• Experimental and Molecular Medicine
• /
• 제50권12호
• /
• pp.4.1-4.19
• /
• 2018

Transforming growth factor $(TGF)-{\beta}$ signaling is increasingly recognized as a key driver in cancer. In progressive cancer tissues, $TGF-{\beta}$ promotes tumor formation, and its increased expression often correlates with cancer malignancy. In this study, we utilized adenoviruses expressing short hairpin RNAs against $TGF-{\beta}1$ and $TGF-{\beta}2$ to investigate the role of $TGF-{\beta}$ downregulation in cancer cell death. We found that the downregulation of $TGF-{\beta}$ increased the phosphorylation of several SAPKs, such as p38 and JNK. Moreover, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was also increased by $TGF-{\beta}$ downregulation, which triggered Akt inactivation and NOX4 increase-derived ROS in a cancer cell-type-specific manner. We also revealed the possibility of substantial gene fluctuation in response to $TGF-{\beta}$ downregulation related to SAPKs. The expression levels of Trx and GSTM1, which encode inhibitory proteins that bind to ASK1, were reduced, likely a result of the altered translocation of Smad complex proteins rather than from ROS production. Instead, both ROS and ROS-mediated ER stress were responsible for the decrease in interactions between ASK1 and Trx or GSTM1. Through these pathways, ASK1 was activated and induced cytotoxic tumor cell death via p38/JNK activation and (or) induction of ER stress.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• 제32권2호
• /
• pp.224-230
• /
• 2024

Pinitol (3-O-Methyl-D-chiro-inositol) has been reported to possess insulin-like effects and is known as one of the anti-diabetic agents to improve muscle, liver, and endothelial cells. However, the beneficial effects of pinitol on the skin are not well known. Here, we investigated whether pinitol had effects on human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs), and human dermal equivalents (HDEs) irradiated with ultraviolet A (UVA), which causes various damages including photodamage in the skin. We observed that pinitol enhanced wound healing in UVA-damaged HDFs. We also found that pinitol significantly antagonized the UVA-induced up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1), and the UVA-induced down-regulation of collagen type I and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP1) in HDEs. Electron microscopy analysis also revealed that pinitol remarkably increased the number of collagen fibrils with regular banding patterns in the dermis of UVA-irradiated human skin equivalents. Pinitol significantly reversed the UVA-induced phosphorylation levels of ERK and JNK but not p38, suggesting that this regulation may be the mechanism underlying the pinitol-mediated effects on UVA-irradiated HDEs. We also observed that pinitol specifically increased Smad3 phosphorylation, which is representative of the TGF-β signaling pathway for collagen synthesis. These data suggest that pinitol exerts several beneficial effects on UVA-induced damaged skin and can be used as a therapeutic agent to improve skin-related diseases.

• 생명과학회지
• /
• 제27권3호
• /
• pp.370-381
• /
• 2017

단백질 탈 인산화는 단백질 탈 인산화 효소에 의해 매개되는 과정으로 세포 생존에 매우 중요하다. 단백질 탈 인산화 효소 중에서 최근 CTD (carboxy-terminal domain) 탈 인산화 효소들이 등장하고 있으며 이들에 대한 새로운 생물학적 역할이 밝혀지고 있다. 이 효소의 그룹에는CTD 탈 인산화 효소 1(CTDP1), CTD 소형 탈 인산화 효소 1(CTDSP1), CTD 소형 탈 인산화 효소 2(CTDSP2), CTD 소형 탈 인산화 효소 유사(CTDSPL), CTD 소형 탈 인산화 효소 유사 2(CTDSPL2), CTD 핵 탈 인산화 효소(CTDNEP1) 및 유비퀴틴 유사 도메인 함유CTD 탈 인산화 효소 1(UBLCP1)들이 존재한다. CTDP1은 RNA 중합 효소 II (RNAPII)의 CTD의 두 번째 인산화 된 세린을 탈 인산화 시키고, CTDSP1, STDSP2 및 CTDSPL은 RNAPII의 CTD의 다섯 번째 인산화 된 세린을 탈 인산화 시킨다. 그리고 CTDSP1은 SMAD들, CDCA3, Twist1, 종양억제 단백질인 PML, c-Myc과 같은 새로운 기질을 탈 인산화 시키는 것으로 밝혀지고 있다. CTDP1은 유사 분열 조절 및 암세포 성장과 관련이 있다. CTDSP1, CTDSP2 및 CTDSPL은 종양 억제 기능 및 줄기 세포 분화와 관련이 있다. CTDNEP1은 LIPIN1을 탈 인산화 시키고 핵막 형성과 관련이 있다. CTDSPL2는 조혈 줄기 세포 분화와 관련이 있다. UBLCP1은 26S 프로테아좀을 탈 인산화 시키고 핵 프로테아좀 활성 조절과 관련이 있다. 결론적으로, CTD 탈 인산화 효소의 새로운 기능과 역할은 최근의 연구에서 밝혀지고 있으며, 이 리뷰는 CTD 탈 인산화 효소의 새롭게 밝혀진 역할들을 요약하고자 정리한 것이다.

