• Molecules and Cells
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.57-65
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• 2009

CDC48 is a member of the AAA ATPase superfamily. Yeast CDC48 and its mammalian homolog p97 are implicated in diverse cellular processes, including mitosis, membrane fusion, and ubiquitin-dependent protein degradation. However, the cellular functions of plant CDC48 proteins are largely unknown. In the present study, we performed virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) screening and found that silencing of a gene encoding a tobacco CDC48 homolog, NgCDC48, resulted in severe abnormalities in leaf and shoot development in tobacco. Furthermore, transgenic tobacco plants (35S:anti-NgCDC48), in which the NgCDC48 gene was suppressed using the antisense RNA method, exhibited severely aberrant development of both vegetative and reproductive organs, resulting in arrested shoot and leaf growth and sterile flowers. Approximately 57-83% of 35S:anti-NgCDC48 plants failed to develop mature organs and died at early stage of development. Scanning electron microscopy showed that both adaxial and abaxial epidermal pavement cells in antisense transgenic leaves were significantly smaller and more numerous than those in wild type leaves. These results indicate that NgCDC48 is critically involved in cell growth and development of tobacco plants. An in vivo targeting experiment revealed that NgCDC48 resides in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in tobacco protoplasts. We consider the tantalizing possibility that CDC48-mediated degradation of an as-yet unidentified protein(s) in the ER might be a critical step for cell growth and expansion in tobacco leaves.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.151-161
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• 2004

Transgenic plants have been studied as delivery system for edible vaccine against various diseases. Edible plant vaccines have several potential advantages as follows: an inexpensive source of antigen, easy administration, reduced need for medical personnel, economical to mass produce and easy transport, heat-stable vaccine without refrigerator, generation of systemic and mucosal immunity and safe antigen without fetal animal-virus contaminants. The amount of recombinant antigens in transgenic plants ranged from 0.002 to 0.8％ in total soluble protein, depending on promoters for the expression of interested genes and plants to be used for transformation. Throughout the last decade, edible plant vaccine made notable progresses that protect from challenges against virus or bacteria. However edible plant vaccines have still problems that could be solved. First, the strong promoter or inducible promoter or strategy of protein targeting could be solved to improve the low expression of antigens in transgenic plants. Second, the transformation technique of target plant should be developed to be able to eat uncooked. Third, marker-free vector could be constructed to be more safety. In this review we describe advances of edible plant vaccines, focusing on the yields depending on plants/promoters employed and the results of animal/clinical trials, and consider further research for the development of a new plant-derived vaccine.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제32권10호
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• pp.1262-1274
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• 2022

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a complex and refractor type of cancer with global prevalence. Several barriers remain in CCA diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Therefore, exploring more biomarkers and therapeutic drugs for CCA management is necessary. CCA gene expression data was downloaded from the TCGA and GEO databases. KEGG enrichment, GO analysis, and protein-protein interaction network were used for hub gene identification. miRNA were predicted using Targetscan and validated according to several GEO databases. The relative RNA and miRNA expression levels and prognostic information were obtained from the GEPIA. The candidate drug was screened using pharmacophore-based virtual screening and validated by molecular modeling and through several in vitro studies. 301 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened out. Complement and coagulation cascades-related genes (including AHSG, F2, TTR, and KNG1), and cell cycle-related genes (including CDK1, CCNB1, and KIAA0101) were considered as the hub genes in CCA progression. AHSG, F2, TTR, and KNG1 were found to be significantly decreased and the eight predicted miRNA targeting AHSG, F2, and TTR were increased in CCA patients. CDK1, CCNB1, and KIAA0101 were found to be significantly abundant in CCA patients. In addition, Molport-003-703-800, which is a compound that is derived from pharmacophores-based virtual screening, could directly bind to CDK1 and exhibited anti-tumor activity in cholangiocarcinoma cells. AHSG, F2, TTR, and KNG1 could be novel biomarkers for CCA. Molport-003-703-800 targets CDK1 and work as potential cell cycle inhibitors, thereby having potential for consideration for new chemotherapeutics for CCA.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제27권3호
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• pp.197-208
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• 2023

