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Bo-kyung Yoon

Yonsei University · Medicine

About the Lab

Professor Bo-kyung Yoon's research lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying mesenchymal stem cell lineage commitment, particularly adipogenesis and metabolic reprogramming in disease. The lab investigates key regulators such as Dexras1, SCARA5, and Serpina3c in adipocyte differentiation and insulin signaling, while also exploring metabolic plasticity in cancer cells—especially the glutamine-independent NADPH production pathway in chemoresistant gastric cancer. Their work bridges stem cell biology, metabolism, and disease pathogenesis, with implications for obesity, metabolic disorders, and cancer therapy.

adipogenesismetabolic reprogrammingstem cell differentiationcancer metabolismsignaling pathways

Research Overview

Papers
27
Total Citations
394
Papers (5y)
14
Primary Field
Medicine

Research Output Trend

Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.

Publications per year (5y)
14total
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Citations per year (5y)
120total
20222023202420252026

Selected Papers

15
1
Article|75 citations·2016
Caffeine inhibits adipogenesis through modulation of mitotic clonal expansion and the AKT/GSK3 pathway in 3T3-L1 adipocytes
Hyo Jung Kim, Bo Kyung Yoon, Hyounkyoung Park, Jo Woon Seok, Hyeonjin Choi, Jung Hwan Yu, Yoon Jeong Choi, Su Jin Song, Ara Kim, Jae Woo Kim
SJR Q1BMB ReportsOA

Caffeine has been proposed to have several beneficial effects on obesity and its related metabolic diseases; however, how caffeine affects adipocyte differentiation has not been elucidated. In this study, we demonstrated that caffeine suppressed 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation and inhibited the expression of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP)α and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ, two main adipogenic transcription factors. Anti-adipogenic markers, such as preadipocyte secr

PhysiologyMedicine
2
Article|42 citations·2023
PHGDH preserves one-carbon cycle to confer metabolic plasticity in chemoresistant gastric cancer during nutrient stress
Bo Kyung Yoon, Hyeonhui Kim, Tae Gyu Oh, Se Kyu Oh, Sugyeong Jo, Minki Kim, Kyu-Hye Chun, Nahee Hwang, Suji Lee, S M Jin, Annette R. Atkins, Ruth T. Yu
SJR Q1Proceedings of the National Academy of SciencesOA

Molecular classification of gastric cancer (GC) identified a subgroup of patients showing chemoresistance and poor prognosis, termed SEM (Stem-like/Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition/Mesenchymal) type in this study. Here, we show that SEM-type GC exhibits a distinct metabolic profile characterized by high glutaminase (GLS) levels. Unexpectedly, SEM-type GC cells are resistant to glutaminolysis inhibition. We show that under glutamine starvation, SEM-type GC cells up-regulate the 3 phosphoglyce

Cancer ResearchBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
3
Article|40 citations·2017
SCARA5 plays a critical role in the commitment of mesenchymal stem cells to adipogenesis
Hyemin Lee, Yoo Jeong Lee, Hyeonjin Choi, Jo Woon Seok, Bo Kyung Yoon, Daeun Kim, Ji Yoon Han, Yoseob Lee, Hyo Jung Kim, Jae Woo Kim
SJR Q1Scientific ReportsOA

Mesenchymal stem cells have the capacity to give rise to multiple cell types, such as adipocytes, osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and myocytes. However, the molecular events responsible for the lineage specification and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells remain unclear. Using gene expression profile studies, we determined that Scavenger receptor class A, member 5 (SCARA5) is a novel mediator of adipocyte commitment. SCARA5 was expressed at a higher level in committed A33 preadipocyte cells com

Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
4
Article|30 citations·2006
Ordered Patterns of Microimprinted Bilayer Polymer Films with Controlled Dewetting and Layer Inversion
Bo Kyung Yoon, June Huh, Ho‐Cheol Kim, Jae‐Min Hong, Cheolmin Park
SJR Q1Macromolecules

ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUECommunication to the...Communication to the EditorNEXTOrdered Patterns of Microimprinted Bilayer Polymer Films with Controlled Dewetting and Layer InversionBo Kyung Yoon, June Huh, Ho-Cheol Kim, Jae-Min Hong, and Cheolmin ParkView Author Information Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, IBM Almaden Research Center, 650 Harry Road, San

Computational MechanicsEngineering
5
Article|28 citations·2016
Dexras1 links glucocorticoids to insulin-like growth factor-1 signaling in adipogenesis
Hyo Jung Kim, Y. Jiyoung, Jo Woon Seok, Yoon Jeong Choi, Bo Kyung Yoon, Hyeonjin Choi, Jung Hwan Yu, Su Jin Song, Ara Kim, Hyemin Lee, Da-Eun Kim, Ji Yoon Han
SJR Q1Scientific ReportsOA

