Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0020538 (hypertension)
 170,190 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Since the identification of a chimeric aldosterone synthase which induces mendelian hypertension, polymorphisms in aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) has been one of major targets for molecular analyses in association with hypertension. To date, four polymorphic variants of CYP11B2, -344T/C at promoter region, a gene conversion in intron 2, 2713A/G (in exon 3) which converts from Lys to Arg at codon 173 (K173R), and 4986T/C (in exon7) which converts from Val to Ala at codon 386 (V386A), have been identified in Caucasian population. Then, linkage disequilibrium between -344T/C polymorphism and a gene conversion in intron 2 or K173R mutation has been described, suggesting the presence of genetic haplotypes in Caucasians. Since the presence of a gene conversion in intron 2 or V386A mutation was still unknown in the Japanese population, all these polymorphisms were examined together to determine the CYP11B2 haplotypes of Japanese, using DNA samples from 1290 participants of the Ohasama study, who represent the general population of a rural community of northern Japan. Molecular analyses demon- strated the presence of a gene conversion of intron 2, but the absence of V386A mutation in Japanese population. The complete linkage disequilibrium between -344T/C polymorphism and K173R mutation was noted. Although -344T allele was linked either with a gene conversion in intron 2 or with normal intron 2, -344C allele was completely linked with normal intron 2. These results indicate the presence of 3 allelic haplotypes of CYP11B2, -344C with normal intron 2 and 173R, -344T with normal intron 2 and 173K, and -344T with converted intron 2 and 173K, in the general Japanese population. The frequency (total 1.0) was 0.35, 0.53, and 0.12, respectively. The presence of allelic haplotypes is considered to be an additional genetic information to individual polymorphism of CYP11B2 to determine the linkage between CYP11B2 polymorphisms and hypertension.
 ...
PMID:Haplotypes of aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) gene in the general population of Japan: the Ohasama study. 1172 5

Neurotransmitter release from neurons involves both vesicular trafficking and subsequent fusion of synaptic vesicles with the plasma membrane. The mechanisms involving the formation and fusion of vesicles that allow the exocytotic release of transmitters are understood well. Little is known, however, about the signaling mechanism involved in the trafficking of vesicles along the neurites. In this study, we used real-time confocal microscopy to search for evidence that vesicular trafficking in neurons requires the activation of protein kinase Cbeta (PKCbeta) and the myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS) signaling pathway. Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase fused to green fluorescent protein has been used to trace vesicular movement. Angiotensin II, an established neuromodulatory hormone, stimulates translocation of green fluorescent protein-dopamine-beta-hydroxylase vesicles from the cell body to neurites. This translocation was blocked by an antisense oligonucleotide to PKCbeta and MARCKS. Stimulation of PKC by other means, such as phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate or carbachol, also resulted in the redistribution of fluorescence in a manner similar to that observed for angiotensin II. These observations demonstrate that PKCbeta-MARCKS signaling may be a general mechanism for the stimulation of vesicular trafficking in brain neurons.
Hypertension 2002 Feb
PMID:Obligatory role of protein kinase Cbeta and MARCKS in vesicular trafficking in living neurons. 1188 9

ACE inhibitory peptides are biologically active peptides that play a role in blood pressure regulation. When derived from food proteins during food processing or gastrointestinal digestion, these peptides could function as efficient agents in treating and preventing hypertension. However, in order to exert an antihypertensive effect by inhibition of the ACE enzyme, they have to reach the bloodstream intact. The aim of this research was to assess if the known ACE inhibitory peptide Ala-Leu-Pro-Met-His-Ile-Arg, derived from a tryptic digest of beta-lactoglobulin, could be absorbed through a Caco-2 Bbe cell monolayer in an Ussing chamber and reach the serosal side undegraded. Samples of the mucosal compartment showed high ACE inhibitory activity. No or only little ACE inhibitory activity was detected in the serosal compartment. However, when the serosal sample was concentrated three-fold, a substantial ACE inhibitory activity was registered. Concomitantly, HPLC and MS clearly showed the presence of Ala-Leu-Pro-Met-His-Ile-Arg in the mucosal compartment, whereas in the serosal compartment only MS was able to detect the heptapeptide. In conclusion. under the observed experimental conditions, the ACE inhibitory peptide Ala-Leu-Pro-Met-His-Ile-Arg was transported intact through the Caco-2 Bbe monolayer, but in concentrations too low to exert an ACE inhibitory activity.
