• Animal cells and systems
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• 제9권4호
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• pp.181-190
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• 2005

BIRPs (BIR containing Proteins) which contain one to three BIR domains constitute a highly conserved family from yeast to human. BIR domains mediate the interaction of BIRPs with various other proteins. Some of the members acquire a Ring domain which acts as an E3 ubiquitin ligase. The first member of BIRPs identified in the baculovirus was found as an inhibitor of apoptosis and most of the family members in the other species have been recognized to have the same function which bind to and inhibit caspases, thereby suppresses apoptotic cell death. But an increasing number of evidences indicate that BIRPs are involved in various cellular events such as cell division, control of cell cycle, signal transduction, cell migration, innate immunity as well as regulation of apoptosis. In this review, we summarize the structural and functional features of the BIRPs, especially focus on the various functions of BIRPs unrelated to regulation of apoptosis by the recent findings.

• Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.162-169
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• 2018

$TGF-{\beta}$ signaling plays a tumor suppressive role in normal and premalignant cells but promotes tumor progression during the late stages of tumor development. The $TGF-{\beta}$ signaling pathway is tightly regulated at various levels, including transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms. Ubiquitination of signaling components, such as receptors and Smad proteins is one of the key regulatory mechanisms of $TGF-{\beta}$ signaling. Tripartite motif (TRIM) family of proteins is a highly conserved group of E3 ubiquitin ligase proteins that have been implicated in a variety of cellular functions, including cell growth, differentiation, immune response, and carcinogenesis. Recent emerging studies have shown that some TRIM family proteins function as important regulators in tumor initiation and progression. This review summarizes current knowledge of TRIM family proteins regulating the $TGF-{\beta}$ signaling pathway with relevance to cancer.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제46권3호
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• pp.133-141
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• 2023

Transcription factor NRF2 (NF-E2-related factor 2) is a master regulator of cellular responses against environmental stresses. NRF2 induces expression of detoxification and antioxidant enzymes and suppresses inductions of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes. KEAP1 (Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1) is an adaptor subunit of CULLIN 3 (CUL3)-based E3 ubiquitin ligase. KEAP1 regulates the activity of NRF2 and acts as a sensor for oxidative and electrophilic stresses. NRF2 has been found to be activated in many types of cancers with poor prognosis. Therapeutic strategies to control NRF2-overeactivated cancers have been considered not only by targeting cancer cells with NRF2 inhibitors or NRF2 synthetic lethal chemicals, but also by targeting host defense with NRF2 inducers. Understanding precise molecular mechanisms how the KEAP1-NRF2 system senses and regulates the cellular response is critical to overcome intractable NRF2-activated cancers.

• 한국독성학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국독성학회 2006년도 추계학술대회
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• pp.46-54
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• 2006

The methylmercury (MeHg) is a toxic environmental pollutant, causing serious neurological and developmental effects in humans. Recent epidemiological studies have indicated that ingestion of MeHg in fish during pregnancy can result in neuroethological effects in the offspring. However, the mechanism underlying the MeHg-toxicity is not fully understood. To elucidate the mechanisms of toxicity of MeHg and of defense against MeHg, we searched for factors that determine the sensitivity of yeast cells to MeHg, and found that overexpression of Cdc34, a ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (E2) that is a component of the ubiquitin-proteasome (UP) system, induces a resistance to MeHg toxicity in both yeast and human cells. The UP system is involved in the intracellular degradation of proteins. When Cdc34 is overexpressed in cells, ubiquitination reactions are activated and the degradation of certain proteins by the UP system is enhanced. Therefore, it seems likely that certain as-yet-unidentified proteins that increase MeHg toxicity might exist in cons and that toxicity might be reduced by the enhanced degradation of such proteins, mediated by the UP system, when Cdc34 is overexpressed. SCF ubiquitin-ligase is a component of UP system and consists of Skpl, the scaffold protein Cdc53, the RING-finger protein Hrt1, and one member of the family of F-box proteins. The F-box proteins directly bind to the substrates and are the determinants of substrate specificity of SCF. Therefore, we searched for the f-box protein that cofers resistance to MeHg, and found that overexpression of Hrt3 or Yi1224w induced resistance to MeHg toxicity in yeast cells. Since the protein(5) that enhance toxicity of MeHg might plausibly be induced in substrates of both f-box proteins, we next searched for substrate proteins that are recognized by Hrt3 or Y1r224w using two-hybrid screen. We found that Did3 or Crsl interacts with Hrt3; and Eno2 interacts with Yir224w. The yeast cells that overexpressed each those proteins showed hypersensitivity to MeHg, respectively, indicating that those proteins enhance the MeHg toxicity. Both Dld3 and Eno2 are proteins involved in the synthesis of pyruvate, and overexpression of both proteins might induce increase in interacellular levels of pyruvate. Deletion of Yi1006w that transports pyruvate into the mitochondria induced aresistance to MeHg. These results suggest that the promotion of the pyruvate irdlowinto the mitochondria might enhance MeHg toxicity. This study providesimportant keyfor the elucidauon of the molecular mechanism of MeHg toxicity.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• 제43권2호
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• pp.204-212
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• 2016

