• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Biotechnology Conference
• /
• 2003.04a
• /
• pp.65-71
• /
• 2003

Bax, a mammalian pro-apoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family, induces cell death when expressed in yeast. To investigate whether Bax expression can induce cell death in plant, we produced transgenic Arabidopsis plants that contained murine Bax cDNA under control of a glucocorticoid-inducible promoter. Transgenic plants treated with dexamethasone, a strong synthetic glucocorticoid, induced Bax accumulation and cell death, suggesting that some elements of cell death mechanism by Bax may be conserved among various organisms. Therefore, we developed novel yeast genetic system, and cloned several Plant Bax Inhibitors (PBIs). Here, we report the function of two PBIs in detail. PBI1 is ascorbate peroxidase (sAPX). Fluorescence method of dihydrorho-damine 123 oxidation revealed that expression of Bax in yeast cells generated reactive oxygen species (ROS), and which was greatly reduced by co-expression with sAPX. These results suggest that sAPX inhibits the generation of ROS by Bax, which in turn suppresses Baxinduced cell death in yeast. PBI2 encodes nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK). ROS stress strongly induces the expression of the NDPK2 gene in Arabidopsis thaliana (AtNDPK2). Transgenic plants overexpressing AtNDPK2 have lower levels of ROS than wildtype plants. Mutants lacking AtNDPK2 had higher levels of ROS than wildtype. $H_2O_2$ treatment induced the phosphorylation of two endogenous proteins whose molecular weights suggested they are AtMPK3 and AtMPK6. In the absence of $H_2O_2$ treatment, phosphorylation of these proteins was slightly elevated in plants overexpressing AtNDPK2 but markedly decreased in the AtNDPK2 deletion mutant. Yeast two-hybrid and in vitro protein pull-down assays revealed that AtNDPK2 specifically interacts with AtMPK3 and AtMPK6. Furthermore, AtNDPK2 also enhances the MBP phosphorylation activity of AtMPK3 in vitro. Finally, constitutive overexpression of AtNDPK2 in Arabidopsis plants conferred an enhanced tolerance to multiple environmental stresses that elicit ROS accumulation in situ. Thus, AtNDPK2 appears to play a novel regulatory role in $H_2O_2$-mediated MAPK signaling in plants.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.287-294
• /
• 2011

Autophagy is a process of intracellular bulk protein degradation, in which the accumulated proteins and cytoplasmic organelles are degraded. It plays important roles in cellular homeostasis, apoptosis, and development, but its role during early embryo development remains contentious. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the effects of 3-methyladenine (3-MA) on early embryonic development in pigs, we also investigated several indicators of developmental potential, including mitochondrial distribution, genes expressions (autophagy-, apoptosis- related genes), apoptosis and ER-stress, which are affected by 3-MA. After in vitro maturation and fertilization, presumptive pig embryos were cultured in PZM-3 medium supplemented with 3-MA for 2 days at $39^{\circ}C$ 5% $CO_2$ in air. Developmental competence to the blastocyst stage in the presence of 3-MA was gradually decreased according to increasing concentration. Thus, all further experiments were performed using 2 mM 3-MA. Blastocysts that developed in the 3-MA treated group decreased LC3-II intensity and expressions of autophagy related genes than those of the untreated control, resulting in down-regulates the autophagy. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) showed that the number of containing fragmented DNA at the blastocyst stage increased in the 3-MA treated group compared with control ($6.0{\pm}1.0$ vs $3.3{\pm}0.6$, p<0.05). Also, the expression of the pro-apoptotic gene Bax increased in 3-MA treated group, whereas expression of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-XL decreased. Mito Tracker Green FM staining showed that blastocysts derived from the 3-MA treated group had lower mitochondrial integrity than that of the untreated control, resulting in decrease the embryonic qualities of preimplantation porcine blastocysts. Then, the expression of the spliced form of pXBP-1 product (pXBP-1s) increased in 3-MA treated group, resulting increase of ER-stress. Taken together, these results indicate that inhibition of autophagy by 3-MA is closely associated with apoptosis and ER-stress during preimplantation periods of porcine embryos.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.319-327
• /
• 2011

