• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.52-66
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• 2001

Background : NF-${\kappa}B$ is the most important transcriptional factor in IL-8 gene expression. Triptolide is a new compound that recently has been shown to inhibit NF-${\kappa}B$ activation. The purpose of this study is to investigate how triptolide inhibits NF-${\kappa}B$-dependent IL-8 gene transcription in lung epithelial cells and to pilot the potential for the clinical application of triptolide in inflammatory lung diseases. Methods : A549 cells were used and triptolide was provided from Pharmagenesis Company (Palo Alto, CA). In order to examine NF-${\kappa}B$-dependent IL-8 transcriptional activity, we established stable A549 IL-8-NF-${\kappa}B$-luc. cells and performed luciferase assays. IL-8 gene expression was measured by RT-PCR and ELISA. A Western blot was done for the study of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ degradation and an electromobility shift assay was done to analyze NF-${\kappa}B$ DNA binding. p65 specific transactivation was analyzed by a cotransfection study using a Gal4-p65 fusion protein expression system. To investigate the involvement of transcriptional coactivators, we perfomed a transfection study with CBP and SRC-1 expression vectors. Results : We observed that triptolide significantly suppresses NF-${\kappa}B$-dependent IL-8 transcriptional activity induced by IL-$1{\beta}$ and PMA. RT-PCR showed that triptolide represses both IL-$1{\beta}$ and PMA-induced IL-8 mRNA expression and ELISA confirmed this triptolide-mediated IL-8 suppression at the protein level. However, triptolide did not affect $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ degradation and NF-$_{\kappa}B$ DNA binding. In a p65-specific transactivation study, triptolide significantly suppressed Gal4-p65T Al and Gal4-p65T A2 activity suggesting that triptolide inhibits NF-${\kappa}B$ activation by inhibiting p65 transactivation. However, this triptolide-mediated inhibition of p65 transactivation was not rescued by the overexpression of CBP or SRC-1, thereby excluding the role of transcriptional coactivators. Conclusions : Triptolide is a new compound that inhibits NF-${\kappa}B$-dependent IL-8 transcriptional activation by inhibiting p65 transactivation, but not by an $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$-dependent mechanism. This suggests that triptolide may have a therapeutic potential for inflammatory lung diseases.

• BMB Reports
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.468-473
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• 1996

The P38 promoter of minute virus of mice (MVM) is a very weak promoter which is strongly transactivated by viral nonstructural proteins. To analyze the upstream sequence of the P38 promoter which is responsible for the transactivation by nonstructural proteins in MVM, chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter plasm ids containing a series of 5' deletion and internal deletion mutants of the P38 promoter were constructed. The wild type and mutant CAT constructs of P38 promoter were cotransfected into murine A92L fibroblast cells with a plasmid expressing viral nonstructural proteins by DEAE-dextran method. Each promoter activity was analyzed by CAT assay. As previously reported (Ahn et al., 1992), the proximal DNA cis-elements required for transactivation of the MVM P38 promoter are GC box and TATA box. However, the analysis of 5' deletion mutants showed that H-l tar like sequence (MVM TAR) which is located between -143 and -122 relative to the transcription initiation site is also required for transactivation of the P38 promoter by nonstructural proteins. Interestingly, even if the MVM TAR was removed by internal deletion, the level of the transactivation is still 70% of wild type level of transactivation. We also found that, in addition to the MVM TAR motif, there are two other motifs which are similar to the MVM TAR sequence. When these TAR like motifs were further deleted, the levels of transactivation were decreased further. Taken together, the MVM TAR sequence and TAR like motifs located upstream of P38 promoter are playing an important role for the transactivation of P38 promoter by nonstructural proteins in minute virus of mice.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.372-377
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• 2007

The orphan nuclear receptor, SF-1, plays a pivotal role in the development and differentiation of the endocrine and reproductive systems, and also regulates the transcription of a host of genes, including those encoding several steroidogenic enzymes and gonadotropins. We found that a previously unidentified repressor, EID-1, is an SF-1-interacting protein that inhibits the transactivation of SF-1. A transient transfection assay revealed that EID-1 inhibits SF-1, but not LRH-1, $ERR{\gamma}$, or mCAR. Using the yeast two hybrid and GST pull-down assays, we determined that EID-1 interacted strongly with SF-1. In addition, it colocalized with SF-1 in mammalian cells and interacted specifically with the AF-2 domain of SF-1, competing with SRC-1 to inhibit SF-1 transactivation. EID-1 is expressed in the mouse testis, and its expression decreases during testis development. The results of the present study suggest that EID-1 can act as a repressor, regulating the function of SF-1.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2008.04a
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• pp.55-74
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• 2008

