• Toxicological Research
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.129-135
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• 2008

The results of recent studies indicate that high levels of free fatty acids(FFAs) and adipokines may be the main causes of non-alcoholic liver disease; however, the molecular mechanism that links FFAs to lipotoxicity remains unclear. In the present study, we treated HepG2 cells with FFA(either palmitate or oleate) to investigate the mechanisms involved in lipotoxicity in the liver cells. We also treated cells with palmitate in the presence of a chemical chaperone, 4-phenylbutyric acid(PBA), to confirm the involvement of ER stress in lipotoxicity. Palmitate significantly induced cytotoxicity in dose- and time-dependent manners. Apoptosis was also significantly induced by palmitate as measured by caspase-3 activity and DAPI staining. Palmitate led to increased expressions of the spliced form of X-box-protein(Xbp)-1 mRNA and C/EBP homologous transcription factor(CHOP) protein, suggesting activation of the unfolded-protein response. PBA co-incubation significantly attenuated apoptosis induced by palmitate. The above data demonstrate that high levels of palmitate induce apoptosis via the mediation of ER stress in the liver cells and that chemical chaperones act to modulate ER stress and accompanying apoptosis.

• Animal cells and systems
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• 제10권3호
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• pp.115-120
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• 2006

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by selective degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Mutations in ${\alpha}$-synuclein have been causally linked to the pathogenesis of hereditary PD. In addition, it is a major component of Lewy body found in the brains of sporadic cases as well. In the present study, we examined whether overexpression of wild type or PD-related mutant ${\alpha}$-synuclein induces unfolded protein response (UPR) and triggers the known signaling pathway of the resulting endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in SH-SY5Y cells. Overexpression of wild type, A30P, and A53T ${\alpha}$-synuclein all induced XBP-1 mRNA splicing, one of the late stage UPR events. However, activation of ER membrane kinases and upregulation of ER or cytoplsmic chaperones were not detected when ${\alpha}$-synuclein was overexpressed. However, basal level of cytoplsmic calcium was elevated in ${\alpha}$-synuclein-expressing cells. Our observation suggests that overexpression of ${\alpha}$-synuclein induces UPR independent of the known ER membrane kinase-mediated signaling pathway and induces ER stress by disturbing calcium homeostasis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제27권5호
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• pp.471-479
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• 2023

Disulfiram (DSF), a medication for alcoholism, has recently been used as a repurposing drug owing to its anticancer effects. Despite the crucial role of dendritic cells (DCs) in immune homeostasis and cancer therapy, the effects of DSF on the survival and function of DCs have not yet been studied. Therefore, we treated bone marrow-derived DCs with DSF and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and performed various analyses. DCs are resistant to DSF and less cytotoxic than bone marrow cells and spleen cells. The viability and metabolic activity of DCs hardly decreased after treatment with DSF in the absence or presence of LPS. DSF did not alter the expression of surface markers (MHC II, CD86, CD40, and CD54), antigen uptake capability, or the antigen-presenting ability of LPS-treated DCs. DSF decreased the production of interleukin (IL)-12/23 (p40), but not IL-6 or tumor necrosis factor-α, in LPS-treated DCs. We considered the granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) as a factor to make DCs resistant to DSF-induced cytotoxicity. The resistance of DCs to DSF decreased when GM-CSF was not given or its signaling was inhibited. Also, GM-CSF upregulated the expression of a transcription factor XBP-1 which is essential for DCs' survival. This study demonstrated for the first time that DSF did not alter the function of DCs, had low cytotoxicity, and induced differential cytokine production.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• 제4권1호
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• pp.45-51
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• 2008

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) have been shown to cause nervous system disorders through skin contact or respiration, and also cause foul odors even at low densities in most cases. Also, as a compound itself, VOCs are directly harmful to the environment and to the human body, and may participate in photochemical reactions in air to create secondary pollutants. In this study, HL-60 cells were treated with volatile organic compounds, including ethylbenzene and trichloroethylene, at a value of $IC_50$. Then, the in house-prepared Human HazChem arrayer was utilized in order to compare the gene expression between the two VOCs. After hybridization, 8 upregulated genes and 8 downregulated genes were discovered in the HazChem array. The upregulated genes were identified as SG15, TNFSF10, PRNP, ME1, NCOA4, SRXN1, TXNRD1, and XBP1. The downregulated genes were identified as MME, NRF1, PRARBP, CALCA, CRP, BAX, C7 or f40, and FGFR1. Such results were highly correlated with the quantitative RT-PCR results. The majority of the 16 genes were related with the characteristics of VOCs, including respiratory mechanism, apoptosis, and carcinogenesis-associated genes. Our data showed that our human HazChem array can be used to monitor hazardous materials via gene expression profiling.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.265-273
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• 2022

Resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs is a significant problem in the treatment of colorectal cancer, resulting in low response rates and decreased survival. Recent studies have shown that shikonin, a naphthoquinone derivative, promotes apoptosis in colon cancer cells and cisplatin-resistant ovarian cells, raising the possibility that this compound may be effective in drug-resistant colorectal cancer. The aim of this study was to characterize the molecular mechanisms underpinning shikonin-induced apoptosis, with a focus on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, in a 5-fluorouracil-resistant colorectal cancer cell line, SNU-C5/5-FUR. Our results showed that shikonin significantly increased the proportion of sub-G₁ cells and DNA fragmentation and that shikonin-induced apoptosis is mediated by mitochondrial Ca²⁺ accumulation. Shikonin treatment also increased the expression of ER-related proteins, such as glucose regulatory protein 78 (GRP78), phospho-protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (PERK), phospho-eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2α), phospho-phosphoinositol-requiring protein-1 (IRE1), spliced X-box-binding protein-1 (XBP-1), cleaved caspase-12, and C/EBP-homologous protein (CHOP). In addition, siRNA-mediated knockdown of CHOP attenuated shikonin-induced apoptosis, as did the ER stress inhibitor TUDCA. These data suggest that ER stress is a key factor mediating the cytotoxic effect of shikonin in SNU-C5/5-FUR cells. Our findings provide an evidence for a mechanism in which ER stress leads to apoptosis in shikonin-treated SNU-C5/5-FUR cells. Our study provides evidence to support further investigations on shikonin as a therapeutic option for 5-fluorouracil-resistant colorectal cancer.

• 한국가금학회지
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• 제43권1호
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• pp.47-54
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• 2016

Coenzyme Q10(CoQ10)은 자연계에 널리 분포하는 화합물로 세포호흡과 항산화제로서 그 기능이 잘 알려졌지만, 최근 유전자들의 발현 조절자로서의 가능성도 제시되었다. 따라서 본 연구는 산란계에서 CoQ10의 첨가 급이가 콜레스테롤과 지방산 대사관련 유전자들의 발현에 미치는 영향을 관찰하고자 실시하였다. Lohmann Brown(40주령) 36수를 CoQ10의 첨가원에 따라 대조군(CON, basal diet(BD)), CoQ10 건조분말 급여군(T1, BD+CoQ10 100 mg/kg 사료) 및 CoQ10 건조분말 유화처리군(T2, BD+micellar of CoQ10 100 mg/kg 사료) 등 모두 3처리구로 설정하여 5주간 사양시험을 실시하였다. 시험 종료 후 각 개체의 간으로부터 total RNA를 추출하고, real-time PCR을 이용하여 유전자들의 발현을 분석하였다. 콜레스테롤 합성 과정에서 주요 조절 효소인 HMGCoA reductase(HMGCR)의 유전자 발현은 대조구에 비하여 CoQ10 분말첨가인 T1과 유화처리된 T2 처리구에서 모두 약 50%씩 억제되었다(p<0.05). 내생 콜레스테롤의 합성을 촉진시키는 전사인자인 SREBP2 mRNA 발현 또한 대조구와 비교해서 T1과 T2에서 각각 30%와 40% 감소하였다(p<0.05). CoQ10의 첨가 급이는 대조구에 비하여 liver X receptor(LXR) 유전자가 약 30~35% 그 발현이 억제되었으며, sterol regulatory element-binding proteins(SREBPs)1 또한 T2에서 약 40% 유전자 발현이 감소하였다(P<0.05). 전사인자인 $PPAR{\gamma}$와 XBP1은 CoQ10에 의하여 약 15~40% 수준으로 효과적으로 억제됨을 확인하였다(p<0.05). 세포 내부로의 에너지 공급원인 포도당의 흡수를 담당하는 GLUT2는 약 35~60% 그리고 GLUT8은 약 25~30%의 유전자발현 각각 감소함을 보였다(p<0.05). CoQ10의 섭취는 중성지방 합성을 위한 지방합성효소(FASN)의 유전자 발현을 분말처리군에서 약 30%, 유화처리군에서 약 65% 억제됨을 확인하였다(P<0.05). 본 연구결과는 CoQ10 첨가급여가 콜레스테롤 및 지방대사 관련 유전자 발현에 영향을 미치며, 세포내 콜레스테롤과 지방의 생성도 억제할 수 있음을 보여주었다.

