• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제13권3호
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• pp.201-207
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• 2009

Our previous study demonstrated that flavone inhibits vascular contractions by decreasing the phosphorylation levelof the myosin phosphatase target subunit (MYPT1). In the present study, we hypothesized that flavone attenuates vascular contractions through the inhibition of the RhoA/Rho kinase pathway. Rat aortic rings were denuded of endothelium, mounted in organ baths, and contracted with either 30 nM U46619 (a thromboxane A2 analogue) or 8.0 mM NaF 30 min after pretreatment with either flavone (100 or 300 $({\mu}M$) or vehicle. We determined the phosphorylation level of the myosin light chain ($MLC_{20}$), the myosin phophatase targeting subunit 1 (MYPT1) and the protein kinase C-potentiated inhibitory protein for heterotrimeric myosin light chain phophatase of 17-kDa (CPI17) by means of Western blot analysis. Flavone inhibited, not only vascular contractions induced by these contractors, but also the levels of $MLC_{20}$ phosphorylation. Furthermore, flavone inhibited the activation of RhoA which had been induced by either U46619 or NaF. Incubation with flavone attenuated U46619 or NaF-induced phosphorylation of $MYPT1^{Thr855}$ and $CPI17^{Thr38}$, the downstream effectors of Rho-kinase. In regards to the $Ca^{2+}$-free solution, flavone inhibited the phosphorylation of $MYPT1^{Thr855}$ and $CPI17^{Thr38}$, as well as vascular contractions induced by U 46619. These results indicate that flavone attenuates vascular contractions, at least in part, through the inhibition of the RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway.

• 정신신체의학
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.149-157
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• 1999

인간은 에너지 섭취와 소모에 있어 변동이 심한 편이지만 비교적 일정한 체중을 유지하고 적절하게 섭식행동을 조절한다. 그러나 이러한 조절기전에 문제가 발생하면 비만이나 그 이외의 다른 섭식장애를 일으키게 되며 다양한 후유증을 야기한다. 본 논문에서는 최근에 소개되기 시작한 호르몬인 leptin이 섭식의 조절과 에너지의 항상성을 조절하는데 있어 어떻게 중요한 작용을 하게되는지 조사하여 주로 정신과 영역에서 관심을 기울일 만한 부분에 대해 고찰하고자 한다. Leptin이 처음 발견되었을 때 그 역할은 주로 음식의 섭취를 제한하고 에너지의 소모를 증가시키는 호르몬으로 소개되었지만, 점차 그 이외의 다른 신체 기능 즉, 생식주기나 신경대분기계에도 영향을 미치는 것으로 보고되면서 정선과 영역에서 차지하는 비중도 확대되고 있다. 그러나 leptin의 작용기전은 매우 복잡하며 많은 부분이 아직도 불분명한 상태에 있다. 이에 저자들은 중추신경계에서 현재까지 알려진 leptin의 작용기전에 대해 살펴보고 섭식과 관련된 그 밖의 다른 신경전달물질들과의 상호작용 그리고 섭식장애와의 관련성에 대해서 최근 문헌들을 조사하여 함께 고찰하고자 한다.

• 한국자원식물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국자원식물학회 2011년도 임시총회 및 추계학술발표회
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• pp.16-16
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• 2011

Melanogenesis is a well-known physiological response of human skin that may occur because of exposure to ultraviolet light, for genetic reasons, or due to other causes. In our effectors to find new skin lightening agents, acanthoic acid (AA) was investigated for its ability to inhibit melanogenesis. The effects of AA isolated from A.koreanumun the expression of $\alpha$-MSH-induced melanogenic factors (tyrosinase, tyrosinase related protein (TRP)-1, TRP-2 and MITF (microphthalmla-associated transcriptional factor)) were investigated in murine B16F10 melanoma cells. The results indicate that AA was an effective inhibitor of melanogenesis in B16F10 cells. To elucidate the mechanism of the effect of AA on melanogenesis, we performed Western blotting for melanogenic proteins. AA inhibited melanogenic factors (tyrosinase, TRP-1, TRP-2) expressions. In this study, we also confirmed that AA decreased the protein level of MITF proteins, which would lead to a decrease of tyrosinase and related genes in B16F10 melanoma cells. In order to apply AA to the human skin, the cytotoxic effects of the AA were determined by MTT assays using human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. Based on these results, we suggest that AA be considered possible anti-melanogenic agent and might be effective against hyperpigmentation disorders for the topical application.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.387-392
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• 2013

