• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.152-158
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• 2010

Melanin concentrating hormone is a neuropeptide highly expressed in the brain that regulates several physiological functions mediated by receptors in the G-protein coupled receptor family, especially plays an important role in the complex regulation of energy balance and body weight mediated by the melanin concentrating hormone receptor subtype 1 (MCH1). Compelling pharmacological evidence implicating MCH1 signaling in the regulation of food intake and energy expenditure has generated a great deal of interest by pharmaceutical companies as MCH1 antagonists may have potential therapeutic benefit in the treatment of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Although fluorescence-based calcium mobilization assay platform has been one of the most widely accepted tools for receptor research and drug discovery, fluorescence interference and shallow assay window limit their application in high throughput screening and have led to a growing interest in alternative, luminescence-based technologies. Herein, a luminescence-based functional assay system for the MCH1 receptor was developed and validated with the mitochondrial targeted aequorin. Aequorin based functional assay system for MCH1 presented excellent Z' factor (0.8983) and high signal-to-noise ratio (141.9). The nonpeptide MCH1 receptor antagonist, SNAP 7941 and GSK 803430, exhibited $IC_{50}$ values of 0.62 ${\pm}$ 0.11 and 12.29 ${\pm}$ 2.31 nM with excellent correlation coefficient. These results suggest that the aequorin based assay system for MCH1 is a strong alternative to the traditional GPCR related tools such as radioligand binding experiments and fluorescence functional determinations for the compound screening and receptor research.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.1-5
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• 2008

Adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) is an important extracellular signaling molecule which is involved in a variety of physiological responses in many different tissues and cell types, by acting at P2 receptors, either ionotropic (P2X) or G protein-coupled metabotropic receptors (P2Y). P2X receptors have seven isoforms designated as $P2X_{1^-}P2X_7$. In this study, we investigated the electrophysiological and pharmacological properties of rat $P2X_{1^-}P2X_4$ currents by using whole-cell patch clamp technique in a heterologous expression system. When ATP-induced currents were analyzed in human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells following transient transfection of rat $P2X_{1^-}P2X_4$, the currents showed different pharmacological and electrophysiological properties. ATP evoked inward currents with fast activation and fast desensitization in $P2X_{^1-}$ or $P2X_{3^-}$ expressing HEK293 cells, but in $P2X_{2^-}$ or $P2X_{4^-}$ expressing HEK293 cells, ATP evoked inward currents with slow activation and slow desensitization. While PPADS and suramin inhibited $P2X_2$ or $P2X_3$ receptor-mediated currents, they had little effects on $P2X_4$ receptor-mediated currents. Ivermectin potentiated and prolonged $P2X_4$ receptor-mediated currents, but did not affect $P2X_2$ or $P2X_3$ receptor-mediated currents. We suggest that distinct pharmacological and electrophysiological properties among P2X receptor subtypes would be a useful tool to determine expression patterns of P2X receptors in the nervous system including trigeminal sensory neurons and microglia.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.281-286
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• 2003

To design gene deliver systems which can deliver higher amounts of genes into stem cells, we studied the expression of receptors involved in the receptor-mediated endocytosis of bone marrow stromal stem cells. Bone marrow was isolated from ICR mice, and bone marrow stromal stem cells were isolated based on their plastic adherence property. Several culture conditions were screened for effective and continuous culture of marrow stromal stem cells. MesenCult medium was finally used to cultivate marrow stromal stem cells in vitro. As candidate receptors, various chemokine receptors were studied. Both bone marrow cells ad marrow-derived stromal stem cells showed expression of CC chemokine receptors (CCR) and CXC chemokine receptors (CXCR). Marrow stromal stem cells showed higher expression of CCR5 ad CXCR4 chemokine receptors as compared to other types of chemokine receptors. Moreover, though the expression of chemokine receptors generally decreased in most chemokine receptors with the cultivaton of marrow stromal stem cells, CCR5 and CXCR4 chemokine receptors retained the higher level of receptor expressions over prolonged periods. These results suggest that the ligands exhibiting specific binding to CCR5 or CXCR4 might be used to modify gene delivery systems for increased levels of receptor-mediated gene delivery into stromal stem cells.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제12권3호
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• pp.483-489
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• 2002

