• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제24권6호
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• pp.595-603
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• 2016

(E)-3-Phenyl-1-(2-pyrrolyl)-2-propenone (PPP) is a pyrrole derivative of chalcone, in which the B-ring of chalcone linked to ${\beta}$-carbon is replaced by pyrrole group. While pyrrole has been studied for possible Src inhibition activity, chalcone, especially the substituents on the B-ring, has shown pharmaceutical, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant properties via inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$ activity. Our study is aimed to investigate whether this novel synthetic compound retains or enhances the pharmaceutically beneficial activities from the both structures. For this purpose, inflammatory responses of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW264.7 cells were analyzed. Nitric oxide (NO) production, inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) mRNA expression, and the intracellular inflammatory signaling cascade were measured. Interestingly, PPP strongly inhibited NO release in a dose-dependent manner. To further investigate this anti-inflammatory activity, we identified molecular pathways by immunoblot analyses of nuclear fractions and whole cell lysates prepared from LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells with or without PPP pretreatment. The nuclear levels of p50, c-Jun, and c-Fos were significantly inhibited when cells were exposed to PPP. Moreover, according to the luciferase reporter gene assay after cotransfection with either TRIF or MyD88 in HEK293 cells, NF-${\kappa}B$-mediated luciferase activity dose-dependently diminished. Additionally, it was confirmed that PPP dampens the upstream signaling cascade of NF-${\kappa}B$ and AP-1 activation. Thus, PPP inhibited Syk, Src, and TAK1 activities induced by LPS or induced by overexpression of these genes. Therefore, our results suggest that PPP displays anti-inflammatory activity via inhibition of Syk, Src, and TAK1 activity, which may be developed as a novel anti-inflammatory drug.

• KSBB Journal
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.249-254
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• 2007

동백잎의 열수 추출물이 신생혈관 생성억제 효과가 강하게 나타남으로써 이들 추출물에 대한 독성 시험을 HUVECs를 사용하여 검토한 바는 200 ug/mL에서도 독성이 없는 것으로 나타났으며, 1.5, 3.0, 15 및 30 ug/mL으로 농도가 증가함에 따라 각각 30.7%, 38.5%, 53.8% 그리고 70.0%의 신생혈관 생성억제율을 보였다. 세포부착 저해효과는 C. japonica leaf (CJL)의 농도가 50, 100, $200{\mu}g{/well}$으로 증가할 때 E-selectin이 46.7%, 66.7% 그리고 86.76%, VCAM-1이 23.0%, 61.5% 그리고 84.6%, ICAM-1이 11.0%, 55.5% 그리고 88.8%로 나타났다. C. japonica leaf (CJL)의 성분 증가에 따라 발현이 감소되는 것을 보아 농도가 증가함에 따라 cell adhesion의 저해 효과가 높아짐을 알 수 있었다. 신호전달의 기전규명은 western blot으로 행하였으며 CJL의 농도가 증가함에 따라 밴드의 발현이 약해지는 것을 관찰할 수 있다. 따라서 신호전달 분자인 VEGFR-2, $\beta$-catenin, Pl3-K는 CJL에 의해 신호전달이 차단되는 것을 볼 수 있고, 이는 NF-${\kappa}$B를 억제함으로서 신생혈관 생성을 저해하는 것으로 확인되었다. 따라서 동백잎은 신생혈관 생성에 의존하고 있는 것으로 알려진 암 등의 치료와 암전이의 억제, 류마치스성 관절염, 그리고 항비만제제로서 개발될 수 있음을 시사한다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제28권5호
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• pp.456-464
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• 2020

