• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.75.1-75.1
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• 2003

Low-frequency electrical field stimulation of transmural nerves of cat esophageal circular smooth muscle produces an “off contraction”, which occurs after electirical field stimulation (EFS) of transmural nerves is stopped. We previously examined signal transduction pathways mediating ACh-induced contraction of circular smooth muscle of esophagus. The extracellular Ca$\^$2+/ is needed for the contraction, results in the activation PKC. EFS-induced contraction was abolished by the pretreatments of tetrodotoxin(1 ${\mu}$M) and atropine (1 ${\mu}$M). (omitted)

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.152.2-153
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• 2003

${\beta}Although$ it has been demonstrated that $p2l^{WAFl/Cip1}$, a well known cell cycle inhibitor, could be induced by $TGF-{\beta}$ in a p53-independent manner, the detailed signal transduction pathways still remain poorly understood. In this study, we show that ERK is required for $TGF-{\beta}$ induction of $p21^{WAF1/Cip1}$, but JNK or p38 MAPK is not. ERK activation by $TGF-{\beta}$ significantly attenuated by treatment with ROS scavenger such as NAC or catalase, indicating that ROS, mainly $H_2O_2$, generation by $TGF-{\beta}$ might stimulate ERK signaling pathway to require the induction of $p21^{WAF1/Cip1}$. (omitted)

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.189.1-189.1
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• 2003

4-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-2-aminothiazole and 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-aminothiadiazole derivatives have been synthesized and evaluated as selective antagonists for human adenosine A$_3$ receptors. A methoxy group in the 4-position of the phenyl ring and N-acetyl or propionyl substitutions of the aminothiazole and aminothiadiazole templates displayed great increases of binding affinity and selectivity for human adenosine A$_3$ receptors. The most potent A$_3$ antagonist of the present series, N-［3-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-［1,2,4］thiadiazol-5-yl］-acetamide exhibiting a K$\_$i/ value of 0.79 nM at human adenosine A$_3$ receptors, showed antagonistic property in functional assay of cAMP biosynthesis involved in one of the signal transduction pathways of adenosine A$_3$ receptors. (omitted)

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.304.2-304.2
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• 2002

In central nervous system. matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are produced by neuron as well as glia and implicated in physiological events such as neurite outgrowth and myelination etc. In addition. MMPs also contribute to the pathogenesis of several CNS diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and malignant glioma. In spite of their functional importance, little is known about the signal transduction pathways leading to the induction of MMPs in CNS. Here. we investigated whether the activation of Erk(1/2) is involved in the induction of MMP-9 in LPS-stimulated primary astrocytes. (omitted)

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.175-183
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• 1993

There are many report suggesting that influx and intracellular calcium concentration $([Ca^{2+}]_i)$ are related to cell signalling in various cells. However, it has not been reported that calcium channel activation is affected by the substances involved in signal transduction pathways in the mouse eggs. In this study, the effects of isoprenaline (ISP) and cyclic AMP on calcium influx through calcium channels were investigated to show their relationship with the signal transduction process in unfertilized mouse eggs. Using whole cell voltage clamp techniques, calcium currents, elicited by the depolarizing pulses of 300 ms duration (from -50 mV to 50 mV in 10 mV increments) from a holding potential of -80 mV, were recorded. The current-voltage (I-V) relation of calcium currents was shown to be bell-shaped; the current began to activate at -50 mV and reached its maximum $(-1.33{\pm}0.16\;nA:\;mean{\pm}S.E.,\;n=7)$ at -10 mV, then decayed at around 50 mV. Calcium currents were fully activated within $7\;ms{\sim}20\;ms$ and completely inactivated 200 ms after onset of the step pulse. ISP within the concentration ranges of $10^{-8}\;M{\sim}10^{-4}\;M$ dose-dependently increased the amplitude calcium current. The permeable cyclic AMP analogue,8-bromocyclic AMP, also increased its maximal amplitude by 46ft at $10^{-5}\;M$, while protein kinase inhibitor (PKI), which is known to inhibit 0.02 phosphorylating units of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) per microgram decreased calcium currents. Currents recorded in the presence of PKI were resistant to increase by the application of $10^{-5}\;M$. Also, PKI inhibited the calcium current increase elicited by ISP treatment. These results suggest that $\beta-adrenergic$ regulation of the calcium channel is mediated by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase. This signal transduction pathway might play a role in regulating $[Ca^{2+}]_i$, level due to the increase of calcium influx in mouse eggs.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2005

Cancer is still a major global health concern even after an everlasting strive in conquering this dread disease. Emphasis is now given to chemoprevention to reduce the risk of cancer and also to improve the quality of life among cancer afflicted individuals. Recent progress in molecular biology of cancer has identified key components of the cellular signaling network, whose functional abnormality results in undesired alterations in cellular homeostasis, creating a cellular microenvironment that favors premalignant and malignant transformation. Multiple lines of evidence suggest an elevated expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is causally linked to cancer. In response to oxidative/pro-inflammatory stimuli, turning on unusual signaling arrays mediated through diverse classes of kinases and transcription factors results in aberrant expression of COX-2. Population-based as well as laboratory studies have explored a broad spectrum of chemopreventive agents including selective COX-2 inhibitors and a wide variety of anti-inflammatory phytochemicals, which have been shown to target cellular signaling molecules as underlying mechanisms of chemoprevention. Thus, unraveling signaling pathways regulating aberrant COX-2 expression and targeted blocking of one or more components of those signal cascades may be exploited in searching chemopreventive agents in the future.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.471-484
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• 2009