The role of $G{\alpha}12\;and\;G{\alpha}13$ in modulating the IgE receptor-mediated histamine secretion in the streptolysin-o-permeabilized human cultured mast cell was investigated. The expression of $G{\alpha}12\;and\;G{\alpha}13$ proteins were regulated during human cultured mast cell differentiation, and a significant correlation was observed between the levels of expression of $G{\alpha}12\;and\;G{\alpha}13$ proteins and IgE receptor-mediated histamine secretion capability in human cultured mast cells. Antibodies against $G{\alpha}12\;and\;G{\alpha}13$ effectively inhibited the IgE receptor-induced histamine release, and the concentration of anti-$G{\alpha}12$ antibody used to inhibit histamine secretion was shown to also inhibit the IgE receptor-mediated elevation of intracellular $Ca^2+$. Therefore, the results suggest that $G{\alpha}12\;and\;G{\alpha}13$ play roles in modulating IgE receptor-activated $Ca^2+$ influx, thereby regulating histamine release in cultured human mast cells. This is the first report to show that $G{\alpha}12\;and\;G{\alpha}13$ are involved in the regulation of $Ca^2+$ mediated exocytosis in human cultured mast cells.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.56-64
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• 2024

Biased signaling or functional selectivity refers to the ability of an agonist or receptor to selectively activate a subset of transducers such as G protein and arrestin in the case of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Although signaling through arrestin has been reported from various GPCRs, only a few studies have examined side-by-side how it differs from signaling via G protein. In this study, two signaling pathways were compared using dopamine D₂ receptor (D₂R) mutants engineered via the evolutionary tracer method to selectively transduce signals through G protein or arrestin (D₂G and D₂Arr, respectively). D₂G mediated the inhibition of cAMP production and ERK activation in the cytoplasm. D₂Arr, in contrast, mediated receptor endocytosis accompanied by arrestin ubiquitination and ERK activation in the nucleus as well as in the cytoplasm. D₂Arr-mediated ERK activation occurred in a manner dependent on arrestin3 but not arrestin2, accompanied by the nuclear translocation of arrestin3 via importin1. D₂R-mediated ERK activation, which occurred in both the cytosol and nucleus, was limited to the cytosol when cellular arrestin3 was depleted. This finding supports the results obtained with D₂Arr and D₂G. Taken together, these observations indicate that biased signal transduction pathways activate distinct downstream mechanisms and that the subcellular regions in which they occur could be different when the same effectors are involved. These findings broaden our understanding on the relation between biased receptors and the corresponding downstream signaling, which is critical for elucidating the functional roles of biased pathways.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제50권5호
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• pp.649-656
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• 2008

본 연구는 insulin-like growth factors(IGFs)가 돼지 지방전구세포의 증식과 분화에 미치는 작용기전을 구명하기 위해서 수행하였다. 지방전구세포는 갓난 암퇘지의 등지방에서 분리하였고, serum-deprived 조건하에서 IGFs와 mutant IGFs를 함유시켜 배양했는데 이 mutant IGFs는 IGF-Ⅰ에 비해 type-1 IGF receptor와 insulin receptor에 대한 친화력이 낮다. 50ng/ml의 IGF-Ⅰ, [Leu60]IGF-I, IGF-Ⅱ 및 [Leu27]IGF-Ⅱ를 배양중인 세포에 4일동안 처리했다. IGF-Ⅰ, [Leu60]IGF-I, IGF-Ⅱ 및 [Leu27]IGF-Ⅱ는 돼지 지방전구세포의 증식을 각각 39%, 8%, 25% 및 2% 촉진했다(증가된 세포수에 의해 측정). 이 사실은 IGF-Ⅰ과 IGF-Ⅱ는 type-1 IGF receptor 또는 insulin receptor에 결합을 통해서 지방세포의 증식 촉진을 가져왔음을 나타낸다. 그리고 IGF-Ⅰ, [Leu60]IGF-I, IGF-Ⅱ 및 [Leu27] IGF-Ⅱ는 지방전구세포의 분화를 50%, 17%, 37% 및 30% 각각 촉진시켰다(세포 분화는 glycerol- phosphate dehydrogenase 활성도에 의해 측정했다). IGF-Ⅰ의 type-1 IGF receptor 또는 insulin receptor에의 친화력이 낮아져서 세포 분화 촉진작용을 감소시킨 것이다. 그러나 [Leu27] IGF-Ⅱ의 분화촉진 작용은 IGF-Ⅱ의 그것에 비해 크게 차이가 나지 않았는데, 이 사실은 IGF-Ⅰ과 IGF-Ⅱ는 서로 다른 수용체－매개 작용기전에 의해 세포분화를 촉진시킴을 나타낸다. 즉 IGF-Ⅱ는 type-1 IGF receptor 또는 insulin receptor가 관여하지 않는 작용을 통해 돼지 지방전구세포의 분화를 촉진시켰다. 이 작용은 IGF-Ⅱ가 type-2 IGF receptor(또는 cation- independent mannose-6 phosphate receptor [CIM6P /IGF2 receptor])에 결합을 통해서 이뤄지는 것으로 여겨진다. 위의 결과는 IGF-Ⅱ가 CIM6P/ IGF2 receptor에의 결합을 통해 동물 지방전구세포의 분화를 촉진시킨다는 것을 밝혀낸 최초의 연구이다. 요약하면 이 본 연구는 IGF-Ⅰ과 IGF-Ⅱ는 서로 다른 세포내 receptor가 관여하는 작용기전을 통해 돼지 지방전구세포의 분화를 촉진함을 보여준다.

