• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• 제3권2호
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• pp.143-151
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• 2016

호안 보강 (armoring)은 하천, 호수 및 저수지의 호안 침식을 방지하기 위하여 일반적으로 사용하는 공학적 기법이다. 호안 보강은 육역-수역 경계부를 변경하고, 호안 근처의 지형, 수문, 퇴적물 조성 및 수질을 변화시켜서 호안 식생에 영향을 미친다. 본 연구에서는 대형 저수지인 의암호의 육역-수역 경계부에서 인위 교란이 호안 식생의 군집 구조와 분포에 미치는 영향을 파악하고자 하였다. 의암호의 호안선은 60% 이상이 콘크리트 옹벽, 사석, 돌망태로 보강되어 있었다. 탈경향대응 분석 (DCA)의 결과에 의하면 보강에 의하여 바뀌어진 호안의 식생 구조가 수생식물 우점 생태계에서 습생식물 우점 생태계로 변화하였다. 호안 보강은 육역-수역 경계부에서 점진적 연속성을 파괴하였고 외래식물의 생물침입을 초래하였다. 2010부터 2013년까지 호안 식생의 분포 면적은 수생식물은 감소하였고 습생식물은 증가하였다. 결론적으로 의암호에서 보강, 도로 건설, 휴양 등과 같은 인간 교란은 호안 식생에서 육역화, 횡단 연속성의 상실, 생물침입을 초래하였다. 그러므로 호안 생태계의 특이성을 보전하기 위하여 호안 수생식물 식생대을 확대할 수 있도록 호안 보강 구조물을 철거하거나 재조성하여야 할 것으로 생각된다.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제44권1호
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• pp.44-48
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• 2015

알로에를 첨가한 표고버섯 배양 추출물(ESA)의 항암효과를 검정하기 위하여 인간 유방암 세포주인 MDA-MB-231에 ESA를 처리하여 생육저해 활성과 세포 이동 억제 효과를 확인하였다. MDA-MB-231 세포에 ESA를 처리하여 72시간 후 관찰한 결과 약간의 생육저해 활성을 나타내었으며, 또한 transwell에서 TNF-${\alpha}$가 처리된 세포에 ESA를 처리해 본 결과 migration/invasion 정도를 상당히 저해함을 알 수 있었다. 이러한 세포 이동능의 저해 기작은 웨스턴 블럿 분석을 통해 확인해 본 결과 p-ERK 신호를 통해 일어나며, ICAM-1 단백질의 발현을 억제함으로써 나타나는 것을 알 수 있었다. 따라서 본 실험에서는 알로에 첨가 담자균 배양추출물(ESA)은 인간 유방암세포에 대해 잠재적인 항암효과가 있음을 확인하였다. 이후 표고버섯 외 꽃송이버섯과 상황버섯에서의 알로에 배양액에 대한 항암효과에 대한 연구를 수행하고 있어 그 결과를 보고하고자 한다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제26권10호
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• pp.1189-1195
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• 2016

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)와 hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)는 강력한 혈관신생 유도인자로 알려져 있다. 세포가 이동하고 침윤하기 위해서는 세포의 증식과 더불어 주변의 세포외기질을 분해하는 단백질분해효소의 분비가 선행되어야 한다. 본 연구에서는 인간의 악성신경교종 유래 세포주인 U-373-MG 세포에 VEGF와 HGF를 처리하여 세포의 증식, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2)와 MMP-9 및 플라스민의 분비, 세포의 이동 및 침윤에 미치는 효과를 조사하였다. 또한 단백질분해효소 억제제 처리를 통하여 세포의 증식, 이동 및 침윤에 미치는 단백질분해효소의 역할을 조사하였다. 연구 결과, VEGF와 HGF의 병용처리 시 VEGF와 HGF의 단독 처리 시보다 세포의 증식, MMP-2, MMP-9 및 플라스민의 분비, 세포의 이동 및 침윤이 유의할만하게 증가되었다. 한편 VEGF와 HGF 처리에 의한 U-373-MG 세포의 증식, 이동 및 침윤 증가에 미치는 단백질분해효소의 효과를 MMPs 억제제인 BB-94를 처리하여 조사한 결과 최대 이동 효과를 나타낸 HGF와 VEGF의 병용처리군 보다 세포의 이동이 32% 억제되었고 플라스민 억제제인 α2AP에 의해서도 29% 억제되었다. 또한 U-373-MG 세포의 침윤 역시 BB-94와 α2AP 처리에 의해 유의할 만하게 억제되었다. 이러한 결과는 VEGF와 HGF에 의한 MMP-2, MMP-9 및 플라스민의 분비증가에 의해 직접 또는 간접적인 경로를 통하여 U-373-MG 세포의 증식, 이동 및 침윤을 증가시킨다고 여겨진다.

