Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:4.6.1.2 (guanylate cyclase)
 8,497 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Nitric oxide (NO) has been shown to regulate neurotransmitter release in the brain; both inhibitory and excitatory effects have been seen. Taurine is essential for the development and survival of neural cells and protects them under cell-damaging conditions. In the brain stem, it regulates many vital functions such as cardiovascular control and arterial blood pressure. Now we studied the effects of the NO-generating compounds hydroxylamine (HA), S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) on the release of preloaded [(3)H]taurine under normal and ischemic conditions in slices prepared from the mouse brain stem from developing (7-day-old) to young adult (3-month-old) mice. In general, the effects of NO on the release were somewhat complex and difficult to explain, as expected from the multifunctional role of NO in the central nervous system. The basal initial release under normal conditions was enhanced by the NO donors 5 mM HA and 1.0 mM SNAP at both ages, but SNP was inhibitory in developing mice. The release was markedly enhanced by K(+) stimulation. The effects of HA, SNAP and SNP on the basal release were not antagonized by the NO synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, 1.0 mM), demonstrating that mechanisms other than NO synthesis are involved. Taurine release in developing mice in the presence of SNP was reduced by the inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase, 1H-(1,2,3)oxadiazolo(4,3-a)quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), indicating the possible involvement of cGMP. In normoxia, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA, 1.0 mM) enhanced the SNAP- and HA-evoked taurine release in developing mice and the HA-evoked release in adults. In ischemia, both K(+) stimulation and NMDA potentiated the NO-induced release, particularly in the immature mice, probably without the involvement of the NO synthase or cGMP. The substantial release of taurine in the developing brain stem evoked by NO donors together with NMDA might represent signs of important mechanisms against excitotoxicity which protect the brain stem under cell-damaging conditions.
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PMID:Nitric oxide is involved in taurine release in the mouse brain stem under normal and ischemic conditions. 1766 74

We investigated whether alpha-lipoic acid (alpha-LA), an antioxidant, attenuates the ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-induced dysregulation of these transporters. Both renal pedicles of male Sprague-Dawley rats were clamped for 40 min. alpha-LA (80 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally before and immediately after induction of ischemia. After 2 days, the expression of aquaporins (AQPs), sodium transporters, and nitric oxide synthases (NOS) was determined in the kidney by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. The expression of endothelin-1 (ET-1) mRNA was determined by real-time PCR. Activities of adenylyl cyclase and guanylyl cyclase were measured by stimulated generation of cAMP and cGMP, respectively. The expression of AQP1-3 as well as that of the alpha(1)-subunit of Na-K-ATPase, type 3 Na/H exchanger, Na-K-2Cl cotransporter, and Na-Cl cotransporter was markedly decreased in response to I/R. The expression of type VI adenylyl cyclase was decreased in I/R-injured rats, which was counteracted by the treatment of alpha-LA. AVP-stimulated cAMP generation was blunted in I/R rats and was then ameliorated by alpha-LA treatment. alpha-LA treatment attenuated the downregulation of AQPs and sodium transporters. The expression of endothelial NOS was decreased in I/R rats, which was prevented by alpha-LA. The cGMP generation in response to sodium nitroprusside was blunted in I/R rats, which was also significantly prevented by alpha-LA. The mRNA expression of ET-1 was increased, which was recovered to the control level by alpha-LA treatment. In conclusion, alpha-LA treatment prevents I/R-induced dysregulation of AQPs and sodium transporters in the kidney, possibly through preserving normal activities of local AVP/cAMP, nitric oxide/cGMP, and ET systems.
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PMID:Effects of alpha-lipoic acid on ischemia-reperfusion-induced renal dysfunction in rats. 1803 50

