• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• 제56권1호
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• pp.16-24
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• 2023

Endothelial cells (EC) are the anatomical boundaries between the intravascular and extravascular space. Damage to ECs is catastrophic and induces endothelial cell dysfunction. The pathogenesis is multifactorial and involves dysregulation in the signaling pathways, membrane lipids ratio disturbance, cell-cell adhesion disturbance, unfolded protein response, lysosomal and mitochondrial stress, autophagy dysregulation, and oxidative stress. Autophagy is a lysosomal-dependent turnover of intracellular components. Autophagy was recognized early in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction. Autophagy is a remarkable patho (physiological) process in the cell homeostasis regulation including EC. Regulation of autophagy rate is disease-dependent and impaired with aging. Up-regulation of autophagy induces endothelial cell regeneration/differentiation and improves the function of impaired ones. The paper scrutinizes the molecular mechanisms and triggers of EC dysregulation and current perspectives for future therapeutic strategies by autophagy targeting.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.446-455
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• 2023

The mechanistic functions of 3-deoxysappanchalcone (3-DSC), a chalcone compound known to have many pharmacological effects on lung cancer, have not yet been elucidated. In this study, we identified the comprehensive anti-cancer mechanism of 3-DSC, which targets EGFR and MET kinase in drug-resistant lung cancer cells. 3-DSC directly targets both EGFR and MET, thereby inhibiting the growth of drug-resistant lung cancer cells. Mechanistically, 3-DSC induced cell cycle arrest by modulating cell cycle regulatory proteins, including cyclin B1, cdc2, and p27. In addition, concomitant EGFR downstream signaling proteins such as MET, AKT, and ERK were affected by 3-DSC and contributed to the inhibition of cancer cell growth. Furthermore, our results show that 3-DSC increased redox homeostasis disruption, ER stress, mitochondrial depolarization, and caspase activation in gefitinib-resistant lung cancer cells, thereby abrogating cancer cell growth. 3-DSC induced apoptotic cell death which is regulated by Mcl-1, Bax, Apaf-1, and PARP in gefitinib-resistant lung cancer cells. 3-DSC also initiated the activation of caspases, and the pan-caspase inhibitor, Z-VAD-FMK, abrogated 3-DSC induced-apoptosis in lung cancer cells. These data imply that 3-DSC mainly increased mitochondria-associated intrinsic apoptosis in lung cancer cells to reduce lung cancer cell growth. Overall, 3-DSC inhibited the growth of drug-resistant lung cancer cells by simultaneously targeting EGFR and MET, which exerted anti-cancer effects through cell cycle arrest, mitochondrial homeostasis collapse, and increased ROS generation, eventually triggering anti-cancer mechanisms. 3-DSC could potentially be used as an effective anti-cancer strategy to overcome EGFR and MET target drug-resistant lung cancer.

• BMB Reports
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.213-219
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• 2002

Malonyl-CoA decarboxylase (E.C.4.1.1.9) catalyzes the conversion of malonyl-CoA to acetyl-CoA. Although the metabolic role of this enzyme has not been fully defined, it has been reported that its deficiency is associated with mild mental retardation, seizures, hypotonia, cadiomyopathy, developmental delay, vomiting, hypoglycemia, metabolic acidosis, and malonic aciduria. Here, we isolated a cDNA clone for malonyl CoA decarboxylase from a rat brain cDNA library, expressed it in E. coli, and characterized its biochemical properties. The full-length cDNA contained a single open-reading frame that encoded 491 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular weight of 54, 762 Da. Its deduced amino acid sequence revealed a 65.6% identity to that from the goose uropigial gland. The sequence of the first 38 amino acids represents a putative mitochondrial targeting sequence, and the last 3 amino acid sequences (SKL) represent peroxisomal targeting ones. The expression of malonyl CoA decarboxylase was observed over a wide range of tissues as a single transcript of 2.0 kb in size. The recombinant protein that was expressed in E. coli was used to characterize the biochemical properties, which showed a typical Michaelis-Menten substrate saturation pattern. The $K_m$ and $V_{max}$ were calculated to be $68\;{\mu}M$ and $42.6\;{\mu}mol/min/mg$, respectively.