Dysregulation of certain long non-coding RNAs may facilitate tumor initiation and progression. However, numerous carcinogenesis-related long noncoding RNAs have not been characterized. The goal of this study was to elucidate the role of LINC00562 in gastric cancer (GC). The expression of LINC00562 was analyzed using real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting. The proliferative capacity of GC cells was determined using Cell Counting Kit-8 and colony-formation assays. The migration of GC cells were evaluated using wound-healing assays. The apoptosis of GC cells was assessed by measuring the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins (Bax and Bcl-2). Xenograft models in nude mice were constructed for in vivo functional analysis of LINC00562. The binding relationship between miR-4636 and LINC00562 or adaptor protein complex 1 sigma 3 (AP1S3), obtained from public databases, was confirmed using dual-luciferase and RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation experiments. LINC00562 was expressed in GC cells at high levels. Knockdown of LINC00562 repressed GC cell growth and migration, promoted apoptosis in vitro, and inhibited tumor growth in nude mouse models. LINC00562 directly targeted miR-4636, and miR-4636 depletion restored the GC cell behavior inhibited by LINC00562 absence. AP1S3, an oncogene, binds to miR-4636. MiR-4636 downregulation increased AP1S3 level, restoring GC cell malignant behaviors inhibited by AP1S3 downregulation. Thus, LINC00562 exerts carcinogenic effects on GC development by targeting miR-4636-mediated AP1S3 signaling.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제31권5호
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• pp.515-525
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• 2023

The most common heart valve disorder is calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS), which is characterized by a narrowing of the aortic valve. Treatment with the drug molecule, in addition to surgical and transcatheter valve replacement, is the primary focus of researchers in this field. The purpose of this study is to determine whether niclosamide can reduce calcification in aortic valve interstitial cells (VICs). To induce calcification, cells were treated with a pro-calcifying medium (PCM). Different concentrations of niclosamide were added to the PCM-treated cells, and the level of calcification, mRNA, and protein expression of calcification markers was measured. Niclosamide inhibited aortic valve calcification as observed from reduced alizarin red s staining in niclosamide treated VICs and also decreased the mRNA and protein expressions of calcification-specific markers: runt-related transcription factor 2 and osteopontin. Niclosamide also reduced the formation of reactive oxygen species, NADPH oxidase activity and the expression of Nox2 and p22^phox. Furthermore, in calcified VICs, niclosamide inhibited the expression of β-catenin and phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase (GSK-3β), as well as the phosphorylation of AKT and ERK. Taken together, our findings suggest that niclosamide may alleviate PCM-induced calcification, at least in part, by targeting oxidative stress mediated GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway via inhibiting activation of AKT and ERK, and may be a potential treatment for CAVS.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.104-112
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• 2023

COVID-19 caused a catastrophe in human health. People infected with COVID-19 also suffer from various clinical illnesses during and after the infection. The Boerhavia diffusa plant is well known for its antihypertensive activity. ACE-II inhibitors and calcium channel blockers are reported as mechanisms for the antihypertensive activity of B. diffusa phytoconstituents. Various studies have said ACE-II is the virus's binding site to attack host cells. COVID-19 treatment commonly employs a variety of synthetic antiviral and steroidal drugs. As a result, other clinical illnesses, such as hypertension and hyperglycemia, emerge as serious complications. Safe and effective drug delivery is a prime objective of the drug development process. COVID-19 is treated with various herbal treatments; however, they are not widely used due to their low potency. Many herbal plants and formulations are used to treat COVID-19 infection, in which B. diffusa is the most widely used plant. The current study relies on discovering active phytoconstituents with ACE-II inhibitory activity in the B. diffusa plant. As a result, it can be used as a treatment option for patients with COVID-19 and related diseases. Different phytoconstituents of the B. diffusa plant were selected from the reported literature. The activity of phytoconstituents against ACE-II proteins has been studied. Molecular docking and ligand-protein interaction computation tools are used in the in-silico experiment. Physicochemical, drug-likeness, water solubility, lipophilicity, and pharmacokinetic parameters are used to evaluate phytoconstituents. Liriodenine has the best drug-likeness, bioactivity, and binding score characteristics among the selected ligands. The in-silico study aims to find the therapeutic potential of B. diffusa phytoconstituents against ACE-II. Targeting ACE-II also shows an effect against SARS-CoV-2. It can serve as a rationale for designing a drug for patient infected with COVID-19 and associated diseases.

• 대한화장품학회지
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• 제49권4호
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• pp.341-348
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• 2023

