• Toxicological Research
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.339-345
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• 2015

CYP1A1 is a phase I xenobiotic-metabolizing enzyme whose expression is mainly driven by AhR. Endosulfan is an organochlorine pesticide used agriculturally for a wide range of crops. In this study, we investigated the effect of endosulfan on CYP1A1 expression and regulation. Endosulfan significantly increased CYP1A1 enzyme activity as well as mRNA and protein levels. In addition, endosulfan markedly induced XRE transcriptional activity. CH-223191, an AhR antagonist, blocked the endosulfan-induced increase in CYP1A1 mRNA and protein expression. Moreover, endosulfan did not induce CYP1A1 gene expression in AhR-deficient mutant cells. Furthermore, endosulfan enhanced the phosphorylation of calcium calmodulin (CaM)-dependent protein kinase (CaMK) and protein kinase C (PKC). In conclusion, endosulfan-induced up-regulation of CYP1A1 is associated with AhR activation, which may be mediated by PKC-dependent pathways.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.140-146
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• 1998

Hypoglycemic action of brazilin was found to be based on the improvement of peripheral glucose utility, and this action might be correlated with the insulin action pathway. In the present study we investigated the effect of brazilin on the insulin receptor autophosphorylation, protein kinase C (PKC), protein phosphatase and insulin receptor serine kinase in order to confirm whether the hypoglycemic mechanism is concerned with insulin action pathway. Brazilin was found to inhibit PKC and insulin receptor serine kinase, which are involved in the regulation of insulin signal pathway. But any significant effect was not shown on insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity, autophosphorylation and phosphatase activity. These findings suggest that brazilin might enhance insulin receptor function by decreasing serine phosphorylation, which might mediate hypoglycemic effect of brazilin.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.1-18
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was performed to elucidate the inhibitory effect of Mibaeksan (MB) on melanin synthesis in B16F10 mouse melanoma cell. Methods: To demonstrate the inhibitory effects of MB on melanin synthesis, we measured the amount of released and produced melanin in B16F10 melanoma cell. Also, we evaluated tyrosinase-activity in vitro as well as in B16F10 melanoma cell. And to investigate the action mechanism, we assessed the gene expression of tyrosinase, TRP-1, TRP-2, MMP-2, PKA, $PKC{\beta}$, ERK-1 ERK-2, AKT-1 and MITF in B16F10 melanoma cells. Results: 1. MB decreased the release and production of melanin in B16F10 melanoma cells. 2. MB decreased tyrosinase activity in vitro and in B16F10 melanoma cells. 3. MB decreased the expression of tyrosinase, TRP-1, TRP-2, PKA, $PKC{\beta}$ and MMP-2 in B16F10 melanoma cells. 4. MB increased the expression of ERK-1, ERK-2 and AKT-1 in B16F10 melanoma cells. 5. MB decreased the expression of MITF in B16F10 melanoma cells. Conclusion: From these results, it may be concluded that MB has the antimelanogenetic effects.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.16-21
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• 2008

Cell death of trophoblast, particularly by abnormal release of physiological nitric oxide (NO) has been known to be a causative factor of pre-eclampsia. In the present study, effects of intracellular calcium increase enhancing the activity of NO synthases (neuronal NO synthase, nNOS in this trophoblast cells) on the cell death were examined in a human placental full-term cell line (HT-1). Furthermore, we analyzed the possible mechanisms underlying the augmentation of $Ca^{++}$-mediated NOS activity mediated by protein kinases like PKC, PKA, or CaM-KII. In experiments for cell toxicity, a calcium ionophore (ionomycin $10{\mu}M$) enhanced cell death confirmed by MTT assay, and increased significantly nNOS activity determined with a hemoglobin oxidation assay. This cell death was partially protected by pre-treatment of 7-nitroindazole (7-NI, $10{\mu}M$ and $100{\mu}M$), a nNOS-specific inhibitor. Additionally, $Ca^{++}$-ionophore -induced increase of nNOS activity also was partially normalized by pre-treatment of specific inhibitors of protein kinases, PKC, PKA or CaM-KII. Therefore, we suggest that an increase of calcium influx, leading to the activation of nNOS activity, which in turn may result in the death of trophoblast cells by involvement of signaling mechanisms of protein kinases.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.619-630
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• 2009

