• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제31권7호
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• pp.921-932
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• 2021

LINC01272 is a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) that has been considered as a biomarker for many diseases including lung squamous cell carcinoma. Here, we investigated the function and mechanism of LINC01272 on lung cancer (LC). The differential expression of LINC01272 in LC and normal samples was analyzed by GEPIA based on the data from TCGA-LUAD database, as survival prognosis was analyzed through Kaplan-Meier Plotter. LINC01272 overexpression plasmid and miR-7-5p mimic were transfected into A549 and PC-9 cells. LINC01272, miR-7-5p and cardiolipin synthase 1 (CRLS1) mRNA expression was measured by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Cell viability was detected through MTT assay. Cell multiplication was evaluated by cell formation assay. Cell apoptosis was assessed through flow cytometry assay. Through bioinformatics, the target miRNA of LINC01272 and downstream genes of miR-7-5p were predicted. The targeting relationship was tested by dual luciferase reporter analysis. CRLS1, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), BCL2-associated X (Bax) and cleaved caspase-3 protein levels were detected through western blot. LINC01272 was downregulated in LC and low LINC01272 expression had poor prognosis. In A549 and PC-9 cells, LINC01272 inhibited cell viability and multiplication and induced apoptosis. LINC01272 negatively regulated miR-7-5p and CRLS1 was a target of miR-7-5p. MiR-7-5p reversed the effect of LINC01272 on viability, multiplication, apoptosis and expression of miR-7-5p and CRLS1 as well as apoptosis-related factors (Bcl-2, Bax and cleaved caspase-3). LINC01272 suppressed cell multiplication and induced apoptosis via regulating the miR-7-5p/CRLS1 axis in LC.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제46권1호
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• pp.126-137
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• 2022

Background: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is one of the main chronic liver diseases. NASH is identified by lipid accumulation, inflammation, and fibrosis. Jinan Red Ginseng (JRG) and licorice have been widely used because of their anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects. Hence, this study assessed JRG and licorice extract mixtures' effects on NASH progression. Methods: Palmitic acid (PA) and the western diet (WD) plus, high glucose-fructose water were used to induce in vitro and in vivo NASH. Mice were orally administered with JRG-single (JRG-S) and JRG-mixtures (JRG-M; JRG-S + licorice) at 0, 50, 100, 200 or 400 mg/kg/day once a day during the last half-period of diet feeding. Results: JRG-S and JRG-M reduced NASH-related pathologies in WD-fed mice. JRG-S and JRG-M consistently decreased the mRNA level of genes related with inflammation, fibrosis, and lipid metabolism. The treatment of JRG-S and JRG-M also diminished the SREBP-1c protein levels and the p-AMPK/AMPK ratio. The FAS protein levels were decreased by JRG-M treatment both in vivo and in vitro but not JRG-S. Conclusion: JRG-M effectively reduced lipogenesis by modulating AMPK downstream signaling. Our findings suggest that this mixture can be used as a prophylactic or therapeutic alternative for the remedy of NASH.

• 한국동물위생학회지
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• 제44권4호
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• pp.195-207
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• 2021

Species A rotaviruses (RVAs) replicate and assemble their immature particles within electron dense compartments known as viroplasms, where lipid droplets (LDs) interact with the viroplasm and facilitate viral replication. Despite the importance of LD formation in the life cycle of RVAs, the upstream molecules modulating LD formation remain unclear. This study aimed to find out the role of sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs) in reprogramming of LD formation after RVA infection. Here, we demonstrate that RVA infection reprograms the sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs)-dependent lipogenic pathways in virus-infected cells, and that both SREBP-1 and -2 transactivated genes, which are involved in fatty acid and cholesterol biosynthesis, are essential for LD formation. Our results showed that pharmacological inhibition of SREBPs using AM580 and betulin and inhibition of their downstream cholesterol biosynthesis (simvastatin for HMG-CoA reductase) and fatty acid enzymes (TOFA) negatively modulated the intracellular triacylglycerides and cholesterol levels and their resulting LD and viroplasm formations. Interestingly, pharmacological inhibition of SREBPs significantly reduced RVA protein synthesis, genome replication and progeny production. This study identified SREBPs-mediated lipogenic reprogramming in RVA-infected host cells, which facilitates virus replication through LD formation and its interaction with viroplasms, suggesting that SREBPs can be a potential target for the development of efficient and affordable therapeutics against RVA infection.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제45권6호
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• pp.425-434
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• 2022

