• 한국독성학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국독성학회 2002년도 국제심포지움
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• pp.88.2-98
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• 2002

A wide arry of naturally occurring substances particularly those present in dietary and medicinal plants, have been reported to possess substantial cancer chemopreventive properties. Certain phytochemicals retain strong antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties which appear to contribute to their chemopreventive or chemoprotective activities. Inducible cyclooxygenase(COX-2) and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) are important enzymes that mediate inflammatory processes. There is some evidence that expression of both COX-2 and iNOS is co-regulated by the eukaryotic transcription factor NF-$textsc{k}$B. Increased expression of COX-2 and/or iNOS has been associated with pathophysiology of certain types of human cancers as well as inflammatory diseases. Since inflammation is closely linked to tumor promotion, substances with potent anti-inflammatory activies are anticipated to exert chemopreventive effects on carcinogenesis, particularly in the promotion stage. An example is curcumin, a yellow pigment of turmeric (Curcuma longa L., Zingiberaceae), that strongly occurring diaryl heptanoids structurally related to curcumin have substantial anti-tumor promotional activities in two-stage mouse skin carcinogenesis. Thus, yakuchinone A [1-(4'-hydroxy-3'-methoxyphenyl)-7-phenyl-3heptanone] and yakuchinone B [1-(4'-hydroxy-3'methoxyphenyl)-7-phenylhept-1-en-3-one] present in Alpinia oxyphylla Miquel (Zingiberacease) attenuate phorbol ester-induced inflammation and papilloma formation in female ICR mice. These diarylheptanoids also suppressed phorbol ester-induced activation of epdermal ornithine decarboxylase and its mRNA expression when applied onto shaven backs of mice. Yakuchinone A and B as well as curcumin inhibited phorbol ester-induced expression of COX-2 and iNOS and their mRNA in mouse skin via inactivation of NF-$textsc{k}$B. Capsaicin, a major pungent ingredient of red pepper also attenuated phorbol ester-induced NF-$textsc{k}$B activation. Similar suppression of COX-2 and iNOS and down-regulation of NF-$textsc{k}$B activation for its DNA binding were observed with the ginsenosied Rg3 and the ethanol extract of Artemisia asiatica. We have also found that certain anti-inflammatory phytochemicals exert inhibitory effects on phorbol ester-induced COX-2 expression and NF-$textsc{k}$B activation in immortalized human breast epithelial (MCF-10A) cells in culture. One of the plausible mechanisms undelying inhibition by aforementioned phytochemicals of phorbol ester-induced NF-$textsc{k}$B activation involves interference with degragation of the inhibitory unit, I$textsc{k}$Ba, which blocks subsequent nuclear translocation of the functionally active p65 subunit of NF-$textsc{k}$B. the activation of epidermal NF-$textsc{k}$B by phorbol ester and subsequent induction of COX-2 hence appear to play an important role in intracellular signaling pathwasy leading to tumor promotion and targeted inhibition of NF-$textsc{k}$B may provide a new promising cancer chemopreventive strategy.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제24권6호
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• pp.623-629
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• 2016

(1S,2S,3E,7E,11E)-3,7,11,15-cembratetraen-17,2-olide (LS-1), a marine cembrenolide diterpene, has anticancer activity against colon cancer cells such as HT-29, SNU-C5/5-FU (fluorouracil-resistant SNU-C5) and SNU-C5. However, the action mechanism of LS-1 on SNU-C5 human colon cancer cells has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated whether the anticancer effect of LS-1could result from apoptosis via the modulation of $Wnt/{\beta}$-catenin and the TGF-${\beta}$ pathways. When treated with the LS-1, we could observe the apoptotic characteristics such as apoptotic bodies and the increase of sub-G1 hypodiploid cell population, increase of Bax level, decrease of Bcl-2 expression, cleavage of procaspase-3 and cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase in SNU-C5 cells. Furthermore, the apoptosis induction of SNU-C5 cells upon LS-1 treatment was also accompanied by the down-regulation of $Wnt/{\beta}$-catenin signaling pathway via the decrease of GSK-$3{\beta}$ phosphorylation followed by the decrease of ${\beta}$-catenin level. In addition, the LS-1 induced the activation of TGF-${\beta}$ signaling pathway with the decrease of carcinoembryonic antigen which leads to decrease of c-Myc, an oncoprotein. These data suggest that the LS-1 could induce the apoptosis via the down-regulation of $Wnt/{\beta}$-catenin pathway and the activation of TGF-${\beta}$ pathway in SNU-C5 human colon cancer cells. The results support that the LS-1 might have potential for the treatment of human colon cancer.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• 제42권3호
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• pp.186-195
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• 2015