 ...
PMID:Intestinal transport of the lactokinin Ala-Leu-Pro-Met-His-Ile-Arg through a Caco-2 Bbe monolayer. 1193 86

Human alpha-chymase is an efficient angiotensin (AT) converting enzyme, selectively hydrolyzing AT I at Phe8 to generate bioactive AT II, which can promote cardiac hypertrophy, vascular stenosis, and hypertension. Some related enzymes, such as rat beta-chymase 1, are much less selective, destroying AT by cleaving at Tyr4. Comparisons of chymase structure and activity led to speculation that interaction between AT and the side chain of Lys40 or Arg143 accounts for the human enzyme's marked preference for Phe8 over Tyr4. To test these hypotheses, we compared AT hydrolysis by wild-type chymase with that by mutants changing Lys40 or Arg143 to neutral residues. Lys40 was exchanged for alanine, the residue found in canine alpha- and rat beta-chymase 1, the latter being dramatically less selective for hydrolysis at Phe8. Arg143 was exchanged for glutamine found in rat beta-chymase 1. The Lys40Ala mutant is a dog-like enzyme retaining strong preference for Phe8 but with Tyr4 hydrolytic rates enhanced 16-fold compared to wild-type human enzyme. Thus, of 40 residues mismatched between dog and human enzymes, a single residue accounts for most of the difference in specificity between them. The Arg143Gln mutant, contrary to prediction, remains highly Phe8-selective. Therefore, Lys40, but not Arg143, contributes to human chymase's remarkable preference for AT II generation over destruction.
 ...
PMID:Lys40 but not Arg143 influences selectivity of angiotensin conversion by human alpha-chymase. 1200 14

The endothelial isoform of nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS) is a key determinant of vascular tone. eNOS, a Ca(2+)/camodulin-dependent enzyme, is also regulated by a variety of agonist-activated protein kinases, but the role and regulation of the protein phosphatase pathways involved in eNOS dephosphorylation are much less well understood. Treatment of endothelial cells with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a potent eNOS agonist, leads to the activation of calcineurin, a Ca(2+)/camodulin-dependent protein phosphatase. In these studies, we used a phosphorylation state-specific antibody to show that VEGF promotes dephosphorylation of eNOS at serine residue 116 in cultured endothelial cells. Cyclosporin A, an inhibitor of calcineurin, completely blocks VEGF-induced eNOS dephosphorylation; under identical conditions, cyclosporin A also inhibits VEGF-induced eNOS activation. VEGF-induced eNOS dephosphorylation shows an EC(50) of 2 ng/ml and is maximal 30 min after agonist addition. eNOS phosphorylation at serine 116 is completely blocked by the protein kinase C inhibitor calphostin but is blocked by neither wortmannin (an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase) nor the MAP kinase pathway inhibitor U0126. A phosphorylation-deficient mutant of eNOS in which serine 116 is changed to an alanine residue (S116A) shows significantly enhanced enzyme activity compared with the wild-type enzyme. Taken together, these findings indicated that VEGF-induced eNOS dephosphorylation at serine 116 leads to enzyme activation. Cyclosporin A is widely used as an immunosuppressive drug for which hypertension is an important dose-limiting side effect. Our results suggest that cyclosporin A-induced hypertension may involve, at least in part, the attenuation of endothelium-derived NO production through a calcineurin-sensitive pathway regulating eNOS dephosphorylation.
 ...
