• 생명과학회지
• /
• 제28권12호
• /
• pp.1516-1522
• /
• 2018

죽상동맥경화는 대동맥의 만성염증에 의해 주로 발병되는 폐쇄동맥질환이다. 혈관평활근세포의 증식 및 이동은 죽상동맥경화 발병의 주된 병리적 반응이다. 본 연구에서는 죽상동맥경화 발병기전을 유도하는 표적 염증반응 물질의 탐색 및 이들에 의한 신호전달 기전을 연구하였다. 혈관평활근세포의 증식 및 이동은 prostaglandin $F_{2{\alpha}}$ ($PGF_{2{\alpha}}$)에 의해 의미 있게 증가하였으나 tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$ ($TNF{\alpha}$)에 의해서는 증가하지 않았다. Prostacyclin $I_2$ ($PGI_2$)는 혈관평활근세포의 증식은 촉진시켰으나 이동은 오히려 억제하였다. prostaglandin $D_2$ ($PGD_2$) 및 prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$)는 혈관평활근세포의 증식을 촉진시켰으나 이동에는 영향을 미치지 않았다. $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$는 용량 의존적으로 혈관평활근세포의 증식 및 이동을 촉진시켰고 EC50는 약 $0.1{\mu}M$로 관찰되었다. 혈관평활근세포에서 phospholipase $C-{\beta}3$ ($PLC-{\beta}3$) 아형의 발현은 매우 높았으나 $PLC-{\beta}1$, $PLC-{\beta}2$, 및 $PLC-{\beta}4$의 발현은 관찰되지 않았다. U73122 처리를 통해 PLC의 활성을 억제하면 $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$에 의한 혈관평활근세포의 이동이 억제되었다. 또한 $PLC-{\beta}3$의 발현을 억제하면 $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$에 의한 혈관평활근세포의 증식 및 이동이 억제되었다. 이러한 결과들을 바탕으로 $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ 는 혈관평활근세포의 증식 및 이동에 중요한 역할을 수행하고, 여기에는 $PLC-{\beta}3$가 필수적인 역할을 담당하고 있음을 제안한다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제13권6호
• /
• pp.2527-2532
• /
• 2012

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to explore mechanisms underlying the effects of down-regulating ${\beta}$-catenin expression on esophageal carcinoma (EC) cells. Methods: Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were determined using flow cytometry and annexin V apoptosis assay, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to examine changes in ultrastructure, while expression of cyclin D1 protein and mRNA was detected by western blot and real-time PCR. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1-2 were evaluated by Western blot analysis. PCNA labeling index (LI) was determined by immunocytochemistry. Results: Compared with pGen-3-con transfected and Eca-109 cells, the percentage of G0/G1-phase pGen-3-CTNNB1 transfected cells was obviously increased (P<0.05), with no significant difference among the three groups with regard to apoptosis (P>0.05). pGen-3-CTNNB1 transfected cells exhibited obvious decrease in cyclin D1 mRNA and protein expression (P<0.05) and the ultrastructure of Eca-109 cells underwent a significant change after being transfected with pGen-3-CTNNB1, suggesting that down-regulating ${\beta}$-catenin expression can promote the differentiation and maturation. The expression of PCNA and the ERKI/2 phosphorylation state were also down-regulated in pGen-3-CTNNB1 transfected cells (P<0.05). At the same time, the PCNA labeling index was decreased accordingly (P<0.05). Conclusion: Inhibition of EC Eca-109 cellproliferation by down-regulating ${\beta}$-catenin expression could improve cell ultrastructure by mediating blockade in G0/G1 through inhibiting cyclin D1, PCNA and the MAPK pathway (p-ERK1/2).

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• 제36권1호
• /
• pp.59-63
• /
• 2009

작물 스트레스 내성 연구의 궁극적인 과제는 가진 형질을 극대화하여 생산량을 증대하고 외부의 환경적인 요소로부터 피해를 최소화하는 것이다. 따라서 작물의 다양한 외부 환경적 스트레스에 대응하기 위한 연구들이 진행되고 있다. 특히 세포 내 신호전달 과정의 이차매개체인 칼슘에 대한 다양한 연구들이 진행되고 있지만 아직까지 많은 부분이 밝혀져 있지 않다. 본 연구는 모델식물인 애기장대를 이용하여 세포 내 칼슘의 주요 저장소인 액포로 칼슘을 수송하는 역할을 수행하는 $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase의 형질전환 식물을 이용하여 세포 내 칼슘의 신호전달과 식물 생물학적 기능을 알아보았다. ACA11-GFP 유전자가 형질전환된 식물에서 흥미롭게도 ACA11 유전자가 발현 침묵됨으로써 세포 내 칼슘농도 항상성 조절과 신호전달 과정에 문제가 발생하고 세포질 내 활성산소가 증가되어 결국 형질전환체의 잎에서 HR과 같은 세포사멸을 유발한다는 것을 제시하였다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제17권3호
• /
• pp.1037-1047
• /
• 2016

