• Molecules and Cells
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• 제42권11호
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• pp.773-782
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• 2019

Cellular senescence is an irreversible form of cell cycle arrest. Senescent cells have a unique gene expression profile that is frequently accompanied by senescence-associated heterochromatic foci (SAHFs). Protein kinase CK2 (CK2) downregulation can induce trimethylation of histone H3 Lys 9 (H3K9me3) and SAHFs formation by activating SUV39h1. Here, we present evidence that the PI3K-AKT-mTOR-reactive oxygen species-p53 pathway is necessary for CK2 downregulation-mediated H3K9me3 and SAHFs formation. CK2 downregulation promotes SUV39h1 stability by inhibiting its proteasomal degradation in a p53-dependent manner. Moreover, the dephosphorylation status of Ser 392 on p53, a possible CK2 target site, enhances the nuclear import and subsequent stabilization of SUV39h1 by inhibiting the interactions between p53, MDM2, and SUV39h1. Furthermore, $p21^{Cip1/WAF1}$ is required for CK2 downregulation-mediated H3K9me3, and dephosphorylation of Ser 392 on p53 is important for efficient transcription of $p21^{Cip1/WAF}$. Taken together, these results suggest that CK2 downregulation induces dephosphorylation of Ser 392 on p53, which subsequently increases the stability of SUV39h1 and the expression of $p21^{Cip1/WAF1}$, leading to H3K9me3 and SAHFs formation.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제42권3호
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• pp.252-261
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• 2019

The omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is known to induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest via the induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in many types of cancers. However, the roles of DHA in drug-resistant cancer cells have not been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the effects of DHA in cisplatin-resistant gastric cancer SNU-601/cis2 cells. DHA was found to induce ROS-dependent apoptosis in these cells. The inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor ($IP_3R$) blocker 2-aminoethyl diphenylboninate (2-APB) reduced DHA-induced ROS production, consequently reducing apoptosis. We also found that G-protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120), a receptor of long-chain fatty acids, is expressed in SNU-601/cis2 cells, and the knockdown of GPR120 using specific shRNAs alleviated DHA-mediated ROS production and apoptosis. GPR120 knockdown reduced the expression of ER stress response genes, similar to the case for the pre-treatment of the cells with N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), an ROS scavenger, or 2-APB. Indeed, the knockdown of C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), a transcription factor that functions under ER stress conditions, markedly reduced DHA-mediated apoptosis, indicating that CHOP plays an essential role in the anti-cancer activity of DHA. These results suggest that GPR120 mediates DHA-induced apoptosis by regulating $IP_3R$, ROS, and ER stress levels in cisplatin-resistant cancer cells, and that GPR120 is an effective chemotherapeutic target for cisplatin resistance.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제43권3호
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• pp.344-362
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• 2022

Objective: In this study, the antioxidant activity of Ojayeonjong-hwan extracts was compared, and the following results were obtained. Methods: For hydrothermal and ethanol extracts, DPPH free radical and ABTS cationic radical erasing activity and reducing power using the FRAP method were compared, and the association between the antioxidant power of each extract and total phenol content was investigated. Significant results were obtained through in vitro apoptosis analysis through FFITC staining, mitochondrial membrane potential analysis, and ROS level measurement using C2C12 myoblastoma. Results: 1. In a comparison of DPPH free radical and ABTS cationic radical scavenging activity, water, and 70% ethanol extracts of Ojayeonjong-hwan (WEO and EEO) showed superior radical scavenging ability. 2. In the results of reducing power using the FRAP method, WEO and EEO showed antioxidant activity, which was shown to be dependent on the total phenol content contained in the extracts. 3. In comparison to the protective effect against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress in C2C12 myoblasts, water extracts had no significant effect, but 70% ethanol extracts inhibited H₂O₂-mediated cytotoxicity in a concentration-dependent manner. 4. The cytotoxic protective effect of EEO against oxidative stress in C2C12 myoblasts was correlated with its inhibitory effects on H₂O₂-induced apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest. 5. In H₂O₂-treated C2C12 myoblasts, the apoptosis inhibitory effects of EEO were associated with the suppression of mitochondrial dysfunction and DNA damage. 6. The protective effects of EEO against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress in C2C12 myoblasts were directly related to the inhibition of ROS generation. Conclusions: Ojayeonjong-hwan extracts all have protective potential against oxidative stress.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제26권5호
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• pp.367-375
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• 2022