The post-translational modification (e.g., phosphorylation) of estrogen receptor α (ERα) plays a role in controlling the expression and subcellular localization of ERα as well as its sensitivity to hormone response. Here, we show that ERα is also modified by UFM1 and this modification (ufmylation) plays a crucial role in promoting the stability and transactivity of ERα, which in turn promotes breast cancer development. The elevation of ufmylation via the knockdown of UFSP2 (the UFM1-deconjugating enzyme in humans) dramatically increases ERα stability by inhibiting ubiquitination. In contrast, ERα stability is decreased by the prevention of ufmylation via the silencing of UBA5 (the UFM1-activating E1 enzyme). Lys171 and Lys180 of ERα were identified as the major UFM1 acceptor sites, and the replacement of both Lys residues by Arg (2KR mutation) markedly reduced ERα stability. Moreover, the 2KR mutation abrogated the 17β-estradiol-induced transactivity of ERα and the expression of its downstream target genes, including pS2, cyclin D1, and c-Myc; this indicates that ERα ufmylation is required for its transactivation function. In addition, the 2KR mutation prevented anchorage-independent colony formation by MCF7 cells. Most notably, the expression of UFM1 and its conjugating machinery (i.e., UBA5, UFC1, UFL1, and UFBP1) were dramatically upregulated in ERα-positive breast cancer cell lines and tissues. Collectively, these findings implicate a critical role attributed to ERα ufmylation in breast cancer development by ameliorating its stability and transactivity.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제26권6호
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• pp.479-499
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• 2022

The lack of a clonal renin-secreting cell line has greatly hindered the investigation of the regulatory mechanisms of renin secretion at the cellular, biochemical, and molecular levels. In the present study, we investigated whether it was possible to induce phenotypic switching of the renin-expressing clonal cell line As4.1 from constitutive inactive renin secretion to regulated active renin secretion. When grown to postconfluence for at least two days in media containing fetal bovine serum or insulin-like growth factor-1, the formation of cell-cell contacts via N-cadherin triggered downstream cellular signaling cascades and activated smooth muscle-specific genes, culminating in phenotypic switching to a regulated active renin secretion phenotype, including responding to the key stimuli of active renin secretion. With the use of phenotype-switched As4.1 cells, we provide the first evidence that active renin secretion via exocytosis is regulated by phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of the 20 kDa myosin light chain. The molecular mechanism of phenotypic switching in As4.1 cells described here could serve as a working model for full phenotypic modulation of other secretory cell lines with incomplete phenotypes.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제32권9호
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• pp.1168-1177
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• 2022

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second-most prevalent neurodegenerative disease and is characterized by dopaminergic neuronal death in the midbrain. Recently, the association between alterations in PD pathology and the gut microbiota has been explored. Microbiota-targeted interventions have been suggested as a novel therapeutic approach for PD. Agathobaculum butyriciproducens SR79^T (SR79) is an anaerobic bacterium. Previously, we showed that SR79 treatment induced cognitive improvement and reduced Alzheimer's disease pathologies in a mouse model. In this study, we hypothesized that SR79 treatment may have beneficial effects on PD pathology. To investigate the therapeutic effects of SR79 on PD, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced mouse models were used. D-Amphetamine sulfate (d-AMPH)-induced behavioral rotations and dopaminergic cell death were analyzed in unilateral 6-OHDA-lesioned mice. Treatment with SR79 significantly decreased ipsilateral rotations induced by d-AMPH. Moreover, SR79 treatment markedly activated the AKT/GSK3β signaling pathway in the striatum. In addition, SR79 treatment affected the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway and its downstream target genes in the striatum of 6-OHDA-lesioned mice. Our findings suggest a protective role of SR79 in 6-OHDA-induced toxicity by regulating the AKT/Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway and astrocyte activation. Thus, SR79 may be a potential microbe-based intervention and therapeutic strategy for PD.

