• Title/Summary/Keyword: gPCR

Search Result 1,862, Processing Time 0.033 seconds

Effects of Ojeoksangamibang on the Lipid Metabolism, Anti-oxidation and Concentration of Proinflammatory Cytokines in Rat Fed High Fat Diet (오적산가미방(五積散加味方)이 고지방식이 유도 비만쥐의 지질대사, 항산화계 및 전염증성 cytokine 생산에 미치는 영향)

  • Kong, In-Pyo;Park, Won-Hyung;Cha, Yun-Yeop
    • Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
    • /
    • v.21 no.4
    • /
    • pp.23-40
    • /
    • 2011
  • Objectives: This study was designed to examine the effects of extracts of Ojeoksangamibang($W{\check{u}}j\bar{i}s\check{a}nji\bar{a}w\grave{e}if\bar{a}ng$) on the lipid lowering, anti-oxidation and concentration of proinflammatory cytokines and was investigated on hyperlipidemic rats. Methods: Male rats weighing $182.39{\pm}4.71g$ were fed high fat diet for 8 weeks and 36 rats(above 400 g) were divided into 4 groups. Each of 9 rats was divided a control group and experimental groups. We fed a control group of rats a basal diet and administered normal saline(100 mg/kg, 1 time/1 day) for 4 weeks. And we fed each experimental group of rats basal diet and administered an extract of Ojeoksangamibang($W{\check{u}}j\bar{i}s\check{a}nji\bar{a}w\grave{e}if\bar{a}ng$) extracts(100 mg/kg, 200mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, 1 time/1 day) for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the rats were sacrificed to determine their chemical composition. We measured lipid of plasma and liver, concentration of proinflmmatory cytokines, anti-oxidative activity and $TNF-{\alpha}$, Apo-B, Apo-E and leptin gene expression. Results: 1. Concentration of plasma free fatty(FFA) showed no significant difference in all the treatment groups. Concentration of plasma triglyceride(TG) showed a significant decrement in the 300 mg/kg in Ojeoksangamibang($W{\check{u}}j\bar{i}s\check{a}nji\bar{a}w\grave{e}if\bar{a}ng$) groups than that of control group. 2. Concentration of plasma total cholesterol showed a significant decrement in the 200 and 300 mg/kg in Ojeoksangamibang($W{\check{u}}j\bar{i}s\check{a}nji\bar{a}w\grave{e}if\bar{a}ng$) groups than that of control group. Concentration of plasma low density lipoprotein(LDL)-cholesterol showed a Significant decrement in the 300 mg/kg in Ojeoksangamibang($W{\check{u}}j\bar{i}s\check{a}nji\bar{a}w\grave{e}if\bar{a}ng$) groups than that of control group. Concentration of plasma high density lipoprotein(HDL)-cholesterol showed a significant increment in the 300 mg/kg in Ojeoksangamibang($W{\check{u}}j\bar{i}s\check{a}nji\bar{a}w\grave{e}if\bar{a}ng$) group. 3. Concentration of liver total cholesterol showed a tendence to decrease in Ojeoksangamibang($W{\check{u}}j\bar{i}s\check{a}nji\bar{a}w\grave{e}if\bar{a}ng$) groups. Concentration of liver TG showed a significant decrement in all Ojeoksangamibang groups than that of control group. 4. Concentration of plasma and liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substance(TBARS) showed a tendence to decrease in Ojeoksangamibang($W{\check{u}}j\bar{i}s\check{a}nji\bar{a}w\grave{e}if\bar{a}ng$) groups. 5. The values of glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase(SOD) and catalase(CAT) activity showed a significant increment in all Ojeoksangamibang($W{\check{u}}j\bar{i}s\check{a}nji\bar{a}w\grave{e}if\bar{a}ng$) groups than that of control group. 6. The values of plasma aspartate aminotransferase(AST) and alanine aminotransferase(ALT) activity showed no significant different in all treatment group. 7. Concentration of plasma $interleukin(IL)-1{beta}$ showed no significant difference in all the treatment groups. Concentration of plasma IL-6 showed a significant decrement in the 300 mg/kg in Ojeoksangamibang($W{\check{u}}j\bar{i}s\check{a}nji\bar{a}w\grave{e}if\bar{a}ng$) group than that of control group. Concentration of plasma tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}(TNF-{\alpha})$ a siginifant decrement in the 200 and 300 mg/kg in Ojeoksangamibang($W{\check{u}}j\bar{i}s\check{a}nji\bar{a}w\grave{e}if\bar{a}ng$) group than that of control group. However the concentration of plasma IL-10 in the 300 mg/kg Ojeoksangamibang($W{\check{u}}j\bar{i}s\check{a}nji\bar{a}w\grave{e}if\bar{a}ng$) groups showed a significant increment than that of control group. 9. In the analysis of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR), gene expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$, Apo-B and Apo-E in the Ojeoksangamibang($W{\check{u}}j\bar{i}s\check{a}nji\bar{a}w\grave{e}if\bar{a}ng$) groups showed a lower expression than that of control group. However the gene expression of leptin showed no difference in the treatment groups. 10. The ratio of $TNF-{\alpha}$, Apo-B, and Apo-E per ${\beta}-actin$ expression in the Ojeoksangamibang($W{\check{u}}j\bar{i}s\check{a}nji\bar{a}w\grave{e}if\bar{a}ng$) groups showed a significant decrement than that of control group. However The ratio of leptin expression per ${\beta}-actin$ expression showed no significant difference among all the treatment groups. Conclusions: According to above results, in lowering lipid effect, anti-oxidation and control of pro-inflammatory cytokines production, Ojeoksangamibang($W{\check{u}}j\bar{i}s\check{a}nji\bar{a}w\grave{e}if\bar{a}ng$) gives effect.

