• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.17 no.10
• /
• pp.1712-1716
• /
• 2007

To generate new scaffold candidates as highly selective and potent cyelin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors, structure-based drug screening was performed utilizing 3D pharmacophore conformations of known potent inhibitors. As a result, CR229 (6-bromo-2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-carbolin-1-one) was generated as the hit-compound. A computational docking study using the X-ray crystallographic structure of CDK2 in complex with CR229 was evaluated. This predicted binding mode study of CR229 with CDK2 demonstrated that CR229 interacted effectively with the Leu83 and Glu81 residues in the ATP-binding pocket of CDK2 for the possible hydrogen bond formation. Furthermore, biochemical studies on inhibitory effects of CR229 on various kinases in the human cervical cancer HeLa cells demonstrated that CR229 was a potent inhibitor of CDK2 ($IC_{50}:\;3\;{\mu}M$), CDKI ($IC_{50}:\;4.9\;{\mu}M$), and CDK4 ($IC_{50}:\;3\;{\mu}M$), yet had much less inhibitory effect ($IC_{50}:>20\;{\mu}M$) on other kinases, such as casein kinase 2-${\alpha}1$ (CK2-${\alpha}1$), protein kinase A (PKA), and protein kinase C (PKC). Accordingly, these data demonstrate that CR229 is a potent CDK inhibitor with anticancer efficacy.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.189-195
• /
• 2012

Resistance to the induction of apoptosis is a possible mechanism by which tumor cells can survive anti-neoplastic treatments. Melanoma is notoriously resistant to anti-neoplastic therapy. Previous studies have demonstrated focal adhesion kinase (FAK) overexpression in melanoma cell lines. Given its probable role in mediating resistance to apoptosis, many researchers have sought to determine whether the downregulation of FAK in melanoma cells would confer a greater sensitivity to anti-neoplastic agents. Genistein is a known inhibitor of protein-tyrosine kinase (PTK), which may attenuate the growth of cancer cells by inhibiting the PTK-mediated signaling pathway. This present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of genistein on the expression of FAK and cell cycle related proteins in the G361 melanoma cell line. Genistein was found to have a preferential cytotoxic effect on G361 melanoma cells over HaCaT normal keratinocytes. Genistein decreased the expression of 125 kDa phosphotyrosine kinase and the FAK protein in particular. Genistein treatment did not affect the expression of p53 in G361 cells in which p21 is upregulated. The expression of cyclin B and cdc2 was downregulated by genistein treatment. Taken together, our data indicate that genistein induces the decreased proliferation of G361 melanoma cells via the inhibition of FAK expression and regulation of cell cycle genes. This suggests that the use of genistein may be a viable approach to future melanoma treatments.

• Mycobiology
• /
• v.45 no.4
• /
• pp.362-369
• /
• 2017

We assessed the regulation of cryparin, a class II hydrophobin, using three representative mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways in Cryphonectria parasitica. Mutation of the CpSlt2 gene, an ortholog of yeast SLT2 in the cell wall integrity (CWI) pathway, resulted in a dramatic decrease in cryparin production. Similarly, a mutant of the CpBck1 gene, a MAP kinase kinase kinase gene in the CWI pathway, showed decreased cryparin production. Additionally, mutation of the cpmk1 gene, an ortholog of yeast HOG1, showed decreased cryparin production. However, mutation of the cpmk2 gene, an ortholog of yeast Kss1/Fus3, showed increased cryparin production. The easy-wet phenotype and accumulation of the cryparin transcript in corresponding mutants were consistent with the cryparin production results. In silico analysis of the promoter region of the cryparin gene revealed the presence of binding motifs related to downstream transcription factors of CWI, HOG1, and pheromone responsive pathways including MADS-box- and Ste12-binding domains. Real-time reverse transcriptase PCR analyses indicated that both CpRlm1, an ortholog of yeast RLM1 in the CWI pathway, and cpst12, an ortholog of yeast STE12 in the mating pathway, showed significantly reduced transcription levels in the mutant strains showing lower cryparin production in C. prasitica. However, the transcription of CpMcm1, an ortholog of yeast MCM1, did not correlate with that of the mutant strains showing downregulation of cryparin. These results indicate that three representative MAPK pathways played a role in regulating cryparin production. However, regulation varied depending on the MAPK pathways: the CWI and HOG1 pathways were stimulatory, whereas the pheromone-responsive MAPK was repressive.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.355-363
• /
• 1998

