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At least 1,693 records · Page 94Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

Presence of Ras guanyl nucleotide-releasing protein in striosomes of the mature and developing rat.

Ras signal transduction pathways have been implicated as key regulators in neuroplasticity and synaptic transmission in the brain. These pathways can be modulated by Ras guanyl nucleotide exchange factors, (GEF) which activate Ras proteins by catalysing the exchange of GDP for GTP. Ras guanyl nucleotide-releasing protein (RasGRP), a recently discovered Ras GEF, that links diacylglycerol and probably calcium to Ras signaling pathways, is expressed in brain as well as in T-cells. Here, we have used a highly selective monoclonal antibody against RasGRP to localize this protein within the striatum and related forebrain structures of developing and adult rats. RasGRP immunolabeling was found to be widespread in the mature and developing rat forebrain. Most notably, it presented a prominent patchy distribution throughout the striatum at birth and at all postnatal ages examined. These patches were found to correspond with the striosomal compartment of the striatum, as identified by micro-opioid receptor labeling in the adult. RasGRP-immunoreactivity was also observed in the matrix-like compartment surrounding these patches/striosomes but appeared later in development and was always weaker than in the patches. In both striatal compartments, RasGRP was exclusively expressed by medium-sized spiny neurons and showed no preference for neurons that project either directly or indirectly to the substantia nigra. At the ultrastructural level, immunogold labeling of RasGRP was confined to the cell bodies and dendritic shafts of these output neurons. We conclude that the prominent expression of RasGRP in striosomes may be of significance for diacylglycerol signaling in the striatum, and could be of importance for the processing of limbic-related activity within the basal ganglia.

Aging↗
PubMed2002

Tipping the balance between necrosis and apoptosis in human and murine cells treated with interferon and dsRNA.

Interferons enhance the cellular antiviral response by inducing expression of protective proteins. Many of these proteins are activated by dsRNA, a typical by-product of viral infection. Here we show that type-I and type-II interferons can sensitize cells to dsRNA-induced cytotoxicity. In caspase-8- or FADD-deficient Jurkat cells dsRNA induces necrosis, instead of apoptosis. In L929sA cells dsRNA-induced necrosis involves high reactive oxygen species production. The antioxidant butylated hydroxyanisole protects cells from necrosis, but shifts the response to apoptosis. Treatment with the caspase inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-DL-Asp(OMe)-fluoromethylketone or overexpression of Bcl-2 prevent this shift and promote necrosis. Our results suggest that a single stimulus can initiate different death-signaling pathways, leading to either necrotic or apoptotic cell death. Inhibition of key events in these signaling pathways, such as caspase activation, cytochrome c release or mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production, tips the balance between necrosis and apoptosis, leading to dominance of one of these death programs.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗
PubMed2005

Once upon a time there was beta-catenin in cadherin-mediated signalling.

beta-Catenin was initially characterized as a protein interacting with the cadherin cytoplasmic tail and regulating cell-cell contacts and actin cytoskeleton interactions. Moreover, the gene coding for the Drosophila orthologue of beta-catenin, armadillo, was independently identified downstream of wingless in the segment-polarity signalling pathway. In fact, beta-catenin/Armadillo turned out to be key mediators of the Wnt/Wingless pathways in vertebrates and invertebrates. beta-Catenin participates in both adhesion and signalling functions in a mutually exclusive manner; bound to cadherins at the plasma membrane or 'unbound' in cytosolic or nuclear complexes. This model had placed beta-catenin at the crossroads between cadherin and Wnt signalling, leading to the dogma of inhibition of beta-catenin signalling by cadherins.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Current understanding of the function of magnesium chelatase.

Despite the global significance of chlorophylls and other modified tetrapyrroles, many aspects of their biosynthetic pathways are poorly understood. A key enzyme at the branch point between the haem and chlorophyll pathways, magnesium chelatase, couples the free energy of ATP hydrolysis to the insertion of magnesium into porphyrin, a process that is likely to be mediated through protein conformational changes. Conclusions from recent structural and functional studies of individual subunits are combined to provide a mechanistic outline of the full magnesium chelatase complex. Gathering further information presents a considerable challenge, and recent steps towards this goal will be introduced.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Upon drug-induced apoptosis expression of prostate-apoptosis-response-gene-4 promotes cleavage of caspase-8, bid and mitochondrial release of cytochrome c.

