• 생명과학회지
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.249-255
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• 2015

오미자 종자에서 추출된 정유(Schisandrae Semen essential oil, SSeo)의 항암활성 및 작용 기전 해석을 위하여 U937 백혈병 세포를 대상으로 apoptosis 유도 여부를 조사하였다. SSeo 처리에 의한 U937 세포의 증식 억제는 apoptosis 유도와 연관성이 있음을 DAPI 염색을 통한 apoptotic body 출현의 증가, agarose gel 전기영도에 의한 DNA의 단편화 유도 및 flow cytometry 분석에 의한 Sub-G1기 세포 빈도의 증가로 확인하였다. SSeo 처리에 의한 apoptosis 유도에서 IAP family 단백질에 속하는 XIAP, cIAP-1 및 survivin의 발현 감소와 anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 단백질의 발현 저하, DR4 및 DR5의 발현 증가와 연관성이 있었다. SSeo 처리는 또한 Bid truncation, 미토콘드리아 기능 손상, caspases (-3, -8 and -9)의 활성화와 활성형 caspase-3의 기질 단백질인 PARP의 단편화를 동반하였다. 본 연구의 결과는 오미자 정유의 생화학적 항암기전 해석을 이해하고 향후 지속적인 연구를 위한 기초자료로서 활용될 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.367-373
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• 2015

Cordyceps species including Cordyceps bassiana are a notable anti-cancer dietary supplement. Previously, we identified several compounds with anti-cancer activity from the butanol fraction (Cb-BF) of Cordyceps bassiana. To expand the structural value of Cb-BF-derived anti-cancer drugs, we employed various chemical moieties to produce a novel Cb-BF-derived chemical derivative, KTH-13-amine-monophenyl [4-isopropyl-2-(1-phenylethyl) aniline (KTH-13-AMP)], which we tested for anti-cancer activity. KTH-13-AMP suppressed the proliferation of MDA-MB-231, HeLa, and C6 glioma cells. KTH-13-AMP also dose-dependently induced morphological changes in C6 glioma cells and time-dependently increased the level of early apoptotic cells stained with annexin V-FITC. Furthermore, the levels of the active full-length forms of caspase-3 and caspase-9 were increased. In contrast, the levels of total forms of caspases-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, and Bcl-2 were decreased in KTH-13-AMP treated-cells. We also confirmed that the phosphorylation of STAT3, Src, and PI3K/p85, which is linked to cell survival, was diminished by treatment with KTH-13-AMP. Therefore, these results strongly suggest that this compound can be used to guide the development of an anti-cancer drug or serve as a lead compound in forming another strong anti-proliferative agent.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제21권9호
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• pp.903-913
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• 2011

Vibrio parahaemolyticus, which causes gastroenteritis, wound infection, and septicemia, has two sets of type III secretion systems (TTSS), TTSS1 and TTSS2. A TTSS1-deficient vcrD1 mutant of V. parahaemolyticus showed an attenuated cytotoxicity against HEp-2 cells, and a significant reduction in mouse lethality, which were both restored by complementation with the intact vcrD1 gene. V. parahaemolyticus also triggered phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) including p38 and ERK1/2 in HEp-2 cells. The ability to activate p38 and ERK1/2 was significantly affected in a TTSS1-deficient vcrD1 mutant. Experiments using MAPK inhibitors showed that p38 and ERK1/2 MAPKs are involved in V. parahaemolyticus-induced death of HEp-2 cells. In addition, caspase-3 and caspase-9 were processed into active forms in V. parahaemolyticus-exposed HEp-2 cells, but activation of caspases was not essential for V. parahaemolyticus-induced death of HEp-2 cells, as shown by both annexin V staining and lactate dehydrogenase release assays. We conclude that secreted protein(s) of TTSS1 play an important role in activation of p38 and ERK1/2 in HEp-2 cells that eventually leads to cell death via a caspase-independent mechanism.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.26-32
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• 2015