Objective: The aim of the present study was to explore mechanisms by which let-7c suppresses NSCLC cell proliferation. Methods: The expression level of let-7c was quantified by qRT-PCR. A549 and H1299 cells were transfected with let-7c mimics to restore the expression of let-7c. The effects of let-7c were then assessed by cell proliferation, colony formation and cell cycle assay. Mouse experiments were used to confirm the effect of let-7c on tumorigenicity in vivo. Luciferase reporter assays and Western blotting were performed to identify target genes for let-7c. Results: HOXA1 was identified as a novel target of let-7c. MTS, colony formation and flow cytometry assays demonstrated that forced expression of let-7c inhibited NSCLC cell proliferation by inducing G1 arrest in vitro, consistent with inhibitory effects induced by knockdown of HOXA1. Mouse experiments demonstrated that let-7c expression suppressed tumorigenesis. Furthermore, we found that let-7c could regulate the expression of HOXA1 downstream effectors CCND1, CDC25A and CDK2. Conclusions: Collectively, these results demonstrate let-7c inhibits NSCLC cell proliferation and tumorigenesis by partial direct targeting of the HOXA1 pathway, which suggests that restoration of let-7c expression may thus offer a potential therapeutic intervention strategy for NSCLC.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제4권2호
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• pp.73-80
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• 2004

Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites which cause infection by invading and replicating within cells. The immune system has mechanisms which can attack the virus in extracellular and intracellular phase of life cycle, and which involve both non-specific and specific effectors. The survival of viruses depends on the survival of their hosts, and therefore the immune system and viruses have evolved together. Immune responses to viral infection may be variable depending on the site of infection, the mechanism of cell-to-cell spread of virus, physiology of the host, host genetic variation, and environmental condition. Viral infection of cells directly stimulates the production of interferons and they induce antiviral state in the surrounding cells. Complement system is also involved in the elimination of viruses and establishes the first line of defence with other non-specific immunity. During the course of viral infection, antibody is most effective at an early stage, especially before the virus enters its target cells. The virus- specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes are the principal effector cells in clearing established viral infections. But many viruses have resistant mechanism to host immune responses in every step of viral infection to cells. Some viruses have immune evasion mechanism and establish latency or persistency indefinitely. Furthermore antibodies to some viruses can enhance the disease by the second infection. Immune responses to viral infection are very different from those to bacterial infection.

• BMB Reports
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• 제35권1호
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• pp.116-126
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• 2002

Nitric oxide (NO), synthesized from L-arginine by NO synthases, is a small, lipophilic, diffusible, highly reactive molecule with dichotomous regulatory roles in many biological events under physiological and pathological conditions. NO can promote apoptosis (pro-apoptosis) in some cells, whereas it inhibits apoptosis (anti-apoptosis) in other cells. This complexity is a consequence of the rate of NO production and the interaction with biological molecules such as metal ion, thiol, protein tyrosine, and reactive oxygen species. Long-lasting overproduction of NO acts as a pro-apoptotic modulator, activating caspase family proteases through the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c into cytosol, up-regulation of the p53 expression, and alterations in the expression of apoptosis-associated proteins, including the Bcl-2 family. However, low or physiological concentrations of NO prevent cells from apoptosis that is induced by the trophic factor withdrawal, Fas, $TNF{\alpha}$/ActD, and LPS. The anti-apoptotic mechanism is understood on the basis of gene transcription of protective proteins. These include: heat shock protein, hemeoxygenase, or cyclooxygenase-2 and direct inhibition of the apoptotic executive effectors caspase family protease by S-nitrosylation of the cysteine thiol group in their catalytic site in a cell specific way. Our current understanding of the mechanisms by which NO exerts both pro- and anti-apototic action is discussed in this review article.