The relationship between Gly71Arg and TATA box polymorphism of GT1A1 gene and prolonged hyperbilirubinemia of breast milk feeding infant in Korean (지속성 고빌리루빈혈증과 연관된 모유 황달에서 UGT1A1(Gly71Arg, TATA box) 다형성에 대한 연구)

  • Lee, Jae Myoung;Han, Young Ji;Kim, Ji Sook;Kim, Eun Ryoung
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
    • /
    • v.51 no.2
    • /
    • pp.150-155
    • /
    • 2008
  • Purpose : It has been known that breast milk cause prolonged unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. UGT1A1 is a important gene of uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) which has a major role of bilirubin metabolism. These findings suggest that there is a relationship between UGT1A1 gene mutation and prolonged jaundice of breast feeding infant. The aim of study was to investigate whether a polymorphism of the UGT1A1 gene exist in prolonged hyperbilirubinemia of breast milk feeding Korean infant. Methods : The genomic DNA was isolated from 50 full term Korean neonates, who had greater than a 10 mg/dL of serem bilirubin after 2 weeks of birth with no significant cause, and the other genomic DNA was isolated from 162 full term Korean neonates of the control population. Both group fed breast milk. We performed direct sequencing of TATA box and Gly71Arg polymorphism of the UGT1A1 gene. Results : Two of the 50 neonates with hyperbilirubinemia had AA polymorphism, and 40 had GA polymorphism. Five of the 129 neonates of the control group had AA polymorphism, and 4 had GA polymorphism. The allele frequency of G>A polymorphism in the hyperbilirubinemia group was 44.0%; it was significantly higher than 5.4% of the control group. TATA box polymorpism was not different both group significantly. Conclusion : Our result indicated that Gly71Arg polymorphism is associated with the prolonged hyperbilirubinemia of breast milk-feeding infant in Korean, while TATA box polymorphism is not associated with the prolonged hyperbilirubinemia of breast milk-feeding infant in Korean.

