• BMB Reports
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• 제42권11호
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• pp.713-718
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• 2009

Apoptotic DNA fragmentation, the hallmark of apoptosis, is mediated primarily by caspase-activated DFF40 (CAD) nuclease. DFF40 exists as a heterodimer with DFF45 (ICAD), which is a specific chaperone and inhibitor of DFF40 under normal conditions. To understand the mechanism through which the DFF40/DFF45 system is regulated, we analyzed the structural and biochemical properties of apoptotic DNA fragmentation mediated by DFF40/DFF45. Using limited proteolysis, we show that residues 1-281 of DFF45 form a rigid, crystallized domain, whereas the loop formed by residues 277-281 is accessible by trypsin. These results show that the C-terminal helix formed by residues 281-300 is dynamic and necessary for the chaperone activity of DFF45, but not for inhibition of DFF40.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.20-27
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• 2007

Eugenol is commonly used in dentistry for the sedation of toothache, pulpitis, and dental hyperalgesia. This study was performed to investigate the apoptotic effect of eugenol to human osteosarcoma (HOS) cells and the potential use of this compound in osteosarcoma cells. Eugenol showed the apoptotic effect in HOS cells in dose- and time-dependent manner. Fragmentation and condensation of DNA were showed by TUNEL assay, Hemacolor stain and Hoechst stain. In the DNA electrophoresis analysis, cells showed DNA degradation characteristic of apoptosis with a ladder pattern of DNA fragments. Apoptosis-related factors were analyzed by western blotting. Cells treated with eugenol showed caspase-3, PARP, lamin A and DFF-45 cleavage. Eugenol treatment induced caspase-3 cleavage and activation. Cleavages of PARP, DFF-45 and lamin A were accompanied with activation of caspase triggered by eugenol in HOS cells. Though this study needs more investigations, these results suggest that eugenol induce apoptosis via caspase dependent pathway in HOS cells and eugenol may constitute a potential antitumor compound against osteosarcoma cells.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제39권3호
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• pp.159-167
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• 2014

Curcumin is a widely used flavoring agent in food, and it has been reported to inhibit cell growth, to induce apoptosis, and to have antitumor activity in many cancers. Cisplatin is one of the most potent known anticancer agents and shows significant clinical activity against a variety of solid tumors. This study was undertaken to investigate the synergistic apoptotic effects of co-treatment with curcumin and cisplatin on human tongue SCC25 cells. To investigate whether the co-treatment efficiently reduced the viability of the SCC25 cells compared with the two treatments separately, an MTT assay was conducted. The induction and the augmentation of apoptosis were confirmed by DNA electrophoresis, Hoechst staining, and an analysis of DNA hypoploidy. Western blot, MMP and immunofluorescence tests were also performed to evaluate the expression levels and the translocation of apoptosis-related proteins following the co-treatment. In this study, following the co-treatment with curcumin and cisplatin, the SCC25 cells showed several forms of apoptotic manifestation, such as nuclear condensation, DNA fragmentation, reduction of MMP, increased levels of Bax, decreased levels of Bcl-2, and decreased DNA content. In addition, they showed a release of cytochrome c into the cytosol, translocation of AIF and DFF40 (CAD) to the nuclei, and activation of caspase-7, caspase-3, PARP, and DFF45 (ICAD). In contrast, separate treatments of $5{\mu}M$ of curcumin or $4{\mu}g/ml$ of cisplatin, for 24 hours, did not induce apoptosis. Therefore, our data suggest that combination therapy with curcumin and cisplatin could be considered as a novel therapeutic strategy for human oral squamous cell carcinoma.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제40권1호
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• pp.51-61
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• 2015