• Kidney Research and Clinical Practice
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.69-77
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• 2016

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease, and its pathogenesis is complex and has not yet been fully elucidated. Abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism is key to understanding the pathogenesis of DN, which can develop in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. A hallmark of this disease is the accumulation of glucose and lipids in renal cells, resulting in oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress, intracellular hypoxia, and inflammation, eventually leading to glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis. There is a growing body of evidence demonstrating that dysregulation of 50 adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), an enzyme that plays a principal role in cell growth and cellular energy homeostasis, in relevant tissues is a key component of the development of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus; thus, targeting this enzyme may ameliorate some pathologic features of this disease. AMPK regulates the coordination of anabolic processes, with its activation proven to improve glucose and lipid homeostasis in insulin-resistant animal models, as well as demonstrating mitochondrial biogenesis and antitumor activity. In this review, we discuss new findings regarding the role of AMPK in the pathogenesis of DN and offer suggestions for feasible clinical use and future studies of the role of AMPK activators in this disorder.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제57권2호
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• pp.103-111
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• 2014

A1E is an extract from traditional Asian medicinal plants that has therapeutic activities against cancers, metabolic disease, and other intractable conditions. However, its mechanism of action on cervical cancer has not been studied. In order to ascertain if A1E would have pronounced anti-cervical cancer effect, cervical cancer cells were incubated with A1E and apoptosis was detected by nuclear morphological changes, annexin V-FITC/PI staining, cell cycle analysis, western blotting, Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, and measurement of mitochondrial membrane potential. Expression of human papiloma virus E6 and E7 oncogenes was down-regulated in A1E-treated cervical cancer cells, while p53 and retinoblastoma protein levels were enhanced. A1E also perturbed cell cycle progression at sub-G1 and altered cell cycle regulatory factors in SiHa cervical cancer cells. A1E activated apoptotic intrinsic pathway markers such as caspase-9, caspase-3 and poly ADP-ribose polymerase, and down-regulated expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl. A1E induced mitochondrial membrane potential collapse and cytochrome c release, and inhibited phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, key factors involved in cell survival signaling. Taken all these results, A1E induced apoptosis via activation of the intrinsic pathway and inhibition of the PI3K/Akt survival-signaling pathway in SiHa cervical cancer cells. In conclusion, A1E exerts anti-proliferative action growth inhibition on cervical cancer cells through apoptosis which demonstrates its anti-cervical cancer properties.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권6호
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• pp.3955-3961
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• 2013

Background: Defects of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) have long been implicated in generation of oxidative stress and risk susceptibility to various cancers. Two functional polymorphisms within the MnSOD gene, including the Val-9Ala of the mitochondrial targeting sequence (MTS) and the Ile58Thr of the exon-3, have been proposed to reduce its enzyme activity and antioxidant potential. Materials and Methods: A high-throughput multiplex SNaPshot$^{(R)}$ system was developed herein for simultaneous analyses of Val-9Ala and Ile58Thr in a single reaction. Genomic DNA extracted from each whole blood sample of 248 patients including 107 with cervical cancer and 141 with breast cancer and from 136 healthy women as controls was analyzed by the multiplex SNaPshot$^{(R)}$ system. Results: The Val/Val, Val/Ala genotypes and the Val allele of the MTS were predominant in patients with cervical or breast cancer as well as healthy women in Thailand. The Ile/Ile genotype and the Ile allele of the exon-3 were found in all of them whereas none of the Ile/Thr, the Thr/Thr genotypes and the Thr allele was detected. Genotypic association of both Val-9Ala and Ile58Thr polymorphisms with cervical cancer and breast cancer of these patients comparing to healthy women was not statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusions: The Val/Val, Val/Ala genotypes and the Val allele of the MTS were found predominantly but the Ile/Ile genotype and the Ile allele of the exon-3 were detected in patients with cervical cancer, breast cancer and healthy women in Thailand. These two functional polymorphisms (Val-9Ala and Ile58Thr) in MnSOD gene did not associate with susceptibility risk of these cancer patients in Thailand.

• 한국축산식품학회지
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• 제29권5호
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• pp.647-652
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• 2009

유제품에 들어 있는 우유와 산양유를 동정하기 위해 미토콘드리아의 12S rRNA 유전자를 목표로 하는 primer을 이용하는 duplex PCR 분석을 적용하였다. 소와 산양의 특이성 primer을 이용한 duplex PCR 분석은 우유와 산양유 DNA에 대해 각각 233 bp와 326 bp의 특이성 단편을 나타냈다. Duplex PCR 분석이 라벨에 표시된 성분을 확인하기위하여 시중마트에서 구입한 15개 유제품에 적용하였다. Duplex PCR 분석 결과 4개 시유, 3개 요구르트, 1개 전지분유는 표시된 성분과 완전히 일치하였다. 그러나 7개의 조제분유 중 5개만 표시성분과 일치하고 2개 조제분유제품은 산양유와 우유가 각각 오염되어 있는 것으로 나타났다. 제안된 duplex PCR 분석은 산양유에 들어있는 우유를 0.1%까지 측정할 수 있는 민감하고 신속한 방법이다. Duplex PCR 분석은 유제품 속에 들어있는 우유와 산양유를 one-step 방법으로 동시에 탐지할 수 있다.

