• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제11권3호
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• pp.141-153
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• 2007

Wnt 신호 전달 과정은 다세포 생물체의 발생 과정에서 세포의 증식이나 분화를 조절하거나 성인 조직에서 항상성을 유지하는데 결정적인 역할을 한다. 따라서 Wnt 신호 전달의 조절에 이상이 생기면 암을 비롯한 다양한 질병이 유발되어진다. 최근 들어서 Wnt 신호 전달의 이상에 의해 유도될 것이라고 생각되어지는 질병의 수가 많아져서, Wnt 신호 전달의 조절에 관심을 갖는 연구자가 많아지고 있다. 많은 리뷰 논문이 출판되었지만, 대부분의 경우 Wnt 전문가들을 위한 특정 논제를 다루는 경우가 많기 때문에, 처음으로 Wnt 신호 전달을 연구하고자 하는 연구자들이 Wnt 신호 전달의 전체적인 흐름을 파악하는데 어려움을 겪는 예가 있다. 본 총설에서는 Wnt 신호 전달 과정을 전체적으로 설명함으로써 Wnt 신호 전달에서 우리가 알고 있는 사실과 앞으로 연구되어야 할 내용들을 이해하고자 한다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제33권9호
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• pp.1206-1212
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• 2023

The Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays essential roles in regulating various cellular behaviors, including proliferation, survival, and differentiation [1-3]. The intracellular β-catenin level, which is regulated by a proteasomal degradation pathway, is critical to Wnt/β-catenin pathway control [4]. Normally, casein kinase 1 (CK1) and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), which form a complex with the scaffolding protein Axin and the tumor suppressor protein adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), phosphorylate β-catenin at Ser45, Thr41, Ser37, and Ser33 [5, 6]. Phosphorylated β-catenin is ubiquitinated by the β-transducin repeat-containing protein (β-TrCP), an F-box E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, and ubiquitinated β-catenin is degraded via a proteasome pathway [7, 8]. Colorectal cancer is a significant cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Abnormal up-regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is a major pathological event in intestinal epithelial cells during human colorectal cancer oncogenesis [9]. Genetic mutations in the APC gene are observed in familial adenomatous polyposis coli (FAP) and sporadic colorectal cancers [10]. In addition, mutations in the N-terminal phosphorylation motif of the β-catenin gene were found in patients with colorectal cancer [11]. These mutations cause β-catenin to accumulate in the nucleus, where it forms complexes with transcription factors of the T-cell factor/lymphocyte enhancer factor (TCF/LEF) family to stimulate the expression of β-catenin responsive genes, such as c-Myc and cyclin D1, which leads to colorectal tumorigenesis [12-14]. Therefore, downregulating β-catenin response transcription (CRT) is a potential strategy for preventing and treating colorectal cancer. Plant cytokinins are N⁶-substituted purine derivatives; they promote cell division in plants and regulate developmental pathways. Natural cytokinins are classified as isoprenoid (isopentenyladenine, zeatin, and dihydrozeatin), aromatic (benzyladenine, topolin, and methoxytopolin), or furfural (kinetin and kinetin riboside), depending on their structure [15, 16]. Kinetin riboside was identified in coconut water and is a naturally produced cytokinin that induces apoptosis and exhibits antiproliferative activity in several human cancer cell lines [17]. However, little attention has been paid to kinetin riboside's mode of action. In this study, we show that kinetin riboside exerts its cytotoxic activity against colon cancer cells by suppressing the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and promoting intracellular β-catenin degradation.

• 한국식품저장유통학회지
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.524-528
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• 2017

Ricinus communis, belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae, has been known as medicinal plants for treatment of inflammation, tumors, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective and laxative. Compared to many pharmacological studies, the effect of R. communis extract on regulating adipogenesis as therapeutic drug for treating obesity has not been reported. R. communis extract (RCE) was investigated to determine its effects on the adipogenesis by monitoring the status of $Wnt/{\beta}-catenin$ signaling and factors involving the differentiation of adipocytes. The differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells monitored by Oil Red O staining was inhibited in concentration dependent manner by RCE. The luciferase activity of HEK 293-TOP cells containing pTOPFlash with Tcf4 response element-luciferase gene was increased approximately 2-folds by the treatment of RCE at concentrations of $100{\mu}g/mL$ compared to the control. Activation of the $Wnt/{\beta}-catenin$ pathway by RCE was further confirmed by immunocytochemical analysis which shows an increment of nuclear localization of ${\beta}-catenin$. In addition, safety of RCE was verified through performing neural stem cell morphology assay. Among the identified flavonoids in RCE, isoquercitrin was the most abundant. Therefore, these results indicate that the adipocyte differentiation was significantly reduced by isoquercitrin in R. communis. In this study, RCE suppresses the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells via the activation of $Wnt/{\beta}-catenin$ signaling.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제26권6호
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• pp.469-478
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• 2022

