• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.99-107
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• 2019

Objective : The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of Chaenomelis Fructus (CF) on the regulation of biogenesis in C2C12 mouse skeletal muscle cells. Methods : C2C12 myoblasts were differentiated into myotubes in 2% horse serum-containing medium for 5 days, and then treated with CF extract at different concentrations for 48 hr. The expression of muscle differentiation markers, myogenin and myosin heavy chain (MHC) and mitochondrial biogenesis-regulating factors, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1alpha (PGC1α), sirtuin1 (Sirt1), nuclear respiratory factor1 (NRF1) and transcription factor A, mitochondrial (TFAM), and the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) were determined in C2C12 myotubes by reverse transcriptase (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot, respectively. The cellular glucose levels and total ATP contents were measured by cellular glucose uptake and ATP assays, respectively. Results : Treatment with CF extract (0.01, 0.02, and 0.05 mg/㎖) significantly increased the expression of MHC protein in C2C12 myotubes compared with non-treated cells. CF extract significantly increased the expression of PGC1α and TFAM in the myotubes. Also, CF extract significantly increased glucose uptake levels and ATP contents in the myotubes. Conclusion : CF extract can stimulate C2C12 myoblasts differentiation into myotubes and increase energy production through upregulation of the expression of mitochondrial biogenetic factors in C2C12 mouse skeletal muscle cell. This suggests that CF can help to improve skeletal muscle function with stimulation of the energy metabolism.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.8
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• pp.864-872
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• 2017

Equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) consists of highly glycosylated ${\alpha}-$ and ${\beta}-subunits$ and is a unique member of the gonadotropin family, because it elicits the response characteristics of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in species other than the horse. To directly assess the biological function of $rec-eCG{\beta}/{\alpha}$, we constructed mammalian expressing vectors of equine luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin receptors (eLH/CGR). The activity of $rec-eCG{\beta}/{\alpha}$ in vitro assayed in transient transfected CHO-K1 cells and in stably transfected PathHunter Parental cells with eLH/CGR was investigated. $rec-eCG{\beta}/{\alpha}$ was efficiently secreted in the CHO-K1 suspension cell media, and the quantity detected was about 200 mIU/ml from 1 to 7 days after transfection. In the western blot analysis, the $rec-eCG{\beta}/{\alpha}$ protein was broadly identified to be about 40~45 kDa molecular weight. The cAMP stimulation in CHO-K1 cells expressing eLH/CGR was determined to evaluate the activity of $rec-eCG{\beta}/{\alpha}$. The cAMP concentration increased in direct proportion to the concentration of the $rec-eCG{\beta}/{\alpha}$. The $EC_{50}$ value in the transient transfected CHO-K1 cells was $8.1{\pm}6.5ng$. The stable cell lines of eLH/CGR were established in the PathHunter Parental cells expressing ${\beta}-arrestin$. We found that $rec-eCG{\beta}/{\alpha}$ had full LH activity in the PathHunter Parental cells expressing eLH/CGR. The $EC_{50}$ value in transient and stable cells was $5.0{\pm}4.7ng/ml$ and $4.5{\pm}5.2ng/ml$, respectively. These results suggest that $rec-eCG{\beta}/{\alpha}$ has a biological activity in a cell expressing eLH/CGR. These stable cells expressed in PathHunter Parental cells could be useful for elucidating the functional mechanisms of deglycosylated $rec-eCG{\beta}/{\alpha}$ mutants.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.60-70
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• 2015

In this study, we investigated the effects of cordycepin-enriched (CE)-WIB801C, a n-butanol extract of Cordyceps militaris-hypha on collagen-stimulated platelet aggregation. CE-WIB801C dose dependently inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation, and had a synergistic effect together with cordycepin (W-cordycepin) from CE-WIB801C on the inhibition of collagen-induced platelet aggregation. CE-WIB801C and cordycepin stimulated the phosphorylation of VASP ($Ser^{157}$) and the dephosphorylation of PI3K and Akt, and inhibited the binding of fibrinogen to glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (${\alpha}IIb/{\beta}3$) and the release of ATP and serotonin in collagen-induced platelet aggregation. A-kinase inhibitor Rp-8-Br-cAMPS reduced CE-WIB801C-, and cordycepin-increased VASP ($Ser^{157}$) phosphorylation, and increased CE-WIB801C-, and cordycepin-inhibited the fibrinogen binding to ${\alpha}IIb/{\beta}3$. Therefore, we demonstrate that CE-WIB801C-, and cordycepin-inhibited fibrinogen binding to ${\alpha}IIb/{\beta}3$are due to stimulation of cAMP-dependent phosphorylation of VASP ($Ser^{157}$), and inhibition of PI3K/Akt phosphorylation. These results strongly indicate that CE-WIB801C and cordycepin may have preventive or therapeutic potential for platelet aggregation-mediated diseases, such as thrombosis, myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, and ischemic cerebrovascular disease.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.131-137
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• 2006

