• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.96-102
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• 2017

Background: Korean ginseng, Panax ginseng Meyer, has been used as a traditional oriental medicine to treat illness and promote health for several thousand years. Ginsenosides are the main constituents for the pharmacological effects of P. ginseng. Since several ginsenosides, including ginsenoside (G)-Rg3 and G-Rp1, have reported antiplatelet activity, here we investigate the ability of G-Rp4 to modulate adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation. The ginsenoside Rp4, a similar chemical structure of G-Rp1, was prepared from G-Rg1 by chemical modification. Methods: To examine the effects of G-Rp4 on platelet activation, we performed several experiments, including antiplatelet ability, the modulation of intracellular calcium concentration, and P-selectin expression. In addition, we examined the activation of integrin ${\alpha}IIb{\beta}_3$ and the phosphorylation of signaling molecules using fibrinogen binding assay and immunoblotting in rat washed platelets. Results: G-Rp4 inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation in a dose-dependent manner. We found that G-Rp4 decreased calcium mobilization and P-selectin expression in ADP-activated platelets. Moreover, fibrinogen binding to integrin ${\alpha}IIb{\beta}_3$ by ADP was attenuated in G-Rp4-treated platelets. G-Rp4 significantly attenuated phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2, p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase, as well as protein kinase B, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and phospholipase C-${\gamma}$ phosphorylations. Conclusion: G-Rp4 significantly inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation and this is mediated via modulating the intracellular signaling molecules. These results indicate that G-Rp4 could be a potential candidate as a therapeutic agent against platelet-related cardiovascular diseases.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.7
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• pp.457-465
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• 2017

Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced murine models of type 1 diabetes have been used to examine ER stress during pancreatic ${\beta}$-cell apoptosis, as this ER stress plays important roles in the pathogenesis and development of the disease. However, the mechanisms linking type 1 diabetes to the ER stress-modulating anti-diabetic signaling pathway remain to be addressed, though it was recently established that ERK5 (Extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 5) contributes to the pathogeneses of diabetic complications. This study was undertaken to explore the mechanism whereby ERK5 inhibition instigates pancreatic ${\beta}$-cell apoptosis via an ER stress-dependent signaling pathway. STZ-induced diabetic WT and CHOP deficient mice were i.p. injected every 2 days for 6 days under BIX02189 (a specific ERK5 inhibitor) treatment in order to evaluate the role of ERK5. Hyperglycemia was exacerbated by co-treating C57BL/6J mice with STZ and BIX02189 as compared with mice administered with STZ alone. In addition, immunoblotting data revealed that ERK5 inhibition activated the unfolded protein response pathway accompanying apoptotic events, such as, PARP-1 and caspase-3 cleavage. Interestingly, ERK5 inhibition-induced exacerbation of pancreatic ${\beta}$-cell apoptosis was inhibited in CHOP deficient mice. Moreover, transduction of adenovirus encoding an active mutant form of $MEK5{\alpha}$, an upstream kinase of ERK5, inhibited STZ-induced unfolded protein responses and ${\beta}$-cell apoptosis. These results suggest that ERK5 protects against STZ-induced pancreatic ${\beta}$-cell apoptosis and hyperglycemia by interrupting the ER stress-mediated apoptotic pathway.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.19-25
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• 2015

Objectives: Capsaicin (CAP) is the chief pungent principle found in the hot red peppers and the chili peppers that have long been used as spices, food additives and drugs. This study investigated the anticancer potential of CAP through its ability to modify extracellular matrix components and proteases during mice lung carcinogenesis. Methods: Swiss albino mice were treated with benzo(a) pyrene (50 mg/kg body weight dissolved in olive oil) orally twice a week for four successive weeks to induce lung cancer at the end of $14^{th}$ week. CAP was administrated (10 mg/kg body weight dissolved in olive oil) intraperitoneally. Extracellular matrix components were assayed; Masson's trichome staining of lung tissues was performed. Western blot analyses of matrix metalloproteases 2 and 9 were also carried out. Results: In comparison with the control animals, animals in which benzo(a)pyrene had induced lung cancer showed significant increases in extracellular matrix components such as collagen (hydroxy proline), elastin, uronic acid and hexosamine and in glycosaminoglycans such as hyaluronate, chondroitin sulfate, keratan sulfate and dermatan sulfate. The above alterations in extracellular matrix components were effectively counteracted in benzo(a)pyrene along with CAP supplemented animals when compared to benzo(a) pyrene alone supplemented animals. The results of Masson's trichome staining for collagen and of, immunoblotting analyses of matrix metalloproteases 2 and 9 further supported the biochemical findings. Conclusion: The apparent potential of CAP in modulating extracellular matrix components and proteases suggests that CAP plays a chemomodulatory and anti-cancer role working against experimentally induced lung carcinogenesis.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.147-152
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• 2009