환경스트레스 중의 하나인 저온에 대한 생육기의 포도나무의 반응을 분석하고자 -$2^{\circ}C$에서 4일 동안 저온처리 한두 품종('Campbell Early'와 'Muscat Baily A')의 포도나무잎을 이용하여 전사체를 분석하였고 특이발현유전자(differentially expressed genes, DEGs)를 검색하였다. 영하의 저온에 반응한 'Campbell Early'의 DEG를 기능별로 분석한 결과 생물대사에서 17,424개, 세포구성에서 28,954개, 분자기능에서는 6,972개의 유전자와 관련이 있었다. 발현이 유도되는 유전자로는 dehydrin xero 1, K-box region and MADS-box transcription factor family protein과 MYB domain protein 36이 있으며, 억제되는 유전자로는 light-harvesting chlorophyll B-binding protein 3, FASCICLIN-like arabinoogalactan 9와 pectin methylesterase 61 등이 있었다. 'Muscat Baily A'의 DEG는 생물대사에서 1,157개, 세포구성에서 1,350개, 분자기능에서는 431개의 유전자와 관련이 있었다. 발현이 유도되는 유전자로는 NB-ARC domain-containing disease resistance protein, fatty acid hydrozylase syperfamily와 isopentenyltransferase 3이 있으며, 억제되는 유전자로는 binding, IAP-like protein 1과 pentatricopeptide repeat superfamily protein 등이 있었다. Real-time PCR을 이용하여 영하의 저온에서 특이적으로 발현하는 유전자들을 검정하였으며, InterPro Scan을 통해 단백질 도메인을 분석한 결과 두 품종 모두에서 ubiquitin-protein ligase가 가장 많았다. 영하의 저온에 노출된 신초의 전사체 정보를 바탕으로 포도나무에서 저온 내성을 발현하는 기작을 연하는 데에 분자수준의 정보를 제공하고, 내한성 포도를 육종하는데 이용될 수 있을 것이다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제26권7호
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• pp.826-834
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• 2016

본 연구는 Hsp90 inhibitor 및 SIRT1 inhibitor의 병용처리가 항암제 다제내성(MDR) 인간 암세포의 증식 억제에 효과적임을 밝혔다. SIRT1 활성 억제가 Hsp90 inhibitor인 17-AAG의 세포 독성의 효과를 증강시켰으며, 이로 인해 Hsp90 inhibitors에 대한 내성을 극복시킬 수 있음을 인간 자궁암세포인 HeyA8의 MDR 변이주인 HeyA8- MDR 세포에서 확인하였다. SIRT1 inhibitor는 Hsp90 inhibitor에 의한 Hsp90 샤페론 기능 억제를 증강시키며, ubiquitin ligase CHIP의 발현 증강을 유발하여, Hsp90 client protein 인 mutant p53 (mut p53)의 분해를 촉진시킨다. Mut p53 의 발현 감소는 암세포의 Hsp90 inhibitor 내성 획득의 가장 중요한 원인으로 지적되는 heat shock factor 1 (HSF1)/heat shock proteins (Hsps)의 발현 억제와 관련됨을 알 수 있었으며, 이는 항암제 다제내성 세포에서 SIRT1 inhibitor에 의하여 Hsp90 inhibitor에 대한 감수성이 증강되는 분자적 기전임을 밝혔다. 그러므로, SIRT1 억제에 의한 mut p53/HSF1 발현 감소가 MDR 암세포의 Hsp90 inhibitors 내성 극복에 매우 유효함을 시사하는 결과를 얻었다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제15권6호
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• pp.916-922
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• 2005

E3 ligase로 알려진 Parkin은 protein quality control에서 중요한 역할을 할 뿐만 아니라, 이런 quality control system의 이상으로 나타나는 퇴행성 뇌질환에도 밀접한 연관성이었다. 이와 같이 생체의 필수적인 업무를 담당하는 Parkin의 기능을 생화학적 측면에서 연구하기 위해서는 고 순도의 단백질을 다량 정제할 수 있는 시스템이 필요하나, 아직까지 Parkin의 발현 양상과 정제법에 관한 연구가 미흡한 상태이다. 본 연구에서는 pCEX system을 이용하여 Parkin을 대장균에서 overexpression시켜 단일 스텝으로 정제할 수 있는 방법을 정립하였다. 저온의 배양조건에서 0.01 mM의 IPTC로 발현을 유도한 결과 $90\%$ 이상의 순도를 가지는 완전한 크기의 Parkin을 정제할 수 있었다. 또한, 여러 tag을 갖는 Parkin plasmid를 제작하였을 뿐만 아니라, 이들을 HEK293 세포에 transfection하여 Parkin의 발현 양상을 비교 분석하였다. 그 결과 Parkin의 N-말단에 pretense에 민감한 절단 부위가 존재한다는 사실을 확인하였다. 본 연구에서 정립한 Parkin 정제법과 포유류 세포에서 Parkin의 발현 양상에 대한 결과는 Parkin의 기질을 탐색하고,그들이 Parkin의 효소 활성 및 기능에 미치는 영향을 조사하기 위한 다양한 연구에 활용할 수 있을 것이다.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제9권6호
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• pp.248-254
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• 2009