The expression of MMP-1, -8, and -13 mRNA in the periodontal ligament of rats during tooth movement with cortical punching (백서의 치아이동 시 피질골 천공이 치주조직의 MMP-1, -8, -13 mRNA의 발현에 미치는 영향)

  • Gwack, Choon;Kim, Seong-Sik;Park, Soo-Byung;Son, Woo-Sung;Kim, Yong-Deok;Jun, Eun-Sook;Park, Mi-Hwa
    • The korean journal of orthodontics
    • /
    • v.38 no.3
    • /
    • pp.187-201
    • /
    • 2008
  • Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether cortical punching stimulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1, -8, and -13 in orthodontic tooth movement in rats. Methods: A total of 32 male sprague-dawley rats at 15 weeks old were divided into two groups of 16 rats each, to form the tooth movement with cortical punching (TMC) group and tooth movement only (TM) group. A total of 20 gm of orthodontic force was applied to rat incisors to cause experimental tooth movement. Cortical punching was performed on the palatal side near the central incisor with a 1.0 mm width microscrew in the TMC group. The duration of tooth movement was 1, 4, 7, and 14 days. Results: Measurements of the mRNA expression were selected as the means to determine the identification of expression of MMP-1, -8, and -13. In the TMC group, the expression of collagen type I was greater than that of the TM group from day 4 to day 14. Expression of TIMP-1 in the TM group was greater than that of the TMC group in the pressure side of PDL and alveolar bone cell at day 4. In the TMC group, TIMP-1 was expressed at the osteoclast, but not at the tooth surface of the TM group at day 14, Maximum induction of the mRNA of MMP-1 was observed on day 4 in the TMC group, but it was observed on day 7 in the TM group. MMP-8 mRNA of the TMC group was twice greater than that of the TM group at f days. In the TMC group, maximum induction of MMP-13 mRNA was observed on day 1. Conclusions: These findings suggested that cortical punching can stimulate remodeling of PDL and alveolar bone connective tissues during experimental orthodontic tooth movement in rats.

Protective Effects of Phellinus linteus and Curry-Added Cooked Mixed Grain Rice Extracts on Oxidative Stress-Induced LLC-PK1 Cell Damage (상황버섯 및 카레를 첨가한 잡곡밥 추출물의 LLC-PK1 세포에서의 산화적 스트레스 보호 효과)

  • Lee, Jung-Sook;Song, Jia-Le;Kil, Jeung-Ha;Jeong, Byung-Jin;Jeong, Jong-Sung;Huh, Tae-Gon;Park, Kun-Young
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
    • /
    • v.43 no.11
    • /
    • pp.1674-1680
    • /
    • 2014
  • The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of methanolic extracts of cooked mixed grain rice samples, including grain rice (sorghum, black bean, proso millet, and Job's tears) mixed with fermented brown rice (GR), GR added with 0.5% water extract of Sanghwang mushroom (GRS) or 0.1% curry (GRK), and traditional five grain mixed rice (TMR, Ohgokbap), on $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative injury in LLC-PK1 pig renal epithelial cells. White rice (WR) was used as a positive control. Cells were first exposed to $H_2O_2$ ($250{\mu}M$) for 4 hr, followed by treatment with $100{\mu}g/mL$ of different GR extracts for 24 hr. $H_2O_2$ significantly induced cell damage (P<0.05). Cellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzymes, including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px), were measured. In addition, mRNA levels of antioxidant enzymes were determined by RT-PCR assay. Mixed grain rice, particularly GRS and GRK, were able to reduce cellular levels of ROS, decrease lipid peroxidation, and also increase mRNA expression of antioxidant enzymes compared to other samples. These results suggest that mixed grain rice, specifically GRS and GRK, have strong protective effects against $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative injury in LLC-PK1 cells through inhibition of lipid peroxidation, reduction of ROS levels, and elevation of antioxidant enzyme activities.

