• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.240-248
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• 2024

We observed that treatment with dimethyl α-ketoglutarate (DMK) increased the amount of intracellular α-ketoglutarate significantly more than that of α-ketoglutarate in HaCaT cells. DMK also increased the level of intracellular 4-hydroxyproline and promoted the production of collagen in HaCaT cells. In addition, DMK decreased the production of collagenase and elastase and down-regulated the expression of selected matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), such as MMP-1, MMP-9, MMP-10, and MMP-12, via transcriptional inhibition. The inhibition of MMPs by DMK was mediated by the suppression of the IL-1 signaling cascade, leading to the attenuation of ERK1/2 phosphorylation and AP-1 transactivation. Our study results illustrate that DMK, an alkylated derivative of α-ketoglutarate, increased the level of 4-hydroxyproline, promoted the production of collagen, and inhibited the expression of selected MMPs by affecting the IL-1 cascade and AP-1 transactivation in HaCaT cells. The results suggest that DMK might be useful as an anti-wrinkle ingredient.

• 대한한방종양학회지
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.81-97
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• 2000

Objectives: This experimental study was carried out to evaluate the effects of aqueous and methanol extracts of Hedyotis diffusa which has long been used for cancer treatment in oriental medicines on the induction of apoptotic cell death in human lymphoid leukemia cell line, HL-60. Methods: Cells were treated with various concentrations (200 to $0.4{\mu}g$) and periods (6 to 30 hr) of $H_2O$ and methanol extracts of Hedyotis diffusa. Then, cells were tested for viability by MTT assay. Cells wrere treated with $200{\mu}g/ml$ of methanol extract fork various periods. Genomic DNA was isolated, separated, on 1.5% agarose gels, stained with ethidium bromide and visualized under UV light. Cells were treated with $200{\mu}g/ml$ of each extract for 16 hr. Then, cells were treated with Hoechst dye 33342 and observed by fluorescence microscopy. Cells were treated with various doses of each for 12 hr and $100{\mu}g/ml$ of methanol extract for various periods. Lysate from the cells used to measure the activity of Caspase-1 and-3 proteases by using fluorogenic peptide substrates including acetyl-YVAD-AMC and acetyl-DEVD-AMC, respectively. Cells were treated with $200{\mu}g/ml$ of each extract for various periods. Cell lysates were immunoprecipated with anti-JNKl antibodies. The immune complex was reacted with $32^p-ATP$ and c-Jun as a substrate. The phosphotransferase activity of JNKI was measured by using PhosphoImage analyzer (Fuji Co., Japan). Nuclear extracts were isolated and incubated with oligonucleotide probe of $NF-{\kappa}B$. Transcriptional activation of ${\kappa}B$ was measured by using EMSA and visualized by PhosphoImage analyzer (Fuji Co, Japan). Cell lysates were prepared and analyzed by Western blotting with anti-Bc12 antibodies and anti-Bax antibodies. Cells were pretreated with various doses of methanol extract for 2 hr. Then, the extract was removed by centrifugation. Cells were resuspended with RPMI-1640 media containing 0.3% agarose, 10% FBS, overlayred onto bottom layer agarose and incubated at $CO_2$ incubator for 6 days. The number of colony was counted under light microscopy ($\time100$). Results: The death of HL-60 cells was markedly induced by the addition of methanol extract of Hedyotis diffusa in a dose and time-dependent manners. The apoptotic characteristic ladder pattern of DNA strand break was observed in death of HL-60 cells. In addition, it was shown nucleus chromatin condensation and fragmentation under Hoechst staining. Therefore, Hedyotis diffusa extract-induced death of HL-60 cells is mediated by apoptotic signaling processes. The activity of Caspase 3-like proteases remained in a basal level in HL-60 cells treated with aqueous extract of Hedyotis diffusa. However, it was markedly increased in HL-60 cells treated with methanol extract of Hedyotis diffusa. In addition, the phosphotransferase activity of JNKl was increased in HL-60 cells treated with methanol extract of Hedyotis diffusa. Furthermore, the activation of transcriptional activator, $NF-{\kappa}B$ was markedly induced by methanol extract of Hedyotis diffusa. Anti-apoptotic Bc12 was cleaved into 23Kda fragment by treatment of methanol extract of Hedyotis diffusa. However, expression of proapoptotic Bax protein was increased by treatment of methanol extract of Hedyotis diffusa in a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, methanol extract markedly inhibited the colony forming efficiency of HL-60 cells in semisolid agar culture. Conclusions: Above results suggest that methanol extract of Hedyotis diffusa induces the apoptotic death of human leukemic HL-60 cells via activations of Caspase-3 proteases, JNKI, transcriptional activator $NF-{\kappa}B$, In addition, our results also suggest that methanol extract of Hedyotis diffusa reduces the malignant potential of HL-60 cells via down regulation of colony forming effciency through cleavage of Bc12 as well as induction of Bax.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제41권9호
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• pp.1226-1234
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• 2012