• BMB Reports
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• 제48권11호
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• pp.595-596
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• 2015

Skeletal muscle exhibits a loss of muscle mass and function with age. Decreased regenerative potential of muscle stem/progenitor cells is a major underlying cause of sarcopenia. We analyzed microRNAs (miRNA) that are differentially expressed in young and old myoblasts, to identify novel intrinsic factors that play a degenerative role in aged skeletal muscle. miR-431, one of decreasing miRNAs in old myoblasts, improved the myogenic differentiation when overexpressed in old myoblast, but suppressed their myogenic capability in knockdowned young myoblasts. We found that miR-431 directly binds to 3` untranslated regions (UTR) of Smad4 mRNA, and decreases its expression. Given that SMAD4 is one of the downstream effectors of TGF-β, a well-known degenerative signaling pathway in myogenesis, the decreased miR-431 in old myoblast causes SMAD4 elevation, thus resulting in defective myogenesis. Exogenous expression of miR-431 greatly improved the muscle regeneration in the cardiotoxin-injured hindlimb muscle of old mice by reducing SMAD4 levels. Since the miR-431 seed sequence is conserved in human SMAD4 3'UTR, miR-431 regulates the myogenic capacity of human skeletal myoblasts in the same manner. Our results suggest that age-associated miR-431 is required for the maintenance of the myogenic capability in myoblasts, thus underscoring its potential as a therapeutic target to slow down muscle aging.

• 제어로봇시스템학회논문지
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• 제6권3호
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• pp.298-308
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• 2000

In this paper a new two-arm cooperative assembly(or insertion) algorithm is proposed. As a force-guided control method for the cooperative assembly the adaptive accommodation controller is adopted since it does not require any complicated contact state analysis nor depends of the geometrical complexity of the assembly parts. Also the RMRC(resolved motion rate control) method using a relative jacobian is used to solve inverse kinematics for two manipulators. By using the relative jacobian the two cooperative redundant manipulators can be formed as a new single redundant manipulator. Two arms can perform a variety of insertion tasks by using a relative motion between their end effectors. A force/torque sensing model using an approximated penetration depth calculation a, is developed and used to compute a contact force/torque in the graphic assembly simulation . By using the adaptive accommodation controller and the force/torque sensing model both planar and a spatial cooperative assembly tasks have been successfully executed in the graphic simulation. Finally through a cooperative assembly task experiment using a humanoid robot CENTAUR which inserts a spatially bent pin into a hole its feasibility and applicability of the proposed algorithm verified.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.201-206
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• 2008

Exposure to formaldehyde(FA) is closely associated with adverse health effects such as irritation, inflammation, and squamous cell carcinomas of the nasal cavities. Owing to its rapid metabolism and elimination, exposure to FA does not always result in an increased concentration in blood or urine of animals and humans. Therefore, the development of biomarkers for FA exposure is necessary for risk assessment. In the present study, the effects of FA were investigated on the expression of genes involved in the MAPK pathway in vitro and results confirmed in rats exposed to FA by inhalation. Treatment of Hs 680.Tr human tracheal epithelial cells with FA induced gene expression for PDGFA, TNFSF11, SHC1, and HRAS. HRAS expression was also increased in tracheas of rats exposed to FA. In addition, FA exposure induced the expression of RASSF4, a member of the Rasassociation domain family of Ras effectors, in rat tracheas. In conclusion, data showed FA-inducible expression of genes involved in the MAPK pathway occurred and increased expression of HRAS and RASSF4 was noted in rat tracheas subchronically exposed to FA by inhalation. These genes may serve as molecular targets of FA toxicity facilitating the understanding of the toxic mechanism.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• 제44권1호
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• pp.97-105
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• 2006

본 연구에서는 대장균 내에서 L-threonine의 생합성에 영향을 미치는 저해제들에 대한 모사 연구를 위하여 L-aspartate에서 L-threonine까지의 아미노산 생합성 대사 네트워크를 문헌 및 데이터베이스를 통해 구축하였다. 또한 L-threonine 생합성에 영향을 미치는 저해제들을 수학적으로 모델링하여 효소 반응식에 적용시켰다. 모사 연구를 위해 초기 농도값을 L-aspartate 5 mM, ATP 5 mM, NADPH 2 mM으로 설정하고 저해제의 농도 변화에 따른 세포내 대사 물질들의 농도변화를 확인하였다. 그 결과 저해제 L-lysine, L-methionine, L-glutamate는 저해제 농도 변화에 따라 대사 물질들의 농도 변화가 없었다. 그러나 저해제 L-serine, L-cysteine 그리고 L-threonine의 경우 저해제의 농도 변화에 따라 세포내 대사물질들의 농도 곡선이 서로 다른 결과를 얻었다. 대장균 내에서 소비되어진 L-aspartate의 농도는 세포 내 생성되는 L-threonine과는 관련이 없었고, 생성되는 L-threonine의 농도는 세포 내에 축적된 D,L-aspartic ${\beta}$-semialdehyde에 반비례하였다.