Gastric cancer stem cells (GCSCs) are a major cause of radioresistance and chemoresistance in gastric cancer (GC). Therefore, targeting GCSCs is regarded as a powerful strategy for the effective treatment of GC. Atorvastatin is a widely prescribed cholesterol-lowering drug that inhibits 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, a rate-limiting enzyme in the mevalonate pathway. The anticancer activity of atorvastatin, a repurposed drug, is being investigated; however, its therapeutic effect and molecular mechanism of action against GCSCs remain unknown. In this study, we evaluated the anticancer effects of atorvastatin on MKN45-derived GCSCs. Atorvastatin significantly inhibited the proliferative and tumorsphere-forming abilities of MKN45 GCSCs in a mevalonate pathway-independent manner. Atorvastatin induced cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase and promoted apoptosis by activating the caspase cascade. Furthermore, atorvastatin exerted an antiproliferative effect against MKN45 GCSCs by inhibiting the expression of cancer stemness markers, such as CD133, CD44, integrin α6, aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1, Oct4, Sox2, and Nanog, through the downregulation of β-catenin, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, and protein kinase B activities. Additionally, the combined treatment of atorvastatin and sorafenib, a multi-kinase targeted anticancer drug, synergistically suppressed not only the proliferation and tumorsphere formation of MKN45 GCSCs but also the in vivo tumor growth in a chick chorioallantoic membrane model implanted with MKN45 GCSCs. These findings suggest that atorvastatin can therapeutically eliminate GCSCs.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제50권3호
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• pp.177-184
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• 2023

Objective: Reconstructed oocytes after polar body genome transfer constitute a potential therapeutic option for patients with a history of embryo fragmentation and advanced maternal age. However, the rescue of genetic material from the first polar body (PB1) through introduction into the donor cytoplasm is not yet ready for clinical application. Methods: Eighty-five oocytes were obtained following in vitro maturation (IVM) and divided into two groups: PB1 nuclear transfer (PB1NT; n=54) and control (n=31). Following enucleation and PB1 genomic transfer, PB1 fusion was assessed. Subsequently, all fused oocytes underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and were cultured in an incubator under a time-lapse monitoring system to evaluate fertilization, embryonic morphokinetic parameters, and cleavage patterns. Results: Following enucleation and fusion, 77.14% of oocytes survived, and 92.59% of polar bodies (PBs) fused. However, the normal fertilization rate was lower in the PB1NT group than in the control group (56.41% vs. 92%, p=0.002). No significant differences were observed in embryo kinetics between the groups, but a significant difference was detected in embryo developmental arrest after the four-cell stage, along with abnormal cleavage division in the PB1NT group. This was followed by significant between-group differences in the implantation potential rate and euploidy status. Most embryos in the PB1NT group had at least one abnormal cleavage division (93.3%, p=0.001). Conclusion: Fresh PB1NT oocytes successfully produced normal zygotes following PB fusion and ICSI in IVM oocytes. However, this was accompanied by low efficiency in developing into cleavage embryos, along with an increase in abnormal cleavage patterns.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.249-261
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• 2024

New anti-lung cancer therapies are urgently required to improve clinical outcomes. Since ganodermanontriol (GDNT) has been identified as a potential antineoplastic agent, its role in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is investigated in this study. Concretely, lung cancer cells were treated with GDNT and/or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), after which MTT assay, flow cytometry and Western blot were conducted. Following bioinformatics analysis, carboxylesterase 2 (CES2) was knocked down and rescue assays were carried out in vitro. Xenograft experiment was performed on mice, followed by drug administration, measurement of tumor growth and determination of CES2, IMPDH1 and IMPDH2 expressions. As a result, the viability of lung cancer cells was reduced by GDNT or MMF. GDNT enhanced the effects of MMF on suppressing viability, promoting apoptosis and inducing cell cycle arrest in lung cancer cells. GDNT up-regulated CES2 level, and strengthened the effects of MMF on down-regulating IMPDH1 and IMPDH2 levels in the cells. IMPDH1 and IMPDH2 were highly expressed in LUAD samples. CES2 was a potential target for GDNT. CES2 knockdown reversed the synergistic effect of GDNT and MMF against lung cancer in vitro. GDNT potentiated the role of MMF in inhibiting tumor growth and expressions of CES2 and IMPDH1/2 in lung cancer in vivo. Collectively, GDNT suppresses the progression of LUAD by activating CES2 to enhance the metabolism of MMF.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권23호
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• pp.10407-10412
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• 2015

