• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제44권1호
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• pp.96-104
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• 2020

Objectives: Oleanolic acid, a minor element of ginsenosides, and its derivatives have been shown to have cytotoxicity against some tumor cells. The impact of cytotoxic effect of oleanolic acid 3-acetate on ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells and endometrial cancer HEC-1A cells were examined both in vivo and in vitro to explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Cytotoxic effects of oleanolic acid 3-acetate were assessed by cell viability, phosphatidylserine exposure on the cell surface, mitochondrial release of cytochrome C, nuclear translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor, depolarization of mitochondrial transmembrane potential (∆Ψ_m), and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In vivo inhibition of tumor growth was also assessed with xenografts in immunocompromised mice. Results: Oleanolic acid 3-acetate exhibited potent cytotoxicity toward SKOV3 and HEC-1A cells by decreasing cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner. Importantly, oleanolic acid 3-acetate effectively suppressed the growth of SKOV3 cell tumor xenografts in immunocompromised mice. Furthermore, oleanolic acid 3-acetate induced apoptotic cell death as revealed by loss of ∆Ψ_m, release of cytochrome c, and nuclear translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor with a concomitant activation of many proapoptotic cellular components including poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, Bcl-2, and caspases-8, caspase-3, and caspase-7. Oleanolic acid 3-acetate, however, caused a decrease in ROS production, suggesting the involvement of an ROS-independent pathway in oleanolic acid 3-acetate-induced apoptosis in SKOV3 and HEC-1A cells. Conclusion: These findings support the notion that oleanolic acid 3-acetate could be used as a potent anticancer supplementary agent against ovarian and endometrial cancer. Oleanolic acid 3-acetate exerts its proapoptotic effects through a rather unique molecular mechanism that involves an unconventional ROS-independent but mitochondria-mediated pathway.

• Plant Biotechnology Reports
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• 제5권4호
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• pp.323-329
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• 2011

MuSI, a gene that corresponds to a domain that contains the rubber elongation factor (REF), is highly homologous to many stress-related proteins in plants. Since MuSI is up-regulated in the roots of plants treated with cadmium or copper, the involvement of MuSI in cadmium tolerance was investigated in this study. Escherichia coli cells overexpressing MuSI were more resistant to Cd than wild-type cells transfected with vector alone. MuSI transgenic plants were also more resistant to Cd. MuSI transgenic tobacco plants absorbed less Cd than wild-type plants. Cd translocation from roots to shoots was reduced in the transgenic plants, thereby avoiding Cd toxicity. The number of short trichomes in the leaves of wild-type tobacco plants was increased by Cd treatment, while this was unchanged in MuSI transgenic tobacco. These results suggest that MuSI transgenic tobacco plants have enhanced tolerance to Cd via reduced Cd uptake and/or increased Cd immobilization in the roots, resulting in less Cd translocation to the shoots.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.493-503
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• 2022

Forkhead transcription factor 3a (Foxo3a) is believed to be a tumor suppressor as its inactivation leads to cell transformation and tumor development. However, further investigation is required regarding the involvement of the activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3)-mediated Tat-interactive protein 60 (Tip60)/Foxo3a pathway in cancer cell apoptosis. This study demonstrated that Chelidonium majus upregulated the expression of ATF3 and Tip60 and promoted Foxo3a nuclear translocation, ultimately increasing the level of Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) protein. ATF3 overexpression stimulated Tip60 expression, while ATF3 inhibition by siRNA repressed Tip60 expression. Furthermore, siRNA-mediated Tip60 inhibition significantly promoted Foxo3a phosphorylation, leading to blockade of Foxo3a translocation into the nucleus. Thus, we were able to deduce that ATF3 mediates the regulation of Foxo3a by Tip60. Moreover, siRNA-mediated Foxo3a inhibition suppressed the expression of Bax and subsequent apoptosis. Taken together, our data demonstrate that Chelidonium majus induces SKOV-3 cell death by increasing ATF3 levels and its downstream proteins Tip60 and Foxo3a. This suggests a potential therapeutic role of Chelidonium majus against ovarian cancer.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.391-398
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• 2006