본 연구에서는 20 ~ 50 대 한국 여성을 대상으로 일시적 고온건조 환경 조성 전후 피부 수분량, 피부 유분량, 피부 멜라닌, 피부 붉은기, 피부 붉은기 이미지 분석, 경피수분손실량, 피부 각질량을 측정하여 기초 피부 특성 데이터를 수집하였으며, 측정시기 별 각질 채취를 진행하여 피부 바이오마커 중 총단백질량, 카르보닐화 단백질, 중성 지질, 지질 과산화를 분석하였다. 해당 결과를 기반으로 고온건조 환경 조성 전후의 차이를 확인하고, 피부 특성과 피부 바이오마커의 상관성을 확인하였으며, 이를 기반으로 신규 피부 지수를 만들었다. 신규 피부 지수는 제품 효능평가에 반영이 가능하며 추가연구를 통한 신규 인체적용시험법 구성 및 피부 바이오마커 발굴 연구 활용 가능성을 확인하였다.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.315-325
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive primary brain tumor characterized by its heterogeneity and high recurrence and lethality rates. Glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) play a crucial role in therapy resistance and tumor recurrence. Therefore, targeting GSCs is a key objective in developing effective treatments for GBM. The role of Parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) in GBM and its impact on GSCs remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effect of PTHrP on GSCs and its potential as a therapeutic target for GBM. Methods and Results: Using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, we found higher expression of PTHrP in GBM, which correlated inversely with survival. GSCs were established from three human GBM samples obtained after surgical resection. Exposure to recombinant human PTHrP protein (rPTHrP) at different concentrations significantly enhanced GSCs viability. Knockdown of PTHrP using target-specific siRNA (siPTHrP) inhibited tumorsphere formation and reduced the number of BrdU-positive cells. In an orthotopic xenograft mouse model, suppression of PTHrP expression led to significant inhibition of tumor growth. The addition of rPTHrP in the growth medium counteracted the antiproliferative effect of siPTHrP. Further investigation revealed that PTHrP increased cAMP concentration and activated the PKA signaling pathway. Treatment with forskolin, an adenylyl cyclase activator, nullified the antiproliferative effect of siPTHrP. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that PTHrP promotes the proliferation of patient-derived GSCs by activating the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway. These results uncover a novel role for PTHrP and suggest its potential as a therapeutic target for GBM treatment.

• International Journal of Oncology
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• 제55권4호
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• pp.960-972
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• 2019

MicroRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that play pivotal roles in cancer physiology as important epigenetic regulators of gene expression. Several miRNAs have been previously discovered that regulate the proliferation of the colorectal cancer (CRC) cell line HCT116. In the present study, one of these miRNAs, miR-5191, was characterized as a tumor suppressor in CRC cells. Transfection with miR-5191 led to a significant decrease in cell proliferation, invasiveness, tumor sphere-forming ability and tumor organoid growth, as determined via trypan blue, Transwell, sphere culture and organoid culture assays, respectively. Flow cytometric analyses revealed that miR-5191 induced the cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of CRC cells. Additionally, the expression of miR-5191 was downregulated in CRC tumor tissues compared with in normal tissues, as measured by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR analysis. Ribosomal protein S6 kinase β1 (RPS6KB1) was identified as a direct target of miR-5191. Ectopic expression of RPS6KB1 suppressed the function of miR-5191. Intratumoral injection of miR-5191 mimic suppressed tumor growth in HCT116 xenografts. These findings suggested a novel tumor-suppressive function for miR-5191 in CRC, and its potential applicability for the development of anticancer miRNA therapeutics.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.21.1-21.16
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• 2024

IL-1, a pleiotropic cytokine with profound effects on various cell types, particularly immune cells, plays a pivotal role in immune responses. The proinflammatory nature of IL-1 necessitates stringent control mechanisms of IL-1-mediated signaling at multiple levels, encompassing transcriptional and translational regulation, precursor processing, as well as the involvement of a receptor accessory protein, a decoy receptor, and a receptor antagonist. In T-cell immunity, IL-1 signaling is crucial during both the priming and effector phases of immune reactions. The fine-tuning of IL-1 signaling hinges upon two distinct receptor types; the functional IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) 1 and the decoy IL-1R2, accompanied by ancillary molecules such as the IL-1R accessory protein (IL-1R3) and IL-1R antagonist. IL-1R1 signaling by IL-1β is critical for the differentiation, expansion, and survival of Th17 cells, essential for defense against extracellular bacteria or fungi, yet implicated in autoimmune disease pathogenesis. Recent investigations emphasize the physiological importance of IL-1R2 expression, particularly in its capacity to modulate IL-1-dependent responses within Tregs. The precise regulation of IL-1R signaling is indispensable for orchestrating appropriate immune responses, as unchecked IL-1 signaling has been implicated in inflammatory disorders, including Th17-mediated autoimmunity. This review provides a thorough exploration of the IL-1R signaling complex and its pivotal roles in immune regulation. Additionally, it highlights recent advancements elucidating the mechanisms governing the expression of IL-1R1 and IL-1R2, underscoring their contributions to fine-tuning IL-1 signaling. Finally, the review briefly touches upon therapeutic strategies targeting IL-1R signaling, with potential clinical applications.