Background: ${\beta}$-elemene, extracted from herb medicine Curcuma wenyujin has potent anti-tumor effects in various cancer cell lines. However, the activity of ${\beta}$-elemene against glioma cells remains unclear. In the present study, we assessed effects of ${\beta}$-elemene on human glioma cells and explored the underlying mechanism. Materials and Methods: Human glioma U87 cells were used. Cell proliferation was determined with MTT assay and colony formation assay to detect the effect of ${\beta}$-elemene at different doses and times. Fluorescence microscopy was used to observe cell apoptosis with Hoechst 33258 staining and change of glioma apoptosis and cell cycling were analyzed by flow cytometry. Real-time quantitative PCR and Western-blotting assay were performed to investigated the influence of ${\beta}$-elemene on expression levels of Fas/FasL, caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Bax. The experiment was divided into two groups: the blank control group and ${\beta}$-elemne treatment group. Results: With increase in the concentration of ${\beta}$-elemene, cytotoxic effects were enhanced in the glioma cell line and the concentration of inhibited cell viability ($IC_{50}$) was $48.5{\mu}g/mL$ for 24h. ${\beta}$-elemene could induce cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase. With Hoechst 33258 staining, apoptotic nuclear morphological changes were observed. Activation of caspase-3,-8 and -9 was increased and the pro-apoptotic factors Fas/FasL and Bax were upregulated, while the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 was downregulated after treatment with ${\beta}$-elemene at both mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, proliferation and colony formation by U87 cells were inhibited by ${\beta}$-elemene in a time and does-dependent manner. Conclusions: Our results indicate that ${\beta}$-elemene inhibits growth and induces apoptosis of human glioma cells in vitro. The induction of apoptosis appears to be related with the upregulation of Fas/FasL and Bax, activation of caspase-3,-8 and -9 and downregulation of Bcl-2, which then trigger major apoptotic cascades.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.314-320
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• 1999

목적 : Paclitaxel(Toxol)은 미소관의 집합을 촉진시키고 분해를 방지하는 미소관 억제제로서 이 작용은 세포주기 중 방사선에 예민한 G2fM 시기에 일어나기 때문에 방사선조사와 병용할 경우 방사선감작제 가능성이 있다. Paclitaxel과 방사선조사를 병용하여 흰쥐의 위점막에서 paclitaxe이 방사선의 효과에 미치는 영향을 파악하기 위하여 본 연구를 시행하였다. 대상 및 방법 : 실험군은 paclitaxel 단독군, 방사선조사 단독군 및 paclitaxel과 방사선조사 병용군의 세 군으로 분류하여 paclltaxel 단독군은 paclitaxel (10 mg/kg)을 복강내 1회 주입하였고, 방사조사 단독군은 8 Gy를 전복부에 단일 조사하였으며, paclitaxel과 방사선조사 병용군은 paclitaxel (10 mg/kg)을 복강내 주입 후 24시간에 방사선조사 단독군과 동일한 방법으로 방사선조사하였다. 실험 완료 후 위점막 내 유사분열수, apoptosis와 기타 점막의 변화를 시간별로(6, 24시간, 3일 및 5일) 비교관찰하였다. 결과 : Paclitaxel 주입 후 위점막 내 유사분열은 증가하지 않았고 apoptosis는 6시간에 $5.75\%$였고 3일까지 비슷하게 지속되었다. Paclitaxel 주입 후 경미한 위선의 확장이 24시간에 관찰되었고, 세포의 비정형이 24시간과 3일에 보였으나 5일에는 정상으로 회복되었다. 방사선조사 단독군에서 apoptosis는 6시간에 $6.0\%$로 가장 많았으며 24시간에 $1.25\%$로 감소되었고 5일까지 지속되었다. 위선의 확장과 세포의 비정형은 방사선조사 후 6시간부터 5일까지 계속해서 경미하게 보였다. Paclltaxei과 방사선조사 병용군은 apoptosis가 6, 24시간, 3일 및 5일에 각각 5.5, 4.5, 4.0, $4.0\%$로 방사선조사 단독군에 비하여 24시간부터 많아졌고 3일에는 통계학적으로 유의한 차이가 있었다. 위선의 확장과 세포의 비정형은 Paclitaxel과 방사선조사 병용군에서 방사선조사 단독군에 비하여 증가되지 않았다. 결론 : 흰쥐의 위점막은 paclitaxel 주입 후 24시간에 방사선조사를 시행한 결과 apoptosis를 종말점으로 볼 때 paclitaxel의 첨가효과만을 보여 주었다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제58권5호
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• pp.473-479
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• 2005

