• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.671-676
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• 2006

The holoenzyme of protein phosphatase (PP) from tulip petals was purified by using hydrophobic interaction, anion exchange and microcystin affinity chromatography to analyze activity towards p-nitrophenyl phosphate (p-NPP). The catalytic subunit of PP was released from its endogenous regulatory subunits by ethanol precipitation and further purified. Both preparations were characterized by immunological and biochemical approaches to be PP2A. On SDS-PAGE, the final purified holoenzyme preparation showed three protein bands estimated at 38, 65, and 75 kDa while the free catalytic subunit preparation showed only the 38 kDa protein. In both preparations, the 38 kDa protein was identified immunologically as the catalytic subunit of PP2A by using a monoclonal antibody against the PP2A catalytic subunit. The final 623- and 748-fold purified holoenzyme and the free catalytic preparations, respectively, exhibited high sensitivity to inhibition by 1 nM okadaic acid when activity was measured with p-NPP. The holoenzyme displayed higher stimulation in the presence of ammonium sulfate than the free catalytic subunit did by protamine, thereby suggesting different enzymatic behaviors.

• BMB Reports
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• v.47 no.12
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• pp.685-690
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• 2014

The Ras/Raf/MEK/Erk signaling pathway is important for regulation of cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, survival, and apoptosis in response to a variety of extracellular stimuli. Lack of Erk MAPK activation is observed in several cancer cells despite active activation of Ras. However, little is known about the modulation of Erk1/2 activity by active Ras. Here, we show that overexpression of active H-Ras (H-RasG12R) in NIH3T3 fibroblasts impaired FGF2-induced Erk1/2 phosphorylation, as compared to wild-type cells. Northern blot analysis revealed that prolonged expression of active Ras increased MAP kinase phosphatase 3 (MKP3) mRNA expression, a negative regulator of Erk MAPK. Inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway abrogated active Ras-induced up-regulation of MKP3 expression, leading to the rescue of Erk1/2 phosphorylation. Our results demonstrated that the Ras/Raf/MEK/Erk signaling cascade is negatively regulated by the PI3K/Aktdependent transcriptional activation of the MKP3 gene.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.193-199
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• 2023

In this investigation, we made a study of the efficacy of luteolin (a flavonoid found in plants such as vegetables, herbs and fruits) on vascular contractibility and to elucidate the mechanism underlying the relaxation. Isometric contractions of denuded muscles were stored and combined with western blot analysis which was conducted to assess the phosphorylation of myosin phosphatase targeting subunit 1 (MYPT1) and phosphorylation-dependent inhibitory protein for myosin phosphatase (CPI-17) and to examine the effect of luteolin on the RhoA/ROCK/CPI-17 pathway. Luteolin significantly alleviated phorbol ester-, fluoride- and thromboxane mimetic-elicited contractions regardless of endothelial nitric oxide synthesis, implying its direct effect on smooth muscle. It also significantly alleviated the fluoride-elicited elevation in pCPI-17 and pMYPT1 levels and phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate-elicited increase in pERK1/2 level, suggesting depression of ROCK and PKC/MEK activity and ensuing phosphorylation of MYPT1, CPI-17 and ERK1/2. Taken together, these results suggest that luteolin-elicited relaxation includes myosin phosphatase reactivation and calcium desensitization, which seems to be arbitrated by CPI-17 dephosphorylation via ROCK/PKC inhibition.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.7 no.3_4
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• pp.57-67
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• 1992

BPMC (2-Sec-butylphenyl N-methylcarbamate) was treated at the level of 100mg/kg/day in oral administration for 12th days in rat. It was investigated not only that the hematogram and the serological parameters, but also the content of cytochrome P-450, the activity of TBA, glucose-6-phosphatase, cholinesterase and carboxylesterase in rat. The results were as follows: The hematogram was not found any alteration but the value of AST, ALT, LDH and the content of glucose in serum were significantly increased compare with that of control group. The content of cytochrome P-450 in liver was increased significantly on the contrary cytochrome P-450 in kideny and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase in liver and Kidney were not significantly increased. After the final 12th day, the value of TBA and the activity of glucose-6-phosphatase appeared to the tendency of increasement in the liver. The activity of cholinesterase and carboxylesterase both in serum and liver were decreased. Especially the activity of cholinesterase was more significantly decreased. It was conclusion that the function of this insectivide should be due th the inhibition of cholinesterase activity.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.345-350
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• 2009

We previously reported that flavone induces embryonic lethality in Caenorhabditis elegans, which appeared to be the result of cell cycle arrest during early embryogenesis. To test this possibility, here we examined whether flavone inhibits the activity of a key cell cycle regulator, CDC-25.1 in C. elegans. A gain-of-function cdc-25.1 mutant, rr31, which exhibits extra cell divisions in intestinal cells, was used to test the inhibitory effects of flavone on CDC-25 activity. Flavone inhibited the extra cell divisions of intestinal cells in rr31, and modifications of flavone reduced the inhibitory effects. The inhibitory effects of flavone on CDC-25.1 were partly, if not completely, due to transcriptional repression.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.893-900
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• 2011

Prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) is one of the widely used biomarkers in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. It was initially identified in 1935 and is the most abundant phosphatase in the human prostate. PAP is a prostate-specific enzyme that is synthesized in prostate epithelial cells. It belongs to the acid phosphatase group that shows enzymatic activity in acidic conditions. PAP is abundant in prostatic fluid and is thought to have a role in fertilization and oligospermia. It also has a potential role in reducing chronic pain. But one of the most apparent functions of PAP is the dephosphorylation of macromolecules such as HER-2 and PI3P that are involved in the ERK1/2 and MAPK pathways, which in turn leads to inhibition of cell growth and tumorigenesis. Currently, clinical trials using PAP DNA vaccine are underway and FDA-approved immunotherapy using PAP is commercially available. Despite these clinically important aspects, molecular mechanisms underlying PAP regulation are not fully understood. The promoter region of PAP was reported to be regulated by NF-${\kappa}B$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-1, androgen and androgen receptors. Here, the features of PAP gene and protein structures together with the function, regulation and roles of PAP in prostate cancer are discussed.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.183-191
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• 2021

Euglena gracilis is a microalga of great biotechnological interest that can create high levels of bioactive compounds, such as tocopherol, paramylon, and folic acid. The objective of this study was to investigate the biological activities of extracts from E. gracilis, especially those focused on immunological activity. E. gracilis biomass was extracted with hot water (HWE) and the remaining pellet was continuously extracted with methanol (HWME). First, we examined the effect of two extracts from E. gracilis on the production of nitric oxide (NO) and the expression of pro-inflammation cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. HWE treatment dose-dependently increased the production of IL-1β and TNF-α. On the other hand, treatment with HWME significantly decreased the generation of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophage cells. In addition, other biological activities of the extracts were further analyzed: α-glucosidase inhibition, protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP1B) inhibition, tyrosinase inhibition, xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibition, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition. Analysis of these biological activities showed that HWE has more inhibitory effects than HWME against α-glucosidase, tyrosinase, and XO agents. However, the inhibition of PTP1B and ACE with HWME were higher than with HWE. Taken together, the results suggested that E. gracilis possesses various biological activities―especially immunological capabilities―through regulation of cytokine production. Therefore, E. gracilis extract may be potentially useful for food material with immune-regulating effects.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.176-181
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• 2013

In order to search for protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) inhibitors as therapy of type 2 diabetes and obesity from Korean traditional prescriptions, we selected 58 traditional prescriptions based on a review of the Korean traditional medicine books. The hot water extracts of Korean traditional prescriptions were screened for the inhibitory activity against PTP1B. Among the tested extracts, water extracts of Jakgamhwangsinbu-tang, Seonbanghwalmyung-eum, and Takreeonjoong-tang showed relatively good inhibitory activity against PTP1B at the concentration of $30{\mu}g/ml$. Additionally, we evaluated PTP1B inhibitory effect for each herbal ingredient and composition in Jakgamhwangsinbu-tang (芍甘黃辛附湯). Of the tested ingredients from this herbal medicine, water extracts of Paeoniae Radix rubra and Rhei Rhizoma, and ethanol extracts of Paeoniae Radix alba, Rhei Rhizoma, Asiasari Radix, and Aconiti Tuber showed good PTP1B inhibitory effect. Herbal compositions composed of these active herbal ingredients exhibited significant activity for PTP1B inhibition over 70% at $7.5{\mu}g/ml$.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.775-781
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• 2003

In this study, we investigated to elevate the modulatory effect of flavonoid(fustin, sulfuretin, 10 mg/kg) which was isolated from Rhus verniciflua Stokes(RVS) in male Sprague-Dawley rats for 2 weeks on the toxicity of paraquat. In the flavonoids pretreated groups, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, malondialdehyde and alkaline phosphatase activity in serum and malondialdehyde, alkaline phosphatase activity and collagen in lung tissue which was induced paraquat toxicity were slightly decrease compared to the normal group. In the lung tissue of flavonoids pretreated groups, malodialdehyde value, G-6-phosphatase activity and collagen synthesis were recovered to tile normal values and alkaline phosphatase activity was increased. From these results, we concluded that flavonoids which were isolated from RVS is an effective agent to inhibit the pulmonary and internal toxicities and hence we concluded that acitive components of fustin and sulfuretin which were isolated from RVS might be removed free radicals induced by paraquat.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.309-314
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• 1996

The purpose of this study is to explain the relationship between the pharmacological mechanism of levamisole and the cellular activity of cellular alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) in kidney cells. The results of our investigation were as follows. 1. Cellular ALPase activity in Macacus rhesus monkey kidney cells (MA 104 cells) and primary cultured rabbit kidney proximal tubular cells treated with levamisole was increased about two or three times than control. However, 50% of ALPase activity in cultured medium was inhibited by levamisole itself. 2. The proliferation of MA 104 and cultured rabbit kidney proximal tubular cells was linearly decreased in paralleled with increase of levamisole concentration $(50\;and\;500\;{mu}M)$ with MTT test. 3. In the heat stability tests, the inhibition of ALPase activity with and without levamisole at $56^{\circ}C$ in MA 104 cells showed different $IC_{50}$ values. 4. HPLC analysis of levamisole metabolites produced by cultured MA 104 cells suggested that the formation of a metabolite, that may be associated with its increase of cellular ALPase activity. Based on these results, we assumed that the increase of cellular ALPase activity by levamisole was evoked by modification of the ALPase catalytic sites.