Mast cells (MCs) are systemically distributed and secrete several allergic mediators such as histamine and leukotrienes to cause type I hypersensitivity. Dasatinib is a type of anti-cancer agent and it has also been reported to inhibit human basophils. However, dasatinib has not been reported for its inhibitory effects on MCs or type I hypersensitivity in mice. In this study, we examined the inhibitory effect of dasatinib on MCs and MC-mediated allergic response in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, dasatinib inhibited the degranulation of MCs by antigen stimulation in a dose-dependent manner (IC₅₀, ~34 nM for RBL-2H3 cells; ~52 nM for BMMCs) without any cytotoxicity. It also suppressed the secretion of inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and TNF-α by antigen stimulation. Furthermore, dasatinib inhibited MC-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in mice (ED₅₀, ~29 mg/kg). Notably, dasatinib significantly suppressed the degranulation of MCs in the ear tissue. As the mechanism of its effect, dasatinib inhibited the activation of Syk and Syk-mediated downstream signaling proteins, LAT, PLCγ1, and three typical MAP kinases (Erk1/2, JNK, and p38), which are essential for the activation of MCs. Interestingly, in vitro tyrosine kinase assay, dasatinib directly inhibited the activities of Lyn and Fyn, the upstream tyrosine kinases of Syk in MCs. Taken together, dasatinib suppresses MCs and PCA in vitro and in vivo through the inhibition of Lyn and Fyn Src-family kinases. Therefore, we suggest the possibility of repositioning the anti-cancer drug dasatinib as a treatment for various MC-mediated type I hypersensitive diseases.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제28권5호
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• pp.443-455
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• 2020

The thioredoxin (Trx) system plays critical roles in regulating intracellular redox levels and defending organisms against oxidative stress. Recent studies indicated that Trx reductase (TrxR) was overexpressed in various types of human cancer cells indicating that the Trx-TrxR system may be a potential target for anti-cancer drug development. This study investigated the synergistic effect of auranofin, a TrxR-specific inhibitor, on sulforaphane-mediated apoptotic cell death using Hep3B cells. The results showed that sulforaphane significantly enhanced auranofin-induced apoptosis by inhibiting TrxR activity and cell proliferation compared to either single treatment. The synergistic effect of sulforaphane and auranofin on apoptosis was evidenced by an increased annexin-V-positive cells and Sub-G1 cells. The induction of apoptosis by the combined treatment caused the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and upregulation of Bax. In addition, the proteolytic activities of caspases (-3, -8, and -9) and the degradation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, a substrate protein of activated caspase-3, were also higher in the combined treatment. Moreover, combined treatment induced excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, treatment with N-acetyl-L-cysteine, a ROS scavenger, reduced combined treatment-induced ROS production and apoptosis. Thereby, these results deduce that ROS played a pivotal role in apoptosis induced by auranofin and sulforaphane. Furthermore, apoptosis induced by auranofin and sulforaphane was significantly increased through inhibition of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. Taken together, the present study demonstrated that down-regulation of TrxR activity contributed to the synergistic effect of auranofin and sulforaphane on apoptosis through ROS production and inhibition of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제27권5호
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• pp.492-501
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• 2019

Nitrogen-containing heterocycles such as quinoline, quinazolinones and indole are scaffolds of natural products and have broad biological effects. During the last years those structures have been intensively synthesized and modified to yield new synthetic molecules that can specifically inhibit the activity of dysregulated protein kinases in cancer cells. Herein, a series of newly synthesized isoquinolinamine (FX-1 to 8) and isoindoloquinazolinone (FX-9, FX-42, FX-43) compounds were evaluated in regards to their anti-leukemic potential on human B- and T- acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells. Several biological effects were observed. B-ALL cells (SEM, RS4;11) were more sensitive against isoquinolinamine compounds than T-ALL cells (Jurkat, CEM). In SEM cells, metabolic activity decreased with $10{\mu}M$ up to 26.7% (FX-3), 25.2% (FX-7) and 14.5% (FX-8). The 3-(p-Tolyl) isoquinolin-1-amine FX-9 was the most effective agent against B- and T-ALL cells with IC50 values ranging from 0.54 to $1.94{\mu}M$. None of the tested compounds displayed hemolysis on erythrocytes or cytotoxicity against healthy leukocytes. Anti-proliferative effect of FX-9 was associated with changes in cell morphology and apoptosis induction. Further, influence of FX-9 on PI3K/AKT, MAPK and JAK/STAT signaling was detected but was heterogeneous. Functional inhibition testing of 58 kinases revealed no specific inhibitory activity among cancer-related kinases. In conclusion, FX-9 displays significant antileukemic activity in B- and T-ALL cells and should be further evaluated in regards to the mechanisms of action. Further compounds of the current series might serve as templates for the design of new compounds and as basic structures for modification approaches.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제32권11호
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• pp.833-840
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• 2022