Par-4 functions as a tumor suppressor antagonizing the transforming capacity and the resistance of malignant cells towards apoptotic stimuli. After demonstrating that par-4 promotes apoptosis by activating signaling of the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis, we hypothesized that par-4 also impacts on key molecules of the extrinsic pathway without the requirement of a receptor/ligand interaction. Here, we provide first evidence, that expression of par-4 increases cleavage of caspase-8, truncation of Bid and its translocation to the mitochondria, resulting in an augmentation of cytochrome c and AIF efflux into the cytosol, effects par-4-positive cells are able to retain to a higher extent than par-4-negative cells upon inhibition of caspase-3 activation.

Antibiotics, Antineoplastic↗
PubMed1998

Complementation of the Arabidopsis pds1 mutation with the gene encoding p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase.

Plastoquinone and tocopherols are the two major quinone compounds in higher plant chloroplasts and are synthesized by a common pathway. In previous studies we characterized two loci in Arabidopsis defining key steps of this biosynthetic pathway. Mutation of the PDS1 locus disrupts the activity of p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPDase), the first committed step in the synthesis of both plastoquinone and tocopherols in plants. Although plants homozygous for the pds1 mutation could be rescued by growth in the presence of homogentisic acid, the product of HPPDase, we were unable to determine if the mutation directly or indirectly disrupted HPPDase activity. This paper reports the isolation of a cDNA, pHPPD, encoding Arabidopsis HPPDase and its functional characterization by expression in both plants and Escherichia coli. pHPPD encodes a 50-kD polypeptide with homology to previously identified HPPDases, including 37 highly conserved amino acid residues clustered in the carboxyl region of the protein. Expression of pHPPD in E. coli catalyzes the accumulation of homogentisic acid, indicating that it encodes a functional HPPDase enzyme. Mapping of pHPPD and co-segregation analysis of the pds1 mutation and the HPPD gene indicate tight linkage. Constitutive expression of pHPPD in a pds1 mutant background complements this mutation. Finally, comparison of the HPPD genomic sequences from wild type and pds1 identified a 17-bp deletion in the pds1 allele that results in deletion of the carboxyterminal 26 amino acids of the HPPDase protein. Together, these data conclusively demonstrate that pds1 is a mutation in the HPPDase structural gene.

4-Hydroxyphenylpyruvate Dioxygenase↗
PubMed2002

Suppression of IL-12 production by soluble CD40 ligand: evidence for involvement of the p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.

IL-12 is a key cytokine in skewing immune responses toward Th1-like reactions. Human monocytes/macrophages produce high amounts of bioactive IL-12 when a priming signal (IFN-gamma or GM-CSF) precedes a second signal (e.g., LPS). We and others have previously shown that preincubation with LPS before this stimulation procedure can efficiently and selectively suppress the production of IL-12 by human monocytes. In this study, we show that an almost complete suppression of IL-12 production can also be observed after preincubation of monocytes with costimulatory cell surface molecules that bind to members of the TNFR superfamily (CD40 ligand, TNF-related activation-induced cytokine (TRANCE)). The suppression of IL-12 was observable on the mRNA and protein levels and was not due to endogenous production of known IL-12 antagonists (i.e., IL-10, IL-4, and PGE(2)), to an increased number of cells undergoing apoptosis, nor to down-regulation of the IFN-gamma or CD40 receptor. Cell surface expression of the costimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86 was not reduced by the preincubation procedure, and only a moderate reduction of IL-6 production was observed. Several studies have identified signal transduction pathways that are activated by CD40 signaling, including activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases. The presence of the extracellular signal-related kinase-specific mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2-specific inhibitors PD98059 and U0126 abrogated suppression induced by sCD40 ligand or other second signals. This indicates that activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 contributes to the underlying mechanism of IL-12 suppression. This mechanism may be relevant in other inflammatory responses and may help to develop therapeutic strategies in Th1-mediated diseases.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed1995

Chemokines regulate cellular polarization and adhesion receptor redistribution during lymphocyte interaction with endothelium and extracellular matrix. Involvement of cAMP signaling pathway.

