• Molecules and Cells
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• 제45권6호
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• pp.413-424
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• 2022

Suppressor of mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (SMAD) 4 is a pluripotent signaling mediator that regulates myriad cellular functions, including cell growth, cell division, angiogenesis, apoptosis, cell invasion, and metastasis, through transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)-dependent and -independent pathways. SMAD4 is a critical modulator in signal transduction and functions primarily as a transcription factor or cofactor. Apart from being a DNA-binding factor, the additional SMAD4 mechanisms in tumor suppression remain elusive. We previously identified methyl malonyl aciduria cobalamin deficiency B type (MMAB) as a critical SMAD4 binding protein using a proto array analysis. This study confirmed the interaction between SMAD4 and MMAB using bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assay, proximity ligation assay (PLA), and conventional immunoprecipitation. We found that transient SMAD4 overexpression down-regulates MMAB expression via a proteasome-dependent pathway. SMAD4-MMAB interaction was independent of TGF-β signaling. Finally, we determined the effect of MMAB downregulation on cancer cells. siRNA-mediated knockdown of MMAB affected cancer cell metabolism in HeLa cells by decreasing ATP production and glucose consumption as well as inducing apoptosis. These findings suggest that SMAD4 controls cancer cell metabolism by regulating MMAB.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• 제38권6호
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• pp.603-615
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• 2022

Soybean (Glycine max (L) Merr.) provides plant-derived proteins, soy vegetable oils, and various beneficial metabolites to humans and livestock. The importance of soybean is highly underlined, especially when carbon-negative sustainable agriculture is noticeable. However, many diseases by pests and pathogens threaten sustainable soybean production. Therefore, understanding molecular interaction between diverse cultivated varieties and pathogens is essential to developing disease-resistant soybean plants. Here, we established a pathosystem of the Korean domestic cultivar Kwangan against Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae B728a. This bacterial strain caused apparent disease symptoms and grew well in trifoliate leaves of soybean plants. To examine the disease susceptibility of the cultivar, we analyzed transcriptional changes in soybean leaves on day 5 after P. syringae pv. syringae B728a infection. About 8,900 and 7,780 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in this study, and significant proportions of DEGs were engaged in various primary and secondary metabolisms. On the other hand, soybean orthologs to well-known plant immune-related genes, especially in plant hormone signal transduction, mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling, and plant-pathogen interaction, were mainly reduced in transcript levels at 5 days post inoculation. These findings present the feature of the compatible interaction between cultivar Kwangan and P. syringae pv. syringae B728a, as a hemibiotroph, at the late infection phase. Collectively, we propose that P. syringae pv. syringae B728a successfully inhibits plant immune response in susceptible plants and deregulates host metabolic processes for their colonization and proliferation, whereas host plants employ diverse metabolites to protect themselves against infection with the hemibiotrophic pathogen at the late infection phase.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• 제53권1호
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• pp.20-37
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• 2023

Purpose: Our pilot study showed that a 3-dimensional dual drug delivery scaffold (DDDS) loaded with Chinese herbs significantly increased the regenerated bone volume fraction. This study aimed to confirm the synergistic anti-inflammatory and osteogenic preclinical effects of this system. Methods: The targets and pathways of parthenolide and naringin were predicted. Three cell models were used to assess the anti-inflammatory effects of parthenolide and the osteogenic effects of naringin. First, the distance between the cementoenamel junction and alveolar bone crest (CEJ-ABC) and the bone mineral density (BMD) of surgical defects were measured in a rat model of periodontitis with periodontal fenestration defects. Additionally, the mRNA expression levels of matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured. Furthermore, the number of inflammatory cells and osteoclasts, as well as the protein expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and levels of ALP were determined. Results: Target prediction suggested prostaglandin peroxidase synthase (PTGS2) as a potential target of parthenolide, while cytochrome P450 family 19 subfamily A1 (CYP19A1) and taste 2 receptor member 31 (TAS2R31) were potential targets of naringin. Parthenolide mainly targeted inflammation-related pathways, while naringin participated in steroid hormone synthesis and taste transduction. In vitro experiments revealed significant antiinflammatory effects of parthenolide on RAW264.7 cells, and significant osteogenic effects of naringin on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and MC3T3-E1 cells. DDDS loaded with parthenolide and naringin decreased the CEJ-ABC distance and increased BMD and ALP levels in a time-dependent manner. Inflammation was significantly alleviated after 14 days of DDDS treatment. Additionally, after 56 days, the DDDS group exhibited the highest BMD and ALP levels. Conclusions: DDDS loaded with parthenolide and naringin in a rat model achieved significant synergistic anti-inflammatory and osteogenic effects, providing powerful preclinical evidence.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권3호
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• pp.420-428
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• 2023