Previously, we have shown that hypoxia, through HIF-1, induces ligand-independent $ER{\alpha}$ activation and the physical interaction of HIF-1 and $ER{\alpha}$. However, the effect of hypoxia on the transactivation of $ER{\beta}$ is not yet known. In the present study, we found that hypoxia activated the $ER{\beta}$-mediated transcriptional response in the HEK 293 cell line, as determined by the transient expression of$ER{\beta}$ and ER-responsive reporter plasmids. The hypoxia-induced estrogen response element-mediated transcriptional response was dependent on $ER{\beta}$ expression and was inhibited by the ER antagonist ICI 182,780. Transactivation of $ER{\beta}$ was induced by the expression of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ under normoxic conditions, as determined by the expression of oxygen-independent stable GFP-HIF-$1{\alpha}$. HIF-$1{\alpha}$-induced $ER{\beta}$ transactivation was abolished by the inhibition of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ activation. This was determined by using chemical inhibitors for the MAPK pathway. In addition, HIF-$1{\alpha}$ interacted with $ER{\beta}$ in a mammalian-two hybrid assay. We conclude that hypoxia activates $ER{\beta}$ in a ligand-independent manner, possibly through the interaction of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ and $ER{\beta}$.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.141-146
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• 1997

The role of cAMP in the differentiation process of F9 cells induced by ginsenosides was examined by performing transient transfixion assay with CRE-luciferase reporter plasmid, GR thansactivation assay with GRE-luciferase activity with or without treatment of CAMP and forskolin, an activator of adenylate cyclase, and protein klnase A assay in the presence of ginsenosides. Ginsenosides had no effect on CRE-transactivation activity, whereas retinoic acid induced the activity. When cAMP or forskolin was treated with ginsenosides, GRE-luciferase activity was further augumented by them. In addition, ginsenosides induced protein kinase A activity in the presence of cAMP. These results suggest that ginsenosides activate cAMP-dependent protein kinase A which, in turn, increase GR activity in F9 cells.

• BMB Reports
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• v.52 no.9
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• pp.548-553
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• 2019

Ets-1 is a prototype of the ETS protein family. Members of the ETS protein family contain a unique ETS domain. Ets-1 is associated with cancer progression and metastasis in many types of cancer. Many studies have shown a link between elevated expression of Ets-1 in cancer biopsies and poor survival. CCR7 is a chemokine that binds to specific ligand CCL21/CCL19. CCR7 expression is associated with tumor metastasis and infiltration into lymph nodes. The objective of this study was to test whether Ets-1 could regulate CCR7 expression and enhance tumor metastasis. Our data showed that CCR7 expression was downregulated in Ets-1-deficient T cells upon T-cell stimulation. Overexpression of Ets-1 increased CCR7 expression in breast cancer cell lines. In contrast, knockdown of Ets-1 reduced CCR7 expression. Ets-1 could directly bind to CCR7 promoter and mediate CCR7 expression in luciferase reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Transactivation activity of Ets-1 was independent of the Pointed domain of Ets-1. Ets-1 could also enhance $NF-{\kappa}B$ and CBP transactivation of CCR7 promoter. Our results also showed that Ets-1 could modulate cancer cell transmigration by altering CCR7 expression in transwell assay and wound healing assay. Taken together, our data suggest that Ets-1 can enhance CCR7 expression and contribute to tumor cell migration.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.2056-2060
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• 2007

Transcription factor GATA-3 is the critical transcription factor for Th2 cell differentiation. In spite of its importance in Th2 cell differentiation, the molecular mechanism for its action in Th2 differentiation is poorly understood. Previous studies have suggested that GATA-3 may be involved in the chromatin remodeling in the Th2 cytokine locus. To determine whether GATA-3 exerts its effect on its target sites in the extrachromosomal status, cell transfection assay was performed. In this assay, 800 bp IL4 promoter-luciferase constructs linked with GATA-3 target sites were transfected into the M12 B cell line, D10 mouse Th2 cell lines, and human T lymphoma Jurkat cell lines with or without the GATA-3 expression vector. The GATA-3 effects on its target sites were minimal in the extrachromosomal status, supporting the previous propositions that GATA-3 functions at the chromatin level by remodeling chromatin structure.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.151-161
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• 2001

