Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts: Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound   Target Concepts: Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound

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Query: EC:2.7.10.1 (ERK)
95,504 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The present study determined the source and regulation of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP4) during mid-late baboon pregnancy. Serum 17-OHP4 (ng/ml) in 5 untreated baboons increased from low values at mid-late gestation to a mean (+/- SEM) of 0.49 +/- 0.02 during the final 20 days of gestation. Fetectomy of 5 baboons resulted in serum 17-OHP4 concentrations which declined to and remained at baseline. Serum 17-OHP4 concentrations were 5- to 10-fold greater (P less than 0.001) in the uterine, utero-ovarian, and umbilical veins than peripherally. Apparently the fetal adrenal provides precursors for placental 17-OHP4 formation because the fetal adrenal gland develops delta 5-3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase only late in gestation, and because the fetal adrenal and not the placenta has the capacity for 17-hydroxylation. Thus, at mid-late gestation the placenta appears to supply a major, and at term the corpus luteum a minor portion of the total 17-OHP4. Administration of the estrogen antagonist ethamoxytriphetol (MER-25, 15 mg/kg BW) to 4 baboons did not affect 17-OHP4 during mid-late gestation, when the placenta was the only source of 17-OHP4. However, MER-25 resulted in serum 17-OHP4 concentrations (ng/ml) at term which were greater (1.08 +/- 0.10, P less than 0.001) than in untreated baboons (0.49 +/- 0.02). Prior removal of the corpus luteum of pregnancy in 4 animals subsequently given MER-25 prevented this rise in 17-OHP4. This suggests that the marked elevation in 17-OHP4 observed near term after MER-25 administration was of luteal origin and that antiestrogen enhanced 17-OHP4 secretion by the corpus luteum.
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PMID:Source and regulation of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone during baboon pregnancy. 648 91

Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) is expressed in human fetal tissues and placenta. We, therefore, determined whether FGF-2 appeared in either fetal or maternal circulations during normal pregnancies [fetuses appropriate for gestational age (AGA)] or those complicated by fetal growth restriction (small for gestational age). Cordocentesis was performed, and matched maternal blood was collected between 19-39 weeks gestation, whereas maternal and cord blood and amniotic fluid (AF) were collected at term. FGF-2 was extracted from maternal serum (MS), cord serum (CS), and AF by heparin-Sepharose affinity chromatography and subjected to Western blot analysis or quantified by specific RIA. Western blot analysis of MS, CS, and AF revealed, in each case, a single immunoreactive FGF-2 species of 18 kilodaltons (kDa), although this was not present in nonpregnant serum. In AGA pregnancies, immunoreactive FGF-2 was present in MS from at least 18 weeks gestation and rose to maximum values at the end of second trimester (weeks 28-31; mean +/- SEM, 342 +/- 62 pmol/L), but by term had declined (weeks 40-42; 104 +/- 24 pmol/L). In CS, FGF-2 immunoreactivity was highest at weeks 18-20 of gestation (662 +/- 144 pmol/L), but thereafter, slowly declined to term (weeks 40-42; 119 +/- 28 pmol/L). Immunoreactive FGF-2 levels in MS and CS of small for gestational age pregnancies in the second trimester tended to be lower than those in AGA pregnancies, but differences were not statistically significant. AF also contained immunoreactive FGF-2 at term (91 +/- 35 pmol/L). Neutral gel chromatography on Sephadex G-200 revealed that FGF-2 immunoreactivity eluted as a broad peak with an apparent molecular size of 55-160 kDa. These same fractions contained peptides of 55-60, 90-95, and 120-130 kDa, which were recognized by antisera against the extracellular domain of the high affinity FGF receptor, FGFR1, after Western blot. Ligand blot analysis of the same nitrocellulose filters using 125I-labeled FGF-2 revealed that the 55- to 60-kDa species specifically bound FGF-2. This binding species was not recognized during Western blot analysis using an antiserum raised against the intracellular tyrosine kinase domain of FGFR1, suggesting that it represents a truncated receptor form. Similar FGFR1 immunoreactive species were present in nonpregnant female and male sera, but were barely detectable in term CS or AF.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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PMID:Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) is present in maternal and cord serum, and in the mother is associated with a binding protein immunologically related to the FGF receptor-1. 753 16

