• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.127-132
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• 2019

Programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) is a novel tumor suppressor that function in the nucleus and the cytoplasm and appears to be involved in the regulation of transcription and translation. Stress granules (SGs) are cytoplasmic foci at which untranslated mRNAs accumulate when cells exposed to environmental stresses. Since PDCD4 has implicated in translation repression through direct interaction with eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A (eIF4A), we here investigated if PDCD4 has a functional role in the process of SG assembly under oxidative stresses. Using immunofluorescence microscopy, we found that PDCD4 is localized to SGs under oxidative stresses. Next, we tested if knockdown of PDCD4 has an effect on the assembly of SG using PDCD4-specific siRNA. Interestingly, SG assembly was accelerated and this effect was caused by sensitization of phosphorylation of eIF2α and dephosphorylation of eIF4E binding protein (4E-BP). These results suggest that PDCD4 has an effect on SG dynamics and possibly involved in cap-dependent translation repression under stress conditions.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.66-72
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• 2017

Pathological hypertrophy of the heart is closely associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), leading to maladaptations such as myocardial fibrosis, induction of apoptosis, and cardiac dysfunctions. Salubrinal is a known selective inhibitor of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) complex involving dephosphorylation of phospho-eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 subunit $(p-eIF2)-{\alpha}$, the key signaling process in the ERS pathway. In this study, the effects of salubrinal were examined on cardiac hypertrophy using the mouse model of transverse aortic constriction (TAC) and cell model of neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs). Treatment of TAC-induced mice with salubrinal ($0.5mg{\cdot}kg^{-1}{\cdot}day^{-1}$) alleviated cardiac hypertrophy and tissue fibrosis. Salubrinal also alleviated hypertrophic growth in endothelin 1 (ET1)-treated NRVMs. Therefore, the present results suggest that salubrinal may be a potentially efficacious drug for treating pathological cardiac remodeling.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.193-199
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• 2023

In this investigation, we made a study of the efficacy of luteolin (a flavonoid found in plants such as vegetables, herbs and fruits) on vascular contractibility and to elucidate the mechanism underlying the relaxation. Isometric contractions of denuded muscles were stored and combined with western blot analysis which was conducted to assess the phosphorylation of myosin phosphatase targeting subunit 1 (MYPT1) and phosphorylation-dependent inhibitory protein for myosin phosphatase (CPI-17) and to examine the effect of luteolin on the RhoA/ROCK/CPI-17 pathway. Luteolin significantly alleviated phorbol ester-, fluoride- and thromboxane mimetic-elicited contractions regardless of endothelial nitric oxide synthesis, implying its direct effect on smooth muscle. It also significantly alleviated the fluoride-elicited elevation in pCPI-17 and pMYPT1 levels and phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate-elicited increase in pERK1/2 level, suggesting depression of ROCK and PKC/MEK activity and ensuing phosphorylation of MYPT1, CPI-17 and ERK1/2. Taken together, these results suggest that luteolin-elicited relaxation includes myosin phosphatase reactivation and calcium desensitization, which seems to be arbitrated by CPI-17 dephosphorylation via ROCK/PKC inhibition.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.145-150
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• 2022

In this study, we investigated the influence of galangin on vascular contractibility and to determine the mechanism underlying the relaxation. Isometric contractions of denuded aortic muscles were recorded and combined with western blot analysis which was performed to measure the phosphorylation of phosphorylation-dependent inhibitory protein of myosin phosphatase (CPI-17) and myosin phosphatase targeting subunit 1 (MYPT1) and to evaluate the effect of galangin on the RhoA/ROCK/CPI-17 pathway. Galangin significantly inhibited phorbol ester-, fluoride- and thromboxane mimetic-induced vasoconstrictions regardless of endothelial nitric oxide synthesis, suggesting its direct effect on vascular smooth muscle. Galangin significantly inhibited the fluoride-dependent increase in pMYPT1 and pCPI-17 levels and phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate-dependent increase in pERK1/2 level, suggesting repression of ROCK and MEK activity and subsequent phosphorylation of MYPT1, CPI-17 and ERK1/2. Taken together, these results suggest that galangin-induced relaxation involves myosin phosphatase reactivation and calcium desensitization, which appears to be mediated by CPI-17 dephosphorylation via not PKC but ROCK inactivation.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.361-367
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• 2024