Anti-Obesity Effect of Pine Cone (Pinus koraiensis) Supercritical Extract in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice (고지방식이로 유도한 비만 Mice에서 잣송이 초임계 추출물의 항비만 효과)

  • Lee, Dasom;Lee, Minhee;Kim, Hyesook;Jeong, Tuk-Rai;Yang, Hyun-Pil;Hyun, Heo Seok;Lee, Jeongmin
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
    • /
    • v.45 no.12
    • /
    • pp.1701-1707
    • /
    • 2016
  • The present study investigated the anti-obesity effect of pine cone (PC, Pinus koraiensis) supercritical extract in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. Male C57BL/6J mice were treated with HFD, HFD+catechin, and HFD+PC [two different doses, 20 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) and 100 mg/kg b.w.] in each AIN93G supplement for 8 weeks. Treatment of HFD mice with both low and high doses of PC significantly reduced body weight gain compared to HFD mice. Liver weight of mice was reduced in both the low and high dose PC-supplemented groups (24.19% and 19.83%, respectively). Total adipose tissue weight of mice was reduced in both the low and high dose PC-supplemented groups (45.54% and 62.66%, respectively). Serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol were reduced in the low and high dose PC-supplemented groups, and ratios of HDL cholesterol to LDL cholesterol increased by 94.55% in the high dose PC-supplemented group. Serum leptin was significantly reduced in the low and high dose PC-supplemented groups (28.14% and 62.72%, respectively). These results were supported by genetic expression of protein and enzymes related to lipid metabolism assessed by real-time PCR. There was significant reduction of lipid regulatory transcription factors such as $PPAR-{\gamma}$, C/EBP, and SREBP and lipid enzymes such as fatty acid synthesis and lipoprotein lipase in the low and high dose PC-supplemented groups. However, there was no statistical difference between low and high dose PC treatments. These results suggest that pine cone supercritical extract supplementation is able to regulate serum lipid profiles by reducing total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL cholesterol levels, followed by regulation of expression of lipid metabolic factors, resulting in reduction of weight gain in HFD-induced obese mice.

Effects of Black Soybean and Fermented Black Soybean Extracts on Proliferation of Human Follicle Dermal Papilla Cells (검은콩과 발효검은콩 추출물이 인간 모유두 세포 성장에 미치는 효과)

  • Choi, Ji-Hye;Lee, Myoungsook;Kim, Hyun Jung;Kwon, Jung Il;Lee, Yunkyoung
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
    • /
    • v.46 no.6
    • /
    • pp.671-680
    • /
    • 2017
  • This study was conducted to examine the effects and potential mechanisms of action of black soybean extracts and fermented black soybean extracts by Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and Bifidobacterium animals subsp. lactis BB-12 (BB-12) on proliferation of human follicle dermal papilla cells (HFDPC). We examined changes in pH, total polyphenol, sugar, and reducing sugar contents according to fermentation period of black soybean extracts. Assay using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide was performed to determine cell toxicity levels of the four black soybean extracts [black soybean water extract (BWE), black soybean ethanol extract (BEE), fermented BWE (F-BEW), and fermented BEE (F-BEE)]. Changes in mRNA expression levels of hair growth promoting factors and hair growth inhibiting factors by the four black soybean extracts were measured by real-time PCR. In addition, phosphorylation levels of mitogen-activated protein kinase family proteins were measured by western blot analysis. As a result, fermentation of black soybeans significantly reduced pH, total polyphenols, and sugar/reducing sugar contents. All four black soybean extracts showed no cellular toxicity in HFDPC. In fact, BEE significantly enhanced cell viability of HFDPC at $100{\mu}g/mL$ compared to control. BWE, BEE, and BWE-F significantly increased mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, and all four extracts increased mRNA expression of fibroblast growth factor. However, mRNA expression levels of apoptosis-related genes were not affected by black soybean extracts in HFDPC. Furthermore, BWE, BEE, and BWE-F significantly increased phosphorylation levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinase compared to control. Taken together, we demonstrated that black soybean extracts enhanced proliferation of human follicle dermal papilla cells partially via activation of hair growth promoting factors, although no particular significant effects on proliferation were observed by fermentation of black soybeans.

