• Molecules and Cells
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• v.46 no.12
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• pp.727-735
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• 2023

Stem cells require high amounts of energy to replicate their genome and organelles and differentiate into numerous cell types. Therefore, metabolic stress has a major impact on stem cell fate determination, including self-renewal, quiescence, and differentiation. Lysosomes are catabolic organelles that influence stem cell function and fate by regulating the degradation of intracellular components and maintaining cellular homeostasis in response to metabolic stress. Lysosomal functions altered by metabolic stress are tightly regulated by the transcription factor EB (TFEB) and TFE3, critical regulators of lysosomal gene expression. Therefore, understanding the regulatory mechanism of TFEB-mediated lysosomal function may provide some insight into stem cell fate determination under metabolic stress. In this review, we summarize the molecular mechanism of TFEB/TFE3 in modulating stem cell lysosomal function and then elucidate the role of TFEB/TFE3-mediated transcriptional activity in the determination of stem cell fate under metabolic stress.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.46 no.11
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• pp.655-663
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• 2023

Autophagy dysfunction is associated with human diseases and conditions including neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic issues, and chronic infections. Additionally, the decline in autophagic activity contributes to tissue and organ dysfunction and aging-related diseases. Several factors, such as down-regulation of autophagy components and activators, oxidative damage, microinflammation, and impaired autophagy flux, are linked to autophagy decline. An autophagy flux impairment (AFI) has been implicated in neurological disorders and in certain other pathological conditions. Here, to enhance our understanding of AFI, we conducted a comprehensive literature review of findings derived from two well-studied cellular stress models: glucose deprivation and replicative senescence. Glucose deprivation is a condition in which cells heavily rely on oxidative phosphorylation for ATP generation. Autophagy is activated, but its flux is hindered at the autolysis step, primarily due to an impairment of lysosomal acidity. Cells undergoing replicative senescence also experience AFI, which is also known to be caused by lysosomal acidity failure. Both glucose deprivation and replicative senescence elevate levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), affecting lysosomal acidification. Mitochondrial alterations play a crucial role in elevating ROS generation and reducing lysosomal acidity, highlighting their association with autophagy dysfunction and disease conditions. This paper delves into the underlying molecular and cellular pathways of AFI in glucose-deprived cells, providing insights into potential strategies for managing AFI that is driven by lysosomal acidity failure. Furthermore, the investigation on the roles of mitochondrial dysfunction sheds light on the potential effectiveness of modulating mitochondrial function to overcome AFI, offering new possibilities for therapeutic interventions.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.348-359
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• 2022

Gastric adenocarcinoma is among the top causes of cancer-related death and is one of the most commonly diagnosed carcinomas worldwide. Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) has been reported to inhibit the gastric cancer metastasis. In our previous study, BITC induced apoptosis in AGS cells. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of BITC on autophagy mechanism in AGS cells. First, the AGS cells were treated with 5, 10, or 15 μM BITC for 24 h, followed by an analysis of the autophagy mechanism. The expression level of autophagy proteins involved in different steps of autophagy, such as LC3B, p62/SQSTM1, Atg5-Atg12, Beclin1, p-mTOR/mTOR ratio, and class III PI3K was measured in the BITC-treated cells. Lysosomal function was investigated using cathepsin activity and Bafilomycin A1, an autophagy degradation stage inhibitor. Methods including qPCR, western blotting, and immunocytochemistry were employed to detect the protein expression levels. Acridine orange staining and omnicathepsin assay were conducted to analyze the lysosomal function. siRNA transfection was performed to knock down the LC3B gene. BITC reduced the level of autophagy protein such as Beclin 1, class III PI3K, and Atg5-Atg12. BITC also induced lysosomal dysfunction which was shown as reducing cathepsin activity, protein level of cathepsin, and enlargement of acidic vesicle. Overall, the results showed that the BITC-induced AGS cell death mechanism also comprises the inhibition of the cytoprotective autophagy at both initiation and degradation steps.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.175-181
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• 1977

