• 생명과학회지
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• 제24권7호
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• pp.762-768
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• 2014

Starvation에 의해서 down-regulation 되는 유전자 10개를 얻었다(Comt, RGN, Scd1, Temt, Idi1, Fabp5, Car3, Cyp2c70, Pinx1, Poldip3). 이들은 starvation에 의한 대사변화의 대부분은 liver와 관련된 것으로 볼 수 있다. Starvation중에 물 공급은 암수 동일하게 apoptosis, autophage, endoplasmic reticulum quality control (ERQC)유도에 영향을 미치지 않았다. 이 같이 starvation에 의해서 down-regulation되는 유전자발현조절이 liver에 국한된 것이라기보다는 개체의 항상성유지에 관련 많은 pathway가 관련되어있는 것으로 판단된다. 장기간의 간혈 starvation은 glucose소비가 많은 brain과 면역기능조절에 중요한 thymus의 정상기능에 영향을 미칠 수 있는 것으로 보인다. 유전자 Scd1의 경우는 ♀보다가 ♂이 민감한 반응을 보이는 것으로 보아 ♀/♂의 성 특이적인 대사에 starvation과 NaCl이 밀접한 관계가 있는 것으로 보인다. Starvation시 물 공급도 중요하지만 개체의 항상성유지에 NaCl공급이 중요하다는 결과를 얻었다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.60-66
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• 2005

Low density lipoproteins (LDL) play important roles in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Diabetes is associated with accelerated atherosclerosis leading to cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients. Although LDL stimulates the proliferation of arterial smooth muscle cells (SMC), the mechanisms are not fully understood. We examined the effects of native LDL and glycated LDL on the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway. Addition of native and glycated LDL to rat aorta SMCs (RASMCs) stimulated ERK phosphorylation. ERK phosphorylation was not affected by exposure to the $Ca^{2+}$ chelator BAPTA-AM but inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) with GF109203X, inhibition of Src kinase with PP1 ($5{\mu}M$) and inhibition of phospholipase C (PLC) with U73122/U73343 ($5{\mu}M$) all reduced ERK phosphorylation in response to glycated LDL. In addition, pretreatment of the RASMCs with a cell-permeable mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor (PD98059, $5{\mu}M$) markedly decreased ERK phosphorylation in response to native and glycated LDL. These findings indicate that ERK phosphorylation in response to glycated LDL involves the activation of PKC, PLC, and MEK, but is independent of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.429-434
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• 2005

Lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC) induces vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and migration, which has been proposed to initiate the intimal thickening in coronary atherosclerotic lesions. Berberine is an alkaloid in Berberis aquifolium and many other plants. Recently, it has been shown to have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system, such as anti-hyperglycemic and cholesterol-lowering activity. In this study, we investigated its effects on lysoPC-induced VSMC proliferation and migration. Berberine inhibited lysoPC-induced DNA synthesis and cell proliferation in VSMCs, as well as migration of the lysoPC-stimulated VSMCs. It also inhibited the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) and reduced transcription factor AP-1 activity and the lysoPC-induced increases in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). These results indicate that the inhibitory effects of berberine on lysoPC-stimulated VSMC proliferation and migration are attributable to inhibition of ROS generation and hence of activation of the ERK1/2 pathway. This suggests that berberine has potential in the prevention of atherosclerosis and restenosis.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.263-270
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• 2005

Transactivation of EGF-receptor (EGFR) by G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) is emerging as an important pathway in cell proliferation, which plays a crucial role in the development of atherosclerotic lesion. Angiotensin II (Ang II) has been identified to have a major role in the formation of atherosclerotic lesions, although the underlying mechanisms remain largely unclear. We hypothesize that Ang II promotes the proliferation and migration of smooth muscle cells through the release of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor like growth factor (HB-EGF), transactivation of EGFR and activation of Akt and Erk 1/2, with matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) playing a dispensable role. Primary rat aortic smooth muscle cells were used in this study. Smooth muscle cells rendered quiescent by serum deprivation for 12 h were treated with Ang II (100 nM) in the presence of either GM6001 ($20{\mu}M$), a specific inhibitor of MMPs or AG1478 ($10{\mu}M$), an inhibitor of EGFR. The levels of phosphorylation of EGFR, Akt and Erk 1/2 were assessed in the cell lysates. Inhibition of MMPs by GM6001 significantly attenuated Ang II-stimulated phosphorylation of EGFR, suggesting that MMPs may be involved in the transactivation of EGFR by Ang II receptor. Furthermore Ang II-stimulated proliferation and migration of smooth muscle cells were significantly blunted by inhibiting MMPs and EGFR and applying HB-EGF neutralization antibody, indicating that MMPs, HB-EGF and EGFR activation is necessary for Ang-II stimulated migration and proliferation of smooth muscle cells. Our results suggest that inhibition of MMPs may represent one of the strategies to counter the mitogenic and motogenic effects of Ang II on smooth muscle cells and thereby prevent the formation and development of atherosclerotic lesions.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제38권4호
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• pp.336-342
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• 2015

