• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.159-166
• /
• 2013

We have previously investigated the proteome changes of rice leaves under heat stress (Lee et al. in Proteomics 2007a, 7:3369-3383), wherein a group of antioxidant proteins and heat shock proteins (HSPs) were found to be regulated differently. The present study focuses on the biochemical changes and gene expression profiles of heat shock protein and antioxidant genes in rice leaves in response to heat stress ($42^{\circ}C$) during a wide range of exposure times. The results show that hydrogen peroxide and proline contents increased significantly, suggesting an oxidative burst and osmotic imbalance under heat stress. The mRNA levels of chaperone 60, HSP70, HSP100, chloroplastic HSP26, and mitochondrial small HSP responded rapidly and showed maximum expression after 0.5 or 2 h under heat stress. Transcript levels of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) and Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn SOD) showed a rapid and marked accumulation upon heat stress. While prolonged exposure to heat stress resulted in increased transcript levels of monodehydroascorbate reductase, peroxidase, glyoxalase 1, glutathione reductase, thioredoxin peroxidase, 2-Cysteine peroxiredoxin, and nucleoside diphosphate kinase 1, while the transcription of catalase was suppressed. Consistent with their changes in gene expression, the enzyme activities of APX and DHAR also increased significantly following exposure to heat stress. These results suggest that oxidative stress is usually caused by heat stress, and plants apply complex HSP- and antioxidant-mediated defense mechanisms to cope with heat stress.

• Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.309-314
• /
• 1997

The manganese-containing superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is a major component of the cellular defence mechanisms against the toxic effects of the superoxide radical. Within the framework of studies on oxidative stress=responsible enzymes in the Candida sp., the gene encoding the MnSOD was isolated and examined in this study. A specific primer was designed based on conserved regions of MnSOD sequences from other organisms, and was used to isolate the gene by PCR on reverse-transcribed Candida poly($A^{+}$) RNA. The PCR product was used to screen a Candida genomic lambda library and the nucleotide wequence of positive clone was determined. The deduced primary sequence encodes a 25kDa protein which has the conserved residues for enzyme activity and metal binding. The 28 N-terminal amino acids encoded by the Candida cDNA comprise a putatice mitochondrial transit peptide. Potential regulatory elements were identified in the 5' flanking sequences. Northern blot analysis showed that the transcription of the MnSOD gene is induced 5-to 10-fold in response to mercury, cadmium ions and hydrogen peroxide.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.165-173
• /
• 2015

Most skin damage caused by ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation is owing to the generation of reactive oxygen species. Phytochemicals can act as antioxidants against UVB-induced oxidative stress. This study investigated the protective effects of the flavone galangin against UVB-induced oxidative damage in human keratinocytes. Galangin efficiently scavenged free radicals and reduced UVB-induced damage to cellular macromolecules, such as DNA, lipids, and proteins. Furthermore, galangin rescued cells undergoing apoptosis induced by UVB radiation via recovering mitochondrial polarization and down-regulating apoptotic proteins. These results showed that galangin protects human keratinocytes against UVB radiation-induced cellular damage and apoptosis via its antioxidant effects.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.312-319
• /
• 2016

Human skin cells undergo pathophysiological processes via generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon excessive exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. This study investigated the ability of hesperidin ($C_{28}H_{34}O_{15}$) to prevent apoptosis due to oxidative stress generated through UVB-induced ROS. Hesperidin significantly scavenged ROS generated by UVB radiation, attenuated the oxidation of cellular macromolecules, established mitochondrial membrane polarization, and prevented the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol. Hesperidin downregulated expression of caspase-9, caspase-3, and Bcl-2-associated X protein, and upregulated expression of B-cell lymphoma 2. Hesperidin absorbed wavelengths of light within the UVB range. In summary, hesperidin shielded human keratinocytes from UVB radiation-induced damage and apoptosis via its antioxidant and UVB absorption properties.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.139-145
• /
• 2009

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the water extract of Samultang (SMT), a Chinese herb, on apoptotic cell death by $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress in SK-N-M C cells. A nuclear fragmentation was observed via fluorescence imaging 12 h after exposure to 30 ${\mu}M$ $H_2O_2$ and DNA laddering was detected via agarose electrophoresis gel. In addition, increases in sub-G1 phase and cleavage of the PARP protein were observed. However, treatment with SMT for 2 h prior to $H_2O_2$ exposure significantly reduced apoptotic cell death induced by incubation with 30 ${\mu}M$ $H_2O_2$ in SK-N-MC cells. Pre-incubation with water extract of SMT for 2 h prevented the $H_2O_2$-induced decrease in mitochondrial transmembrane potential. SMT also attenuated the increase in caspase-3 activity and the breakdown of PARP protein caused by $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress. These results suggest that the water extract of SMT provides inhibition of apoptotic cell death against oxidative injury in SK-N-MC cells.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.403-408
• /
• 2015