• 생명과학회지
• /
• 제27권5호
• /
• pp.501-508
• /
• 2017

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs)는 다양한 세포기능을 조절하는 중요한 사이토카인 중 하나이다. 최근 BMP와 일주기 유전자들이 연관되어 있다는 연구결과들이 보고되고 있지만 조골세포에서 일주기 유전자인 Per1의 역할은 아직 명확하지 않다. 본 연구에서는 조골세포 분화에서 Per1의 역할을 조사하였다. MC3T3-E1 세포에서 BMP2 처리에 의해 Per1 mRNA 발현과 luciferase 활성이 증가하는 것을 확인하였다. 또한 Per1 과발현 실험을 통해서 Per1 유전자가 Runx2, ALP, OC의 발현을 증가시켰으며 ascorbic acid와 ${\beta}$-glycerophosphate에 의한 ALP 염색과 석회화가 Per1 과발현에 의해 더욱 증가하는 것을 확인하였다. 이상의 결과는 일주기 리듬을 조절하는 Per1 유전자가 조골세포의 분화를 촉진하는 인자로 작용함을 시사한다.

• 한국자원식물학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 한국자원식물학회 2022년도 추계학술대회
• /
• pp.25-25
• /
• 2022

피부 노화는 피부와 피부 지지층 등의 광범위한 퇴행 과정을 말한다. 피부 노화의 원인은 흡연, 공해, 스트레스 등이 있지만, 그 중에서도 자외선(ultra violet, UV) 조사가 가장 큰 요인으로 꼽힌다. 반복적인 자외선 조사에 의해 진행되는 피부노화를 광노화라고 하며 그 가장 큰 특징으로는 콜라겐 섬유와 엘라스틴의 감소로 야기되는 주름을 들 수 있다. 본 연구에서는 제주에서 채집한 바위수국의 추출물 및 분획물의 항산화 및 자외선으로 인한 피부노화 예방(anti-photoaging) 효능을 확인하고, 활성물질을 분리하여 광노화 예방 효능과 그 메커니즘을 확인하였다. 실험에 사용된 바위수국은 범의귀과의 덩굴성 식물로 바위면이나 나무줄기 등에 붙어서 자라며, 한국(제주, 울릉도)과 일본에 분포한다. 바위수국 추출물과 분획물에서 총 페놀 함량. 총 플라보이드 함량, DPPH 및 ABTS 라디칼소거 활성의 항산화 실험 결과, 부탄올과 에틸아세테이트 분획층에서 강력한 항산화 활성이 관찰되었다. 또한 UVA를 조사한 인간 진피 섬유아세포 (human dermal fibroblast, HDF)데 대한 콜라겐 분해효소인 matrix metalloproteinase-1(MMP-1) 생성 억제 활성을 확인한 결과, 부탄올 분획층이 세포 생장 저해 없이 가장 우수한 효능이 확인되었다. 따라서 부탄올 분획층에서 주요 성분 분리 실험을 수행하여 총 4개의 화합물을 분리하였다; Chlorogenic acid (1), Quercetin-3-O-glucosyl-(1-2)-rhamnoside (2), Quercetin-3-O-xylosyl-(1-2)-rhamnoside (3), Quercitrin (4). 분리한 4개의 물질의 MMP-1 생성 억제 활성을 비교한 결과 화합물 2가 세포독성 없이 MMP-1 생성 억제 효능이 우수하였고, 이후 화합물 2의 광노화 예방 효능과 그 메커니즘을 확인하였다. 화합물 2는 MMP-1의 생성을 억제할 뿐만 아니라 procollagen type I의 생성을 증가시켰으며, MMP-1 생성에 관여하는 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/activator protein-1 (AP-1) 신호전달경로를 하향 조절하며, 콜라겐 생성과 관련된 Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad 신호전달경로를 상향 조절하여 UVA에 의한 광노화 예방에 효능을 나타내었다. 이러한 결과들을 바탕으로, 바위수국은 항노화(anti-aging) 기능성 화장품 및 이너뷰티 기능성 식품 소재로 개발이 가능할 것으로 기대된다.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
• /
• 제21권2호
• /
• pp.26.1-26.14
• /
• 2020