Shikonin, a major ingredient in the traditional Chinese herb Lithospermumerythrorhizon, exhibits multiple biological functions including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor effects. It has recently been reported that shikonin displays antitumor properties in many cancers. This study was aimed to investigate whether shikonin could inhibit oral squamous carcinoma cell (OSCC) growth via mechanisms of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. The effects of shikonin on the viability and growth of OSCC cell line, SCC25 cells were assessed by MTT assay and clonogenic assays, respectively. Hoechst staining and DNA electrophoresis indicated that the shikonin-treated SCC25 cells were undergoing apoptosis. Western blotting, immunocytochemistry, confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, MMP activity, and proteasome activity also supported the finding that shikonin induces apoptosis. Shikonin treatment of SCC25 cells resulted in a time- and dose-dependent decrease in cell viability, inhibition of cell growth, and increase in apoptotic cell death. The treated SCC25 cells showed several lines of apoptotic manifestation as follows: nuclear condensation; DNA fragmentation; reduced MMP and proteasome activity; decrease in DNA contents; release of cytochrome c into cytosol; translocation of AIF and DFF40 (CAD) onto the nuclei; a significant shift in Bax/Bcl-2 ratio; and activation of caspase-9, -7, -6, and -3, as well as PARP, lamin A/C, and DFF45 (ICAD). Shikonin treatment also resulted in down-regulation of the G1 cell cycle-related proteins and up-regulation of $p27^{KIP1}$. Taken together, our present findings demonstrate that shikonin strongly inhibits cell proliferation by modulating the expression of the G1 cell cycle-related proteins, and that it induces apoptosis via the proteasome, mitochondria, and caspase cascades in SCC25 cells.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.51-60
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• 2010

Few studies have evaluated the apoptosis-inducing efficacy of NaF on cancer cells in vitro but there has been no previous investigation of the apoptotic effects of NaF on human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. In this study, we have investigated the mechanisms underlying the apoptotic response to NaF treatment in the YD9 human squamous cell carcinoma cell line. The viability of YD9 cells and their growth inhibition were assessed by MTT and clonogenic assays, respectively. Hoechst staining, DNA electrophoresis and TUNEL staining were conducted to detect apoptosis. YD9 cells were treated with NaF, and western blotting, immunocytochemistry, confocal microscopy, FACScan flow cytometry, and MMP and proteasome activity assays were performed sequentially. The NaF treatment resulted in a time- and dose-dependent decrease in YD9 cell viability, a dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth, and the induction of apoptotic cell death. The apoptotic response of these cells was manifested by nuclear condensation, DNA fragmentation, the reduction of MMP and proteasome activity, a decreased DNA content, the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol, the translocation of AIF and DFF40 (CAD) into the nucleus, a significant shift of the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and the activation of caspase-9, caspase-3, PARP, Lamin A/C and DFF45 (ICAD). Furthermore, NaF treatment resulted in the downregulation of G1 cell cyclerelated proteins, and upregulation of p53 and the Cdk inhibitor $p27^{KIP1}$. Taken collectively, our present findings demonstrate that NaF strongly inhibits YD9 cell proliferation by modulating the expression of G1 cell cycle-related proteins and inducing apoptosis via mitochondrial and caspase pathways.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제39권1호
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• pp.23-33
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• 2014

Several studies have shown that curcumin, which is derived from the rhizomes of turmeric, possesses antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The antitumor properties of curcumin have also now been demonstrated more recently in different cancers. This study was undertaken to investigate the modulation of cell cycle-related proteins and the mechanisms underlying apoptosis induction by curcumin in the SCC25 human tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell line. Curcumin treatment of the SCC25 cells resulted in a time- and dose-dependent reduction in cell viability and cell growth, and onset of apoptotic cell death. The curcumin-treated SCC25 cells showed several types of apoptotic manifestations, such as nuclear condensation, DNA fragmentation, reduced MMP and proteasome activity, and a decreased DNA content. In addition, the treated SCC25 cells showed a release of cytochrome c into the cytosol, translocation of AIF and DFF40/CAD into the nuclei, a significant shift in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and the activation of caspase-9, caspase-7, caspase-6, caspase-3, PARP, lamin A/C, and DFF45/ICAD. Furthermore, curcumin exposure resulted in a downregulation of G1 cell cycle-related proteins and upregulation of $p27^{KIP1}$. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that curcumin strongly inhibits cell proliferation by modulating the expression of G1 cell cycle-related proteins and inducing apoptosis via proteasomal, mitochondrial, and caspase cascades in SCC25 cells.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.155-162
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• 2011