In this study, we investigated the efficacy of kaempferol (a flavonoid found in plants and plant-derived foods such as kale, beans, tea, spinach and broccoli) on vascular contractibility and aimed to clarify the detailed mechanism underlying the relaxation. Isometric contractions of divested muscles were stored and linked with western blot analysis which was carried out to estimate the phosphorylation of myosin phosphatase targeting subunit 1 (MYPT1) and phosphorylation-dependent inhibitory protein for myosin phosphatase (CPI-17) and to estimate the effect of kaempferol on the RhoA/ROCK/CPI-17 pathway. Kaempferol conspicuously impeded phorbol ester-, fluoride- and a thromboxane mimetic-derived contractions regardless of endothelial nitric oxide synthesis, indicating its direct effect on smooth muscles. It also conspicuously impeded the fluoride-derived elevation in phospho-MYPT1 rather than phospho-CPI-17 levels and phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate-derived increase in phospho-CPI-17 and phospho-ERK1/2 levels, suggesting the depression of PKC and MEK activities and subsequent phosphorylation of CPI-17 and ERK1/2. Taken together, these outcomes suggest that kaempferol-derived relaxation incorporates myosin phosphatase retrieval and calcium desensitization, which appear to be modulated by CPI-17 dephosphorylation mainly through PKC inactivation.

• BMB Reports
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.639-645
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• 2005

Protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes, a family of serine-threonine kinases, are important regulators of cell proliferation and malignant transformation. Phorbol esters, the prototype PKC activators, cause PKC translocation to the plasma membrane in prostate cancer cells, and trigger an apoptotic response. Studies in recent years have determined that each member of the PKC family exerts different effects on apoptotic or survival pathways. $PKC{\delta}$, one of the novel PKCs, is a key player of the apoptotic response via the activation of the p38 MAPK pathway. Studies using RNAi revealed that depletion of $PKC{\delta}$ totally abolishes the apoptotic effect of the phorbol ester PMA. Activation of the classical $PKC{\alpha}$ promotes the dephosphorylation and inactivation of the survival kinase Akt. Studies have assigned a pro-survival role to $PKC{\varepsilon}$, but the function of this PKC isozyme remains controversial. Recently, it has been determined that the PKC apoptotic effect in androgen-dependent prostate cancer cells is mediated by the autocrine secretion of death factors. $PKC{\delta}$ stimulates the release of $TNF{\alpha}$ from the plasma membrane, and blockade of $TNF{\alpha}$ secretion or $TNF{\alpha}$ receptors abrogates the apoptotic response of PMA. Molecular analysis indicates the requirement of the extrinsic apoptotic cascade via the activation of death receptors and caspase-8. Dissecting the pathways downstream of PKC isozymes represents a major challenge to understanding the molecular basis of phorbol ester-induced apoptosis.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2007

The naphthoquinone analog (2,3-dichloro-6,9-dihydroxy-1,4-naphtoquinone, NA) has an inhibitory effect on cdc25A protein phosphatase in vitro, which is responsible for G1/S transition during cell cycle. However, the exact mechanism inducing the growth inhibition is not understood. In this study, we investigated the regulatory mechanisms of growth arrest induced by NA, as a new potent inhibitor of cdc25A phosphatase, in human hepatocarcinoma SK-hep-1 cells. We found that NA induced the G1 arrest by perturbation of protein tyrosine dephosphorylation of Cdk2, which may be resulting from inhibition of cdc25A phosphatase. In addition, p21 was expressed in a p53-independent manner and participated in the NA-induced G1 arrest by inhibiting Cdk2 activity. Although the exact mechanism is not known, the p21 expression might be related to MAPK activation. From these results, we suggest that NA induces G1 arrest via inhibition of cdc25A and induction of p53-independent p21 expression in SK-Hep-1 cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.840-848
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• 2017

