• Molecules and Cells
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• 제39권10호
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• pp.742-749
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• 2016

The cancer chemo-preventive effects of equol have been demonstrated for a wide variety of experimental tumours. In a previous study, we found that equol inhibited proliferation and induced apoptotic death of human gastric cancer MGC-803 cells. However, the mechanisms underlying equol-mediated apoptosis have not been well understood. In the present study, the dual AO (acridine orange)/EB (ethidium bromide) fluorescent assay, the comet assay, MTS, western blotting and flow cytometric assays were performed to further investigate the pro-apoptotic effect of equol and its associated mechanisms in MGC-803 cells. The results demonstrated that equol induced an apoptotic nuclear morphology revealed by AO/EB staining, the presence of a comet tail, the cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP and the depletion of cIAP1, indicating its pro-apoptotic effect. In addition, equol-induced apoptosis involves the mitochondria-dependent cell-death pathway, evidenced by the depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential, the cleavage of caspase-9 and the depletion of Bcl-xL and full-length Bid. Moreover, treating MGC-803 cells with equol induced the sustained activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and inhibiting ERK by U0126, a MEK/ERK pathway inhibitor, significantly attenuated the equol-induced cell apoptosis. These results suggest that equol induces mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in human gastric cancer MGC-803 cells via the sustained activation of the ERK1/2 pathway. Therefore, equol may be a novel candidate for the chemoprevention and therapy of gastric cancer.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.1-10
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• 2007

To verify the inhibitory or protective effects of light-emitting diode(LED) irradiation on apoptotic cell death induced by $CoCl_2$, human SH-SY5Y cells were treated with $CoCl_2$ and LED were used to irradiate the cells. In the cell viability assay, cells were died slowly from $50{\mu}M$ to $250{\mu}M$ and about 50% of cells died after 12 hours at $400{\mu}M$ of $CoCl_2$. The Diff-Quik staining revealed that cells showed condensation of DNA and blebbing of the cell membrane. The DNA fragmentation assay revealed the DNA fragmentation, which is another apoptosis marker, occurred in cells treated with $400{\mu}M$ $CoCl_2$ for 16 hours. In the western blot for HIF-$1{\alpha}$, HIF-$1{\alpha}$ was expressed after 3 hours from induction and peaked maximally at 16 hours. In the cell viability assay of the effects of LED irradiation (at 590 nm for 1 hour 20 minutes), the cells showed more proliferation (about 20%) than the control group. The RPA assay of various apoptosis-related molecules showed that pro-apoptosis molecules such as Bax, Bak, and Bid were upregulated in the $CoCl_2$ treatment group. This means that the apoptotic cell population was increased. However there was some significant changes in LED irradiated cells. In the $CoCl_2$-treated LED irradiation group, those molecules were down-regulated more than in the only $CoCl_2$-treated group. These results have shown that $CoCl_2$ may induce apoptotic cell death in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. And LED irradiation has a positive effect on apoptotic cells by down-regulation of pro-apoptotic molecules.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.244-249
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: To examine whether ischemic retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) will be salvaged from cell death by human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) in an organotypic retina model. Methods and Results: Deprived of arterial oxygen supply, whole mice retinas were cultured as an ex vivo organotypic cultures on an insert membrane in a 24-well plate. The therapeutic potential of ADSCs was examined by co-culture with organotypic retinas. ADSCs were seeded on top of the RGCs allowing direct contact, or at the bottom of the well, sharing the same culture media and allowing a paracrine activity. The number of surviving RGCs was assessed using Brn3a staining and confocal microscopy. Cytokine secretion of ADSCs to medium was analyzed by cytokine array. When co-cultured with ADSCs, the number of surviving RGCs was similarly significantly higher in both treatment groups compared to controls. Analysis of ADSCs cytokines secretion profile, showed secretion of anti-apoptotic and pro-proliferative cytokines (threshold>1.4). Transplantation of ADSCs in a co-culture system with organotypic ischemic retinas resulted in RGCs recovery. Since there was no advantage to direct contact of ADSCs with RGCs, the beneficial effect seen may be related to paracrine activity of ADSCs. Conclusions: These data correlated with secretion profile of ADSCs' anti-apoptotic and pro-proliferative cytokines.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.75-87
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to inquire into the effect of different concentrations of bee venom pharmacopuncture to inhibit genesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines and to inhibit nuclear factor (NF)-${\kappa}B$ activation on type II collagen induced arthritis. Methods : The experiment was divided into category of the normal group (NOR)-no treated group, control group (CON)-CIA (collagen induced arthritis) induced group, and 4,000 : 1 bee venom group (BV-L)- 4000:1 bee venom pharmacopuncture treated group after CIA, and 2000:1 bee venom group (BV-H)- 2,000 : 1 Bee venom pharmacopuncture treated group after CIA. RA was induced in the mice via injecting $50{\mu}{\ell}$ C II mixed CFA. The bee venom pharmacopuncture was applied on $ST_{35}$ for 19 days from the 3rd day of RA inducement. To research the effect on the expression of IKK ($I{\kappa}B$ kinase), iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase) & COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2) mRNA, RT-PCR was performed on synovial membrane cells from the knee joint of CIA mice. Results : The PMA-induced $I{\kappa}B$ kinase (IKK), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase -2 (COX-2) mRNA expression were dose-dependantly decreased in bee venom treated with synoviocytes. In mice treated with bee venom pharmacopuncture, foot thickness and the damage of synovial membranes of the joint was lessened, and the activation of RA-related pro-inflammatory cytokines such as MIF, TNF-${\alpha}$ and MMP-9 was significantly decreased. The activation of iNOS and COX-2 was suppressed by the inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$. In addition, each data was shown that 2,000 : 1 bee venom pharmacopuncture was more effective than 4,000 : 1 bee venom pharmacopuncture. Conclusions : It is speculated that bee venom pharmacopuncture has the therapeutic effect of palliating the damage of the synovial membrane and inflammation on RA by suppressing of NF-${\kappa}B$ activation.

