Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0033036 (APC)
 10,214 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The study was undertaken to clarify the role of atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP) in essential hypertension (EH). Plasma levels of alpha-human ANP (alpha hANP) were measured in 13 normal subjects, 25 patients with EH, 5 patients with primary aldosteronism (PA), 3 patients with renovascular hypertension (RVH) and 3 patients with pheochromocytoma (PC). Plasma level of alpha hANP (normal: 38.1 +/- 20.5pg/ml) was high in all hypertensive subjects. Synthetic alpha hANP was intravenously administrated to these subjects as follows: first a dose of 0.01 microgram/kg/min for 30 minutes, second a dose of 0.03 microgram/kg/min for 30 minutes, and then in normal subjects and EH 0.03 microgram/kg/min with a dose of 6.5 micrograms/kg/min of metoclopramide (MC) for 30 minutes. After the infusion of 0.01 microgram/kg/min alpha hANP, arterial blood pressure was significantly depressed in EH, RVH and PA, but not in PC. Marked diuretic and natriuretic responses were observed with increase in creatinine clearance and fractional sodium excretion in EH, RVH and PA, but not in PC. Sodium clearance/lithium clearance was slightly increased after infusion of 0.03 microgram/kg/min of alpha hANP in hypertensive subjects. Plasma renin activity did not change in low and normal renin EH and PA after infusion of either dose of alpha hANP, but was suppressed after 0.03 microgram/kg/min of alpha hANP in normal subjects and high renin EH, RVH and PC. Plasma aldosterone concentration was suppressed after either dose of alpha hANP in normal subjects and in EH, RVH and PC, but not in PA. Plasma cGMP concentration and urinary cGMP excretion were decreased after either dose of alpha hANP in both normal and hypertensive subjects. Furthermore, the decrease of PAC by alpha hANP was normalized by MC in normal subjects and EH. The rise in plasma cGMP by alpha hANP was suppressed by MC in both normal subjects and EH, but no changes were observed in arterial blood pressure and natriuretic response. These results suggest that alpha hANP secretion increases with elevation of blood pressure in EH, improving increase of circulatory blood volume, and alpha hANP may play a role in elevating blood pressure in EH. Moreover, it is considered that ANP increases sodium and water excretion through its effect on both renal glomeruli and distal tubules in EH. Hypotensive and natriuretic effects of ANP in EH may be concerned with dopaminergic activity which are probably related to the production of cGMP in the vascular wall and inhibition of the excretion of aldosterone in the adrenal cortex.
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PMID:[The significance of atrial natriuretic polypeptide in the cause of essential hypertension]. 165 13

To clarify the role of the sympatho-adrenomedullary and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone systems, and catecholamine receptors, in the pathogenesis of orthostatic hypotension in diabetes mellitus (DM), urinary excretion of catecholamines, and plasma levels of norepinephrine (PNE), epinephrine (PE), renin activity (PRA), aldosterone (PAC), cyclic AMP (PcAMP) and cyclic GMP (PcGMP) were measured in 16 normal subjects (N) and 50 diabetic patients with or without orthostatic hypotension (DMOH(+), DMOH(-)). Changes in PNE, PE, PRA, PAC, PcAMP and PcGMP by standing, glucagon (G) administration and cold pressor test were examined. Furthermore, the effect of metoclopramide on catecholamine levels and blood pressure was investigated before and after cold pressor test. The results were following; (1) Urinary free norepinephrine excretion was significantly lower in DMOH(+), while urinary total norepinephrine excretion was normal in the two DM groups. Urinary free and total epinephrine excretions were lower in DMOH(+) than in N and DMOH(-). (2) PNE and PE were elevated after standing in all groups tested, and more pronounced in some cases of DMOH(+). Although PRA and PAC were elevated normally after standing in all groups, a dissociation between the two parameters was seen in some cases of DM. PcAMP after standing was correlated with PE(r = 0.829). Basal PcGMP was high in many cases of DMOH(+). However, no difference in the elevation of PcGMP after standing was noted between N and the two DM groups. (3) Systolic blood pressure (SBP) rose markedly in only DMOH(+) from 146 +/- 27mmHg to 178 +/- 34mmHg 5 minutes after G administration. The increment of PNE and PE 5 minutes after G administration were similar in all groups. In only DMOH(+), the increase in PcAMP 15 minutes after G test was proportional (r = 0.498) to that of epinephrine. (4) Responses of SBP, PNE, PE and PAC to cold pressor test apparently improved after administration of metoclopramide (MC) in some patients with DM. These results suggest that not only organic disturbance of sympathetic nerves but also functional inhibition of norepinephrine release mediated by dopamine receptor, may play an important role in the pathogenesis of orthostatic hypotension in diabetes mellitus. It is considered that catecholamine secretion from the adrenal medulla in DMOH(+) is increased by hypotension induced by standing. Furthermore, the vascular response to catecholamines may be accelerated through the increment of the extrajunctional receptor in DMOH(+).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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PMID:[The role of the sympatho-adrenomedullary system and adrenergic receptors in the pathogenesis of orthostatic hypotension in diabetes mellitus]. 285 93

