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Query: UNIPROT:P01189 (beta-endorphin)
 21,003 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Angiotensin II (AngII) is thought to stimulate aldosterone secretion from bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells in part via activation of protein kinase C (PKC), while adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) functions through increases in intracellular cAMP levels and calcium influx. Rather than using invasive homogenization techniques as in previous studies, we chose to monitor PKC activity in intact glomerulosa cells in situ by measuring the phosphorylation of the endogenous PKC substrate, myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate (MARCKS). AngII enhanced MARCKS phosphorylation in a rapid, sustained manner; whereas ACTH induced a rapid and sustained inhibition of MARCKS phosphorylation. Studies using pharmacological agents to mimic various signals indicated that the AngII-induced MARCKS phosphorylation was due to PKC activation, and the ACTH-elicited decrease was mediated by increases in calcium influx rather than cAMP production. We propose that changes in the phosphorylation state of MARCKS, an actin-binding protein, may contribute to cytoskeletal rearrangements involved in steroidogenesis.
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PMID:Effects of angiotensin II and adrenocorticotropic hormone on myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate phosphorylation in glomerulosa cells. 1050 94

Daily regeneration of rat adrenocortical cells were investigated in terms of circadian and zonal variations by following the cells at the DNA-synthesizing stage. An S-phase was assessed by 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation into the cell-nuclei and/or by visualizing proliferating cell nuclear antigen. The BrdU-positive cells were observed throughout the day mainly in two regions of the adrenal cortex, i.e. the innermost portion of the zona glomerulosa and the outermost portion of the zona fasciculata. Cells only in a latter region showed a distinct circadian rhythm of cell proliferation with a peak at 3-4 a.m. A remarkable rise in the plasma adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) concentration preceded such an increase in the cell proliferation by about 4 hours. This phenomenon could be mimicked by raising the plasma ACTH concentration by the administration of Cortrosyn Z or metyrapone. Angiotensin II-stimuli induced by Na-deficiency increased the proliferation of zona glomerulosa cells in the former region at 6-7p.m without significant effects on that of the zona fasciculata cells in the latter region. Thus at least two sites, which respond differentially to the day/night cycle and circulating hormone levels, exist in rat adrenal cortex being responsible for the cytogenesis in this endocrine organ.
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PMID:Daily regeneration of rat adrenocortical cells: circadian and zonal variations in cytogenesis. 1119 68

Study of the acute effects of angiotensin II (Ang II) on aldosterone secretion has been hindered by the confounding influence of Ang II-induced adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion on aldosterone secretion, and by the fact that when laboratory rats are fed standard laboratory chows that are high in sodium, the adrenal is only minimally responsive to Ang II. In this study, we report the development of a model of Ang II-induced aldosterone secretion in NaCl-deprived, dexamethasone (DEX)-treated rats. This model allows the observation of (a) a high magnitude of Ang II-induced aldosterone secretion, (b) a return of plasma aldosterone levels to baseline after stimulation, and (c) aldosterone secretion without the potentially confounding influence of ACTH stimulation.
J Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone Syst 2000 Mar
PMID:Rat model for investigating ACTH-independent angiotensin-induced aldosterone secretion. 1196 97

Angiotensin II AT(2) receptor gene-disrupted mice have increased blood pressure and response to angiotensin II, behavioral alterations, greater response to stress, and increased adrenal AT(1) receptors. We studied hypothalamic AT(1) receptor binding and mRNA by receptor autoradiography and in situ hybridization, adrenal catecholamines by HPLC, adrenal tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA by in situ hybridization and pituitary and adrenal hormones by RIA in AT(2) receptor-gene disrupted mice and wild-type controls. To confirm the role of adrenal AT(1) receptors, we treated wild-type C57 BL/6J mice with the AT(1) antagonist candesartan for 2 weeks, and measured adrenal hormones, catecholamines and tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA. In the absence of AT(2) receptor transcription, we found increased AT(1) receptor binding in brain areas involved in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus and the median eminence, and increased adrenal catecholamine synthesis as shown by higher adrenomedullary tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA and higher adrenal dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine levels when compared to wild-type mice. In addition, in AT(2) receptor gene-disrupted mice there were higher plasma adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and corticosterone levels and lower adrenal aldosterone content when compared to wild-type controls. Conversely, AT(1) receptor inhibition in CB57 BL/6J mice reduced adrenal tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA and catecholamine content and increased adrenal aldosterone content. These results can help to explain the enhanced response of AT(2) receptor gene-disrupted mice to exogenous angiotensin II, support the hypothesis of cross-talk between AT(1) and AT(2) receptors, indicate that the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis parallels the AT(1) receptor expression, and suggest that expression of AT(1) receptors can be dependent on AT(2) receptor expression. Our results provide an explanation for the increased sensitivity to stress in this model.
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PMID:Increased angiotensin II AT(1) receptor expression in paraventricular nucleus and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis stimulation in AT(2) receptor gene disrupted mice. 1221 46