• 한국수산과학회지
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.198-204
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• 2000

수산가공공장에서 원료어 처리시 대량으로 발생하는 비가식부의 하나인 대구의 고니부분을 효율적으로 이용하기 위하여 단백질을 효소로 가수분해시킨 후 한외여과막을 사용하여 분자량별로 분획하였으며, 이들 가수분해물 중 항산화활성이 뛰어난 펩타이드를 이온교환 크로마토그래피, 겔크로마토그래피 및 HPLC로 분리${\cdot}$정제하여 그 아미노산 서열을 결정하였다. 여러 가지 단백질 분해효소로 분해시켜 얻은 가수분해물 중에서 항산화활성이 가장 우수한 것은 Alcalase로 천연 항산화제인 ${\alpha}-tocopherol$보다 $5{\%}$정도 뛰어난 효과를 나타내었으며, 이 가수분해물을 한외여과막으로 분자량 10 kDa, 5 kDa 및 1 kDa의 세 종류로 분리하여 항산화활성을 측정한 결과, 1 kDa의 막을 통과하여 분리된 가수분해물이 가장 높은 활성을 나타내었으며, 이는 천연항산화제인 ${\alpha}-tocopherol$보다 $10{\%}$정도 높았다. 이 획분으로 Spsephadex C-25를 사용하여 이온교환 크로마토그래피를 한 결과, $0.5{\~}1.0 M$ NaCl 용액으로 용출시 킨 분획물에 서 ${\alpha}-tocopherol$보다 약 $17{\%}$ 활성이 높게 나타났으며, 이것을 다시 Sephadex G-15로 겔여과하여 3개의 획분을 얻었으며 이 중 획분 II에서 ${\alpha}-tocopherol$보다 약 $45{\%}$가 높은 항산화활성을 보인 획분을 얻었다. 이것을 역상 HPLC를 이용하여 5차의 획분을 얻었으며, 항산화활성은 획분 A에서 ${\alpha}-tocopherol$보다 약 $53{\%}$정도 높게 나타나 가장 우수하였다. 이 획분을 capillary electrophoresis로 순도를 확인하여 아미노산 서열을 결정한 결과 Ser-Asn-Pro-Glu-Trp-Ser-Trp-Asn였다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제26권9호
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• pp.1015-1021
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• 2016

