• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제41권3호
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• pp.330-338
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• 2017

Background: Ginsenoside Rh2 (G-Rh2) is a ginseng saponin that is widely investigated because of its remarkable antitumor activity. However, the molecular mechanism by which (20S) G-Rh2 triggers its functions and how target animals avoid its cytotoxic action remains largely unknown. Methods: Phage display was used to screen the human targets of (20S) G-Rh2. Fluorescence spectroscopy and UV-visible absorption spectroscopy were used to confirm the interaction of candidate target proteins and (20S) G-Rh2. Molecular docking was utilized to calculate the estimated free energy of binding and to structurally visualize their interactions. MTT assay and immunoblotting were used to assess whether human serum albumin (HSA), bovine serum albumin (BSA), and bovine serum can reduce the cytotoxic activity of (20S) G-Rh2 in HepG2 cells. Results: In phage display, (20S) G-Rh2-beads and (20R) G-Rh2-beads were combined with numerous kinds of phages, and a total of 111 different human complementary DNAs (cDNA) were identified, including HSA which had the highest rate. The binding constant and number of binding site in the interaction between (20S)-Rh2 and HSA were $3.5{\times}10^5M^{-1}$ and 1, and those in the interaction between (20S) G-Rh2 and BSA were $1.4{\times}10^5M^{-1}$ and 1. The quenching mechanism is static quenching. HSA, BSA and bovine serum significantly reduced the proapoptotic effect of (20S) G-Rh2. Conclusion: HSA and BSA interact with (20S) G-Rh2. Serum inhibited the activity of (20S) G-Rh2 mainly due to the interaction between (20S) G-Rh2 and serum albumin (SA). This study proposes that HSA may enhance (20S) G-Rh2 water solubility, and thus might be used as nanoparticles in the (20S) G-Rh2 delivery process.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제24권9호
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• pp.973-980
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• 2014

본 연구에서는 식물에 존재하는 신규 기능성 소재 개발의 일환으로 Decaisnea insignis 에탄올 추출물(DIEE)의 항산화 및 항염증 생리활성을 분석하였다. 먼저 DIEE의 항산화능을 DPPH 라디칼 소거능을 통해 분석한 결과 양성 대조군으로 사용한 아스코르빈산과 유사한 정도의 높은 소거활성을 보여 DIEE가 매우 강한 항산화능을 보유함을 확인하였다. 또한 RAW 264.7 세포주에서 $H_2O_2$ 및 LPS에 의해 유도된 ROS에 대한 DIEE의 소거능을 분석한 결과, 농도의존적인 강한 ROS 소거능을 보였다. 뿐만 아니라 대표적인 항산화효소 중 하나로 항산화능 보유 천연물에 의해 발현이 유도되는 hemeoxygenase 1 (HO-1) 및 그 전사 인자인 nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2(Nrf2)의 단백질 발현이 DIEE의 처리에 의해 유의적으로 증가됨을 보였으며 이러한 HO-1 및 Nrf2의 발현 유도는 상위신호전달계인 MAPKs에 의해 조절될 가능성을 보였다. 한편 DIEE가 LPS에 의해 유도된 NO 생성에 미치는 영향을 분석한 결과 농도의존적인 NO 생성 저해능을 보였으며 이는 NO 생성 단백질인 iNOS의 발현 저해에서 기인함을 확인하였다. 이와 같은 DIEE의 NO 생성 억제 효과는 염증 상위신호전달계인 $NF-{\kappa}B$ 및 AP-1의 조절을 통해 일어날 가능성을 보였다. 이러한 결과를 통해 DIEE의 높은 항산화능과 항염증 활성을 처음으로 확인하였으며 향후 기능성 소재로서 유용하게 활용될 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.

• 한국약용작물학회지
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• 제25권5호
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• pp.328-334
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• 2017

Background: In this study, we evaluated the anti-cancer activity and potential molecular mechanism of 70% ethanol extracts of the root of Aralia cordata var. continentalis (Kitagawa) Y. C. Chu (RAc-E70) against human colorectal cancer cells. Methods and Results: RAc-E70 suppressed the proliferation of the human colorectal cancer cell lines, HCT116 and SW480. Although RAc-E70 reduction cyclin D1 expression at the protein and mRNA levels, RAc-E70-induced reduction in cyclin D1 protein level occurred more dramatically than that of cyclin D1 mRNA. The RAc-E70-induced downregulation of cyclin D1 expression was attenuated in the presence of MG132. Additionally, RAc-E70 reduced HA-cyclin D1 levels in HCT116 cells transfected with HA-tagged wild type-cyclin D1 expression vector. RAc-E70-mediated cyclin D1 degradation was blocked in the presence of LiCl, a $GSK3{\beta}$ inhibitorbut, but not PD98059, an ERK1/2 inhibitor and SB203580, a p38 inhibitor. Furthermore, RAc-E70 phosphorylated cyclin D1 at threonine-286 (T286), and LiCl-induced $GSK3{\beta}$ inhibition reduced the RAc-E70-mediated phosphorylation of cyclin D1 at T286. Conclusions: Our results suggested that RAc-E70 may downregulate cyclin D1 expression as a potential anti-cancer target through $GSK3{\beta}$-dependent cyclin D1 degradation. Based on these findings, RAc-E70 maybe a potential candidate for the development of chemopreventive or therapeutic agents for human colorectal cancer.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.213-221
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• 2017