The effects of a 3-day water deprivation were studied in adult female rats in order to know what are the different zones of the adrenal gland and the hormonal factors involved in the growth and the activity of the adrenal gland. Water deprivation significantly increased plasma renin activity (PRA), plasma Angiotensin II (AII), vasopressin (AVP), epinephrine, aldosterone and corticosterone concentrations but did not modify the plasma adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) level. Water deprivation significantly increased the absolute weight of the adrenal capsule containing the zona glomerulosa without modification of the density of cells per area unit suggesting that the growth of the adrenal capsule was due to a cell hyperplasia of the zona glomerulosa. Water deprivation significantly increased the density of AII type 1 (AT(1)) receptors in the adrenal capsule but did not modify the density of AII type 2 (AT(2)) receptors in the adrenal capsule and core containing the zona fasciculata, the zona reticularis and the medulla. The treatment of dehydrated female rats with captopril, which inhibits the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) in order to block the production of AII, significantly decreased the absolute weight of the adrenal capsule, plasma aldosterone and the density of AT(1) receptors in the adrenal capsule. The concentration of corticosterone in the plasma, the density of AT(2) receptors and the density of cells per unit area in the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal capsule were not affected by captopril-treatment. In conclusion, these results suggest that AII seems to be the main factor involved in the stimulation of the growth and the secretion of aldosterone by the adrenal capsule containing the zona glomerulosa during water deprivation. The low level of plasma ACTH is not involved in the growth of the adrenal gland but is probably responsible for the secretion of corticosterone by the zona fasciculata.
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PMID:Trophic and steroidogenic effects of water deprivation on the adrenal gland of the adult female rat. 1257 7

We characterized steroidogenic properties of dispersed adrenocortical cells from field-active male and female eastern fence lizards (Sceloporus undulatus) to investigate whether alterations in cell function could, in part, explain seasonal variation in baseline and stress-induced plasma corticosterone (B). Lizards were collected during the breeding and postbreeding seasons and shortly prior to hibernation. Dispersed cells in vitro produced B, aldosterone (ALDO), and progesterone in response to 8-Br-cAMP, 25-(OH)cholesterol, adrenocorticotropin (ACTH; as little as 100 fM), and angiotensin II. Maximal progesterone, B, and ALDO responses to ACTH were roughly 1000%, 500%, and 100% greater than corresponding basal values. Angiotensin II was an effective steroidogenic stimulant but much less so than ACTH. Corticosteroid production exhibited considerable steroid-specific variation among seasons. Maximal ACTH-induced B production was lower in the postbreeding season than at either of the other two measurement points, essentially opposite to the pattern for ALDO. Males and females generally produced B at similar rates, but ALDO and progesterone showed numerous sex differences that usually covaried between the two steroids. Cellular sensitivity to 25-(OH)cholesterol and angiotensin II showed few sex differences or seasonal changes. In contrast, sensitivity to ACTH decreased markedly from the breeding to the postbreeding season in males, corresponding to the decrease in stress-responsiveness, and in both sexes was considerably lower prior to hibernation than during the breeding season. Under some conditions, plasma B may be limited by the production capacity of adrenocortical cells. In summary, seasonal variations in body condition, reproductive activity, and baseline and stress-induced plasma B may be attributed at least in part to alterations in adrenocortical cell steroidogenic function.
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PMID:Seasonal alterations in adrenocortical cell function associated with stress-responsiveness and sex in the eastern fence lizard (Sceloporus undulatus). 1269 15