RGS is a negative regulator of G-protein signaling and can be identified by the presence of a conserved $120{sim}125$ amino acid motif, which is referred to as the RGS box. A number of RGSs are induced in response to a wide variety of stimuli. Increased levels of RGSs lead to significant decreases in GPCR responsiveness. To obtain further evidence of a role of RGS proteins in rat C6 astrocytoma cells, we first determined the expression profile of RGS-specific mRNA in C6 cells using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with a poly dT18 primer and transcript-specific primers. We found that RGS2, RGS3, RGS6, RGS9, RGS10, RGS12, and RGS16 were differentially expressed in C6 astrocytoma cells. The highest expression rate was found for RGS3, followed by RGS16, RGS10 and RGS9, whereas the expression level for RGS2 was barely detectable. We next assessed whether forskolin regulated the expression of RGSs expressed in C6 astrocytoma cells. The present study found that forskolin dose-dependently stimulated the expression of RGS2 transcripts. This up-regulation of RGS2 gene was abrogated by H-89, potent and broad-spectrum protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitors. Actinomycin D completely inhibited the up-regulation of RGS2 gene induced by forskolin $(10{\mu}M)$, indicating that the regulation of RGS2 gene is controlled at the transcriptional level. In addition, forskolin did significantly activate transcriptional cAMP response element (CRE) in either HEK 293 cells or C6 cells and did not modulate the $NF-{\kappa}B$ and AP-l activity as measured by luciferase reporter gene assay. Finally, forskolin induced the expression of RGS2 mRNA in C6 astrocytoma cells, which depend on the PKA pathway and CRE transcriptional pathways.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.187-202
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• 1984

There are evidences that exogenous electric currents are capable of enhancing bone formation and resolution, and that the conversion of the bioelectric response to biochemical activity provides the directional component of orthodontic tooth movement. In addition, evidence has implicated cyclic nucleotides in alveolar bone cellular activation mechanism during orthodontic tooth movement. In view of these evidences, this study was performed to investigate the effects of exogenous electric currents on cyclic nuclotide levels in feline alveolar bone and the possible clinical application of electric currents as an additional orthodontic tool. In the first study, three groups of three adult cats were subjected to application of a constant direct current of $10{\pm}2$ microamperes to gingival tissue near maxillary canine noninvasively for 1, 3, and 7 days respectively. In the second study, three groups of three adult cats each were treated by an electric-orthodontic procedure for 1, 3, and 7 days respectively. The left maxillary (control) canine received an orthodontic force of 80gm alone at time of initiation, while the right maxillary (experimental) canine received combined force-electric stimulation (80gm of force and $10{\pm}2$ microamperes of a constant D.C. currents). Alveola, bone samples were obtain from the mesial (tension and/or cathode) and the distal (compression and/or anode) sites surrounding maxillary canines as well as from contralateral control sites. The samples were extracted, boiled, homogenized, and the supernatants were assayed for cyclic nucleotides (cAMP, cGMP) by a radioimmunoassay method. And also the amount of tooth movement was measured in the second study. On the basis of this study, the following conclusions can be drawn: 1. The fluctuation pattern of cyclic nucleotide levels in alveolar bone treated by exogenous electric currents was similar to that treated by orthodontic force. 2. The cAMP levels in alveolar bone of electrically treated teeth significantly elevated above the control values. And of electrically treated teeth, the values of the anode sites were higher than those of the cathode sites. 9. The cGMP levels in alveolar bone of electrically treated teeth elevated above the control values at the initiation phase of treatment, but dropped below the control values at time of termination. And of electrically treated teeth, the values of the cathode sites were higher than those of the anode sites. 4. The rate of tooth movement in teeth . treated by force-electric combination increased with the length of treatment as compared to that treated by mechanical force alone.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.574-580
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• 2009