Eugenol (4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol) is a naturally occurring phenolic compound that is widely used in dentistry as a component of zinc oxide eugenol cement that is commonly applied to the mouth environment. Cisplatin is one of the most potent known anticancer agents and shows significant clinical activity against a variety of solid tumors. This study was undertaken to investigate the synergistic apoptotic effects of co-treatments with eugenol and cisplatin on human melanoma (G361) cells. To investigate whether this co-treatment efficiently reduces the viability of G361 cells compared with each single treatment, an MTT assay was conducted. The induction and augmentation of apoptosis were confirmed by DNA electrophoresis, Hoechst staining and an analysis of DNA hypoploidy. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescent staining were also performed to evaluate the expression levels and the translocation of apoptosis-related proteins following this co-treatment. Furthermore, proteasome activity and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) changes were also assayed. The results indicated that a co-treatment with eugenol and cisplatin induced multiple pathways and processes associated with an apoptotic response in G361 cells including nuclear condensation, DNA fragmentation, a reduction in MMP and proteasome activity, the increase and decrease of Bax and Bcl-2, a decreased DNA content, the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol, the translocation of AIF and DFF40 (CAD) into the nucleus, and the activation of caspase-9, caspase-7, caspase-3, PARP and DFF45 (ICAD). In contrast, separate treatments of 300 ${\mu}M$ eugenol or 3 ${\mu}M$ cisplatin for 24 h did not induce apoptosis. Our present data thus suggest that a combination therapy of eugenol and cisplatin is a potential treatment strategy for human melanoma.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제38권3호
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• pp.101-110
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• 2013

We investigated the synergistic apoptotic effects of co-treatments with Chios gum mastic (CGM) and eugenol on G361 human melanoma cells. An MTT assay was conducted to investigate whether this co-treatment efficiently reduces the viability of G361 cells compared with each single treatment. The induction and augmentation of apoptosis were confirmed by DNA electrophoresis, Hoechst staining, and analyses of DNA hypoploidy. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescent staining were also performed to evaluate expression and translocation of apoptosis-related proteins following CGM and eugenol co-treatment. Proteasome activity and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) changes were also assayed.The results indicated that the co-treatment of CGM and eugenol induces multiple pathways and processes associated with an apoptotic response in G361 cells. These include nuclear condensation, DNA fragmentation, a reduction in MMP and proteasome activity, an increase of Bax and decrease of Bcl-2, a decreased DNA content, cytochrome c release into the cytosol, the translocation of AIF and DFF40 (CAD) into the nucleus, and the activation of caspase-9, caspase-7, caspase-3, PARP and DFF45 (ICAD). In contrast, separate treatments of $40{\mu}g/ml$ CGM or $300{\mu}M$ eugenol for 24 hours did not induce apoptosis. Our present data thus suggest that a combination therapy of CGM and eugenol is a potential treatment strategy for human melanoma.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• 제38권3호
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• pp.221-233
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• 2013

담즙산은 지방의 흡수와 콜레스테롤의 항상성을 조절하는 유전자의 전사에 관여하는 필수 콜레스테롤의 생성물이다. 담즙산 합성유도체인 HS-1200이 여러 가지 암세포에서 세포자멸사(apoptosis)를 유도한다는 것이 알려져 있다. 본 연구는 사람혀 편평세포암종세포(SCC25 cells)에서 담즙산 합성유도체인 HS-1200과 대표적인 항암제인 cisplatin의 병용처리 후 세포자멸사 증가효과가 있는지 알아보기 위해 수행하였다. HS-1200과 cisplatin의 병용처리가 단독처리에 비해서 효과적인 세포생존율 감소가 있는지 확인하기 위해서 MTT법을 시행하였고, 세포자멸사의 유도와 증가를 알기 위해서는 DNA 전기영동법, Hoechst 염색법, DNA hypoploidy법 을 사용하였다. 그리고 세포자멸사에 관계하는 단백질의 발현 변화와 세포내에서의 이동을 밝혀내기 위해서 Western blot 분석과 면역형광 염색법을 수행하였다. 더 나아가서 proteasome 활성도와 사립체막 전위 변화를 측정하였다. 본 연구에서는 HS-1200과 cisplatin을 병용처리한 SCC25 세포에서 핵의 농축, DNA분절, MMP와 proteasome 활성도의 감소, Bax의 증가와 Bcl-2의 감소, DNA양의 감소, cytochrome c의 세포질로의 유리, AIF와 DFF40(CAD)의 핵으로의 이동, caspase-9, caspase-7, caspase-3, PARP 그리고 DFF45(ICAD)의 활성화와 같은 다양한 세포자멸사 증거를 보였다. 반면에 상기 물질들에 단독처리 된 SCC25 세포에서는 세포자멸사 현상이 거의 없었다. 24시간 동안 $25{\mu}M$의 HS-1200, $4{\mu}g/ml$의 cisplatin 을 각기 단독처리 한 결과에서는 세포자멸사를 거의 유도하지 못했으나, 병용처리한 결과에는 아주 탁월하고 명확한 세포자멸사의 유도를 보였다. 그러므로 본 실험결과는 HS-1200과 cisplatin 의 병용요법이 사람구강편평세포암종 환자를 위해 새로운 치료전략으로서의 가능성을 보여준다고 생각한다.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.261-276
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• 2009