PMID:Dephosphorylation of endothelial nitric-oxide synthase by vascular endothelial growth factor. Implications for the vascular responses to cyclosporin A. 1205 Jan 71

When rat dams consume a diet low in protein during pregnancy, their offspring develop high blood pressure. On a low-protein diet, the endogenous formation of the amino acid glycine is thought to become constrained. Glycine may become conditionally essential, as its rate of endogenous formation is inadequate to meet metabolic needs, and may be limiting for the normal development of the fetus. In the present study, five groups of Wistar rats were provided during pregnancy with one of five diets: a control diet containing 18% (w/w) casein (CON), a low-protein diet containing 9% casein (MLP), or the low-protein diet supplemented with 3% glycine (MLPG), alanine (MLPA) or urea (MLPU). The offspring were weaned on to standard laboratory chow, and blood pressure was measured at 4 weeks of age. Blood pressure was significantly increased in the MLP, MLPA and MLPU groups compared with the CON group, but for the MLPG group blood pressure was not significantly different from CON. Compared with the CON group, body weight was significantly reduced for the MLP, MLPA and MLPG groups, but for the MLPU group body weight was not different from CON. These data show that different forms of non-essential dietary nitrogen, when consumed during pregnancy, exert different effects upon the growth and function of the offspring. The availability of glycine appears to be of critical importance for normal cardiovascular development.
 ...
PMID:Increased systolic blood pressure in rats induced by a maternal low-protein diet is reversed by dietary supplementation with glycine. 1244 17

Cell adhesion to fibronectin results in formation of actin stress fibres and focal adhesions. In fibroblasts, this response requires two co-operative signals provided by interactions of the RGD sequence with alpha5beta1 integrin and the heparin-binding domain II (Hep II) domain with syndecan-4. Within Hep II, this activity was mapped to repeat III13 and to the peptide FN-C/H-V(WQPPRARITGY, repeat III14). We previously described that the synthetic heparin-binding peptide/III5 (HBP/III5) (WTPPRAQITGYRLTVGLTRR, repeat III5) binds heparin and mediates cell adhesion via chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans. We have now studied whether HBP/III5 co-operates with alpha5beta1 and drives a full cytoskeletal response in melanoma cells. SKMEL-178 cells attached and spread on the RGD-containing FNIII7-FNIII10 (FNIII7-10) fragment, but did not form stress fibres or focal adhesions. Co-immobilization of HBP/III5 with FNIII7-10 or adding soluble HBP/III5 to cells prespread on FNIII7-10, effectively induced these structures. Cell transfection with dominant-negative N19RhoA, a member of the small GTPase family, abolished the HBP/III5 effect. Both chondroitinase and heparitinase diminished focal adhesions, indicating that both types of proteoglycans bound HBP/III5 in melanoma cells. We have mapped the active sequence of HBP/III5 to YRLTVGLTRR, which is a novel sequence in fibronectin with focal-adhesion-promoting activity. The last two arginine (R) residues of this sequence are required for activity, since their replacement by alanine completely abrogated the HBP/III5 cytoskeletal effect. Moreover, this sequence is also active in the context of large fibronectin fragments. Our results establish that the Hep III region provides co-operative signals to alpha5beta1 for the progression of the cytoskeletal response and that these include activation of RhoA.
 ...
PMID:A synthetic peptide from the heparin-binding domain III (repeats III4-5) of fibronectin promotes stress-fibre and focal-adhesion formation in melanoma cells. 1251 80

Blockade of angiotensin type 1 (AT1) receptors induces smooth muscle cell (SMC) death and regression of aortic hypertrophy in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). We postulated that SMC death and vascular remodeling in this model may be attenuated by z-Val-Ala-Asp(OMe)-CH2F (z-VAD-fmk), a tripeptide inhibitor of caspase enzymes mediating apoptosis. To determine the time course of SMC death and aortic remodeling, SHR were treated with losartan (30 mg/kg per day) for up to 9.5 days. Transient SMC apoptosis occurred in the aortic media with a peak around day 5 of treatment, with increases in the Bax to Bcl-2 protein ratio (>3-fold), in active caspase-3 (5.6-fold), in TUNEL-positive nuclei (19-fold), preceding by 24 hours the peak activation of capase-9 (3.8-fold), and significant reductions in SMC number (46%) and aortic cross-sectional area (8.5%) at 5.5 days. The decrease in total aortic DNA reached significance at 6.5 days (29%). Blood pressure reduction with losartan was progressive and reached significance at day 7 of treatment. Next, we examined the causal link between vascular apoptosis and remodeling. SHR received placebo or losartan (30 mg/kg per day) for 6 days. During the last 24 hours, a subgroup of losartan-treated rats received 3 IV injections of z-VAD-fmk (cumulative dose: 4.4 mg x kg(-1)). All other rats received the vehicle, DMSO. The 24-hour cotreatment with z-VAD-fmk effectively prevented losartan-induced caspase-3 activation and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, as well as SMC depletion and the reductions in aortic mass and DNA content. Together, these data suggest that caspase-dependent SMC death mediates the early phase of vascular remodeling in response to AT1 receptor blockade in this model of hypertension.