연구 배경 : Gefitinib은 경구용 상피세포 성장인자 수용체 억제제로서 주로 동양인, 여성, 비흡연가, 선암 세포형의 폐암 환자에서 반응율이 좋은 것으로 되어 있으나 그 정확한 기전에 대해 밝혀진 것을 없다. 최근 몇몇 보고에 의하면 병기가 진행된 폐암 세포에서 PTEN 발현이 감소되어 있었으며, 또한 PTEN 발현이 감소된 폐암 세포주에서 EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor의 반응율이 감소되었음을 보고한 논문들이 있다. 이에 저자들은 본원에서 비소세포 폐암으로 진단받고 표준 항암화학요법에 실패한 이후 gefitinib으로 치료받은 환자군의 폐조직을 대상으로 PTEN의 발현 정도를 조사하였으며, PTEN의 발현 정도와 임상병기, 치료반응율과의 상관관계에 대해 분석하였다. 대상 및 방법 : 2002년 1월부터 2004년 8월까지 본원에 내원하여 원발성 비소세포성 폐암 진단 받은 후 표준 항암 화학요법에 실패하고 gefitinib을 복용한 환자 38명 중 2개월 이상을 투여 받아 반응 정도를 평가가 가능한 환자로서 폐조직에 대해 PTEN 면역조직화학 염색 및 정량화를 시행할 수 있었던 22명의 환자들에 대해 환자들의 약제 반응율과 PTEN의 발현양상과의 관계에 대해 후향적으로 조사하였다. 결 과 : 평균 연령은 62세, 남녀의 비는 6.3:1이었으며, 조직 병리학적 분류는 편평상피암 32%, 선암 59%, 대세포암 등 기타가 9%였다. 병기는 I 병기 1례, II 병기 1례, III 병기 9례, IV 병기가 11례였다. ECOG performance status는 grade 0-1이 9명, 2가 11명, 3이 2명이었다. 조직 병리학적 분류에 따른 PTEN 발현의 유의한 차이는 없었다. 또한 TNM 병기 상승에 따른 PTEN 발현율과는 서로 통계적으로 유의한 차이가 없었다. 그 러나, 약제 반응을 보인 군에서 약제 반응을 보이지 않은 군보다 PTEN 발현율이 통계적으로 유의하게 높게 나타났다(p=0.039). 결 론 : 표준 항암 화학 요법에 실패하고 gefitinib을 복용한 비소세포 폐암 환자의 약제 반응율과 종양 억제 단백질인 PTEN의 발현율과 서로 상관관계가 있다.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제51권1호
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• pp.71-77
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• 2019

Menadione은 종양 억제 물질로 알려진 바 있다. 현재 많은 연구에서 다양한 암세포주에 대하여 Menadione의 잠재적인 항암물질로서의 가능성이 보고되었다. 본 연구에서는 Menadione의 항암효과와 세포사멸작용에 연관된 분자신호를 위암세포주에서 확인하였다. Menadione 처리는 위암세포인 MKN45의 세포생존능을 감소시켰다. 감소된 세포생존능은 Western blotting을 통해 caspase-3 과 caspase-7의 활성화와 PARP가 cleavage 된 것을 확인함으로써 세포사멸작용이 유도되었다는 것을 확인했다. 위세포사멸단백질들의 저해제로 작용하는 survivin의 발현을 menadione이 억제한다는 것을 확인함으로써, 세포사멸과정에 포함된 상위조절인자를 확인했다. 우리는 survivin 발현을 조절하는 전사인자로 알려진 ${\beta}$-catenin 또한 menadione에 의해 하향 조절된다는 것을 확인했다. 이전 연구에서 우리는 menadione이 세포사멸유도를 저해는 XIAP의 발현을 억제한다는 것을 확인했으며, menadione이 AGS세포에서 G2/M 세포주기 정체를 유도한다는 것을 확인하였다. 우리는 또 다른 위암세포주인 MKM45 세포에서 menadione의 이전과 다른 항암 기전을 밝혀냈다. 비록 더 자세한 연구가 필요하겠지만, 이 연구를 통해 증명된 억제기전은 menadione에 의한 항암효과를 이해하는 데 도움이 될 것으로 사료된다.