• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.11
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• pp.559-564
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• 2022

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most prevalent diseases in modern society. Many complicationssuch as hepatic cirrhosis, neuropathy, cardiac infarction, and so on are associated with diabetes. Although a relationship between diabetes and hair loss has been recently reported, the treatment of diabetic hair loss by Wnt/β-catenin activators has not been achieved yet. In this study, we found that the depilation-induced anagen phase was delayed in both db/db mice and high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. In diabetic mice, both hair regrowth and wound-induced hair follicle neogenesis (WIHN) were reduced because of suppression of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and decreased proliferation of hair follicle cells. We identified that KY19382, a small molecule that activates Wnt/β-catenin signaling, restored the capabilities of regrowth and WIHN in diabetic mice. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling activator also increased the length of the human hair follicle which was decreased under high glucose culture conditions. Overall, the diabetic condition reduced both hair regrowth and regeneration with suppression of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Consequently, the usage of Wnt/β-catenin signaling activators could be a potential strategy to treat diabetes-induced alopecia patients.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2005.05a
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• pp.189-189
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• 2005

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Life Science Conference
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• 2007.10a
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• pp.72.2-72.2
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• 2007

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• Molecules and Cells
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• v.46 no.7
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• pp.441-450
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• 2023

β-Catenin (Ctnnb1) has been shown to play critical roles in the development and maintenance of epithelial cells, including the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Ctnnb1 is not only a component of intercellular junctions in the epithelium, it also functions as a transcriptional regulator in the Wnt signaling pathway. To identify which of its functional modalities is critically involved in mouse RPE development and maintenance, we varied Ctnnb1 gene content and activity in mouse RPE lineage cells and tested their impacts on mouse eye development. We found that a Ctnnb1 double mutant (Ctnnb1^dm), which exhibits impaired transcriptional activity, could not replace Ctnnb1 in the RPE, whereas Ctnnb1^Y654E, which has reduced affinity for the junctions, could do so. Expression of the constitutively active Ctnnb1^∆ex3 mutant also suppressed the development of RPE, instead facilitating a ciliary cell fate. However, the post-mitotic or mature RPE was insensitive to the loss, inactivation, or constitutive activation of Ctnnb1. Collectively, our results suggest that Ctnnb1 should be maintained within an optimal range to specify RPE through transcriptional regulation of Wnt target genes in the optic neuroepithelium.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.234-241
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• 2021

Dermal papilla cells (DPCs) are present throughout the hair cycle and play an essential role in hair cycle and hair growth. In this study, we investigated the effect of Carex dispalata on the activation of anagen pathway in DPCs. C. dispalata extract increased the proliferation of DPCs and induced changes in the levels of cell cycle-related proteins. To elucidate the mechanism by which C. dispalata extract stimulates the anagen pathway related to the proliferation of DPCs, we evaluated the effect of C. dispalata extract on the activation of Akt signaling. The increase in the level of phospho-Akt by C. dispalata extract was inhibited by PI3K inhibitor (wortmannin). Wortmannin reduced the effects of C. dispalata extract on the levels of cell cycle-related proteins and proliferation of DPCs. C. dispalata extract increased the levels of Wnt/β-catenin proteins. Wnt/β-catenin inhibitor (XAV939) inhibited changes in cell cycle, cell cycle-related proteins, Wnt/β-catenin proteins, and proliferation induced by C. dispalata extract. C. dispalata extract increased the level of autophagy protein (LC3I/II), and this change was inhibited by XAV939. These results suggest that C. dispalata extract can activate PI3K/Akt, Wnt/β-catenin, and autophagy pathways in DPCs to induce cell proliferation, and thereby promote hair growth phase.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.67-73
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• 2021

This study summarizes the recent cutting-edge approaches for dentin regeneration that still do not offer adequate solutions. Tertiary dentin is formed when odontoblasts are directly affected by various stimuli. Recent preclinical studies have reported that stimulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway could facilitate the formation of reparative dentin and thereby aid in the structural and functional development of the tertiary dentin. A range of signaling pathways, including the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, is activated when dental tissues are damaged and the pulp is exposed. The application of small molecules for dentin regeneration has been suggested as a drug repositioning approach. This study reviews the role of Wnt signaling in tooth formation, particularly dentin formation and dentin regeneration. In addition, the application of the drug repositioning strategy to facilitate the development of new drugs for dentin regeneration has been discussed in this study.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.1136-1142
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• 2019