HOX transcription factors are evolutionarily conserved in many different species and are involved in important cellular processes such as morphogenesis, differentiation, and proliferation. They have also recently been implicated in carcinogenesis, but their precise role in cancer, especially in cervical cancer (CC), remains unclear. In this work, using microarray assays followed by the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), we found that the expression of 25 HOX genes was downregulated in CC derived cell lines compared with non-tumorigenic keratinocytes. In particular, the expression of HOXA9 was observed as down-modulated in CC-derived cell lines. The expression of HOXA9 has not been previously reported in CC, or in normal keratinocytes of the cervix. We found that normal CC from women without cervical lesions express HOXA9; in contrast, CC cell lines and samples of biopsies from women with CC showed significantly diminished HOXA9 expression. Furthermore, we found that methylation at the first exon of HOXA9 could play an important role in modulating the expression of this gene. Exogenous restoration of HOXA9 expression in CC cell lines decreased cell proliferation and migration, and induced an epithelial-like phenotype. Interestingly, the silencing of human papilloma virus (HPV) E6 and E7 oncogenes induced expression of HOXA9. In conclusion, controlling HOXA9 expression appears to be a necessary step during CC development. Further studies are needed to delineate the role of HOXA9 during malignant progression and to afford more insights into the relationship between downmodulation of HOXA9 and viral HPV oncoprotein expression during cercical cancer development.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제13권7호
• /
• pp.3223-3228
• /
• 2012

HMGN5 is a typical member of the HMGN (high mobility group nucleosome-binding protein) family which may function as a nucleosomal binding and transcriptional activating protein. Overexpression of HMGN5 has been observed in several human tumors but its role in tumorigenesis has not been fully clarified. To investigate its significance for human lung cancer progression, we successfully constructed a shRNA expression lentiviral vector in which sense and antisense sequences targeting the human HMGN5 were linked with a 9-nucleotide loop. Inhibitory effects of siRNA on endogenous HMGN5 gene expression and protein synthesis were demonstrated via real-time RT-PCR and western blotting. We found HMGN5 silencing to significantly inhibit A549 and H1299 cell proliferation assessed by MTT, BrdU incorporation and colony formation assays. Furthermore, flow cytometry analysis showed that specific knockdown of HMGN5 slowed down the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase and decreased the populations of A549 and H1299 cells at the S and G2/M phases. Taken together, these results suggest that HMGN5 is directly involved in regulation cell proliferation in A549 and H1299 cells by influencing signaling pathways involved in cell cycle progression. Thus, our finding suggests that targeting HMGN5 may be an effective strategy for human lung cancer treatment.

• 대한두경부종양학회지
• /
• 제33권1호
• /
• pp.21-29
• /
• 2017

Methylation of CpG islands in the promoter region of genes acts as a significant mechanism of epigenetic gene silencing in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). DNA methylation markers are particularly advantageous because DNA methylation is an early event in tumorigenesis, and the epigenetic modification, 5-methylcytosine, is a stable mark. In the present study, we assessed the genome-wide preliminary screening and were to identify novel methylation biomarker candidate in HNSCC. Genome-wide methylation analysis was performed on 10 HNSCC tumors using the Methylated DNA Isolation Assay (MeDIA) CpG island microarray. Validation was done using immunohistochemistry using tissue microarray of 135 independent HNSCC tumors. In addition, in vitro proliferation, migration/invasion assays, RT-PCR and immunoblotting were performed to elucidate molecular regulating mechanisms. Our preliminary validation using CpG microarray data set, immunohisto-chemistry for HNSCC tumor tissues and in vitro functional assays revealed that methylation of the Homeobox B5 (HOXB5) and H6 Family Homeobox 2 (HMX2) could be possible novel methylation biomarkers in HNSCC.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• 제38권12호
• /
• pp.1064-1070
• /
• 2015

Translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) is a mitochondrial outer membrane protein and is abundantly expressed in a variety of organ and tissues. To date, the functional role of TSPO on vascular endothelial cell activation has yet to be fully elucidated. In the present study, the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA, 250 nM), an activator of protein kinase C (PKC), was used to induce vascular endothelial activation. Adenoviral TSPO overexpression (10-100 MOI) inhibited PMA-induced vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intracellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression in a dose dependent manner. PMA-induced VCAM-1 expressions were inhibited by Mito-TEMPO ($0.1-0.5{\mu}m$), a specific mitochondrial antioxidants, and cyclosporin A ($1-5{\mu}m$), a mitochondrial permeability transition pore inhibitor, implying on an important role of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) on the endothelial activation. Moreover, adenoviral TSPO overexpression inhibited mitochondrial ROS production and manganese superoxide dismutase expression. On contrasts, gene silencing of TSPO with siRNA increased PMA-induced VCAM-1 expression and mitochondrial ROS production. Midazolam ($1-50{\mu}m$), TSPO ligands, inhibited PMA-induced VCAM-1 and mitochondrial ROS production in endothelial cells. These results suggest that mitochondrial TSPO can inhibit PMA-induced endothelial inflammation via suppression of VCAM-1 and mitochondrial ROS production in endothelial cells.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• 제27권4호
• /
• pp.414-422
• /
• 2019

