Molecular and cellular biochemistry
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Mol. Cell. Biochem. · Apr 2016
Proteomic identification of fat-browning markers in cultured white adipocytes treated with curcumin.
We previously reported that curcumin induces browning of primary white adipocytes via enhanced expression of brown adipocyte-specific genes. In this study, we attempted to identify target proteins responsible for this fat-browning effect by analyzing proteomic changes in cultured white adipocytes in response to curcumin treatment. To elucidate the role of curcumin in fat-browning, we conducted comparative proteomic analysis of primary adipocytes between control and curcumin-treated cells using two-dimensional electrophoresis combined with MALDI-TOF-MS. ⋯ One of the most striking findings is that hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) was highly correlated with main browning markers based on the STRING database. HSL and two browning markers (UCP1, PGC-1α) were co-immunoprecipitated with these markers, suggesting that HSL possibly plays a role in fat-browning of white adipocytes. Our results suggest that curcumin increased HSL levels and other browning-specific markers, suggesting its possible role in augmentation of lipolysis and suppression of lipogenesis by trans-differentiation from white adipocytes into brown adipocytes (beige).
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Mol. Cell. Biochem. · Jan 2016
GPR40, a free fatty acid receptor, differentially impacts osteoblast behavior depending on differentiation stage and environment.
GPR40 is a free fatty acid receptor that has been recently shown to impact bone remodeling. This receptor protects skeleton by inhibiting bone resorbing osteoclast differentiation. Consistent with GPR40 expression on bone forming cells, we assumed that this receptor may also influence osteoblast activity. ⋯ Data revealed a weak influence of GPR40 agonist on osteoblast markers expression. Nevertheless, a significant increase in OPG expression was observed upon GW9508 treatment that contribute to explain the GPR40-related osteoporosis prevention. To conclude, our results confirm the relevance of this new opportunity in the management of bone loss.
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Mol. Cell. Biochem. · Oct 2015
Anti-cancer effects of enteric-coated polymers containing mistletoe lectin in murine melanoma cells in vitro and in vivo.
In this study, we evaluated the effects of Korean mistletoe (Viscum album L. var. coloratum) coated with a biodegradable polymer (Eudragit(®)) wall on the growth of mouse melanoma in vivo. Oral administration of 4% (430 mg/kg/day) enteric-coated mistletoe resulted in a significant reduction in tumor volume on day 14 compared to the negative control group in B16F10 melanoma-inoculated BDF1 mice. When we measured the survival rate, enteric-coated mistletoe-received mice had a higher survival rate after day 12. ⋯ In addition, VCA or mistletoe extract induced an increase in both early and late apoptosis in cells. When we studied the molecular mechanism, our results showed that VCA and mistletoe extract can increase activated multiple caspases (caspase-1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9), dose-dependently. We also found out that VCA and mistletoe treatment causes a significant decrease in the expression of procaspase-3 and 8.
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Mol. Cell. Biochem. · Nov 2014
Involvement of calcium-sensing receptors in hypoxia-induced vascular remodeling and pulmonary hypertension by promoting phenotypic modulation of small pulmonary arteries.
Phenotype modulation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) plays an important role during hypoxia-induced vascular remodeling and pulmonary hypertension (PAH). We had previously shown that calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) is expressed in rat PASMCs. However, little is known about the role of CaSR in phenotypic modulation of PASMCs in hypoxia-induced PAH as well as the underlying mechanisms. ⋯ Neomycin (an agonist of CaSR) enhanced but NPS2390 (an antagonist of CaSR) weakened these hypoxic effects. We further found that the expression change of CaSR, PCNA, and SMC phenotypic marker proteins in PAH/CHF lungs was similar to those in PAH rats. Our data suggest that CaSR is involved in the pulmonary vascular remodeling and PAH by promoting phenotypic modulation of small pulmonary arteries.
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Mol. Cell. Biochem. · Oct 2014
Evidence that glycine induces lipid peroxidation and decreases glutathione concentrations in rat cerebellum.
Patients with non-ketotic hyperglycinemia (NKH) present severe neurological symptoms and brain abnormalities involving cerebellum. Although the pathomechanisms underlying the cerebellum damage have not been studied, high tissue levels of glycine (GLY), the biochemical hallmark of this disorder have been suggested to contribute to the neuropathology of this disease. We investigated the in vitro effects of GLY on important parameters of oxidative stress and energy metabolism in cerebellum of 30-day-old rats. ⋯ In contrast, GLY did not alter the protein carbonyl formation and total and protein-bound sulfhydryl group content, as well as catalase and superoxide dismutase activities. Furthermore, GLY did not alter the activities of the respiratory chain complexes and creatine kinase. Our present data indicate that oxidative stress elicited by GLY in vitro may be a potential pathomechanism involved in the cerebellar dysfunction observed in NKH.