 ...
PMID:Caspase-dependent cell death mediates the early phase of aortic hypertrophy regression in losartan-treated spontaneously hypertensive rats. 1262 80

a-Methyldopa sesquihydrate is used in the treatment of hypertension; over 20 million prescriptions are written annually for a -methyldopa or a-methyldopa sesquihydrate in the United States. a-Methyldopa sesquihydrate (USP grade, greater than 99% pure) was selected for study because of widespread human exposure and the lack of carcinogenicity studies on this compound. Fourteen-day, 13-week, and 2-year studies were conducted in F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice. The chemical was administered in feed because human exposure is primarily by the oral route. Short-term studies were performed in bacteria and mammalian cells to evaluate the potential for genetic damage. Fourteen-Day and Thirteen-Week Studies: In the 14-day studies, the chemical was administered at dietary concentrations of 0 and 6,250-100,000 ppm. All rats receiving 100,000 ppm and 2/5 female rats receiving 50,000 ppm died. All mice lived until the end of the studies. Final mean body weights of dosed male rats were 14%-43% lower than that of controls, and those of dosed female rats were 9%-24% lower. Feed consumption by dosed male and female rats was reduced. Final mean body weights of dosed mice were generally within 10% of those of controls; feed consumption by dosed groups was lower than that by controls during the first week of the studies. In the 13-week studies, the chemical was administered at dietary concentrations of 0 and 3,100-50,000 ppm. Deaths occurred in 4/10 male rats, 7/10 female rats, and 2/10 female mice at 50,000 ppm and in 1/10 female rats at 25,000 ppm. Final mean body weights of dosed rats were 6%-46% lower than those of controls. Feed consumption by dosed rat groups was lower than that by controls. Final mean body weights of male mice at 25,000 and 50,000 ppm and female mice at 50,000 ppm were reduced 12%-19%. Feed consumption by dosed and control mice was comparable. Rats and mice receiving 25,000 and 50,000 ppm exhibited clinical signs of toxicity including lethargy, hyperexcitability, ocular discharge, and rough hair coats. Clinical signs of toxicity were judged to be more severe in dosed male mice than in female mice. Minimal to moderate kidney tubular cell regeneration was seen in male and female rats at 12,500, 25,000, and 50,000 ppm. Bone marrow hypoplasia occurred in male rats at 25,000 and 50,000 ppm and in female rats at 6,300 ppm and higher. Nuclear enlargement (karyomegaly) of the renal corticaltubular epithelium was observed in male and female mice administered 12,500-50,000 ppm; these kidney lesions were judged to be more severe and occurred more frequently at concentrations of 25,000 ppm and higher. Because of kidney lesions, bone marrow responses, and body weight effects at 12,500 ppm and higher and increased deaths and clinical signs at 25,000 and 50,000 ppm, dietary concentrations selected for male and female rats in the 2-year studies were 0, 3,100, and 6,300 ppm. Based on clinical signs, kidney effects, and body weight decreases at 25,000 and 50,000 ppm, dietary concentrations selected for male and female mice in the 2-year studies were 0, 6,300, and 12,500 ppm. Diets containing the chemical at these concentrations were fed to groups of 50 male and 50 female rats and 50 male and 50 female mice for 103 weeks. Body Weight and Survival in the Two-Year Studies: Mean body weights of dosed rats were generally 8%-17% lower than those of controls, and mean body weights of dosed mice were generally 5%-22% lower than those of controls throughout the studies. The average amount of a-methyldopa sesquihydrate consumed per day was approximately 110-120 or 230-240 mg/kg per day by low and high dose rats and 830-890 or 1,760-1,800 mg/kg by low and high dose mice. Survival was comparable among dosed and control groups (male rats: control, 28/50; low dose, 