• BMB Reports
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• 제38권3호
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• pp.281-289
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• 2005

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling is mediated via two distinct receptors, TNFR2 and TNFR1, which shows partially overlapping signaling mechanisms and biological roles. In the present study, TNFR2 and TNFR1 signal transduction mechanisms involved in activation of $NF{\kappa}B$ and CMV promoter-enhancer were compared with respect to their susceptibility towards inhibitors of intracellular signaling. For this, we used SW480 cells, where we have shown that TNF-signaling can occur independently through each of the two receptors. The TNFR1 response was inhibited by D609, bromophenacyl bromide (BPB), nordihydroguararetic acid (NDGA), and by sodium salicylate, while TNFR2-mediated activation of $NF{\kappa}B$ and CMV promoter-enhancer was resistant to these compounds. The signaling mechanisms known to be affected by these inhibitors include phospholipases as well as redox- and pH-sensitive intracellular components. Our results imply that TNFR2 signaling involved in $NF{\kappa}B$ activation proceeds independently of these inhibitor-sensitive signaling components, indicating distinct signaling pathways not shared with TNFR1.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.194-200
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• 2017

Bone-resorbing osteoclasts play a major role in maintaining bone homeostasis with bone-forming osteoblasts. Although it has been reported that A2B adenosine receptor (A2BAR) regulates osteoclast differentiation, its effects on apoptosis or proliferation of osteoclasts have been less-defined. Here, we demonstrate that A2BAR stimulation regulates macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF)-mediated osteoclast proliferation. Stimulation with a specific agonist of A2BAR, BAY 60-6583, significantly reduced M-CSF-mediated osteoclast proliferation in a time- and dose-dependent manner. In addition, A2BAR stimulation induced both apoptosis of the cells and cell arrest in the G1 phase with a decrease of cell number in the G2/M phase. Stimulation with BAY 60-6583 inhibited the activation of Akt by M-CSF, whereas M-CSF-induced ERK1/2 activation was not affected. These results suggest that the inhibition of M-CSF-mediated Akt activation by A2BAR stimulation increases apoptotic response of osteoclasts and induces cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase, thus contributing to the down-regulation of osteoclast proliferation.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.35-43
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• 1999

Overstimulation of both kainate (KA) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors has been reported to induce excitatoxicity which can be characterized by neuronal damage and formation of reactive oxygen free radicals. Neuroprotective effect of melatonin against KA-induced excitotoxicity have been documented in vitro and in vivo. It is, however, not clear whether melationin is also neuroportective against excitotoxicity mediated by NMDA receptors. In the present work, we tested the in vivo protective effects of striatally infused melatonin against the oxidative stress and neuronal damage induced by the injection of KA and NMDA receptors into the rat striatum. Melatonin implants consisting of 22-gauge stainless-steel cannule with melatonin fused inside the tip were placed bilaterally in the rat brain one week prior to intrastriatal injection of glutamate receptor subtype agonists. Melatonin showed protective effects against the elevation of lipid peroxidation induced by either KA or NMDA and recovered Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase activities reduced by both KA and NMDA into the control level. Melatonin also clearly blocked both KA- and NMDA-receptor mediated neuronal damage assessed by the determination of choline acetyltransferase activity in striatal monogenages and by microscopic observation of rat brain section stained with cresyl violet. The protective effects of melatonin are comparable to those of DNQX and MK801 which are the KA- and NMDA-receptor antagonist, respectively. It is suggested that melatonin could protect against striatal oxidative damages mediated by glutamate receptors, both non-NMDA and NMDA receptors.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.12.1-12.17
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• 2023

Ssu72, a dual-specificity protein phosphatase, not only participates in transcription biogenesis, but also affects pathophysiological functions in a tissue-specific manner. Recently, it has been shown that Ssu72 is required for T cell differentiation and function by controlling multiple immune receptor-mediated signals, including TCR and several cytokine receptor signaling pathways. Ssu72 deficiency in T cells is associated with impaired fine-tuning of receptor-mediated signaling and a defect in CD4⁺ T cell homeostasis, resulting in immune-mediated diseases. However, the mechanism by which Ssu72 in T cells integrates the pathophysiology of multiple immune-mediated diseases is still poorly elucidated. In this review, we will focus on the immunoregulatory mechanism of Ssu72 phosphatase in CD4⁺ T cell differentiation, activation, and phenotypic function. We will also discuss the current understanding of the correlation between Ssu72 in T cells and pathological functions which suggests that Ssu72 might be a therapeutic target in autoimmune disorders and other diseases.