Bitna Yi

All Publications

• Small molecule modulator of sigma 2 receptor is neuroprotective and reduces cognitive deficits and neuroinflammation in experimental models of Alzheimer's disease. Journal of neurochemistry Yi, B., Sahn, J. J., Ardestani, P. M., Evans, A. K., Scott, L. L., Chan, J. Z., Iyer, S., Crisp, A., Zuniga, G., Pierce, J. T., Martin, S. F., Shamloo, M. 2017; 140 (4): 561-575

  Abstract

  Accumulating evidence suggests that modulating the sigma 2 receptor (Sig2R) can provide beneficial effects for neurodegenerative diseases. Herein, we report the identification of a novel class of Sig2R binding ligands and their cellular and in vivo activity in experimental models of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We report that SAS-0132 and DKR-1051, selective ligands of Sig2R, modulate intracellular Ca(2+) levels in human SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells. The Sig2R antagonists SAS-0132 and JVW-1009 are neuroprotective in a C. elegans model of amyloid precursor protein-mediated neurodegeneration. Since this neuroprotective effect is replicated by genetic knockdown and knockout of vem-1, the ortholog of progesterone receptor membrane component-1 (PGRMC1), it indicates that Sig2R ligands modulate a PGRMC1-related pathway. Last, we demonstrate that SAS-0132 improves cognitive performance both in the Thy-1 hAPP(L)(ond/Swe+) transgenic mouse model of AD and in healthy wild-type mice. These results demonstrate that Sig2R is a promising therapeutic target for neurocognitive disorders including AD. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

  View details for DOI 10.1111/jnc.13917

  View details for PubMedID 27926996

• To quit or not: Vulnerability of women to smoking tobacco. Journal of environmental science and health. Part C, Environmental carcinogenesis & ecotoxicology reviews Park, S., Yi, B., Lee, H., Oh, W., Na, H., Lee, M., Yang, M. 2016; 34 (1): 33-56

  Abstract

  Tobacco smoking is currently on the rise among women, and can pose a greater health risk. In order to understand the nature of the increase in smoking prevalence among women, we focused on the vulnerability of women to smoking behaviors-smoking cessation or tobacco addiction-and performed a systematic review of the socioeconomic and intrinsic factors as well as tobacco ingredients that affect women's susceptibility to smoking tobacco. We observed that nicotine and other tobacco components including cocoa-relatives, licorice products, and menthol aggravate tobacco addiction in women rather than in men. Various genetic and epigenetic alterations in dopamine pathway and the pharmaco-kinetics and -dynamic factors of nicotine also showed potential evidences for high susceptibility to tobacco addiction in women. Therefore, we suggest systemic approaches to prevent tobacco smoking-related health risks, considering gene-environment-gender interaction.

  View details for DOI 10.1080/10590501.2015.1131539

  View details for PubMedID 26669465