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a simple phospholipid-derived mediator implicated in diverse biological actions, acts through the specific G-protein coupled receptors, LPA receptor (LPAR) $1{\sim}5$. Our previous study showed that LPAR3 is expressed in the uterine endometrium in a cell type- and stage-specific manner and LPA via LPAR3 increases PTGS2 expression in the uterine endometrium during the period of implantation. Although LPAR3 is considered to be predominant LPA receptor in the uterine endometrium, other LPA receptors might playa role to mediate LPA functions in the uterine endometrium during pregnancy. Among LPARs, we investigated expression of LPAR1 during the estrous cycle and pregnancy in this study. Uterine endometrial tissue samples were collected from day (D) 12 and D15 of the estrous cycle and from D12, D15, D30, D60, D90 and D114 of pregnancy. Northern blot analysis determined that LPAR1 mRNA was constitutively expressed in the uterine endometrial tissues during the estrous cycle and pregnancy of all stages. Analysis by immunoblotting revealed that LPAR1 proteins were present in the porcine uterine endometrium during the estrous cycle and pregnancy. Immunohistochemical experiments demonstrated that LP AR1 protein was localized to endometrial epithelium and stromal cell, specifically to nuclei of these cell types. Results in this study show that LPAR1 is constitutively expressed in the uterine endometrium during the estrous cycle and pregnancy. These results suggest that LPA via LPAR1 may playa role in the uterine endometrial function throughout pregnancy in pigs.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.19-28
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• 2005

The objectives of the current study were to develop polyclonal antibodies in sheep against adipocyte plasma membrane(APM) proteins isolated from swine, to investigate tissue specificity, and to determine cytotoxic effects of antiserum on swine adipocytes. Plasma membrane proteins from adipocyte, brain, heart, kidney, liver, and spleen were isolated using a 32% sucrose gradient. Adult male sheep was immunized three times at three week interval with the purified swine APM proteins. Antiserum was taken from immunized sheep at 10, 12, and 14 days after the third immunization. Antiserum expressed strong reactivity with APM proteins determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), and the reactivity could be detected at dilutions in excess of 1 : 81,000. Antiserum showed very low binding affinity with proteins isolated from brain, heart, kidney, liver, or spleen. Tissue specificity of the antiserum was reconfirmed by Western immunoblotting using anti-sheep immunoglobulin G•alkalinephosphatase conjugate as a secondary antibody. The reactivity of antiserum to the external surface of fixed swine adipocytes was confmned by an immunohistochemical technique using anti-sheep immunoglobulin G-FITC. Confluent swine adipocytes in culture were lysed by antiserum treatment and cytosolie lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) was released as a dose-dependent patterns while adipocytes treated with normal sheep serum maintained their integrity and expressed low level of LDH. These results implicate that fat contents in the pigs can be reduced by immunological methods.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.29-44
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• 2005

To address the ability of Herba Portulacae(HP) to induce cell death, we investigated the effect of HP on cell viability. Twenty-four hours later, loss of viability occurred following HP exposure in a dose-dependent manner. The treatment of HP, a commonly used herb formulation in Korea, Japan and China, caused a decrease in cell viability. HP also resulted in apoptotic morphology a brightly blue-fluorescent condensed nuclei by Hoechst 33258-staining, and reduction of cell volume. Our results show that 2mg/ml HP induces mitochondria membrane potential collapse. Immunoblotting data also shows that the expression of Bcl-2, antiaoptotic protein, decrease by the addition of HP. This GFP-Bax overexpression system shows that an important pro-apoptotic Bcl-2-family protein, Bax is translocated to mitochondria by the addition of 2mg/ml HP. Inerestingly, MAPK inhibitor study shows that p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580 inhibits HP-induced cell death and caspase-3 activation in HP-treated HeLa cells. Furthermore, HP transiently but significantly induces p38 activation. But P38 MAPK inhibitor does not have any effect on the translocation of Bax. Considering these results, HP induces apoptosis via p38 MAPK activation. But the pathway does not involve the translocation of Bax.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.15-28
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• 2005