[ $TGF-{\beta}1$ ]is well known to induce Ig germ-line ${\alpha}$ ($GL{\alpha}$) transcription and subsequent IgA isotype class switching recombination (CSR). Homeodomain protein TG-interacting factor (TGIF) and E3-ubiquitin ligases TGIF interacting ubiquitin ligase 1 (Tiul1) are implicated in the negative regulation of $TGF-{\beta}$ signaling. In the present study, we investigated the roles of Tiul1 and TGIF in $TGF{\beta}1$-induced IgA CSR. We found that over-expression of Tiul1 decreased $TGF{\beta}1$-induced $GL{\alpha}$ promoter activity and strengthened the inhibitory effect of Smad7 on the promoter activity. Likewise, overexpression of TGIF also diminished $GL{\alpha}$ promoter activity and further strengthened the inhibitory effect of Tiul1, suggesting that Tiul1 and TGIF can down-regulate $TGF{\beta}1$-induced $GL{\alpha}$ expression. In parallel, overexpression of Tiul1 decreased the expression of endogenous IgA CSR-predicitive transcripts ($GLT_{\alpha},\;PST_{\alpha},\;and\;CT_{\alpha}$) and $TGF{\beta}1$-induced IgA secretion, but not $GLT_{\gamma3}$ and IgG3 secretion. Here, over-expressed TGIF further strengthened the inhibitory effect of Tiul1. These results suggest that Tiul1 and TGIF act as negatively regulators in $TGF{\beta}1$-induced IgA isotype expression.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제39권11호
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• pp.821-826
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• 2016

The ${\beta}$-catenin functions as an adhesion molecule and a component of the Wnt signaling pathway. In the absence of the Wnt ligand, ${\beta}$-catenin is constantly phosphorylated, which designates it for degradation by the APC complex. This process is one of the key regulatory mechanisms of ${\beta}$-catenin. The level of ${\beta}$-catenin is also controlled by the E3 ubiquitin protein ligase SIAH-1 via a phosphorylation-independent degradation pathway. Similar to ${\beta}$-catenin, STAT3 is responsible for various cellular processes, such as survival, proliferation, and differentiation. However, little is known about how these molecules work together to regulate diverse cellular processes. In this study, we investigated the regulatory relationship between STAT3 and ${\beta}$-catenin in HEK293T cells. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report that ${\beta}$-catenin-TCF-4 transcriptional activity was suppressed by phosphorylated STAT3; furthermore, STAT3 inactivation abolished this effect and elevated activated ${\beta}$-catenin levels. STAT3 also showed a strong interaction with SIAH-1, a regulator of active ${\beta}$-catenin via degradation, which stabilized SIAH-1 and increased its interaction with ${\beta}$-catenin. These results suggest that activated STAT3 regulates active ${\beta}$-catenin protein levels via stabilization of SIAH-1 and the subsequent ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal degradation of ${\beta}$-catenin in HEK293T cells.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권18호
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• pp.8271-8279
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• 2016

Background: Hepato-carcinogenesis is multifaceted in its molecular aspects. Among the interplaying agents are altered gap junctions, the proteasome/autophagy system, and mitochondria. The present experimental study was designed to outline the roles of these players and to investigate the tumor suppressive effects of curcumin with or without mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods: Adult female albino rats were divided into normal controls and animals with HCC induced by diethyl-nitrosamine (DENA) and $CCl_4$. Additional groups treated after HCC induction were: Cur/HCC which received curcumin; MSCs/HCC which received MSCs; and Cur+MSCs/HCC which received both curcumin and MSCs. For all groups there were histopathological examination and assessment of gene expression of connexin43 (Cx43), ubiquitin ligase-E3 (UCP-3), the autophagy marker LC3 and coenzyme-Q10 (Mito.Q10) mRNA by real time, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, along with measurement of LC3II/LC3I ratio for estimation of autophagosome formation in the rat liver tissue. In addition, the serum levels of ALT, AST and alpha fetoprotein (AFP), together with the proinflammatory cytokines $TNF{\alpha}$ and IL-6, were determined in all groups. Results: Histopathological examination of liver tissue from animals which received DENA-$CCl_4$ only revealed the presence of anaplastic carcinoma cells and macro-regenerative nodules. Administration of curcumin, MSCs; each alone or combined into rats after induction of HCC improved the histopathological picture. This was accompanied by significant reduction in ${\alpha}$-fetoprotein together with proinflammatory cytokines and significant decrease of various liver enzymes, in addition to upregulation of Cx43, UCP-3, LC3 and Mito.Q10 mRNA. Conclusions: Improvement of Cx43 expression, nonapoptotic cell death and mitochondrial function can repress tumor growth in HCC. Administration of curcumin and/or MSCs have tumor suppressive effects as they can target these mechanisms. However, further research is still needed to verify their effectiveness.