• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.402-409
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• 2016

It has been found that 4-isopropyl-2,6-bis(1-phenylethyl)phenol (KTH-13), a novel compound isolated from Cordyceps bassiana, is able to suppress tumor cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis. To mass-produce this compound, we established a total synthesis method. Using those conditions, we further synthesized various analogs with structural similarity to KTH-13. In this study, we aimed to test their anti-cancer activity by measuring anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activities. Of 8 compounds tested, 4-methyl-2,6-bis(1-phenylethyl)phenol (KTH-13-Me) exhibited the strongest anti-proliferative activity toward MDA-MB 231 cells. KTH-13-Me also similarly suppressed the survival of various cancer cell lines, including C6 glioma, HCT-15, and LoVo cells. Treatment of KTH-13-Me induced several apoptotic signs in C6 glioma cells, such as morphological changes, induction of apoptotic bodies, and nuclear fragmentation and chromatin condensation. Concordantly, early-apoptotic cells were also identified by staining with FITC-Annexin V/PI. Moreover, KTH-13-Me highly enhanced the activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9, and decreased the protein level of Bcl-2. In addition, the phosphorylation levels of Src and STAT3 were diminished in KTH-13-Me-treated C6 cells. Therefore, these results suggest that KTH-13-Me can be developed as a novel anti-cancer drug capable of blocking proliferation, inducing apoptosis, and blocking cell survival signaling in cancer cells.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권6호
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• pp.2453-2458
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• 2015

Background: X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) associated factor 1 (XAF1) exhibits aberrantly low or absent expression in various human malignancies, closely associated with anti-apoptosis and overgrowth of cancer cells. However, limited attention has been directed towards the contribution of XAF1 to invasion, apoptosis, and cisplatin (DDP)-resistance of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cells. This study aimed to evaluate the potential effects of XAF1 on invasion, cell cycle, apoptosis, and cisplatin-resistance by overexpressing XAF1 in SKOV-3 and SKOV-3/DDP cells. Methods and Results: The pEGFP-C1-XAF1 plasmid was transfected into SKOV-3 and SKOV-3/DDP cells, and the expression of XAF1 at both mRNA and protein levels was analyzed by reverse transcription-PCR and Western blotting. Overexpression of XAF1 suppressed XIAP expression in both SKOV-3 and SKOV-3/DDP cells. Transwell invasion assays demonstrated that XAF1 exerted a strong anti-invasive effect in XAF1-overexpressing cells. Moreover, flow cytometry analysis revealed that XAF1 overexpression arrested the cell cycle at G0/G1 phase, and cell apoptosis analysis showed that overexpression of XAF1 enhanced apoptosis of SKOV-3 and SKOV-3/DDP cells apparently by activating caspase-9 and caspase-3. Furthermore, MTT assay confirmed a dose-dependent inhibitory effect of cisplatin in the tested tumor cells, and overexpression of XAF1 increased the sensitivity of SKOV-3 and SKOV-3/DDP cells to cisplatin-mediated antiproliferative effects. Conclusions: In summary, our data indicated that overexpression of XAF1 could suppress XIAP expression, inhibit invasion, arrest cell cycle, promote apoptosis, and confer cisplatin-sensitivity in SKOV-3 and SKOV-3/DDP cells. Therefore, XAF1 may be further assessed as a potential target for the treatment of both cisplatin-resistant and non-resistant EOCs.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제24권12호
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• pp.1654-1663
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• 2014