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) exhibits effects on cell proliferation. Here, VIP, as well as the related peptide, pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PACAP), promoted human keratinocyte division. Stearyl-Nle(17)-VIP (SNV) was identified as a superior mitogen for the keratinocytic cell line, HaCaT, both in potency (fM-nM concentrations) and efficacy. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction detected in keratinocytes only PACAP mRNA and the relevant type 1 (VPAC(1)R) and type 2 (VPAC(2)R) receptors, while VIP and the third receptor (PAC(1)) transcripts were absent. Upon serum deprivation of HaCaT, the VPAC(1)R mRNA was apparently increased, while the VPAC(2)R transcript remained constant. Incubation of HaCaT with VIP or SNV increased nitric oxide and cGMP formation. In contrast to VIP, SNV did not augment cAMP. Thus, the paracrine VIP, and autocrine PACAP, related pathways leading to keratinocyte proliferation may involve VPAC(1)R/VPAC(2)R and nitric oxide/cGMP production.
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PMID:VIP and the potent analog, stearyl-Nle(17)-VIP, induce proliferation of keratinocytes. 1085 92

The extremely halophilic archaeon Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 can grow phototrophically by means of light-driven proton pumping by bacteriorhodopsin in the purple membrane. Here, we show by genetic analysis of the wild type, and insertion and double-frame shift mutants of Bat that this transcriptional regulator coordinates synthesis of a structural protein and a chromophore for purple membrane biogenesis in response to both light and oxygen. Analysis of the complete Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 genome sequence showed that the regulatory site, upstream activator sequence (UAS), the putative binding site for Bat upstream of the bacterio-opsin gene (bop), is also present upstream to the other Bat-regulated genes. The transcription regulator Bat contains a photoresponsive cGMP-binding (GAF) domain, and a bacterial AraC type helix-turn-helix DNA binding motif. We also provide evidence for involvement of the PAS/PAC domain of Bat in redox-sensing activity by genetic analysis of a purple membrane overproducer. Five additional Bat-like putative regulatory genes were found, which together are likely to be responsible for orchestrating the complex response of this archaeon to light and oxygen. Similarities of the bop-like UAS and transcription factors in diverse organisms, including a plant and a gamma-proteobacterium, suggest an ancient origin for this regulon capable of coordinating light and oxygen responses in the three major branches of the evolutionary tree of life. Finally, sensitivity of four of five regulon genes to DNA supercoiling is demonstrated and correlated to presence of alternating purine-pyrimidine sequences (RY boxes) near the regulated promoters.
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PMID:Genomic and genetic dissection of an archaeal regulon. 1122 71

Penile corpus cavernosum smooth muscle relaxation can be induced by both cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP-elevating agents, but possible interactions between these two signalling pathways are still poorly understood. Using in vitro cultured rat penile corpus cavernosum smooth muscle (CCSM) cells, we have characterized the local expression and functional activities of receptors for the cAMP-elevating peptides, PACAP and VIP, and for the cGMP-elevating peptides, CNP and ANP. Stimulation of the cells with various concentrations of PACAP(-27/-38) or VIP resulted in rapid and dose-dependent increases in cyclic AMP levels. RT-PCR analyses revealed gene expression of PAC(1) and VPAC(2) but not of VPAC(1) receptors in the cells. The natriuretic peptide, CNP, and the nitric oxide donor, sodium nitroprusside, were capable of enhancing cyclic GMP formation, indicating the presence of membrane-associated in addition to soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) activities in these cells. Findings that cyclic GMP formation was preferentially activated by CNP but not by the related peptide, ANP, were consistent with RT-PCR analyses, demonstrating gene expression of the CNP receptor, GC-B, but not of the ANP receptor, GC-A, in these cells. Prior exposure of the cells to 10(-8) M PACAP resulted in a marked down-regulation of GC-B activity, whereas sGC was not affected. These findings provide functional and molecular evidence for the presence of three receptors, PAC(1), VPAC(2) and GC-B, involved in cyclic nucleotide signalling in penile CCSM cells. The observed cross-talk of the PACAP/VIP receptors with GC-B but not with sGC may have implications for the therapy of erectile dysfunction.
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PMID:Characterization of VIP and PACAP receptors in cultured rat penis corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells and their interaction with guanylate cyclase-B receptors. 1222 Jul 28