Recent data indicate that epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a potent mitogen to normal pituitary cells. Its receptor (EGFR or c-erbB-1), a cellular homologue of a viral oncoprotein erbB, is knonw to be overexpressed in many tumors, but little is known about the expression of EGF and EGFR in pituitary tumors. Immunocytochemical analyses of EGF, EGFR, and c-erbB-2 (an EGFR-related oncoprotein) were carried out on paraffin-embedded sections of 54 pituitary tumors. In sections from normal pituitary, EGF was localized mainly in the gonadotrophs and thyrotrophs. EGFR was detected in only 5-10% of the cells in all of the normal pituitary sections and was almost undetectable in all (34/34) of the hormone-secreting tumors (19 GH-, 9 ACTH-, 4 PRL- and 2 TSH-secreting tumors). However, in 16/20 of the samples from clinically nonfunctioning tumors, EGFR was markedly overexpressed. The EGFR found in these tumors and in the normal tissue was not the truncated form of the EGFR because all sections stained positively with monoclonal antisera to both the intra- and extracellular domains of the EGFR. EGF was coexpressed in the same NFT samples that stained positively for EGFR and was also found in 2/19 GH-, 2/4 PRL-, and 1/2 of TSH-secreting tumors. The expression of c-erbB-2 was detected in all normal tissue, all NFT, and about half of GH-secreting tumors. No correlation was found with clinical parameters other than tumor categories. Because the overexpression of structurally intact EGFR was confined to NFT, the response of the tumor cells to EGF in vitro was examined. The addition of 1 nM EGF to NFT-derived cells resulted in an increase in [3H]thymidine uptake to 237.5 +/- 19.8% (mean +/- SEM, n = 3) of the control value. EGF also stimulated EGFR messenger RNA levels, shown by Northern blot analysis. In contrast, the expression of glycoprotein hormone common alpha-subunit gene in the tumor cells was reduced by EGF, T3, and 17 beta-estradiol. The novel findings of overexpression of EGFR in most NFT combined with the in vitro response to EGF resulting in an increase in tumor cell growth, up-regulation of EGFR gene and suppression of hormone gene expression implicate a role for EGF and its receptor in the development and/or progression of NFT.
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PMID:Expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF), its receptor, and related oncoprotein (erbB-2) in human pituitary tumors and response to EGF in vitro. 795 24

Vascular permeability factor (VPF, also known as vascular endothelial growth factor or VEGF), is a potent microvascular permeability enhancing cytokine and a selective mitogen for endothelial cells. It has been implicated in tumor angiogenesis and ascites fluid accumulation. Since development of the destructive synovial pannus in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with changes in vascular permeability (synovial fluid accumulation), synovial cell hyperplasia, and angiogenesis, we examined synovial fluids (SFs) and joint tissue for the expression and local accumulation of VPF/VEGF. VPF/VEGF was detected in all of 21 synovial fluids examined and when measured by an immunofluorimetric assay, ranged from 6.9 to 180.5 pM. These levels are biologically significant, since < 1 pM VPF/VEGF can elicit responses from its target cells, endothelial cells. Levels of VPF/VEGF were highest in rheumatoid arthritis fluids (n = 10), with a mean value (+/- SEM) of 59.1 +/- 18.0 pM, vs. 21.4 +/- 2.3 pM for 11 SFs from patients with other forms of arthritis (p = 0.042). In situ hybridization studies that were performed on joint tissues from patients with active RA revealed that synovial lining macrophages strongly expressed VPF/VEGF mRNA, and that microvascular endothelial cells of nearby blood vessels strongly expressed mRNA for the VPF/VEGF receptors, flt-1 and KDR. Immunohistochemistry performed on inflamed rheumatoid synovial tissue revealed that the VPF/VEGF peptide was localized to macrophages within inflamed synovium, as well as to microvascular endothelium, its putative target in the tissue. Together, these findings indicate that VPF/VEGF may have an important role in the pathogenesis of RA.
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PMID:Vascular permeability factor/endothelial growth factor (VPF/VEGF): accumulation and expression in human synovial fluids and rheumatoid synovial tissue. 800 92

