• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.431-438
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• 2016

The tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is considered a promising anticancer agent due to its unique ability to induce cancer cell death having only negligible effects on normal cells. However, many cancer cells tend to be resistant to TRAIL. In this study, we investigated the effects and molecular mechanisms of sodium butyrate (SB), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, in sensitizing TRAIL-induced apoptosis in 5637 human bladder cancer cells. Our results indicated that co-treatment with SB and TRAIL significantly increased the apoptosis induction, compared with treatment with either agent alone. Co-treatment with SB and TRAIL effectively increased the cell-surface expression of death receptor (DR) 5, but not DR4, which was associated with the inhibition of cellular Fas-associated death domain (FADD)-like interleukin-1β-converting enzyme (FLICE) inhibitory protein (c-FLIP). Furthermore, the activation of caspases (caspase-3, -8 and -9) and degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) were markedly increased in 5637 cells co-treated with SB and TRAIL; however, the synergistic effect was perfectly attenuated by caspase inhibitors. We also found that combined treatment with SB and TRAIL effectively induced the expression of pro-apoptotic Bax, cytosolic cytochrome c and cleave Bid to truncated Bid (tBid), along with down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL expression. These results collectively suggest that a combined regimen of SB plus TRAIL may offer an effective therapeutic strategy for safely and selectively treating TRAIL-resistant bladder cancer cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.106-112
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• 2020

Aminoacyl tRNA synthetase complex interacting multifunctional protein 2 (AIMP2) is a scaffolding protein required for the assembly of multi-tRNA synthetase, and it can exert pro-apoptotic activity in response to DNA damage. In the presence of DNA damage, AIMP2 binds to mouse double minute 2 homolog (MDM2) to protect p53 from MDM2 attack. TGF-β signaling results in the nuclear translocation of AIMP2, whereby AIMP2 interacts with FUSE-binding protein, and, thus, suppresses c-myc. TNF receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) is an important mediator between TNF-receptors 1 and 2 which are involved in the signaling of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). TRAF2 is required for the activations of JNK and NF-κB via TNF-α and the mediation of anti-apoptosis signaling. AIMP2 can also enhance pro-apoptosis in the TNF-α signaling. During this signaling, AIMP2 assists the association of E3 ubiquitin ligase, the cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein 1 (c-IAP1) which is well known and responsible for the degradation of TRAF2. The formation of a complex among AIMP2, TRAF2, and c-IAP1 results in proteasome-mediated TRAF2 degradation. AIMP2 can induce apoptosis via downregulation of TRAF2 to interact directly in TNF-α signaling. This review provides new insight into the molecular mechanism responsible for AIMP2 and TRAF2 complex formation and treatments for TNFα-associated diseases.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.63-78
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• 2015

Objectives: Pinelliae Rhizoma has traditionally been used as an anti-depressant in oriental medicine. This study is to investigate the effect of Pinelliae Rhizoma extract (PRe) on psychological stress in genome wild expression of mice. Methods: After giving physical stress to mice, PRe was orally administered with 100 mg/kg/day for five days. After extracting whole brain tissue from the mice, their genome changes were observed by micorarray analysis method. The genome changes were analyzed by IMAGENE 4.0, TREEVIEW, FatiGo algorithems, BOND database, cytoscape program, etc. Results: 1. PRe administered group were remained at normal level; 60% of increase was shown in expressed genes by physical stress, and 65% of decrease was shown in expressed genes by psychological stress. 2. Genes with increased expression in control group that remained at a normal state in PRe administered group were involved with the gene of a cellular metabolic process on biological process, protein binding on molecular function, and cell part on cell composition. The pathway was found to be cytokin-cytokin receptor interaction. 3. Genes with decreased expression in control group that remained at a normal state in PRe administered group were involved with the gene of a cellular metabolic process on biologiacl detail and coupled ATPaes activity on molecular function. This gene related path was Ubiquintin mediated proteolysis etc. 4. Core node genes analyzed by protein interaction network were Vinculin, Cell sdivision cycle 42 homolog (S. cerevisiae) etc. They played an important role in maintaining cytoskeleton and controlling cell cycle. Conclusions: Several genes were up-regulated and down-regulated in response to psychological stress. The expression of most of the genes that were altered in response to psychological stress was restored to normal levels in PRe treated mice. When the interaction network information was analyzed, the recovery of the core node genes in PRe treated mice indicates that this final set of genes may be the effective target of PRe.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.765-771
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• 2018