To examine the effect of tumor suppressor protein p53 on the antitumor activity of 2-methoxyestradiol (2-MeO-$E_2$), 2-MeO-$E_2$-induced cell cycle changes and apoptotic events were compared between the human colon carcinoma cell lines HCT116 ($p53^{+/+}$) and HCT116 ($p53^{-/-}$). When both cell types were exposed to 2-MeO-$E_2$, a reduction in the cell viability and an enhancement in the proportions of $G_2/M$ cells and apoptotic sub-$G_1$ cells commonly occurred dose-dependently. These 2-MeO-$E_2$-induced cellular changes, except for $G_2/M$ arrest, appeared to be more apparent in the presence of p53. Immunofluorescence microscopic analysis using anti-${\alpha}$-tubulin and anti-lamin B2 antibodies revealed that after 2-MeO-$E_2$ treatment, impaired mitotic spindle network and prometaphase arrest occurred similarly in both cell types. Following 2-MeO-$E_2$ treatment, only HCT116 ($p53^{+/+}$) cells exhibited an enhancement in the levels of p53, p-p53 (Ser-15), $p21^{WAF1/CIP1}$, and Bax; however, the Bak level remained relatively constant in both cell types, and the Bcl-2 level decreased only in HCT116 ($p53^{+/+}$) cells. Additionally, mitochondrial apoptotic events, including the activation of Bak and Bax, loss of ${\Delta}{\psi}m$, activation of caspase-9 and -3, and cleavage of lamin A/C, were more dominantly induced in the presence of p53. The Bak-specific and Bax-specific siRNA approaches confirmed the necessity of both Bak and Bax activations for the 2-MeO-$E_2$-induced apoptosis in HCT116 cells. These results show that among 2-MeO-$E_2$-induced apoptotic events, including prometaphase arrest, up-regulation of Bax level, down-regulation of Bcl-2 level, activation of both Bak and Bax, and mitochondria-dependent caspase activation, the modulation of Bax and Bcl-2 levels is the target of the pro-apoptotic action of p53.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제20권10호
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• pp.1443-1450
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• 2010

Honokiol은 작은 분자량을 갖는 중국의 약초인 'Magnolia officinalis'에서 추출한 리간드로서 중국과 일본에서 전통 의약제로 사용되어 왔다. 이전 연구에서는 honokiol이 다양한 종류의 암에서anti-angiogenic, anti-invasive, anti-proliferative activities 등의 다양한 효과가 있는 것으로 알려져 있다. 우리는 이전 연구에서 Nitric oxide donor인 sodium nitroprusside (SNP)에 의해서 토끼 무릎관절연골세포에서 세포사멸이 일어나는 것을 보고하였다. 본 연구에서는 무릎 연골세포에서 NO에 의해 유도되는 세포사멸이 honokiol 처리농도에 의존적으로 억제되는 것을 세포형태, MTT assay, Western blot analysis 그리고 FACS를 통해 확인할 수 있었다. 또한, honokiol은 SNP에 의해 유도되는 p53의 발현 및 pro-caspase-3의 활성 저해, DNA fragmentation을 억제하였다. Honokiol에 의한 세포사멸 억제는 PI-3K의 특정 저해제인 LY294002를 SNP와 honokiol과 함께 처리하였을 때 세포의 사멸이 증가하는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 이는 honokiol이 PI-3K/AKT pathway를 통하여 NO가 유도하는 세포사멸을 억제하는 것을 의미한다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.1119-1124
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• 2012

Background: The effect and possible mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine, baicalin, on the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in drug-resistant human myeloid leukemia HL-60/ADR cells have been investigated in this current study. Methods: HL-60/ADR cells were treated by 20, 40, $80\;{\mu}mol/L$ baicalin followed by cell cycle analysis at 24h. The mRNA expression level of the apoptosis related gene, Bcl-2 and bad, were measured by RT-PCR on cells treated with $80\;{\mu}mol/L$ baicalin at 12, 24 and 48hr. Western blot was performed to detect the changes in the expression of the proteins related to HL-60/ADR cell apoptosis and the signaling pathway before and after baicalin treatment, including Bcl-2, PARP, Bad, Caspase 3, Akt, p-Akt, NF-${\kappa}B$, p-NF-${\kappa}B$, mTOR and p-mTOR. Results: Sub-G1 peak of HL-60/ADR cells appeared 24 h after $20\;{\mu}mol/L$ baicalin treatment, and the ratio increased as baicalin concentration increased. Cell cycle analysis showed 44.9% G0/G1 phase cells 24 h after baicalin treatment compared to 39.6% in the control group. Cells treated with $80\;{\mu}mol/L$ baicalin displayed a trend in decreasing of Bcl-2 mRNA expression over time. Expression level of the Bcl-2 and PARP proteins decreased significantly while that of the PARP, Caspase-3, and Bad proteins gradually increased. No significant difference in Akt expression was observed between treated and the control groups. However, the expression levels of p-Akt, NF-${\kappa}B$, p-NF-${\kappa}B$, mTOR and p-mTOR decreased significantly in a time-dependent manner. Conclusions: We conclude that baicalin may induce HL-60/ADR cell apoptosis through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

