• 한국의학물리학회지:의학물리
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.42-47
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• 2007

목적: 망간 조영증강 자기공명영상을 이용하여 시신경경로의 활성화를 추적해 보고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법: 뉴질랜드 암컷 흰색 토끼의 망막에 $30{\mu}l$의 $MnSl_2(1mol)$ 용액을 주입한 후 고성능 경사자계 시스템이 장착된 임상용 1.5 기기에서 3D FSPGR 펄스열을 사용하여 고해상도 T1-강조영상을 망간 주입 후 12시간, 24시간, 48시간에 각각 획득한 후 시신경경로의 주요 해부학적 구조물에서의 조영증강을 관찰하였다. 또한 정량적 평가를 위하여 해부학적 위치에 동일한 원형의 관심영역을 정하여 신호강도를 측정 한 후 배경 잡음의 신호강도와의 신호대 잡음비(signal-to-noise ratio)를 구하였다. 결과: 망간 주입 후 시신경 경로상의 주요 구조물들이 조영증강 되었다 조영 증강된 주요 구조물로는 오른쪽 시신경(optic nerve), 시각교차(optic chiasm), 왼쪽 시신경 경로(optic tract), 왼쪽 가쪽 무릎핵(lateral geniculate nucleus), 왼쪽 상구(superior colliculus) 등 오른쪽 망막의 대측(contralateral) 시신경 경로상의 구조물이었으며 동측(ipsilateral) 시신경 경로는 조영증강을 보이지 않았다. 결론: 시신경계의 말단부위인 망막에 $MnCl_2$를 주입한 후 시신경계의 축삭을 통한 망간이온의 전파를 비침습적으로 관찰 할 수 있었다. 이러한 망간이온의 전파는 전압 개폐성 칼슘채널을 통하여 일어나는 것으로 여겨지며 특히 망막에 직접 주입하는 경우 전압 개폐성 칼슘채널의 빠른 이동 경로를 이용하는 것으로 추측된다.

• 공업화학
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• 제32권6호
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• pp.647-652
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• 2021

본 연구에서는 에탄올과 노말헥산을 이용하여 당목향 뿌리 추출물을 제조하고, 인체 모유두세포의 세포증식 및 모발성장 관련 신호전달에 미치는 영향을 평가하였다. 당목향 뿌리 추출물의 세포증식 효과는 MTT assay를 실시하였으며, ERK, Akt, Wnt/𝛽-catenin 신호 경로, 5𝛼-reductase의 발현을 western blot 분석을 통해 측정하였다. 당목향 뿌리 추출물은 인체 모유두세포의 증식을 유의하게 증가시켰고, 세포증식에 관여하는 ERK와 Akt의 인산화를 촉진하였으며, 당목향 뿌리 추출물에 의해 증가된 ERK, Akt 인산화 촉진과 세포증식은 MEK/ERK 억제제 PD98059와 PI3K/Akt 억제제 LY294002에 의해 유의하게 감소되었다. 또한 당목향 뿌리 추출물은 GSK-3𝛽 (Ser9)의 인산화를 통한 𝛽-catenin(Ser552, 675)의 인산화를 촉진함으로써 핵 내의 𝛽-catenin 축적을 유도하였고, 5𝛼-reductase type I, II의 활성을 억제하였다. 종합적으로 당목향 뿌리 추출물은 모유두세포의 ERK, Akt 경로의 활성화를 통해 세포의 증식을 유도하며, 𝛽-catenin 신호 경로 활성화 및 5𝛼-reductase 활성 억제를 통해 탈모 예방 및 모발 성장 효과를 나타냄으로써 헤어케어제품의 소재로 응용가능성이 있음을 시사한다.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• 제4권2호
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• pp.144-149
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• 2008