Baicalein, a natural flavonoid obtained from the rhizome of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, has been reported to have anticancer activities in several human cancer cell lines. However, its antimetastatic effects and associated mechanisms in melanoma cells have not been extensively studied. The current study examined the effects of baicalein on cell motility and anti-invasive activity using mouse melanoma B16F10 cells. Within the noncytotoxic concentration range, baicalein significantly inhibited the cell motility and invasiveness of B16F10 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Baicalein also reduced the activity and expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9; however, the levels of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 and -2 were concomitantly increased. The inhibitory effects of baicalein on cell motility and invasiveness were found to be associated with its tightening of tight junction (TJ), which was demonstrated by an increase in transepithelial electrical resistance and downregulation of the claudin family of proteins. Additionally, treatment with baicalein markedly reduced the expression levels of lipopolysaccharide-induced phosphorylated Akt and the invasive activity in B16F10 cells. Taken together, these results suggest that baicalein inhibits B16F10 melanoma cell migration and invasion by reducing the expression of MMPs and tightening TJ through the suppression of claudin expression, possibly in association with a suppression of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제28권5호
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• pp.437-442
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• 2020

Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome is critical for host defense as well as the progression of inflammatory diseases through the production of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β, which is cleaved by active caspase-1. It has been reported that overactivation of the NLRP3 inflammasome contributes to the development and pathology of acne vulgaris. Therefore, inhibiting activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome may provide a new therapeutic strategy for acne vulgaris. In this study, we investigated whether auranofin, an anti-rheumatoid arthritis agent, inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation, thereby effectively treating acne vulgaris. Auranofin suppressed NLRP3 inflammasome activation induced by Propionibacterium acnes, reducing the production of IL-1β in primary mouse macrophages and human sebocytes. In a P. acnes-induced acne mouse model, injection of P. acnes into the ears of mice induced acne symptoms such as redness, swelling, and neutrophil infiltration. Topical application of auranofin (0.5 or 1%) to mouse ears significantly reduced the inflammatory symptoms of acne vulgaris induced by P. acnes injection. Topical application of auranofin led to the downregulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome activated by P. acnes in mouse ear skin. These results show that auranofin inhibits the NLRP3 inflammasome, the activation of which is associated with acne symptoms. The results further suggest that topical application of auranofin could be a new therapeutic strategy for treating acne vulgaris by targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제28권5호
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• pp.431-439
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• 2009

Rice Oryza sativa accelerated cell death and resistance 1 (OsACDR1) encodes a putative Raf-like mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK). We had previously reported upregulation of the OsACDR1 transcript by a range of environmental stimuli involved in eliciting defense-related pathways. Here we apply biochemical, gain and loss-of-function approaches to characterize OsACDR1 function in rice. The OsACDR1 protein showed autophosphorylation and possessed kinase activity. Rice plants overexpressing OsACDR1 exhibited spontaneous hypersensitive response (HR)-like lesions on leaves, upregulation of defense-related marker genes and accumulation of phenolic compounds and secondary metabolites (phytoalexins). These transgenic plants also acquired enhanced resistance to a fungal pathogen (Magnaporthe grisea) and showed inhibition of appressorial penetration on the leaf surface. In contrast, loss-of-function and RNA silenced OsACDR1 rice mutant plants showed downregulation of defense-related marker genes expressions and susceptibility to M. grisea. Furthermore, transient expression of an OsACDR1:GFP fusion protein in rice protoplast and onion epidermal cells revealed its localization to the nucleus. These results indicate that OsACDR1 plays an important role in the positive regulation of disease resistance in rice.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제29권11호
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• pp.1200-1207
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• 2019

Loganin은 Corni fructus의 주요 iridoid glycoside이며 항염증, 항당뇨 그리고 뇌신경보호 효과 등이 보고되었다. 본 연구에서는 ${\alpha}-MSH$와 IBMX처리된 B16F10세포에서 loganin의 melanogenesis억제효과의 신호전달 경로를 조사하였다. Loganin의 미백 활성을 확인하기 위해 B16F10세포에서 $1{\mu}m$에서 $20{\mu}m$사이의 농도를 처리하여 세포독성 실험을 수행한 결과 최대 $20{\mu}m$농도에서 독성을 나타내지 않았다. 또한 loganin은 ${\alpha}-MSH$와 IBMX처리된 B16F10세포에서 농도-의존적으로 멜라닌 생성을 감소시키는 것을 확인하였다. 또한 loganin의 멜라닌 생성을 억제하는 신호전달 경로를 Western blotting을 실시하여 조사하였다. Western blot결과에 따르면 loganin은 ${\alpha}-MSH$와 IBMX 처리된 B16F10세포에서 증가된 CREB인산화(Ser133)와 MITF 발현 및 tyrosinase의 유전자 발현을 감소시켰고 ERK의 인산화를 증가시켜 melanin 생성을 억제하였다. 결론적으로 loganin은 ${\alpha}-MSH$와 IBMX에 의해 유도된 과도한 멜라닌 합성을 CREB인산화와 MITF 및 tyrosinase의 유전자 발현을 억제하고 ERK의 활성화를 통해 멜라닌 합성을 감소됨을 확인하였다. 따라서 loganin은 과색소 침착과 관련된 피부질환의 보호제로서 활용될 가능성을 가지는 것으로 사료된다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제44권9호
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• pp.658-669
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• 2021