WNT signaling plays an important role in cardiac development, but abnormal activity is often associated with cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial infarction, remodeling, and heart failure. The effect of WNT signaling on regulation of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) secretion is unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Wnt agonist 1 (Wnta1) on ANP secretion and mechanical dynamics in beating rat atria. Wnta1 treatment significantly increased atrial ANP secretion and pulse pressure; these effects were blocked by U73122, an antagonist of phospholipase C. U73122 also abolished the effects of Wnta1-mediated upregulation of protein kinase C (PKC) β and γ expression, and the PKC antagonist Go 6983 eliminated Wnta1-induced secretion of ANP. In addition, Wnta1 upregulated levels of phospho-transforming growth factor-β activated kinase 1 (p-TAK1), TAK1 banding 1 (TAB1) and phospho-activating transcription factor 2 (p-ATF2); these effects were blocked by both U73122 and Go 6983. Wnta1-induced ATF2 was abrogated by inhibition of TAK1. Furthermore, Wnta1 upregulated the expression of T cell factor (TCF) 3, TCF4, and lymphoid enhancer factor 1 (LEF1), and these effects were blocked by U73122 and Go 6983. Tak1 inhibition abolished the Wnta1-induced expression of TCF3, TCF4, and LEF1 and Wnta1-mediated ANP secretion and changes in mechanical dynamics. These results suggest that Wnta1 increased the secretion of ANP and mechanical dynamics in beating rat atria by activation of PKC-TAK1-ATF2-TCF3/LEF1 and TCF4/LEF1 signaling mainly via the WNT/Ca²⁺ pathway. It is also suggested that WNT-ANP signaling is implicated in cardiac physiology and pathophysiology.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.21-30
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• 2024

The challenging clinical outcomes associated with advanced cervical cancer underscore the need for a novel therapeutic approach. Monensin, a polyether antibiotic, has recently emerged as a promising candidate with anti-cancer properties. In line with these ongoing efforts, our study presents compelling evidence of monensin's potent efficacy in cervical cancer. Monensin exerts a pronounced inhibitory impact on proliferation and anchorage-independent growth. Additionally, monensin significantly inhibited cervical cancer growth in vivo without causing any discernible toxicity in mice. Mechanism studies show that monensin's anti-cervical cancer activity can be attributed to its capacity to inhibit the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, rather than inducing oxidative stress. Monensin effectively reduces both the levels and activity of β-catenin, and we identify Akt, rather than CK1, as the key player involved in monensin-mediated Wnt/β-catenin inhibition. Rescue studies using Wnt activator and β-catenin-overexpressing cells confirmed that β-catenin inhibition is the mechanism of monensin's action. As expected, cervical cancer cells exhibiting heightened Wnt/β-catenin activity display increased sensitivity to monensin treatment. In conclusion, our findings provide pre-clinical evidence that supports further exploration of monensin's potential for repurposing in cervical cancer therapy, particularly for patients exhibiting aberrant Wnt/β-catenin activation.

• BMB Reports
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• 제42권6호
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• pp.338-343
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• 2009

The Wnt/$\beta$-catenin signaling pathway alters adipocyte differentiation by inhibiting adipogenic gene expression. $\beta$-catenin plays a central role in the Wnt/$\beta$-catenin signaling pathway. In this study, we revealed that tumour necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$), a potential negative regulator of adipocyte differentiation, inhibits porcine adipogenesis through activation of the Wnt/$\beta$-catenin signaling pathway. Under the optimal concentration of TNF-$\alpha$, the intracellular $\beta$-catenin protein was stabilized. Thus, the intracellular lipid accumulation of porcine preadipocyte was suppressed and the expression of important adipocyte marker genes, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-$\gamma$ (PPAR$\gamma$) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-$\alpha$ (C/EBP$\alpha$), were inhibited. However, a loss of $\beta$-catenin in porcine preadipocytes enhanced the adipogenic differentiation and attenuated TNF-$\alpha$ induced anti-adipogenesis. Taken together, this study indicated that TNF-$\alpha$ inhibits adipogenesis through stabilization of $\beta$-catenin protein in porcine preadipocytes.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.177-184
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• 2007