Background: Inactivation in p53 tumor suppressor gene through a point mutation and deletion is one of the most frequent genetic changes found in human cancer, with 50% of an incidence. This high rate of mutation mostly suggests that the gene plays a central role in the development of cancer and the mutations detected so far were found in exons 5 to 8. Mutation of p53 locus produced accumulation of abnormal p53 protein, and negative regulation of cell proliferation and transcriptional activation as a suppressor of transformation were lost. In addition, inhibition of its normal cellular function of wild-type by mutant is an important step in tumorigenesis. Method: 4 colon cancer cell lines (SNU C1, C2A, C4, C5) were examined for mutation in exons 5 to 8 of the p53 tumor suppressor gene by PCR-SSCP analysis and expression pattern by western blotting and immunoprecipitation. p53-mediated transactivation ability were examined by CAT assay and base substitution of p53 in SNU C2A cell were detected by DNA sequencing. Results: 1) SNU C2A cell and SNU C5 cell were detected mobility shifts each in exon 5 and exon 7 of p53 gene by the PCR-SSCP method, implicating being of p53 mutation. 2) 3 colon cancer cell lines (SNU C1, SNU C2A, SNU C5) expressed wild type and mutant type p53 protein. 3) In northern blot experiment, SNU C2A and SNU C5 cell expressed high level of p53 mRNA. 4) Results of p53-mediated transactivation in colon cancer cell lines by CAT assay represented only SNU C2A cell has transcriptional activity. 5) DNA sequencing in SNU C2A cell showed missense mutation in codon 179 of one allele, histidine to arginine and wild type p53 in the other allele. Conclusion: Colon cancer cell lines showed correlation with mutation in p53 gene and accumulation of abnormal p53 protein. Colon cancer cell SNU C2A retained p53-mediated transactivation as heterozygous p53 with one mutant allele in 179 codon and the other wild-type allele.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.682-698
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• 2000

Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) functions as a suppressor of inflammation by inhibiting the expression of many cytokine genes activated by NF-${\kappa}B$. The goal of this study is to investigate the mechanism by which GR repress NF-${\kappa}B$ activation in lung epithelial cells. We used A549 and BEAS-2B lung epithelia! cell lines. Using Ig$G{\kappa}$-NF-${\kappa}B$ luciferase reporter gene construct, we found that dexamethasone significantly suppressed TNF-$\alpha$-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ activation and the overexpression of GR showed dose-dependent reduction of TNF-$\alpha$-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ activity in both cell lines. However, DNA binding of NF-${\kappa}B$ induced by TNF-$\alpha$ in electromobility shift assay was not inhibited by dexamethasone. Super shift assay with anti-p65 antibody demonstrated the existence of p65 in NF-${\kappa}B$ complex induced by $\alpha$ Western blot showed that $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ degradation induced by TNF-$\alpha$ was not affected by dexamethasone and $I{\kappa}B{\kappa}$ was not induced by dexamethasone, neither. To evaluate p65 specific transactivation, we adopted co-transfection study of Gal4-p65TA1 or TA2 fusion protein expression system together with 5xGal4-luciferase vector. Co-transfection of GR with Gal4-p65TA1 or TA2 repressed luciferase activity profoundly to the level of 10-20% of p65TA1- or TA2-induced transcriptional activity. And this transrepressional effect was abolished by co-transfection of CBP of SRC-1 expression vectors. These results suggest that GR-mediated transrepression of NF-${\kappa}B$ in lung epithelial cells is through competing for binding to limiting amounts of transcriptional coactivators, CBP or SRC-1.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.54-58
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• 2007

Fermented soybean, Chungkookjang contains microorganism, enzyme, and diverse bioactive compounds. Isoflavones in Chungkookjang might suppress breast and prostate cancers. Using HPLC and Mass analyses, it was found that 100% ethanol extract of Chungkookjang contains aglycone forms such as genistein, daidzein, and glycitein. 8-OH-genistein, 8-OH-daidzein were not found. There are two estrogen receptors, $ER{\alpha},ER{\beta}$. $ER{\alpha}$ might stimulate proliferation of breast and prostate cancer cells, and $ER{\beta}$ might suppress their growth. Using yeast transactivation assay under the control of human ER expression, it was demonstrated that isoflavones in Chungkookjang can stimulate $ER{\beta}_{1}$, selectively.