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a lethal cancer type that is associated with multiple gene mutations in somatic cells. Genetically engineered mouse is hardly applicable for developing a pancreatic cancer model, and the xenograft model poses a limitation in the reflection of early stage pancreatic cancer. Thus, in vivo somatic cell gene engineering with clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats is drawing increasing attention for generating an animal model of pancreatic cancer. In this study, we selected Kras, Trp53, Ink4a, Smad4, and Brca2 as target genes, and applied Campylobacter jejuni Cas9 (CjCas9) and Streptococcus pyogens Cas9 (SpCas9) for developing pancreatic cancer using adeno associated virus (AAV) transduction. After confirming multifocal and diffuse transduction of AAV2, we generated SpCas9 overexpression mice, which exhibited high double-strand DNA breakage (DSB) in target genes and pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) lesions with two AAV transductions; however, wild-type (WT) mice with three AAV transductions did not develop PanIN. Furthermore, small-sized Cjcas9 was applied to WT mice with two AAV system, which, in addition, developed high extensive DSB and PanIN lesions. Histological changes and expression of cancer markers such as Ki67, cytokeratin, Mucin5a, alpha smooth muscle actin in duct and islet cells were observed. In addition, the study revealed several findings such as 1) multiple DSB potential of AAV-CjCas9, 2) peri-ductal lymphocyte infiltration, 3) multi-focal cancer marker expression, and 4) requirement of > 12 months for initiation of PanIN in AAV mediated targeting. In this study, we present a useful tool for in vivo cancer modeling that would be applicable for other disease models as well.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제34권3호
• /
• pp.606-621
• /
• 2024

This study evaluated the hepatoprotective effect of fermented Protaetia brevitarsis larvae (FPB) in ethanol-induced liver injury mice. As a result of amino acids in FPB, 18 types of amino acids including essential amino acids were identified. In the results of in vitro tests, FPB increased alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activities. In addition, FPB treatment increased cell viability on ethanol- and H₂O₂-induced HepG2 cells. FPB ameliorated serum biomarkers related to hepatoxicity including glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamine pyruvic transaminase, total bilirubin, and lactate dehydrogenase and lipid metabolism including triglyceride, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Also, FPB controlled ethanol metabolism enzymes by regulating the protein expression levels of ADH, ALDH, and cytochrome P450 2E1 in liver tissue. FPB protected hepatic oxidative stress by improving malondialdehyde content, reduced glutathione, and superoxide dismutase levels. In addition, FPB reversed mitochondrial dysfunction by regulating reactive oxygen species production, mitochondrial membrane potential, and ATP levels. FPB protected ethanol-induced apoptosis, fatty liver, and hepatic inflammation through p-AMP-activated protein kinase and TLR-4/NF-κB signaling pathways. Furthermore, FPB prevented hepatic fibrosis by decreasing TGF-β1/Smad pathway. In summary, these results suggest that FPB might be a potential prophylactic agent for the treatment of alcoholic liver disease via preventing liver injury such as fatty liver, hepatic inflammation due to chronic ethanol-induced oxidative stress.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• 제22권6호
• /
• pp.607-616
• /
• 2018

