Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: EC:2.7.7.49 (reverse transcriptase)
 31,746 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Although stimulation of insulin secretion by glucose is regulated by coupled oscillations of membrane potential and intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i), the membrane events regulating these oscillations are incompletely understood. In the presence of glucose and tetraethylammonium, transgenically derived beta-cells (betaTC3-neo) exhibit coupled voltage and [Ca2+]i oscillations strikingly similar to those observed in normal islets in response to glucose. Using these cells as a model system, we investigated the membrane conductance underlying these oscillations. Alterations in delayed rectifier or Ca2+-activated K+ channels were excluded as a source of the conductance oscillations, as they are completely blocked by tetraethylammonium. ATP-sensitive K+ channels were also excluded, since the ATP-sensitive K+ channel blocker tolbutamide substituted for glucose in inducing [Ca2+]i oscillations. Thapsigargin, which depletes intracellular Ca2+ stores, and maitotoxin, an activator of nonselective cation channels, both converted the glucose-dependent [Ca2+]i oscillations into a sustained elevation. On the other hand, both SKF 96365, a blocker of Ca2+ store-operated channels, and external Na+ removal suppressed the glucose-stimulated [Ca2+]i oscillations. Maitotoxin activated a nonselective cation current in betaTC3 cells that was attenuated by removal of extracellular Na+ and by SKF 96365, in the same manner to a current activated in mouse beta-cells following depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores. Currents similar to these are produced by the mammalian trp-related channels, a gene family that includes Ca2+ store-operated channels and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-activated channels. We found several of the trp family genes were expressed in betaTC3 cells by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction using specific primers, but by Northern blot analysis, mtrp-4 was the predominant message expressed. We conclude that a conductance underlying glucose-stimulated oscillations in beta-cells is provided by a Ca2+ store depletion-activated nonselective cation current, which is plausibly encoded by homologs of trp genes.
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PMID:Characterization of a Ca2+ release-activated nonselective cation current regulating membrane potential and [Ca2+]i oscillations in transgenically derived beta-cells. 955 98

Leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is an essential factor for embryo implantation. Factors generated by the oviduct cells (epithelial cells and fibroblasts) create the microenvironment for fertilization and first embryo stage development. Hence, it is feasible that the oviduct cells also synthesize LIF to promote and condition the embryo for implantation in the uterus. In the present study, we investigated whether cultured bovine oviduct epithelial cells and fibroblasts synthesize LIF. LIF production was measured in the conditioned medium of oviduct epithelial cells and fibroblasts, using LIF enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Moreover, expression of LIF mRNA was confirmed by LIF reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in extracts of RNA from oviduct epithelial/fibroblast cells. Quantitatively similar amounts of LIF were detected in the culture medium of epithelial cells and fibroblasts. In cells cultured for 1-7 days, the levels of LIF in the medium increased in a time-dependent manner. As compared to untreated cells, treatment of cells with 17beta-oestradiol (1-100 ng/ ml), but not progesterone (1-100 ng/ml) and insulin (20 ng/ml), increased the levels of LIF in a concentration-dependent manner (P < 0.05). Similarly, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (100 ng/ml) significantly induced the levels of LIF. The effects of 17beta-oestradiol (50 ng/ml) on LIF synthesis were enhanced and not blocked in the presence of tamoxifen (1 microg/ml), an oestrogen receptor antagonist, suggesting that the stimulatory effects of 17beta-oestradiol on LIF synthesis are not receptor-mediated. In conclusion 17beta-oestradiol, but not progesterone, induces LIF synthesis by bovine oviduct epithelial cells and fibroblasts and this may play an important role in the biology of early embryo development. However, the exact pathophysiological role of LIF within the oviduct needs to be further investigated.
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PMID:Synthesis and regulation of leukaemia inhibitory factor in cultured bovine oviduct cells by hormones. 957 Feb 77

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) is a member of the steroid nuclear receptor superfamily. Three types of PPARs have been described in humans: PPAR alpha, PPAR beta, and PPAR gamma. Here we investigated the levels of PPAR alpha mRNA in primary cultures of human umbilical venous endothelial cells (HUVEC), human umbilical arterial endothelial cells (HUAEC), human coronary arterial endothelial cells (HCAEC), and human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC), using the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The HUVEC, HAEC, and HCAEC, but not the HUAEC, showed relatively low expression of PPAR alpha in comparison with liver, which was used as a positive control. Moreover, the partial sequences of the PCR-amplified products from HUVEC, HAEC, and HCAEC were similar to that of the PPAR alpha from human liver. The expression of PPAR alpha in cultured HAEC, which were induced by dexamethasone, was inhibited by insulin. In addition, PPAR alpha expression was also increased by benzafibrate or eicosapentaenoic acid with the physiological concentration. These results suggest that the PPAR alpha in endothelial cells may have the same physiological role as the expression of PPAR alpha in the liver.
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PMID:Expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR alpha) in primary cultures of human vascular endothelial cells. 961 Mar 65