There is accumulating evidence that microRNAs are emerging as pivotal regulators in the development and progression of neuropathic pain. MicroRNA-15a/16 (miR-15a/16) have been reported to play an important role in various diseases and inflammation response processes. However, whether miR-15a/16 participates in the regulation of neuroinflammation and neuropathic pain development remains unknown. In this study, we established a mouse model of neuropathic pain by chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerves. Our results showed that both miR-15a and miR-16 expression was significantly upregulated in the spinal cord of CCI rats. Downregulation of the expression of miR-15a and miR-16 by intrathecal injection of a specific inhibitor significantly attenuated the mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia of CCI rats. Furthermore, inhibition of miR-15a and miR-16 downregulated the expression of interleukin-$1{\beta}$ and tumor-necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ in the spinal cord of CCI rats. Bioinformatic analysis predicted that G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2), an important regulator in neuropathic pain and inflammation, was a potential target gene of miR-15a and miR-16. Inhibition of miR-15a and miR-16 markedly increased the expression of GRK2 while downregulating the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and $NF-{\kappa}B$ in CCI rats. Notably, the silencing of GRK2 significantly reversed the inhibitory effects of miR-15a/16 inhibition in neuropathic pain. In conclusion, our results suggest that inhibition of miR-15a/16 expression alleviates neuropathic pain development by targeting GRK2. These findings provide novel insights into the molecular pathogenesis of neuropathic pain and suggest potential therapeutic targets for preventing neuropathic pain development.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• 제32권1호
• /
• pp.84-93
• /
• 2024

Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a phenolic ester that protects human keratinocytes against oxidative damage induced by ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure, however, the mechanisms underlying its effects remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the cell signaling mechanisms that regulate the antioxidant activity of RA and confirm its cyto-protective role. To explore the signaling mechanisms, we used the human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT and SKH1 hairless mouse skin. RA enhanced glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC) and glutathione synthetase (GSS) expression in HaCaT cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Moreover, RA induced nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (NRF2) nuclear translocation and activated the signaling kinases protein kinase B (AKT) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Treatment with the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002, the ERK inhibitor U0126, and small interfering RNA (siRNA) gene silencing suppressed RA-enhanced GCLC, GSS, and NRF2 expression, respectively. Cell viability tests showed that RA significantly prevented UVB-induced cell viability decrease, whereas the glutathione (GSH) inhibitors buthionine sulfoximine, LY294002, and U0126 significantly reduced this effect. Moreover, RA protected against DNA damage and protein carbonylation, lipid peroxidation, and apoptosis caused by UVB-induced oxidative stress in a concentration-dependent manner in SKH1 hairless mouse skin tissues. These results suggest that RA protects against UVB-induced oxidative damage by activating AKT and ERK signaling to regulate NRF2 signaling and enhance GSH biosynthesis. Thus, RA treatment may be a promising approach to protect the skin from UVB-induced oxidative damage.

• 생명과학회지
• /
• 제18권8호
• /
• pp.1132-1139
• /
• 2008

CpG island는 유전자의 발현 기작과 많은 관련이 있다. 포유동물 유전자의 약 $30{\sim}60$% 정도의 프로모터와 엑손부위에 CpG island가 존재 한다. 최근의 연구 결과에 따르면 CpG island의 과메틸화는 주요 암 억제유전자들을 불활성화 시켜 암을 일으키는 주요 요인이 되는 것으로 밝혀졌다. CpG island의 과메틸화는 거의 모든 암 종류에서 발견되고 있다. 따라서 CpG island를 검색하는 프로그램은 매우 중요한 의미를 갖는다. 그래서 D. Takai 와 P. A. Jones 등이 2002년 검증한 CpG island 정의 기준을 이용하여 윈도우 기반의 소프트웨어 프로그램인 CpGi를 개발하였다. CpGi는 Visual C++ 6.0로 구현하였으며, 입력서열 양식은 FASTA 포맷을 허용하도록 구성하였다. CpGi의 검색 성능을 평가하기 위해 2개의 인간 Contig, 즉, AP00524 (22번 염색체)와 NT_029490.3 (21번 염색체) 등을 대상으로 기존의 다른 CpG island 검색 프로그램인 Emboss-CpGPlot 및 CpG Island Searcher 등과 검색결과를 비교 분석하였다. CpGi에 의한 검색 결과는 다른 두 프로그램에 비해 같거나 오히려 보다 정확한 검색 결과를 보여주었다. CpGi는 사용자 친화적인 윈도우 인터페이스로 구현되어 있어 사용자가 프로그램을 구동하고 이용하기 매우 쉽고, 분석결과에 대한 이해도 용이하다. 본 프로그램은 사용자가 지정한 파라미터 값들(%GC, Obs (CpG)/Exp (CpG), 분석 윈도우 크기, 스텝크기, Gap 허용치, #CG)에 의해 CpG island의 위치를 결정하고, G+C%와 CpG island의 위치를 시각적으로 보여준다. 결과적으로, CpGi는 CpG island 관련 실험 연구자들뿐만 아니라 대용량 서열 분석 및 주석 작업을 위해 매우 유용한 도구로 활용될 수 있을 것이다.