Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UNIPROT:O76050 (neu)
 3,969 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The neuregulin (NRG)/epidermal growth factor (EGF) family of growth factors consists of several ligands that specifically activate four erbB receptor-tyrosine kinases, namely erbB-1 (EGF-R), erbB-2 (neu), erbB-3, and erbB-4. We have previously shown that islet morphogenesis is impaired and beta-cell differentiation delayed in mice lacking functional EGF-R [EGF-R (-/-)]. The present study aims to clarify which erbB ligands are important for islet development. Pancreatic expression of EGF, TGF-alpha, heparin-binding EGF, betacellulin (BTC), and NRG-4 was detected as early as embryonic d 13 (E13). Effects of these ligands were studied in E12.5 pancreatic explant cultures grown for 5 d ex vivo. None of the growth factors affected the ratio of endocrine to exocrine cells. However, significant effects within the endocrine cell populations were induced by EGF, BTC, and NRG-4. beta-Cell development was augmented by BTC, whereas the development of somatostatin-expressing delta-cells was stimulated by NRG-4. Both ligands decreased the numbers of glucagon-containing alpha-cells. The effect of BTC was abolished in the EGF-R (-/-) mice. A soluble erbB-4 binding fusion protein totally inhibited the effects of NRG-4 but not of BTC. Neutralization of endogenous NRG-4 activity in the model system effectively inhibited delta-cell development, indicating that this erbB4-ligand is an essential factor for delineation of the somatostatin-producing delta-cells. Our results suggest that ligands of the EGF-R/erbB-1 and erbB-4 receptors regulate the lineage determination of islet cells during pancreatic development. BTC, acting through EGF-R/erbB-1, is important for the differentiation of beta-cells. This could be applied in the targeted differentiation of stem cells into insulin-producing cells.
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PMID:ErbB signaling regulates lineage determination of developing pancreatic islet cells in embryonic organ culture. 1239 41

Some examples of lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) may be composed in part of signet ring cells. Such proliferations have been considered examples of pleomorphic LCIS based on pathological features of the more conventional component. However, the occurrence of LCIS composed entirely of signet ring cells is extraordinarily rare. This report describes an example of an in situ proliferation that was composed almost entirely (>95%) of signet ring cells, which was unassociated with an invasive carcinoma and which showed comedo-type necrosis. There was only focal lobulocentric distention by lesional cells, as is typical of classic LCIS. However, discrete, ductal-type cross-sectional profiles showed a purely intraepithelial proliferation of remarkably discohesive signet ring cells. The signet ring cells had intermediate-grade nuclear atypia, no significant mitotic activity and were positive for mucicarmine and PAS stains (the latter with and without diastase predigestion). The cells displayed marked immunoreactivity for high-molecular-weight keratin (stained by 34beta E12 antibody), MUC1, gross cystic disease fluid protein-15, cytokeratin 7 and were negative for cytokeratin 20, E-cadherin, progesterone receptor and HER2/neu. It is concluded that this is an example of a purely signet ring variant of pleomorphic LCIS.
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PMID:Pleomorphic lobular carcinoma in situ of the breast composed almost entirely of signet ring cells. 1704 Feb 92