The root of Paeonia lactiflora has been used in Chinese medicine. We conducted to check the comparative qualities of ethanol solvent extraction (PLE) and supercritical carbon dioxide extraction (PLS) of P. lactiflora root. PLE had higher antioxidant and polyphenol contents than PLS. But, PLS were significantly increased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-α. In addition, PLS inhibited the adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. When treated with the extract at a concentration of 100 ㎍/mL, the Wnt/β-catenin pathway reporter luciferase activity of HEK 293-TOP cells increased approximately by 3-folds compared to that of the untreated control group. These results indicate that P. lactiflora supercritical carbon dioxide extract may serve as a cosmeceutical for improving skin barrier function and the treatment of obesity.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.341-347
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• 2019

Luffa cylindrica (LC) is a very fast-growing climber and its fruit have been considered as agricultural wastes. We conducted to check the comparative qualities of ethanol solvent extraction (LCE) and supercritical carbon dioxide extraction (LCS) of L. cylindrica fruit and seed. LCS had higher antioxidant and polyphenol contents than LCE. LCS were significantly increased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-a and involucrin expression as epidermal differentiation marker in 3D skin equivalent model. LCS also showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, a causative bacteria in atopic dermatitis. In addition, LCS inhibited the adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. When treated with the extract at a concentration of 100 ㎍/mL, the Wnt/β-catenin pathway reporter luciferase activity of HEK 293-TOP cells was increased approximately by 2-folds compared to that of the untreated control group. These results indicate that L. cylindrica supercritical carbon dioxide extract may serve as a cosmeceutical for improving skin barrier function and the treatment of obesity.

• The Zoological Society Korea : Newsletter
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.16-25
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• 2001

Wnt signaling의 주요 분자인 $\beta$-catenin의 기능과 조절에 관한 연구, 특히 TCF family 단백질과 함께 작용하는 신호전달에 관한 연구가 최근에 활발히 진행되고 있다. $\beta$-catenin 단백질은 Drosophila나 Xenopus의 발생초기에 중요한 역할을 한다는 것이 알려져 있고 Wnt (Wingless) 단백질에 의하여 활성화되는 신호전달 과정에 관여한다고 알려져 있으므로, TCF 단백질들이 Wnt signalling pathway에 작용한다는 것을 의미한다. 즉, $\beta$-catenin/TCF complex는 발생초기의 세포의 운명을 결정하는 세포의 분화에 중요하리라 생각된다. 또한 $\beta$-catenin/TCF complex는 세포의 암화에도 중요하다는 것이 보고되었다. 정상세포의 경우, $\beta$-catenin은 APC 라는 tumor suppressor에 의하여 결합하고 단백질의 분해가 유도되어 핵 안의 TCF와 결합하지 못하는데, 암세포의 경우 APC가 결실되었거나 $\beta$-catenin의 양이 과도하게 발현되어 암세포화 되는 것으로 보인다. 즉, $\beta$-catenin은 일종의 oncogene으로 작용하는 단백질이며, 그 작용에 필수적인 전사인자가 TCF라는 것이다. 특히, 대장암세포에서 이 $\beta$-catenin/TCF complex에 의해 활성화되는 유전자로서 c-myc과 cyclin Dl 등이 있는 것으로 보아, $\beta$-catenin/TCF 단백질은 세포의 증식 및 사멸에 관여하는 단백질들의 발현을 조절하는 매우 중요한 인자라고 생각된다.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.9
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• pp.1301-1309
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• 2011

The major function of adipocytes is to store fat in the form of triglycerides. One of the signaling pathways known to affect adipogenesis, i.e. fat formation, is the WNT/${\beta}$-catenin pathway which inhibits the expression and activity of key regulators of adipogenesis. The purpose of this research is to find genes among the WNT/${\beta}$-catenin pathway which regulate adipogenesis by using small interfering (si) RNA and to find the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the gene with serum triglyceride levels in the human population. To elucidate the effects of ${\beta}$-catenin siRNA on adipogenesis key factors, PPAR${\gamma}$ and C/EBP${\alpha}$, we performed real-time PCR and western blotting experiments for the analyses of mRNA and protein levels. It was found that the siRNA-mediated knockdown of ${\beta}$-catenin upregulates adipogenesis key factors. However, upstream regulators of the WNT/${\beta}$-catenin pathway, such as DVL2 and LRP6, had no significant effects compared to ${\beta}$-catenin. These results indicate that ${\beta}$-catenin is a candidate gene for human fat accumulation. In general, serum triglyceride level is a good indicator of fat accumulation in humans. According to statistical analyses of the association between serum triglyceride level and SNPs of ${\beta}$-catenin, -10,288 C>T SNP (rs7630377) in the promoter region was significantly associated with serum triglyceride levels (p<0.05) in 290 Korean subjects. On the other hand, serum cholesterol levels were not significantly associated with SNPs of the ${\beta}$-catenin gene. The results of this study showed that ${\beta}$-catenin is associated with fat accumulation both in vitro and in the human population.