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)

We used the techniques of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry to evaluate the expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and -2 in brain and peripheral organs of Alzheimer disease (AD) and control cases. We found both COX-1 and COX-2 to be constitutively expressed in all organs tested, i.e., brain, heart, liver, kidney, spleen and intestine. COX-2 was substantially upregulated in affected areas of AD brain and in infarcted areas of human heart. COX-1 was only mildly upregulated in AD brain. Immunohistochemically, COX-2 was strongly expressed in the perinuclear, dendritic and axonal areas of pyramidal neurons, with enhanced staining in AD. These data suggest a special role for COX-2 in neuronal function.
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PMID:Distribution of cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 mRNAs and proteins in human brain and peripheral organs. 1036 79

Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) is a naturally occurring compound shown to inhibit carcinogen-induced preneoplastic lesion formation in mouse mammary organ culture and tumorigenesis in the two-stage mouse skin model. Cancer chemopreventive potential was also suggested in various assays reflective of the three major stages of carcinogenesis. Anti-initiation activity was indicated by its antioxidant and antimutagenic effects, inhibition of the hydroperoxidase function of cyclooxygenase (COX), and induction of phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes. Antipromotion activity was indicated by antiinflammatory effects, inhibition of production of arachidonic acid metabolites catalyzed by either COX-1 or COX-2, and chemical carcinogen-induced neoplastic transformation of mouse embryo fibroblasts. Antiprogression activity was demonstrated by its ability to induce human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cell differentiation. Moreover, pretreatment of mouse skin with resveratrol significantly counteracted 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced oxidative stress, as evidenced by numerous biochemical responses. Resveratrol reduced the generation of hydrogen peroxide, and normalized levels of myeloperoxidase and oxidized-glutathione reductase activities. It also restored glutathione levels and superoxide dismutase activity. As judged by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, resveratrol selectively inhibited TPA-induced expression of c-fos and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1), but did not affect other TPA-induced gene products including COX-1, COX-2, c-myc, c-jun, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. These data indicate that resveratrol may interfere with reactive oxidant pathways and/or modulate the expression of c-fos and TGF-beta 1 to inhibit tumorigenesis in mouse skin. As reported herein, in addition to the activities described above, resveratrol inhibited the de novo formation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in mouse macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. This finding suggests an additional mechanism by which resveratrol may function as a cancer chemopreventive agent.
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PMID:Cancer chemopreventive activity of resveratrol. 1037 Aug 67

Nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandins (PGs) modulate inflammatory and immune responses in the central nervous system (CNS). Both NO and PG synthesis have been described in appropriately stimulated astrocytes. In other systems, both positive and negative modulation of cyclooxygenase (COX) activity, hence PG synthesis, have been described by NO. Since interferon (IFN)-gamma is known to upregulate the production of NO from astrocytes, the present study was designed to investigate the effect of IFNgamma on PG production from activated astrocytes and to determine whether this effect is mediated by NO. Astrocytic PG production was induced by exposure of murine cortical cultures to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This induction was time- and concentration-dependent, and prevented by inhibitors of transcription and translation, as well as the selective COX-2 inhibitor, NS-398. LPS-induced expression of COX-2 mRNA and protein was confirmed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis, respectively. Exposure of LPS-treated astrocytes to IFNgamma resulted in a concentration-dependent decrease in PGE2 accumulation which was accompanied by a striking parallel increase in NO formation. However, the NOS inhibitors, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine or N6-(1-iminoethyl)-lysine, failed to reverse the IFNgamma-mediated diminution of LPS-induced PGE2 production, indicating that the IFN-gamma-mediated reduction in COX-2-dependent PGE2 production occurred independent of NO formation. Additional experiments demonstrated that IFN-gamma acted mainly by downregulating the expression of COX-2 protein. Present results indicate that PG and NO synthesis in mouse cortical astrocytes in vitro are under the direct reciprocal control of IFNgamma.
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PMID:Interferon-gamma reduces cyclooxygenase-2-mediated prostaglandin E2 production from primary mouse astrocytes independent of nitric oxide formation. 1037 46

It has been reported that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from periodontal pathogens can penetrate gingival tissues and stimulate the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), which is known as a potent stimulator of inflammation and bone resorption. Although biostimulatory effects of low-level laser irradiation such as anti-inflammatory results have been reported, the physiological mechanism is not yet clarified. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of laser irradiation on PGE2 production and cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 gene expression in LPS-challenged human gingival fibroblast (hGF) cells in vitro. hGF cells were prepared from healthy gingival tissues and challenged with LPS, and Ga-Al-As diode laser was irradiated to the hGF cells. The amount of PGE2 released in the culture medium was measured by radioimmunoassay, and mRNA levels were analyzed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Irradiation with Ga-Al-As diode low-level laser significantly inhibited PGE2 production in a dose-dependent manner, which led to a reduction of COX-2 mRNA levels. In conclusion, low-level laser irradiation inhibited PGE2 by LPS in hGF cells through a reduction of COX-2 mRNA level. The findings suggest that low-level laser irradiation may be of therapeutic benefit against the aggravation of gingivitis and periodontitis by bacterial infection.
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PMID:Inhibitory effect of low-level laser irradiation on LPS-stimulated prostaglandin E2 production and cyclooxygenase-2 in human gingival fibroblasts. 1070 74