26/50; high dose, 27/50; female rats: 35/50; 34/50; 29/50; male mice: 44/50; 42/50; 39/50; female mice: 42/50; 40/50; 38/50). Clinical signs considered to be dose-related included fighting in male rats, irritability in male mice, and rough hair coats in female mice. Nonneoplastic and Neoplasle rats, irritability in male mice, and rough hair coats in female mice. Nonneoplastic and Neoplastic Effects in the Two-Year Studies: Several lesions of the forestomach, including edema, chronic inflammation, epithelial hyperplasia, and ulcers, were seen at low incidences in high dose rats. No forestomach neoplasms occurred. No neoplastic lesions were observed in either male or female rats which were considered related to a-methyldopa sesquihydrate exposure. Nephropathy (control, 3/50; low dose, 21/50; high dose, 32/50), karyomegaly (nuclear enlargement) of cells of the tubular epithelium (0/50; 46/50; 44/50, and cysts (2/50; 10/50; 10/50) were observed in the kidney of dosed female mice. Low incidences of tubular cell hyperplasia (0/50; 1/50; 1/50), tubular cell adenomas (0/50; 2/50; 0/50), and tubular cell adenocarcinomas (0/50; 0/50; 1/50) were observed in male mice. Tubular cell adenomas (3/2,029, 0.15%) and tubular cell adenocarcinomas (3/2,029, 0.15%)are uncommon in untreated control male B6C3F1 mice. No neoplastic lesions in female mice were considered related to a-methyldopa sesquihydrate exposure. Decreased incidences of several site-specific neoplasms were observed in dosed rats and mice; these decreases might have been due in part to decreased weight gain in dosed groups. The decreases occurred in the adrenal medulla of male rats (pheochromocytomas or malignant pheochromocytomas, combined: 21/49; 3/49; 10/50), uterus of female rats (endometrial stromal polyps: 15/50; 5/49; 1/50), liver of male and female mice (hepatocellular adenomas or carcinomas, combined-- male: 15/50; 5/50; 6/50; female: 4/50; 1/50; 0/50), and anterior pituitary gland of female mice (adenoma: 9/49; 4/40; 2/50). The incidences of malignant tumors (male: 19/50; 9/50; 8/50; female: 21/50; 16/50; 12/50) and benign or malignant tumors (combined) (male: 32/50; 15/50; 17/50; female: 33/50; 22/50; 21/50) were reduced in dosed mice. Reproductive Studies: a-Methyldopa sesquihydrate was administered to male F344/N rats in corn oil by gavage 5 days per week for 65 days at doses of 0, 50, 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg. Decreased body weight was seen in dosed animals. Male rats were mated to untreated female F344/N rats on days 57-61, necropsies were performed on days 65-67, and reproductive toxicity was measured by sperm count, sperm motility, organ weights, hormone levels, and histologic evaluation of the testis. Decreased fertility was observed in males dosed with a-methyldopa sesquihydrate at 200 and 400 mg/kg. Decreases were also seen in sperm count, sperm motility, apparent number of late spermatids, and plasma testosterone levels in males in the 200 and 400 mg/kg groups. This alteration of reproductive function in male rats was found to be reversible after a 13-week recovery period (without dosing). The decreased fertility observed after a-methyldopa sesquihydrate administration was probably due in part to the decreases in plasma testosterone levels. Genetic Toxicity: a-Methyldopa sesquihydrate was not mutagenic when tested with or without exogenous metabolic activation with a preincubation protocol in four strains of Salmonella typhimurium (TA97, TA98, TA100, or TA1535). No increase in chromosomal aberrations or sister chromatid exchanges was observed in Chinese hamsterovary (CHO) cells exposed to a-methyldopa sesquihydrate with or without S9. Audit: The data, documents, and pathology materials from the 2-year studies of a-methyldopa sesquihydrate have been audited. The audit findings show that the conduct of the studies is documented adequately and support the data and results given in this Technical Report. Conclusions: Under