Propyl gallate (PG) used as an additive in various foods has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Although the functional roles of PG in various cell types are well characterized, it is unknown whether PG has effect on stem cell differentiation. In this study, we demonstrated that PG could inhibit adipogenic differentiation in human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) by decreasing the accumulation of intracellular lipid droplets. In addition, PG significantly reduced the expression of adipocyte-specific markers including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-${\gamma}$ (PPAR-${\gamma}$), CCAAT enhancer binding protein-${\alpha}$ (C/EBP-${\alpha}$), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), and adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein 2 (aP2). PG inhibited adipogenesis in hAMSCs through extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) pathway. Decreased adipogenesis following PG treatment was recovered in response to ERK blocking. Taken together, these results suggest a novel effect of PG on adipocyte differentiation in hAMSCs, supporting a negative role of ERK1/2 pathway in adipogenic differentiation.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제38권3호
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• pp.121-126
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• 2013

Tumor necrosis factor alpha ($TNF{\alpha}$) is a multifunctional inflammatory cytokine that regulates various cellular and biological processes. Increased levels of $TNF{\alpha}$ have been implicated in a number of human diseases including diabetes and arthritis. Sympathetic nervous system stimulation via the beta2-adrenergic receptor (${\beta}2AR$) in osteoblasts suppresses osteogenic activity. We previously reported that $TNF{\alpha}$ upregulates ${\beta}2AR$ expression in murine osteoblastic cells and that this modulation is associated with $TNF{\alpha}$ inhibition of osteoblast differentiation. In our present study, we explored whether $TNF{\alpha}$ induces ${\beta}2AR$ expression in human osteoblasts and then identified the downstream signaling pathway. Our results indicated that ${\beta}2AR$ expression was increased in Saos-2 and C2C12 cells by $TNF{\alpha}$ treatment, and that this increase was blocked by the inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$ activation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assay results indicated that NF-${\kappa}B$ directly binds to its cognate elements on the ${\beta}2AR$ promoter and thereby stimulates ${\beta}2AR$ expression. These findings suggest that the activation of $TNF{\alpha}$ signaling in osteoblastic cells leads to an upregulation of ${\beta}2AR$ and also that $TNF{\alpha}$ induces ${\beta}2AR$ expression in an NF-${\kappa}B$-dependent manner.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.237-243
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• 2006

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neuromodulator of nociceptive responses in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and spinal cord. BDNF synthesis increases in response to nerve growth factor (NGF) in trkA-expressing small and medium-sized DRG neurons after inflammation. Previously we demonstrated differential activation of multiple BDNF promoters in the DRG following peripheral nerve injury and inflammation. Using reporter constructs containing individual promoter regions, we investigated the effect of NGF on the multiple BDNF promoters, and the signaling pathway by which NGF activates these promoters in PC12 cells. Although all the promoters were activated 2.4-7.1-fold by NGF treatment, promoter IV gave the greatest induction. The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor, SB203580, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K) inhibitor, LY294003, protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor, H89, and protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, chelerythrine, had no effect on activation of promoter IV by NGF. However, activation was completely abolished by the MAPK kinase (MEK) inhibitors, U0126 and PD98059. In addition, these inhibitors blocked NGF-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) 1/2. Taken together, these results suggest that the ERK1/2 pathway activates BDNF promoter IV in response to NGF independently of NGF-activated signaling pathways involving PKA and PKC.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제38권10호
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• pp.829-835
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• 2015