본 연구에서는 염증반응을 조절하는 다양한 신호전달체계를 중심으로 분자생물학적 방법을 통해 piceatannol의 항염증 기전을 규명하였다. LPS로 염증반응을 유도한 Raw 264.7 대식세포에서 piceatannol은 iNOS의 발현 억제를 통해 NO의 생성을 감소시키고 염증성 사이토카인(TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, IL-$1{\beta}$)의 생성을 감소시켰다. 염증반응을 조절하는 신호전달체계 중 piceatannol은 LPS에 의해 유도된 $I{\kappa}B$의 분해와 p65의 핵으로의 이동을 억제하고, LPS에 의해 유도된 SAPK/JNK의 인산화를 억제하였다. 또한 piceatannol은 LPS와 IL-6(LPS에 의해 증가됨)에 의한 STAT3의 활성화를 억제하였다. 뿐만 아니라 piceatannol은 Nrf2의 핵 내 축적을 야기하고 ARE의 transcriptional activity를 증가시켜 HO-1의 발현을 증가시켰다. 본 연구의 결과, piceatannol은 NF-${\kappa}B$와 AP-1, STAT3 신호전달의 억제를 통해, 그리고 HO-1의 발현 증가를 통해 항염증 효과를 나타내었다(Fig. 8).

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제42권3호
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• pp.389-399
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• 2018

Background: The antioxidant effects of Panax ginseng have been reported in several articles; however, little is known about the antimelanogenesis effect, skin-protective effect, and cellular mechanism of Panax ginseng, especially of P. ginseng calyx. To understand how an ethanol extract of P. ginseng berry calyx (Pg-C-EE) exerts skin-protective effects, we studied its activities in activated melanocytes and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced keratinocytes. Methods: To confirm the antimelanogenesis effect of Pg-C-EE, we analyzed melanin synthesis and secretion and messenger RNA and protein expression levels of related genes. Ultraviolet B (UVB) and hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) were used to induce cell damage by ROS generation. To examine whether this damage is inhibited by Pg-C-EE, we performed cell viability assays and gene expression and transcriptional activation analyses. Results: Pg-C-EE inhibited melanin synthesis and secretion by blocking activator protein 1 regulatory enzymes such as p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), and cyclic adenosine mono-phosphate response element-binding protein. Pg-C-EE also suppressed ROS generation induced by $H_2O_2$ and UVB. Treatment with Pg-C-EE decreased the expression of matrix metalloproteinases, mitogen-activated protein kinases, and hyaluronidases and increased the cell survival rate. Conclusion: These results suggest that Pg-C-EE may have antimelanogenesis properties and skin-protective properties through regulation of activator protein 1 and cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding protein signaling. Pg-C-EE may be used as a skin-improving agent, with moisture retention and whitening effects.

• KSBB Journal
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• 제10권5호
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• pp.499-509
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• 1995

PU.1은 6개의 특이적인 purine-rich 염기서열 (5' -GAGGAA-3 )로 구성된 PU box에 결합하는 transcription activator이다. 이 PUol은 macro phage와 B-cell에서만 발현되어 이들 세포를 활성 화시키므로, 포유통물의 연역계를 연구하는 데 중요 한 위치를 차지하고 있다. Full length PUol cDNA 는 open reading frame 816개의 DNA 염기로 구성 되어 있으므로, 아미노산 2727~의 합성을 지령한다. PUol의 활성화는 이를 구성하고 있는 polypeptide 중 세린 잔기가 인산화되어 전사인자로서 작용한다 고 추측된다. PU.1은 22개의 세린을 함유하고 있으 며, 정확한 인산화 위치 빛 수량은 알 수 없으나, casein kinase II 에 의하여 인산화된다고 추측되는 제41,45,132'133,148번째 아미노산 세린들이 제1 차 target sites이다. 본 연구에서는 이상의 제41, 45, 132,133, 148번 아미노산 세린 codon(AGC, AGC, AGC.TCA, TCT)이 알라닌 codon(GCC, GCC, GCC.GCA, G GCT)으로 치환된 4가지의 점돌연변이체 클론 (pKKS41A, pRKS45A, pMKS132$.$133A, pMKS­1 148A)을 다음과 같이 제조하였다. Wild type PUol cDNA(template)를 해당되는 mutant DNA primers로 증폭(PCRjSOE)하여 mutant cDNA 단편을 얻었다. 이를 Hind III와 Xba I 으로 절단된 pBlu­e escript KS +에 접합시킨 후, 대장균(E. coli XLI ~ Blue)에 형질전환시켰다. 이 점돌연변이체들은 인산화 부위 및 수량은 물론 PU.1의 구조 및 기능 (Structure and Function) 연구에 기여할 것이다.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.357-364
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• 1995