The free radical peroxynitrite (ONOO-) is formed in biological systems from the reaction of nitric oxide (NO) with superoxide (O2-) and can react with protein and nonprotein thiol groups to produce tissue injury. However, these pathologic actions of (ONOO-) may have been overemphasized, in that (ONOO-) has vasorelaxant properties through activation of soluble guanylate cyclase; inhibits leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions; and reduces ischemia-reperfusion injury in the heart, lung, and liver. It has been reported that tolerance develops to the vasodilator actions of (ONOO-) and that (ONOO-) impairs vascular function. However, little, if anything, is known about responses to (ONOO-) in the hindlimb circulation of the cat. To better understand the effects of (ONOO-) on responses to vasoactive agonists and the mechanism by which (ONOO-) induces vasodilation, the effects of short-term exposure to (ONOO-) were investigated under constant-flow conditions in the hindlimb vascular bed of the cat. In these studies, direct intraarterial injections of (ONOO-) produced dose-dependent decreases in hindquarters perfusion pressure. The vasodilator responses to (ONOO-) were rapid in onset, were short in duration, and could be repeated without exhibiting tachyphylaxis. Vasodilator responses to (ONOO-) were not changed in the presence of inhibitors of nitric-oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase, or K+-ATP (adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium) channels. Furthermore, responses to (ONOO-) were enhanced in duration by the type 5-cGMP (cyclic guanosine monophosphate) phosphodiesterase inhibitor zaprinast, whereas rolipram, a type 4-cGMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor, was without effect. Repeated administration of (ONOO-) had no significant effect on responses to vasoconstrictor or to vasodilator agents including acetylcholine. These results show that (ONOO-) has significant vasodilator activity in the hindlimb vascular bed of the cat and suggest that the response is mediated by a cGMP- dependent mechanism. The results of experiments with repeated injections of (ONOO-) indicate that (ONOO-) does not impair vasoconstrictor and endothelium-dependent or endothelium-independent vasodilator responses. Furthermore, tolerance did not develop with repeated short-term exposure to (ONOO-). Moreover, the results of experiments with inhibitors suggest that responses to (ONOO-) are not dependent on K-ATP (adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium) channel activation, increased NOS activity, or the formation of products in the cyclooxygenase pathway. The results of these studies are consistent with the hypothesis that (ONOO-) is rapidly converted in the hindlimb circulation to a substance that has the properties of an NO donor. These studies suggest that under physiologic conditions, the cytotoxic effects of (ONOO-) on a short-term basis may have been overemphasized.
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PMID:Analysis of vasodilator responses to peroxynitrite in the hindlimb vascular bed of the cat. 1804 2

During cardiac ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury, excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and overload of Ca(2+) at the mitochondrial level both lead to opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition (PT) pore on reperfusion. This can result in the depletion of ATP, irreversible oxidation of proteins, lipids, and DNA within the cardiomyocyte, and can trigger cell-death pathways. In contrast, mitochondria are also implicated in the cardioprotective signaling processes of ischemic preconditioning (IPC), to prevent IR-related pathology. Nitric oxide (NO*) has emerged as a potent effector molecule for a variety of cardioprotective strategies, including IPC. Whereas NO* is most noted for its activation of the "classic" soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) signaling pathway, emerging evidence indicates that NO can directly act on mitochondria, independent of the sGC pathway, affording acute cardioprotection against IR injury. These direct effects of NO* on mitochondria are the focus of this review.
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PMID:Mitochondria as a target for the cardioprotective effects of nitric oxide in ischemia-reperfusion injury. 1805 18

Methylene blue (MB), generic name methylthioninium (C(16)H(18)ClN(3) S . 3H(2)O), is a blue dye synthesized in 1876 by Heinrich Caro for use as a textile dye and used in the laboratory and clinically since the 1890s, with well-known toxicity and pharmacokinetics. It has experimentally proven neuroprotective and cardioprotective effects in a porcine model of global ischemia-reperfusion in experimental cardiac arrest. This effect has been attributed to MB's blocking effect on nitric oxide synthase and guanylyl cyclase, the latter blocking the synthesis of the second messenger of nitric oxide. The physiological effects during reperfusion include stabilization of the systemic circulation without significantly increased total peripheral resistance, moderately increased cerebral cortical blood flow, a decrease of lipid peroxidation and inflammation, and less anoxic tissue injury in the brain and the heart. The last two effects are recorded as less increase in plasma concentrations of astroglial protein S-100beta, as well as troponin I and creatine kinase isoenzyme MB, respectively.
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PMID:Neuro- and cardioprotective effects of blockade of nitric oxide action by administration of methylene blue. 1807 76