$NF-{\kappa}B$ is a transcription factor involved in the innate immunity against bacterial infection and inflammation. It is also known to render cells resistant to the apoptosis caused by some anticancer drugs. Such a chemoresistance of cancer cells may be related to the activation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ transcription factor; however, the mechanism of activation is not well understood. Here, we demonstrate that a chemotherapeutic agent, etoposide, independently stimulates the $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ degradation pathway and PI3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway: The classical $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ degradation pathway leads to the nuclear translocation and DNA binding of p65 subunit through $IKK{\beta}$ kinase, whereas the PI3-kinase/Akt pathway plays a distinct role in activating this transcription factor. The PI3-kinase/Akt pathway acts on the p50 subunit of the $NF-{\kappa}B$ transcription factor and enhances the DNA binding affinity of the p50 protein. It may also explain the role of the PI3-kinase/Akt pathway in the anti-apoptotic function of $NF-{\kappa}B$ during chemoresistance of cancer cells.

• BMB Reports
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• 제48권10호
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• pp.559-564
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• 2015

We investigated the effects of mangiferin on the expression and activity of metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and the invasion of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$-stimulated human LNCaP prostate carcinoma cells. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot analysis showed that mangiferin significantly reversed TNF-$\alpha$-induced mRNA and protein expression of MMP-9 expression. Zymography data confirmed that stimulation of cells with TNF-$\alpha$ significantly increased MMP-9 activity. However, mangiferin substantially reduced the TNF-$\alpha$-induced activity of MMP-9. Additionally, a matrigel invasion assay showed that mangiferin significantly reduced TNF-$\alpha$-induced invasion of LNCaP cells. Compared to untreated controls, TNF-$\alpha$-stimulated LNCaP cells showed a significant increase in nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) luciferase activity. However, mangiferin treatment markedly decreased TNF-$\alpha$-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ luciferase activity. Furthermore, mangiferin suppressed nuclear translocation of the NF-${\kappa}B$ subunits p65 and p50. Collectively, our results indicate that mangiferin is a potential anti-invasive agent that acts by suppressing NF-${\kappa}B$-mediated MMP-9 expression.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.165-172
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• 2004

피폭상자 내에서 벼를 생육단계별로 80 분 간 $I_2$ 증기에 피폭시키고 작물체 직접오염 관련 인자를 조사하였다. $I_2$ 증기의 경엽부 침적속도$(m\;s^{-1})$는 피폭시기에 따라 $1.4{\times}10^{-5}-1.3{\times}10^{-4}$의 범위로 생육 전반기 피폭시 비교적 낮았다. 이삭 침적속도는 $2.5{\times}10^{-5}-6.7{\times}10^{-5}$의 범위였다. 전체 작물체에 대한 침적속도는 $1.4{\times}10^{-5}-1.8{\times}10^{-4}$의 범위로 8월 18일(출수 시작후 7일) 피폭시 가장 높았다. 침적속도를 생육밀도 기준으로 나타내면 시기에 따른 변이 정도가 대체로 감소하였다. 기온, 일광 및 습도에 대한 이렇다할 침적속도의 경향성은 관찰되지 않았다. 요오드의 현미 전류계수는 $3.3{\times}10^{-5}-4.7{\times}10^{-4}$의 범위로 8월 23일 피폭에서 가장 높았다. 출수전 경엽부에 침적한 요오드도 상당량 현미로 전류하는 것으로 나타났다.

• 한국토양비료학회지
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.119-125
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• 1974

삼요소시험(三要素試驗)(1967~69)을 중심(中心)으로 정조수량등급별(正租收量等級別)로 N, P, K, Si의 흡수량(吸收量)과 이들의 정조생산효율(正租生産効率) 및 전이율(轉移率)을 본결과 다음과 같다. 1) 수량증가(收量增加)에 따른 각양분(各養分)의 요구도(要求度)는 유사(類似)한 비율(比率)로 증가(增加)하였으나 규산(珪酸)이 가장 변화(變化)가 컸다. 2) 질소효율(窒素効率)이 낮은(46kg/Nkg) 삼요소(三要素)시험에서는 수량(收量)이 증가(增加)할수록 효율(効率)과 전이율(轉移率)이 증가(增加)하는 경향(傾向)이다. 3) 질소흡수량(窒素吸收量)이 증가(增加)할수록 질소(窒素)의 정조생산효율(正租生産効率)이 감소(減少)하였으며 이감소정도는 비종(肥種) 및 품종(品種)에 따라 크게 다르다. 질소효율(窒素効率)은 식질(埴質)에서보다 수량(收量)이 높은 사양토(砂壤土)에서 높았다. 4) 질소(窒素)의 정조생산효율(正租生産効率)은 질소(窒素)의 인으로의 전이율(轉移率)과 정상관관계(正相關關系)였다. 5) 다수확(多收穫)은 질소효율(窒素効率)이 50정도에서 머문채 질소흡수량(窒素吸收量)만을 증가(增加)시켜 이루어지고 있다. 6) 질소효율(窒素効率)의 저하(低下)가 저수(低收)의 큰요인(要因)으로 보였다. 7) 삼요소시험(三要素試驗)에서 인산(燐酸)의 정조생산(正租生産) 효율(効率)이 상당히 낮은 편인데 인산(燐酸)의 토양환원(土壤還元)에 의(依)한 과다흡수(過多吸收)에 기인(基因)하는 것 같다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.398-407
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• 2017

