• BMB Reports
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.11-16
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• 1996

The present study showed that receptor-mediated activation of rabbit kidney proximal tubule cells by angiotensin II, the $Ca^{2+}$ ionophore A23187, or the protein kinase C activator phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) all stimulated phospholipase D (PLD). This was demonstrated by the increased formation of phosphatidic acid, and in the presence of 0.5% ethanol, phosphatidylethanol (PEt) accumulation. Angiotensin II leads to a rapid increase in phosphatidic acid and diacylglycerol, and phosphatidic acid formation preceeded the formation of diacylglycerol. This result suggests that some phosphatidic acid seems to be formed directly from phosphatidylcholine hydrolyzed by Pill. On the other hand, EGTA substantially attenuated angiotensin II and A23187-induced PEt formation, and when the cells were pretreated with verapamil angiotensin II-induced Pill activation was completely abolished. These results provide the evidence that calcium ion influx is essential for the agonist-induced Pill activation. In addition, staurosporine, an inhibitor of protein kinase C, strongly inhibited PMA-induced PEt formation, but was ineffective on angiotensin II-induced PEt accumulation. $GTP{\gamma}S$ also stimulates PEt formation in digitonin-permeabilized cells, but pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin failed to suppress angiotensin II-induced PEt formation. From these results, we conclude that in the rabbit kidney proximal tubule cells the mechanisms of angiotensin II- and PMA-induced Pill activation are different from each other and mediated via a pertussis toxin-insensitive trimeric G protein.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.112-117
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• 2013

We studied the modulation of pacemaker activities by Samchulkunbi-tang (SCKB) in cultured interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) from murine small intestine with the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Externally applied SCKB produced membrane depolarization in the current-clamp mode. The pretreatment with $Ca^{2+}$-free solution and thapsigargin, a $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase inhibitor in endoplasmic reticulum, abolished the generation of pacemaker potentials and suppressed the SCKB-induced action. The application of flufenamic acid (a nonselective cation channel blocker) abolished the generation of pacemaker potentials by SCKB. However, the application of niflumic acid (a chloride channel blocker) did not inhibit the generation of pacemaker potentials by SCKB. In addition, the membrane depolarizations were inhibited by not only GDP-${\beta}$-S, which permanently binds G-binding proteins, but also U-73122, an active phospholipase C inhibitor. These results suggest that SCKB modulates the pacemaker activities by nonselective cation channels and external $Ca^{2+}$ influx and internal $Ca^{2+}$ release via G-protein and phospholipase C-dependent mechanism. Therefore, the ICC are targets for SCKB and their interaction can affect intestinal motility.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.240-246
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• 2017

Background: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is a traditional herbal medicine made by steaming and drying fresh ginseng. It strengthens the endocrine and immune systems to ameliorate various inflammatory responses. The cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)/prostaglandin E2 pathway has important implications for inflammation responses and tumorigenesis. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ($PPAR{\gamma}$) is a transcription factor that regulates not only adipogenesis and lipid homeostasis, but also angiogenesis and inflammatory responses. Methods: The effects of the KRG on inhibition of hypoxia-induced COX-2 via $PPAR{\gamma}$ in A549 cells were determined by luciferase assay, Western blot, and/or quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The antimigration and invasive effects of KRG were evaluated on A549 cells using migration and matrigel invasion assays. Results and conclusion: We previously reported that hypoxia-induced COX-2 protein and mRNA levels were suppressed by KRG. This study examines the possibility of $PPAR{\gamma}$ as a cellular target of KRG for the suppression of hypoxia-induced COX-2. $PPAR{\gamma}$ protein levels and $PPAR{\gamma}$-responsive element (PPRE)-driven reporter activities were increased by KRG. Reduction of hypoxia-induced COX-2 by KRG was abolished by the $PPAR{\gamma}$ inhibitor GW9662. In addition, the inhibition of $PPAR{\gamma}$ abolished the effect of KRG on hypoxia-induced cell migration and invasion. Discussion: Our results show that KRG inhibition of hypoxia-induced COX-2 expression and cell invasion is dependent on $PPAR{\gamma}$ activation, supporting the therapeutic potential for suppression of inflammation under hypoxia. Further studies are required to demonstrate whether KRG activates directly $PPAR{\gamma}$ and to identify the constituents responsible for this activity.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.403-411
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• 1990