Leukocyte recruitment is a key step in the inflammatory reaction. Several changes in the cell morphology take place during lymphocyte activation and migration: spheric-shaped resting T cells become polarized during activation, developing a well defined cytoplasmic projection designated as cellular uropod. We found that the chemotactic and proinflammatory chemokines RANTES, MCP-1, and, to a lower extent, MIP-1 alpha, MIP-1 beta, and IL-8, were able to induce uropod formation and ICAM-3 redistribution in T lymphoblasts adhered to ICAM-1 or VCAM-1. A similar chemokine-mediated effect was observed during T cells binding to the fibronectin fragments of 38- and 80-kD, that contain the binding sites for the integrins VLA-4 and VLA-5, respectively. The uropod structure concentrated the ICAM-3 adhesion molecule (a ligand for LFA-1), and emerged to the outer milieu from the area of contact between lymphocyte and protein ligands. In addition, we found that other adhesion molecules such as ICAM-1, CD43, and CD44, also redistributed to the lymphocyte uropod upon RANTES stimulation, whereas a wide number of other cell surface receptors did not redistribute. Chemokines displayed a selective effect among different T cell subsets; MIP-1 beta had more potent action on CD8+ T cells and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), whereas RANTES and MIP-1 alpha targeted selectively CD4+ T cells. We have also examined the involvement of cAMP signaling pathway in uropod formation. Interestingly, several cAMP agonists were able to induce uropod formation and ICAM-3 redistribution, whereas H-89, a specific inhibitor of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase, abrogated the chemokine-mediated uropod formation, thus pointing out a role for cAMP-dependent signaling in the development of this cytoplasmic projection. Since the lymphocyte uropod induced by chemokines was completely abrogated by Bordetella pertussis toxin, the formation of this membrane projection appears to be dependent on G proteins signaling pathways. In addition, the involvement of myosin-based cytoskeleton in uropod formation and ICAM-3 redistribution in response to chemokines was suggested by the prevention of this phenomenon with the myosin-disrupting agent butanedione monoxime. Interestingly, this agent also inhibited the ICAM-3-mediated cell aggregation, but not the cell adhesion to substrata. Altogether, these results demonstrate that uropod formation and adhesion receptor redistribution is a novel function mediated by chemokines; this phenomenon may represent a mechanism that significantly contributes to the recruitment of circulating leukocytes to inflammatory foci.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed2004

Tryptophan metabolism along the kynurenine pathway in diet-induced and genetic hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

BACKGROUND: The activity of nicotinic acid in hypercholesterolemia has been poorly understood. In man, nicotinic acid derives for the most part from tryptophan along the tryptophan-nicotinic acid pathway, also called the kynurenine pathway, kynurenine being the key metabolite in this process. In the present paper, we investigated if, in animals with hypercolesterolemia, degradation of tryptophan to nicotinic acid along the kynurenine pathway was perturbated. METHODS: Liver, kidney and intestine enzyme activities of the tryptophan-nicotinic acid pathway in normolipidemic, diet-induced hyperlipidemic New Zealand and heritable hypercholesterolemic Watanabe (WHHL) rabbits were determined. RESULTS: Liver tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) activity was present only as a holoenzyme and was higher in the controls than in the hyperlipidemic and Watanabe rabbits, but no difference was present between the group fed an atherogenic hyperlipidic diet and the WHHL rabbits. Small intestine indole 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) did not vary significantly among the three groups but was higher in comparison with liver TDO activity. In liver, kynurenine 3-monooxygenase and kynurenine-oxoglutarate transaminase activities did not show any significant difference among the three groups of rabbits. Kynureninase and 3-hydroxyanthranilate 3,4-dioxygenase activities per g of fresh tissue decreased significantly in the group of hyperlipidemic and in WHHL rabbits. In the kidneys, kynurenine 3-monooxygenase and kynureninase activity did not change significantly in the three groups of rabbits; kynurenine-oxoglutarate transaminase activity per g of fresh tissue decreased in both hyperlipidemic groups, but no significant difference was observed between hyperlipidemic and Watanabe rabbits. 3-Hydroxyanthranilate 3,4-dioxygenase activity in kidney was decreased markedly in hyperlipidemic and Watanabe rabbits, but there was no difference between the two hypercholesterolemic groups. Aminocarboxymuconate-semialdehyde decarboxylase activity did not change. Thus 3-hydroxyanthranilate 3,4-dioxygenase may be an important regulatory mechanism in the control of the flow of tryptophan along the kynurenine pathway to NAD in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. CONCLUSIONS: This study first demonstrates that in rabbits, hypercholesterolemia, both diet- or genetically induced, can influence the enzyme activities of the tryptophan-nicotinic acid pathway leading to a decreased formation of nicotinic acid, and thus NAD.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Ordered biochemical program of gene expression in cancer cells.