Despite versatile activity (cancericidal, antimicrobial, hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) inhibition, immune deactivation of DNA bis-intercalation agent, echinomycin, its specific mechanism has been elusive. Of these novel mechanisms, we reported that using human colon cancer cells (HT-29), apoptotic machinery induced by echinomycin might be dependent of caspase-3 pathway. Despite a partial enlightenment of prototypic signal path triggered by echinomycin, the role of Bcl-2 in this signaling pathway is unclear. To address this issue, we explored whether or not echinomycin would overcome the anti-apoptotic impact of Bcl-2 in HT-29 cells by the controlled Bcl-2 overexpression. Prior to this proof, we confirmed that echinomycin induces mitochondrial depolarization, then triggering the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis with an involvement of upstream cas-pases-3. Transiently transfection with inactive Bax-DNA failed to prevent echinomycin-induced apoptosis in HT-29 cells. To dissect the role of Bcl-2 in echinomycin-induced apoptosis, HT-29 cells were transiently transfected with Bcl-2 DNA for overexpression and then treated with echinomycin for 24h. Combined analyses of DNA fragmentation and flow cytometric analysis clearly verified that echinomycin-induced apoptosis was drastically attenuated by Bcl-2 overexpression, whereas a control vector rarely affected echinomycin-induced apoptosis. Collectively, these data verify that Bcl-2 regulates echinomycin-induced apoptosis in HT-29 cells. To my knowledge, this is the first evidence that of diverse, structured minor groove binders (MGB), the prototypic echinomycin might control the apoptotic signaling via Bcl-2-mitochondrial pathway.

• BMB Reports
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• 제44권7호
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• pp.468-472
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• 2011

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are pattern recognition receptors that recognize molecular structures derived from microbes and initiate innate immunity. TLRs have two downstream signaling pathways, the MyD88- and TRIF-dependent pathways. Dysregulated activation of TLRs is closely linked to increased risk of many chronic diseases. Previously, we synthesized fumaryl pyrrolidinone, (E)-isopropyl 4-oxo-4-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)-2-butenoate (IPOP), which contains a fumaric acid isopropyl ester and pyrrolidinone, and demonstrated that it inhibits the activation of nuclear factor kappa B by inhibiting the MyD88-dependent pathway of TLRs. However, the effect of IPOP on the TRIF-dependent pathway remains unknown. Here, we report the effect of IPOP on signal transduction via the TRIF-dependent pathway of TLRs. IPOP inhibited lipopolysaccharide- or polyinosinic-polycytidylic acidinduced interferon regulatory factor 3 activation, as well as interferon-inducible genes such as interferon inducible protein-10. These results suggest that IPOP can modulate the TRIF-dependent signaling pathway of TLRs, leading to decreased inflammatory gene expression.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제39권10호
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• pp.742-749
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• 2016

The cancer chemo-preventive effects of equol have been demonstrated for a wide variety of experimental tumours. In a previous study, we found that equol inhibited proliferation and induced apoptotic death of human gastric cancer MGC-803 cells. However, the mechanisms underlying equol-mediated apoptosis have not been well understood. In the present study, the dual AO (acridine orange)/EB (ethidium bromide) fluorescent assay, the comet assay, MTS, western blotting and flow cytometric assays were performed to further investigate the pro-apoptotic effect of equol and its associated mechanisms in MGC-803 cells. The results demonstrated that equol induced an apoptotic nuclear morphology revealed by AO/EB staining, the presence of a comet tail, the cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP and the depletion of cIAP1, indicating its pro-apoptotic effect. In addition, equol-induced apoptosis involves the mitochondria-dependent cell-death pathway, evidenced by the depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential, the cleavage of caspase-9 and the depletion of Bcl-xL and full-length Bid. Moreover, treating MGC-803 cells with equol induced the sustained activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and inhibiting ERK by U0126, a MEK/ERK pathway inhibitor, significantly attenuated the equol-induced cell apoptosis. These results suggest that equol induces mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in human gastric cancer MGC-803 cells via the sustained activation of the ERK1/2 pathway. Therefore, equol may be a novel candidate for the chemoprevention and therapy of gastric cancer.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.53-56
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• 2009

Recent evidence has strongly suggested that the CAP/TC10 pathway is involved in the trafficking, docking, and fusion of vesicles containing the insulin-responsive glucose transporter Glut4 to the plasma membrane. However, little is known about how the genes employed in the CAP/TC10 pathway are associated with the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this study, we sequenced 4 genes of the CAP/TC10 pathway [SORBS1, CBL, CRK, and RHOQ] in 24 individuals to identify genetic variations in these loci. A total of 48 sequence variants were identified, including 23 novel variations. To investigate the possible association with type 2 diabetes mellitus, 3 single nucleotide polymorphisms from SORBS1, 3 from CBL, and 4 from RHOQ were genotyped in 1122 Korean type 2 diabetic patients and 1138 nondiabetic controls. Using logistic regression analysis, 1 significant association between SNP rs1376405 in RHOQ and type 2 diabetes mellitus [OR = 8.714 (C.I. 1.714-44.29), p = 0.009] was found in the recessive model. Our data demonstrate a positive association of the RHOQ gene in the CAP/TC10 pathway with T2DM in the Korean population.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제41권6호
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• pp.532-544
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• 2018