To investigate the hair growth activity of fractions and extract of Arisaematis Rhizoma in the hair removed skin of normal and spontaneous alopecia areata model in C57B/6N mice. These experiments were performed with the macroscopic, microscopic, immunohistochemical(VEGF, c-kit, PKC-${\alpha}$, TGF and FGF) and RT-PCR(TGF-${\beta}$, IGF, prolactin and placenta lactogen) methods. The results were as follows: Macroscopic observation after topical application of vehicle, 50% EtOH as control and extract of Arisaematis Rhizoma to the hair removed skin of C57BL/6N mice on the 9th, 11th and 15th day. Extensive hair growth activity was observed in treated group with extract of Arisaematis Rhizoma on the 9th, 11th and 15th day. In Arisaematis Rhizoma extracts treated group, hair follicles of middle stage of anagen was observed and it were grown down to subcutaneous tissue of skin in all the normal mice on 15th day. But in control group, most of hair follicles of telogen phase was observed in skin. The treatment of extract of Arisaematis Rhizoma increased expression of IGF(145%) and placenta lactogen(108%) in the skin of normal C57BL/6N mice on the 11th day compared to control group(100%). But expression of TGF-${\beta}$(90%) and prolactin(91%) decreased in the skin of normal C57B/6N mice on the 11th day compared to control group(100%). After application of fractions(chloroform, ethyl acetate and water fractions) of Arisaematis Rhizoma extract for 9th day, hair growth effect was observed in whole skin area in 50% of normal mice. But in control group, hair growth effect was not observed in whole skin area of normal mice. Immunoreactive density of VEGF, c-kit, PKC-${\alpha$ and FGF in skin of fractions of Arisaematis Rhizoma extracts was strongly stained in epidermis, bulge, secondary hair germ cells, cutaneous trunci m., subcutaneous tissue, root sheath compare to control group on the 9th day. In spontaneous alopecia areata model, The hair growth activity of Arisaematis Rhizoma extrat treated group(75%) was observed to be strong compared to control group(O%) on 7th day. These experiments suggest that fractions and extracts of Arisaematis Rhizoma may stimulate the topical hair growth activity. Thus it can be useful for treatment of alopecia areata.

• BMB Reports
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.339-344
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• 1999

We studied the effects of ginsenosides in immature rats based upon the previous results that ginseng has a suppressive or anticonvulsive activity. To examine the suppressive effect of ginsenosides on kainic acid-induced seizures, the severities and frequencies were observed for 4 h after injection of kainic acid (KA; i.p., 2 mg/kg b.w.) using 10-day-old male Sprague-Dawley rats ($22{\pm}2\;g$). Protopanaxadiol saponins such as ginsenoside-Rb1 (Rb1), ginsenoside-Rb2 (Rb2), ginsenoside-Rc (Rc), and ginsenoside-Rd(Rd) generally reduced the seizure activities while protopanaxatriol saponins such as ginsenoside-Rg1 (Rg1) and ginsenoside-Re (Re) rather increased stereotypic "paddling-like" movements. When vinyl-GABA (v-G) was injected together with Rb1 or Rc, KA-induced seizure severities were additionally reduced only by the injection of Rc, but not by Rb1. The level of gamma isozyme of protein kinase C (PKC-${\gamma}$) in the hippocampus increased about three times as much as that of normal rats at 4 h after KA injection. The increased level of PCK-${\gamma}$ by KA was significantly reduced to about 35% by the coinjection with v-G alone, but it was not changed by v-G together with Rb1 or Rc. The increased level of PKC-${\gamma}$ at 4 h after injection of KA was not consistent with the reduction of seizure severities between Rb1 and Rc. These results suggest that Rc and Rb1 may reduce seizure severity independent of PKC-${\gamma}$ levels, and Rc may additionally act with v-G regarding the GABA metabolism during the stage of KA-induced seizures in the immature rats.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.26-32
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• 2009

Diabetic nephropathy is associated with the dysfunction of proximal tubule cells. Insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-I) has also been considered to play an important role in the development of diabetic nephropathy. Ginsenosides have been used as a remedy for diabetes in Asian countries. Therefore, we examined the preventive effect of ginsenosides against high glucose-induced alteration of IGF-I secretion in the primary cultured proximal tubule cells. In present study, Ginseng saponin (GS) completely blocked high glucose-induced stimulation of IGF-I secretion in proximal tubule cells, whereas panaxatriol (PI) and panaxadiol (PD) partially suppressed. In addition, high glucose stimulated cAMP formation and protein kinase C(PKC) activity from cytosolic to membrane fraction. GS completely prevented high glucose-induced stimulation of cAMP and PKC activity while PT and PD partially did. Furthermore, high glucose-induced stimulation of IGF-I was blocked by the treatment of PKI (protein kinase A inhibitor) and bisindolylmaleimide I (protein kinase C inhibitor). In conclusion, GS prevented high glucose-induced dysfunction of proximal tubule cells.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.35 no.1 s.136
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• pp.62-79
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• 2004