Proper intracellular transport is essential for normal cell function. Intracellular transport is mediated by microtubule-dependent molecular motor proteins, as well as kinesin and cytoplasmic dynein, which move their cargo along long, microtubule tracks in cells. Kinesins are ATP-dependent plus-end-directed motor proteins in the intracellular transport of organelles, vesicles, RNA complexes, and protein complexes. The mislocalization of these different types of cargo has been linked to cell dysfunction and degeneration. The cargo transport of kinesins can be described by the following steps: binding to the appropriate cargo and/or adaptor proteins, activation of the kinesin's motility and movement along the microtubule, and the release of the cargo at the correct destination. Recently, several studies have revealed the mechanisms for the regulation of kinesin motor activity, including cargo loading and unloading. Intracellular cargo transport is also modulated by adaptor proteins, which link the kinesins to their cargo. The regulatory proteins, which include protein kinases and phosphatases, regulate kinesin motor activity directly through the phosphorylation or dephosphorylation of kinesins and indirectly through the modification of adaptor proteins, such as c-Jun NH-terminal kinase-interacting proteins, or of the microtubule network. These findings lay the groundwork for understanding how kinesins are differentially engaged in intracellular cargo transport. In addition, understanding the regulatory mechanisms of each kinesin is an area of key interest within cell biology and neurophysiology. In this study, we reviewed kinesins' regulation proteins and discuss how their regulation affects cargo recognition and transport.

• Journal of Oriental Physiology
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• v.14 no.2 s.20
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• pp.67-82
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• 1999

The effects of Bogi, Boyang and Onri herbs on glutamte receptor, and the regulatory mechanism of cAMP-protein kinase on the ion currents activated by Bogi, Boyang and Onri herbs using nystatin-perforated patch clamp were investigated and the following results were obtained. Ginseng radix and Astragali radix, Cervi cornu and Boshniakiae herba, and Aconiti tuber and Zingiberis rhizoma were chosen as Bogi, Boyang and Onri herbs respectively. 1. The ion currents activated by $10^{-5}M$ of glycine were used as controls. The magnitudes of the ion currents by the above named herbs were as follows; Cervi cornu>Astragali radix>Aconiti tuber>Zingiberis rhizoma>Ginseng radix>Boshniakiae herba. 2. The magnitudes of the ion currents by $10^{-5}M$ of glutamate pre-treated with 0.01 mg/ml of Bogi, Boyang and Onri herbs were sharply decreased. 3. The activity of ion channels activated by Bogi herbs pre-treated with $10^{-7}M$ of staurosporin, an inhibitor of protein kinase, for thirty seconds was observed as the experiment proceeded. Staurosporin brought about dephosphorylation of ion channels. Hence, while the activity of ion channels activated by Ginseng radix was decreased, the activity of ion channels activated by Astragali radix was increased, as time went by. 4. The activity of ion channels activated by Boyang herbs pre-treated with $10^{-7}M$ of staurosporin, an inhibitor of protein kinase and an dephosphorylating agent of ion channels, for thirty seconds was investigated. While the activity of ion channels activated by Cervi cornu was increased, the activity of ion channels activated by Boshniakiae herba was initially increased then sharply decreased. 5, The activity of ion channels activated by Onri herbs pre-treated with $10^{-7}M$ of staurosporin, an inhibitor of protein kinase and an dephosphorylating agent of ion channels, for thirty seconds was investigated. While the activity of ion channels activated by Aconiti tuber was increased, that of ion channels activated by Zingiberis rhizomal sharply declined.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.1184-1195
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• 2015

The zebrafish is an emerging vertebrate model organism in reproductive biology. The oocyte maturation of zebrafish is triggered by maturation inducing hormone (MIH, 17α,20β-Dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one). In almost all animals, the oocyte maturation is governed by activation of pre-MPF which consists of cyclinB and inactive Cdk1. In the oocyte of Xenopus and mice, the activity of Cdk1 is regulated in two ways, one is the interaction with cyclinB and the other is phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of T14/Y15 residues on the Cdk1 by Wee1 and Cdc25. Unlike Xenopus and mice that have a sufficient amount of pre-MPF, pre-MPF is absent in GV oocyte of most teleost including zebrafish. Therefore, the activation of MPF during zebrafish oocyte maturation might totally depend on de novo synthesis of cyclinB proteins. It is reported that the translation of maternal mRNA is regulated by combination of several RNA binding proteins such as CPEB, Dazl, Pum1/Pum2, and insulin-like growth factor2 mRNA-binding protein 3 in the zebrafish oocytes. However, the definitive mechanism of these proteins to regulate the translation of stored maternal mRNAs remains to be elucidated. Therefore, the investigation of the maturation process of the zebrafish oocyte will provide new information that can help identify the role of translational control in early vertebrate oocyte maturation.