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ($PPAR{\gamma}$) is a key transcription factor that regulates adipogenesis, and epigenetic control of $PPAR{\gamma}$ is of great interest in obesity-inhibition research. Our previous study showed that CACUL1 (CDK2-associated cullin domain 1) acts as a corepressor that inhibits $PPAR{\gamma}$ transcriptional activity and adipocyte differentiation. Here, we investigated the roles of protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5), a novel binding partner of CACUL1, in regulating $PPAR{\gamma}$. The interaction between PRMT5 and CACUL1 was shown by immunoprecipitation assay in vivo and GST pulldown assay in vitro. As shown by luciferase reporter assay, PRMT5 and CACUL1 cooperated to inhibit the transcriptional activity of $PPAR{\gamma}$. The suppressive role of PRMT5 in adipogenesis was examined by Oil Red O staining using 3T3-L1 cells, which stably overexpress or deplete PRMT5. Overexpression of PRMT5 suppresses $PPAR{\gamma}$-mediated adipogenesis, whereas PRMT5 knockdown increases lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells. Consistently, PRMT5 attenuates the expression of Lpl and aP2, the target genes of $PPAR{\gamma}$, as demonstrated by RT-qPCR analysis. Overall, these results suggest that PRMT5 interacts with CACUL1 to impair the transcriptional activity of $PPAR{\gamma}$, leading to the inhibition of adipocyte differentiation. Therefore, the regulation of PRMT5 enzymatic activity may provide a clue to develop an anti-obesity drug.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.231-238
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• 2005

Neuronal apoptotic events, which result in cell death, are occurred in hypoxic/ischemic conditions. Estradiol is a female sex hormone with steroid structure known to provide neuroprotection through multiple mechanisms in the central nervous system. This study was aimed to investigate the signal transduction pathway of $CoCl_2$-induced neuronal cell death and the inhibitory effects of estradiol. Administration of $CoCl_2$ decreased cell viability in both a dose- and time-dependent manner in PC12 cells. $CoCl_2$-induced cell death produced genomic DNA fragmentation and morphologic changes such as cell shrinkage and condensed nuclei. It was found that $CoCl_2$-treated cells increased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as caspase-8, -9 and -3 activities. However, pretreatment with estradiol before exposure to $CoCl_2$ prevented the reduction in cell viability reduction and attenuated DNA fragmentation and morphologic changes caused by $CoCl_2$. Furthermore, the $CoCl_2$-induced increases of ROS levels and caspases activities were attenuated by estradiol. Gene expression analysis revealed that estradiol blocked the underexpression of the Bcl-2 and ameliorated the increase in the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into cytoplasm and Fas-ligand (Fas-L) upregulated by $CoCl_2$. These results suggest that $CoCl_2$ induce apoptosis in PC12 cells through both mitochondria- and death receptor-mediated cell death pathway. Estradiol was found to have a neuroprotective effect against $CoCl_2$-induced apoptosis through the inhibition of ROS production and by modulating apoptotic effectors associated with the mitochondria- and death-dependent pathway in PC12 cells.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.38-46
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• 2003