The effect of melatonin on juveniles with cardio fibrosis is poorly understood. We investigated whether HDACs participate in the anti-fibrotic processes regulated by melatonin during hypertrophic remodeling. Abdominal aortic constriction (AAC) was employed in juvenile rats resulting in pressure overload-induced ventricular hypertrophy and melatonin was subsequently decreased via continuous light exposure for 5 weeks after surgery. AAC rats displayed an increased cross-sectional area of myocardial fibers and significantly elevated collagen deposition compared to sham-operated rats, as measured by HE and Masson Trichrome staining. Continuous light exposure following surgery exacerbated the increase in the cross-sectional area of myocardial fibers. The expression of HDAC1, HDAC2, HDAC3, HDAC4 and HDAC6 genes were all significantly enhanced in AAC rats with light exposure relative to the other rats. Moreover, the protein level of $TNF-{\alpha}$ was also upregulated in the AAC light exposure groups when compared with the sham. However, Smad4 protein expression was unchanged in the juveniles' hearts. In contrast, beginning 5 weeks after the operation, the AAC rats were treated with melatonin (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection every evening) or vehicle 4 weeks, and sham rats were given vehicle. The changes in the histological measures of cardio fibrosis and the gene expressions of HDAC1, HDAC2, HDAC3, HDAC4 and HDAC6 were attenuated by melatonin administration. The results reveal that melatonin plays a role in the development of cardio fibrosis and the expression of HDAC1, HDAC2, HDAC3, HDAC4 and HDAC6 in cardiomyocytes.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• 제46권10호
• /
• pp.592-610
• /
• 2023

The Hippo kinase cascade functions as a central hub that relays input from the "outside world" of the cell and translates it into specific cellular responses by regulating the activity of Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1). How Hippo translates input from the extracellular signals into specific intracellular responses remains unclear. Here, we show that transforming growth factor β (TGFβ)-activated TAK1 activates LATS1/2, which then phosphorylates YAP1. Phosphorylated YAP1 (p-YAP1) associates with RUNX3, but not with TEAD4, to form a TGFβ-stimulated restriction (R)-point-associated complex which activates target chromatin loci in the nucleus. Soon after, p-YAP1 is exported to the cytoplasm. Attenuation of TGFβ signaling results in re-localization of unphosphorylated YAP1 to the nucleus, where it forms a YAP1/TEAD4/SMAD3/AP1/p300 complex. The TGFβ-stimulated spatiotemporal dynamics of YAP1 are abrogated in many cancer cells. These results identify a new pathway that integrates TGFβ signals and the Hippo pathway (TGFβ→TAK1→LATS1/2→YAP1 cascade) with a novel dynamic nuclear role for p-YAP1.

• BMB Reports
• /
• 제50권8호
• /
• pp.429-434
• /
• 2017

Endometriosis is the abnormal growth of endometrial cells outside the uterus, causing pelvic pain and infertility. Furthermore, adhesion of endometrial tissue fragments to pelvic mesothelium is required for the initial step of endometriosis formation outside uterus. $TGF-{\beta}1$ and adhesion molecules importantly function for adhesion of endometrial tissue fragments to mesothelium outside uterus. However, the function of $TGF-{\beta}1$ on the regulation of adhesion molecule expression for adhesion of endometrial tissue fragments to mesothelium has not been fully elucidated. Interestingly, transforming growth factor ${\beta}1$ ($TGF-{\beta}1$) expression was higher in endometriotic epithelial cells than in normal endometrial cells. The adhesion efficiency of endometriotic epithelial cells to mesothelial cells was also higher than that of normal endometrial cells. Moreover, $TGF-{\beta}1$ directly induced the adhesion of endometrial cells to mesothelial cells through the regulation of integrin of ${\alpha}V$, ${\alpha}6$, ${\beta}1$, and ${\beta}4$ via the activation of the $TGF-{\beta}1/TGF-{\beta}RI/Smad2$ signaling pathway. Conversely, the adhesion of $TGF-{\beta}1-stimulated$ endometrial cells to mesothelial cells was clearly reduced following treatment with neutralizing antibodies against specific $TGF-{\beta}1-mediated$ integrins ${\alpha}V$, ${\beta}1$, and ${\beta}4$ on the endometrial cell membrane. Taken together, these results suggest that $TGF-{\beta}1$ may act to promote the initiation of endometriosis by enhancing integrin-mediated cell-cell adhesion.