• BMB Reports
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• 제57권5호
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• pp.244-249
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• 2024

Many types of cancer are associated with excessive angiogenesis. Anti-angiogenic treatment is an effective strategy for treating solid cancers. This study aimed to demonstrate the inhibitory effects of (E)-2-methoxy-4-(3-(4-methoxyphenyl) prop-1-en-1-yl) phenol (MMPP) in VEGFA-induced angiogenesis. The results indicated that MMPP effectively suppressed various angiogenic processes, such as cell migration, invasion, tube formation, and sprouting of new vessels in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and mouse aortic ring. The inhibitory mechanism of MMPP on angiogenesis involves targeting VEGFR2. MMPP showed high binding affinity for the VEGFR2 ATP-binding domain. Additionally, MMPP improved VEGFR2 thermal stability and inhibited VEGFR2 kinase activity, suppressing the downstream VEGFR2/AKT/ERK pathway. MMPP attenuated the activation and nuclear translocation of NF-κB, and it downregulated NF-κB target genes such as VEGFA, VEGFR2, MMP2, and MMP9. Furthermore, conditioned medium from MMPP-treated breast cancer cells effectively inhibited angiogenesis in endothelial cells. These results suggested that MMPP had great promise as a novel VEGFR2 inhibitor with potent anti-angiogenic properties for cancer treatment via VEGFR2/AKT/ERK/NF-κB signaling pathway.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제34권5호
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• pp.1073-1081
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• 2024

Obesity is spawned by an inequality between the portion of energy consumed and the quantity of energy expended. Disease entities such as cardiovascular disease, arteriosclerosis, hypertension, and cancer, which are correlated with obesity, influence society and the economy. Suppression of adipogenesis, the process of white adipocyte generation, remains a promising approach for treating obesity. Oil Red O staining was used to differentiate 3T3-L1 cells for screening 20 distinct Lactobacillus species. Among these, Lactobacillus acidophilus DS0079, referred to as YBS1, was selected for further study. YBS1 therapy decreased 3T3-L1 cell development. Triglyceride accumulation and mRNA expression of the primary adipogenic marker, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), including its downstream target genes, adipocyte fatty acid binding protein 4 and adiponectin, were almost eliminated. YBS1 inhibited adipocyte differentiation at the early stage (days 0-2), but no significant difference was noted between the mid-stage (days 2-4) and late-stage (days 4-6) development. YBS1 stimulated the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) during the early stages of adipogenesis; however, this effect was eliminated by the SB203580 inhibitor. The data showed that YBS1 administration inhibited the initial development of adipocytes via stimulation of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway, which in turn controlled PPARγ expression. In summary, YBS1 has potential efficacy as an anti-obesity supplement and requires further exploration.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제47권1호
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• pp.1-11
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• 2014

널리 음용되고 있는 녹차의 EGCG과 우리나라 국민의 상당수가 복용하고 있는 건강기능성 식품 성분인 글루코사민은 이전의 연구들을 통해서 지방세포의 분화를 억제하는데 효과가 있다고 보고되어왔다. 이 두 물질의 병합처리로 기대되어지는 지방세포에서의 adipogenesis 및 지방축적감소에 대한 상승효과는 검증된 바 없으며, 효과에 대한 cell cycle 차원에서의 접근은 없었다. 본 연구 결과에서 EGCG와 Glucosamine 6-phosphate는 adipogenesis 전사인자인 $PPAR{\gamma}$, $C/EBP{\alpha}$, SREBP1에 대한 직접적인 발현 억제 뿐아니라, $PPAR{\gamma}$, $C/EBP{\alpha}$, SREBP1와 매개된 FAS, ACSL1, LPL과 같은 adipogenic target 유전자의 발현 감소를 통하여 지방세포의 분화와 지방세포 내 지방축적을 감소시키는 효과를 나타냈다. 그리고 HSL과 perilipin의 발현조절을 통해 부분적인 lipolytic effet도 나타냈다. 또한 지방세포의 분화가 개시되는데 있어 중요한 DNA의 remodeling 과정인 mitotic clonal expansion (MCE) 과정 중 G0/G1 phase 단계에서 cell cycle 정지 유도와 그로인한 S phase 및 G2/M phase로 세포주기이행의 방해를 통해 지방세포가 분화되는 것은 억제하였다. 이러한 효과들은 EGCG 농도가 높아질수록, 그리고 EGCG를 단독으로 처리한경우보다 Glucosamine 6-phosphate와 병합하였을 때 효과적이었다. 따라서 EGCG 단독처리 및 glucosamine 6-phosphate와의 병합처리는 지방세포에서 adipogenesis와 adipogenic관련 유전자들의 발현 억제 및 MCE 단계의 cell cycle arrest를 통해 지방세포의 분화를 억제하고 지방축적을 감소시켜 항비만 효과를 나타냈으며, 이러한 효과는 두 성분의 병합처리에서 조금 더 효과적이었다고 할 수 있다. 비록 두 성분의 병합처리가 기대했던 만큼은 아니었으나 항비만 효과에 대한 상승효과가 있다고 볼 수 있다.