• 한국어병학회지
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.15-21
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• 2020

We found skin flukes in snubnose pompano (Trachinotus blochii) from a public aquarium and attempted clear identification of them to the species level by morphology and molecular analyses. Skin flukes were collected from snubnose pompano showing dyspnea, anorexia and mild hemorrhage on the skin. All the fish samples (n=2) were infected with the flukes on the skin, gill and eyes, covered with excessive mucus. The isolated worms were transferred for making slide specimen and PCR amplification targeting 18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (mt cox1) and cytochrome b (Cytb) genes for further analyses. Morphology and measurements data of our slide specimen coincided with those of Neobenedenia girellae. The sequence data of 2 genes (28S rDNA and Cytb) and the phylogenetic trees revealed that our specimen consistently belonged to the N. girellae clade. For 18S rDNA and mt cox1 genes, there was no sequence of either of these 2 Neobenedenia species from the type host available in GenBank. This is the first record of N. girellae in snubnose pompano, but it is still unclear if the snubnose pompano is a natural host for N. girellae or not because N. girellae is known to have an unusual broad host range and the host-switching can occur particularly in captive conditions such as aquarium or aquaculture facilities.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제58권4호
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• pp.383-387
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• 2015

국내 유통 식품 수입 식품 중 토끼와 고양이 고기의 혼입 여부를 알아내고 불법 도축된 고양이 고기를 토끼 고기나 다른 고기로 속여 판매하는 것을 방지하기 위해 토끼와 고양이를 동시에 검출할 수 있는 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) 법을 개발하였다. 토끼와 고양이의 종 특이 프라이머는 미토콘드리아의 cytochrome b 유전자를 대상으로 하였고 개발된 프라이머를 가공식품에 활용하는 것을 고려하여 PCR 산물의 크기는 토끼 101 bp, 고양이 191 bp로 최소화 하였다. 프라이머의 특이성은 총 21종의 동물을 대상으로 검토하였다. 개발된 검출법의 검출 한계는 시료 DNA를 희석하여 PCR과 Bioanalyzer로 확인한 결과 토끼는 0.005 ng, 고양이는 0.0005 ng이었다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권11호
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• pp.6197-6208
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• 2013

Cancers will continue to be a threat to health unless they can be controlled by combinations of treatment modalities. In this review, evaluate the role of resveratrol (RSV) as a radiosensitizing agent was evaluated and underlying mechanisms holistically explored in different cancer models focusing on therapeutic possibilities. The ability of RSV to modify the effect of radiation exposure in normal and cancer cells has indeed been shown quite convincingly, the combination of RSV and IR exhibiting synergistic effects on different cancer cells. This is relevant since controlled exposure to IR is one of the most frequently applied treatments in cancer patients. However, radiotherapy (XRT) treatment regimes are very often not effective in clinical practice as observed in patients with glioma, prostate cancer (PCa), melanoma, for example, largely due to tumour radioresistant properties. Sensitization of IR-induced apoptosis by natural products such as RSV is likely to be relevant in cancer control and treatment. However, all cancers do not respond to RSV+IR in a similar manner. Therefore, for those such as the radioresistant PCa or melanoma cells, the RSV+IR regime has to be very carefully chosen in order to achieve effective and desirable outcomes with minimum toxicity to normal cells. They are reports that the highest concentration of 100 ${\mu}M$ RSV and highest dose of 5 Gy IR are sufficient to kill cells by induction of apoptosis, indicating that RSV is effective in radiosensitizing otherwise radioresistant cells. In general, it has been shown in different cancer cells that RSV+XRT effectively act by enhancing expression of anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic molecules, and inhibiting pro-proliferative and anti-apoptotic molecules, leading to induction of apoptosis through various pathways, and cell death. If RSV+XRT can suppress the signature of cancer stemness, enhance the radiosensitivity by either targeting the mitochondrial functionality or modulating the tumour necrosis factor-mediated or Fas-FasL-mediated pathways of apoptosis in different cancers, particularly in vivo, its therapeutic use in the control of cancers holds promise in the near future.