• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.7
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• pp.969-975
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• 2011

We focused on relationship between phytohormones and AtEXPA3 gene in gravitropic response of A. thaliana. RT-PCR analysis shows that AtEXPA3 was highly expressed in actively developing tissues such as leaf, rosette, root and flower tissues. AtEXPA3 gene expression was enhanced by gravistimulation, BR and IAA. Furthermore, decreased gravitropism was observed when treatment of AVG, an ethylene biosynthetic inhibitor, suggesting that ethylene has a gravistimulating effect itself as well as BRs and IAA. Inhibition of gravitropism in AtEXPA3 RNAi mutant suggests that BR, auxin and ethylene are playing roles as regulators of AtEXPA3. In addition, altered gravitropism in BRs signaling mutant (decreased in bri1-301, bak1, and increased BRI-GFP) indicated that BRs signaling mediated the gravitropism. In conclusion, gravitropic responses of Arabidopsis root resulting from root growth were mediated by increased expression of AtEXPA3 gene, which is stimulated by phytohormones.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.579-589
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• 2017

Anesthetics are used extensively in surgeries and related procedures to prevent pain. However, there is some concern regarding neuronal degeneration and cognitive deficits arising from regular anesthetic exposure. Recent studies have indicated that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) are involved in learning and memory processes. Genistein, a plant-derived isoflavone, has been shown to exhibit neuroprotective effects. The present study was performed to examine the protective effect of genistein against isoflurane-induced neurotoxicity in rats. Neonatal rats were exposed to isoflurane (0.75%, 6 hours) on postnatal day 7 (P7). Separate groups of rat pups were orally administered genistein at doses of 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg body weight from P3 to P15 and then exposed to isoflurane anesthesia on P7. Neuronal apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay and FluoroJade B staining following isoflurane exposure. Genistein significantly reduced apoptosis in the hippocampus, reduced the expression of proapoptotic factors (Bad, Bax, and cleaved caspase-3), and increased the expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. RT-PCR analysis revealed enhanced BDNF and TrkB mRNA levels. Genistein effectively upregulated cAMP levels and phosphorylation of CREB and TrkB, leading to activation of cAMP/CREB-BDNF-TrkB signaling. PI3K/Akt signaling was also significantly activated. Genistein administration improved general behavior and enhanced learning and memory in the rats. These observations suggest that genistein exerts neuroprotective effects by suppressing isoflurane-induced neuronal apoptosis and by activating cAMP/CREB-BDNF-TrkB-PI3/Akt signaling.

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.84-89
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• 2019

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a principal of mackerel-derived fermented fish oil, increases the proliferation of dermal papilla cells (DPCs) via the upregulation of cell cycle-associated proteins such as cyclin D1 and cdc2 p34, and might promote hair-growth. However, the intracellular mechanisms that underlie the action of DHA in the proliferation of DPCs have not been investigated fully. In this study, we addressed the action mechanisms of DHA to trigger the activation of anagen in DPCs. DHA activated β-catenin signaling by the increased phosphorylation at serine 552 and serine 675 as well as the translocation and accumulation of activated β-catenin into the nucleus. In the other hand, DHA inhibited canonical TGF-β/Smad signaling by the decreased phosphorylation of Smad2/3. Taken together, the results indicate that DHA might stimulate anagen signaling via the activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway, while the inactivation of canonical TGF-β signaling pathway in DPCs.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.532-544
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• 2018