This study investigated whether the addition of porcine sperm cytosolic factor (SCF) at fusion/activation affects in vitro development of porcine parthenogenetic(PA) and nuclear transfer (NT) embryos. To determine the optimum concentration of SCF, control group of oocytes was activated with 0.3M mannitol (1.0 mM $CaCl_2{\cdot}2H_2O$), other three groups of oocytes were parthenogentically activated with the fusion medium (0.1mM $CaCl_2{\cdot}2H_2O$) supplemented with 100, 200 or 300 ${\mu}$g/ml SCF, respectively. Matured oocytes were activated with two electric pulses (DC) of 1.2 kv/cm for 30 ${\mu}$sec. The activated embryos were cultured in PZM-3 under 5% $CO_2$ in air at $38.5^{\circ}C$ for 6 days. Oocytes activated in the presence of SCF showed a significantly higher blastocyst rate than control (p<0.05). Apoptosis rate was significantly lower in 100 ${\mu}$g/ml SCF group than other groups (p<0.05). Cdc2 kinase activity in control and SCF treatment group of oocytes was determined using MESACUP cdc2 kinase assay kit at 1, 5, 10, 15, 30, 45 and 60 min after activation. Cdc2 kinase activity was significantly decreased (p<0.05) in SCF group than MII oocytes or control within 5 min. For NT embryo production, reconstructed oocytes were fused in the fusion medium supplemented with 0.1 mM $CaCl_2{\cdot}2H_2O$ (T1), 1.0 mM $CaCl_2{\cdot}2H_2O$ (T2) and 0.1 mM $CaCl_2{\cdot}2H_2O$ with 100 ${\mu}$g/ml SCF (T3). Fused embryos were cultured in PZM-3 under 5% $CO_2$ in air at $38.5^{\circ}C$ for 6 days. Developmental rate to blastocyst stage was significantly higher in T3 than other groups (23.0% vs. 13.5 to 15.2%) (p<0.05). Apoptosis rate was significantly lower in T3 than T1 or T2 (p<0.05). The relative abundance of Bax-${\alpha}$/Bcl-xl was significantly lower in in vivo or SCF group than that of control (p<0.05). Moreover, the expression of p53 and caspase3 mRNA was significantly lower in in vivo or SCF group than that of control (p<0.05). These results indicate that the addition of SCF at fusion/activation might improve in vitro development of porcine NT embryos through regulating cdc2 kinase level and expression of apoptosis related genes.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.21-32
• /
• 2006

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Imyosan on apoptosis in human colorectal cancer HCT116 cells. Phellodendron amurense Rupr. and Atratylodes lancea D.C. compose Imyosan. First of all, to study the cytotoxic effect of methanol extract of Imyosan (IMS-MeOH) on HCT116 cells, the cells were treated with various concentrations of IMS-MeOH and then cell viability was determined by XTT reduction method. IMS-MeOH reduced viability of HCT116 cells in a dose and time-dependent manner. To confirm the induction of apoptosis, the c1eavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), a substrate for caspase-3 and a typical sign of apoptosis, and the activation of caspase-3, procaspase-8 and procaspase-9 were examined by western blot analysis. IMS-MeOH decreased procaspase-3, procaspase-8 and procaspase-9 levels in a dose-dependent manner and induced the clevage of PARP. IMS-MeOH triggered the mitochondrial apoptotic signaling by increasing the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol. Furthermore, IMS-MeOH also downregulated the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and upregulated the pro-apoptotic-Bax. Therefore, these results suggest that IMS-MeOH induced HCT1l6 cell death through the mitochondrial pathway. To explore whether the activities of caspases was required for induction of apoptosis by IMS-MeOH, caspase-3, -8, -9 activity measured by using substrates, respectively. IMS-MeOH increased caspase-3, -8, -9 activity. Co-treatment with inhibitors of caspase-3, -8, -9 and IMS-MeOH significantly blocked IMS-MeOH-triggered apoptosis in HCT1l6 cells. These results suggest that IMS-MeOH induces caspases-mediated apoptosis.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
• /
• 1999.07a
• /
• pp.114-114
• /
• 1999