Pyrimidine 유도체의 일종인 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)은 광범위하게 사용되는 항암제의 일종으로, thymidylate synthase의 활성을 억제시켜 핵산의 합성 및 대사기능 자애 유발 물질이다. 본 연구에서는 Ewing′s 육종 CHP-100 세포에서 5-FU의 증식억제와 연관된 기전 해석으로 시도하였다. 본 연구의 결과에 의하면, 5-FU 처리 시간의 경과에 따른 CHP-100 세포의 증식억제가 세포주기 G1 arrest 유발에 따른 것임을 알 수 있었다. 5-FU에 의한 CHP-100 세포의 G1 arrest는 retinoblastoma protein (pRB)의 탈인산화에 따른 전사인자 E2F-1 및 E2F-4와의 결합 촉진과 연관성이 있었다. 비록 5-FU 처리가 cyclin-dependent kinases의 발현에는 크게 영향을 주지 않았으나, 정상배지에서 배양된 대조군에 비하여 cyclin A 및 B의 발현이 5-FU 처리 시간 의존적으로 억제되었다. 또한 5-FU에 의한 CHP-100 세포의 G1 arrest는 apoptosis 유도와 연관이 있음을 핵 내 염색질의 응축에 따른 apoptotic body의 형성증가, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase의 단편화 및 annexin V 염색 등을 통하여 확인하였다. 아울러 5-FU는 pro-apoptotic Bax 단백질의 발현 증가 및 anti-apoptotic Bcl-2의 발현 감소를 통한 mitochondrial membrane potential의 소실을 촉진시켰으며, 이로 인하여 미토콘드리아에서 세포질로의 cytochrome c 유리가 증가시켰음을 알 수 있었다. 따라서 본 연구의 결과는 5-FU에 의한 CHP-100 세포의 증식억제와 연관된 G1 arrest 및 apoptosis 유도에는 pRB의 인산화 억제 및 미토콘드리아 기능의 손상이 최소한 관여하고 있음을 의미하는 것이다.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.11-17
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• 2000

SNAP-25는 presynaptic plasma membrane에 위치하는 단백질로서 synaptic vesicle의 docking과 fusion에 있어서 매우 중요한 역할을 한다. 생쥐 SNAP-25$^{2)}$ 유전자와 99%의 높은 homology를 갖고 있는 Z2 cDNA를 probe로 사용하여 쥐의 뇌 cDNA library에서 SNAP-25유전자를 screening하였다. 그 결과 6개 의 양성 클론을 분리 해 냈으며, 이들 각각을 S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6으로 명명하였다. 이 중에서 생쥐 SNAP-25와 가장 높은 homology를 보여 주고 있는 S5 클론을 선택하여 염기서열을 분석하였다. 2,100 bp의 염기서열로 구성된 쥐 SNAP-25 cDNA는 206개의 아미노산을 coding하는 618 bp의 open reading frame을 가지고 있으며, ORF는 209~211 bp에 위치하는 AUG codon에서 시작하여 827~829 bp에 위치하는 stop codon TAA에서 끝난다. 3' untranslated region에서 는 28과 19개 의 CA 반복 염기서열을 보여주고 있었으며, SNAP-25 peptide sequence에서 4개의 cystein residues는 84~91에 위치하고 있었으며, amino terminus 부분에서 amphipathic $\alpha$-helix를 형성하고 있는 것을 볼 수 있었다. 사람과 쥐의 SNAP-25 유전자는 88%, 생쥐와 쥐의 경우는 97%의 homology를 보여 주고 있었다. 그리고 사람과 쥐의 ORF에서 염기서열은 94%,생쥐와 쥐의 ORF에서 염기서열은 100%의 homology를 보여주고 있었으며 사람, 생쥐, 그리고 쥐의 ORF에서 아미노산 서열은 100%의 homology를 보여주고 있었다.

• 대한화장품학회지
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• 제45권2호
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• pp.175-184
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• 2019

