• 제목/요약/키워드: Molecular Recognition

검색결과 376건 처리시간 0.029초

Validation of Neurotensin Receptor 1 as a Therapeutic Target for Gastric Cancer

  • Akter, Hafeza;Yoon, Jung Hwan;Yoo, Young Sook;Kang, Min-Jung
    • Molecules and Cells
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    • 제41권6호
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    • pp.591-602
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    • 2018
  • Gastric cancer is the fifth most common type of malignancy worldwide, and the survival rate of patients with advanced-stage gastric cancer is low, even after receiving chemotherapy. Here, we validated neurotensin receptor 1 (NTSR1) as a potential therapeutic target in gastric cancer. We compared NTSR1 expression levels in sixty different gastric cancer-tissue samples and cells, as well as in other cancer cells (lung, breast, pancreatic, and colon), by assessing NTSR1 expression via semi-quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, immunocytochemistry and western blot. Following neurotensin (NT) treatment, we analyzed the expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and further determined the effects on cell migration and invasion via wound-healing and transwell assays. Our results revealed that NTSR1 mRNA levels were higher in gastric cancer tissues than non-cancerous tissues. Both of NTSR1 mRNA levels and expression were higher in gastric cancer cell lines relative to levels observed in other cancer-cell lines. Moreover, NT treatment induced MMP-9 expression and activity in all cancer cell lines, which was significantly decreased following treatment with the NTSR1 antagonist SR48692 or small-interfering RNA targeting NTSR1. Furthermore, NT-mediated metastases was confirmed by observing epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers SNAIL and E-cadherin in gastric cancer cells. NT-mediated invasion and migration of gastric cancer cells were reduced by NTSR1 depletion through the Erk signaling. These findings strongly suggested that NTR1 constitutes a potential therapeutic target for the inhibition of gastric cancer invasion and metastasis.

Molecular Modeling of Complexation Behavior of p-tert-Butylcalix[5]arene Derivative toward Butylammonium Ions

  • Choe, Jong-In;Chang, Suk-Kyu
    • Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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    • 제23권1호
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    • pp.48-52
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    • 2002
  • Using several molecular modeling programs we have performed computer simulations to investigate the complexation behaviors of an ester derivative of p-tert-butylcalix[5]arene (1e) toward a variety of butylammonium ions. Semi-empirical AM1 method was used for calculating the binding energies and the formation enthalpies. MM and CVFF forcefields for molecular mechanics calculations were adapted to express the complexation energies of the host. Molecular dynamics were performed to the calculated complex systems to simulate the ionophoric behavior of the host-guest complexes. The absolute Gibbs free energies of the host (1e) complexed with four kinds of butylammonium ions have been calculated using the Finite Difference Thermodynamic Integration (FDTI) method in Discover. Calculation results show that the trend in complex formation is n-$BuNH_3^+$ > iso-$BuNH_3^+$ >> sec-$BuNH_3^+$ > tert-$BuNH_3^+$, which is in good agreement with the experimental results.

NLRC4 Inflammasome-Mediated Regulation of Eosinophilic Functions

  • Ilgin Akkaya;Ece Oylumlu;Irem Ozel;Goksu Uzel;Lubeyne Durmus;Ceren Ciraci
    • IMMUNE NETWORK
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    • 제21권6호
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    • pp.42.1-42.20
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    • 2021
  • Eosinophils play critical roles in the maintenance of homeostasis in innate and adaptive immunity. Although primarily known for their roles in parasitic infections and the development of Th2 cell responses, eosinophils also play complex roles in other immune responses ranging from anti-inflammation to defense against viral and bacterial infections. However, the contributions of pattern recognition receptors in general, and NOD-like receptors (NLRs) in particular, to eosinophil involvement in these immune responses remain relatively underappreciated. Our in vivo studies demonstrated that NLRC4 deficient mice had a decreased number of eosinophils and impaired Th2 responses after induction of an allergic airway disease model. Our in vitro data, utilizing human eosinophilic EoL-1 cells, suggested that TLR2 induction markedly induced pro-inflammatory responses and inflammasome forming NLRC4 and NLRP3. Moreover, activation by their specific ligands resulted in caspase-1 cleavage and mature IL-1β secretion. Interestingly, Th2 responses such as secretion of IL-5 and IL-13 decreased after transfection of EoL-1 cells with short interfering RNAs targeting human NLRC4. Specific induction of NLRC4 with PAM3CSK4 and flagellin upregulated the expression of IL-5 receptor and expression of Fc epsilon receptors (FcεR1α, FcεR2). Strikingly, activation of the NLRC4 inflammasome also promoted expression of the costimulatory receptor CD80 as well as expression of immunoregulatory receptors PD-L1 and Siglec-8. Concomitant with NLRC4 upregulation, we found an increase in expression and activation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, but not MMP-2. Collectively, our results present new potential roles of NLRC4 in mediating a variety of eosinopilic functions.