• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.399-409
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• 2022

Objective: Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is the central hormone involved in mammalian reproduction, maturation at puberty, and gamete production that mediates its function by control of follicle growth and function. The present study investigated the mutations involved in the regulation of FSH receptor (FSHR) activation. Methods: We analyzed seven naturally-occurring mutations that were previously reported in human FSHR (hFSHR), in the context of equine FSHR (eFSHR); these include one constitutively activation variant, one allelic variant, and five inactivating variants. These mutations were introduced into wild-type eFSHR (eFSHR-wt) sequence to generate mutants that were designated as eFSHR-D566G, -A306T, -A189V, -N191I, -R572C, -A574V, and -R633H. Mutants were transfected into PathHunter EA-parental CHO-K1 cells expressing β-arrestin. The biological function of mutants was analyzed by quantitating cAMP accumulation in cells incubated with increasing concentrations of FSH. Results: Cells expressing eFSHR-D566G exhibited an 8.6-fold increase in basal cAMP response, as compared to that in eFSHR-wt. The allelic variation mutant eFSHR-A306T was not found to affect the basal cAMP response or half maximal effective concentration (EC₅₀) levels. On the other hand, eFSHR-D566G and eFSHR-A306T displayed a 1.5- and 1.4-fold increase in the maximal response, respectively. Signal transduction was found to be completely impaired in case of the inactivating mutants eFSHR-A189V, -R572C, and -A574V. When compared with eFSHR-wt, eFSHR-N191I displayed a 5.4-fold decrease in the EC₅₀ levels (3,910 ng/mL) and a 2.3-fold decrease in the maximal response. In contrast, cells expressing eFSHR-R633H displayed in a similar manner to that of the cells expressing the eFSHR-wt on signal transduction and maximal response. Conclusion: The activating mutant eFSHR-D566G greatly enhanced the signal transduction in response to FSH, in the absence of agonist treatment. We suggest that the state of activation of the eFSHR can modulate its basal cAMP accumulation.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.51-60
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• 2004

Objective : The effect Saenggitang (GT), which has been used for amnesia, in Oriental Medicine, on memory and learning ability, was investigated. Methods : Hot water extracts (HWE) of SGT were used for the studies. In passive avoidance performances (step through test), active avoidance performances (lever press test), Motor activity, pentobarbital-induced sleep, 20 and 50 mg/100g of SGT-HWE ameliorated the memory retrieval deficit induced by 40% ethanol. Results : The SGT-HWE did not affect the ambulatory activity of normal mice in normal condition. 20 and 50 mg/100g of SGT-HWE enhanced contextual fear memory, but not cued fear memory in a fear conditioning task, which requires the activation of the NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartase) receptor. SGT-HWE did not affect the motor activity measured by the titling type ambulometer test performed immediately and 24 hr after the administration. SGT-HWE prolonged the sleeping time induced by 50 mg/kg pentobarbital in mice and decreased SMA (spontaneous motor activity) in active avoidance performances (lever press test). Conclusion : These results indicate that the SGT-HWE have an improving effect on the memory retrieval disability induced by ethanol and may act as a stimulating factor for activating the NMDA receptor. and the SGT-HWE has a tranquilizing and anti-anxiety action.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.47-55
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• 2007

Objectives : This study was carried out to know the effect of Cordyceps sinensis(CS) on the immune inflammatory responses of spleen cells and function or immunocytes of the normal mouse. Methodes: We investigated effects of Cordyceps sinensis(CS) on normal immunocytes, gene expression of IL-12, IFN-$\gamma$ and surface-receptor expression of $CD3_{\epsilon}+$, CD4+, CD8+ and CD19+ cells were measured by PCR and FACS. Results : CS activated adhisive splenic cells morphologically as compared with the control group in the normal spleen cells of BALB/C mice. CS enhanced gene expression of interleukin-12 and interferon-gamma in a dose-dependent manner in the normal spleen cells of BALB/C mice. CS reduced the number of activating cells and surface-receptor expression of CD4+, CD8+ and CD19+. Conclusion : Cordyceps sinensis will be used as a stable remedium in the auto-immune diseases.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.57-65
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• 2007

Objectives : We examined to know the effect of Cordyceps sinensis(CS) on arthritis mouse induced by type II collagen. Methods : To analyse immunomodulatory effects of CS, arthritis index, incidence, hind paw edema, DTH, spleen weight, the number of hemocytes, and surface-receptor expression of CD4+, CD8+ and CD19+ cells in DBA/IJ mice which is experimental model of arthritis induced by collagen were measured in vivo. Results: CS reduced arthritis index, incidence, hind paw edema and DTH significantly as compared with the control group in experimental model of arthritis induced by collagen. CS enhanced the spleen weight significantly as compared with the control group but didn't enhanced the number of leukocytes and thrombocytes in experimental model of arthritis. CS enhanced the number of activating cells and surface-receptor expression of CD4+, CD8+ cells as compared with the control group but didn't enhanced those of CD19+ cells in experimental model of arthritis. Conclusion : We found out that CS may have a suppressing effect againist auto-immune disease and will be need continuous research in looking for the more effective mechanism in the future.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.215-220
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• 2009

Chlorpheniramine is a potent first-generation histamine $H_1$ receptor antagonist that can increase action potential duration and induce QT prolongation in several animal models. Since block of cardiac human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) channels is one of leading causes of acquired long QT syndrome, we investigated the acute effects of chlorpheniramine on hERG channels to determine the electrophysiological basis for its proarrhythmic potential. We examined the effects of chlorpheniramine on the hERG channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes using two-microelectrode voltage-clamp techniques. Chlorpheniramine induced a concentration-dependent decrease of the current amplitude at the end of the voltage steps and hERG tail currents. The $IC_{50}$ of chlorpheniramine-dependent hERG block in Xenopus oocytes decreased progressively relative to the degree of depolarization. Chlorpheniramine affected the channels in the activated and inactivated states but not in the closed states. The S6 domain mutations Y652A and F656A partially attenuated (Y652A) or abolished (F656A) the hERG current block. These results suggest that the $H_1$ antihistamine, chlorpheniramine is a blocker of the hERG channels, providing a molecular mechanism for the drug-induced arrhythmogenic side effects.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2002