• KSBB Journal
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.265-270
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• 2010

본 연구에서는 simvastatin에 의한 U-373-MG 세포의 이동 및 침윤에 미치는 효과와 그 가능한 기작에 대해 조사하였다. U-373-MG 세포의 이동에 미치는 simvastatin의 효과를 확인한 결과, $0.01\;{\mu}M$의 simvastatin에서는 U-373-MG 세포의 이동이 약 43% 증가되었으나 $1\;{\mu}M$과 $20\;{\mu}M$에서는 세포의 이동이 각각 28%와 35% 억제되었다. 세포의 침윤 역시 $0.001\;{\mu}M$의 simvastatin에서는 23%, $0.01\;{\mu}M$에서는 26%의 침윤 증가가 관찰되었으나, $1\;{\mu}M$과 $10\;{\mu}M$에서는 세포의 침윤이 각각 45%와 54%가 억제되었다. $0.001\;{\mu}M$ 과 $0.01\;{\mu}M$의 simvastatin 처리에 의해 MMP-2의 분비량이 각각 30%와 59% 증가되었으나, $10\;{\mu}M$과 $20\;{\mu}M$의 simvastatin 처리에 의해 MMP-2의 분비량은 각각 31%와 60% 감소되었다. MMP-9 및 플라스민의 분비에 미치는 simvastatin의 효과도 MMP-2에 미치는 효과와 유사하였다. Simvastatin이 MMP-2와 MMP-9 단백질의 생성에 미치는 효과를 조사한 결과, $0.001{\sim}1\;{\mu}M$의 simvastatin에서는 MMP-2와 MMP-9 생성이 증가되었으나 $10{\sim}20\;{\mu}M$에서는 MMP-2와 MMP-9의 생성이 감소되었다. 이러한 결과는 낮은 농도의 simvastatin은 혈관신생을 유도하고 높은 농도의 simvastatin은 혈관신생을 억제한다는 것을 보여주는 것이다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권14호
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• pp.5747-5751
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• 2014

Background: Coptisine, an isoquinoline alkaloid extracted from Coptidis rhizoma, has many biological activities such as antidiabetic, antimicrobial and antiviral actions. However, whether coptisine exerts anti-cancer metastasis effects remains unknown. Materials and Methods: Effects of coptisine on highly metastatic human breast cancer cell MDA-MB-231 proliferation were evaluated by trypan blue assay and on cell adhesion, migration and invasion by gelatin adhesion, wound-healing and matrigel invasion chamber assays, respectively. Expression of two matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), MMP-9, MMP-2 and their specific inhibitors tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP-2) were analyzed by RT-PCR. Results: Coptisine obviously inhibited adhesion to an ECM-coated substrate, wound healing migration, and invasion through the matrigel in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. RT-PCR revealed that coptisine reduced the expression of the ECM degradation-associated gene MMP-9 at the mRNA level, and the expression of TIMP-1 was upregulated in MDA-MB-231 cells, while the expression of MMP-2 and its specific inhibitor TIMP-2 was not affected. Conclusions: Taken together, our data showed that coptisine suppressed adhesion, migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells in vitro, the down-regulation of MMP-9 in combination with the increase of TIMP-1 possibly contributing to the anti-metastatic function. Coptisine might be a potential drug candidate for breast cancer therapy.

• BMB Reports
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• 제53권4호
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• pp.212-217
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• 2020

Activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) serves as a key factor in the proliferation and invasion of breast cancer cells and is a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer. However, the mechanisms underlying this effect remain largely unknown. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is induced and over-expressed in various cancers and is associated with features of tumor aggressiveness. Recent studies have shown that HO-1 is a major downstream target of PPARγ. In this study, we investigated the effects of induction of HO-1 by PPARγ on TPA-induced MMP-9 expression and cell invasion using MCF-7 breast cancer cells. TPA treatment increased NF-κB /AP-1 DNA binding as well as MMP-9 expression. These effects were significantly blocked by 15d-PGJ₂, a natural PPARγ ligand. 15d-PGJ₂ induced HO-1 expression in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, HO-1 siRNA significantly attenuated the inhibition of TPA-induced MMP-9 protein expression and cell invasion by 15d-PGJ₂. These results suggest that 15d-PGJ₂ inhibits TPA-induced MMP-9 expression and invasion of MCF-7 cells by means of a heme oxygenase-1-dependent mechanism. Therefore, PPARγ/HO-1 signaling-pathway inhibition may be beneficial for prevention and treatment of breast cancer.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제41권2호
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• pp.119-126
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• 2018