MHC unrestricted, antigen nonspecific killing by $CD4^+$ T-cells against virally-infected target cells was induced following cross-linking of CD4 molecules. The cytotoxicity of antibody-activated $CD4^+$ T-cells was abolished by genistein (4',5,7-trihydroxyisoflavone), a protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitor, but not by H-7, a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor. Genisteintreated human or bovine peripheral blood $CD4^+$ T-cells lacked PTK activity and failed to kill virally-infected target cells even after cross-linking of CD4 molecules. The cross-linking of CD4 molecules did not induce effector cell proliferation or the transcription of TNF ${\beta}$. TNF ${\beta}$ synthesis was up-regulated by incubating antibody activated effector cells with bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1) infected D17 target cells. Anti-TNF ${\beta}$ antibody partially abrogated direct effector cell-mediated antiviral cytotoxicity. On the other hand, this antibody effectively neutralized antiviral activity of effector and target cell culture supernatants against BHV-1 infected D17 cells. The inhibition level of the antiviral activity by the antibody was dependent on effector and target cell ratio. These findings have importance to define the mechanisms of how CD4 cytotoxic cells control viral infection.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.213-221
• /
• 2020

Salvianolic acid B (SAB) is an active phytocomponent of a popular Chinese herb called Radix Salvia militiorrhiza with numerous biological properties. The anti-psoriasis activity of SAB was examined by evaluating various psoriasis inflammatory and keratin markers against imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis on BALB/c mice. Totally 50 healthy BALB/c mice were evenly divided into 5 groups including control, drug control (SAB; 40 mg/kg), IMQ-induced psoriasis (5%), IMQ exposure and treated with SAB (40 mg/kg), or standard methotrexate (MTX; 1 mg/kg). Mice supplemented with either SAB or MTX significantly lowered the values of psoriasis area severity index (PASI), erythema, scaling, skin thickness, inflammatory markers (interleukin [IL]-22/23/17A/1β/6) and lipid peroxidation product (malondialdehyde). Also, IMQ exposed BALB/c mice treated with SAB or MTX display lesser histopathological changes with enhanced antioxidant activities (catalase, superoxide dismutase). Moreover, the protein expression of keratin markers (K16 and K17) and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling proteins (pAkt/Akt and pPI3K/PI3K) were significantly downregulated after administration with SAB and MTX as compared with IMQ induced mice. Taking together, SAB and MTX significantly ameliorate psoriatic changes by inhibiting psoriatic inflammatory and keratin markers through abolishing PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. However, further studies (clinical trials) are needed to confirm the anti-psoriatic property of SAB before recommending to psoriasis patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.111-120
• /
• 2001

Objective: To verify the expression of leptin receptor (OB-R) in oocytes and preimplantation embryos, the involvement of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK or Erk1/2) in the leptin signaling, and effect of leptin on the oocyte maturation in mice. Method: RT-PCR analysis of OB-R was conducted in germinal vesicle (GV)-intact and MII stage oocytes, and 1, 2, 8-cell embryos and blastocysts. Germinal vesicle breakdown (GVB), polar body extrusion, monitored in the presence or absence of leptin ($1{\mu}M$). Following the leptin treatment, temporal changes in MAPK activity were verified by immunoprecipitation and in vitro kinase assay in MII oocytes. Results: The expression of OB-R mRNA was found in GV and MII oocyte but not in the embryos. MAPK activity of the MII oocytes was significantly increased by brief incubation in the HTF supplemented with leptin ($1{\mu}M$). Priming of PD098059, a MEK inhibitor to leptin treatment attenuated the activation of MAPK by leptin in MII oocytes. Following 24 hrs of culture of the GV oocytes, leptin significant increased the GVB and 1 st polar body extrusion. Conclusion: This result suggested that functional interaction between leptin and OB-R resulted in potentiation of MAPK (Erk1/2) activity in MII oocytes through MEK activation and that leptin might be a local regulator of meiotic maturation of the mouse oocytes.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.90-97
• /
• 2021

Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation causes DNA base modifications. One of these changes leads to the generation of 8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) due to oxidative stress. In human skin, this modification may induce sunburn, inflammation, and aging and may ultimately result in cancer. We investigated whether phloroglucinol (1,3,5-trihydroxybenzene), by enhancing the expression and activity of 8-oxoG DNA glycosylase 1 (Ogg1), had an effect on the capacity of UVB-exposed human HaCaT keratinocytes to repair oxidative DNA damage. Here, the effects of phloroglucinol were investigated using a luciferase activity assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reactions, western blot analysis, and a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Phloroglucinol restored Ogg1 activity and decreased the formation of 8-oxoG in UVB-exposed cells. Moreover, phloroglucinol increased Ogg1 transcription and protein expression, counteracting the UVB-induced reduction in Ogg1 levels. Phloroglucinol also enhanced the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) as well as Nrf2 binding to an antioxidant response element located in the Ogg1 gene promoter. UVB exposure inhibited the phosphorylation of protein kinase B (PKB or Akt) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk), two major enzymes involved in cell protection against oxidative stress, regulating the activity of Nrf2. Akt and Erk phosphorylation was restored by phloroglucinol in the UVB-exposed keratinocytes. These results indicated that phloroglucinol attenuated UVB-induced 8-oxoG formation in keratinocytes via an Akt/Erk-dependent, Nrf2/Ogg1-mediated signaling pathway.

• Proceedings of the Zoological Society Korea Conference
• /
• 1998.10b
• /
• pp.331.2-331
• /
• 1998

No Abstract, See Full Text

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.60-66
• /
• 2005

Low density lipoproteins (LDL) play important roles in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Diabetes is associated with accelerated atherosclerosis leading to cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients. Although LDL stimulates the proliferation of arterial smooth muscle cells (SMC), the mechanisms are not fully understood. We examined the effects of native LDL and glycated LDL on the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway. Addition of native and glycated LDL to rat aorta SMCs (RASMCs) stimulated ERK phosphorylation. ERK phosphorylation was not affected by exposure to the $Ca^{2+}$ chelator BAPTA-AM but inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) with GF109203X, inhibition of Src kinase with PP1 ($5{\mu}M$) and inhibition of phospholipase C (PLC) with U73122/U73343 ($5{\mu}M$) all reduced ERK phosphorylation in response to glycated LDL. In addition, pretreatment of the RASMCs with a cell-permeable mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor (PD98059, $5{\mu}M$) markedly decreased ERK phosphorylation in response to native and glycated LDL. These findings indicate that ERK phosphorylation in response to glycated LDL involves the activation of PKC, PLC, and MEK, but is independent of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.33 no.7
• /
• pp.531-537
• /
• 2023

Intracellular and axonal transport is mediated by microtubule-dependent motor proteins, such as kinesins and cytoplasmic dynein. Kinesin moves along the microtubule to the positive end of the microtubule, while dynein moves to the negative end of the microtubule. Kinesin-1 was first identified as a kinesin superfamily protein (KIF) that functions in the intracellular transport of various cargoes, including organelles, neurotransmitter receptors, and mRNA-protein complexes, through interactions between the carboxyl (C)-terminal domain and the cargo. It interacts with other cargoes, but the adapter/scaffold proteins that mediate between kinesin-1 and the cargo have yet to be fully identified. In this study, a yeast two-hybrid screen was used to identify adapter proteins that interact with the C-terminal region of KIF5A. We found an association between the C-terminal region of KIF5A and the cyclin-dependent kinase 2-associated protein 1 (CDK2AP1), originally identified in malignant hamster oral keratinocytes. CDK2AP1 bound to the C-terminal region of KIF5A and did not interact with KIF3A (the motor of kinesin-2), KIF5B, KIF5C, and kinesin light chain 1 (KLC1). The C-terminal region of CDK2AP1 is essential for its interaction with KIF5A. When co-expressed in HEK-293T cells, CDK2AP1 and kinesin-1 co-immunoprecipitated and co-localized in the cells. These results suggest that the KIF5A-CDK2AP1 interaction serves as an adapter protein connecting kinesin-1 and the cargo when kinesin-1 transports cargo in cells.