In this study, the effect of 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), a peroxidation product of omega-6-poly-unsaturated fatty acids, on the expression of the c-fos proto-oncogene and growth factor-induced proliferation of HeLa carcinoma cells in vitro was investigated. The Fos protein forms the heterodimer AP-1 with the Jun protein and regulates the cell cycle by inducing cyclin D1. Agents that are able to induce c-fos include serum, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and epidermal growth factor (EGF), all of which were used in this study. The proliferation rate was determined by cell counting (viable and dead cells according to trypan blue exclusion) and the BrdU assay. The c-fos mRNA level was monitored by the reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction. In the absence of HNE, serum-deprived cells responded to serum stimulation with a more than 10-fold increase of the c-fos mRNA level as well as with an increased rate of DNA synthesis and cell multiplication. Both EGF and PDGF (applied in combination with insulin) were able to substitute for FCS and induced rapid growth of the tumor cells preincubated in serum-deprived medium. In the absence of growth factors a negative correlation between the HNE concentration (range: 1-250 microM) and the c-fos mRNA level was observed. We suppose that HNE interferes in this case with the basal activity of the c-fos promoter. EGF, when applied after the HNE treatment, induced rapid growth of the tumor cells preincubated in serum-free medium, if HNE was used in a physiological concentration (1 microM). No difference was observed compared to the HNE-free control. c-fos mRNA level was nearly unchanged. In contrast, a cytotoxic concentration of the aldehyde (100 microM) caused a complete inhibition of proliferation, although a twofold increase of the c-fos mRNA level immediately after the aldehyde treatment was observed. A similar effect of HNE in cytotoxic concentration on c-fos expression was observed when cells were grown in presence of PDGF instead of EGF. Hence, in both cases HNE possibly interferes with the signal transduction pathway, which is initiated by external growth factors. The increased c-fos expression might be part of an abortive attempt to overcome the stressful condition raised by a cytotoxic concentration of HNE.
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PMID:4-Hydroxynonenal modifies the effects of serum growth factors on the expression of the c-fos proto-oncogene and the proliferation of HeLa carcinoma cells. 965 20

Leptin and its structural gene, Ob, are exclusively expressed in adipose tissue. Leptin is secreted into the blood and is responsible for fat mass regulation via leptin receptors in the hypothalamus. This has been considered the major role of leptin, but leptin receptor isoforms are expressed not only in the brain but also in most other tissues in humans and rodents: heart, placenta, lung, liver, muscle, kidney, pancreas, spleen, thymus, prostate, testes, ovary, small intestine, and colon. This implicates leptin regulation in other systems apart from fat mass regulation, and leptin action has been demonstrated in human fetal development and reproductive development, liver metabolism, hematopoiesis, and insulin secretion. Four splice variants of the leptin receptor have been identified in humans: the long isoform huOb-R and the shorter isoforms B219.1 to B219.3. It is known that the long isoform has full intracellular signaling capacity, and is responsible for anorectic action in the hypothalamus. The roles of the other isoforms are yet to be elucidated. Here, we report the identification by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of three leptin receptor isoforms coexpressed in human visceral adipose tissue: the long isoform huOb-R and the short isoforms huB219.1 and huB219.3. The possible roles of these isoforms are discussed.
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PMID:Leptin receptor isoforms expressed in human adipose tissue. 966 33

We previously reported the induction with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) of mouse glandular stomach carcinomas showing a gastric phenotype but variation in histologic appearance, as with human gastric carcinomas. In the present study, we established two cell lines, designated MGT-40 and MGT-93, from MNU-induced mouse glandular stomach carcinomas. These cell lines are keratin-positive and grow as epithelial monolayers in culture, requiring transforming growth factor alpha, epidermal growth factor or insulin/transferrin for optimal growth in addition to 10% fetal bovine serum. Retention of the differentiated phenotype for gastric surface mucous cells has been confirmed by cathepsin E immunohistochemistry and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction for mouse spasmolytic polypeptide. Neither transplantability in nude mice nor colony formation on soft agar was observed, except in one subline. Chromosome analysis revealed aneuploidy with modal chromosome numbers ranging from 58 to 78 and no specific structural abnormalities. This is the first report of cell lines derived from mouse glandular stomach carcinomas. They should prove useful for studies of the mechanisms of regulation of growth and differentiation.
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PMID:Establishment and characterization of two cell lines from N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced mouse glandular stomach carcinomas. 968 55

The inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (InsP3R) is an intracellular Ca2+ channel that plays a role in the regulation of insulin secretion. In rat isolated pancreatic islets the expression of types I, II and III InsP3R mRNA was identified by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and confirmed by cDNA cloning and sequencing. The islet ratios of types I, II and III InsP3R mRNA to beta-actin mRNA were 0.08 +/- 0.02, 0.08 +/- 0.03 and 0.25 +/- 0.04 respectively. Types I, II and III InsP3R mRNA were also expressed in rat (RINm5F) and mouse (betaHC9) pancreatic beta-cell lines, and rat cerebellum. Type III InsP3R mRNA was quantitatively the most abundant form in rat islets and RINm5F cells. In betaHC9 cells, types II and III InsP3R mRNA were expressed at similar levels, and in much greater abundance than type I mRNA. Type III was the least abundant InsP3R mRNA in cerebellum. Culture of betaHC9 cells for 5 days at 2.8 and 25 mM glucose, or RINm5F cells for 7 days at 5.5 and 20 mM glucose, resulted in significantly enhanced expression of type III, but not types I and II, InsP3R mRNA in the cells at the higher glucose concentrations. During short-term (0.5-2 h) incubations, betaHC9 cell type III InsP3R mRNA levels increased in response to glucose in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Actinomycin D inhibited the glucose response. Alpha-ketoisocaproic acid also stimulated betaHC9 cell type III InsP3R mRNA expression in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas 2-deoxyglucose and 3-O-methylglucose were without effect. The different levels of expression of mRNA for three InsP3R isoforms in islets and insulinoma cells, and the influence of glucose and alpha-ketoisocaproic acid on the expression of type III mRNA, suggests that nutrient metabolism plays a role in the regulation of this gene and that the function of InsP3R subtypes may be unique with each playing a distinct role in beta-cell signal transduction and insulin secretion.
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PMID:Characterization of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor isoform mRNA expression and regulation in rat pancreatic islets, RINm5F cells and betaHC9 cells. 972 61

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is induced after hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain injury, and therapeutic studies suggest that IGF-1 may restrict delayed neuronal and glial cell loss. We have used a well-characterised rat model of HI injury to extend our understanding of the modes of action of the IGF system after injury. The induction of the IGF system by injury was examined by in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, Northern blot analysis, RNase protection assay and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). IGF-1 accumulated in blood vessels of the damaged hemisphere within 5 h after a severe injury. By 3 days, IGF-1 mRNA was expressed by reactive microglia in regions of delayed neuronal death, and immunoreactive IGF-1 was associated with these microglia and reactive astrocytes juxtaposed to surviving neurones surrounding the infarct. Total IGF-1 receptor mRNA was unchanged by the injury. IGFBP-2 mRNA was strongly induced in reactive astrocytes throughout the injured hemisphere, and IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-5 mRNA were moderately induced in reactive microglia and neurones of the injured hippocampus, respectively. IGFBP-6 mRNA was induced in the damaged hemisphere by 3 days and increased protein was seen on the choroid plexus, ependyma and reactive glia. In contrast, insulin II was not induced. These results indicate cell type-specific expression for IGF-1, IGFBP-2,3,5 and 6 after injury. Our findings suggest that the IGF-1 produced by microglia after injury is transferred to perineuronal reactive astrocytes expressing IGFBP-2. Thus, modulation of IGF-1 action by IGFBP-2 might represent a key mechanism that restricts neuronal cell loss following HI brain injury.
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PMID:Co-ordinated and cellular specific induction of the components of the IGF/IGFBP axis in the rat brain following hypoxic-ischemic injury. 972 23

We examined the expression of selected growth factors, growth factor receptors, elements of extracellular matrix and cell adhesion molecules in the germinal matrix layer (GML) utilizing immunohistochemistry and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. At autopsy brain samples from 10 neonatal infants were used. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was significantly expressed in the matrix cells. While transforming growth factor alpha and heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor were found in the matrix cells or vascular wall as ligands, epidermal growth factor was not expressed. EGFR and its ligands are thought to be important factors for the maintenance of the matrix cells and cell-to-cell interactions. Insulin like growth factor I, its receptor Ibeta and tenascin were found in the stroma of the GML and periventricular region. Vascular endothelial growth factor and receptor Flk-1, laminin A and B2, fibronectin, collagen type IV and integrins such as beta3, alpha5beta1 and alphaVbeta3 were found mainly in or around the vascular wall indicating their important roles for vascularization. Transforming growth factor beta2 and its receptor II were expressed in the matrix cells and/or vascular wall suggesting a role in proliferation and/or regression of the vasculature. CD44 and Thy-1 were also expressed in the matrix cells.
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PMID:Growth factors in infant germinal matrix: relationship to extracellular matrix and cell adhesion molecules. 973 49

The process of thymic selection is critical for the generation of the mature T-cell repertoire, yet the nature of the self-peptides that serve this function is not known. Several studies suggest that tissue-specific auto-antigens are expressed in the thymus. We initiated this study to examine the expression of a panel of auto-antigens related to several autoimmune diseases in the thymus, peripheral lymphoid organs, and various cell lines. We looked for the expression of these antigens by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis, immunoblotting, and immunoprecipitation. We found that in the thymus there is evidence for the expression of a wide variety of disease-related self-antigens including myelin antigens, insulin, cardiac myosin, and retinal S antigen. By FACS analysis, several monoclonal anti-myelin basic protein antibodies were found to bind to immune cells. In Western blotting, we could find in the thymus and other lymphoid organs the expression of myelin basic protein, proteolipid protein, and cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase; in contrast, the staining for myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, microtubule-associated Tau protein, and insulin were negative in these organs. The results of these studies confirm that there is evidence for the expression of a variety of auto-antigens in the immune system, both at the mRNA and protein levels, potentially enabling them to participate in the process of thymic education.
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PMID:Expression of autoimmune disease-related antigens by cells of the immune system. 978 84


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