Our introduction of the molecular correlation concept and the key enzyme concept and the use of biologically meaningful tumor models and control systems resulted in the discovery of an ordered pattern of enzymic and metabolic imbalance and the elucidation of the linkage with transformation and progression. We showed that the biochemical and enzymic pattern of alterations was the result of a reprogramming of gene expression that was both quantitative and qualitative and was characteristic to neoplasia, since no similar pattern of imbalance was observed in any of the control normal, regenerating, or differentiating tissues. Important aspects of gene logic were identified. These include demonstration of operation of reciprocal control of activities of opposing key enzymes and antagonistic pathways of synthesis and catabolism in pyrimidine, purine, ornithine, and carbohydrate metabolism and recently in signal transduction. The extent of increase in the activities of key enzymes of pyrimidine and purine biosynthesis related to the absolute activity of the enzymes in resting liver. The qualitative alterations in gene expression included the isozyme shift of key regulatory enzymes. We identified a segment of gene expression that is essential for neoplasia. We pointed out the selective advantages that reprogramming of gene expression confers to cancer cells. Understanding these alterations in the enzymology and biochemistry of cancer cells made it possible to identify potentially sensitive targets for anticancer chemotherapy. In recent clinical studies we targeted the increased IMP dehydrogenase activity in leukemic blast cells by an inhibitor drug, tiazofurin, and achieved 77% responses, including complete remissions.

Animals↗
PubMed2007

Antitumor effects of ZD6474 on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Angiogenesis is required for tumor growth and metastasis and, therefore, represents a target for cancer treatment. While many factors have been implicated in promoting angiogenesis, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a key role in tumor angiogenesis. ZD6474 is a potent VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) tyrosine kinase inhibitor which also has activity against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase. The purpose of this study was to investigate the sensitivity of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines to ZD6474, and to evaluate its antitumor efficacy on HNSCC xenografts. This is the first demonstration of antitumor effects of ZD6474 on HNSCC. In vitro ZD6474 displayed antiproliferative effects on HNSCC cells and inhibition of VEGFR-2 and EGFR pathways. In vivo ZD6474 displayed antitumor activity, induced apoptosis and antiangiogenic activity on nude mice bearing an established xenograft of YCU-H891 cells. These results suggest that ZD6474 has the potential to inhibit two key pathways in tumor growth via inhibition of VEGF-dependent tumor angiogenesis and via inhibition of EGFR-dependent tumor cell proliferation.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Serine 948 and threonine 1042 are crucial residues for allosteric regulation of Escherichia coli carbamoylphosphate synthetase and illustrate coupling effects of activation and inhibition pathways.

Escherichia coli carbamoylphosphate synthetase (CPSase) is a key enzyme in the pyrimidine nucleotides and arginine biosynthetic pathways. The enzyme harbors a complex regulation, being activated by ornithine and inosine 5'-monophosphate (IMP), and inhibited by UMP. CPSase mutants obtained by in vivo mutagenesis and selected on the basis of particular phenotypes have been characterized kinetically. Two residues, serine 948 and threonine 1042, appear crucial for allosteric regulation of CPSase. When threonine 1042 is replaced by an isoleucine residue, the enzyme displays a greatly reduced activation by ornithine. The T1042I mutated enzyme is still sensitive to UMP and IMP, although the effects of both regulators are reduced. When serine 948 is replaced by phenylalanine, the enzyme becomes insensitive to UMP and IMP, but is still activated by ornithine, although to a reduced extent. When correlating these observations to the structural data recently reported, it becomes clear that both mutations, which are located in spatially distinct regions corresponding respectively to the ornithine and the UMP/IMP binding sites, have coupled effects on the enzyme regulation. These results provide an illustration that coupling of regulatory pathways occurs within the allosteric subunit of E. coli CPSase. In addition, other mutants have been characterized, which display altered affinities for the different CPSase substrates and also slightly modified properties towards the allosteric effectors: P165S, P170L, A182V, P360L, S743N, T800F and G824D. Kinetic properties of these modified enzymes are also presented here and correlated to the crystal structure of E. coli CPSase and to the phenotype of the mutants.

Allosteric Regulation↗
PubMed2006

CD97 overexpression in tumor cells at the invasion front in colorectal cancer (CC) is independently regulated of the canonical Wnt pathway.