Background: Platelet-activating factor (PAF) induces nuclear factor $(NF)-{\kappa}B$ activation and angiogenesis and increases tumor growth and pulmonary tumor metastasis in vivo. The role of $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation in PAF-induced angiogenesis in a mouse model of Matrigel implantation, and in PAF-mediated pulmonary tumor metastasis were investigated. Methods: Angiogenesis using Matrigel and experimental pulmonary tumor metastasis were tested in a mouse model. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay was done for the assessment of $NF-{\kappa}B$ translocation to the nucleus. Expression of angiogenic factors, such as tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, interleukin $(IL)-1{\alpha}$, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were tested by RT-PCR and ELISA. Results: PAF induced a dose- and time-dependent angiogenic response. PAF-induced angiogenesis was significantly blocked by PAF antagonist, CV6209, and inhibitors of $NF-{\kappa}B$ expression or action, including antisense oligonucleotides to p65 subunit of $NF-{\kappa}B$ (p65 AS) and antioxidants such as ${\alpha}$-tocopherol and N-acetyl-L-cysteine. In vitro, PAF activated the transcription factor, $NF-{\kappa}B$ and induced mRNA expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\alpha}$, bFGF, VEGF, and its receptor, KDR. The PAF-induced expression of the above mentioned factors was inhibited by p65 AS or antioxidants. Also, protein synthesis of VEGF was increased by PAF and inhibited by p65 AS or antioxidants. The angiogenic effect of PAF was blocked when anti-VEGF antibodies was treated or antibodies against $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\alpha}$, and bFGF was co-administrated, but not by antibodies against $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\alpha}$, and bFGF each alone. PAF-augmented pulmonary tumor metastasis was inhibited by p65 AS or antioxidants. Conclusion: These data indicate that PAF increases angiogenesis and pulmonary tumor metastasis through $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation and expression of $NF-{\kappa}B$-dependent angiogenic factors.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 2014

Follicular helper T ($T_{FH}$) cells are recently highlighted as their crucial role for humoral immunity to infection as well as their abnormal control to induce autoimmune disease. During an infection, na$\ddot{i}$ve T cells are differentiating into $T_{FH}$ cells which mediate memory B cells and long-lived plasma cells in germinal center (GC). $T_{FH}$ cells are characterized by their expression of master regulator, Bcl-6, and chemokine receptor, CXCR5, which are essential for the migration of T cells into the B cell follicle. Within the follicle, crosstalk occurs between B cells and $T_{FH}$ cells, leading to class switch recombination and affinity maturation. Various signaling molecules, including cytokines, surface molecules, and transcription factors are involved in $T_{FH}$ cell differentiation. IL-6 and IL-21 cytokine-mediated STAT signaling pathways, including STAT1 and STAT3, are crucial for inducing Bcl-6 expression and $T_{FH}$ cell differentiation. $T_{FH}$ cells express important surface molecules such as ICOS, PD-1, IL-21, BTLA, SAP and CD40L for mediating the interaction between T and B cells. Recently, two types of microRNA (miRNA) were found to be involved in the regulation of $T_{FH}$ cells. The miR-17-92 cluster induces Bcl-6 and $T_{FH}$ cell differentiation, whereas miR-10a negatively regulates Bcl-6 expression in T cells. In addition, follicular regulatory T ($T_{FR}$) cells are studied as thymus-derived $CXCR5^+PD-1^+Foxp3^+\;T_{reg}$ cells that play a significant role in limiting the GC response. Regulation of $T_{FH}$ cell differentiation and the GC reaction via miRNA and $T_{FR}$ cells could be important regulatory mechanisms for maintaining immune tolerance and preventing autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here, we review recent studies on the various factors that affect $T_{FH}$ cell differentiation, and the role of $T_{FH}$ cells in autoimmune diseases.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.386-391
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• 2010

Introduction: Bone resorption is a unique function of osteoclasts. Osteoclasts are a specialized macrophage polykaryon whose differentiation is regulated principally by macrophage colony-stimulating factors, receptor activator of nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ ligand (RANK) ligand, osteoprotegerin (OPG), and interleukins (IL). Reflecting the integrin-mediated signals, osteoclasts develop a specialized cytoskeleton that allows it to establish an isolated micro-environment between itself and the bone, wherein matrix degradation occurs by a process involving proton transport. The levels of IL-1, IL-6, OPG, and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) expression were evaluated to study the correlations between dental implant teeth and the adjacent teeth. Materials and Methods: The exudate of the gingival crevice acquired from dental implants, adjacent teeth, opposite teeth and contralateral teeth of 24 patients. Results: 1. The levels of IL-1, IL-6, OPG and $PGE_2$ expression in dental implant teeth were higher than those of the contralateral teeth. 2. IL-1 revealed a higher expression level in the adjacent teeth than in dental implant teeth. 3. The dental implant teeth and adjacent teeth did not show a remarkable difference in the level of IL-1 expression. 4. All the other cytokines were strongly expressed in the dental implant compared to the adjacent teeth. Conclusion: These results suggest that there might be close correlation between dental implant teeth and adjacent teeth in terms of the expressions of cytokines that affect the development and regulation of osteoclasts.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.364-375
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• 2016