• 대한소아치과학회지
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.391-405
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• 2003

두개봉합부의 조기융합으로 일컬어지는 craniosynostosis는 두개봉합부에서의 골아세포의 조기분화 및 석회화의 결과로 나타나는 선천성 발육이상이다. 최근 유전학적 연구에 의하면 homeobox gene인 Msx2의 변이에 의해 Boston-type craniosynostosis가 야기되며, 또한 Dlx5 homozygote mutant mouse의 표현형에서 두개골의 골화지연을 포함한 다양한 두개안면부위의 이상을 발견하였다는 보고가 있었다. 게다가 Msx2와 Dlx5 homeodomain protein의 상호작용에 의해 성숙골아세포의 표지자인 osteocalcin의 전사를 조절할 수 있다는 사실이 알려져 있다. 이러한 일련의 결과들은 Msx2 Dlx5 및 osteocalcin 유전자들이 두개골의 골화과정과 두개봉합부의 형태발생에 중요한 역할을 담당하고 있음을 제시해주고 있다. 두개골의 성장과 두개봉합부의 형태발생시 이러한 유전자들의 기능을 알아보기위해 mouse의 태생기 (E15-E18) 동안 osteocalcin, Msx2, 및 Dlx5 유전자들의 발현양상을 조사하였다. Osteocalcin은 E15부터 두정골의 골막에서 관찰되었으며, 발생시기가 후기일수록 강한 발현양상을 나타내었다. Msx2는 시상봉합부의 미분화간엽조직과 osteogenic front에서 강하게 발현되었으며 경막과 hair follicle에서도 관찰되었다. Dlx5는 osteogenic front를 포함한 두정골의 골막에서 강하게 발현되었으나 시상봉합부의 미분화간엽조직 에서는 발현되지 않아, Msx2와는 발현양상의 차이를 나타내었다. 두개골과 두개봉합부의 발육과정에서의 Msx2와 Dlx5의 기능을 좀더 심도깊게 분석하기위해, 여러 가지 signaling molecule들의 protein을 사용하여 in vitro 실험을 시행하였다. BMP-2, -4 protein의 overexpression은 bead 주위로 Msx2 유전자의 발현을 유도하였으나, 다른 $TGF{\beta}$ superfamily인 $TGF{\beta}1$, GDF-6, -7 bead들 주위로는 Msx2를 관찰할 수 없었다. 또한 FGF, Shh protein 역시 bead주위로 Msx2의 발현을 유도하지않았다. 흥미롭게도 BMP-2, -4 protein의 overexpression은 bead 주위로 Dlx5 유전자의 발현을 유도하였으나, 다른 $TGF{\beta}$ superfamily, FGF, Shh bead주위로는 Dlx5를 관찰할 수 없어, Msx2와 동일한 결과를 나타내었다 이 결과들을 종합해볼 때, Msx2와 Dlx5 유전자는 두개골과 두개봉합부의 성장발육과정에 중요한 역할을 담당하고 있으며, BMP signaling은 이 두 전사조절인자들을 조절하므로써 두개골의 골화과정과 두개봉합부의 형태발생 및 유지에 관여하고 있음을 제시해주고 있다. 특히 BMP signaling에 specific downstream gene인 Msx2 및 Dlx5의 발현양상의 차이는 골아세포의 분화시 이들 유전자가 각각의 독특한 기능을 가지고 있음을 시사해주고 있다.