Background: Ginsenoside F2 (GF2), a minor component of Panax ginseng, has been reported to possess a wide variety of pharmacological activities. However, its effects on glucose metabolism have not yet been reported. Here, we investigated the underlying signaling pathways involved in its effects on hepatic glucose. Methods: HepG2 cells were used to establish insulin-resistant (IR) model and treated with GF2. Cell viability and glucose uptake-related genes were also examined by real-time PCR and immunoblots. Results: Cell viability assays showed that GF2 up to 50 μM did not affect normal and IR-HepG2 cell viability. GF2 reduced oxidative stress by inhibiting phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling components such as c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and p38 MAPK, and reducing the nuclear translocation of NF-κB. Furthermore, GF2 activated PI3K/AKT signaling, upregulated the levels of glucose transporter 2 (GLUT-2) and GLUT-4 in IR-HepG2 cells, and promoted glucose absorption. At the same time, GF2 reduced phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose-6-phosphatase expression as well as inhibiting gluconeogenesis. Conclusion: Overall, GF2 improved glucose metabolism disorders by reducing cellular oxidative stress in IR-HepG2 cells via MAPK signaling, participating in the PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β signaling pathway, promoting glycogen synthesis, and inhibiting gluconeogenesis.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.295-313
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• 2023

Objectives : While treatments for cancer are advancing, the development of effective treatments for cancer metastasis, the main cause of cancer patient death, remains insufficient. Recent studies on Dichroae Radix have revealed that its active ingredients have the potential to inhibit cancer metastasis. This study aimed to investigate the cancer metastasis inhibitory effect of Dichroae Radix using network pharmacological analysis. Methods : The active compounds of Dichroae Radix have been identified using Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform. The UniProt database was used to collect each of information of all target proteins associated with the active compounds. To find the bio-metabolic processes associated with each target, the DAVID6.8 Gene Functional classifier tool was used. Compound-Target and Target-Pathway networks were analyzed via Cytoscape 3.40. Results : In total, 25 active compounds and their 62 non-redundant targets were selected through the TCMSP database and analysis platform. The target genes underwent gene ontology and pathway enrichment analysis. The gene list applied to the gene ontology analysis revealed associations with various biological processes, including signal transduction, chemical synaptic transmission, G-protein-coupled receptor signaling pathways, response to xenobiotic stimulus, and response to drugs, among others. A total of eleven genes, including HSP90AB1, CALM1, F2, AR, PAKACA, PTGS2, NOS2, RXRA, ESR1, ESR2, and NCOA1, were found to be associated with biological pathways related to cancer metastasis. Furthermore, nineteen of the active compounds from Dichroae Radix were confirmed to interact with these genes. Conclusions : The results provide valuable insights into the mechanism of action and molecular targets of Dichroae Radix. Notably, Berberine, the main active ingredient of Dichroae Radix, plays a significant role in degrading AR proteins in advanced prostate cancer. Further studies and validations can provide crucial data to advance cancer metastasis prevention and treatment strategies.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.61-73
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• 2024