Post-translational modification is an efficient process to rapidly transduce external stimulus into cellular response. Ubiquitination is a typical post-translational modification which is a highly conserved process in eukaryotes. UPS (Ubiquitin/Proteasome System) mediated by the ubiquitination is to target diverse cellular proteins for degradation. Among E3 ubiquitin ligases that function as the key determinant for substrate recognition, CRL (cullin–RING E3 ubiquitin ligase) is the largest family and forms the complex composed of cullin, RBX1, adaptor and substrate receptor. Although CRL1, also known as SCF complex, has been widely researched for its biological role, the functional studies of CRL4 have been relatively elusive. In Arabidopsis, there are 119 substrate receptors named DCAF (DDB1 CUL4 Associated Factor) proteins for CRL4 and a fraction of DCAF proteins have been identified for their potential functions so far. In this paper, current understanding on structure and biological roles of plant CRL4 complexes in a diverse of cellular events is reviewed, especially focusing on CRL4 substrate receptors. Moreover, the regulatory mechanism of CRL4’s activity is also introduced. These studies will be helpful to further understand the signal transduction pathways in which such CRL4 complexes are involved and give a clue to establish the action network of entire CRL4 complexes in plants.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.389-396
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• 2002

In the present work, we examined the mechanism of vasorelaxant effect of scopoletin, an active constituent of Artemisia capillaris on rat thoracic descending aortic rings. Scopoletin induced a concentration-dependent relaxation in rat thoracic descending aortic rings pre-contracted with phenylephrine (EC/sub 50/ = 238.94±37.4 μM), while it was less effective in rat thoracic descending aortic rings precontracted with high potassium solution (KCI 30 mM). Vasorelaxation by scopoletin was significantly inhibited after endothelial removal, but recovered at high concentration. Pretreatment of rat thoracic descending aortic rings with N/sup G/-nitro-L-arginine (100 μM), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, and atropine (1 μM), a muscarinic receptor antagonist, significantly inhibited scopoletin-induced relaxation of rat thoracic descending aortic rings. Neither indomethacin (3 μM), an inhibitor of cydooxygenase, nor propranolol (1 μM), a β -adrenoceptor antagonist, modified the effect of scopoletin. The combination of N/sup G/ -nitro-L-arginine (100 μ M) and miconazole (10 μ M), an inhibitor of cytochrome P 450, did not modify the effect of scopoletin, when compared with pretreatment with N/sup G/-nitro-L-arginine(100 μM) alone. Vasorelaxant effect of scopoletin was inverted by pretreatment with diltiazem (10 μM), a Ca/sup 2+/-channel blocker, at low concentration, while restored at high concentration. Apamin (K/sub ca/-channel blocker, 1 μM), 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, K/sub v/-channel blocker, 1 mM), and tetrodotoxin (TTX, Na/sup +/-channel blocker 1 μM) potentiated the vasorelaxant effect of scopoledn, but glibendamide (K/sub ATP/-channel blocker, 10 μM), tetraetylammonium(TEA, non-selective K-channel blocker, 10 mM) did not affect the relaxation of scopoletin. Free radical scavengers (TEMPO, catalase, mannitol) did not modify vascular tone. These results suggest that nitric oxide, Ca/sup 2+/ -channels play a role in endothelium-dependent relaxations to scopoletin in rat aortas, that apamin, 4-AP, TTX but not glibenclamide, TEA potentiated relaxation to scopoletin mediated by these channels, and that free radicals do not concern to the vasorelaxant effect of scopoletin.