Boron nitride (BN)는 매우 뛰어난 물리적, 화학적 성질을 가지고 있는 재료로 많은 연구가 진행되고 있다. hexagonal 형태의 hBN의 경우 큰 전기 저항과 열 전도도를 가지고 있고 열적 안정성을 가지고 있어 반도체 소자에서 절연층으로 쓰일 수 있다. 또한 X-ray와 가시광선을 투과시키기 때문에 X-ray와 가시광선을 투과시키기 때문에 X-ray lithography이 mask 기판으로 사용될 수 있다. Boron-carbon-nitrogen (BCN) 역시 뛰어난 기계적 성질과 투명성을 가지고 있어 보호 코팅이나 X-ray lithography에 이용될 수 있다. 또한 원자 조성이나 구성을 변화시켜 band gap을 조절할 수 있는 가능성을 가지고 있기 때문에 전기, 광소자의 재료로 이용될 수 있다. 본 연구에서는 여러 합성 조건 변화에 따른 hBN 막의 합성 거동을 관찰하고, 카본 농도변화에 따른 BCN 막의 기계적 성질과 구조의 변화, 그리고 실리콘 첨가에 의한 물성 변화를 관찰하였다. BN박막은 실리콘 (100) 기판 위에 r.f. plasma assisted CVD를 이용하여 합성하였다. 합성 압력 0.015 torr, 원료 가스로 BCl3 1.5 sccm, NH3 6sccm을 Ar 15 sccm을 사용하여 기판 bias (-300~-700V)와 합성온도 (상온~50$0^{\circ}C$)를 변화시켜 BN막을 합성하였다. BCN 박막은 상온에서 기판 bias를 -700V로 고정시킨 후 CH4 공급량과 Ar 가스의 첨가 유무를 변화시켜 합성하였다. 또한 SiH4 가스를 이용하여 실리콘을 함유하는 Si-BCN 막을 합성하였다. 합성된 BN 막의 경우, 기판 bias와 합성 온도가 증가할수록 증착속도는 감소하는 경향을 보여 주었다. 기판 bias와 합성온도에 따른 구조 변화를 SEM과 Xray로 분석하였다. 상온에서 합성한 경우는 표면형상이 비정질 형태를 나타내었고, X-ray peak이 거의 관찰되지 않았다. 합성온도가 증가하게 되면 hBN (100) peak이 나타나게 되고 이것은 합성된 막이 turbostratic BN (tBN) 형태를 가지고 있다는 것을 나타낸다. 50$0^{\circ}C$의 합성 온도에서 기판 bias가 -300V에서 hBN (002) peak이 관찰되었고, -500, -700 V에서는 hBN (100) peak만이 관찰되었다. 따라서 고온에서의 큰 ion bombardment는 합성되는 막의 결정성을 저해하는 요소로 작용한다는 것을 확인 할 수 있었다. 합성된 BN 막은 ball on disk type의 tribometer를 이용하여 마모 거동을 관찰한 결과 대부분 1이상의 매우 큰 friction coefficient를 나타내었고, nano-indenter로 측정한 BN막의 hardness는 매우 soft한 막에서부터 10 GPa 정도 까지의 값을 나타내었고, nano-indenter로 측정한 BN 막의 hardness는 매우 soft한 막에서부터 10GPa 정도 까지의 값을 가지며 변하였다. 합성된 BCN, Si-BCN 막은 FT-IR, Raman, S-ray, TEM 분석을 통하여 그 구조와 합성된 상에 관하여 분석하였다. FT-IR 분석을 통해 B-N 결합과 C-N 결합을 확인할 수 있었고, Raman 분석을 통하여 DLC의 특성을 분석하였다. 마모 거동에서는 BCN 막의 경우 0.6~0.8 정도의 friction coefficient를 나타내었고 Si-BCN 막은 0.3이하의 낮은 friction coefficient를 나타내었다. Hardness는 carbon의 함유량과 Ar 가스의 첨가 유무에 따라 각각을 측정하였고 이것은 BN 막 보다 향상된 값을 나타내었다.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.11 no.6
• /
• pp.445-451
• /
• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is positively associated with atherosclerosis via elevating macrophage cell death and plaque formation, in which oxidative stress plays a pivotal role. Antioxidative, lipid-lowering, and anti-atherogenic effects of kimchi, a Korean fermented vegetable, have been established, wherein capsaicin, ascorbic acid, quercetin, 3-(4'-hydroxyl-3',5'-dimethoxyphenyl)propionic acid, and lactic acids were identified. In this study, mechanisms of action of kimchi methanol extracts (KME) on fatty streak formation via suppression of ER stress and apoptosis in aorta were examined in low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mice fed a high cholesterol diet with an oral administration of KME (KME group, $200 mg{\cdot}kg-bw^{-1}{\cdot}day^{-1}$) or distilled water (control group) for 8 weeks (n = 20 for group). Plasma lipid and oxidative stress levels were evaluated. Protein expression was measured by western blot assay. Fatty streak lesion size and the degree of apoptosis were examined in the aorta. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, in the KME group, plasma lipids levels were decreased and oxidative stress was alleviated (P < 0.05). Protein expression levels of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2-mediated antioxidants in aorta were increased whereas those for ER stress markers, glucose regulated protein 78, phospho-protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase, phospho-eukaryotic initiation factor 2 subunit ${\alpha}$, X-box binding protein 1, and C/EBP homologous protein were decreased in the KME group (P < 0.05). Moreover, apoptosis was suppressed via downregulation of phospho-c-Jun N-terminal kinase, bcl-2-associated X protein, caspases-9, and -3 with a concomitant upregulation of anti-apoptotic protein, B-cell lymphoma 2 (P < 0.05). Fatty streak lesion size was reduced and the degree of apoptosis was less severe in the KME group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, antioxidant activity of KME might prevent fatty streak formation through, in part, inhibition of ER stress and apoptosis in aortic sinus where macrophages are harbored.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.45 no.6
• /
• pp.835-842
• /
• 2016