Traditionally, 5 kinds of fruits with "ja(子)" in their name, including Rubus coreanus, Schisandra chinensis, Lycinum chineuse, Torilidis fructus, and Cuscuta seed, collectively called Oja(五子), are long known to enhance stamina. In the present study, we replaced tosaja with gyeolmyeongja(Cassiae semen ) and examined the effects of extracts from these fruits on andropause. This study investigated the antioxidant effect and testosterone synthesis of Oja water extract on Leydig TM3 cells. To investigate whether hydrogen peroxide induces oxidative stress in Leydig cells, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT) assay, nitric oxide assay, and testosterone assay were performed on mouse Leydig TM3 cells. The results were obtained as follows: Leydig TM3 cells viability was assessed by a modified MTT assay, and the protection effect of Oja water extract against hydrogen peroxide-induced cell oxidative stress were examined by mitochondrial activity. Oja water extract could efficiently protect cytotoxicity induced by H₂O₂. Oja water extract promoted testosterone synthesis. These results suggest that Oja water extract has protective roles and promotes steroidogenesis in Leydig cells through its anti-oxidant action.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.20 no.5
• /
• pp.492-498
• /
• 2012

Phytochemicals have been known to exhibit potent antioxidant activity. This study examined cytoprotective effects of phytochemicals including quercetin, catechin, caffeic acid, and phytic acid against oxidative damage in SK-Hep-1 cells induced by the oxidative and non-oxidative metabolism of ethanol. Exposure of the cells to excess ethanol resulted in a significant increase in cytotoxicity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, lipid hydroperoxide (LPO), and antioxidant enzyme activity. Excess ethanol also caused a reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and the quantity of reduced glutathione (GSH). Co-treatment of cells with ethanol and quercetin, catechin, caffeic acid and phytic acid significantly inhibited oxidative ethanol metabolism-induced cytotoxicity by blocking ROS production. When the cells were treated with ethanol after pretreatment of 4-methylpyrazole (4-MP), increased cytotoxicity, ROS production, antioxidant enzyme activity, and loss of MMP were observed. The addition of quercetin, catechin, caffeic acid and phytic acid to these cells showed suppression of non-oxidative ethanol metabolism-induced cytotoxicity, similar to oxidative ethanol metabolism. These results suggest that quercetin, catechin, caffeic acid and phytic acid have protective effects against ethanol metabolism-induced oxidative insult in SK-Hep-1 cells by blocking ROS production and elevating antioxidant potentials.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.210-215
• /
• 2013

Ionizing radiation can induce cellular oxidative stress through the generation of reactive oxygen species, resulting in cell damage and cell death. The aim of this study was to determine whether the antioxidant effects of the flavonoid fisetin (3,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxyflavone) included the radioprotection of cells exposed to ${\gamma}$-irradiation. Fisetin reduced the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species generated by ${\gamma}$-irradiation and thereby protected cells against ${\gamma}$-irradiation-induced membrane lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, and protein carbonylation. In addition, fisetin maintained the viability of irradiated cells by partially inhibiting ${\gamma}$-irradiation-induced apoptosis and restoring mitochondrial membrane potential. These effects suggest that the cellular protective effects of fisetin against ${\gamma}$-irradiation are mainly due to its inhibition of reactive oxygen species generation.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.270-277
• /
• 2008

This study addresses the physiological functions of the Ran-binding protein homolog NbRanBP1 in Nicotiana benthamiana. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) of NbRanBP1 caused stunted growth, leaf yellowing, and abnormal leaf morphology. The NbRanBP1 gene was constitutively expressed in diverse tissues and an NbRanBP1:GFP fusion protein was primarily localized to the nuclear rim and the cytosol. BiFC analysis revealed in vivo interaction between NbRanBP1 and NbRan1 in the nuclear envelope and the cytosol. Depletion of NbRanBP1 or NbRan1 reduced nuclear accumulation of a NbBTF3:GFP marker protein. In the later stages of development, NbRanBP1 VIGS plants showed stress responses such as reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, excessive production of reactive oxygen species, and induction of defense-related genes. The molecular role of RanBP1 in plants is discussed in comparison with RanBP1 function in yeast and mammals.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.299-303
• /
• 2015

Panax ginseng is a well-known economic medical plant that is widely used in Chinese traditional medicine. This species contains a unique class of natural products-ginsenosides. Recent clinical and experimental studies have presented numerous lines of evidence on the promising role of ginsenosides on different diseases including neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and certain types of cancer. Nowadays, most of the attention has focused on ginsenoside Rd as a neuroprotective agent to attenuate ischemic stroke damages. Some of the evidence showed that ginsenoside Rd ameliorates ischemic stroke-induced damages through the suppression of oxidative stress and inflammation. Ginsenoside Rd can prolong neural cells' survival through the upregulation of the endogenous antioxidant system, phosphoinositide-3-kinase/AKT and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 pathways, preservation of mitochondrial membrane potential, suppression of the nuclear factor-kappa B, transient receptor potential melastatin, acid sensing ion channels 1a, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1, protein tyrosine kinase activation, as well as reduction of cytochrome c-releasing and apoptosis-inducing factor. In the current work, we review the available reports on the promising role of ginsenoside Rd on ischemic stroke. We also discuss its chemistry, source, and the molecular mechanism underlying this effect.