The membrane forms of guanylyl cyclase (GC) serve as cell-surface receptors that synthesize the second messenger cGMP, which mediates diverse cellular processes. Rat kidney contains mRNA for the GC-G isoform, but the role of this receptor in health and disease has not been characterized. It was found that mouse kidney also contains GC-G mRNA, and immunohistochemistry identified GC-G protein in the epithelial cells of the proximal tubule and collecting ducts. Six hours after ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, GC-G mRNA and protein expression increased three-fold and remained upregulated at 24 h. For determination of whether GC-G mediates I/R injury, a mutant mouse with a targeted disruption of the GC-G gene (Gucy2g) was created. At baseline, no histologic abnormalities were observed in GC-G(-/-) mice. After I/R injury, elevations in serum creatinine and urea were attenuated in GC-G(-/-) mice compared with wild-type controls, and this correlated with less tubular disruption, less tubular cell apoptosis, and less caspase-3 activation. Measures of inflammation (number of infiltrating neutrophils, myeloperoxidase activity, and induction of IL-6 and P-selectin) and activation of NF-kappaB were lower in GC-G(-/-) mice compared with wild-type mice. Direct transfer of a GC-G expression plasmid to the kidneys of GC-G(-/-) mice resulted in a dramatically higher mortality after renal I/R injury, further supporting a role for GC-G in mediating injury. In summary, GC-G may act as an early signaling molecule that promotes apoptotic and inflammatory responses in I/R-induced acute renal injury.
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PMID:Disruption of guanylyl cyclase-G protects against acute renal injury. 1819 99

Prostanoids are cyclic lipid mediators which arise from enzymic cyclooxygenation of linear polyunsaturated fatty acids, e.g. arachidonic acid (20:4 n 6, AA). Biologically active prostanoids deriving from AA include stable prostaglandins (PGs), e.g. PGE(2), PGF(2alpha), PGD(2), PGJ(2) as well as labile prostanoids, i.e. PG endoperoxides (PGG(2), PGH(2)), thromboxane A(2) (TXA(2)) and prostacyclin (PGI(2)). A "Rabbit aorta Contracting Substance" (RCS) played important role in discovering of labile PGs. RCS was discovered in the Vane's Cascade as a labile product released along with PGs from the activated lung or spleen. RCS was identified as a mixture of PG endoperoxides and thromboxane A(2). Stable PGs regulate the cell cycle, smooth muscle tone and various secretory functions; they also modulate inflammatory and immune reactions. PG endoperoxides are intermediates in biosynthesis of all prostanoids. Thromboxane A(2) (TXA(2)) is the most labile prostanoid (with a half life of 30 s at 37 degrees C). It is generated mainly by blood platelets. TXA(2) is endowed with powerful vasoconstrictor, cytotoxic and thrombogenic properties. Again the Vane's Cascade was behind the discovery of prostacyclin (PGI(2)) with a half life of 4 min at 37 degrees C. It is produced by the vascular wall (predominantly by the endothelium) and it acts as a physiological antagonist of TXA(2). Moreover, prostacyclin per se is a powerful cytoprotective agent that exerts its action through activation of adenylate cyclase, followed by an intracellular accumulation of cyclic-AMP in various types of cells. In that respect PGI(2) collaborates with the system consisting of NO synthase (eNOS)/nitric oxide free radical (NO)/guanylate cyclase/cyclic-GMP. Both cyclic nucleotides (c-AMP and c-GMP) act in synergy as two energetic fists which defend the cellular machinery from being destroyed by endogenous or exogenous aggressors. Recently, a new partner has been recognized in this endogenous defensive squadron, i.e. a system consisting of heme oxygenase (HO-1)/carbon monoxide (CO)/biliverdin/biliverdin reductase/bilirubin. The expanding knowledge on the pharmacological steering of this enzymic triad (PGI(2)-S/eNOS/HO-1) is likely to contribute to the rational therapy of many systemic diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension or Alzheimer diseases. The discovery of prostacyclin broadened our pathophysiological horizon, and by itself opened new therapeutic possibilities. Prostacyclin sodium salt and its synthetic stable analogues (iloprost, beraprost, treprostinil, epoprostenol, cicaprost) are useful drugs for the treatment of the advanced critical limb ischemia, e.g. in the course of Buerger's disease, and also for the treatment of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). In this last case a synergism between prostacyclin analogues and sildenafil (a selective phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor) or bosentan (an endothelin ET-1 receptor antagonist) points our to complex mechanisms controlling pulmonary circulation. At the Jagiellonian University we have demonstrated that several well recognised cardiovascular drugs, e.g. ACE inhibitors (ACE-I), statins, some of beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists, e.g. carvedilol or nebivolol, anti-platelet thienopyridines (ticlopidine, clopidogrel) and a metabolite of vitamin PP--N(1)-methyl-nicotinamide--all of them are endowed with the in vivo PGI(2)-releasing properties. In this way, the foundations for the Endothelial Pharmacology were laid.
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PMID:Prostacyclin among prostanoids. 1827 80