Objective: The main objective of this study was to define molecular mechanisms associated with thermal stress responses of chickens from commercial broilers (BR, Ross 308), Thai native chickens (NT) and crossbreeds between BR×NT (H75). Methods: Twenty days before reaching specific market age, chickens from each breed were divided into control and thermal-stressed groups. The stressed groups were exposed to a cyclic thermal challenge (35℃±1℃ for 6 h, followed by 26℃±1℃ for 18 h) for 20 days. Control group was raised under a constant temperature of 26℃±1℃. Pectoralis major (n = 4) from each group was collected for transcriptome analysis using HiSeq Illumina and analysis of glycogen and lactate. Gene expression patterns between control and thermal-stressed groups were compared within the same breeds. Results: Differentially expressed transcripts of 65, 59, and 246 transcripts for BR, NT, and H75, respectively, were revealed by RNA-Seq and recognized by Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes database. Pathway analysis underlined altered glucose homeostasis and protein metabolisms in all breeds. The signals centered around phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling, focal adhesion, and MAPK signaling in all breeds with slight differences in molecular signal transduction patterns among the breeds. An extensive apoptosis was underlined for BR. Roles of AMPK, MAPK signaling and regulation of actin cytoskeleton in adaptive response were suggested for H75 and NT chickens. Lower glycogen content was observed in the breast muscles of BR and NT (p<0.01) compared to their control counterparts. Only BR muscle exhibited increased lactate (p<0.01) upon exposure to the stress. Conclusion: The results provided a better comprehension regarding the associated biological pathways in response to the cyclic thermal stress in each breed and in chickens with different growth rates.

• 생물정신의학
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.115-121
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• 2007

연구목적: 알코올의존에 내재된 분자생물학적 기전을 이해하고 알코올리즘 치료 약물의 새로운 표적을 알아내기 위해서는, 알코올에 반응하는 유전자 혹은 반응 경로를 알아내는 것이 필요하다. DNA microarray 기법의 발달로 고전적 연구 방법과 달리 동시에 수천 수만개의 유전자의 표현을 검사하는 것이 가능하게 되었다. 본 연구에서는 알코올을 흰쥐의 신경아교종 세포에 처리했을 때 어떤 유전자의 발현을 조절하는지 DNA microarray를 이용하여 알아보고자 하였다. 방 법: 흰쥐 신경아교종 C6 세포주를 배양하여 에탄올 처리하고 총 RNA를 분리한 후 유전자 발현 양상을 조사하기 위해 cDNA microarray를 수행하였다. 결 과: 에탄올 처리군과 대조군간의 유전자 발현의 차이를 비교 분석한 결과 에탄올이 처리된 군에서 대조군에 비해 15개의 유전자가 발현이 증가하였고 12개의 유전자가 발현이 감소하였다. 발현이 증가한 유전자는 Orthodenticle(Drosophila) homolog 1, procollagen type II, adenosine A2a receptor, GATA-bindning protein2를 포함하고 있었고, 발현이 감소한 유전자는 diacylglycerol kinase beta, PRKC, Protein phosphatase 1, clathrin-associated protein 17, nucleoporin p58, proteasome를 포함하였다. 결 론: 흰쥐의 신경아교종 세포주에 알코올을 처치하였을 때 급성기에 알코올에 반응하여 발현이 증가하거나 감소한 유전자는 전반적으로 전사의 조절, 신호전달체계, 허혈성 뇌손상의 중재, 신경세포의 퇴행에 관여하는 것들이었다. 본 연구는 유전자 발현 시스템을 이용하여 에탄올에 반응하는 새로운 후보 유전자들을 관찰하였다는데 의의가 있다.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제35권3호
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• pp.121-128
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• 2005