Cell-scattering is a phenotypic change easily observed in most epithelial cells treated with Hepatocyte Growth Factor /scatter Factor (HGF/SF) or phorbol esters (PKC-activators). Recent studies have shown the possibilities to use as therapeutic materials of HGF/SF or non tumor promoting phorbol esters for liver disease, cancer and AIDS. In this study, we tested a cell-scattering activity of 534 methanol extracts from plants inhabiting in Korean peninsula using the phenotype-based assay system. Nine Active extracts were detected : Daphne genkwa, Daphne kiusiana, and Aleurites fordii showed high activity (+++), Euphorbia sieboldiana and Rhodotypos scandens showed medium activity (++), Sambucus sieboldiana var. pendula, Catalpa bignonioides, Sambucus sieboldiana and Lycoris squamigera showed low activity (+). Furthermore, the effects of these active materials in the culture cells were investigated with biochemical studies.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.125-133
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• 2004

We have extended our previous work that cross-linking CD4 molecules using specific MAb induced antigen nonspecific, MHC unrestricted killing of virally infected target cells by CD$4^+$We have extended our previous work that cross-linking CD$4^+$ molecules using specific MAb induced antigen nonspecific, MHC unrestricted killing of virally infected target cells by CD$4^+$ T cells. The killing activity of antibody activated CD$4^+$T cells was completely blocked by herbimycin A, a protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitor, but not by bisindolylamaleimide, a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor. Herbimycin A treated human or bovine peripheral blood CD$4^+$T cells lacked PTK activity and failed to kill virally infected target cells even after cross-linking of CD4 molecules. The CD$4^+$cross-linking failed to induce effector cell proliferation or the transcription of TNF${\beta}$ Upregulation of TNF${\beta}$ was induced by incubating the antibody activated effector cells with BHV-1 infected D17 target cells for 10 h. Anti-TNF${\beta}$ antibody partially abolished (13-44%) the direct effector cell-mediated antiviral cytotoxicity. However, this antibody neutralized 70 to 100% of antiviral activity of effector and target cell culture supernatants against BHV-1 infected D17 cells. The inhibition level of the antiviral activity by the antibody was dependent on the effector and target cell ratio. These results support the hypothesis that increased p$56^ICK enzyme activity in effector cells transduces a signal critical for effector cell recognition of viral glycoproteins expressed on the target cells. Following target cell recognition, lytic cytokines known to participate in target cell killing were produced. A better understanding of the killing activity displayed by CD$4^+$T lymphocytes following surface receptor cross-linking will provide insight into the mechanisms of cytotoxic activity directed toward virally-infected cells.T cells. The killing activity of antibody activated CD$4^+$T cells was completely blocked by herbimycin A, a protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitor, but not by bisindolylamaleimide, a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor. Herbimycin A treated human or bovine peripheral blood CD4T cells lacked PTK activity and failed to kill virally infected target cells even after cross-linking of CD4molecules. The CD4 cross-linking failed to induce effector cell proliferation or the transcription of TNF$\beta$. Upregulation of TNF$\beta$ was induced by incubating the antibody activated effector cells with BHV-1 infected D17 target cells for 10 h. Anti-TNF$\beta$ antibody partially abolished (13-44%) the direct effector cell-mediated antiviral cytotoxicity. However, this antibody neutralized 70 to 100% of antiviral activity of effector and target cell culture supernatants against BHV-1 infected D17 cells. The inhibition level of the antiviral activity by the antibody was dependent on the effector and target cell ratio. These results support the hypothesis that increased $56^ICK enzyme activity in effector cells transduces a signal critical for effector cell recognition of viral glycoproteins expressed on the target cells. Following target cell recognition, lytic cytokines known to participate in target cell killing were produced. A better understanding of the killing activity displayed by CD$4^+$T lymphocytes following surface receptor cross-linking will provide insight into the mechanisms of cytotoxic activity directed toward virally-infected cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.87-91
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• 2012

Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a known tumor-promoting phorbol ester, activates the signal transduction enzyme protein kinase C (PKC) in animal cells. We investigated the effect of PMA on the regulation of gravitropism via ethylene production in primary roots of maize. PMA stimulated root growth and the gravitropic response in a concentration-dependent manner at $10^{-6}$ M and $10^{-4}$ M over 8 hrs. These effects were prevented by treatment with staurosporine (STA), a potent inhibitor of PKC. These results support the possibility that the gravitropic response might be regulated through protein kinases that are involved in the signal transduction system. Ethylene is known to play a role in the regulation of root growth and gravitropism. Ethylene production was increased by about 26% and 37% of the control rate in response to $10^{-6}$ M and $10^{-4}$ M PMA, respectively. PMA also stimulated the activity of ACC synthase (ACS), which converts the S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet) to 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) in the ethylene production pathway. These effects on ethylene production were also prevented by STA treatment. These results suggest that the root gravitropic response in maize is regulated through protein kinases via ethylene production.