Neurotransmitters are stimulatory as well as inhibitory regulators of cell migration. Angiotensin is such an inhibitory regulator of the SDF-1-induced migration of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, as we have investigated by time-lapse videomicroscopy and computer-assisted cell tracking. For angiotensin II, the most effective form of angiotensin for the inhibition of migration, two G protein-coupled receptors are known, which both downregulate the activity of the adenylyl cyclase via activation of inhibitory G proteins. This downregulation of the enzymatic activity is a key signaling event for the inhibition of T lymphocyte and tumor cell migration, while stimulatory neurotransmitters--for example, norepinephrine--cause an activation of the adenylyl cyclase. Similar to angiotensin, the SDF-1-induced migration of cytotoxic T lymphocytes was inhibited by DAMGO, a specific agonist for the mu-opioid receptor, which is coupled to inhibitory G proteins, too. More interestingly, DAMGO downregulated the met-enkephalin-induced migration of MDA-MB-468 breast carcinoma cells. Met-enkephalin binds to the delta-opioid receptor and, with lower affinity, to the mu-opioid receptor. Since the delta-opioid receptor also activates inhibitory G proteins, the promigratory effect of met-enkephalin is caused by an intracellular signaling distinct from the engagement of each opioid receptor alone. In summary, the dual control of the adenylyl cyclase functions as an integrator of stimulatory and inhibitory signals for T lymphocyte and tumor cell migration, which are delivered by neurotransmitters and other signal substances that bind to G protein-coupled receptors.
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PMID:Inhibition of cell migration via G protein-coupled receptors to opioid peptides and angiotensin. 1565 Feb 57

In this study, we describe an ecto-nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase (E-NPP) activity in rat platelets. Using p-nitrophenyl 5'-thymidine monophosphate (p-Nph-5'-TMP) as a substrate for E-NPP, we demonstrate an enzyme activity that shares the major biochemical properties described for E-NPPs: alkaline pH dependence, divalent cation dependence and blockade of activity by metal ion chelator. K(m) and V(max) values for p-Nph-5'-TMP hydrolysis were found to be 106 +/- 18 microM and 3.44 +/- 0.18 nmol p-nitrophenol/min/mg (mean +/- SD, n = 5). We hypothesize that an E-NPP is co-localized with an ecto-nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase and an ecto-5'-nucleotidase on the platelet surface, as part of a multiple system for nucleotide hydrolysis, since they can act under distinct physiological conditions and can be differently regulated. Thus, 0.25 mM suramin inhibited p-Nph-5'-TMP, ATP and ADP hydrolysis, while 0.5 mM AMP decreased only p-Nph-5'-TMP hydrolysis. Besides, 5.0, 10 and 20 mM sodium azide just inhibited ATP and ADP hydrolysis. Angiotensin II (5.0 and 10 nM) affected only ADP hydrolysis. Gadolinium chloride (0.2 and 0.5 mM) strongly inhibited the ATP and ADP hydrolysis. The E-NPP described here represents a novel insight into the control of platelet purinergic signaling.
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PMID:Ecto-nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase as part of a multiple system for nucleotide hydrolysis by platelets from rats: kinetic characterization and biochemical properties. 1642 Oct 9

We have studied here the cellular distribution of several regulatory peptides in hormone-producing cells of the human pituitary during the fetal period. Immunohistochemistry was used to show the expression of several regulatory peptides, namely Angiotensin-II, Neurotensin and Galanin, at successive gestational stages and their co-localization with hormones in the human fetal adenohypophysis. Somatotrophs, gonadotrophs and thyrotrophs were differentiated earliest. At gestational week 9, Angiotensin-II immunoreactivity was co-localized only with growth hormone immunoreactivity in somatotrophs, one of the first hormone-producing cells to differentiate. This co-localization remained until week 37. Neurotensin immunoreactivity was present in gonadotrophs and thyrotrophs in week 23, after FSH and TSH hormone differentiation. Galanin immunoreactivity was present in all hormone-producing cell types except corticotrophs. The different pro-opiomelanocortin-derived peptides were detected at different stages of gestation and adrenocorticotrophic hormone immunoreaction was the last to be detected. Our results show an interesting relationship between regulatory peptides and hormones during human fetal development, which could imply that these peptides play a regulatory role in the development of pituitary function.
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PMID:Immunohistochemical distribution of regulatory peptides in the human fetal adenohypophysis. 1851 May 8

A simple potentiometric procedure based on the determination of the primary amino groups in macromolecular polypeptides is presented. The method was found suitable for the detection of decomposition processes involving splitting of the peptide chain (liberation of primary amino groups) and deamination. The method has been applied to analysis of corticotropin fragments (ACTH(1-28) and ACTH(1-32)), Angiotensin II, and the basic trypsin inhibitor Kunitz base (Trasylol).
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PMID:Simple titrimetric method for the analytical control of macromolecular polypeptides. 1896 69


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