PERIPHERAL NERVE REGENERATION USING POLYGLYCOLIC ACID CONDUIT AND BRAIN-DERIVED NEUROTROPHIC FACTOR GENE TRANSFECTED SCHWANN CELLS IN RAT SCIATIC NERVE (BDNF 유전자 이입 슈반세포와 PGA 도관을 이용한 백서 좌골신경 재생에 관한 연구)

  • Choi, Won-Jae;Ahn, Kang-Min;Gao, En-Feng;Shin, Young-Min;Kim, Yoon-Tae;Hwang, Soon-Jeong;Kim, Nam-Yeol;Kim, Myung-Jin;Jo, Seung-Woo;Kim, Byung-Soo;Kim, Yun-Hee;Kim, Soung-Min;Lee, Jong-Ho
    • Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
    • /
    • v.30 no.6
    • /
    • pp.465-473
    • /
    • 2004
  • Purpose : The essential triad for nerve regeneration is nerve conduit, supporting cell and neurotrophic factor. In order to improve the peripheral nerve regeneration, we used polyglycolic acid(PGA) tube and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) gene transfected Schwann cells in sciatic nerve defects of SD rat. Materials and methods : Nerve conduits were made with PGA sheet and outer surface was coated with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) for mechanical strength and control the resorption rate. The diameter of conduit was 1.8mm and the length was 17mm Schwann cells were harvested from dorsal root ganglion(DRG) of SD rat aged 1 day. Schwann cells were cultured on the PGA sheet to test the biocompatibility adhesion of Schwann cell. Human BDNF gene was obtained from cDNA library and amplified using PCR. BDNF gene was inserted into E1 deleted region of adenovirus shuttle vector, pAACCMVpARS. BDNF-adenovirus was multiplied in 293 cells and purified. The BDNF-Adenovirus was then infected to the cultured Schwann cells. Left sciatic nerve of SD rat (250g weighing) was exposed and 14mm defects were made. After bridging the defect with PGA conduit, culture medium(MEM), Schwann cells or BDNF-Adenovirus infected Schwann cells were injected into the lumen of conduit, respectively. 12 weeks after operation, gait analysis for sciatic function index, electrophysiology and histomorphometry was performed. Results : Cultured Schwann cells were well adhered to PGA sheet. Sciatic index of BDNF transfected group was $-53.66{\pm}13.43$ which was the best among three groups. The threshold of compound action potential was between 800 to $1000{\mu}A$ in experimental groups which is about 10 times higher than normal sciatic nerve. Conduction velocity and peak voltage of action potential of BDNF group was the highest among experimental groups. The myelin thickness and axonal density of BDNF group was significantly greater than the other groups. Conclusion : BDNF gene transfected Schwann cells could regenerate the sciatic nerve gap(14mm) of rat successfully.

Taurine exerts neuroprotective effects via anti-apoptosis in hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in neonatal rats (신생 흰쥐의 저산소성 허혈성 뇌손상에서 항세포사멸사를 통한 taurine의 신경보호 효과)

  • Jeong, Ji Eun;Kim, Tae Yeol;Park, Hye Jin;Lee, Kye Hyang;Lee, Kyung Hoon;Choi, Eun Jin;Kim, Jin Kyung;Chung, Hai Lee;Seo, Eok Su;Kim, Woo Taek
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
    • /
    • v.52 no.12
    • /
    • pp.1337-1347
    • /
    • 2009
  • Purpose:Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is a simple sulfur-containing amino acid. It is abundantly present in tissues such as brain, retina, heart, and skeletal muscles. Current studies have demonstrated the neuroprotective effects of taurine, but limited data are available for such effects during neonatal period. The aim of this study was to determine whether taurine could reduce hypoxic-ischemic (HI) cerebral injury via anti-apoptosis mechanism. Methods:Embryonic cortical neurons isolated from Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats at 18 days gestation were cultured in vitro. The cells were divided into hypoxia group, taurine-treated group before hypoxic insult, and taurine-treated group after HI insult. In the in vivo model, left carotid artery ligation was performed in 7-day-old SD rat pups. The pups were exposed to hypoxia, administered an injection of 30 mg/kg of taurine, and killed at 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks after the hypoxic insult. We compared the expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 among the 3 groups by using real- time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blotting. Results:The cells in the taurine-treated group before hypoxic insult, although similar in appearance to those in the normoxia group, were lesser in number. In the taurine-treated group, Bcl-2 expression increased, whereas Bax and caspase-3 expressions reduced. Conclusion:Taurine exerts neuroprotective effects onperinatal HI brain injury due to its anti-apoptotic effect. The neuroprotective effect was maximal at 1-2 weeks after the hypoxic injury.