Invasion of colorectal carcinomas (CC) is characterized by nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin, a key component of the Wnt pathway, in scattered tumor cells. beta-catenin acts in cooperation with T-cell factor (Tcf) HMG-box transcription factors as a transcriptional activator of genes involved in tumor progression. Overexpression of CD97, a molecule that correlates with dedifferentiation and tumor stage in CC, parallels to nuclear translocation of beta-catenin. Here, we investigated whether CD97 is a direct beta-catenin/Tcf target gene. SW480 CC cells were used to mimic the phenotypical switch between central and invasive tumor areas. We demonstrate two-fold higher CD97 expression and nuclear beta-catenin accumulation in cells grown at low density compared to cells cultured at high density, showing membrane-associated beta-catenin. This suggests that CD97 expression correlates with the cellular localization of beta-catenin. However, CD97 mRNA expression levels were not affected by Tcf-1 or Tcf-4 as determined in inducible dominant-negative (dn) Tcf CC cell lines. Furthermore, co-expression of wildtype (wt) or S33A mutated beta-catenin with Tcf-4 did not influence CD97 promoter activity. Inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3beta, a negative regulator of the canonical Wnt pathway, had no influence on CD97 expression levels. In summary, enhanced CD97 expression in CC cells is regulated independent of beta-catenin/Tcf-4, and is thus not a direct target of the canonical Wnt pathway.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1996

Lipoprotein lipase-mediated uptake of lipoprotein in human fibroblasts: evidence for an LDL receptor-independent internalization pathway.

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL), a key enzyme in lipoprotein triglyceride metabolism, produces a marked increase in the retention and uptake of all classes of lipoproteins by cultured cells. It was previously shown that two different receptors are involved in mediating the LPL effects: heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG) and the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-related protein/alpha 2 macroglobulin receptor (LRP). By immunofluorescence we show here that cell surface-bound LPL displays a pattern that corresponds to the previously described distribution of cell surface HSPG. No evident relation to the distribution of bound activated alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M*) or to LRP was observed. By immunoelectron microscopy we found that after 30 min at 37 degrees C most of the detected alpha 2M* (70% of the total gold particles) was inside the cells and associated with endosomal vesicles. However, at the same time, 76% of the LPL remained at the cell surface, suggesting that, LPL is internalized by a slow endocytic process. Binding of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRL) or LDL together with LPL led to a spectacular increase in bound lipoproteins, which completely colocalized with LPL. After incubation at 37 degrees C, LPL and 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3,'3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine (DiI)-TRL formed large clusters on the cell surface. Immunofluorescene and quantitative immunoelectron microscopy provided evidence of co-internalization of LPL and apoE-containing TRL by a slow endocytic process. In the absence of LPL, the fibroblasts rapidly internalized DiI-LDL and showed fluorescence in central, lysosome-like vesicles. In contrast, when LPL was present, internalization of DiI-LDL involved small, widely distributed vesicles. This pattern slowly changed to one consisting of large perinuclear vesicles. LDL receptor-deficient fibroblasts internalized DiI-LDL, either with or without LPL, into small widely distributed vesicles and no central vesicles were seen. Chloroquine-treated normal fibroblasts internalized DiI-LDL in a pattern similar to that of receptor-deficient fibroblasts. Taken together our results suggest an alternative receptor-independent endocytosis pathway for LDL. This pathway is potentiated by LPL and is characterized by a slow uptake involving small vesicles that gradually reach lysosomes. We suggest that, through its interaction with HSPG, LPL provides high capacity binding sites for lipoproteins and a independent internalization pathway.

Apolipoproteins E↗
PubMed2003

Autotrophic CO2 fixation pathways in archaea (Crenarchaeota).

Representative autotrophic and thermophilic archaeal species of different families of Crenarchaeota were examined for key enzymes of the known autotrophic CO(2) fixation pathways. Pyrobaculum islandicum ( Thermoproteaceae) contained key enzymes of the reductive citric acid cycle. This finding is consistent with the operation of this pathway in the related Thermoproteus neutrophilus. Pyrodictium abyssi and Pyrodictium occultum ( Pyrodictiaceae) contained ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase, which was active in boiling water. Yet, phosphoribulokinase activity was not detectable. Operation of the Calvin cycle remains to be demonstrated. Ignicoccus islandicus and Ignicoccus pacificus ( Desulfurococcaceae) contained pyruvate oxidoreductase as potential carboxylating enzyme, but apparently lacked key enzymes of known pathways; their mode of autotrophic CO(2) fixation is at issue. Metallosphaera sedula, Acidianus ambivalens and Sulfolobus sp. strain VE6 ( Sulfolobaceae) contained key enzymes of a 3-hydroxypropionate cycle. This finding is in line with the demonstration of acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) and propionyl-CoA carboxylase activities in the related Acidianus brierleyi and Sulfolobus metallicus. Enzymes of central carbon metabolism in Metallosphaera sedula were studied in more detail. Enzyme activities of the 3-hydroxypropionate cycle were strongly up-regulated during autotrophic growth, supporting their role in CO(2) fixation. However, formation of acetyl-CoA from succinyl-CoA could not be demonstrated, suggesting a modified pathway of acetyl-CoA regeneration. We conclude that Crenarchaeota exhibit a mosaic of three or possibly four autotrophic pathways. The distribution of the pathways so far correlates with the 16S-rRNA-based taxa of the Crenarchaeota.

