• 대한한의학회지
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.64-72
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• 2000

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate the neuroprotective effect of Hwansodan(Huanshao-dan) on the apoptosis induced by withdrawal of neurotrophic support. Methods : PCl2 pheochromocytoma cells have been used extensively as a model for studying the cellular and molecular effects of neuronal cells. The viability of cells was measured by MTT assay. We used DNA fragmentation and caspase 3-like protease activation assay. Results : The water extract of Hwansodan(Huanshao-dan) significantly showed protective effects on serum and glucose deprivation-induced apoptotic death. Hwansodan(Huanshao-dan) also prevents DNA fragmentation and caspase 3-like protease activation, representing typical neuronal apoptotic phenomena in PCl2 pheochromocytoma cells and induces tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins around 44 kDa, which was identified as ERK1 with electrophoretic gel mobility shift by Western blot. In addition, MAPK kinase(MEK) inhibitor PD98059 and Ras inactivator, ${\alpha}-hydroxyfarnesylphosphonic$ acid attenuated the neuroprotective effects of Hwansodan(Huanshao-dan) in serum-deprived PCl2 cells. Conclusions : These results indicate that Ras/MEK/ERK signaling pathway plays a key role in neuroprotective effects of Hwansodan(Huanshao-dan) in serum-deprived PCl2 cells. Taken together, we suggest the possibility that Hwansodan(Huanshao-dan) might provide a neurotrophic-like activity in PCl2 cells.

• 한국응용약물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국응용약물학회 2003년도 Annual Meeting of KSAP : International Symposium on Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences on Obesity
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• pp.84-84
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• 2003

Lead has long been considered as a toxic environmental pollutant, which severely damages central nervous system. Lead can cause hypo- and de-myelination, and glial cells are closely related with myelination or demyelination. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are proteolytic enzymes that are involved in the remodelling of the extracellular matrix in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. MMPs also seem to be important in the pathogenesis of inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system. In this study, we investigated whether lead affects MMP-9 expression in rat primary glial cells. Treatment of 0.1-5 ${\mu}$M lead dose- and time-dependently increased MMP-9 expression in rat primary glial cells. The activity of MMPs was determined using zymography. Lead activated Erk(1/2) but neither of the other endogenous MAP kinases, p38 or JNK. Inhibition of Erk(1/2) activation by PD98059, a MEK inihibitor, prevented lead-induced expression of MMP-9. The results of the present study suggest that lead intoxication may adversely affect brain function at least in part by inducing MMP-9 expression through Erk(1/2) activation in primary glial cells.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제27권3호
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• pp.334-339
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• 2004

In this study, the effects of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and/or hinokitiol (${\beta}-thujaplicin$) on melanogenesis were investigated. Our results showed that both EGCG and hinokitiol significantly inhibited melanin synthesis in a concentration-dependent manner, and that their hypopigmenting effects were stronger than that of kojic acid, which is known to inhibit melanin formation in melanocytes and melanoma cells. Interestingly, EGCG did not show any additive hypopigmenting effect in combination with kojic acid, though EGCG did show a synergistic effect in combination with hinokitiol. Several reports indicate that the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) induces microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) degradation. Accordingly, the effects of EGCG and hinokitiol on the ERK signaling pathway were examined. EGCG and hinokitiol induced neither ERK activation nor MITF degradation. On the other hand, both EGCG and hinokitiol reduced the protein levels of MITF and of tyrosinase, the rate limiting melanogenic enzyme, whereas kojic acid had no effect. In addition, hinokitiol strongly downregulated the activity of tyrosinase, whereas EGCG or kojic acid had only a little effect. These results show that both EGCG and hinokitiol reduce MITF production, and suggest that reduced tyrosinase activity by hinokitiol explains their synergistic effect on melanogenesis.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.12-17
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• 2008

The TrkA tyrosine kinase is activated by autophosphorylation in response to NGF, and plays an important role in cell survival, differentiation, and apoptosis. To investigate its role in cell fate determination, we produced stable TrkA-inducible SK-N-MC and U2OS cell lines using the Tet-On system. Interestingly, TrkA overexpression induced substantial cell death even in the absence of NGF, by stimulating ERK phosphorylation and caspase-7 activation leading to PARP cleavage. TrkA-mediated cell death was shown by the annexin-V binding assay to be, at least in part, apoptotic in both SK-N-MC and U2OS cells. Furthermore, the truncated form (p18) of Bax accumulated in the TrkA-induced cells, suggesting that TrkA induces mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. NGF treatment augmented the cell death induced by TrkA overexpression. This TrkA-induced cell death was blocked by the tyrosine kinase inhibitors, K-252a and GW441756. Moreover, TrkA overexpression inhibited long-term proliferation of both the neuronal SK-N-MC cells and the non-neuronal U2OS cells, suggesting a potential role of TrkA as a tumor suppressor.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.169-173
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• 2007

Luteolin is a major flavonoid of Lonicera japonica and has anti-inflammatory effect. The activation of proteinase-activated receptor (PAR)-2 and -4 by trypsin appears to play a role in inflammation, In the present study, we examined the inhibitory effects of luteolin on activation of trypsin-induced human leukemic mast cells (HMC-1). HMC-1 cells were stimulated with trypsin, PAR-2 and PAR-4 agonist, in the presence or absence of luteolin. The level of TNF-${\alpha}$ secretion was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of tryptase and phosphorylated-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) were assessed by Westem blot analysis. Moreover, trypsin activity was measured by the substrate Bz-DL-Arg-p-nitroanilide (BAPNA). TNF-${\alpha}$ secretion and Tryptase expression in trypsin-stimulated HMC-1 cells were markedly inhibited by pretreatment of luteolin. Furthermore, the pretreatment of luteolin resulted in the reduction of ERK phosphorylation and trypsin activity. These results suggest that luteolin might has the inhibitory effects on the PAR-2 and -4-dependent inflammation.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.534-541
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• 2011