• 대한한방종양학회지
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.15-37
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• 2003

Objective: We are aimed to identify anti-tumor effects of Curcuma longa L. on the stomach cancer cells through molecular biologic methods. Material & Methods: We used AGS as human stomach cancer cells obtained from American Type Culture Collection. The boiled extract of Curcuma longa L. $5{\mu}l$ (Sample I), $10{\mu}l$ (Sample II) was treated to cultural media(ml) for 0, 6, 12, 24, 48 hours. We measured the killing effect on stomach cancer cells through Trypan blue exclusion test and the suppressive effect on viability of stomach cancer cells via MTT assay. For identification of its anticancer mechanism, the revelation of Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, and Bax which are genes related to apoptosis using the quantitative RT-PCR, change of mitochondria membrane permeability and membrane potential via flow cytometry, the cycle of cell mitosis, caspase cleavage and annexin V staining were examined. Results: 1. showed significant killing effect on stomach cancer cell than the control group with a time(6 hours later) and density dependent manner, which was statistical significance. 2. Extract of Curcuma longa L. showed suppressive effect on viability of stomach cancer cells that each test groups had more suppressive effects on viability of stomach cancer cells than the control group with a time(6 hours later), which was statistical significance.(p<0.05) 3. In the test about the revelation of genes related to apoptosis, the revelation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL decreased with a density manner which was statistical significance. but the revelation of Bax was not changed with statistical significance. 4. Extract of Curcuma longa L. caused apoptosis by decreasing the absorbance of mitochondria with statistical significance, and also induced apoptosis by decreasing the membrane potential of mitochondria. 5. Extract of Curcuma longa L. destructed the cell cycle of cell mitosos. 6. Cell apoptosis was induced by extract of Curcuma longa L. certificated by method of caspase cleavage and annexin V staining. Conclusion: This experiment showed that Curcuma longa L. has anti-tumor effect with statistical significance. This is in vitro experiment and basic experiment on Curcuma longa L.. We hope more progressive research on Curcuma longa L. will go on and its anti-tumor effects will be more practically identified.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.283-289
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• 2015

This study surveys the improvement characteristics in old-aged muscular mitochondria by bio-active materials coated fabric (BMCF). To observe the effects, the fabric (10 and 30%) was worn to old-aged rat then the oxygen consumption efficiency and copy numbers of mitochondria, and mRNA expression of apoptosis- and mitophagy-related genes were verified. By wearing the BMCF, the oxidative respiration significantly increased when using the 30% materials coated fabric. The mitochondrial DNA copy number significantly decreased and subsequently recovered in a dose-dependent manner. The respiratory control ratio to mitochondrial DNA copy number showed a dose-dependent increment. As times passed, Bax, caspase 9, PGC-$1{\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$-actin increased, and Bcl-2 decreased in a dose-dependent manner. However, the BMCF can be seen to have had no effect on Fas receptor. PINK1 expression did not change considerably and was inclined to decrease in control group, but the expression was down-regulated then subsequently increased with the use of the BMCF in a dose-dependent manner. Caspase 3 increased and subsequently decreased in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that the BMCF invigorates mitophagy and improves mitochondrial oxidative respiration in skeletal muscle, and in early stage of apoptosis induced by the BMCF is not related to extrinsic death-receptor mediated but mitochondria-mediated signaling pathway.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.345-350
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• 2014