It has been suggested that AUXIN BINDING PROTEIN 1 (ABP1) functions as an apoplastic auxin receptor, and is known to be involved in the post-transcriptional process, and largely independent of the already well-known SKP-cullin-F-box-transport inhibitor response (TIR1) /auxin signaling F-box (AFB) ($SCF^{TIR1/AFB}$) pathway. In the past 10 years, several key components downstream of ABP1 have been reported. After perceiving the auxin signal, ABP1 interacts, directly or indirectly, with plasma membrane (PM)-localized transmembrane proteins, transmembrane kinase (TMK) or SPIKE1 (SPK1), or other unidentified proteins, which transfer the signal into the cell to the Rho of plants (ROP). ROPs interact with their effectors, such as the ROP interactive CRIB motif-containing protein (RIC), to regulate the endocytosis/exocytosis of the auxin efflux carrier PIN-FORMED (PIN) proteins to mediate polar auxin transport across the PM. Additionally, ABP1 is a negative regulator of the traditional $SCF^{TIR1/AFB}$ auxin signaling pathway. However, Gao et al. (2015) very recently reported that ABP1 is not a key component in auxin signaling, and the famous abp1-1 and abp1-5 mutant Arabidopsis lines are being called into question because of possible additional mutantion sites, making it necessary to reevaluate ABP1. In this review, we will provide a brief overview of the history of ABP1 research.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.337-344
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• 2016

Intravenous administration of mesenchymal stem cells (IV-MSC) protects the ischemic rat brain in a stroke model, but the molecular mechanism underlying its therapeutic effect is unclear. We compared genomic profiles using the mRNA microarray technique in a rodent stroke model. Rats were treated with $1{\times}10^6$ IV-MSC or saline (sham group) 2 h after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo). mRNA microarray was conducted 72 h after MCAo using brain tissue from normal rats (normal group) and the sham and MSC groups. Predicted pathway analysis was performed in differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and functional tests and immunohistochemistry for inflammation-related proteins were performed. We identified 857 DEGs between the sham and normal groups, with the majority of them (88.7%) upregulated in sham group. Predicted pathway analysis revealed that cerebral ischemia activated 10 signaling pathways mainly related to inflammation and cell cycle. IV-MSC attenuated the numbers of dysregulated genes in cerebral ischemia (118 DEGs between the MSC and normal groups). In addition, a total of 218 transcripts were differentially expressed between the MSC and sham groups, and most of them (175/218 DEGs, 80.2%) were downregulated in the MSC group. IV-MSC reduced the number of Iba-$1^+$ cells in the peri-infarct area, reduced the overall infarct size, and improved functional deficits in MCAo rats. In conclusion, transcriptome analysis revealed that IV-MSC attenuated postischemic genomic alterations in the ischemic brain. Amelioration of dysregulated inflammation- and cell cycle-related gene expression in the host brain is one of the molecular mechanisms of IV-MSC therapy for cerebral ischemia.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제39권6호
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• pp.508-513
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• 2016

To investigate the potential therapeutic effects of polyphenols in treating Pb induced renal dysfunction and intoxication and to explore the detailed underlying mechanisms. Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control groups (CT), Pb exposure groups (Pb), Pb plus Polyphenols groups (Pb+PP) and Polyphenols groups (PP). Animals were kept for 60 days and sacrificed for tests of urea, serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine. Histological evaluations were then performed. In vitro studies were performed using primary kidney mesangial cells to reveal detailed mechanisms. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to evaluate cell viability. Pb induced cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and scavenging were tested by DCFH-DA. Expression level of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-1-${\beta}$ (IL-1-${\beta}$) and IL-6 were assayed by ELISA. Western blot and qPCR were used to measure the expression of ERK1/2, JNK1/2 and p38. Polyphenols have obvious protective effects on Pb induced renal dysfunction and intoxication both in vivo and in vitro. Polyphenols reduced Pb concentration and accumulation in kidney. Polyphenols also protected kidney mesangial cells from Pb induced apoptosis. Polyphenols scavenged Pb induced ROS generation and suppressed ROS-mediated ERK/JNK/p38 pathway. Downstream pro-inflammatory cytokines were inhibited in consistency. Polyphenol is protective in Pb induced renal intoxication and inflammatory responses. The underlying mechanisms lie on the antioxidant activity and ROS scavenging activity of polyphenols.