• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.125-131
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• 2015

Currently, taxol is mainly extracted from the bark of yews; however, this method can not meet its increasing demand on the market because yews grow very slowly and are a rare and endangered species belonging to first-level conservation plants. Recently, increasing efforts have been made to develop alternative means of taxol production; microbe fermentation would be a very promising method to increase the production scale of taxol. To determine the activities of the taxol extracted from endophytic fungus N. sylviforme HDFS4-26 in inhibiting the growth and causing the apoptosis of cancer cells, on comparison with the taxol extracted from the bark of yew, we used cellular morphology, cell counting kit (CCK-8) assay, staining (HO33258/PI and Giemsa), DNA agarose gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry (FCM) analyses to determine the apoptosis status of breast cancer MCF-7 cells, cervical cancer HeLa cells and ovarian cancer HO8910 cells. Our results showed that the fungal taxol inhibited the growth of MCF-7, HeLa and HO8910 cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner. IC50 values of fungal taxol for HeLa, MCF-7 and HO8910 cells were $0.1-1.0{\mu}g/ml$, $0.001-0.01{\mu}g/ml$ and $0.01-0.1{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. The fungal taxol induced these tumor cells to undergo apoptosis with typical apoptotic characteristics, including morphological changes for chromatin condensation, chromatin crescent formation, nucleus fragmentation, apoptotic body formation and G2/M cell cycle arrest. The fungal taxol at the $0.01-1.0{\mu}g/ml$ had significant effects of inducing apoptosis between 24-48 h, which was the same as that of taxol extracted from yews. This study offers important information and a new resource for the production of an important anticancer drug by endofungus fermentation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.2169-2177
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• 2014

Matrine, a main active component extracted from dry roots of Sophora flavecens, has been reported to exert antitumor effects on A549 human non-small lung cancer cells, but its mechanisms of action remain unclear. To determine effects of matrine on proliferation of A549 cells and assess possible mechanisms, MTT assays were employed to detect cytotoxicity, along with o flow cytometric analysis of DNA content of nuclei of cells following staining with propidium iodide to analyze cell cycle distribution. Western blotting was performed to determined expression levels of Bax, Bcl-2, VEGF and HDAC1, while a microarray was used to assessed changes of miRNA profiles. In the MTT assay, matrine suppressed growth of human lung cancer cell A549 in a dose- and timedependent manner at doses of 0.25-2.5 mg/ml for 24h, 48h or 72h. Matrine induced cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase and decreased the G2/M phase, while down-regulating the expression of Bcl2 protein, leading to a reduction in the Bcl-2/Bax ratio. In addition, matrine down regulated the expression level of VEGF and HDAC1 of A549 cells. Microarray analysis demonstrated that matrine altered the expression level of miRNAs compared with untreated control A549 cells. In conclusion, matrine could inhibit proliferation of A549 cells, providing useful information for understanding anticancer mechanisms.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.2153-2158
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• 2014

Beclin 1 is a key factor for initiation and regulation of autophagy, which is a cellular catabolic process involved in tumorigenesis. To investigate the role of alternative splicing of Beclin1 in the regulation of autophagy in leukemia cells, Beclin1 mRNA from 6 different types of cell lines and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 2 healthy volunteers was reversely transcribed, subcloned, and screened for alternative splicing. New transcript variants were analyzed by DNA sequencing. A transcript variant of Beclin 1 gene carrying a deletion of exon 11, which encoded a C-terminal truncation of Beclin 1 isoform, was found. The alternative isoform was assessed by bioinformatics, immunoblotting and subcellular localization. The results showed that this variable transcript is generated by alternative 3' splicing, and its translational product displayed a reduced activity in induction of autophagy by starvation, indicating that the spliced isoform might function as a dominant negative modulator of autophagy. Our findings suggest that the alternative splicing of Beclin 1 might play important roles in leukemogenesis regulated by autophagy.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.126-133
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• 2016

A gene from Actinomyces sp. Korean native goat (KNG) 40 that encodes an endo-${\beta}$-1,4-glucanase, EG1, was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) $DH5{\alpha}$. Recombinant plasmid DNA from a positive clone with a 3.2 kb insert hydrolyzing carboxyl methyl-cellulose (CMC) was designated as pDS3. The entire nucleotide sequence was determined, and an open-reading frame (ORF) was deduced. The ORF encodes a polypeptide of 684 amino acids. The recombinant EG1 produced in E. coli $DH5{\alpha}$ harboring pDS3 was purified in one step using affinity chromatography on crystalline cellulose and characterized. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis/zymogram analysis of the purified enzyme revealed two protein bands of 57.1 and 54.1 kDa. The amino terminal sequences of these two bands matched those of the deduced ones, starting from residue 166 and 208, respectively. Putative signal sequences, a Shine.Dalgarno-type ribosomal binding site, and promoter sequences related to the consensus sequences were deduced. EG1 has a typical tripartite structure of cellulase, a catalytic domain, a serine-rich linker region, and a cellulose-binding domain. The optimal temperature for the activity of the purified enzyme was $55^{\circ}C$, but it retained over 90% of maximum activity in a broad temperature range ($40^{\circ}C$ to $60^{\circ}C$). The optimal pH for the enzyme activity was 6.0. Kinetic parameters, $K_m$ and $V_{max}$ of rEG1 were 0.39% CMC and 143 U/mg, respectively.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.1755-1762
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• 2020