Approximately 200 individual skeletal elements, which differ in shape and size, are the building blocks of the vertebrate skeleton. Various features of the individual skeletal elements, such as their location, shape, growth and differentiation rate, are being determined during embryonic development. A few skeletal elements, such as the lateral halves of the clavicle and parts of the skull are formed by a process called intramembranous ossification, whereby mesenchymal cells differentiate directly into osteoblasts, while the majority of skeletal elements are formed via endochondral ossification. The latter process starts with the formation of a cartilaginous template, which eventually is being replaced by bone. This requires co-regulation of differentiation of the cell-types specific for cartilage and bone, chondrocytes and osteoblasts, respectively. In recent years it has been demonstrated that Wnt family members and their respective intracellular pathways, such as non-canonical and the canonical $Wnt/{\beta}$-catenin pathway, play important and diverse roles during different steps of vertebrate skeletal development. Based on the recent discoveries modulation of the canonical Wnt-signaling pathway could be an interesting approach to direct stem cells into certain skeletal lineages.

• BMB Reports
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• 제55권5호
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• pp.232-237
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• 2022

The Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays crucial roles in early development, tissue homeostasis, stem cells, and cancers. Here, we show that RNF152, an E3 ligase localized to lysosomes, acts as a negative regulator of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway during Xenopus early embryogenesis. Overexpression of wild-type (WT) RNF152 inhibited XWnt8-induced stabilization of β-catenin, ectopic expression of target genes, and activity of a Wnt-responsive promoter. Likewise, an E3 ligase-defective RNF152 had repressive effects on the Wnt-dependent gene responses but not its truncation mutant lacking the transmembrane domain. Conversely, knockdown of RNF152 further enhanced the transcriptional responses induced by XWnt8. RNF152 morphants exhibited defects in craniofacial structures and pigmentation. In line with this, the gain-of-RNF152 function interfered with the expression of neural crest (NC) markers, whereas its depletion up-regulated NC formation in the early embryo. Mechanistically, RNF152 inhibits the polymerization of Dishevelled, which is key to Wnt signaling, in an E3 ligase-independent manner. Together, these results suggest that RNF152 controls negatively Wnt/β-catenin signaling to fine-tune its activity for NC formation in Xenopus embryo.

• BMB Reports
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• 제49권9호
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• pp.455-456
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• 2016

Mutations of APC and KRAS are frequently observed in human colorectal cancers (CRCs) and the Wnt/β-catenin and Ras pathways are consequently activated in a significant proportion of CRC patients. Mutations in these two genes are also known to synergistically induce progression of CRCs. Through a series of studies, we have demonstrated that inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway negatively regulates Ras stability, therefore, Ras abundance is increased together with β-catenin in both mice and human CRCs harboring adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) mutations. In a recent study, we identified KY1220, a small molecule that simultaneously degrades β-catenin and Ras by inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, and obtained its derivative KYA1797K, which has improved activity and solubility. We found that KYA1797K binds the RGS domain of axin and enhances the binding affinity of β-catenin or Ras with the β-catenin destruction complex components, leading to simultaneous destabilization of β-catenin and Ras via GSK3β activation. By using both in vitro and in vivo studies, we showed that KYA1797K suppressed the growth of CRCs harboring APC and KRAS mutations through destabilization of β-catenin and Ras. Therefore, our findings indicate that the simultaneous destabilization of β-catenin and Ras via targeting axin may serve as an effective strategy for inhibition of CRCs.

• 한국재료학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국재료학회 2010년도 춘계학술발표대회
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• pp.44.2-44.2
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• 2010

최근 골손상이 있을 경우 골 형성을 유도하고 기능을 부여하여 단순한 골조직의 대체를 위한 지지체가 아닌 한층 더 나아간 지지체의 연구가 활발히 진행되고 있다. 뼈 형성 억제 인자를 억제하거나 촉진인자를 첨가하여 뼈의 형성이 증가시키고, 뼈 형성과정에 관여하는 신호체계를 유도하는 어떤 물질을 첨가하여 뼈의 형성을 증가시킬 수 있다. 줄기세포는 다양한 세포로 분화할 수 있는 능력이 있는데 그 과정에서 여러 가지 signal이 관여한다. 그 중 wnt signaling은 줄기 세포가 분화하는 과정뿐만 아니라 세포의 사멸, 이동에 있어서도 매우 중요한 역할을 하며, 줄기세포의 운명 결정에 영향을 미친다고 알려져 있다. Silicon은 조골세포의 부착과 증식, 세포의 활성을 증가시키며 뼈의 형성과정과 석회화 과정에서 중요한 역할을 한다. 또한 BMP-2, collagen 등과 같은 유전자의 발현을 증가시킨다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 Silicon이 조골세포로의 분화과정에 관여하는 신호전달 중 wnt 신호에 미치는 영향에 대해 유전자의 발현 양상과 단백질의 발현 양상을 살펴보기 위해 각각 RT-PCR과 western-blotting을 수행하였다.