상피세포성장인자(epidermal growth factor, EGF)는 인간의 표피 및 진피에서 세포막 수용체와 상호작용을 통하여 세포의 생장 및 증식을 유도하는 기능을 갖고 있다. 이 같은 EGF의 기능은 의료 및 화장품 분야에서 상처치유 의약품 및 노화방지 화장품의 주요원료로 사용되고 있다. 화장품 원료로서 EGF는 피부장벽으로 알려져 있는 피부 각질층의 투과가 잘 안되기 때문에 가지고 있는 본연의 효능을 구현하는 데 문제가 있다. 본 연구에서는 EGF의 경피투과 효율을 개선하기 위하여 피부 투과능이 확인된 거대분자 전송 도메인(macromolecule transduction domain, MTD) 151이 융합된 형태로 재조합 인간 상피세포성장인자 ($MTD_{151}-EGF$)를 개발하였다. $MTD_{151}-EGF$의 유전자가 coding된 vector로 형질전환된 대장균에서 $MTD_{151}-EGF$ 발현시킨 후 정제를 진행하였다. 정제된 MTD-EGF를 대상으로 세포증식시험, 세포독성시험, 생체외 피부흡수시험 그리고 인공피부를 이용한 경피투과능을 평가하였다. 99% 이상 고순도로 정제된 $MTD_{151}-EGF$의 세포증식 활성은 EGF 대비 동등 이상의 수준이었으며, 세포독성은 관찰되지 않았다. 또한, 인공피부 투과모델에서 FITC로 표지된 EGF와 $MTD_{151}-EGF$의 진피층까지의 투과를 공초점 현미경으로 관찰한 결과, $MTD_{151}-EGF$는 EGF 대비 우수한 투과능을 보였으며, 경피흡수 시스템을 이용한 투과물질의 정량분석 결과, EGF 대비 약 16 배 이상 투과량이 많은 것으로 확인되었다. 이러한 결과들은 다양한 활성물질들의 화장품용 원료로서의 경피투과에 MTD가 기존의 물리적인 경피투과 방법을 효율적으로 개선한 대안이 될 것으로 판단된다.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.251-259
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• 2018

Objective : Kurarinone is one of the flavonoids isolated from Sophorae Radix with various biological activities including anti-microbial effect. In this study, we investigated the effects of Kurarinone on tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP)-induced oxidative stress finally leading to apoptosis in human hepatoma cell line HepG2. Methods : To determine the effects on cell viability, the cells were exposed to tBHP ($100{\mu}mol/l$) after pretreatment with kurarinone (0.5 and $1{\mu}g/ml$). Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. To reveal the possible mechanism of cytoprotectivity of kurarinone, levels of reactive oxygen species, intracellular glutathione, mitochondrial membrane potential, and expression of caspase were examined. Results : tBHP-induced cell death was due to oxidative stress and the resulting apoptosis. Kurarinone dose-dependently protected cells from apoptosis when determined by MTT and TUNEL assay. Consistent with this observation, decreased expression of pro-caspase 3/9 protein by tBHP was restored by kurarinone. Kurarinone also showed anti-oxidative effects by inhibiting generation of ROS and depletion of GSH in tBHP-stimulated HepG2 cells. In addition, kurarinone significantly recovered disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) as a start sign of hepatic apoptosis induced by oxidative stress. Conclusion : From these results, it was concluded that kurarinone protected tBHP-induced hepatotoxicity with anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic activities. Our results suggest that kurarinone might be beneficial to hepatic disorders caused by oxidative stress.

• BMB Reports
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• 제38권6호
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• pp.639-645
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• 2005

Protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes, a family of serine-threonine kinases, are important regulators of cell proliferation and malignant transformation. Phorbol esters, the prototype PKC activators, cause PKC translocation to the plasma membrane in prostate cancer cells, and trigger an apoptotic response. Studies in recent years have determined that each member of the PKC family exerts different effects on apoptotic or survival pathways. $PKC{\delta}$, one of the novel PKCs, is a key player of the apoptotic response via the activation of the p38 MAPK pathway. Studies using RNAi revealed that depletion of $PKC{\delta}$ totally abolishes the apoptotic effect of the phorbol ester PMA. Activation of the classical $PKC{\alpha}$ promotes the dephosphorylation and inactivation of the survival kinase Akt. Studies have assigned a pro-survival role to $PKC{\varepsilon}$, but the function of this PKC isozyme remains controversial. Recently, it has been determined that the PKC apoptotic effect in androgen-dependent prostate cancer cells is mediated by the autocrine secretion of death factors. $PKC{\delta}$ stimulates the release of $TNF{\alpha}$ from the plasma membrane, and blockade of $TNF{\alpha}$ secretion or $TNF{\alpha}$ receptors abrogates the apoptotic response of PMA. Molecular analysis indicates the requirement of the extrinsic apoptotic cascade via the activation of death receptors and caspase-8. Dissecting the pathways downstream of PKC isozymes represents a major challenge to understanding the molecular basis of phorbol ester-induced apoptosis.