• 한국가금학회지
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• 제42권1호
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• pp.51-59
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• 2015

본 연구는 밀사에 의한 환경스트레스가 닭의 품종에 따라 스트레스 및 대사 연관 유전자들의 발현에 어떤 영향을 미치는지 알아보고자 실시하였다. 공시계는 한국재래닭과 백색레그혼으로 두 품종 모두 40주령 때 대조구($540cm^2$/수) 및 고밀도구($311cm^2$/수)로 분리하고, 50주령까지 10주간 사육하였다. 사양시험 종료 후, 각 개체의 간으로부터 total RNA를 추출하고, 스트레스, 소포체(ER) 스트레스 및 대사 연관유전자들의 발현을 real-time PCR을 이용하여 분석하였다. 한국재래계는 분석된 모든 스트레스 표지 유전자들의 발현이 밀사구와 대조구 사이에 유의적인 변화를 보이지 않았다. 그러나 백색레그혼의 경우, HSP70과 $HSP90{\alpha}$ 유전자의 발현이 유의적으로 높게 나타났다(P<0.05). 분석된 ATF6, GRP78, SREBP2 등의 발현은 품종 간 차이를 볼 수 없었지만, XBP1의 경우 백색레그혼이 한국재래계에 비하여 높은 발현을 보였다(P<0.05). 분석된 유전자들 중 FABP4, FATP1, ACSL1 등의 경우, 한국재래계에 비하여 백색레그혼에서 높은 유전자 발현을 보였다(P<0.05). GLUT의 발현은 품종 간에는 영향을 받지 않지만, 밀사에 의한 영향을 받고 있음을 보여주었다. 고밀도사양 체계는 닭의 품종과 관계없이 스트레스 요인이 될 수 있으며, 닭의 품종이나 개량의 정도에 따라 스트레스 반응에 대한 유전적 차이가 있음을 시사하고, 또한 밀사와 같은 환경적 스트레스는 간의 지방 및 포도당 대사에 영향을 미칠 수 있음을 보여주었다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제38권10호
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• pp.851-858
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• 2015

Disturbed blood flow with low-oscillatory shear stress (OSS) is a predominant atherogenic factor leading to dysfunctional endothelial cells (ECs). Recently, it was found that disturbed flow can directly induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in ECs, thereby playing a critical role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), a naturally occurring bile acid, has long been used to treat chronic cholestatic liver disease and is known to alleviate endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress at the cellular level. However, its role in atherosclerosis remains unexplored. In this study, we demonstrated the anti-atherogenic activity of UDCA via inhibition of disturbed flow-induced ER stress in atherosclerosis. UDCA effectively reduced ER stress, resulting in a reduction in expression of X-box binding protein-1 (XBP-1) and CEBP-homologous protein (CHOP) in ECs. UDCA also inhibits the disturbed flow-induced inflammatory responses such as increases in adhesion molecules, monocyte adhesion to ECs, and apoptosis of ECs. In a mouse model of disturbed flow-induced atherosclerosis, UDCA inhibits atheromatous plaque formation through the alleviation of ER stress and a decrease in adhesion molecules. Taken together, our results revealed that UDCA exerts anti-atherogenic activity in disturbed flow-induced atherosclerosis by inhibiting ER stress and the inflammatory response. This study suggests that UDCA may be a therapeutic agent for prevention or treatment of atherosclerosis.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제35권1호
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• pp.33-45
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• 2011

Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is ATPase-directed molecular chaperon and affects survival of cancer cell. Inhibitory effect of Hsp90 by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in the cancer cell was reported. However, its role during oocyte maturation and early embryo development is very insufficient. In this study, we traced the effects of Hsp90 inhibitor, 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG), on meiotic maturation and early embryonic development in pigs. We also investigated several indicators of developmental potential, including structural integrity, gene expression (Hsp90-, cell cycle-, and apoptosis-related genes), and apoptosis, which are affected by 17-AAG. Then, we examined the roles of Hsp90 inhibitor on viability of primary cells in pigs. Porcine oocytes were cultured in the NCSU-23 medium with or without 17-AAG for 44 h. The proportion of GV arrested oocytes was significantly different between the 17-AAG treated and untreated group (78.2 vs 34.8%, p<0.05). After completion of meiotic maturation, the proportion of MII oocytes was lower in the 17-AAG treated group than in the control group (27.9 vs 71.0%, p<0.05). After IVF, the percentage of penetrated oocytes was significantly lower in the 17-AAG treated group (25.2%), resulting in lower normal pronucleus formation (2PN of 14.6%). Therefore, the inhibition of meiotic progression by Hsp90 inhibitor played a critical role in fertilization status. Porcine embryo were cultured in the PZM-3 medium with or without 17-AAG for 6 days. In result, significant differences in developmental potential were detected between the embryos that were cultured with or without 17-AAG. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) showed that the number of containing fragmented DNA at the blastocyst stage increased in the 17-AAG treated group compared with control (7.5 vs 4.4, respectively). Blastocysts that developed in the 17-AAG treated group had low structural integrity and high apoptotic nuclei than those of the untreated control, resulting in decrease the embryonic qualities of preimplantation porcine blastocysts. The mRNA expressions of cell cycle-related genes were down-regulated in the 17-AAG treated group compared with control. Also, the expression of the pro-apoptotic gene Bax increased in 17-AAG treated group, whereas expression of the anti-apoptotic gene Bel-XL decreased. However, the expression of ER stress-related genes did not changed by 17-AAG. Cultured pESF cells were treated with or without 17-AAG and used for MIT assay. The results showed that viability of pESF cells were decreased by treatment of 17-AAG ($2{\mu}M$) for 24 hr. These results indicated that 17-AAG decreased cell proliferation and increased cell death. Expression patterns Hsp90 complex genes (Hsp70 and p23), cell cycle-related genes (cdc2 and cdc25c) and apoptosis-related genes (Bax and Bcl-XL) were significantly changed by using RT-PCR analysis. The spliced form of pXbp-1 product (pXbp-1s) was detected in the tunicamycin (TM) treated cells, but it is not detected in 17-AAG treated cells. In conclusion, Hsp90 appears to play a direct role in porcine early embryo developmental competence including structural integrity of blastocysts. Also, these results indicate that Hsp90 is closely associated with cell cycle- and apoptosis-related genes expression in developing porcine embryos.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제12권6호
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• pp.253-260
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• 2012

${\alpha}$-Mangostin is a xanthon derivative contained in the fruit hull of mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.), and the administration of ${\alpha}$-Mangostin inhibited the growth of transplanted colon cancer, Her/CT26 cells which expressed Her-2/neu as tumor antigen. Although ${\alpha}$-Mangostin was reported to have inhibitory activity against sarco/endoplasmic reticulum $Ca^{2+}$ ATPase like thapsigargin, it showed different activity for autophagy regulation. In the current study, we found that ${\alpha}$-Mangostin induced autophagy activation in mouse intestinal epithelial cells, as GFP-LC3 transgenic mice were orally administered with 20 mg/kg of ${\alpha}$-Mangostin daily for three days. However, the activation of autophagy by ${\alpha}$-Mangostin did not significantly increase OVA-specific T cell proliferation. As we assessed ER stress by using XBP-1 reporter system and phosphorylation of $eIF2{\alpha}$, thapsigargin-induced ER stress was significantly reduced by ${\alpha}$-Mangostin. However, coadministration of thapsigargin with ${\alpha}$-Mangostin completely blocked the antitumor activity of ${\alpha}$-Mangostin, suggesting ER stress with autophagy blockade accelerated tumor growth in mouse colon cancer model. Thus the antitumor activity of ${\alpha}$-Mangostin can be ascribable to the autophagy activation rather than ER stress induction.