Lysosomal enzyme latency was demonstrated for hydrolases from porcine leukocyte by suspending sediment sfrom differential centrifugation in 0.125 to 0.250 M sucrose. Specific activities pH optima and activation energies were determined for hydrolases distributed in various sedimentation fractions and for enzymes solubilized by n-butyl alcohol extraction. Specific activities of the hydrolases revealed the heterogeneity of the Iysosomal fractions relative to enzyme content. pH optima identified the enzyme as acid hydrolases with optima for cathepsin D and aryl sulfatase also at pH 6.8. Activation energies of some hydrolases were low revealing that these enzymes could function efficiently during low temperature aging of meat.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.155-162
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• 2024

Cerebral ischemia is the important cause of worldwide disability and mortality, that is one of the obstruction of blood vessels supplying to the brain. In early stage, glutamate excitotoxicity and high level of intracellular calcium (Ca²⁺) are the major processes which can promote many downstream signaling involving in neuronal death and brain tissue damaging. Moreover, autophagy, the reusing of damaged cell organelles, is affected in early ischemia. Under ischemic conditions, autophagy plays an important role to maintain energy of the brain and its function. In the other hand, over intracellular Ca²⁺ accumulation triggers excessive autophagic process and lysosomal degradation leading to autophagic process impairment which finally induce neuronal death. This article reviews the association between intracellular Ca²⁺ and autophagic process in acute stage of ischemic stroke.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.75-85
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• 1989

In opsonized zymosan activated PMN leukocytes, N-ethylamleiamide and $Hg^{++}$, penetrable sulfhydryl group inhibitors, inhibited superoxide generation, NADPH oxidase activity and lysosomal enzyme (lactic dehydrogenase and ${\beta}-glucuronidase$) secretion. P-Chloromercuribenzoic acid and p-chloromercuribenzenesulfonic acid, surface sulfhydryl group inhibitors did not affect superoxide generation but effectively inhibited both NADPH oxidase activity and lysosomal enzyme secretion. During phagocytosis, contents of surface and soluble sulfhydryl groups were gradually decreased with increasing incubation times. N-ethylmaleiamide and $Hg^{++}$ caused a loss of both surface and soluble sulfhydryl groups. P-Chloromercuribenzoic acid and p-chloromercuribenzenesulfonic acid significantly decreased the surface sulfhydryl content but did not after soluble sulfhydryl groups. Cysteine and mercaptopropionylglycine inhibited superoxide generation and lysosomal enzyme secretion. Glutathione had no effect on superoxide generation but remarkably inhibited lactic dehydrogenase release. Suppression of superoxide generation by N-ethylmaleiamide was reversed by cysteine and mercaptopropionyl-glycine but not by glutathione. Inactivation of NADPH oxidase by N-ethylmaleiamide was prevented by glutathione, cysteine or mercaptopropionylglycine. Stimulated superoxide generaion by carbachol was completely abolished by N-ethylrnaleiamide and antagonized by atropine. Thus, the expression of PMN leukocyte response to external stimuli may be associated with the change of sulfhydryl groups content. It is suggested that lysosomal enzyme secretion is influenced by both surface and soluble sulfhydryl groups, whereas superoxide generation by intracellular soluble sulfhydryl groups.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.23-27
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• 2018

Increased intracellular levels of $Ca^{2+}$ are generally thought to negatively regulate lipolysis in mature adipocytes, whereas store-operated $Ca^{2+}$ entry was recently reported to facilitate lipolysis and attenuate lipotoxicity by inducing lipophagy. Transient receptor potential mucolipin1 (TRPML1), a $Ca^{2+}$-permeable non-selective cation channel, is mainly expressed on the lysosomal membrane and plays key roles in lysosomal homeostasis and membrane trafficking. However, the roles of TRPML1 in lipolysis remains unclear. In this study, we examined whether the channel function of TRPML1 induces lipolysis in mature adipocytes. We found that treatment of mature adipocytes with ML-SA1, a specific agonist of TRPML1, solely upregulated extracellular glycerol release, but not to the same extent as isoproterenol. In addition, knockdown of TRPML1 in mature adipocytes significantly reduced autophagic flux, regardless of ML-SA1 treatment. Our findings demonstrate that the channel function of TRPML1 partially contributes to lipid metabolism and autophagic membrane trafficking, suggesting that TRPML1, particularly the channel function of TRPML1, is as therapeutic target molecule for treating obesity.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.372-379
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• 2017