Ras 신호전달체계는 세포내 다양한 결합 분자들과 더불어 세포의 분열과 세포의 이동에 관여한다. Dynamin 단백질은 endocytosis와 분비과정에서 vesicle를 분리하는데 관여하는 것으로 알려져 있으며, 3가지 아형으로 구분된다. Dynamin I은 신경조직에서 만 발현되고, dynamin II는 모든 조직에서 발현되지만 dynamin III는 정소를 포함한 생식기계에서만 발현된다. 선행된 연구에서 NIH3T3 세포를 이용하여 ras과발현 세포주를 만들었으며, dynamin II와 ras의 신호전달체계에 있는 Grb2가 결합한다는 것을 보고하였다. 따라서, 본 연구는 ras 단백질이 과발현되는 세포 (NIH3T3 (ras))와 대조세포인 NIH3T3의 형태학적인 차이점을 분석하고, 이 두 세포들에서 dynamin II 단백질의 발현의 차이를 비교하고자 하였다. Dynamin II의 발현차이를 분석하기 위해 형광염색을 하여 공초점 레이저현미경으로 세포내 분석을 하였으며, western blot을 시행하여 생화학적인 발현차이를 보았다. 또한, 두 세포의 미세구조적인 분석을 위하여 SEM과 TEM을 사용하였다. Dynamin II는 NIH3T3 (ras) 세포에서 발현이 증가 하였으며, NIH3T3 세포에 비하여 좀더 방추형이 었으며, 작은 세포질 돌기가 세포막을 따라 다수 신장되어있음이 관찰되었다. 또한, NIH3T3 (ras) 세포의 endocytotic vesicle이 형성되는 부위에서 dynamin II의 발현이 증가하였다. 이러한 결과로 dynamin II는 ras신호전달체계의한 신호전달분자로서 작용을 할 것으로 사료된다.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제6권4호
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• pp.181-191
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• 2008

RAS guanyl-releasing protein 3 (RasGRP3), a member of the Ras subfamily of GTPases, functions as a guanosine triphosphate (GTP)/guanosine diphosphate (GDP)-regulated switch that cycles between inactive GDP- and active GTP-bound states during signal transduction. Various growth factors enhance hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) proliferation via activation of the Ras/Raf-1/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway, which depends on RasGRP3 activation. We investigated the relationship between polymorphisms in RasGRP3 and progression of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected HCC in a Korean population. Nineteen RasGRP3 SNPs were genotyped in 206 patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) and 86 patients with HCC. Our results revealed that the T allele of the rs7597095 SNP and the C allele of the rs7592762 SNP increased susceptibility to HCC (OR=1.55, p=0.04 and OR=1.81${\sim}$2.61, p=0.01${\sim}$0.03, respectively). Moreover, patients who possessed the haplotype (ht) 1 (A-T-C-G) or diplotype (dt) 1 (ht1/ht1) variations had increased susceptibility to HCC (OR=1.79${\sim}$2.78, p=0.01${\sim}$0.03). In addition, we identified an association between haplotype1 (ht1) and the age of HCC onset; the age of HCC onset are earlier in ht1 +/+ than ht1 +/- or ht1 -/- (HR=0.42${\sim}$0.66, p=0.006${\sim}$0.015). Thus, our data suggest that RasGRP3 SNPs are significantly associated with an increased risk of developing HCC.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• 제33권5호
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• pp.1707-1714
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• 2012

Grb2 is an adapter protein involved in the signal transduction and cell communication. The Grb2 is responsible for initiation of kinase signaling by Ras activation which leads to the modification in transcription. Ligand based pharmacophore approach was applied to built the suitable pharmacophore model for Grb2. The best pharmacophore model was selected based on the statistical values and then validated by Fischer's randomization method and test set. Hypo1 was selected as a best pharmacophore model based on its statistical values like high cost difference (182.22), lowest RMSD (1.273), and total cost (80.68). It contains four chemical features, one hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA), two hydrophobic (HY), and one ring aromatic (RA). Fischer's randomization results also shows that Hypo1 have a 95% significant level. The correlation coefficient of test set was 0.97 which was close to the training set value (0.94). Thus Hypo1 was used for virtual screening to find the potent inhibitors from various chemical databases. The screened compounds were filtered by Lipinski's rule of five, ADMET and subjected to molecular docking studies. Totally, 11 compounds were selected as a best potent leads from docking studies based on the consensus scoring function and critical interactions with the amino acids in Grb2 active site.