Retinoic acid (RA)는 Vitamin A의 대사산물로서 토끼 관절 연골세포의 탈분화를 유도하는 물질로 알려져 있다. 그러나 RA가 탈분화를 조절하는 정확한 메커니즘은 잘 알려져 있지 않다. 따라서, Nitric Oxide (NO)가 유도하는 탈분화에 미치는 RA의 분자적 기전에 관한 연구를 수행하였다. 그 결과, RA는 NO가 유도하는 탈분화를 촉진시키는 것을 확인 할 수 있었다. 이와 같은 결과는 Western blot analysis를 통해 연골세포 분화의 표지 단백질인 type II collagen 및 Sox-9의 발현양상을 통해 확인 할 수 있었으며, Alcian blue staining을 통해 연골세포의 기질을 구성하고 있는 단백질인 sulfated proteoglycan의 발현량을 통해서도 확인 할 수 있었다. 또한, RA는 NO 가 유도하는 ERK의 활성을 더욱 증가 시켰다. ERK의 억제자인 PD98059를 사용하여 ERK의 활성을 억제하였을 때 RA가 감소시키는 type II collagen 및 Sox-9의 발현과 sulfated proteoglycan의 생성 양상이 PD98059에 의해 다시 회복되는 것을 확인 할 수 있었다. 이러한 모든 결과를 종합해 볼 때, RA는 NO가 유도하는 탈분화를 ERK 신호전달경로를 통해 조절하는 것을 확인 할 수 있었다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.56-63
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• 2007

인슐린은 지방세포 또는 근육세포에서 포도당 흡수 조절 통로단백질이 함유되어 있는 소포제를 세포막으로의 이동을 촉진시킨다. 우리는 여기서 지방세포로의 분화는 인슐린에 의한 포도당 흡수에 대한 반응이 증가됨을 보였다. 반면에 지방세포로의 분화는 PDGF에 의한 포도당 흡수 반응이 감소됨을 보였다. 인슐린 수용체나 caveolae는 지방세포로의 분화과정 동안 발현이 증가된다. 또한 지방세포로의 분화는 인슐린에 의한 Akt의 활성을 증가시켰다. 하지만 PDGF에 의한 Akt의 활성은 크게 감소하였다. 하지만 인슐린은 지방세포 또는 섬유아 전구세포에서 ERK의 활성을 유도하지 않았다. PDGF에 의한 ERK 활성 또한 지방세포로의 분화과정에 따라 감소하였다. P13K의 저해제인 LY294002는 지방세포 뿐만 아니라 섬유아 전구세포에서 인슐린에 의한 포도당 흡수를 저해하였다. 마지막으로 인슐린 수용체, Akt, SHIP2, p85등이 lipid raft/caveolae에 존재함을 확인하였고 인슐린에 의해 이런 단백질들이 lipid raft/caveolae로 이동함을 관찰하였다. 이런 결과를 토대로 lipid raft는 포도당 홉수를 위한 인슐린의 기능적 작용을 하는데 매우 중요한 환경을 제공함을 주장한다.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제20권5호
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• pp.1211-1216
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• 2006

The effect of a chronic programme of either low- or moderate-to-high-intensity treadmill running on the activation of the Extracellular-signal regulated protein kinase (ERK1/2), Phosphorylated ERK 1/2(pERK1/2) and the Phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase(pJNK) pathways was determined in rat Back skin Hair follicle. Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to one of three groups: (i) sedentary group(NE; n=10); (ii) low-intensity exercise group (Bm/min; LIE; n=10); and (iii) moderate-high-intensity exercise group(28m1min; HIE; n=10). The training regimens were planned so that animals covered the same distance and had similar utilization for both LIE and HIE exercise sessions. The report runs as follows; A single bout of LIE or HIE following 4 weeks of exercise led to a twofold increase in the phosphorylation of ERK2, pERK2 and a threefold increase in pJNKl, pERKl. ERKI phosphorylation in LIE Back skin sampled and pJNK2 in HIE Back skin sampled 48h after the last exercise bout was similar to sedentary values, while pJNK2 phosphorylation in LIE Back skin sampled was 70-80% lower than sedentary. 48h after the last exercise bout of LIE or HIE increased ERK2, pERKl and pJNKl expression, with the magnitude of this increase being independent of prior exercise intensity or duration. PERK1/2, pJNKl expression was increased Three- to fourfold in Back skin Hair follicle sampled 48h after the last exercise bout irrespective of the prior exercise programme, but ERKI expression in HIE Back skin sampled was approximately 90% lower than sedentary values. In conclusion, exercise-training of different jntensities/durations results in selective postexercise activation of intracellular signal pathways, which may be one mechanism regulating specific adaptations induced by diverse training programmes.

• 한국생명과학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국생명과학회 2007년도 제48회 학술심포지움 및 추계국제학술대회
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• pp.43.2-43.2
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• 2007

See Full Text

• 대한약학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한약학회 2002년도 Proceedings of the Convention of the Pharmaceutical Society of Korea Vol.2
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• pp.304.2-304.2
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• 2002

In central nervous system. matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are produced by neuron as well as glia and implicated in physiological events such as neurite outgrowth and myelination etc. In addition. MMPs also contribute to the pathogenesis of several CNS diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and malignant glioma. In spite of their functional importance, little is known about the signal transduction pathways leading to the induction of MMPs in CNS. Here. we investigated whether the activation of Erk(1/2) is involved in the induction of MMP-9 in LPS-stimulated primary astrocytes. (omitted)