The transport of lysosomal enzymes into the lysosomes depends on the phosphorylation of their chains and the binding of the phosphorylated residues to mannose-6-phosphate receptors. The efficiency of separation depends more on the phosphodiesterases (PDEs) than on the activity of the phosphorylation of mannose residues and can be determined in vitro. PDEs play important roles in regulation of the activation of lysosomes. The expression of proteins was confirmed by western blotting. All PDE4 series protein expression was reduced in high concentrations of rolipram. As a result of observing the fluorescence intensity after rolipram treatment, the lysosomal enzyme was activated at low concentrations and suppressed at high concentrations. High concentrations of rolipram recovered the original function. Antimicrobial activity was not shown in either 10 or $100{\mu}M$ concentrations of rolipram in treated HeLa cells in vitro. However, the higher anticancer activity at lower rolipram concentration was shown in lysosomal enzyme treated with $10{\mu}M$ of rolipram. The anticancer activity was confirmed through cathepsin B and D assay. Tranfection allowed examination of the relationship between PDE4 and lysosomal activity in more detail. Protein expression was confirmed to be reduced. Fluorescence intensity showed decreased activity of lysosomes and ROS in cells transfected with the antisense sequences of PDE4 A, B, C, and D. PDE4A showed anticancer activity, whereas lysosome from cells transfected with the antisense sequences of PDE4 B, C, and D had decreased anticancer activity. These results showed the PDE4 A, B, C, and D are conjunctly related with lysosomal activity.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.311-323
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• 2023

Ion homeostasis, which is regulated by ion channels, is crucial for intracellular signaling. These channels are involved in diverse signaling pathways, including cell proliferation, migration, and intracellular calcium dynamics. Consequently, ion channel dysfunction can lead to various diseases. In addition, these channels are present in the plasma membrane and intracellular organelles. However, our understanding of the function of intracellular organellar ion channels is limited. Recent advancements in electrophysiological techniques have enabled us to record ion channels within intracellular organelles and thus learn more about their functions. Autophagy is a vital process of intracellular protein degradation that facilitates the breakdown of aged, unnecessary, and harmful proteins into their amino acid residues. Lysosomes, which were previously considered protein-degrading garbage boxes, are now recognized as crucial intracellular sensors that play significant roles in normal signaling and disease pathogenesis. Lysosomes participate in various processes, including digestion, recycling, exocytosis, calcium signaling, nutrient sensing, and wound repair, highlighting the importance of ion channels in these signaling pathways. This review focuses on different lysosomal ion channels, including those associated with diseases, and provides insights into their cellular functions. By summarizing the existing knowledge and literature, this review emphasizes the need for further research in this field. Ultimately, this study aims to provide novel perspectives on the regulation of lysosomal ion channels and the significance of ion-associated signaling in intracellular functions to develop innovative therapeutic targets for rare and lysosomal storage diseases.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.137-149
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• 2012

Hemocyte parameters of the wild Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas inhabiting intertidal zones in small bays (Gwangyang and Jinhae Bay) on the southern coast of Korea were evaluated using flow cytometry and neutral red retention (NRR) assay. Morphological features, cell count, mortality, DNA damage, phagocytosis, and lysosomal membrane stability of hemocytes were analyzed. Three types of hemocytes were identified in the oyster hemolymph: granulocytes, hyalinocytes, and blast-like cells. Immune related functions of hemocyte including phagocytosis and lysosomal membrane stability were significantly different among the study areas (P<0.05), while cell count, mortality, and DNA damage of hemocytes were not significantly different. In Gwangyang Bay, phagocytosis of granulocytes and lysosomal membrane stability of oyster hemocytes inhabiting inside bay were significantly lower than those of oyster hemocytes in outside bay (P<0.05), indicating that oysters in inside bay of Gwangyang were relatively suppressed the immunological function in hemocytes. Contrary to Gwangyang Bay, immune parameters of oyster hemocytes in Jinhae Bay not showed the difference between sampling sites. In conclusion, flow cytometry and NRR assay using oyster hemocyte has a powerful tool to investigate the cell level in a short time due to no-preprocessing of material.