This study hypothesizes that the application of low-dose nonthermal biocompatible dielectric barrier discharge plasma (DBD-NBP) to human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) will inhibit colony formation but not cell death and induce matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression, extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, and subsequent cell migration, which can result in enhanced wound healing. HGFs treated with plasma for 3 min migrate to each other across the gap faster than those in the control and 5-min treatment groups on days 1 and 3. The plasma-treated HGFs show significantly high expression levels of the cell cycle arrest-related p21 gene and enhanced MMP activity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWnt signaling is mainly transduced by β-catenin via regulation of the β-catenin destruction complex containing Axin, APC, and GSK3β. Transcription factor EB (TFEB) is a well-known master regulator of autophagy and lysosomal biogenesis processes. TFEB's nuclear localization and transcriptional activity are also regulated by various upstream signals.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFControlled cell growth and proliferation are essential for tissue homeostasis and development. Wnt and Hippo signaling are well known as positive and negative regulators of cell proliferation, respectively. The regulation of Hippo signaling by the Wnt pathway has been shown, but how and which components of Wnt signaling are involved in the activation of Hippo signaling during nutrient starvation are unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Hippo pathway plays a pivotal role in tissue homeostasis and tumor suppression. YAP and TAZ are downstream effectors of the Hippo pathway, and their activities are tightly suppressed by phosphorylation-dependent cytoplasmic retention. However, the molecular mechanisms governing YAP/TAZ nuclear localization have not been fully elucidated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIngredients of soy and fermented soy products have been widely utilized as food supplements for health-enhancing properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of fermented soymilk (FSM) and soymilk (SM) on free fatty acid-induced lipogenesis in the hepatocellular steatosis model. HepG2 cells were incubated with palmitic acid (PA) for 24 h to induce lipogenesis and accumulation of intracellular lipid contents.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHippo signaling controls organ size by regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis. Yes-associated protein (YAP) is a key downstream effector of Hippo signaling, and LATS-mediated phosphorylation of YAP at Ser127 inhibits its nuclear localization and transcriptional activity. Here, we report that Nemo-like kinase (NLK) phosphorylates YAP at Ser128 both in vitro and in vivo, which blocks interaction with 14-3-3 and enhances its nuclear localization.
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