Carbon Dioxide↗
PubMed2002

Evidence for selective induction of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene expression by unsaturated and nonmetabolized fatty acids in adipocytes.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and 3-thia fatty acids are hypolipidemic and decrease insulin resistance in Type II diabetic animals. To exert such an action, these FAs could decrease adipose tissue lipolysis or increase esterification. Glyceroneogenesis is an important metabolic pathway in adipocytes for re-esterification of FAs originating from lipolysis and in hepatocytes for triacylglycerol synthesis during fasting. Cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) plays a key role in this pathway. Here we show that the PUFA docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) stimulates PEPCK mRNA in glucose-deprived adipose tissue explants from fed rats and in 3T3-F442A differentiated adipocytes. This effect is maximum at 3 h, stable up to at least 11 h of treatment, and affects the transcription of the gene. PEPCK mRNA half-life is not affected. Among a series of adipocyte transcripts, only the adipocyte lipid binding protein mRNA is also increased by DHA, although later than the PEPCK mRNA and at a much lower extent. DHA has no effect on PEPCK gene expression in the H4IIE hepatoma cells in which this gene is responsive to other inducers like cAMP. This lack of effect is not due to a failure of DHA to act in H4IIE cells since it induces the carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT-1) mRNA. Therefore, the DHA effect appears to be cell-selective. Results of experiments using either tetradecylthio acetic acid and alpha-bromopalmitate, two nonmetabolized Fas, or a series of inhibitors of FA metabolism show that the FA effect on PEPCK mRNA is not due to a product of its metabolism. Hence, polyunsaturated and nonmetabolized FAs stimulate adipose PEPCK, therefore potentially enhancing glyceroneogenesis and reducing FA output. This mechanism could participate in the hypolipidemic action of PUFAs.

Adipocytes↗
PubMed2006

The cell biology of Smo signalling and its relationships with GPCRs.

The Smoothened (Smo) signalling pathway participates in many developmental processes, contributing to the regulation of gene expression by controlling the activity of transcription factors belonging to the Gli family. The key elements of the pathway were identified by means of genetic screens carried out in Drosophila, and subsequent analysis in other model organisms revealed a high degree of conservation in both the proteins involved and in their molecular interactions. Recent analysis of the pathway, using a combination of biochemical and cell biological approaches, is uncovering the intricacies of Smo signalling, placing its elements in particular cellular compartments and qualifying the molecular processes involved. These include the synthesis, secretion and diffusion of the ligand, the activation of the receptor and the modifications in the activity of nuclear effectors. In this review we discuss recent advances in understanding biochemical and cellular aspects of Smo signalling, with particular focus in the similarities in the mechanism of signal transduction between Smo and other transmembrane proteins belonging to the G-Protein coupled receptors superfamily (GPCR).

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

PDK1 regulates growth through Akt and S6K in Drosophila.

The insulin/insulin-like growth factor-1 signaling pathway promotes growth in invertebrates and vertebrates by increasing the levels of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-triphosphate through the activation of p110 phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Two key effectors of this pathway are the phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1) and Akt/PKB. Although genetic analysis in Caenorhabditis elegans has implicated Akt as the only relevant PDK1 substrate, cell culture studies have suggested that PDK1 has additional targets. Here we show that, in Drosophila, dPDK1 controls cellular and organism growth by activating dAkt and S6 kinase, dS6K. Furthermore, dPDK1 genetically interacts with dRSK but not with dPKN, encoding two substrates of PDK1 in vitro. Thus, the results suggest that dPDK1 is required for dRSK but not dPKN activation and that it regulates insulin-mediated growth through two main effector branches, dAkt and dS6K.

3-Phosphoinositide-Dependent Protein Kinases↗