Platelet hyperaggregability and associated thrombosis have been documented in a number of cardiovascular disease states. While one of the current mainstays of anti-thrombotic treatment (i.e. aspirin, clopidogrel, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists) has been directed at reducing platelet activation and aggregation, it is apparent that there are limitations to the effectiveness of these therapies. Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in platelet physiology. The ability of NO to regulate cyclic guanosine-3,'5'-monophosphate (cGMP), via activation of soluble guanylate cyclase, is the principal mechanism of negative control over platelet activity. NO is not only of the endothelial source, it is also released from activated platelets, providing a negative feedback. Studies in patients with symptomatic ischemia, chronic heart failure, diabetes and various risk factors for cardiovascular disease have demonstrated that platelets from these subjects exhibit reduced responsiveness to the anti-aggregating efficacy of NO: a phenomenon termed "platelet NO resistance". It constitutes an impaired physiological response to endogenous NO (endothelium-derived relaxing factor or EDRF), and as such may contribute to the increased risk of ischemic events. NO resistance also accounts for reduced pharmaco-activity of exogenous NO donors, e.g. organic nitrates. Platelet NO resistance results largely from a combination of "scavenging" of NO by superoxide anion radical and inactivation of soluble guanylate cyclase. NO resistance has both diagnostic and prognostic implications. The current review examines the association of platelet NO resistance with pathological hyperaggregability and discusses potential therapeutic strategies targeting this abnormality.
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PMID:Platelet hyperaggregability: impaired responsiveness to nitric oxide ("platelet NO resistance") as a therapeutic target. 1832 4

Activation of soluble guanylate cyclase by nitric oxide (NO) controls signaling pathways that play critical roles in normal vascular physiology and in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. We have identified the secreted protein thrombospondin-1 as a key regulator of NO signaling. Thrombospondin-1 limits the angiogenic activity of NO in endothelial cells, its vasodilator activity in vascular smooth muscle, and its antithrombotic activity in platelets. Loss of either thrombospondin-1 or its receptor CD47 in transgenic mice results in hyperdynamic responses to NO and reveals the importance of this pathway in normal physiology. Thrombospondin-1 and CD47 null mice show improved abilities to respond to ischemic stress, suggesting that therapeutic targeting of this pathway could benefit patients with a variety of ischemic conditions. We review the preclinical development of therapeutics targeting thrombospondin-1 or CD47 for improving survival of fixed ischemia, ischemia due to aging and peripheral vascular disease, and skin grafting.
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PMID:Enhancing cardiovascular dynamics by inhibition of thrombospondin-1/CD47 signaling. 1885 17

Development of intracellular calcium overload is an important pathophysiological factor in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion or anoxia/reoxygenation injury. Recent studies have shown that Sodium Ferulate (SF) stimulates nitric oxide (NO) production and exerts a cardioprotective effect in the ischemia-reperfused heart. However, it has not been determined whether the cardioprotection of SF is associated with suppression of Ca(2+) overload via NO/cyclic GMP (cGMP)/cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) pathway. In this work, after cardiomyocytes were incubated with 100, 200, 400, or 800 microM SF for 3 h, anoxia/reoxygenation injury was induced and intracellular Ca(2+) concentration, NO synthase (NOS) activity, guanylate cyclase activity, NO, and cGMP formation were measured appropriately. The results showed that treatment with SF concentration-dependently inhibited calcium overload induced by anoxia/reoxygenation. We also demonstrated that SF (100-800 microM) concentration dependently enhanced NO and cGMP formation through increasing NOS activity and guanylate cyclase activity in the cardiomyocytes. On the contrary, inhibition of calcium overload by SF was markedly attenuated by addition of an NOS inhibitor, an NO scavenger, an soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, and a PKG inhibitor: N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 100 microM), 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazole-1-oxyl-3-oxide (c-PTIO, 1.0 microM), 1H-[1, 2, 4] oxadiazolo [4, 3-alpha] quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, 20 microM) and KT5823 (0.2 microM), respectively. Our findings indicate that SF significantly attenuates anoxia/reoxygenation-induced Ca(2+) overload and improves cell survival in cultured cardiomyocytes through NO/cGMP/PKG signal pathway.
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PMID:Sodium ferulate attenuates anoxia/reoxygenation-induced calcium overload in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes by NO/cGMP/PKG pathway. 1908 73


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