The present investigation was performed to see a possible influence of the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) on pancreatic exocrine secretion in anesthetized rats since the DRN had been known to exert a regulatory mechanism on sympathetic activity which was known to be very important for pancreatic exocrine secretion, particularly in rats. Twenty-nine Sprague-Dawley rats fasted for 24 hours were anesthetized by i.p. injection of 1 g/kg of urethane. The pancreatic duct was cannulated to collect pancreatic juice while bile juice was diverted into the jejunum. The duodenopyloric junction was tightly ligated. After surgery for collection of pancreatic exocrine secretion and recording of carotid blood pressure, a coaxial electrode was stereotaxically inserted in the DRN with a guide of a brain atlas. And then, electrical stimulus of biphasic square wave with 2 v, 2 msec, 40 Hz was applied on the electrode for 10 minutes. Pancreatic volume flow and protein output secreted in 10 min were measured. Either bilateral cervical vagotomy or spinal cord transection at the level of $C4{\sim}C5$ was performed 20 min prior to stimulation of the DRN. 1) Electrical stimulation of the DRN resulted in significant (p<0.05) increase in pancreatic volume flow and protein output. These stimulatory effects were not affected by cervical vagotomy but completely abolished by cervical cord transection. 2) Electrical stimulation of the DRN also resulted in significant (p<0.05) rise of blood pressure of the carotid artery. The hypertensive effect was not affected by cervical vagotomy but completely abolished by cervical cord transection. The results strongly suggest that the DRN, a part of the central serotonergic system, could exert a stimulatory influence on pancreatic exocrine secretion by increasing the sympathetic activity in anesthetized rats.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.84-88
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• 2012

B cell-activating factor belonging to the TNF family (BAFF) is primarily expressed by macrophages and stimulates B cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, and Ig production. In this study, we explored the effect of lactoferrin (LF) on BAFF expression by murine macrophages. We determined the level of BAFF expression at the transcriptional and protein levels using RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. LF markedly enhanced BAFF expression in mouse macrophages at both the transcriptional and protein levels. Overexpression of Smad3/4 further increased LF-induced BAFF transcription while DN-Smad3 abolished the LF-induced BAFF expression. These results demonstrate that LF can enhance BAFF expression through Smad3/4 pathway.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.195-206
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• 1993

The expression of proenkephalin (proENK) mRNA and Met-enkephalin (ME) secretion in C6 rat glioma cells and bovine adrenal medullary chromaffin (BAMC) cells were elucidated in the present study. The levels of proENK mRNA and ME secreted into the media in BAMC cells were measured in the presence of cycloheximide and 12-tetrade-canoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Cycloheximide (20 nM) abolished the induction of proENK mRNA expression, protein synthesis and ME secretion by TPA (1nM), indicating that de novo protein synthesis was necessary for proENK gene expression and ME secretion.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.15-19
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• 1999

We have investigated the genetic variation in the human apo B mRNA editing protein (apobec-1) gene. Exon 3 of the apobec-1 gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction. After detection of an additional band by single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis, sequencing of the SSCP-shift sample revealed a single-base mutation. The mutation was a CGG transversion at codon 80 resulting in a lleRMet substitution. This substitution was confirmed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis since a Pvull site is abolished by the substitution. Population and family studies confirmed that the inheritance of the genotypes for apobec-1 gene polymorphism is controlled by two codominant alleles (P1 and P2). A significant difference in plasma triglyceride was detected among the different apobec-1 genotypes in the CAD patients (P<0.05). Our study could provide the basis for elucidating the interaction between genetic variation of the apobec-1 gene and disorders related to lipid metabolism.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.6-12
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• 1998

To extract insoluble proteins and to improve functional properties of abolished proteins, a protease producing Aspergillus sp. MS-18 was isolated from soil. The enzyme was purified and its enzymological characteristics were investigated. It was found that production of protease reached to the maximum when the wheat brae medium containing, 3% arabinose, 0.5% polypepton, 0.1% $(NH_4)_2SO_4$ and 0.2% magnesium chloride was cultured for 3 days. Protease was purified 16.9 folds after ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration and the specific activity was 340.4 unit/mg. Purified enzyme was confirmed as a single band by the polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular weight of protease was estimated to be 30,000. Crystalization form of purified protease was a stick shape with rounding edges. The optimum pH and temperature for the protease activity were 9.0 and $60^{\circ}C$, respectively. The enzyme was stable in pH 7.0-12.0 at $50^{\circ}C$. The activity of purified enzyme was inhibited by $Hg^{2+}$, $Cu^{2+}$, $Zn^{2+}$ and $Pb^{2+}$, whereas it was activited by $Na^+$, $Mg^{2+}$ and $Mn^{2+}$. The activity of the protease was inhibited by the treatment with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and phenylmethane sulfonyl fluoride. The result suggests that the purified enzyme is a serine protease with metal ion at active site. Km and Vmax of purified protease were $29.33\;{\mu}mole/L$ and $5.13\;{\mu}g/min$, respectively.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.125-133
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• 2004