Anthranilate synthase (AS)는 트립토판(Trp)과 indole-3-acetic acid, indole alkaloids의 생합성 경로에서 중요한 효소로 작용한다. 트립토판 생합성 상에서 feedback inhibition에 민감하게 반응하는 AS alpha-subunit 관련 OASA2 유전자 영역의 single (F124V) 및 double (S126F/L530D) 점돌연변이로 변형된 유전자의 재조합운반체를 작성하고 이들 유전자들을 Agrobacterium 방법으로 동진벼에 도입하여 형질전환체를 육성하였다. Single 및 double 돌연변이 OsASA2 유전자가 도입된 형질전환 벼 계통들은 nos gene probe를 이용한 TaqMan PCR 방법으로 single copy를 선발하였고, intergenic 계통을 선발하기 위해서 Bfa I 제한효소를 이용하여 RB와 LB 인접서열로부터 IPCR을 통한 FST 분석을 수행하여 4 개의 intergenic 계통을 선발하였다. 도입된 유전자의 발현으로 형질전환 벼는 Trp, IAN 및 IAA가 잎에 가장 많이 축적되었고, 종자의 트립토판 함량도 증가되었다. 후대에서 tryptophan 함량이 높은 S-TG와 D-TG의 두 호모 이벤트 계통을 육성하여 트립토판 함량을 분석한 결과 대조구에 비하여 13~30배 이상 높게 나타났으며, 유리아미노산의 함량도 증가하였다. 이벤트 계통을 이용하여 microarray 분석을 수행한 결과 세포 내 이온 수송, 영양분 공급 등에 영향을 주는 유전자군들이 up-regulation 되었고, 세포 내 기능유전자의 역할을 담당하는 조효소 등이 down-regulation 된 것을 확인 할 수 있었다. 이러한 결과는 선발된 두개의 상동성 이벤트 계통들이 고함량의 유리 트립토판 생산 벼의 육종에 효과적으로 이용될 수 있음을 보여준 결과로 생각된다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권11호
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• pp.6363-6367
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• 2013

Atractylis lancea (Thunb.) DC. (AL), an important medicinal herb in Asia, has been shown to have anti-tumor effects on cancer cells, but the involved mechanisms are poorly understood. This study focused on potential effects and molecular mechanisms of AL on the proliferation of the Hep-G2 liver cancer cell line in vitro. Cell viability was assessed by MTT test in Hep-G2 cells incubated with an ethanol extract of AL. Then, the effects of AL on apoptosis and cell cycle progression were determined by flow cytometry. Telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assays was performed to investigate telomerase activity. The mRNA and protein expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and c-myc were determined by real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting. Our results show that AL effectively inhibits proliferation in Hep-G2 cells in a concentrationand time-dependent manner. When Hep-G2 cells were treated with AL after 48h,the $IC_{50}$ was about 72.1 ${\mu}g/mL$. Apoptosis was induced by AL via arresting the cells in the G1 phase. Furthermore, AL effectively reduced telomerase activity through inhibition of mRNA and protein expression of hTERT and c-myc. Hence, these data demonstrate that AL exerts anti-proliferative effects in Hep-G2 cells via down-regulation of the c-myc/hTERT/telomerase pathway.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권11호
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• pp.6261-6265
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• 2013