We investigate the effect of L-glutathione (GSH), an antioxidant, treatment during the somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) procedures on the in vitro development and DNA methylation status of bovine SCNT embryos. Bovine in vitro matured (IVM) oocytes were enucleated and electrofused with a donor cell, then activated by a combination of Ca-ionophore and 6-dimethylaminopurine. The recipient oocytes or reconstituted oocytes were treated with $50{\mu}M$ GSH during these SCNT procedures from enucleation to activation treatment. The SCNT embryos were cultured for 7 days to evaluate the in vitro development, apoptosis and DNA methylation in blastocysts. The apoptosis was measured by TUNEL assay and caspase-3 activity assay. Methylated DNA of SCNT embryos at the blastocyst stages was detected using a 5-methylcytidine (5-MeC) antibody. The developmental rate to the blastocyst stage was significantly higher (P<0.05) in GSH treatment group ($32.5{\pm}1.2%$, 78/235) than that of non-treated control SCNT embryos ($22.3{\pm}1.8%$, 50/224). TUNEL assay revealed that the numbers of apoptotic cells in GSH treatment group ($2.3{\pm}0.4%$) were significantly lower (P<0.05) than that of control ($3.8{\pm}0.6%$). Relative caspase-3 activity of GSH treated group was $0.8{\pm}0.06$ fold compared to that of control. DNA methylation status of blastocysts in GSH treatment group ($13.1{\pm}0.5$, pixels/embryo) was significantly lower (P<0.05) than that of control ($17.4{\pm}0.9$, pixels/embryo). These results suggest that antioxidant GSH treatment during SCNT procedures can improve the embryonic development and reduce the apoptosis and DNA methylation level of bovine SCNT embryos, which may enhance the nuclear reprogramming of bovine SCNT embryos.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제57권2호
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• pp.103-111
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• 2014

A1E is an extract from traditional Asian medicinal plants that has therapeutic activities against cancers, metabolic disease, and other intractable conditions. However, its mechanism of action on cervical cancer has not been studied. In order to ascertain if A1E would have pronounced anti-cervical cancer effect, cervical cancer cells were incubated with A1E and apoptosis was detected by nuclear morphological changes, annexin V-FITC/PI staining, cell cycle analysis, western blotting, Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, and measurement of mitochondrial membrane potential. Expression of human papiloma virus E6 and E7 oncogenes was down-regulated in A1E-treated cervical cancer cells, while p53 and retinoblastoma protein levels were enhanced. A1E also perturbed cell cycle progression at sub-G1 and altered cell cycle regulatory factors in SiHa cervical cancer cells. A1E activated apoptotic intrinsic pathway markers such as caspase-9, caspase-3 and poly ADP-ribose polymerase, and down-regulated expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl. A1E induced mitochondrial membrane potential collapse and cytochrome c release, and inhibited phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, key factors involved in cell survival signaling. Taken all these results, A1E induced apoptosis via activation of the intrinsic pathway and inhibition of the PI3K/Akt survival-signaling pathway in SiHa cervical cancer cells. In conclusion, A1E exerts anti-proliferative action growth inhibition on cervical cancer cells through apoptosis which demonstrates its anti-cervical cancer properties.

• 대한임상독성학회지
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.58-65
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• 2019

Purpose: Alpha-amanitin induces potent oxidative stress and apoptosis, and may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of hepatotoxicity. This study examined the mechanisms of α-amanitin-induced apoptosis in vitro, and whether green tea extract (GTE) offers protection against hepatic damage caused by α-amanitin (AMA) induced apoptosis in vivo. Methods: The effects of GTE and SIL on the cell viability of cultured murine hepatocytes induced by AMA were evaluated using an MTT assay. Apoptosis was assessed by an analysis of DNA fragmentation and caspase-3. In the in vivo protocol, mice were divided into the following four groups: control group (0.9% saline injection), AMA group (α-amanitin 0.6 mg/kg), AMA+SIL group (α-amanitin and silibinin 50 mg/kg), and AMA+GTE group (α-amanitin and green tea extract 25 mg/kg). After 48 hours of treatment, the hepatic aminotransferase and the extent of hepatonecrosis of each subject was evaluated. Results: In the hepatocytes exposed to AMA and the tested antidotes, the cell viability was significantly lower than the AMA only group. An analysis of DNA fragmentation showed distinctive cleavage of hepatocyte nuclear DNA in the cells exposed to AMA. In addition, the AMA and GTE or SIL groups showed more relief of the cleavage of the nuclear DNA ladder. Similarly, values of caspase-3 in the AMA+GTE and AMA+SIL groups were significantly lower than in the AMA group. The serum AST and ALT levels were significantly higher in the AMA group than in the control and significantly lower in the AMA+GTE group. In addition, AMA+GTE induced a significant decrease in hepatonecrosis compared to the controls when a histologic grading scale was used. Conclusion: GTE is effective against AMA-induced hepatotoxicity with its apoptosis regulatory properties under in vitro and in vivo conditions.