To address the ability of Kung-Kyung-Ilho-Jeon(KK) to induce cell death, we investigated the effect of KK on cell viability. Forty-eight hours later, loss of viability occurred following KK exposure in a dose-dependent manner. The treatment of KK, a commonly used herb formulation in Korea and China, caused a decrease in cell viability. KK also resulted in apoptotic morphology a brightly blue-fluorescent condensed nuclei by Hoechst 33258-staining, and reduction of cell volume. Our results show that KK induces caspase-3 and -9 activation in a time-dependent manner. In addtion, the translocation of cytochrome c release into cytoplasm has been observed under the presence of $5mg/m{\ell}$ KK. The subsequent loss of mitochondria membrane potential is collapsed by the addition of KK. Our immunoblotting data show that PARP, a well known caspase-3 and -6 substrate, is cleaved by KK. We show that a pro-apoptotic protein, Bax is increased in the presence of KK but that the amount of Bcl-2 is not changed. We suggest that Bax, a critical protein which can regulate channel of mitochondria to release cytochrome c, is a key protein in KK-induced apoptosis of Hela human cervical carcinoma cells

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.218-223
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• 2000

Using two drugs, tunicamycin and brefeldin A, which affect protein processing, we investigated the intracellular processing mechanism of secreted aspartyl proteinase 1 (SAPl) of Candide albicans. Three intracellular forms of SAPI were detected by immunoblotting using menoclonal antibody (MAb) CAPl. Their molecular weights were approximately 40, 41 and 45 kDa, respectively. The 41 kDa protein is a glycoprotein and may be the same as the extracellular form judging by its molecular mass. The 40 kDa protein was the unglycosylated form and its molecular mass coincided with deglycosylated SAPl and the 45 kDa protein was also the unglycosylated form. Neither the 40 and 45 kDa proteins were detected in the culture supernatant of C. albicans. These suggested that the 40 and 45 kDa proteins might be intracellular precursor forms of SAPI. These results show that SAPI is translated as a 45 kDa precusor form in the endoplasmic reticulum and the 45 kDa precursor farm undergoes proteolytic cleavage after translocation into the Golgi apparatus, generating the 40 kDa precursor form. This 40 kDa precursor is converted into a 41 kDa mature form through glycosylation in the Golgi apparatus. The mature form of the 41 kDa protein is sorted into secretary vesicles and finally released into the extracellular space through membrane fusion. When the glycan region of SAPl was digested with N-glycosidase F, both stability and activity of the enzyme decreased. These results indicate that the glycan attached to the enzyme may, at least in parti be related to enzyme stability and activity.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.709-713
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• 2007

Basement membranes (BMs) are extracellular matrices associated with epithelia, endothelia, muscle, fat and peripheral nerve. They are involved in cell survival, migration, differentiation. BMs functions also include tissue formation and provide mechanical stability as a selective barriers. Laminins are heterotrimeric glycoproteins found in BMs and have a crucial role in cell adhesion and signalling. Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells are the best established mammalian model for studying epithelial cell biology The cells form an epithelial monolayer, with tight junctions separating an apical surface from a basolateral membrane facing the filter support and neighboring cells. In this study, using MDCK cells, the synthesis of the BM protein such as laminin with or without methanol extract of Chrysanthemum morifolium (CM) stimulation was analyzed by immunoblotting and CM showed significant increased cell density and enhanced synthesis of laminin.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.214-223
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• 2003

Methamphetamine (METH) and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) have become popular recreational drugs of abuse in many countries. Although the neurotoxic damage caused by METH and MDMA is characterized by degeneration of the dopaminergic and serotonergic systems in brain, the molecular and cellular mechanisms remain to be clarified. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to confirm the capability of METH and MDMA to induce apoptosis and to clarify the action of its molecular mechanism by using serotonergic JAR cells and dopaminergic SK-N-SH cells. METH and MDMA were dose-dependently cytotoxic to human serotonergic JAR cells and dopaminergic SK-N-SH cells. The morphological change of apoptosis was found in Giemsa staining and TUNEL and further verified in DNA fragmentation analysis. Immunoblotting analysis revealed proteolytic cleavage of caspase-3 and -9 and change of bcl-2 and bax proteins. These results suggest that METH and MDMA may induce caspase-dependent apoptosis via the mitochondrial cell death pathway and METH and MDMA-induced neurotoxicity may happen to broadly and independently of both dopaminergic and serotonergic systems.