The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway plays a crucial role in cancer occurrence by promoting cell proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of a PI3K inhibitor, LY294002, on the chemosensitivity of gastric cancer cells to cordycepin, a predominant functional component of the fungus Cordyceps militaris, in AGS human gastric cancer cells and investigated possible underlying cellular mechanisms. Our results revealed that cordycepin inhibited viability of AGS cells in a concentration-dependent manner and induced apoptosis, as determined by apoptotic cell morphologies and fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis associated with attenuated activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Treatment with cordycepin in combination with a subtoxic concentration of LY294002 enhanced cordycepin-induced cytotoxicity and apoptotic potentials in AGS cells. Sensitization of LY294002 to cordycepin-induced apoptosis was accompanied by activation of caspases (caspases-3, -8, and -9) and was concomitant with poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. Moreover, LY294002 up-regulated pro-apoptotic Bax and enhanced truncation of Bid in cordycepin-treated AGS cells, which was connected with increased loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to the cytosol. Taken together, these results indicate that inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway could augment cordycepin-induced apoptosis in human gastric cancer cells by up-regulating caspase activity through mitochondrial dysfunction.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.35 no.6
• /
• pp.21-28
• /
• 2020

Objectives : The objective of this study was to investigate the improvement effect of Sprout of Coix lacryma-jobi var. mayuen Stapf water extract (SC) on the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis mice. Methods : The antioxidant activity of SC was measured through total polyphenol and total flavonoid content in vitro. The experiment was conducted with seven-week-old male Balb/c mice. After 1 week adaptation, acute colitis was induced by oral administration of 5% DSS dissolved in drinking water, for 7 days. And normal mice received drinking water without DSS throughout the entire experimental period. For each experiment, the mice were divided into 4 groups and 24 colitis mice were arbitrarily allocated into 3 groups (n = 8/group); Normal group, Control group, SC 100 mg/kg treated group (SCL), SC 200 mg/kg treated group (SCH). Serum and colon tissues were collected after one weeks of drug administration. Results : ROS levels, ONOO^- levels, AST, and ALT in serum were decreased in SC treated groups compared to the control group. Western blotting measurements of Nrf2, HO-1, SOD, catalase, GPx-1/2, IL-4, IL-10, and Bcl2 showed that the SC treated groups was increased compared to the Control group. Also, western blot measurements of NF-κBp65, p-IκBα, COX-2, iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β, Bax, and Caspase-3 showed that the SC treated groups was reduced compared to the Control group. Conclusion : Taken together, these results suggest that SC treatment can attenuate the DSS-induced colitis though inhibiting NF-κB pathway and enhancing Nrf2 pathway. Therefore, SC was the potential to be used as a natural therapeutic drug.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.37 no.6
• /
• pp.714-720
• /
• 2008