Glucocorticoids are associated with obesity, but the underlying mechanism by which they function remains poorly understood. Previously, we showed that small G protein Dexras1 is expressed by glucocorticoids and leads to adipocyte differentiation. In this study, we explored the mechanism by which Dexras1 mediates adipogenesis and show a link to the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) signaling pathway. Without Dexras1, the activation of MAPK and subsequent phosphorylation of CCAAT/enhancer bindi

PhysiologyMedicine
6
Article|27 citations·2020
Serpina3c Regulates Adipogenesis by Modulating Insulin Growth Factor 1 and Integrin Signaling
Yoon Jeong Choi, Hyeonjin Choi, Bo Kyung Yoon, Hyemin Lee, Jo Woon Seok, Hyo Jung Kim, Jae Woo Kim
SJR Q1iScienceOA

Preadipocyte differentiation can be induced upon a hormonal treatment, and various factors secreted by the cells may contribute to adipogenesis. In this study, RNA-seq revealed Serpina3c as a critical factor regulating the signaling network during adipogenesis. Serpina3c is a secretory protein and is highly expressed in fat tissues. Knockdown of Serpina3c decreased adipogenesis by attenuating the mitotic clonal expansion of 3T3-L1 cells. These cells exhibited decreases in integrin α5, which abol

Immunology and AllergyMedicine
7
Article|20 citations·2020
Dexras1 plays a pivotal role in maintaining the equilibrium between adipogenesis and osteogenesis
Jo Woon Seok, Daeun Kim, Bo Kyung Yoon, Yoseob Lee, Hyeon-Ju Kim, Hyeon-Ju Kim, Nahee Hwang, Sungsoon Fang, Hyo Jung Kim, Hyo Jung Kim, Jae Woo Kim
SJR Q1MetabolismOA

BACKGROUND: Chronic steroid treatment causes an increase in visceral adiposity and osteoporosis. It is believed that steroids may alter a balance between differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into either adipocytes or osteoblasts; however, the detailed molecular mechanisms are unclear. We previously identified Dexras1 as a critical factor that potentiates adipogenesis in response to glucocorticoids. Thus, in this study, we investigated the role of Dexras1 in maintaining the balance be

Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
8
Article|19 citations·2016
Caffeine inhibits adipogenesis through modulation of mitotic clonal expansion and the AKT/GSK3 pathway in 3T3-L1 adipocytes
김효정, 윤보경, 박현경, 석조운, 최현진, 유정환, 최윤정, 송수진, 김아라, 김재우

Caffeine has been proposed to have several beneficial effects on obesity and its related metabolic diseases; however, how caffeine affects adipocyte differentiation has not been elucidated. In this study, we demonstrated that caffeine suppressed 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation and inhibited the expression of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR), two main adipogenic transcription factors. Anti-adipogenic markers, such as preadipocyte secr

9
Article|18 citations·2023
Creeping fat exhibits distinct Inflammation-specific adipogenic preadipocytes in Crohn’s disease
Nahee Hwang, Dong‐Woo Kang, Su‐Jin Shin, Bo Kyung Yoon, Jaeyoung Chun, Jae Woo Kim, Sungsoon Fang
SJR Q1Frontiers in ImmunologyOA

Creeping fat (CrF) is an extraintestinal manifestation observed in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD). It is characterized by the accumulation of mesenteric adipose tissue (MAT) that wraps around the intestinal wall. Although the role of CrF in CD is still debated, multiple studies have highlighted a correlation between CrF and inflammation, as well as fibrostenosais of the intestine, which contributes to the worsening of CD symptoms. However, the mechanism underlying the potential role of CrF i

ImmunologyImmunology and Microbiology
10
Article|15 citations·2021
Sp1-Induced FNBP1 Drives Rigorous 3D Cell Motility in EMT-Type Gastric Cancer Cells
Bo Kyung Yoon, Nahee Hwang, Kyu-Hye Chun, Yoseob Lee, Tatiana Patricia Mendes Duarte, Jae-Won Kim, Jae-Won Kim, Tae Hyun Kim, Jae‐Ho Cheong, Sungsoon Fang, Jae Woo Kim, Jae Woo Kim
SJR Q1International Journal of Molecular SciencesOA