BACKGROUND-Chronic heart failure (CHF) impairs the endothelium-dependent, flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of small arteries. However, whether chronic angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition affects the impairment of FMD in CHF is unknown. We investigated the effects of long-term ACE inhibition on the FMD of peripheral arteries in rats with CHF and the mechanism(s) involved. METHODS AND RESULTS-FMD was assessed in isolated, perfused gracilis muscle arteries from sham-operated, and untreated or ACE inhibitor-treated (perindopril 2 mg. kg(-1). day(-1) for 10 weeks) rats with CHF (coronary artery ligation). The role of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandins, and free radicals was assessed by pretreating the vessels with the NO synthase inhibitor N(W)-nitro-L-arginine, the cyclooxygenase inhibitor diclofenac, or the free radical scavenger N-2-mercaptopropionyl-glycine (MPG). Endothelial NO synthase mRNA expression was determined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. In animals with hemodynamic and echographic signs of CHF, FMD was converted into vasoconstriction, and this was prevented by ACE inhibition. FMD of arteries from sham-operated or ACE inhibitor-treated CHF rats was abolished by N(W)-nitro-L-arginine. In untreated CHF rats, FMD was increased by diclofenac and MPG. In contrast, in arteries from ACE inhibitor-treated rats, neither diclofenac nor MPG affected FMD. In parallel, ACE inhibition prevented the reduction of endothelial NO synthase mRNA by CHF. CONCLUSIONS-In CHF, ACE inhibition normalized NO-dependent dilatation and suppressed the production of vasoconstrictor prostanoid(s), resulting in improved FMD. The improvement of FMD might contribute to the beneficial effects of ACE inhibition during CHF.
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PMID:Improvement of endothelial function by chronic angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition in heart failure : role of nitric oxide, prostanoids, oxidant stress, and bradykinin. 1089 1

Prostaglandins (PGs), metabolites of arachidonic acid, and other lipid mediators produced by phospholipases C (PLC) and D (PLD) are thought to play important roles in hepatocyte proliferation. The present study examined lipid-mediated signaling in the rat liver after partial hepatectomy (PH). Rats were killed 1-48 h after 70% PH and the remaining liver tissue was removed. The mRNA and protein levels of some signaling molecules were measured by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting, respectively. The levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) mRNA showed a biphasic change, peaking 3 h and 9 h after PH. The expression of PLCdelta4 peaked at 12 h, but no significant changes in the expression of PLCbeta1 and PLCgamma1 were seen after PH. T he enzymes involved in PG production, namely, the expression of cytosolic PLA2 and cyclooxygenase 1 (COX1), remained constant after PH. However, the mRNA of COX2 increased transiently at 3 h, and Western blot analysis showed an increase in COX2 protein at 12 h. The expression of PLD1b peaked at 9 h and PLD1a at 12 h, whereas the expression of PLD2 remained consistent for 24 h. These results suggest that transcriptional controls may act for PLCdelta4, PLD1a/b, and COX2 during hepatocyte regeneration after PH.
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PMID:Changes in the expression of lipid-mediated signal-transducing enzymes in the rat liver after partial hepatectomy. 1093 Feb 28

Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) overexpression has been described in sporadic colonic neoplasia, but its role in ulcerative colitis (UC) neoplastic progression remains unexplored. Although the specific role of cyclooxygenase in colonic neoplasia is uncertain, its inhibition by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs decreases the risk of sporadic colonic adenocarcinoma and causes regression of adenomas in familial adenomatous polyposis. To investigate the role of COX-2 in UC-associated neoplasia, we assessed COX-2 protein and mRNA expression throughout the spectrum of UC-associated neoplastic lesions in four total colectomy specimens, using immunocytochemistry and a novel TaqMan reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay. The findings were correlated with DNA ploidy and inflammatory activity. We found COX-2 overexpression throughout the neoplastic spectrum in UC (P: < 0.0001, R:(2)=0.53), even in diploid samples that were negative for dysplasia. Overall, neoplastic change explained 53% of the variation in COX-2 expression, whereas inflammatory activity explained only 11%. COX-2 was overexpressed in all aneuploid samples and in 38% of diploid samples (P: = 0.0074). cDNA representational difference analysis was also performed and revealed that COX-2 mRNA was an up-regulated cDNA representational difference analysis difference product. COX-2 overexpression occurs early in UC-associated neoplasia, and the increase cannot be explained by inflammatory activity alone. The data suggest that COX-2-specific inhibitors may have a chemopreventative role in UC but the possibility that they could exacerbate UC inflammatory activity needs to be tested.
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PMID:The role of cyclooxygenase 2 in ulcerative colitis-associated neoplasia. 1098 Jan 13