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. In order to investigate a new treatment fot GIST, we hypothesized the effect of miR-374b targeting PTEN gene-mediated PI3K/Akt signal transduction pathway on proliferation and apoptosis of human gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) cells. We obtained GIST tissues and adjacent normal tissues from 143 patients with GIST to measure the levels of miR-374b, PTEN, PI3K, Akt, caspase9, Bax, MMP2, MMP9, ki67, PCNA, P53 and cyclinD1. Finally, cell viability, cell cycle and apoptosis were detected. According to the KFGG analysis of DEGs, PTEN was involved in a variety of signaling pathways and miRs were associated with cancer development. The results showed that MiR-374b was highly expressed, while PTEN was downregulated in the GIST tissues. The levels of miR-374b, PI3K, AKT and PTEN were related to tumor diameter and pathological stage. Additionally, miR-374b increased the mRNA and protein levels of PI3K, Akt, MMP2, MMP9, P53 and cyclinD1, suggesting that miR-374b activates PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in GIST-T1 cells. Moreover, MiR374b promoted cell viability, migration, invasion, and cell cycle entry, and inhibited apoptosis in GIST cells. Taken together, the results indicated that miR-374b promotes viability and inhibits apoptosis of human GIST cells by targeting PTEN gene through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Thus, this study provides a new potential target for GIST treatment.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.420-423
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• 2011

Since CKD-712 has been developed as an anti-inflammatory agent, we examined the effect of CKD-712 during TLR4 signaling. Using HEK293 cells expressing TLR4, CKD-712 was pre-treated 1 hr before LPS stimulation. Activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ was assessed by promoter assay. The activation of ERK, JNK, p38, IRF3 and Akt was measured by western blotting. CKD-712 inhibited the NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling triggered by LPS. The activation of ERK, JNK, p38 or IRF3 was not inhibited by CKD-712. On the contrary the activation of these molecules was augmented slightly. The activation of Akt with stimulation of LPS was also enhanced with CKD-712 pre-treatment at lower concentration, but was inhibited at higher concentration. We suggest that during TLR4 signaling CKD-712 inhibits NF-${\kappa}B$ activation. However, CKD-712 augmented the activation of Akt as well as Map kinases. Therefore, we suggest that CKD-712 might have a role as an immunomodulator.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.525-531
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• 2014

In the present study, we investigated whether apigenin significantly affects tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$)-induced production and gene expression of MUC5AC mucin in airway epithelial cells. Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated with apigenin for 30 min and then stimulated with TNF-${\alpha}$ for 24 h or the indicated periods. The MUC5AC mucin gene expression and mucin protein production were measured by reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Apigenin significantly inhibited MUC5AC mucin production and down-regulated MUC5AC gene expression induced by TNF-${\alpha}$ in NCI-H292 cells. To elucidate the action mechanism of apigenin, effect of apigenin on TNF-${\alpha}$-induced nuclear factor kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) signaling pathway was also investigated by western blot analysis. Apigenin inhibited NF-${\kappa}B$ activation induced by TNF-${\alpha}$. Inhibition of inhibitory kappa B kinase (IKK) by apigenin led to the suppression of inhibitory kappa B alpha ($I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$) phosphorylation and degradation, p65 nuclear translocation. This, in turn, led to the down-regulation of MUC5AC protein production in NCI-H292 cells. Apigenin also has an influence on upstream signaling of IKK because it inhibited the expression of adaptor protein, receptor interacting protein 1 (RIP1). These results suggest that apigenin can regulate the production and gene expression of mucin through regulating NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling pathway in airway epithelial cells.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.04a
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• pp.94-94
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• 2019

In this study, we elucidated the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of leaves extracts from Rodgersia podophylla (RPL) in RAW264.7 cells. RP-L significantly inhibited the production of the proinflammatory mediators such as NO, iNOS, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. RPL increased HO-1 expression in RAW264.7 cells, and the inhibition of HO-1 by ZnPP reduced the inhibitory effect of RPL against LPS-induced NO production in RAW264.7 cells. Inhibition of p38, ROS and $GSK3{\beta}$ attenuated RPL-mediated HO-1 expression. Inhibition of ROS inhibited p38 phosphorylation and $GSK3{\beta}$ expression induced by RPL. In addition, inhibition of $GSK3{\beta}$ blocked RPL-mediated p38 phosphorylation. RPL induced nuclear accumulation of Nrf2, and Inhibition of p38, ROS and $GSK3{\beta}$ abolished RPL-mediated nuclear accumulation of Nrf2. Furthermore, RPL blocked LPS-induced degradation of $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ and nuclear accumulation of p65. RP-L also attenuated LPS-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38. Our results suggest that RPL exerts potential antiinflammatory activity by activating ROS/$GSK3{\beta}$/p38/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling and inhibiting NF-${\kappa}B$ and MAPK signaling in RAW264.7 cells. These findings suggest that RPL may have great potential for the development of anti-inflammatory drug.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.449-457
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• 2021