the conditions of these 2-year feed studies, there was no evidence of carcinogenic activity of a-methyldopa sesquihydrate for male or female F344/N rats fed diets containing 3,100 or 6,300 ppm. There was equivocal evidence of carcinogenic activity of a-methyldopa sesquihydrate for male B6C3F1 mice, as shown by three dosed mice having uncommon tubular cell tumors of the kidney. There was no evidence of carcinogenic activity of a -methyldopa sesquihydrate for female B6C3F1 mice fed diets containing 6,300 or 12,500 ppm. Nonneoplastic lesions of the kidney including karyomegaly were observed in dosed female mice. Decreased incidences of several tumor types (in the adrenal gland in male rats, uterus in female rats, liver in male and female mice, and anterior pituitary gland in female mice) were considered related to a-methyldopa sesquihydrate exposure. Synonyms for a-Methyldopa or a-Methyldopa sesquihydrate: 3-hydroxy-a-methyl-L-tyrosine sesquihydrate; L-(a-MD); a-methyl-L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine; L(-)-b-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-a -methylalanine; L-(-)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-methylalanine; L-a-methyl-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine; a-methyl-b-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-L-alanine; L-(-)-a-methyl-b-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)alanine; (-)-methyldopa; L-methyldopa; L-a-methyldopa; a-methyl-L-dopa Trade Names for a-Methyldopa or a-Methyldopa sesquihydrate: Aldomet; Aldometil; Aldomin; a-Medopa; AMD; Bayer 1440 L; Baypresol; Dopamet; Dopatec; Dopegyt; Hyperpax; Medomet; Medopren; Methoplain; MK. B51; MK-351; Presinol; Presolisin; Sedometil; Sembrina
 ...
PMID:NTP Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of alpha-Methyldopa Sesquihydrate (CAS No. 41372-08-1) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Feed Studies). 1270 36

The thiazide-sensitive Na+:Cl- cotransporter is the major salt transport pathway in the distal convoluted tubule of the kidney, and a role of this cotransporter in blood pressure homeostasis has been defined by physiological studies on pressure natriuresis and by its involvement in monogenic diseases that feature arterial hypotension or hypertension. Data base analysis revealed that 135 single nucleotide polymorphisms along the human SLC12A3 gene that encodes the Na+:Cl- cotransporter have been reported. Eight are located within the coding region, and one results in a single amino acid change; the residue glycine at the position 264 is changed to alanine (G264A). This residue is located within the fourth transmembrane domain of the predicted structure. Because Gly-264 is a highly conserved residue, we studied the functional properties of this polymorphism by using in vitro mutagenesis and the heterologous expression system in Xenopus laevis oocytes. G264A resulted in a significant and reproducible reduction ( approximately 50%) in (22)Na+ uptake when compared with the wild type cotransporter. The affinity for extracellular Cl- and for thiazide diuretics was increased in G264A. Western blot analysis showed similar immunoreactive bands between the wild type and the G264A cotransporters, and confocal images of oocytes injected with enhanced green fluorescent protein-tagged wild type and G264A cotransporter showed no differences in the protein surface expression level. These observations suggest that the G264A polymorphism is associated with reduction in the substrate translocation rate of the cotransporter, due to a decrease in the intrinsic activity. Our study also reveals a role of the transmembrane segment 4 in defining the affinity for extracellular Cl- and thiazide diuretics.
 ...
PMID:A single nucleotide polymorphism alters the activity of the renal Na+:Cl- cotransporter and reveals a role for transmembrane segment 4 in chloride and thiazide affinity. 1476 43


<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10