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. In order to investigate a new treatment fot GIST, we hypothesized the effect of miR-374b targeting PTEN gene-mediated PI3K/Akt signal transduction pathway on proliferation and apoptosis of human gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) cells. We obtained GIST tissues and adjacent normal tissues from 143 patients with GIST to measure the levels of miR-374b, PTEN, PI3K, Akt, caspase9, Bax, MMP2, MMP9, ki67, PCNA, P53 and cyclinD1. Finally, cell viability, cell cycle and apoptosis were detected. According to the KFGG analysis of DEGs, PTEN was involved in a variety of signaling pathways and miRs were associated with cancer development. The results showed that MiR-374b was highly expressed, while PTEN was downregulated in the GIST tissues. The levels of miR-374b, PI3K, AKT and PTEN were related to tumor diameter and pathological stage. Additionally, miR-374b increased the mRNA and protein levels of PI3K, Akt, MMP2, MMP9, P53 and cyclinD1, suggesting that miR-374b activates PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in GIST-T1 cells. Moreover, MiR374b promoted cell viability, migration, invasion, and cell cycle entry, and inhibited apoptosis in GIST cells. Taken together, the results indicated that miR-374b promotes viability and inhibits apoptosis of human GIST cells by targeting PTEN gene through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Thus, this study provides a new potential target for GIST treatment.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.272-278
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• 2017

Fucoidan has been reported to exhibit various beneficial activities ranging from to antivirus and anticancer properties. However, little information is available about the effects of fucoidan on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Our study aimed to explore the effects of fucoidan on cerebral IRI, as well as the underlying mechanisms. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly subjected to four groups: Sham, IRI+saline (IRI+S), IRI+80 mg/kg fucoidan (IRI+F80), and IRI+160 mg/kg fucoidan (IRI+F160). Fucoidan (80 mg/kg or 160 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected from 7 days before the rats were induced to cerebral IRI model with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) method. At 24 h after reperfusion, neurological deficits and the total infarct volume were determined. The levels of inflammation-associated cytokines (interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$), oxidative stress-related proteins (malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)) in the ischemic brain were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Besides, the levels of apoptosis-related proteins (p-53, Bax, and B-cell lymphoma (Bcl)-2) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway (phosphorylation-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK), p-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p-p38) were measured. Results showed that administration of fucoidan significantly reduced the neurological deficits and infarct volume compared to the IRI+S group in a dose-dependent manner. Also, fucoidan statistically decreased the levels of inflammation-associated cytokines, and oxidative stress-related proteins, inhibited apoptosis, and suppressed the MAPK pathway. So, Fucoidan plays a protective role in cerebral IRI might be by inhibition of MAPK pathway.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권2호
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• pp.183-192
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• 2023

Viral infections are known as one of the major factors causing death. Ginseng is a medicinal plant that demonstrated a wide range of antiviral potential, and saponins are the major bioactive ingredients in the genus Panax with vast therapeutic potential. Studies focusing on the antiviral activity of the genus Panax plant-derived agents (extracts and saponins) and their mechanisms were identified and summarized, including contributions mainly from January 2016 until January 2022. P. ginseng, P. notoginseng, and P. quinquefolius were included in the review as valuable medicinal herbs against infections with 14 types of viruses. Reports from 9 extracts and 12 bioactive saponins were included, with 6 types of protopanaxadiol (PPD) ginsenosides and 6 types of protopanaxatriol (PPT) ginsenosides. The mechanisms mainly involved the inhibition of viral attachment and replication, the modulation of immune response by regulating signaling pathways, including the Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway, cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE)/hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) pathway, phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (PDK1)/ protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/activator protein-1 (AP-1) pathway, and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) pathway. This review includes detailed information about the mentioned antiviral effects of the genus Panax extracts and saponins in vitro and in vivo, and in human clinical trials, which provides a scientific basis for ginseng as an adjunctive therapeutic drug or nutraceutical.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.397-406
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• 2008

Computational modeling of signal transduction is currently attracting much attention as it can promote the understanding of complex signal transduction mechanisms. Although several mathematical models have been used to examine signaling pathways, little attention has been given to crosstalk mechanisms. In this study, an attempt was made to develop a computational model for the pathways involving growth-factor-mediated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt). In addition, the dynamics of the protein activities were analyzed based on a set of kinetic data. The simulation approach integrates the information on several levels and predicts systems behavior. The in-silico analysis conducted revealed that the Raf and Akt pathways act independently.