Objective: Thyroid hormone responsive spot 14 alpha (THRSP) has been used to investigate the regulation of de novo lipogenesis because the variation of THRSP mRNA content in the tissue affects directly the ability of that tissue to synthetize lipids. Also, this gene responds to thyroid hormone stimulation and high level of carbohydrate feeding or insulin-injection. This study was carried out to investigate variations within THRSP and their effects on body and carcass weights in Korean native chicken (KNC). Methods: A total of 585 chickens which represent the five lines of KNC (Black, Gray-Brown, Red-Brown, White, and Yellow-Brown) were reared and body weight data were recorded every two weeks from hatch until 20 weeks of age. Polymerase chain reaction- restriction fragment length polymorphism, DNA chips for Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer, and Fluidigm Genotyping Technology, were applied to genotype selected markers. A linear mixed-effect model was used to access association between these single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and growth-related traits. Results: A total of 30 polymorphisms were investigated in THRSP. Of these, nine SNPs for loci were selected to perform association analyses. Significant associations were detected between g.-49G>T SNP with body weight at 20 weeks of age (BW20), g.451T>C SNP with growth at 10 to 12 weeks of age (GR10-12), and g.1432A>C SNP with growth at 14 to 16 weeks trait (GR14-16) and body weight at 18 weeks of age (BW18). Moreover, diplotype of the THRSP gene significantly affected body weight at 12 weeks of age (BW12) and GR10-12 traits. Diplotype of ht1/ht2 was favorable for BW12 and GR10-12 traits. Conclusion: These results suggest that THRSP can be regarded as a candidate gene for growth traits in KNC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.3493-3498
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• 2015

Objective: To assess associations between codon 72 polymorphisms (Pro or B and Arg or b alleles) of the TP53 gene and lung cancer risk among Bangladeshis. Materials and Methods: The distribution of the BB, Bb, and bb genotypes and the frequencies of the B and b alleles were determined by PCR-RFLP method using DNA extracted from leucocytes of 50 confirmed lung cancer patients and 50 age-matched controls and the data were analysed. Results: The ratio of BB, Bb, and bb genotypes were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium except for the male patients (${\chi}2=4.6$). The B allele is overrepresented among all patients (OR=2.0, p=0.02) and the female patients (OR=4.1, $p{\leq}0.01$) compared to the controls. The BB/bb ratio was also higher among the patients (OR=3.0, p=0.03). The relative risk of cancer for having BB over bb genotype was 1.8 (p=0.04) but no effect was observed for the Bb genotype. The B allele was overrepresented among patients with adenocarcinomas (OR=2.4, $p{\leq}0.01$) and squamous cell carcinomas (OR=2.7, $p{\leq}0.01$) over the controls but the difference was not significant for those with small cell lung carcinomas (OR=1.1, p=0.66). The B allele was overrepresented among patients age 50 or younger (OR=2.7, $p{\leq}0.01$), but not for older patients (OR=1.7, p=0.07), and among smokers compared to the controls (OR=1.8-10.0, $p{\leq}0.01-0.03$). However, no correlation between increasing pack-years and lung cancer was observed. Conclusions: The Pro/Pro (BB) genotype and the B allele are risk factors for lung cancer among Bangladeshis, particularly for people under age 50, women and smokers.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3335-3340
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• 2016

Background: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a precancerous condition with a 4 to13% malignant transformation rate. Related to the habit of areca nut chewing it is mainly prevalent in South-east Asian countries where the habit of betel quid chewing is frequently practised. On chewing, alkaloids and polyphenols are released which undergo nitrosation and give rise to N-nitrosamines which are cytotoxic agents. CYP450 is a microsomal enzyme group which metabolizes various endogenous and exogenous chemicals including those released by areca nut chewing. CYP1A1 plays a central role in metabolic activation of these xenobiotics, whereas CYP2E1 metabolizes nitrosamines and tannins. Polymorphisms in genes that code for these enzymes may alter their expression or function and may therefore affect an individuals susceptibility regarding OSF and oral cancer. The present study was therefore undertaken to investigate the association of polymorphisms in CYP1A1 m2 and CYP2E1 (RsaI/PstI) sites with risk of OSF among areca nut chewers in the Northern India population. A total of 95 histopathologically confirmed cases of OSF with history of areca nut chewing not less than 1 year and 80, age and sex matched controls without any clinical signs and symptoms of OSF with areca nut chewing habit not less than 1 year were enrolled. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples and polymorphisms were analyzed by PCR-RFLP method. Gene polymorphism of CYP1A1 at NcoI site was observed to be significantly higher (p = 0.016) in cases of OSF when compared to controls. Association of CYP1A1 gene polymorphism at NcoI site and the risk of OSF (Odd's Ratio = 2.275) was also observed to be significant. However, no such association was observed for the CYP2E1 gene polymorphism (Odd's Ratio = 0.815). Our results suggest that the CYP1A1 gene polymorphism at the NcoI site confers an increased risk for OSF.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2018