The peri-implantation period in mammals is critical with respect to survival of the conceptus (embryo/fetus and associated extraembryonic membranes) and establishment of pregnancy. During this period of pregnancy, reciprocal communication between ovary, conceptus, and endometrium is required for successful implantation and placentation. At this time, interferon tau (IFNT) is synthesized and secreted by the mononuclear trophectodermal cells of the conceptus between days 10 and 21~25. The actions of IFNT to signal pregnancy recognition and induce or increase expression of IFNT-stimulated genes (ISGs), such as ISG15 and OAS, are mediated by the Type I IFN signal transduction pathway. This article reviews the history, signaling pathways of IFNT and the uterine expression of several IFNT-stimulated genes during the peri-implantation period. Collectively, these newly identified genes are believed to be critical to unraveling the mechanism(s) of reciprocal fetal-maternal interactions required for successful implantation and pregnancy.

• Proceedings of the Botanical Society of Korea Conference
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• 1999.07a
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• pp.41-44
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• 1999

Magnaporthe grisea (Hebert) Barr (anamorph: Pyricularia grisea) is a typical heterothallic Ascomycete and the causal agent of rice blast, one of the most destructive diseases on rice (Oryza sativa L.) worldwide. The interactions between cells of the pathogen and those of the host involve a complex of biological influences which can lead to blast disease. The early stages of infection process in particular may be viewed as a sequence of discrete and critical events. These include conidial attachment, gemination, and the formation of an appressorium, a dome-shaped and melanized infection structure. Disruption of this process at any point will result in failure of the pathogen to colonize host tissues. This may offer a new avenue for developing innovative crop protection strategies. To recognize and capture such opportunities, understanding the very bases of the pathogenesis at the cellular and molecular level is prerequisite. Much has been learned about environmental cues and endogenous signaling systems for the early infection-related morphogenesis in M. grisea during last several years. The study of signal transduction system in phytopathogenic filamentous fungi offers distinct advantages over traditional mammalian systems. Mammalian systems often contain multiple copies of important genes active in the same tissue under the same physiological processes. Functional redundancy, alternate gene splicing, and specilized isoforms make defining the role of any single gene difficult. Fungi and animals are closely related kingdoms [3], so inferences between these organisms are often justified. For many genes, fungi frequently possess only a single copy, thus phenotype can be attributed directly to the mutation or deletion of any particular gene of interest.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.299-303
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• 2015

Panax ginseng is a well-known economic medical plant that is widely used in Chinese traditional medicine. This species contains a unique class of natural products-ginsenosides. Recent clinical and experimental studies have presented numerous lines of evidence on the promising role of ginsenosides on different diseases including neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and certain types of cancer. Nowadays, most of the attention has focused on ginsenoside Rd as a neuroprotective agent to attenuate ischemic stroke damages. Some of the evidence showed that ginsenoside Rd ameliorates ischemic stroke-induced damages through the suppression of oxidative stress and inflammation. Ginsenoside Rd can prolong neural cells' survival through the upregulation of the endogenous antioxidant system, phosphoinositide-3-kinase/AKT and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 pathways, preservation of mitochondrial membrane potential, suppression of the nuclear factor-kappa B, transient receptor potential melastatin, acid sensing ion channels 1a, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1, protein tyrosine kinase activation, as well as reduction of cytochrome c-releasing and apoptosis-inducing factor. In the current work, we review the available reports on the promising role of ginsenoside Rd on ischemic stroke. We also discuss its chemistry, source, and the molecular mechanism underlying this effect.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.19
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• pp.8337-8343
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• 2014

Paclitaxel is one of the best anticancer agents that has been isolated from plants, but its major disadvantage is its dose-limiting toxicity. In this study, we obtained evidence that the active mutant IPP5 ($8-60hIPP5^m$), the latest member of the inhibitory molecules for protein phosphatase 1, sensitizes human cervix carcinoma cells HeLa more efficiently to the therapeutic effects of paclitaxel. The combination of $8-60hIPP5^m$ with paclitaxel augmented anticancer effects as compared to paclitaxel alone as evidenced by reduced DNA synthesis and increased cytotoxicity in HeLa cells. Furthermore, our results revealed that $8-60hIPP5^m$ enhances paclitaxel-induced G2/M arrest and apoptosis, and augments paclitaxel-induced activation of caspases and release of cytochrome C. Evaluation of signaling pathways indicated that this synergism was in part related to downregulation of NF-${\kappa}B$ activation and serine/threonine kinase Akt pathways. We noted that $8-60hIPP5^m$ downregulated the paclitaxel-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ activation, $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ degradation, PI3-K activity and phosphorylation of the serine/threonine kinase Akt, a survival signal which in many instances is regulated by NF-${\kappa}B$. Together, our observations indicate that paclitaxel in combination with $8-60hIPP5^m$ may provide a therapeutic advantage for the treatment of human cervical carcinoma.