microRNA (miR)-612 shows anticancer activity in several types of cancers, yet its function in melanoma is still unclear. This study was undertaken to investigate the expression of miR-612 and its biological relevance in melanoma cell growth, invasion, and tumorigenesis. The expression and prognostic significance of miR-612 in melanoma were examined. The effects of miR-612 overexpression on cell proliferation, colony formation, tumorigenesis, and invasion were determined. Rescue experiments were conducted to identify the functional target gene(s) of miR-612. miR-612 was significantly downregulated in melanoma tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues. Low miR-612 expression was significantly associated with melanoma thickness, lymph node metastasis, and shorter overall, and disease-free survival of patients. Overexpression of miR-612 significantly decreased cell proliferation, colony formation, and invasion of SK-MEL-28 and A375 melanoma cells. In vivo tumorigenic studies confirmed that miR-612 overexpression retarded the growth of A375 xenograft tumors, which was coupled with a decline in the percentage of Ki-67-positive proliferating cells. Mechanistically, miR-612 targeted Espin in melanoma cells. Overexpression of Espin counteracted the suppressive effects of miR-612 on melanoma cell proliferation, invasion, and tumorigenesis. A significant inverse correlation (r = -0.376, P = 0.018) was observed between miR-612 and Espin protein expression in melanoma tissues. In addition, overexpression of miR-612 and knockdown of Espin significantly increased the sensitivity of melanoma cells to doxorubicin. Collectively, miR-612 suppresses the aggressive phenotype of melanoma cells through downregulation of Espin. Delivery of miR-612 may represent a novel therapeutic strategy against melanoma.

• 한국물환경학회지
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.291-301
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• 2017

This study was carried out to investigate distribution on the alien plants in the Gyeong-in Ara Waterway. The alien plants were a total of 82 taxa: 17 families, 63 genera, 80 species, and 2 varieties. This number corresponds to 25.5% of alien plants identified in Korea. The proportion of alien plants in every year was increased from upstream to downstream. As the result of the analysis on vegetation stratification, bank of waterside was covered with artificial materials preventing existence of vegetation, and had step-type cross section. Floodplain was composed of waterfront area. An array of vegetation was not typical dispersion, and terrestrial and alien plants were dominated the Gyeong-in Ara Waterway. Evaluation of naturalness based on the vegetation stratification showed grade 3 or 4. In order to solve a problem, method and level of restoration should be decided based on the result of diagnostic assessment. Therefore, we need to restore the step-type cross section as pool type one. From waterside to bank in this waterway, we recommend to introduce natural plants by imitating reference species composition. Since, an invasion of alien plants is expected to be accelerated due to the continuous artificial disturbance, we recommend to quantitative investigation on the invasion of alien plants and monitoring on the change of distribution.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권8호
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• pp.3789-3795
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• 2014

This study aimed to analyze the expression, clinical significance of filamin A (FLNA) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and biological effects in a cell line by regulating FLNA expression. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to analyze FLNA protein expression in 70 cases of RCC and normal tissues to study the relationship with clinical factors. FLNA lentiviral and empty vectors were transfected into RCC to study the influence of up-regulated expression of FLNA. FLNA siRNA was transiently transfected into ACHN kidney carcinoma cells by a liposome-mediated method and protein was detected by Western blotting. The level of expression was found to be significantly lower in RCC than normal tissues (p<0.05). No correlation was noted with gender, age, tumor size or pathological types (p>0.05), but links with lymph node metastasis, clinic stage and histological grade were noted (p<0.05). Loss of FLNA expression correlated significantly with poor overall survival time by Kaplan-Meier analysis (p<0.05). Results for biological function showed that ACHN cells transfected with FLNA had a lower survival fraction, significant decrease in migration and invasion, higher cell apoptosis, higher percentage of the G0/G1 phases, and lower MMP-9 protein expression compared with ACHN cells untransfected with FLNA (p<0.05). However, renal 786-0 cells transfected with FLNA siRNA had a higher survival fraction, significant increase in migration and invasion, and higher MMP-9 protein expression compared (p<0.05). In conclusion, FLNA expression was decreased in RCC and correlated significantly with lymph node metastasis, clinic stage, histological grade and poor overall survival, suggesting that FLNA may play important roles as a a tumor suppressor in RCC by promoting degradation of MMP-9.

• Animal cells and systems
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• 제5권4호
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• pp.309-312
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• 2001

Allozyme studies have been widely used to estimate genetic variation and to describe genetic structure in natural populations. In many cases, the genetic diversity of recently established populations is generally lower than that of central populations. In addition, the genetic composition of an invasive species is influenced by its History of introduction as well as its ecological characters. Ageratina altissima (L.) R. King & H. Robinson (white snakeroot) is a perennial herb native to the eastern United States and Canada, and is currently receiving much attention for its rapid invasion of the Korean forests. Starch gel electrophoresis was used to assess the genetic variability at 11 putative loci in seven introduced populations of A. altissima in Seoul. Populations of A. altissima maintained lower levels of allozyme diversity (expected heterozygosity = 0.063) than those reported for other taxa with similar ecological traits. The degree of differentiation observed among A. altissima populations was considerably low. It is suggested that the populations were recently established from only a few founders via dispersal by human activities, resulting in the loss of genetic variation.