Enhancers have been conventionally perceived as cis-acting elements that provide binding sites for trans-acting factors. However, recent studies have shown that enhancers are transcribed and that these transcripts, called enhancer RNAs (eRNAs), have a regulatory function. Here, we identified putative eRNAs by profiling and determining the overlap between noncoding RNA expression loci and eRNA-associated histone marks such as H3K27ac and H3K4me1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines. Of the 132 HCC-derived noncoding RNAs, 74 overlapped with the eRNA loci defined by the FANTOM consortium, and 65 were located in the proximal regions of genes differentially expressed between normal and tumor tissues in TCGA dataset. Interestingly, knockdown of two selected putative eRNAs, THUMPD3-AS1 and LINC01572, led to downregulation of their target mRNAs and to a reduction in the proliferation and migration of HCC cells. Additionally, the expression of these two noncoding RNAs and target mRNAs was elevated in tumor samples in the TCGA dataset, and high expression was associated with poor survival of patients. Collectively, our study suggests that noncoding RNAs such as THUMPD3-AS1 and LINC01572 (i.e., putative eRNAs) can promote the transcription of genes involved in cell proliferation and differentiation and that the dysregulation of these noncoding RNAs can cause cancers such as HCC.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.301-314
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• 2019

Purpose: Peritoneal carcinomatosis in gastric cancer (GC) patients results in extremely poor prognosis. Malignant ascites samples are the most appropriate biological material to use to evaluate biomarkers for peritoneal carcinomatosis. This study identified exosomal MicroRNAs (miRNAs) differently expressed between benign liver cirrhosis-associated ascites (LC-ascites) and malignant gastric cancer-associated ascites (GC-ascites), and validated their role as diagnostic biomarkers for GC-ascites. Materials and Methods: Total RNA was extracted from exosomes isolated from 165 ascites samples (73 LC-ascites and 92 GC-ascites). Initially, microarrays were used to screen the expression levels of 2,006 miRNAs in the discovery cohort (n=22). Subsequently, quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analyses were performed to validate the expression levels of selected exosomal miRNAs in the training (n=70) and validation (n=73) cohorts. Furthermore, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels were determined in ascites samples. Results: The miR-574-3p, miR-181b-5p, miR-4481, and miR-181d were significantly downregulated in the GC-ascites samples compared to the LC-ascites samples, and miR-181b-5p showed the best diagnostic performance for GC-ascites (area under the curve [AUC]=0.798 and 0.846 for the training and validation cohorts, respectively). The diagnostic performance of CEA for GC-ascites was improved by the combined analysis of miR-181b-5p and CEA (AUC=0.981 and 0.946 for the training and validation cohorts, respectively). Conclusions: We identified exosomal miRNAs capable of distinguishing between non-malignant and GC-ascites, showing that the combined use of miR-181b-5p and CEA could improve diagnosis.

• 한국식품과학회지
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• 제51권1호
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• pp.70-80
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• 2019

본 연구에서는 홍삼 비사포닌 분획(NSF)의 항 염증 효과를 마우스 대식세포와 인간유래 단핵세포에서 확인하였다. NSF는 마우스 대식세포에서 LPS로 유도된 NO, iNOS 그리고 COX-2의 양 뿐만 아니라 IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, MCP-1과 같은 염증성 싸이토카인의 생성량을 유의적으로 감소시켰다. 인간 유래 단핵세포에서는 PMA에 의해 유도되는 대식세포로의 분화를 효과적으로 억제하면서 분화인자인 $CD11{\beta}$와 CD36의 발현을 유의적으로 감소시켰다. 마우스 대식세포에서와 마찬가지로 염증성 싸이토카인들의 생성량 또한 감소하였는데, 이러한 NSF의 항 염증 효과는 두 전사인자의 조절작용에 의한 것으로 사료된다. 즉 NSF는 $NF-{\kappa}B$의 핵으로 이동을 감소시킴으로써 전사활성을 억제하여 염증성 싸이토카인들의 발현을 저해하고 이와 반대로 Nrf2의 발현과 핵으로의 이동을 증가시켜 항산화 효소이면서 항 염증 작용을 나타내는 HO-1의 발현을 촉진하는 것으로 관찰되었다. 따라서 NSF는 $NF-{\kappa}B$와 Nrf2의 두 가지 신호전달체계를 조절함으로써 항 염증 작용을 나타냈으며 이를 홍삼 NSF의 항 염증 기작으로 보고하는 바이다.