이질아메바에 의한 장염 환자의 조직 또는 이질아메바를 실험적으로 감염시킨 동물의 조직 검사에서 호중구의 침윤이 특징적으로 관찰된다. 그러나 이와같은 호중구의 침윤을 설명할 수 있는 기전에 대한 연구는 매우 미흡하다. 따라서 본 연구자들은 아메바 감염 초기에 인체 대장상피 세포에서 interleukin-8(IL-8)이 유도되어 호중구 침윤과 같은 염증반응이 유발될 것이라는 가설을 설정하였다. 이를 위하여 인체 대장상피세포주인 HT-29에 이질아메바 영양형을 실험적으로 노출시킨 뒤 발현되는 IL-S mRNA를 역전사 중합효소법(reverse transcriptional polymerase chain reaction, RT-PCR)으로 검사함과 퐁시에 발현된 IL-8 mRNA를 인공적으로 합성시킨 표준 RNA와 RT-PCR법을 이용하여 정량하였다. 실험 결과 이질아메바 영양형에 노출된 30분 후 부터 IL-8 mRAN가 발현되기 시작하였다 그리고 그 발현 분자수는 노출 시간의 증가에 따라 계속 증가하여 3시간 대에는 $3.1{\;}{\times}{\;}10^7{\;}molecules/\mu\textrm{g}$ total RNA를 나타내었다. 동시에 IL-8 mRNA의 발현은 노출시킨 이질아메바 영양형의 수에 비례하였다. 즉 HT-29/아메바 영양형의 비율이 10:1인 경우 IL-8 mRNA의 발현 분자수는 $1.2{\;}{\times}{\;}10^7{\;}molecules/\mu\textrm{g}$ total RNA로 나타났다. 이와같은 IL-8 mRNA의 발현은 IL-8 단백질 분비로 이어짐을 ELISA 검사로 확인할 수 있었다. 한편 이질아메바 파쇄액(Iysate)도 대장상피세포군인 Caco-2에서 IL-8 mRNA발현을 유도하였다. 결론적으로 본 실험은 이질아메바 감염 초기에 대장상피세포로 부터 IL-8이 발현되며, 이에 의하여 염증반응이 촉발될 가능성이 있음을 시사해 준다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.299-306
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• 2017

The transcriptional activator AphB has been implicated in acid resistance and pathogenesis in the food borne pathogens Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio cholerae. To date, the full-length AphB crystal structure of V. cholerae has been determined and characterized by a tetrameric assembly of AphB consisting of a DNA binding domain and a regulatory domain (RD). Although acidic pH and low oxygen tension might be involved in the activation of AphB, it remains unknown which ligand or stimulus activates AphB at the molecular level. In this study, we determine the crystal structure of the AphB RD from V. vulnificus under aerobic conditions without modification at the conserved cysteine residue of the RD, even in the presence of the oxidizing agent cumene hydroperoxide. A cysteine to serine amino acid residue mutant RD protein further confirmed that the cysteine residue is not involved in sensing oxidative stress in vitro. Interestingly, an unidentified small molecule was observed in the inter-subdomain cavity in the RD when the crystal was incubated with cumene hydroperoxide molecules, suggesting a new ligand-binding site. In addition, we confirmed the role of AphB in acid tolerance by observing an aphB-dependent increase in cadC transcript level when V. vulnificus was exposed to acidic pH. Our study contributes to the understanding of the AphB molecular mechanism in the process of recognizing the host environment.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.259-266
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• 2000