Neutral endopeptidase (EC 3.4.24.11; NEP), originally isolated from renal tubular brush border, is a cell surface peptidase identical to the CD10 antigen (or CALLA; common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen) in lymphoid cells. We studied the serum NEP levels daily after transplantation (Tx) in 19 renal allograft recipients. The NEP activity was determined with a two-step enzymatic assay utilizing a fluorogenic substrate (Suc-Ala-Ala-Phe-AMC; see text) and related to clinical signs of graft rejection, to signs of immunoactivation in transplant fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) specimens, to renal function, and to serum levels of C-reactive protein. The serum NEP levels remained normal (peak level 10.3 +/- 1.8 micrograms/l on days 6-9 after Tx, initial level after Tx 7.3 +/- 1.4 micrograms/1 on day 2; mean values +/- SEM) in patients who neither showed clinical signs of rejection nor had findings of immunoactivation in FNAB samples. On the contrary, the serum NEP levels rose clearly in patients developing acute rejection verified clinically and in FNAB samples (peak value 90.4 +/- 18.7 micrograms/l on days 6-9 post-Tx; p < 0.001 compared with patients without sings of immunoactivation) and even in patients having immunoactivation in FNAB without clinical evidence of rejection (108.2 +/- 22.4 micrograms/l, p < 0.001). Serum NEP peak appeared 2-3 days before clinical diagnosis of rejection and a positive findings in FNAB samples. Serum NEP increments did not correlate with changes in serum creatinine, delayed onset of renal excretory function, blood leukocyte count, C-reactive protein level, or infections. Thus, the serum NEP activity was shown to increase after renal allotransplantation associated with early phases of immunoactivation and development of acute graft rejection. Because of the limited number of patients studied, the clinical implications of these preliminary observations for kidney transplant monitoring clearly need confirmation in larger studies.
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PMID:Increased serum neutral endopeptidase activity in acute renal allograft rejection. 873 78

Spherical BSA loaded microporous matrix type microspheres composed of P(HB-HV) blended with 20% PCL II and fabricated using 0/W emulsification with solvent evaporation have been incubated in Hanks' buffer, pH 7.4; newborn calf serum; 1.5% pancreatin and synthetic gastric juice over 30 days and their percentage weight loss (PWL) and changes in ultrastructural morphology monitored by gravimetry and SEM respectively. The greatest percentage weight loss was observed after incubation in newborn calf serum and decreased in the order newborn calf serum > pancreatin > synthetic gastric juice > Hanks' buffer. Only incubation in synthetic gastric juice and Hanks' buffer produced a significant increase in PWL with increasing theoretical percentage loading. Incubation in Hanks' buffer produced limited surface erosion leading to an increase in micropore diameter and the coalescence of micropores to from surface pits. With pancreatin, surface erosion led to the disappearance of surface micropores and a reduction in microsphere diameter. Subsequent fracturing of the microsphere surface facilitated the breakup of the matrix. In synthetic gastric juice there was little surface erosion and surface flaking and bulk erosion were responsible for the breakup of the matrix. In newborn calf serum, spherical shape was maintained despite a reduction in microsphere diameter. Bulk erosion in the form of large macroporous pits extending deep into the matrix gave the microspheres a hollow appearance. The enhanced biodegradation in NCS and significant surface erosion in pancreatin was assumed to be due to the effects of exogenous enzyme activity in addition to simple ester hydrolysis.
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PMID:In vitro biodegradation of poly(beta-hydroxybutyrate-hydroxyvalerate) microspheres exposed to Hanks' buffer, newborn calf serum, pancreatin and synthetic gastric juice. 888 Apr 39