We applied high-resolution laser-scanning microscopy, electron microscopy, and non-radioactive in situ hybridization histochemistry to determine the cellular and intracellular localization of lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase, the major brain-derived protein component of cerebrospinal fluid, and its mRNA in leptomeninges, choroid plexus, and parenchyma of the adult rat brain. Both immunoreactivity and mRNA for prostaglandin D synthase were located in arachnoid barrier cells, arachnoid trabecular cells, and arachnoid pia mater cells. Furthermore, meningeal macrophages and perivascular microglial cells, identified by use of ED2 antibody, were immunopositive for prostaglandin D synthase. In the arachnoid trabecular cells, the immunoreactivity for prostaglandin D synthase was located in the nuclear envelope, Golgi apparatus, and secretory vesicles, indicating the active production and secretion of prostaglandin D synthase. In the meningeal macrophages, prostaglandin D synthase was not found around the nucleus but in lysosomes in the cytoplasm, pointing to an uptake of the protein from the cerebrospinal fluid. Furthermore, the existence of meningeal cyclooxygenase (COX) -1 and COX-2 was investigated by Western blot, Northern blot, and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the colocalization of COX-2 and prostaglandin D synthase was demonstrated in virtually all cells of the leptomeninges, choroid plexus epithelial cells, and perivascular microglial cells, suggesting that these cells synthesize prostaglandin D(2) actively. Alternatively, oligodendrocytes showed prostaglandin D synthase immunoreactivity without detectable COX-2. The localization of lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase in meningeal cells and its colocalization with COX-2 provide evidence for its function as a prostaglandin D(2)-producing enzyme.
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PMID:Cellular localization of lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase (beta-trace) in the central nervous system of the adult rat. 1105 25

The highest concentrations of prostaglandins in nature are found in the Caribbean gorgonian Plexaura homomalla. Depending on its geographical location, this coral contains prostaglandins with typical mammalian stereochemistry (15S-hydroxy) or the unusual 15R-prostaglandins. Their metabolic origin has remained the subject of mechanistic speculations for three decades. Here, we report the structure of a type of cyclooxygenase (COX) that catalyzes transformation of arachidonic acid into 15R-prostaglandins. Using a homology-based reverse transcriptase--PCR strategy, we cloned a cDNA corresponding to a COX protein from the R variety of P. homomalla. The deduced peptide sequence shows 80% identity with the 15S-specific coral COX from the Arctic soft coral Gersemia fruticosa and approximately 50% identity to mammalian COX-1 and COX-2. The predicted tertiary structure shows high homology with mammalian COX isozymes having all of the characteristic structural units and the amino acid residues important in catalysis. Some structural differences are apparent around the peroxidase active site, in the membrane-binding domain, and in the pattern of glycosylation. When expressed in Sf9 cells, the P. homomalla enzyme forms a 15R-prostaglandin endoperoxide together with 11R-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid and 15R-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid as by-products. The endoperoxide gives rise to 15R-prostaglandins and 12R-hydroxyheptadecatrienoic acid, identified by comparison to authentic standards. Evaluation of the structural differences of this 15R-COX isozyme should provide new insights into the substrate binding and stereospecificity of the dioxygenation reaction of arachidonic acid in the cyclooxygenase active site.
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PMID:The origin of 15R-prostaglandins in the Caribbean coral Plexaura homomalla: molecular cloning and expression of a novel cyclooxygenase. 1142 2

Experiments were performed in the normal rat knee joint to investigate the role of different isoforms of cyclooxygenase (COX) in the regulation of basal joint blood flow. Laser Doppler imaging (LDI) was used to measure articular perfusion, and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the detection of COX-1 and COX-2 mRNA in joint tissue. Intravenous infusion of indomethacin (a non-selective inhibitor of COX; 0.34 nmol min(-1)) over 40 min produced a time dependent increase in articular vascular resistance (maximum 22.5 % at 40 min; P < 0.0001, one-way ANOVA) whereas vehicle over a similar time period had no effect in a control group. An equimolar concentration of a highly selective inhibitor for COX-2, SC-236, was administered in a further group of rats but this did not increase articular vascular resistance. While there was no significant difference between the response to vehicle and SC-236 (two-way ANOVA; P = 0.686, n = 6) the response to indomethacin was significantly greater than vehicle or SC-236 (two-way Anova; P < 0.0001, n = 6). COX-1, but not COX-2, was detectable by RT-PCR in all joint tissue samples examined (n = 4). The results of this study indicate that prostaglandins (PGs) play an important role in the maintenance of basal perfusion in the rat knee joint, with COX-1 being the physiologically relevant isoform. Experimental Physiology (2001) 86.2, 191-197.
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PMID:Expression of constitutive but not inducible cyclooxygenase maintains articular perfusion in the rat knee. 1142 34


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