Melanogenesis is induced mainly by ultraviolet radiation of sunlight and ${\alpha}$-Melanocyte stimulation hormone (${\alpha}$-MSH) which binds to a specific G protein coupled receptor. ${\alpha}$-MSH and cAMP-elevating agents are known to melanin syntheisis and dendrite outgrowth. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of melanogenesis inhibition in B16/F10 cells by ethanol extract of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba. In the present study, ${\alpha}$-MSH led to a stimulation of melanin synthesis that appeared to result from an increased tyrosinase activity and melanin content. However, the ethanol extract of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba inhibited the ${\alpha}$-MSH-induced tyrosinase activity and melanin content. In control conditions, B16/F10 cells displayed a fibroblastic appearance while ${\alpha}$-MSH treatment promoted the emergence of small and numerous dendrites from the plasma membrane. The ethanol extract of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba abolished the ${\alpha}$-MSH-induced dendricity. Regarding protein levels of the melanogenic enzymes, the amounts of tyrosinase were increased after incubation with ${\alpha}$-MSH. The treatment of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba ethanol extract decreased the ${\alpha}$-MSH expression levels of tyrosinase. Based on these findings, it is likely that the ethanol extract of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba exerts its depigmenting effects in B16/F10 cells through the suppression of tyrosinase expression, which are key enzymes for melanogenesis.

• Proceedings of the Korean Biophysical Society Conference
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• 2003.06a
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• pp.29-29
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• 2003

Compartmentation of intracellular signaling pathways serves as an important mechanism conferring the specificity of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling. In the heart, stimulation of $\beta$$_2$-adrenoceptor ($\beta$$_2$-AR), a prototypical GPCR, activates a tightly localized protein kinase A (PKA) signaling, which regulates substrates at cell surface membranes, bypassing cytosolic target proteins (eg, phospholamban). Although a concurrent activation of $\beta$$_2$-AR-coupled $G_{i}$ proteins has been implicated in the functional compartmentation of PKA signaling, the exact mechanism underlying the restriction of the $\beta$$_2$-AR-PKA pathway remains unclear. In the present study, we demonstrate that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) plays an essential role in confining the $\beta$$_2$-AR-PKA signaling. Inhibition of PI3K with LY294002 or wortmannin enables $\beta$$_2$-AR-PKA signaling to reach intracellular substrates, as manifested by a robust increase in phosphorylation of phospholamban, and markedly enhances the receptor-mediated positive contractile and relaxant responses in cardiac myocytes. These potentiating effects of PI3K inhibitors are not accompanied by an increase in $\beta$$_2$-AR-induced cAMP formation. Blocking $G_{i}$ or $G_{$\square$$\square$}$ signaling with pertussis toxin or $\beta$ARK-ct, a peptide inhibitor of $G_{$\square$$\square$}$, completely prevents the potentiating effects induced by PI3K inhibition, indicating that the pathway responsible for the functional compartmentation of $\beta$$_2$-AR-PKA siglaling sequentially involves $G_{i}$, $G_{$\square$$\square$}$, and PI3K. Thus, PI3K constitutes a key downstream event of $\beta$$_2$-AR- $G_{i}$ signaling, which confines and negates the concurrent $\beta$$_2$-AR/Gs-mediated PKA signaling.gnaling.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.508-517
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• 1998