Background: Recent studies have suggested that expression of the RAS protein activator like-1 gene (RASAL1) is decreased in gastric carcinoma tissues and cell lines, indicated a role in tumorigenesis and development of gastric cancer. Reduced expression of RASAL1 could result in aberrant increase of activity of RAS signaling pathways in cancer cells. However, the exact mechanism which induces down-regulation of the RASAL1 gene remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the methylation status and regulation of RASAL1 in gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: Using the methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP), the methylation status of CpG islands in the RASAL1 promoter in gastric cancers and paired adjacent non-cancerous tissues from 40 patients was assessed and its clinicopathological significance was analyzed. The methylation status of RASAL1 in gastric cancer lines MKN-28, SGC-790l, BGC-823, as well as in normal gastric epithelial cell line GES-l was also determined after treatment with a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, 5-aza-2'-doexycytidine (5-Aza-CdR). RAS activity (GAS-GTP) was assessed through a pull-down method, while protein levels of ERK1/2, a downstream molecule of RAS signaling pathways, were determined by Western blotting. Results: The frequencies of RASAL1 promoter methylation in gastric cancer and paired adjacent non-cancerous tissues were 70% (28/40) and 30% (12/40) respectively (P<0.05). There were significantly correlations between RASAL1 promoter methylation with tumor differentiation, tumor size, invasive depth and lymph node metastasis in patients with gastric cancer (all P<0.05), but no correlation was found for age or gender. Promoter hypermethylation of the RASAL1 gene was detected in MKN-28, SGC-790l and BGC-823 cancer cells, but not in the normal gastric epithelial cell line GES-1. Elevated expression of the RASAL1 protein, a decreased RAS-GTP and p-ERK1/2 protein were detected in three gastric cancer cell lines after treatment with 5-Aza-CdR. Conclusions: Aberrant hypermethylation of the RASAL1 gene promoter frequently occurs in gastric cancer tissues and cells. In addition, the demethylating agent 5-Aza-CdR can reverse the hypermethylation of RASAL1 gene and up-regulate the expression of RASAL1 significantly in gastric cancer cells in vivo. Our study suggests that RASAL1 promoter methylation may have a certain relationship with the reduced RASAL1 expression in gastric cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권5호
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• pp.2045-2049
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• 2012

Objective: To investigate the effect of down-regulation of Sentrin/SUMO-specific protease 1 (SENP1) expression on the apoptosis of human Burkitt lymphoma cells (Daudi cells) and potential mechanisms. Methods: Short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting SENP1 was designed and synthesized and then cloned into a lentiviral vector. A lentiviral packaging plasmid was used to transfect Daudi cells (sh-SENP1-Daudi group). Daudi cells without transfection (Daudi group) and Daudi cells transfected with blank plasmid (sh-NC-Daudi group) served as control groups. Flow cytometry was performed to screen GFP positive cells and semiquantitative PCR and Western blot assays were employed to detect the inference efficiency. The morphology of cells was observed under a microscope before and after transfection. Fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot assays were conducted to measure the mRNA and protein expression of apoptosis related molecules (caspase-3, 8 and 9). After treatment with $COCl_2$ for 24 h, the mRNA and protein expression of hypoxia inducible factor -$1{\alpha}$ (HIF-$1{\alpha}$) was determined. Results: Sequencing showed the expression vectors of shRNA targeting SENP1 to be successfully constructed. Following screening of GFP positive cells by FCM, semiqualitative PCR showed the interference efficiency was $79.2{\pm}0.026%$. At 48 h after transfection, the Daudi cells became shrunken, had irregular edges and presented apoptotic bodies. Western blot assay revealed increase in expression of caspase-3, 8 and 9 with prolongation of transfection (P<0.05). Following hypoxia treatment, mRNA expression of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ remained unchanged in three groups (P>0.05) but the protein expression of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ markedly increased (P<0.05). However, in the sh-SENP1-Daudi group, the protein expression of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ remained unchanged Conclusion: SENP1-shRNA can efficiently inhibit SENP1 expression in Daudi cells. SENP1 inhibition may promote cell apoptosis. These findings suggest that SENP1 may serve as an important target in the gene therapy of Burkitts lymphoma.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제46권4호
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• pp.389-396
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• 2009

Objective : Triptolide (TP) has been reported to suppress the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphatase-1 (MKP-1), of which main function is to inactivate the extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 (ERK-1/2), the p38 MAPK and the c-Jun N-terminal kinase-1/2 (JNK-1/2), and to exert antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic activities. However, the mechanisms underlying antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic activities of TP are not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the down-regulation of MKP-1 expression by TP would account for antiproliferative activity of TP in immortalized HT22 hippocampal cells. Methods : MKP-1 expression and MAPK phosphorylation were analyzed by Western blot. Cell proliferation was assessed by $^3H$-thymidine incorporation. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) against MKP-1, vanadate (a phosphatase inhibitor), U0126 (a specific inhibitor for ERK-1/2), SB203580 (a specific inhibitor for p38 MAPK), and SP600125 (a specific inhibitor for JNK-1/2) were employed to evaluate a possible mechanism of antiproliferative action of TP. Results : At its non-cytotoxic dose, TP suppressed MKP-1 expression, reduced cell growth, and induced persistent ERK-1/2 activation. Similar growth inhibition and ERK-1/2 activation were observed when MKP-1 expression was blocked by MKP-1 siRNA and its activity was inhibited by vanadate. The antiproliferative effects of TP, MKP-1 siRNA, and vanadate were significantly abolished by U0126, but not by SB203580 or SP600125. Conclusion : Our findings suggest that TP inhibits the growth of immortalized HT22 hippocampal cells via persistent ERK-1/2 activation by suppressing MKP-1 expression. Additionally, this study provides evidence supporting that MKP-1 may play an important role in regulation of neuronal cell growth.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• 제35권3호
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• pp.152-163
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• 2010