BTG1 (B-cell translocation gene 1)은 APRO family (anti-proliferative protein family)에 속하며, 이들은 공통의 생물학적 기능은 세포증식을 억제하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서, 굴의 gill cDNA library를 random sequencing을 통한 EST 분석과정에서 BTG1 clone을 확보하였으며, 분자생물학적 특성을 조사하였다. 굴의 BTG1은 182 개의 아미노산으로 구성되며, zebrafish와 57%, human과 56%의 상동성을 나타냈으며, 사람이나 설치류와 달리 ORF (open reading frame) 내에 intron이 존재하지 않았다. Genomic DNA walking을 통해 굴의 BTG1의 predicted promoter를 확인하였으며, 분석결과 AP-1 element와 SRE (serum response element) 부위가 존재하였으며, 5'flanking region에 cAMP response element (CRE) 부위가 확인되었다. 굴의 BTG1의 조직별 유전자발현 수준을 확인하기 위해 real-time PCR을 수행하였으며, 6 개 조직 모두에서 BTG1의 유전자발현이 나타났으며, 그 중에서 heart와 mantle에서 높은 수준의 mRNA 발현을 확인할 수 있었다.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.218-226
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• 2015

The present study investigated the mechanisms of licochalcone B (LicB)-mediated inhibition of the inflammatory response in murine macrophages. RAW264.7 murine macrophages were cultured in the absence or presence of lipopolysacharide (LPS) with LicB. LicB suppressed the generation of nitric oxide and the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$. LicB also inhibited the expression of mRNA for inducible nitric oxide synthase and pro-inflammatory cytokines induced by LPS. Moreover, LicB inhibited nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) and activator protein-1 translocation into the nucleus in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, LicB mainly exerts its anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the LPS-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ and activator protein-1 signaling pathways in macrophages, which subsequently diminishes the expression and release of various inflammatory mediators. LicB shows promise as a therapeutic agent in inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.423-430
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• 2016

Background: The induction of cellular defensive genes such as phase II detoxifying and antioxidant enzymes is a highly effective strategy for protection against carcinogenesis as well as slowing cancer development. Transcription factor Nrf2 (nuclear factor E2-related factor 2) is responsible for activation of phase II enzymes induced by natural chemopreventive compounds. Methods: Red ginseng oil (RGO) was extracted using a supercritical $CO_2$ extraction system and chemical profile of RGO was investigated by GC/MS. Effects of RGO on regulation of the Nrf2/antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway were determined by ARE-luciferase assay, western blotting, and confocal microscopy. Results: The predominant components of RGO were 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (31.48%), bicyclo[10.1.0] tridec-1-ene (22.54%), and 22,23-dihydrostigmasterol (16.90%). RGO treatment significantly increased nuclear translocation of Nrf2 as well as ARE reporter gene activity, leading to upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1. Phosphorylation of the upstream kinases such as apoptosis signal-regulating kinase (ASK)1, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase (MKK)4/7, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 MAPK were enhanced by treatment with RGO. In addition, RGO-mediated Nrf2 expression and nuclear translocation was attenuated by JNK inhibitor SP600125 and p38 MAPK inhibitor SB202190. Conclusion: RGO could be used as a potential chemopreventive agent, possibly by induction of Nrf2/ARE-mediated phase II enzymes via ASK1-MKK4/7-JNK and p38 MAPK signaling pathways.