만성 염증은 종양의 발생 및 진행과 밀접하게 연관되어 있다. 핵인자 kappa B (NF-κB)는 5개의 전사인자로 구성되며 염증 반응에 필수적인 역할을 한다. 다양한 암에서 NF-κB의 조절장애가 보고되고 있으며 NF-κB 조절이 암 치료에 있어 핵심 표적이 된다. 본 연구에서는 CDC Like Kinase 3 (CLK3)를 NF-κB 신호전달 경로를 조절하는 새로운 키네이스임을 확인하였다. 우리는 CLK3가 정규 및 비정규 NF-κB 신호전달경로를 억제하는 것을 밝혔다. CLK3 과발현 또는 knock-down 세포주를 이용한 루시퍼레이즈 분석 결과, 이 키네이스는 TNFα와 PMA가 유도하는 정규 NF-κB 신호전달경로 활성을 억제하였다. 또한 CLK3 과발현은 잘 알려진 비정규 NF-κB 신호경로 유도제인 NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK) 또는 CD40에 의한 NF-κB 활성을 저해하였다. 추가적으로 CLK3의 NF-κB 신호전달 저해기전을 설명하고자 TNFα 처리 후 웨스턴 블롯 분석으로 이 키네이스 영향권 내에 있는 NF-κB 신호경로 분자들을 식별하였다. 그 결과 CLK3가 TAK1, IKKα/α, p65, IκBα 및 ERK1/2-MAPK의 인산화/활성화를 저해하여 TNFα 처리로 유도된 NF-κB 및 MAPK 신호경로를 모두 억제함을 밝혔다. 앞으로의 연구는 CLK3가 정규 및 비정규 NF-κB 경로를 억제하는 기작을 밝히는데 초점을 맞출 것이다. 위 연구 결과들을 토대로 CLK3가 NF-κB 신호전달경로의 새로운 음성 조절자로써 기능함을 제시하였다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.203-211
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• 2022

Melanogenesis is the production of melanin from tyrosine by a series of enzyme-catalyzed reactions, in which tyrosinase and DOPA oxidase play key roles. The melanin content in the skin determines skin pigmentation. Abnormalities in skin pigmentation lead to various skin pigmentation disorders. Recent research has shown that the expression of EMP2 is much lower in melanoma than in normal melanocytes, but its role in melanogenesis has not yet been elucidated. Therefore, we investigated the role of EMP2 in the melanogenesis of MNT1 human melanoma cells. We examined TRP-1, TRP-2, and TYR expression levels during melanogenesis in MNT1 melanoma cells by gene silencing of EMP2. Western blot and RT-PCR results confirmed that the expression levels of TYR and TRP-2 were decreased when EMP2 expression was knocked down by EMP2 siRNA in MNT1 cells, and these changes were reversed when EMP2 was overexpressed. We verified the EMP2 gene was knocked out of the cell line (EMP2 CRISPR/Cas9) by using a CRISPR/Cas9 system and found that the expression levels of TRP-2 and TYR were significantly lower in the EMP2 CRISPR/Cas9 cell lines. Loss of EMP2 also reduced migration and invasion of MNT1 melanoma cells. In addition, the melanosome transfer from the melanocytes to keratinocytes in the EMP2 KO cells cocultured with keratinocytes was reduced compared to the cells in the control coculture group. In conclusion, these results suggest that EMP2 is involved in melanogenesis via the regulation of TRP-2 expression.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제38권6호
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• pp.528-534
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• 2015

Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) is a key regulator of tumor growth and angiogenesis. Recent studies have shown that, BIX01294, a G9a histone methyltransferase (HMT)-specific inhibitor, induces apoptosis and inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion of cancer cells. However, not many studies have investigated whether inhibition of G9a HMT can modulate HIF-$1{\alpha}$ stability and angiogenesis. Here, we show that BIX01294 dose-dependently decreases levels of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ in HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The half-life of HIF-$1{\alpha}$, expression of proline hydroxylase 2 (PHD2), hydroxylated HIF-$1{\alpha}$ and von Hippel-Lindau protein (pVHL) under hypoxic conditions were decreased by BIX01294. The mRNA expression and secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were also significantly reduced by BIX01294 under hypoxic conditions in HepG2 cells. BIX01294 remarkably decreased angiogenic activity induced by VEGF in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo, as demonstrated by assays using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), mouse aortic rings, and chick chorioallantoic membranes (CAMs), respectively. Furthermore, BIX01294 suppressed VEGF-induced matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) activity and inhibited VEGF-induced phosphorylation of VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2), focal adhesion kinase (FAK), and paxillin in HUVECs. In addition, BIX01294 inhibited VEGF-induced formation of actin cytoskeletal stress fibers. In conclusion, we demonstrated that BIX01294 inhibits HIF-$1{\alpha}$ stability and VEGF-induced angiogenesis through the VEGFR-2 signaling pathway and actin cytoskeletal remodeling, indicating a promising approach for developing novel therapeutics to stop tumor progression.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제25권9호
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• pp.1007-1013
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• 2015

원핵생물체의 생명유지에 중요한 역할을 담당하는 유전자들을 밝히기 위해 미생물 유전체들 사이의 공통적 유전자를 파악하는 COG 알고리즘을 이용하였다. 원핵생물 711종 모두에 보존적인 것은 COG0080 (Ribosomal protein L11) 1개였다. 708종 이상의 원핵생물에 보존적인 22개의 ortholog 중 전사관련 2개, tRNA synthetase 관련4개, ribosamal large subunit 8개, ribosomal small subunit 7개였다. 700종 이상의 원핵생물에 보존적인 COG는 58개였다. 이중 리보좀을 구성하는 소단위체 등 번역 관련 COG가 50개(86.2%), 전사관련 COG가 4개(6.9%)로 나타나 생명현상에서의 단백질의 중요성을 알 수 있었다. 58개의 COG 중 보존성은 COG0060 (Isoleucyl tRNA synthetase)이 가장 높았고 COG0143 (Methionyl tRNA synthetase)이 가장 낮았다. 문(phylum)과 강(class) 수준에서 보존적 유전자들의 평균과 분산으로 유전체 분석을 수행한 결과 변이가 큰 고세균은 진정세균과 구분되었으며 편차는 일부 진정세균이 고세균보다 컸다. 보존적 유전자를 탐색하는 본 연구의 기법은 기초과학 연구와 함께 항균제 개발과 항암요법 개발 등에도 유용할 것이다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제5권3호
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• pp.278-283
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• 1997

DW-166HC ($^{166}$ Holmium ($^{166}$ Ho)-Chitosan complex) is a new radiopharmaceutic anticancer agent with a broad anti-tumoriginec spectrum, especially against human fepatic cancer. DW-166HC was evaluated for the appearance of micronucleus in polychromatic erythrocytes (PCEs) of mouse bone marrow cells after subcutaneous and intravenous single administration. Bone marrow cells were prepared at 24 hr and 48 hr after DW-166HC-I ($^{165}$ Ho-Chitosan complex cold compound) administration and at 24 hr, 72 hr and 2 weeks after DW-166HC ($^{166}$ Ho-Chitosan complex : hot compound) administration. The results showed there was no statistically significant increase of the numbers of PCEs with micronucleus in all DW-166HC-I administered groups compared with a negative control group but there was statistically significant increase of the numbers of PCEs with micronucleus at 24 hr and 72 hr in all DW-166HC administered groups, which was recovered after 2 weeks from the drug administration. The results also showed the ratio of normochromatic erythrocytes (NCEs) to PCEs of all DW-166HC-I administered groups was not significantly different from that of a negative control group but there was significant difference this ratio at 24hr and 72 hr in all DW-166HC administered groups compared with that of negative group, which was also recovered after two weeks from the drug administration. These results suggested that DW-166HC-I may not cause any chromosomal damage but DW-166HC has in vivo mutagenic potential because of its radioactivity.