• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.57-64
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• 2006

We identified differentially expressed genes in RAW264.7 cells in response to single and double ligand treatments (LPS, $IFN{\gamma}$, 2MA, LPS plus $IFN{\gamma}$, and LPS plus 2MA). The majority of the regulated transcripts responded additively to dual ligand treatment. However, a significant fraction responded in a non-additive fashion. Several cytokines showing non-additive transcriptional responses to dual ligand treatment also showed non-additive protein production/secretion responses in separately performed experiments. Many of the genes with non-additive responses to LPS plus 2MA showed enhanced responses and encoded pro-inflammatory proteins. LPS plus $IFN{\gamma}$ appeared to induce both non-additive enhancement and non-additive attenuation of gene expression. The affected genes were associated with a variety of biological functions. These experiments reveal both dependent and independent regulatory pathways and point out the specific nature of the regulatory interactions.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.224-229
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• 2013

Receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) is a multi-ligand receptor that is able to bind several different ligands, including advanced glycation endproducts, high-mobility group protein (B)1 (HMGB1), S-100 calcium-binding protein, amyloid-${\beta}$-protein, Mac-1, and phosphatidylserine. Its interaction is engaged in critical cellular processes, such as inflammation, proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, and migration, and dysregulation of RAGE and its ligands leads to the development of numerous human diseases. In this review, we summarize the signaling pathways regulated by RAGE and its ligands identified up to date and demonstrate the effects of hyper-activation of RAGE signals on human diseases, focused mainly on renal disorders. Finally, we propose that RAGE and its ligands are the potential targets for the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of numerous renal diseases.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.109-115
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the mechanism underlying enhanced radiosensitivity to $^{60}Co\;{\gamma}$-irradiation in human prostate PC-3 cells pretreated with berberine. The cytotoxic effect of the combination of berberine and irradiation was superior to that of berberine or irradiation alone. Cell death and Apoptosis increased significantly with the combination of berberine and irradiation. Additionally, ROS generation was elevated by berberine with or without irradiation. The antioxidant NAC inhibited berberine and radiation-induced cell death. Bax, caspase-3, p53, p38, and JNK activation increased, but activation of Bcl-2, ERK, and HO-1 decreased with berberine treatment with or without irradiation. Berberine inhibited the anti-apoptotic signal pathway involving the activation of the HO-1/NF-${\kappa}B$-mediated survival pathway, which prevents radiation-induced cell death. Our data demonstrate that berberine inhibited the radioresistant effects and enhanced the radiosensitivity effects in human prostate cancer cells via the MAPK/caspase-3 and ROS pathways.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.39.1-39.8
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• 2020

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys affected individuals' memory and reasoning faculties, and consequently, their ability to perform the simplest tasks. This study investigated the hub genes of AD. Proteins interact with other proteins and non-protein molecules, and these interactions play an important role in understanding protein function. Computational methods are useful for understanding biological problems, in particular, network analyses of protein-protein interactions. Through a protein network analysis, we identified the following top 10 hub genes associated with AD: PTGER3, C3AR1, NPY, ADCY2, CXCL12, CCR5, MTNR1A, CNR2, GRM2, and CXCL8. Through gene enrichment, it was identified that most gene functions could be classified as integral to the plasma membrane, G-protein coupled receptor activity, and cell communication under gene ontology, as well as involvement in signal transduction pathways. Based on the convergent functional genomics ranking, the prioritized genes were NPY, CXCL12, CCR5, and CNR2.

• Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.153-161
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• 2018

Imbalance of protein homeostasis (proteostasis) is known to cause cellular malfunction, cell death, and diseases. Elaborate regulation of protein synthesis and degradation is one of the important processes in maintaining normal cellular functions. Protein degradation pathways in eukaryotes are largely divided into proteasome-mediated degradation and lysosome-mediated degradation. Proteasome is a multisubunit complex that selectively degrades 80% to 90% of cellular proteins. Proteasome-mediated degradation can be divided into 26S proteasome (20S proteasome + 19S regulatory particle) and free 20S proteasome degradation. In 1980, it was discovered that during ubiquitination process, wherein ubiquitin binds to a substrate protein in an ATP-dependent manner, ubiquitin acts as a degrading signal to degrade the substrate protein via proteasome. Conversely, 20S proteasome degrades the substrate protein without using ATP or ubiquitin because it recognizes the oxidized and structurally modified hydrophobic patch of the substrate protein. To date, most studies have focused on protein degradation via 26S proteasome. This review describes the 26S/20S proteasomal pathway of protein degradation and discusses the potential of proteasome as therapeutic targets for cancer treatment as well as against diseases caused by abnormalities in the proteolytic system.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.75.1-75.1
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• 2003

Low-frequency electrical field stimulation of transmural nerves of cat esophageal circular smooth muscle produces an “off contraction”, which occurs after electirical field stimulation (EFS) of transmural nerves is stopped. We previously examined signal transduction pathways mediating ACh-induced contraction of circular smooth muscle of esophagus. The extracellular Ca$\^$2+/ is needed for the contraction, results in the activation PKC. EFS-induced contraction was abolished by the pretreatments of tetrodotoxin(1 ${\mu}$M) and atropine (1 ${\mu}$M). (omitted)

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.79.1-79.1
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• 2003

Aster scaber T. (Asteraceae) has been used in traditional Korean and Chinese medicine to treat bruises, snakebites, headaches and dizziness. (-) 3,5-Dicaffeoyl-muco-quinic acid (DQ) isolated from Aster scaber induced neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells. It has been reported that the activation of the extracellular signal regulated kinase1/2 (Erk 1/2) and phosphoinositide 3 (P13) kinase plays a crucial role in the NGF-induced differentiation of PC12 cells. This study showed that the effect of DQ on neurite outgrowth is mediated via the Erk 1/2 and PI3 kinase-dependent pathways like NGF. (omitted)

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.96.1-96.1
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• 2003

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a well-known mitogen in various cell types. However, we were surprised to find that LPA inhibits melanocyte proliferation. Thus, we further investigated the possible signaling pathways involved in melanocyte growth inhibition. We first examined the regulation of the three major subfamilies of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases and of the Akt pathway by LPA. The activations of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) were observed in concert with the inhibition of melanocyte proliferation by LPA, whereas p38 MAP kinase and Akt were not influenced by LPA. (omitted)

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.152.2-153
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• 2003

${\beta}Although$ it has been demonstrated that $p2l^{WAFl/Cip1}$, a well known cell cycle inhibitor, could be induced by $TGF-{\beta}$ in a p53-independent manner, the detailed signal transduction pathways still remain poorly understood. In this study, we show that ERK is required for $TGF-{\beta}$ induction of $p21^{WAF1/Cip1}$, but JNK or p38 MAPK is not. ERK activation by $TGF-{\beta}$ significantly attenuated by treatment with ROS scavenger such as NAC or catalase, indicating that ROS, mainly $H_2O_2$, generation by $TGF-{\beta}$ might stimulate ERK signaling pathway to require the induction of $p21^{WAF1/Cip1}$. (omitted)

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.189.1-189.1
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• 2003

4-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-2-aminothiazole and 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-aminothiadiazole derivatives have been synthesized and evaluated as selective antagonists for human adenosine A$_3$ receptors. A methoxy group in the 4-position of the phenyl ring and N-acetyl or propionyl substitutions of the aminothiazole and aminothiadiazole templates displayed great increases of binding affinity and selectivity for human adenosine A$_3$ receptors. The most potent A$_3$ antagonist of the present series, N-［3-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-［1,2,4］thiadiazol-5-yl］-acetamide exhibiting a K$\_$i/ value of 0.79 nM at human adenosine A$_3$ receptors, showed antagonistic property in functional assay of cAMP biosynthesis involved in one of the signal transduction pathways of adenosine A$_3$ receptors. (omitted)