of a dominant negative mutant of PI 3-kinase. In addition, pretreatment with raloxifene reduced LPS-induced Akt phosphorylation as well as NF-${\kappa}B$ DNA binding activity and NF-${\kappa}B$-dependent reporter gene activity. Thus our findings indicate that raloxifene exerts its anti-inflammatory action in LPS-stimulated macrophages by blocking the PI 3-kinase-Akt-NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling cascade, and eventually reduces expression of pro-inflammatory genes such as iNOS.

• Journal of Photoscience
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.485-487
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• 2002

Cells receive signals for survival as well as death, and the balance between the two ultimately determines the fate of the cells. UV-triggered apoptotic signaling has been well documented, whereas UV-induced survival effects have received little attention. We have reported previously that UVB irradiation prevented apoptosis, which was partly dependent on activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase)/ Akt pathway. In this study, anti-apoptotic effects of UV with different wavelength ranges, UVA, UVB and UVC, were examined. NIH3T3 cells showed apoptotic cell death by detachment from the extracellular matrix under serum-free conditions, which was prevented by all wavelengths. However, the effect of UVA was less than those of UVB and UVC. Reduction of mitochondrial transmembrane potential and activation of caspase-9 and -3 were suppressed by all three wavelengths of UV, showing wavelength-dependent effects as mentioned above. The PI3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin partially inhibittrl the UVB and UVC-induced suppression of apoptosis, but not the inhibitoty effect of UVA. The Akt phosphotylation by UVB and UVC was completely inhibittrl by addition of wortmannin, but that by UVA was not P38 MAP kinase inhibitor SB203580 partially inhibited the UVB and UVC-induced suppression of apoptosis and Akt phosphotylation, and completely inhibited UVA-induced those. These results suggested the existence of two different survival pathways leading to suppression of apoptosis, one for UVA that is independent of the PI3-kinase/Akt pathway and dependent on p38 MAP kinase, and the other for UVB and UVC that is dependent on both pathways.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.361-365
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• 2012

Anti-tumor activity of the proteins from Gecko (GP) on cervical cancer cells, and its signaling mechanisms were assessed by viable cell counting, propidium iodide (PI) staining, and Western blot analysis. GP induced the cell death of HeLa cells in a dose-dependent manner while it did not affect the viability of normal cells. Western blot analysis showed that GP decreased the activation of Akt, and co-administration of GP and Akt inhibitors synergistically exerted anti-tumor activities on HeLa cells, suggesting the involvement of PI3-kinase/Akt pathway in GP-induced cell death of the cancer cells. Indeed, the cytotoxic effect of GP against HeLa cells was inhibited by overexpression of constituvely active form of Akt in HeLa cells. The candidates of the functional proteins in GP were analyzed by Mass-spectrum. Taken together, our results suggest that GP elicits anti-tumor activity against HeLa cells by inhibition of PI3-kinase/Akt pathway.