Objectives: Rheum undulatum L. has traditionally been used for the treatment of many diseases in Asia. However, its anti-proliferative activity in cancer has still not been studied. In the present study, we investigated the anti-cancer effects of methanol extract of Rheum undulatum L. (MERL) on human adenocarcinoma gastric cell lines (AGS). Methods: To investigate the anti-cancer effect of MERL on AGS cells, we treated the AGS cells with varying concentrations of MERL and performed 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. Cell cycle analyses, measurements of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), caspase activity assays and Western blots were conducted to determine whether AGS cell death occurred by apoptosis. Results: Treatment with MERL significantly inhibited growth of AGS cells in a concentration dependent manner. MERL treatment in AGS cells leaded to increased accumulation of apoptotic sub G1 phase cells in a concentration dependent manner. In control cultures, 5.38% of the cells were in the sub G1 phase. In MERL treated cells, however, this percentage was significantly increased (9.95% at $70{\mu}g/mL$, 15.94% at $140{\mu}g/mL$, 26.56% at $210{\mu}g/mL$ and 38.08% at $280{\mu}g/mL$). MERL treatment induced the decreased expression of pro-caspase-8 and -9 in a concentration dependent manner, whereas the expression of the active form of caspase-3 was increased. A subsequent Western blot analysis revealed increased cleaved levels of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) protein. Also, treatment with MERL increased the activities of caspase-3 and -9 compared with the control. MERL treatment increased the levels of the pro-apoptotic truncated Bid (tBid) and Bcl2 Antagonist X (Bax) proteins and decreased the levels of the anti-apoptotic B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) protein, whose is the stabilization of mitochondria. However, inhibitions of p38, extracellular signal regulated kinases (ERKs) and C-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) by MERL treatment did not affect cell death. Conclusion: These results suggest that MERL mediated cell death is associated with an intrinsic apoptotic pathway in AGS cells.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• 제6권3호
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• pp.65-70
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• 2015

N-Alkyl/benzyl substituted isatin derivatives are intermediates and synthetic precursors for the preparation of biological active heterocycles. N-alkyl/benzyl isatins have showed various biological activities, such as cytotoxicity, antiviral, caspase inhibition, cannabinoid receptor 2 agonists for the treatment of neuropathic pain, etc. In this study, N-alkyl/benzyl isatin derivatives were synthesized from isatin and alkyl/benzyl halides in presence of K₂CO₃ in DMF and excellent to quantitative yields (~95%) were obtained. Isatins and benzyl-isatins were condensed with fluorescein hydrazide to form fluorescein hydrazone. All the compounds were subjected to their fragmentation behavior study using LC/MSⁿ. N-Alkyl substituted isatin derivatives fragmented at nitrogen-carbon (N-C) bond, hence gave daughter ion as [RN+H]⁺. Whereas, N-benzyl substituted isatin derivatives fragmented at carbon-carbon (C-C) bond of alkyl chain which linked with nitrogen molecules, therefore gave N-methyl fragments [RNCH₂]⁺. This study demonstrated that, isatin moiety present in a small/large molecule or in a matrix of reaction mixture with/without N-alkyl/benzyl substituents can be identified by mass spectroscopic fragmentation behavior study.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.283-289
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• 2015

This study surveys the improvement characteristics in old-aged muscular mitochondria by bio-active materials coated fabric (BMCF). To observe the effects, the fabric (10 and 30%) was worn to old-aged rat then the oxygen consumption efficiency and copy numbers of mitochondria, and mRNA expression of apoptosis- and mitophagy-related genes were verified. By wearing the BMCF, the oxidative respiration significantly increased when using the 30% materials coated fabric. The mitochondrial DNA copy number significantly decreased and subsequently recovered in a dose-dependent manner. The respiratory control ratio to mitochondrial DNA copy number showed a dose-dependent increment. As times passed, Bax, caspase 9, PGC-$1{\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$-actin increased, and Bcl-2 decreased in a dose-dependent manner. However, the BMCF can be seen to have had no effect on Fas receptor. PINK1 expression did not change considerably and was inclined to decrease in control group, but the expression was down-regulated then subsequently increased with the use of the BMCF in a dose-dependent manner. Caspase 3 increased and subsequently decreased in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that the BMCF invigorates mitophagy and improves mitochondrial oxidative respiration in skeletal muscle, and in early stage of apoptosis induced by the BMCF is not related to extrinsic death-receptor mediated but mitochondria-mediated signaling pathway.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제50권7호
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• pp.686-693
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• 2007

목 적 : Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)의 활성 대사산물인 (MPA는 IMPDH의 잠재적인 반응 억제제로써 새로운 면역치료제로 사용되고 있다. 이러한 MPA는 신경계에서 흥분독성 손상 후 뇌세포를 보호하고, 미세아교세포에서는 세포사멸사(apoptosis)를 유도하지만, 저산소성 허혈성 뇌질환에서 MPA의 효과는 아직 알려지지 않아, 본 연구에서 Rice-Vannucci 모델을 이용한 신생 백서의 저산소성 허혈성 뇌 손상과 저산소 상태의 태아 백서 뇌세포 배양에서 MPA의 뇌보호 효과를 알아보고자 실험하였다. 방 법 : 생후 7일된 백서의 좌측 총 경동맥을 결찰한 후 저산소 (8% $O_2$) 상태에서 2시간 노출하여, 저산소성 허혈성 뇌 손상을 유발하고 뇌 손상 전후에 MPA(10 mg/kg)를 투여하여 대조군과 비교하였다. 또한, 재태기간 18일된 태아 백서의 대뇌피질 세포를 배양하여 1% $O_2$ 배양기에서 저산소 상태로 세포손상을 유도하여 저산소군, 손상 전후 MPA 투여군($10{\mu}g/mL$)으로 나누어 정상산소군과 비교하였다. 세포사멸사와의 관련을 알아보기 위해서 Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3 항체로 western blotting하였고 Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3 primer를 이용하여 real-time PCR을 하였다. 결 과 : 형태학적으로 H&E 염색상 MPA를 투여한 군에서 뇌 보호 효과를 보였다. Western blotting과 real-time PCR을 이용한 저산소성 허혈성 뇌손상 동물 모델뿐만 아니라 저산소 상태로 태아 백서 뇌세포 배양 실험에서도 MPA 투여한 경우 caspase-3의 발현과 Bax/Bcl-2의 비율이 감소함을 보였다. 결 론 : 본 연구에서 MPA가 anti-apoptosis 작용을 통하여 주산기 저산소성 허혈성 뇌 손상에 뇌보호 역할을 하는 것을 알 수 있었고 향후 신생아 저산소성 허혈성 뇌병증의 치료에 임상적 적용이 가능하리라 생각된다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.769-773
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• 2014