Cordyceps militaris is a medicinal fungus which has been used for patient suffering from cancer in Oriental medicine. It was previously reported that C. militaris extracts are capable of inhibiting tumor growth and inducing apoptosis; however, the anti-poliferative effects of human cancer cells have been poorly understood. In this study, to elucidate the anti-cancer mechanisms of human cancer cells by treatment with aqueous extract of C. militaris (AECM), we investigated the anti-proliferative effects of AECM in human hepatocarcinoma Hep3B cells. AECM treatment inhibited the growth of Hep3B cells and induced the apoptotic cell death in a concentration-dependent manner such as formation of apoptotic bodies and increased populations of apoptotic-sub G1 phase. The induction of apoptosis by AECM was connected with a proteolytic activation of caspase-3 and caspase-8. and concomitant degradation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and ${\beta}$-catenin proteins. Furthermore, caspase-3 inhibitor, z-DEVD-fmk, significantly inhibited AECM-induced apoptosis demonstrating the important role of caspase-3 in the bserved cytotoxic effect. Taken together, these findings suggest that AECM-induced inhibition of human hepatocarcinoma cell proliferation is associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death via activation of caspase-3 and C. militaris may have therapeutic potential in human cancer.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
• /
• 2011.08a
• /
• pp.266-267
• /
• 2011

질화갈륨(GaN)은 높은 전자이동도 및 높은 항복전계를 가지며 낮은 온저항으로 인하여 에너지효율이 우수하기 때문에 고출력 전력소자 분야에서 많은 관심을 받고 있다. GaN을 이용한 고출력 전력소자의 경우 상용화 수준에 근접할 만한 기술적 진보가 있었으나, 페르미 레벨 고정(Fermi-level pinning) 현상, 소자의 누설전류 등 아직 해결되어야 할 문제를 갖고 있다. 본 연구에서는 실리콘 기판 위에 성장된 GaN 에피탁시를 활용한 고출력 전력소자의 누설전류를 억제시키기 위해 오믹 접합 중 Au의 상호확산을 억제하는 중간층 금속(Mo or Ni)을 변화시켰으며 오믹 열처리 온도에 따른 특성을 비교 연구하였다. $Cl_2$와 $BCl_3$를 이용하여 0.6 ${\mu}m$ 깊이의 메사 구조가 활성영역을 형성하였고, Si 도핑된 n-GaN 위에 Ti/Al/Mo/Au (20/100/25/200 nm) 와 Ti/Al/Ni/Au (20/100/25/200 nm) 오믹 접합을 각각 설계, 제작하였다. 오믹 열처리시의 GaN 표면오염을 방지하기 위해 $SiO_2$ 희생층을 증착하였다. 오믹 접합 형성을 위해 각 750$^{\circ}C$, 800$^{\circ}C$, 850$^{\circ}C$에서 30초간 열처리를 진행 하였으며, 이후 6 : 1 BOE 용액으로 $SiO_2$ 희생층을 제거하였다. 750, 800, 850$^{\circ}C$에서 Ti/Al/Mo/Au 구조의 오믹 접합 저항은 각 2.56, 2.34, 2.22 ${\Omega}$-mm 이었으며, Ti/Al/Ni/Au 구조의 오믹 접합 저항은 각 43.72, 2.64, 1.86 ${\Omega}$-mm이었다. Isolation 누설전류를 측정하기 위해서 두 개의 오믹 접합 사이에 메사 구조가 있는 테스트 구조를 제안하였다. Isolation 누설전류는 Ti/Al/Mo/Au 구조에서 두 오믹 접합 사이의 거리가 25 ${\mu}m$이고 100 V일 때 750, 800, 850 $^{\circ}C$의 열처리 온도에서 각 1.25 nA/${\mu}m$, 2.48 nA/${\mu}m$, 8.76 nA/${\mu}m$이었으며, Ti/Al/Ni/Au 구조에서는 각 1.58 nA/${\mu}m$, 2.13 nA/${\mu}m$, 96.36 nA/${\mu}m$이었다. 열처리 온도가 증가하며 오믹 접합 저항은 감소하였으나 isolation 누설전류는 증가하였다. 750$^{\circ}C$ 열처리에서 오믹 접합 저항은Ti/Al/Mo/Au 구조가 Ti/Al/Ni/Au 구조보다 약 17배 우수하였고, 850$^{\circ}C$ 고온의 열처리 경우 Ti/Al/Mo/Au 구조의 isolation 누설전류는 8.76 nA/${\mu}m$로 Ti/Al/Ni/Au의 누설전류 96.36 nA/${\mu}m$보다 약 11배 우수하였다. Ti/Al/Mo/Au가 Ti/Al/Ni/Au 보다 오믹 접합 저항과 isolation 누설전류 측면에서 전력용 GaN 소자에 적합함을 확인하였다.