There is evidence that the sympathetic nervous system exerts a control on thyroid function via an adrenergic innervation of thyroid cells. Although it is clear that the inhibitory effects of catecholamines result from an activation of ${\alpha}_1$-adrenoceptors, the mechanisms involved in ${\alpha}_1$-stimulation are not fully understood. The effects of methoxamine and protein kinase C (PKC) activator on the release of thyroxine ($T_4$) from mouse thyroid were studied to clarify the role of PKC in the regulation of $T_4$ release in vitro. The glands were incubated in the medium, samples of the medium were assayed for $T_4$ by EIA kits. Methoxamine inhibited the TSH-stimulated $T_4$ release. This inhibition was reversed by prazosin, an ${\alpha}_1$-adrenergic antagonist. Futhermore, the inhibitory effect of methoxamine on the $T_4$ release stimulated by TSH was prevented by chloroethylclonidine, an ${\alpha}_{1b}$-adrenoceptor antagonist, but not by WB4101, an ${\alpha}_{1a}$-adrenoceptor antagonist. Also methoxamine inhibited the forskolin-, cAMP- or IBMX-stimulated $T_4$ release. These inhibition were reversed by PKC inhibitors, such as staurosporine and $H_7$. PMA, a PKC activator, completely inhibited the TSH-stimulated $T_4$ release, and its inhibition was reversed by staurosporine and $H_7$, but not by chelerythrine. R59022 (a diacylglycerol kinase inhibitor), like methoxamine, also inhibited the TSH-stimulated $T_4$ release, and its inhibition was also reversed by staurosporine. The present study suggests that methoxamine inhibition of $T_4$ release from mouse thyroid can be induced by activation of the ${\alpha}_{1b}$-adrenoceptors and that it is mediated through the ${\alpha}_1$-adrenoceptor-stimulated PKC formation.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.50-60
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• 2002

Objectives: Sunghyangjunggisan (SHJS) is a commonly prescribed drug with a wide neuropharmacological spectrum. The water extracts of SHJS were found to be protective against neurotoxicity elicited by deprivation of serum and glucose. Methods: The morphological examination and Hoechst staining of nucleus also clearly showed that the extracts attenuated the cell shrinkage, membrane blebbing, representing typical neuronal apoptotic phenomena and nucleosome-sized fragmentation under the microscope in PC 12 rat pheochromocytoma cells. Results: Activation of protein kinase A (PKA) with dibutyl-cAMP and forskolin also protected during glucose deprivation, although it was not additive with the effect provided by phorbol ester. Interestingly, treatment with the protein kinase A inhibitor, KT5720, was not neuroprotective in the presence of SHJS. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays were used to characterize the neuroprotective binding of nuclear proteins to consensus sequences for AP-l, nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) after glucose deprivation. When PC 12 cells are induced to undergo apoptosis by serum deprivation, AP-l and $NF-{\kappa}B$ DNA binding activity transiently increases to a slight degree. This stimulation is blocked by the water extracts of SHJS. The site of action of the drugs appeared to involve specific inhibition of AP-1 and nuclear factor kB binding activity. Conclusions: Taken together, these results suggested the possibility that the extracts of SHJS might provide a neurotrophic-like activity in PC 12 cells.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.243-257
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• 1996

CCK and cholinergic agonist stimulate enzyme release from the pancreatic acini via G-protein-mediated activation of phospholipase C, In contrast secretin and related peptides increase the level of cAMP and activate cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Camostat, a synthetic protease inhibitor, causes pancreatic hypertrophy and hyperplasia by increasing the CCK release. In this study, the secretagogue-induced changes of intracellular proteins were examined in the dispersed pancreatic acini of rats with or without camostat treatment. Camostat(FOY-305, 200 mg/kg, p.o.) was given for 4 days twice daily and the dispersed acini were prepared at 12 bouts after last treatment. The profiles of Intracellular phosphoproteins were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis after incubating the acini with $^{32}P$. The amylase release from the dispersed acini was measured. The pancreatic weight was increased to 126% of control, while amylase activity per mg acinar protein decreased to 41% of control, The maximum response of amylase release from dispersed acini to CCK-8 or carbachol was markedly decreased(65% or 46% of control, respectively). The group of intracellular proteins(24 kD, pI $4.5{\sim}8.5$) was increased in quantity by camostat. CCK-8 or secretin increased phosphorylation of a protein(34 kD, pI 4.7) in camostat-treated as well as control rats. CCK-8 increased tyrosine phosphoryiation in the acini of control rats. However, in camostat-treated rats, the basal level of tyrosine phosphorylation was increased and it was rather decreased by CCK-8. Secretin had no effect on the level of tyrosine phosphorylation in acini. These results indicate that both phospholipase C and adenylate cyclase induce phosphorylation of an intracellular acinar protein(34 kD, pI 4.7) and camostat treatment increases the basal level of tyrosine phosphorylation in acinar cells. And these results suggest that not only serine/threonine protein kinase but also protein tyrosine kinase/phosphatase are involved in the process of CCK receptor mediated stimulation-secrelion coupling.