Chronic injection of an anti-c-KIT receptor tyrosine kinase monoclonal antibody (ACK2) results in the disruption of the normal motility patterns of young BALB/c mice intestine. This effect is accompanied by a drastic decrease in the number of intestinal c-kit-expressing (c-kit+) cells when studied immunohistochemically with the fluorescence-labelled antibody. In order to clarify the mechanism underlying the ACK2 action and the physiological roles of intestinal c-kit+ cells, we studied the excitability of intestinal c-kit+ cells in primary culture by use of the nystatin perforated-patch-clamp technique. Under voltage-clamp at -40 mV, the majority of c-kit+ cells tested (59/70) elicited rhythmic current waves with an amplitude and frequency of 263 +/- 24 pA and 2.30 +/- 0.25 cycles/min (mean +/- SEM), respectively. Intracellular perfusion of the c-kit+ cells with ethylenebis (okonitrilo) tetraacetate (EGTA) as well as a nominally Ca(2+)-free external solution or low holding voltage (< -60 mV) prevented the rhythmic current. The reversal potential of the rhythmic current was close to the equilibrium potential for Cl-(ECl). Moreover the rhythmic current was depressed by a Cl- channel blocker, 4-acetoamido-4-isothiocyanat-ostilbene-2,2'-disulphoni c acid (SITS). The smooth muscle cells freshly dissociated from the same intestinal specimen revealed a Ca(2+)-activated K+ current, as has been described in a variety of smooth muscle cells. Cultured smooth muscle cells from the ileum preparation lacked neither the Ca(2+)-activated K+ nor rhythmic Cl- currents. Smooth muscle cells freshly dissociated from the same ileum preparation and those in culture showed no immunoreactivity with the labelled ACK2, which was consistent with our previous in situ study. Results provided direct evidence that the intestinal c-kit+ cells, but not the smooth muscle cells, possess a rhythmic Cl- current oscillation, suggesting their participation in pacemaker activity for the peristaltic gut movement.
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PMID:Rhythmic Cl- current and physiological roles of the intestinal c-kit-positive cells. 902 76

The purpose of this study was to determine whether neutral endopeptidase (NEP; EC3.4.24.11) is decreased in the uvula epithelium of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Tissues were obtained by uvulopharyngopalatoplasty in seven patients with moderate OSA and by autopsy in five individuals not known to have OSA. Using antisera to human NEP and immunoperoxidase staining, we found that NEP was localized in uvula epithelial cells of both patients with OSA and controls. However, there was a significant decrease in the number of epithelial cells staining for NEP in patients with OSA relative to controls (67 +/- 10 cells versus 261 +/- 33 cells, in 5 randomly selected high-power microscopic fields, respectively; mean +/- SEM; p < .05). The intensity of staining for NEP was similar in both groups. We conclude that immunoreactive NEP is significantly decreased in the uvula epithelium of patients with OSA.
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PMID:Decrease in immunoreactive neutral endopeptidase in uvula epithelium of patients with obstructive sleep apnea. 919 6

The Insulin Receptor (IR) is a potential oncogene for mammary epithelial cells since its content is increased in most human breast cancer specimens, and both ligand-dependent malignant transformation and ligand-dependent enhanced growth occurs in cultured breast cells overexpressing the IR. To better understand whether the IR plays a role in mammary carcinogenesis which is independent of other initiation factors, we measured IR content in transgenic mouse models of breast cancer induced by 3 known oncogenes (Wnt-1, Neu, and Ret). Insulin receptor content was measured by a specific radioimmunoassay. In normal mammary gland tissues IR content was 14.6 +/- 1.4 ng/mg of protein (mean +/- SEM, n = 6). In the 3 cancers IR content was elevated (Neu = 36.1 +/- 4.6, n = 8, p < 0.002; Wnt-1 = 38.3 +/- 2.6, n = 13, p < 0.001; and Ret = 53.6 +/- 7.1, n = 7, p < 0.001). These data indicate that IR overexpression, in addition to being a potential oncogene, is increased in mouse tumors initiated by other oncogenes, and therefore may also play a supportive role in the growth of breast cancers.
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PMID:The insulin receptor content is increased in breast cancers initiated by three different oncogenes in transgenic mice. 934 39

A retrospective study was undertaken on the Isle of Man to see if there was a significant difference in the appropriateness of management of newly identified health problems between routine school entrant medical (routine SEM) and the recently introduced selective school entrant medical (selective SEM) and nurse school entrant assessment (nurse SEA). The study included advice and reassurance as an appropriate health outcome. In total, 602 records were reviewed and a chi-squared analysis undertaken. No significant difference in appropriate management was found between the two procedures when hearing, cardiovascular and testicular health problems were excluded. These health problems were excluded because the screening methods were not directly comparable and disadvantaged the school nurse. Future changes in nurse protocol were identified to reduce unnecessary referrals. The study supports the trend away from routine screens towards health promotion and ongoing surveillance by the school health service in partnership with parents, pupils and teachers as recommended in Reference 1.
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PMID:Routine versus selective school entrant medicals--a retrospective study on the Isle of Man. 949 Aug 88


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