• Molecules and Cells
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.200-209
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• 2019

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have been used as promising tools for regenerative medicine, disease modeling, and drug screening. Traditional and common strategies for pluripotent stem cell (PSC) differentiation toward disease-relevant cell types depend on sequential treatment of signaling molecules identified based on knowledge of developmental biology. However, these strategies suffer from low purity, inefficiency, and time-consuming culture conditions. A growing body of recent research has shown efficient cell fate reprogramming by forced expression of single or multiple transcription factors. Here, we review transcription factor-directed differentiation methods of PSCs toward neural, muscle, liver, and pancreatic endocrine cells. Potential applications and limitations are also discussed in order to establish future directions of this technique for therapeutic purposes.

• 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.

• Quantitative Bio-Science
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.113-124
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• 2018

Pim kinases are important targets for cancer therapies because they are mainly responsible for cancer metastasis and overall therapeutic treatment responses. Because of their unusual structural feature in the hinge region of the ATP-binding site, new binding motifs have been discovered and used for the development of Pim kinases inhibitors. The results of a screening of 5-membered heteroaromatic compounds and the effects of structural modifications on the inhibition of Pim kinases' activities showed the potential scaffold for Pim inhibitors. 1,3,4-Oxadiazole-2(3H)-thione was found as a new scaffold for Pim kinase inhibitors.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.50-56
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• 2019

Most patients with Tourette's disorder experience an uncomfortable sensory phenomenon called the premonitory urge immediately before experiencing tics. It has been suggested that premonitory urges are associated with comorbidities such as obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, although these associations have been inconsistent. Most patients experience tics as a result of the premonitory urges, and after the tics occur, most patients report that the premonitory urges are temporarily relieved. As a consequence, several studies have assessed the premonitory urge and its potential therapeutic utility. Based on the concept that the premonitory urge induces tics, behavioral treatments such as Exposure and Response Prevention and Habit Reversal Therapy have been developed. However, it is still unclear whether habituation, the main mechanism of these therapies, is directly related to their effectiveness. Moreover, the observed effects of pharmacological treatments on premonitory urges have been inconsistent.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.285-291
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• 2018

Gremlin-1 (GREM1) has been defined as an antagonist of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), particularly during embryonic development and tissue differentiation. However, recent studies have shown that GREM1 has BMPs-dependent or -independent functions in diverse human diseases. GREM1 plays a key role in the process of organ fibrosis, including lungs, kidneys, and so on. The GREM1-induced fibrosis typically promotes the development of other diseases, such as pulmonary hypertension, renal inflammation, and diabetic nephropathy. More recently, considerable evidence has been reported showing that GREM1 is involved in the promotion and/or progression of tumors in vitro and in vivo. It also performs an oncogenic role in the maintenance of cancer stem cells. Although GREM1 is known to function in a variety of diseases, here we focus on the role of GREM1 in cancer, and suggest GREM1 as a potential therapeutic target in certain types of cancer.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.285-290
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• 2018

Harmine, a beta-carboline alkaloid isolated from the seeds of Peganum harmala has been reported as a promising drug candidate for cancer therapy. However, the effect of harmine on breast cancer remains still unclear. In this study, the effect of harmine on the cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of breast cancer MDA-MB231 cells and the underlying mechanism were investigated. The results indicated that harmine inhibited the proliferation MDA-MB231 cells in a dose-dependent manner and markedly suppressed migration and invasion of MDA-MB231 cells. The mechanism involved in part through Notch signaling. The Notch activity was significantly inhibited by harmine treatment and harmine suppressed the expression of Jagged1 which is a key ligand to activate Notch signaling. These findings suggest a novel mechanism of harmine on anti-cancer activity and harmine may act as a potential therapeutic drug for breast cancer treatment.

• Journal of TMJ Balancing Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.16-23
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• 2018

Positional Release Techniques (PRTs) are an umbrella term for manual therapies harnessing spontaneous musculoskeletal balancing mechanism of the body facilitated by finding and maintaining therapeutic position. PRT has its origin in the Strain Counterstrain (SCS) technique by Dr. Jones but encompasses diverse related techniques that stemmed off from the SCS. PRT emphasizes postural balance within the body and innate healing potential of the body including the postural balance of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This study briefly reviews concepts, history, and contemporary study reports on PRT with a focus on the yin-yang balance based approach of PRT.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.149-153
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• 2018

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells capable of self-renewal and differentiation into various cell lineages. Stem cells are responsible for the development of organs and regeneration of damaged tissues. The highly regenerative nature of the human endometrium during reproductive age suggests that stem cells play a critical role in endometrial physiology. Bone marrow-derived cells migrate to the uterus and participate in the healing and restoration of functionally or structurally damaged endometrium. This review summarizes recent research into the potential therapeutic effects of bone marrow-derived stem cells in conditions involving endometrial impairment.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.107-117
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• 2021

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of noncoding RNAs that negatively regulate target messenger RNAs. In multicellular eukaryotes, numerous miRNAs perform basic cellular functions, including cell proliferation, differentiation, and death. Abnormal expression of miRNAs weakens or modifies various apoptosis pathways, leading to the development of human cancer. Cell death occurs in an active manner that maintains tissue homeostasis and eliminates potentially harmful cells through regulated cell death processes, including apoptosis, autophagic cell death, and necroptosis. In this review, we discuss the involvement of miRNAs in regulating cell death pathways in cancers and the potential therapeutic functions of miRNAs in cancer treatment.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.437-443
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• 2021

Objective: This study explored the clinical usefulness of Nangan-jeon decoction to treat refractory functional dyspepsia. Methods: A 61-year-old female had been suffering from severe functional dyspepsia for about 40 years, but the dyspeptic symptoms rapidly improved after taking Nangan-jeon decoction. The clinical outcome was assessed by the numerical rating scale (NRS) and the self-reporting method. Result: After there was no improvement from various herbal treatments in a department of a Korean college hospital, the patient moved to the author's clinic. She had been diagnosed with the pattern identification of "liver-kidney deficiency cold" and prescribed with Nangan-jeon decoction. This herbal drug rapidly improved her dyspeptic symptoms, from NRS 10 to NRS 2 (after 3 weeks) and NRS 1 (after 7 weeks). Conclusion: This case report is the first to present the potential of Nangan-jeon decoction to improve refractory functional dyspepsia.