Toll-like receptor 2 expression on monocytes from patients with BCG vaccine-associated suppurative lymphadenitis (BCG 접종 후 발생한 화농성 림프절염 환자의 단핵구에서 Toll-like receptor 2의 발현)

  • Oh, Hyun Joo;Shin, Kyung-Sue
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
    • /
    • v.52 no.6
    • /
    • pp.667-673
    • /
    • 2009
  • Purpose : Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) is critical in the immune response to mycobacterial infections. The purpose of this study was to analyze TLR2 surface expressions and TLR2-mediated tumor necrosis factor-alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) production in patients with BCG vaccine-associated suppurative lymphadenitis. Methods : Peripheral monocytes were separated from 16 patients with BCG vaccine-associated suppurative lymphadenitis and 10 healthy controls using a magnet cell isolation kit. Monocytes ($1{\times}10^6$ cells/well) were incubated with a constant amount of $Pam_3CSK_4$ ($100{\mu}g/mL$) for 24 hours. TLR2 surface expression on monocytes was analyzed by FACS analysis and TLR-2 mRNA expression was determined by RT-PCR. TLR2-mediated $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 production were measured by ELISA. Results : In patients with BCG vaccine-associated suppurative lymphadenitis, low TLR2 expression on monocytes ($3.39{\pm}$1.2% versus $4.64{\pm}2.6%$) together with significantly lower TLR2 mRNA expression than in the healthy controls was seen after $Pam_3CSK_4$ stimulation. TLR2-mediated $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 production in patients with BCG vaccine-associated suppurative lymphadenitis ($TNF-{\alpha}$, $775.5{\pm}60.8pg/mL$; IL-6, $4,645.8{\pm}583.9pg/mL$) were also lesser than that in healthy controls ($TNF-{\alpha}$, $1,098.5{\pm}94.3pg/mL$; IL-6, $6,696.3{\pm}544.3pg/mL$). Conclusion : These findings suggest that low TLR2 expression on monocytes might be associated with increased susceptibility to BCG vaccine-associated suppurative lymphadenitis.

A Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor, p16^{INK4A}, Induces Apoptosis in The Human Cancer Cells. (Cyclin-dependent Kinase저해 단백질 p16^{INK4A}의 인체 암세포에서의 세포사멸 유도 활성)

  • 김민경;이철훈
    • Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
    • /
    • v.32 no.1
    • /
    • pp.72-77
    • /
    • 2004
  • Previously, we synthesized a novel Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, MCS-5A. Also, we investigated the involvement of cell cycle regulatory events during MCS-5A-mediated apoptosis in HL-60(+p16/-p53) cells with up-regulation of p16 protein expression. In contrast, apoptosis was not observed in A549(-p16/+p53) cells. Therefore we propose that $p16^{INK4A}$ is a key enzyme for inducing apoptosis. In the present studies, we have explored the mechanism of $p16^{INK4A}$ -mediated cytotoxicity and the role of p16.sup INK4A/ overexpression in the induction of apoptosis in human tumor cells. The tumor suppressor gene $p16^{INK4A}$ is known as a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CKI) and cell cycle regulator. We expressed wild type $p16^{INK4A}$ in pcDNA3.1 vector and then transfected into non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell expressing different statue of p16$^{INK4A}$, p53 gene〔A549(-p16/+p53), H1299(-p16/-p53) and HeLa(+pl6/+p53) cell line〕. TUNEL assay (including propidium iodide staining following transfection of these cell line with pcDNA3.1-pl6) indicate that p16$^{INK4A}$-mediated cytotoxicity was associated with apoptosis. This is supported by studies demonstrating an induction of caspase 3 cleavage due to the transfection of A549, H1299 and HeLa cells with pcDNA3.1-pl6. These results suggest that p16$^{INK4A}$ has a new function of inducing apoptosis which is not related with the function of tumor suppressor gene p53.