이 연구에서는 mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA)를 in vitro로 인간치수세포에 적용하였을 때 유전자들의 변화를 조사하였다. 실험군은 MTA를 teflon tube (직경 10 mm 길이 2 mm)에 담아 4시간 경화시킨 후HDPCs에 적용하였고, 대조군은 빈tube만을 적용하였다. 6, 24, 72시간 후 total RNA를 추출하여 microarray를 이용하여 분석하여, 2배 이상 또는 절반 이하의 변화를 보이는 유전자 중 선택적으로 역전사 중합효소 연쇄반응(reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction)을 사용하여 발현을 확인하였다. 24,546개의 유전자 중에서 109개의 유전자가 2배 이상 up-regulation되었으며(예. FOSB, THBS1, BHLHB2, EDN1,IL11, FN1, COL10A1, TUFT1) 69개의 유전자가 50%이하로 down-regulation되었다(예. SMAD6, DCN). MTA는 bio-inert한 재료라기 보다는 치수세포에 다양한 경로로 영향을 주는 재료로 사료된다. 특히 치수세포의 분화와 증식에 관여하는 유전자의 변화에 영향을 주며 석회화 과정에 관여하는 유전자의 변화에 직접적인 영향을 주리라 사료된다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.29-34
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• 2013

The tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor family of cytokines. TRAIL selectively induces apoptotic cell death in various tumors and cancer cells, but it has little or no toxicity in normal cells. Agonism of TRAIL receptors has been considered to be a valuable cancer-therapeutic strategy. However, more than 85% of primary tumors are resistant to TRAIL, emphasizing the importance of investigating how to overcome TRAIL resistance. In this report, we have found that nemadipine-A, a cell-permeable L-type calcium channel inhibitor, sensitizes TRAIL-resistant cancer cells to this ligand. Combination treatments using TRAIL with nemadipine-A synergistically induced both the caspase cascade and apoptotic cell death, which were blocked by a pan caspase inhibitor (zVAD) but not by autophagy or a necrosis inhibitor. We further found that nemadipine-A, either alone or in combination with TRAIL, notably reduced the expression of survivin, an inhibitor of the apoptosis protein (IAP) family of proteins. Depletion of survivin by small RNA interference (siRNA) resulted in increased cell death and caspase activation by TRAIL treatment. These results suggest that nemadipine-A potentiates TRAIL-induced apoptosis by down-regulation of survivin expression in TRAIL resistant cells. Thus, combination of TRAIL with nemadipine-A may serve a new therapeutic scheme for the treatment of TRAIL resistant cancer cells, suggesting that a detailed study of this combination would be useful.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.552-560
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• 2007

본 연구에서는 인체백혈병세포 U937에서 HDAC 저해제에 의한 증식억제, 세포주기 교란 및 apoptosis 유도에 미치는 Bcl-2 유전자의 영향에 관하여 조사하였다. 이를 위하여 U937/vector 및 U937/Bcl-2 세포주를 대상으로 대표적인 HDAC 저해제인 TSA 및 Na-B 처리에 의한 세포 증식 및 생존율에 미치는 영향을 조사한 결과, TSA에 의한 U937 세포의 증식억제 및 생존율의 감소는 Bcl-2의 과발현에 의하여 차단되는 효과를 보였으나, Na-B는 U937/vector 및 U937/Bcl-2세포사이에 큰 변화를 보이지는 않았다. 세포주기 교란효과에서 Na-B는 TSA에 비하여 유의적인 차이를 보이지 못하였으며, 이는 TSA에 의한 apoptosis가 U937/Bcl-2 세포에서는 억제되었으나, Na-B에 의한 apoptosis는 Bcl-2의 과발현에 의하여 차단되지 못한 것과 연관성이 있는 결과였다. 또한 TSA에 의한 apoptosis 유발의 Bcl-2에 의한 차단 효과는 TSA에 의하여 활성화된 caspase의 활성 억제, Bcl-2 발현 자체의 완화 등 apoptosis 조절 인자들의 발현 및 활성 변화에 기인 된 것임을 알 수 있었다.