Objective: The aim of the study was to isolate gossypol-degrading bacteria and to assess its potential for gossypol degradation. Methods: Rumen liquid was collected from fistulated cows grazing the experimental pasture. Approximately 1 mL of the rumen liquid was spread onto basal medium plates containing 2 g/L gossypol as the only source of carbon and was then cultured at $39^{\circ}C$ to isolate gossypol-degrading bacteria. The isolated colonies were cultured for 6 h and then their size and shape observed by microscope and scanning electron microscope. The 16S rRNA gene of isolated colonies was sequenced and aligned using National Center for Biotechnology Information-Basic Local Alignment Search Tool. The various fermentation conditions, initial pH, incubation temperature, inoculum level and fermentationperiod were analyzed in cottonseed meal (CSM). The crude protein (CP), total gossypol (TG), and free gossypol (FG) were determined in CSM after fermentation with isolated strain at $39^{\circ}C$ for 72 h. Results: Screening results showed that a single bacterial isolate, named Rumen Bacillus Subtilis (RBS), could use gossypol as a carbon source. The bacterium was identified by 16S rDNA sequencing as being 98% homologous to the sequence of Bacillus subtilis strain GH38. The optimum fermentation conditions were found to be 72 h, $39^{\circ}C$, pH 6.5, moisture 50%, inoculum level $10^7cell/g$. In the optimum fermentation conditions, the FG and TG content in fermented CSM decreased 78.86% and 49% relative to the control. The content of CP and the essential amino acids of the fermented CSM increased respectively, compared with the control. Conclusion: The isolation of a gossypol-degrading bacterium from the cow rumen is of great importance for gossypol biodegradation and may be a valuable potential source for gossypol-degradation of CSM.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.87-95
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• 2009

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a major etiologic agent of chronic periodontitis and cytokines produced by macrophages play important roles in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases. In this study we investigated the cytokine response of phorbol myristate acetatedifferentiated THP-1 cells exposed to P. gingivalis. Compared with the prominent cell wall components of P. gingivalis (lipopolysaccharide and the major fimbrial protein FimA), live P. gingivalis stimulated much higher levels of cytokine production. In addition, whereas low multiplicity of infection challenges (MOI=10) of P. gingivalis 381 stimulated high levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1${\beta}$, high dose challenges with this bacterium (MOI = 100) resulted in a substantially diminished production of MCP-1 and IL-6. Moreover, high MOI P. gingivalis challenges achieved only low levels of induction of MCP-1 and IL-6 mRNA. The decreased production of MCP-1 and IL-6 appeared to be mediated by P. gingivalis proteases, because high MOI challenges with congenic protease mutant strains of this microorganism (MT10 and MT10W) did not result in a diminished production of MCP-1 and IL-6. Similar to its protease mutant strains, leupeptin (a protease inhibitor)- treated P. gingivalis at high doses induced high levels of MCP-1 production. To examine the mechanisms underlying the diminished production of MCP-1 by P. gingivalis proteases, the activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases and NF-${\kappa}$B was compared between the 381 and MT10W strains. Whilst high doses of both 381 and MT10W similarly activated the three members of the MAP kinase family, the DNA binding activity of NF-${\kappa}$B, as revealed by gel shift assays, was greatly increased only by MT10W. Taken together, our data indicate that P. gingivalis stimulates the production of high levels of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-1${\beta}$, IL-6, and MCP-1 but that high dose challenges with this bacterium result in a diminished production of MCP-1 and IL-6 via the protease-mediated suppression of NF-${\kappa}$B activation in THP-1 macrophagic cells.

• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.677-685
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• 2006

Proteins that are unfolded or misfolded in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) must be targeted for refolding or degradation to maintain the homeostasis of the ER. Derlin-1 was reportedly implicated in the retro-translocation of misfolded proteins from the ER to the cytosol for degradation. In this report, we showed that Derlin-1 was down-regulated in the endothelial cells derived from human hepatic cavernous hemangioma (CHEC) compared with other tested cells. Electron microscopy analysis showed that ER was aberrantly enlarged in CHEC cells, but not in other tested cells. When overexpressed, Derlin-1 induced the dilated ER to return normal size. This ER dynamic was associated with the activation of unfolded protein response (UPR). In CHEC cells where Derlin-1 was down-regulated, increased expression of the immunoglobulin heavy chain-binding protein (Bip) and UPR-specific splicing of X-box DNA-binding protein 1 (XBP1) mRNA were detected, as compared with that in other tested cells, indicating that UPR was activated. After Derlin-1 overexpression, the extent of UPR activation diminished, as evidenced by decreased expression of Bip, reduced amount of the spliced form of XBP1 ($XBP1_S$), and elevated expression of the unspliced form of XBP1 ($XBP1_U$). Taken together, these findings provide another example of a single protein being able to affect ER dynamic in mammalian cells, and an insight into the possible molecular mechanism(s).