We have extended our previous work that cross-linking CD4 molecules using specific MAb induced antigen nonspecific, MHC unrestricted killing of virally infected target cells by CD$4^+$We have extended our previous work that cross-linking CD$4^+$ molecules using specific MAb induced antigen nonspecific, MHC unrestricted killing of virally infected target cells by CD$4^+$ T cells. The killing activity of antibody activated CD$4^+$T cells was completely blocked by herbimycin A, a protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitor, but not by bisindolylamaleimide, a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor. Herbimycin A treated human or bovine peripheral blood CD$4^+$T cells lacked PTK activity and failed to kill virally infected target cells even after cross-linking of CD4 molecules. The CD$4^+$cross-linking failed to induce effector cell proliferation or the transcription of TNF${\beta}$ Upregulation of TNF${\beta}$ was induced by incubating the antibody activated effector cells with BHV-1 infected D17 target cells for 10 h. Anti-TNF${\beta}$ antibody partially abolished (13-44%) the direct effector cell-mediated antiviral cytotoxicity. However, this antibody neutralized 70 to 100% of antiviral activity of effector and target cell culture supernatants against BHV-1 infected D17 cells. The inhibition level of the antiviral activity by the antibody was dependent on the effector and target cell ratio. These results support the hypothesis that increased p$56^ICK enzyme activity in effector cells transduces a signal critical for effector cell recognition of viral glycoproteins expressed on the target cells. Following target cell recognition, lytic cytokines known to participate in target cell killing were produced. A better understanding of the killing activity displayed by CD$4^+$T lymphocytes following surface receptor cross-linking will provide insight into the mechanisms of cytotoxic activity directed toward virally-infected cells.T cells. The killing activity of antibody activated CD$4^+$T cells was completely blocked by herbimycin A, a protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitor, but not by bisindolylamaleimide, a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor. Herbimycin A treated human or bovine peripheral blood CD4T cells lacked PTK activity and failed to kill virally infected target cells even after cross-linking of CD4molecules. The CD4 cross-linking failed to induce effector cell proliferation or the transcription of TNF$\beta$. Upregulation of TNF$\beta$ was induced by incubating the antibody activated effector cells with BHV-1 infected D17 target cells for 10 h. Anti-TNF$\beta$ antibody partially abolished (13-44%) the direct effector cell-mediated antiviral cytotoxicity. However, this antibody neutralized 70 to 100% of antiviral activity of effector and target cell culture supernatants against BHV-1 infected D17 cells. The inhibition level of the antiviral activity by the antibody was dependent on the effector and target cell ratio. These results support the hypothesis that increased $56^ICK enzyme activity in effector cells transduces a signal critical for effector cell recognition of viral glycoproteins expressed on the target cells. Following target cell recognition, lytic cytokines known to participate in target cell killing were produced. A better understanding of the killing activity displayed by CD$4^+$T lymphocytes following surface receptor cross-linking will provide insight into the mechanisms of cytotoxic activity directed toward virally-infected cells.

• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.263-267
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• 2010

To characterize the biochemical properties of the PP2A regulatory B subunit, PPP2R5D, we analyzed its phosphorylation sites, stoichiometry and effect on holoenzyme activity. PPP2R5D was phosphorylated on Ser-53, Ser-68, Ser-81, and Ser-566 by protein kinase A, and mutations at all four of these sites abolished any significant phosphorylation in vitro. In HEK293 cells, however, the Ser-566 was the major phosphorylation site after PKA activation by forskolin, with marginal phosphorylation on Ser-81. Inhibitory tyrosine phosphorylation on Tyr-307 of the PP2A catalytic C subunit was decreased after forskolin treatment. Kinetic analysis showed that overall PP2A activity was increased with phosphorylation by PPP2R5D phosphorylation. The apparent Km was reduced from $11.25\;{\mu}M$ to $1.175\;{\mu}M$ with PPP2R5D phosphorylation, resulting in an increase in catalytic activity. These data suggest that PKA-mediated activation of PP2A is enabled by PPP2R5D phosphorylation, which modulates the affinity of the PP2A holoenzyme to its physiological substrates.