A role of Src family protein Tyrosine kinases (SFK) as mediators of receptor-ligand initiated responses is well established. Well documented, but less well understood is the role of SFK in cellular reaction to stresses. Evidence from the wide variety of experimental systems indicates that SFK mediate responses to all major classes of stress, including oxidation, DNA damage, mechanical impacts, and protein denaturing. SFK may be activated by stresses directly or via regulatory circuits whose identity is not yet fully understood. Depending on the cell type and the nature of activating stimulus, SFK may activate known downstream signaling cascades leading to cell survival, proliferation, cytoskeletal rearrangement, and apoptosis; the identity of these cascades is discussed. As in the case of receptor-initiated signaling, roles of individual SFK in various stress response may be redundant or non-redundant. Although signals generated by different stresses are generally transduced via distinct SFK pathways, these pathways may overlap or exhibit crosstalk. In some cell types stress-induced activation of SFK promotes survival and inhibits apoptosis, whereas the opposite may be true for other cell types. Stress responses constitute a new and rapidly developing area of SFK-mediated signaling.

• BMB Reports
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.150-155
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• 2017

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the third most common cancer that spreads to the bone, resulting in osteolytic lesions caused by hyperactivation of osteoclasts. Activating mutations in epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase (EGF-TK) are frequently associated with NSCLC, and afatinib is a first-line therapeutic drug, irreversibly targeting EGF-TK. However, the effects of afatinib on osteoclast differentiation and activation as well as the underlying mechanism remain unclear. In this study, afatinib significantly suppressed receptor activator of nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ (RANK) ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast formation in bone marrow macrophages (BMMs). Consistently, afatinib inhibited the expression of osteoclast marker genes, whereas, it upregulated the expression of negative modulator genes. The bone resorbing activity of osteoclasts was also abrogated by afatinib. In addition, afatinib significantly inhibited RANKL-mediated Akt/protein kinase B and c-Jun N-terminal kinase phosphorylation. These results suggest that afatinib substantially suppresses osteoclastogenesis by downregulating RANK signaling pathways, and thus may reduce osteolysis after bone metastasis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.299-304
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• 2010

Losartan is a selective angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 ($AT_1$) receptor antagonist which inhibits vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) contraction and proliferation. We hypothesized that losartan may prevent cell proliferation by activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in VSMCs. VSMCs were treated with various concentrations of losartan. AMPK activation was measured by Western blot analysis and cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay and flowcytometry. Losartan dose- and time-dependently increased the phosphorylation of AMPK and its downstream target, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) in VSMCs. Losartan also significantly decreased the Ang II- or 15% FBS-induced VSMC proliferation by inhibiting the expression of cell cycle associated proteins, such as p-Rb, cyclin D, and cyclin E. Compound C, a specific inhibitor of AMPK, or AMPK siRNA blocked the losartan-induced inhibition of cell proliferation and the $G_0/G_1$ cell cycle arrest. These data suggest that losartan-induced AMPK activation might attenuate Ang II-induced VSMC proliferation through the inhibition of cell cycle progression.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1998.11a
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• pp.177-177
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• 1998

In the previous report, tetrandrine (TET) and fangchinoline (FAN) showed antithrombotic and antiplatelet aggregation activities. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of tetrandrine and fangchinoline on human platelet aggregation, formation of thromboxane B$_2$ and coagulation of platelet poor plasma. TET and FAN inhibited platelet activating factor (PAF) induced human platelet aggregation, but didn't inhibit the specific binding of PAF to its receptor. Meanwhile, TET and FAN also inhibited PAF, thrombin and arachidonic acid induced thromboxane B$_2$ formation in human washed platelets. In addition, neither TET nor FAN showed any anticoagulation activities in the measurement of the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT) and thrombin time (TT) using human platelet poor plasma. These results suggest that antithrombotic effects of TET and FAN in mice may be mainly related to the antiplatelet aggregation activities, and the antiplatelet aggregation effects may be related to the intracellular messenger system such as TXA$_2$ formation etc., but not to the binding of PAF to PAF-receptor on the platelet membrane directly.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.99-104
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• 2012

The present study was performed to evaluate the relationship between the neurotoxicity of acrylamide and the differential gene expression pattern in mice. Both locomotor test and rota-rod test showed that the group treated with higher than 30 mg/kg/day of acrylamide caused impaired motor activity in mice. Based on cDNA microarray analysis of mouse brain, myelin basic protein gene, kinesin family member 5B gene, and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 1 and its receptor genes were down-regulated by acrylamide. The genes are known to be essential for neurofilament synthesis, axonal transport, and neuroprotection, respectively. Interestingly, both FGF 1 and its receptor genes were down-regulated. Genes involved in nucleic acid binding such as AU RNA binding protein/enoyl-coA hydratase, translation initiation factor (TIF) 2 alpha kinase 4, activating transcription factor 2, and U2AF 1 related sequence 1 genes were down-regulated. More interesting finding was that genes of both catalytic and regulatory subunit of protein phosphatases which are important for signal transduction pathways were down-regulated. Here, we propose that acrylamide induces neurotoxicity by regulation of genes associated with neurofilament synthesis, axonal transport, neuro-protection, and signal transduction pathways.