Fangchinoline (Fan) inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in several cancer cell lines. The effects of Fan on cell growth and proliferation in breast cancer cells remain to be elucidated. Here, we show that Fan inhibited cell proliferation in the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line through suppression of the AKT/Gsk-3beta/cyclin D1 signaling pathway. Furthermore, Fan induced apoptosis by increasing the expression of Bax (relative to Bcl-2), active caspase 3 and cytochrome-c. Fan significantly inhibited cell proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells in a concentration and time dependent manner as determined by MTT assay. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that Fan treatment of MDA-MB-231 cells resulted in cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase, which correlated with apparent downregulation of both mRNA and protein levels of both PCNA and cyclin D1. Further analysis demonstrated that Fan decreased the phosphorylation of AKT and GSK-3beta. In addition, Fan up-regulated active caspase3, cytochrome-c protein levels and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, accompanied by apoptosis. Taken together, these results suggest that Fan is a potential natural product for the treatment of breast cancer.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제26권5호
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• pp.436-442
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• 2008

Osteoclasts are multinucleated cells with the unique ability to resorb bone. Elevated activity of these cells under pathologic conditions leads to the progression of bone erosion that occurs in osteoporosis, periodontal disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. Thus, the regulation of osteoclast apoptosis is important for bone homeostasis. In this study, we examined the effects of the Janus tyrosine kinase 2 specific inhibitor AG490 on osteoclast apoptosis. We found that AG490 greatly inhibited osteoclast apoptosis. AG490 stimulated the phosphorylation of Akt and ERK. Adenovirus-mediated expression of dominant negative (DN)-Akt and DN-Ras in osteoclasts inhibited the survival of osteoclasts despite the presence of AG490. Cytochrome c release during osteoclast apoptosis was inhibited by AG490 treatment, but this effect was inhibited in the presence of LY294002 or U0126. AG490 suppressed the pro-apoptotic proteins Bad and Bim, which was inhibited in osteoclasts infected with DN-Akt and DN-Ras adenovirus. In addition, constitutively active MEK and myristoylated-Akt adenovirus suppressed the cleavage of pro-caspase-9 and -3 and inhibited osteoclast apoptosis induced by etoposide. Taken together, our results suggest that AG490 inhibited cytochrome c release into the cytosol at least partly by inhibiting the pro-apoptotic proteins Bad and Bim, which in turn suppressed caspase-9 and -3 activation, thereby inhibiting osteoclast apoptosis.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.55-61
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• 2013

Objective: Ulmi Pumilae Cortex (UPC) is a deciduous tree with uneven pinnate leaves and is classified as a subfamily of Ulmuceae and contains many pharmacologically active constituents. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of UPC on the growth and survival of AGS cells, the most common human gastric adenocarcinoma cell lines. Methods: The AGS cells were treated with varying concentrations of UPC. Analyses of the sub G1, caspase-3 activity, and mitochondrial depolarization were conducted to determine whether AGS cell death occured by apoptosis. Furthermore, to identify the role of the transient receptor potential melastatin (TRPM) 7 channels in AGS cell growth and survival, we used human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells overexpressed with TRPM7 channels. Results: The addition of UPC to a culture medium inhibited AGS cell growth and survival. Experimental results showed that the sub G1, caspase-3 activity, and mitochondrial depolarization were increased. Furthermore, TRPM7 channel overexpression in HEK 293 cells exacerbated UPC-induced cell death. Conclusion: These findings indicate that UPC inhibits the growth and survival of gastric cancer cells due to a blockade of the TRPM7 channel activity. Therefore, UPC is a potential drug for treatment of gastric cancer, and TRPM7 channels may play an important role in survival in cases of gastric cancer.