Cancer is heterogeneous among patients, requiring a thorough understanding of molecular subtypes and the establishment of therapeutic strategies based on its behavior. Gastric cancer (GC) is adenocarcinoma with marked heterogeneity leading to different prognoses. As an effort, we previously identified a stem-like subtype, which is prone to metastasis, with the worst prognosis. Here, we propose FNBP1 as a key to high-level cell motility, present only in aggressive GC cells. FNBP1 is also up-regul

OncologyMedicine
11
Article|14 citations·2022
Single-cell sequencing of PBMC characterizes the altered transcriptomic landscape of classical monocytes in BNT162b2-induced myocarditis
Nahee Hwang, Yune Huh, Seonghyeon Bu, Kyung Jin Seo, Se Hwan Kwon, Jae Woo Kim, Bo Kyung Yoon, Hyo–Suk Ahn, Sungsoon Fang
SJR Q1Frontiers in ImmunologyOA

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been the most dangerous threat to public health worldwide for the last few years, which led to the development of the novel mRNA vaccine (BNT162b2). However, BNT162b2 vaccination is known to be associated with myocarditis. Here, as an attempt to determine the pathogenesis of the disease and to develop biomarkers to determine whether subjects likely proceed to myocarditis after vaccination, we conducted a time series analysis of

ImmunologyImmunology and Microbiology
12
Article|13 citations·2022
The Peripheral Immune Landscape in a Patient with Myocarditis after the Administration of BNT162b2 mRNA Vaccine
Bo Kyung Yoon, Tae Gyu Oh, Seonghyeon Bu, Kyung Jin Seo, Se Hwan Kwon, Ji Yoon Lee, Yeumin Kim, Jae Woo Kim, Hyo–Suk Ahn, Sungsoon Fang
SJR Q1Molecules and CellsOA

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has posed a serious threat to global public health. A novel vaccine made from messenger RNA (mRNA) has been developed and approved for use at an unprecedented pace. However, an increased risk of myocarditis has been reported after BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination due to unknown causes. In this study, we used single-cell RNA sequencing and single-cell T cell receptor sequencing analyses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs

Infectious DiseasesMedicine
13
Article|12 citations·2023
Stem Cell Properties of Gastric Cancer Stem-Like Cells under Stress Conditions Are Regulated via the c-Fos/UCH-L3/β-Catenin Axis
Jae Hyeong Lee, Sang-Ah Park, Il-Geun Park, Bo Kyung Yoon, Jung‐Shin Lee, Ji Min Lee, Jung‐Shin Lee, Ji Min Lee, Ji Min Lee
SJR Q1Molecules and CellsOA

Gastric cancer stem-like cells (GCSCs) possess stem cell properties, such as self-renewal and tumorigenicity, which are known to induce high chemoresistance and metastasis. These characteristics of GCSCs are further enhanced by autophagy, worsening the prognosis of patients. Currently, the mechanisms involved in the induction of stemness in GCSCs during autophagy remain unclear. In this study, we compared the cellular responses of GCSCs with those of gastric cancer intestinal cells (GCICs) whose

Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
14
Article|11 citations·2023
Caveolin-1 mediates the utilization of extracellular proteins for survival in refractory gastric cancer
Nahee Hwang, Bo Kyung Yoon, Kyu-Hye Chun, Hyeonhui Kim, Yoseob Lee, Jae-Won Kim, Hyeonuk Jeon, T. Kim, Mi Young Kim, Sungsoon Fang, Jae‐Ho Cheong, Jae Woo Kim
SJR Q1Experimental & Molecular MedicineOA

Despite advances in cancer therapy, the clinical outcome of patients with gastric cancer remains poor, largely due to tumor heterogeneity. Thus, finding a hidden vulnerability of clinically refractory subtypes of gastric cancer is crucial. Here, we report that chemoresistant gastric cancer cells rely heavily on endocytosis, facilitated by caveolin-1, for survival. caveolin-1 was highly upregulated in the most malignant stem-like/EMT/mesenchymal (SEM)-type gastric cancer cells, allowing caveolin-

Cell BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
15
Article|11 citations·2005
Direct Patterning of Self Assembled Nano-Structures of Block Copolymers via Electron Beam Lithography
윤보경, 황원석, 박철민, 황지영, 박연정, 장준연
http://www.cheric.org/article/502266

This study describes a method where the match of two different length scales, i.e., the patterns from self-assembled block copolymer (<50nm) and electron beam writing (>50nm), allow the nanometer scale pattern mask. The method is based on using block copolymers containing a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) block, which is subject to be decomposed under an electron beam, as a pattern resist for electron beam lithography. Electron beam on self assembled block copolymer thin film selectively etches

Research Areas

PhysiologyCancer ResearchMolecular BiologyImmunologyCell BiologyComputational Mechanics

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