Sreptomyces라는 세균에서 추출한 lactacystin은 선택적인 proteasome 억제제로서 많은 연구에서 사용되어져 왔다. Proteasome 억제제는 최근의 많은 연구를 통해서 암세포증식의 억제에 대한 효과가 증명되었으며, 특히 다른 항암제와 병용처리 시, 상호작용에 의한 상승효과가 있다고 알려져 있다. 현재 proteasome 억제제는 새로운 강력한 항암제로서 분류되어 있다. 본 연구는 사람혀편평세포암종세포(SCC25 cells)에서 lactacystin의 세포독성과 성장억제 효과, 그리고 세포자멸사의 유도에 대한 분자생물학적 기전을 밝히기 위해 실험을 시행하였다. SCC25 세포, 사람정상각화세포 (HaCaT cells) 그리고 사람치은섬유모세포(HGF-1 cells)의 생존율 측정은 MTT법을 시행하였고, SCC25 세포의 성장억제를 확인하기 위해서는 clonogenic assay를 사용하였다. lactcystin이 SCC25 세포에서 세포자멸사가 유도되는지를 확인하기 위해서 hoechst 염색법, hemacolor 염색법 그리고 TUNEL법을 시행하였다. 그리고 SCC25 세포에 lactacystin을 적용한 후, Western blot 분석, 세포면역화학염색, 공초점레이저주사현미경 검경, FACScan flow cytometry, 사립체막 전위변화, proteasome 활성도 측정 등을 시행하였다. Lactacystin으로 처리된 SCC25 세포는 시간 및 용량 의존적인 세포생존율의 감소, 용량의존적인 세포성장억제 그리고 세포자멸사에 의한 세포죽음을 보였다. 흥미롭게도 lactacytin은 정상세포인 HaCat 세포와 HGF-1 세포에서는 세포독성을 전혀 보이지 않았다. 그리고 lactacystin이 적용된 SCC25세포에서 핵 응축, DNA의 조각남, 사립체막전위와 proteasome 활성도의 감소, DNA 양의 감소, cytochrome c의 사립체에서의 세포질로의 유리, AIF와 DFF40 (CAD)의 핵으로의 이동, Bax의 증가, caspase-7, caspase-3, PARP, lamin A/C 그리고 DFF45 (ICAD)의 활성화 혹은 파괴와 같은 아주 다양한 세포자멸사 증거를 보였다. Flow cytometry 분석에서는 CDK 억제제인 $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$와 $p27^{KIP1}$의 발현 증가와 관계있는 것으로 추정되어 지는 G1 세포주기 정지를 보였다. 이러한 결과는 lactacytin이 SCC25 세포에서 G1 세포주기정지와 proteasome, 사립체 및 caspase 경로의 연속반응을 통한 세포자멸사를 유도함을 명확하게 증명하고 있다. 이와 같은 세포주기 정지와 세포자멸사 유도능은 lactacytin이 사람혀편평상피세포암종의 새로운 치료전략으로서의 가능성을 제공한다고 생각한다.