Activated Wnt signaling pathways have been found in various human cancers, including those of the colon, liver, endometrium, ovary, prostate, and stomach. As a result, beta-catenin is accumulated and becomes transcriptionally active for proliferative genes and oncogenes. Wnt pathway mutations result in biochemical mechanisms yielding inefficient phosphorylation of beta-catenin by GSK3beta due to APC, beta-catenin and/or axin mutations. Therefore, the needs and the opportunity to develop new cancer therapies exist through reversing oncogenic APC/beta-catenin/Lef/Tcf signals. Exisulind and analogues are inhibitors of cyclic GMP phosphodiesterases (PDE) that have been shown to activate and induce protein kinase G. The data show PKG regulation of beta-catenin in wnt signaling, accounting, at least in part, for apoptosis induction in treated colon cancer cells carrying either APC or beta-catenin mutations. Exisulind and analogs reduce beta-catenin via a novel, GSK3beta independent processing mechanism. Activated PKG directly phosphorylate beta-catenin at its C-terminal domain and causes proteasome dependent degradation of the protein. Since this pathway is independent of APC and GSK3beta, exisulind and analogs provide a superior approach to circumvent the molecular defects of wnt signaling pathway and to treat cancers with such defects.
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PMID:beta-Catenin signaling: therapeutic strategies in oncology. 1264 83

Mammalian oocytes are arrested at prophase I until puberty when luteinizing hormone (LH) induces resumption of meiosis of follicle-enclosed oocytes. Resumption of meiosis is tightly coupled with regulating cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) activity. Prophase I arrest depends on inhibitory phosphorylation of CDK1 and anaphase-promoting complex-(APC-CDH1)-mediated regulation of cyclin B levels. Prophase I arrest is maintained by endogenously produced cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), which activates protein kinase A (PKA) that in turn phosphorylates (and activates) the nuclear kinase WEE2. In addition, PKA-mediated phosphorylation of the phosphatase CDC25B results in its cytoplasmic retention. The combined effect maintains low levels of CDK1 activity that are not sufficient to initiate resumption of meiosis. LH triggers synthesis of epidermal growth factor-like factors in mural granulosa cells and leads to reduced cGMP transfer from cumulus cells to oocytes via gap junctions that couple the two cell types. cGMP inhibits oocyte phosphodiesterase 3A (PDE3A) and a decline in oocyte cGMP results in increased PDE3A activity. The ensuing decrease in oocyte cAMP triggers maturation by alleviating the aforementioned phosphorylations of WEE2 and CDC25B. As a direct consequence CDC25B translocates into the nucleus. The resulting activation of CDK1 also promotes extrusion of WEE2 from the nucleus thereby providing a positive amplification mechanism for CDK1 activation. Other kinases, e.g. protein kinase B, Aurora kinase A and polo-like kinase 1, also participate in resumption of meiosis. Mechanisms governing meiotic prophase I arrest and resumption of meiosis share common features with DNA damage-induced mitotic G2-checkpoint arrest and checkpoint recovery, respectively. These common features include CDC14B-dependent activation of APC-CDH1 in prophase I arrested oocytes or G2-arrested somatic cells, and CDC25B-dependent cell cycle resumption in both oocytes and somatic cells.
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PMID:Prophase I arrest and progression to metaphase I in mouse oocytes: comparison of resumption of meiosis and recovery from G2-arrest in somatic cells. 2045 35

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) mimics the action of luteinizing hormone (LH) and triggers meiotic maturation and ovulation in mammals. The mechanism by which hCG triggers meiotic resumption in mammalian oocytes remains poorly understood. We aimed to find out the impact of hCG surge on morphological changes, adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP), guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP), cell division cycle 25B (Cdc25B), Wee1, early mitotic inhibitor 2 (Emi2), anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C), meiotic arrest deficient protein 2 (MAD2), phosphorylation status of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1), its activity and cyclin B1 expression levels during meiotic resumption from diplotene as well as metaphase-II (M-II) arrest in cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs). Our data suggest that hCG surge increased cyclic nucleotides level in encircling granulosa cells but decreased their level in oocyte. The reduced intraoocyte cyclic nucleotides level is associated with the decrease of Cdc25B, Thr161 phosphorylated Cdk1 and Emi2 expression levels. On the other hand, hCG surge increased Wee1, Thr14/Tyr15 phosphorylated Cdk1, APC/C as well as MAD2 expression levels. The elevated APC/C activity reduced cyclin B1 level. The changes in phosphorylation status of Cdk1 and reduced cyclin B1 level might have resulted in maturation promoting factor (MPF) destabilization. The destabilized MPF finally triggered resumption of meiosis from diplotene as well as M-II arrest in rat oocytes.
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PMID:Maturation promoting factor destabilization mediates human chorionic gonadotropin induced meiotic resumption in rat oocytes. 2881 66