Objectives : The effects of aqueous extracts of Cortex ulmi pumilae (a traditional medicine for cancer treatment in oriental medicine) on the induction of apoptotic cell death were investigated in human liver origm hepatoma cell lines, HepG2. Methods : The death of HepG2 cells was markedly induced by the addition of extracts of Cortex ulmi pumilae in a dose-dependent manner. The apoptotic characteristic ladder pattern of DNA strand break was not observed in cell death of HepG2. In addition, it was not shown nucleus chromatin condensation and fragmentation under hoechst staining. However, by the using annexin V staining assay, externalizations of phosphatidylserine in HepG2 cell which were treated with Cortex ulmi pumilae extracts were detected in the early time (at 9 hr after extract treatment). Furthermore, LDH release was not detected in this early stage. Therefore, Cortex ulmi pumilae extracts-induced cell death of HepG2 cells is mediated by apoptotic death signal processes. Result : The activity of caspase 3-like proteases remained in a basal level in HepG2 cells which treated with the extract of Cordyceps sinensis. However, it was markedly increased in HepG2 cells which treated with two extracts of Cortex ulmi pumilae (C.U.P.-C, C.U.P.-K) which were differently extracted (respectively, 2.3 and 3.3 fold). On a while, the phosphotransferase activities of JNK1 was markedly induced in HepG2 cells which were treated with two extracts of Cortex ulmi pumilae. On the contrary, the activation of transcriptional activator, activating protein1(AP-1) and NF-kB were severely decreased by these two extracts of Cortex ulmi pumilae (C.U.P.-C, C.U.P.-K). In addition, antioxidants (GSH and NAC) and intracellular $Ca2^+$ level regulator (Bapta/AM and Thapsigargin) did not affect Cortex ulmi pumilae extracts-induced apoptotic death of HepG2 cells. Conclusions : In conclusion, our results suggest that two extracts of Cortex ulmi pumilae (C.U.P.-C, C.U.P.-K) induces the apoptotic death of human liver origin hepatoma HepG2 cells via activation of caspase 3-like proteases as well as JNK1, and inhibition of transcriptional activators, AP-1 and $NK-{\kappa}B$.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.291-297
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• 2013

Notch1 has been reported to be highly expressed in triple-negative and other subtypes of breast cancer. Mutant p53 (R280K) is overexpressed in MDA-MB-231 triple-negative human breast cancer cells. The present study aimed to determine whether the mutant p53 can be a potent transcriptional activator of the Notch1 in MDA-MB-231 cells, and explore the role of this mutant p53-Notch1 axis in curcumin-induced apoptosis. We found that curcumin treatment resulted in an induction of apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells, together with downregulation of Notch1 and its downstream target, Hes1. This reduction in Notch1 expression was determined to be due to the decreased activity of endogenous mutant p53. We confirmed the suppressive effect of curcumin on Notch1 transcription by performing a Notch1 promoter-driven reporter assay and identified a putative p53-binding site in the Notch1 promoter by EMSA and chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis. Overexpression of mutant p53 increased Notch1 promoter activity, whereas knockdown of mutant p53 by small interfering RNA suppressed Notch1 expression, leading to the induction of cellular apoptosis. Moreover, curcumin-induced apoptosis was further enhanced by the knockdown of Notch1 or mutant p53, but it was decreased by the overexpression of active Notch1. Taken together, our results demonstrate, for the first time, that Notch1 is a transcriptional target of mutant p53 in breast cancer cells and suggest that the targeting of mutant p53 and/or Notch1 may be combined with a chemotherapeutic strategy to improve the response of breast cancer cells to curcumin.

• BMB Reports
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• 제44권7호
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• pp.490-495
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• 2011

Transcription factor AP-$2{\alpha}$ involves in the process of mammalian embryonic development and tumorigenesis. Many studies have shown that AP-$2{\alpha}$ functions in association with other interacting proteins. In a two-hybrid screening, the regulatory subunit ${\beta}$ of protein casein kinase 2 ($CK2{\beta}$) was identified as an interacting protein of AP-$2{\alpha}$; we confirmed this interaction using in-vitro GST pull-down and in-vivo co-immunoprecipitation assays; in an endogenous co-immunoprecipitation experiment, we further found the catalytic subunit ${\alpha}$ of protein casein kinase 2 ($CK2{\alpha}$) also exists in the complex. Phosphorylation analysis revealed that AP-$2{\alpha}$ was phosphorylated by CK2 kinase majorly at the site of Ser429, and such phosphorylation could be blocked by CK2 specific inhibitor 4,5,6,7-tetrabromobenzotriazole (TBB) in a dose-dependent manner. Luciferase assays demonstrated that both $CK2{\alpha}$ and $CK2{\beta}$ enhanced the transcription activity of AP-$2{\alpha}$; moreover, $CK2{\beta}$ increased the stability of AP-$2{\alpha}$. Our data suggest a novel cellular function of CK-2 as a transcriptional co-activator of AP-$2{\alpha}$.