The sleep-wake cycle is regulated by the alternating activity of sleep- and wake-promoting neurons. The dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) secretes 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin), promoting wakefulness. Melatonin secreted from the pineal gland also promotes wakefulness in rats. Our laboratory recently demonstrated that daily changes in nitric oxide (NO) production regulates a signaling pathway involving with-no-lysine kinase (WNK), Ste20-related proline alanine rich kinase (SPAK)/oxidative stress response kinase 1 (OSR1), and cation-chloride co-transporters (CCC) in rat DRN serotonergic neurons. This study was designed to investigate the effect of melatonin on NO-regulated WNK-SPAK/OSR1-CCC signaling in wake-inducing DRN neurons to elucidate the mechanism underlying melatonin's wake-promoting actions in rats. Ex vivo treatment of DRN slices with melatonin suppressed neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) expression and increased WNK4 expression without altering WNK1, 2, or 3. Melatonin increased phosphorylation of OSR1 and the expression of sodium-potassium-chloride co-transporter 1 (NKCC1), while potassium-chloride co-transporter 2 (KCC2) remained unchanged. Melatonin increased the expression of tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2, serotonin-synthesizing enzyme). The present study suggests that melatonin may promote its wakefulness by modulating NO-regulated WNK-SPAK/OSR1-KNCC1 signaling in rat DRN serotonergic neurons.

• Convergence Security Journal
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.217-225
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• 2020

In recent years, the "social distance" has drastically reduced overseas travelers. On the other hand, for personal safety and security, it is expected that interest and demand for CCTV, electric alarm and signaling devices, electric diagnostics and medical devices will increase significantly. The purpose of this paper is to find out the effect of airport transfer passengers and exports of CCTV, electrical diagnostics and medical devices, electrical alarms and signaling devices on exports to Korea, and the synchronism of each variable. To this end, this study used a total of 231 monthly data from January 2000 to April 2020 in the National Statistics Service. As a result of empirical analysis, CCTV and electrical diagnostics and medical devices showed relatively high synchronization with respect to exports to Korea. Electric alarms & signaling devices and transit passengers also showed a certain level of synchronization with exports, but were relatively weak.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.176-184
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• 2021

Background: Diabetes-related neuropathic pain frequently occurs, and the underpinning mechanism remains elusive. The periaqueductal gray (PAG) exhibits descending inhibitory effects on central pain transmission. The current work aimed to examine whether inflammatory cytokines regulate mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia induced by diabetes through the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in the PAG. Methods: Streptozotocin (STZ) was administered intraperitoneally to mimic allodynia and hyperalgesia evoked by diabetes in rats. Behavioral assays were carried out for determining mechanical pain and thermal hypersensitivity. Immunoblot and ELISA were performed to examine PAG protein amounts of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), as well as their corresponding receptors in STZ rats, and the expression of PI3K/protein kinase B (Akt)/mTOR signaling effectors. Results: Increased PAG p-PI3K/p-Akt/p-mTOR protein amounts were observed in STZ-induced animals, a PI3K-mTOR pathway inhibition in the PAG attenuated neuropathic pain responses. Moreover, the PAG concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α and their receptors (namely, IL-1R, IL-6R, and tumor necrosis factor receptor [TNFR] subtype TNFR1, respectively) were increased in the STZ rats. Additionally, inhibiting IL-1R, IL-6R, and TNFR1 ameliorated mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia in STZ rats, alongside the downregulation of PI3K-mTOR signaling. Conclusions: Overall, the current study suggests that upregulated proinflammatory cytokines and their receptors in the PAG activate PI3K-mTOR signaling, thereby producing a de-inhibition effect on descending pathways in modulating pain transmission, and eventually contributing to neuropathic pain.