Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UNIPROT:P01189 (beta-endorphin)
 21,003 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

In a tumor cell line of the mouse anterior pituitary (AtT-20/D16-16) consisting of a homogeneous population of corticotrophs, corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) activates adenylate cyclase and cAMP-dependent protein kinase. In addition, CRF induces a rise in cytosolic calcium levels in AtT-20/D16-16 cells and stimulates adrenocorticotropin hormone release. To determine whether activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase is essential for CRF to stimulate calcium mobilization and trigger adrenocorticotropin hormone release, an inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase was inserted into AtT-20/D16-16 cells using a liposome technique. In control cells, CRF, forskolin (a direct activator of adenylate cyclase) and potassium increased cytosolic calcium levels. Insertion of the protein kinase inhibitor into AtT-20/D16-16 cells greatly attenuated CRF and forskolin-stimulated calcium mobilization although it did not alter the rise in cytosolic calcium induced by potassium. Treatment of the cells with liposomes lacking protein kinase inhibitor (but containing an equivalent amount of bovine serum albumin) had no effect upon the calcium mobilization elicited by any of the agents tested. These results reveal an essential role for cAMP-dependent protein kinase in mediating CRF-stimulated calcium mobilization and suggest that its activation may be an essential molecular event for CRF to evoke adrenocorticotropin hormone secretion.
 ...
PMID:Molecular mechanisms of corticotropin-releasing factor stimulation of calcium mobilization and adrenocorticotropin release from anterior pituitary tumor cells. 303 99

Activation and regulation of Leydig cell function is exerted primarily by LH, which is secreted in pulses of high biological activity and interacts with membrane receptors. Other hormones and factors secreted by the Leydig cell or from the tubular compartment can influence Leydig cell differentiation and acute or chronic actions of LH on steroidogenesis. Conversely, hormones produced in the Leydig cell could modulate tubular function (e.g. beta-endorphin, oxcytocin). The LH receptor has been purified to homogeneity in sufficient quantities to allow its peptide sequence to be determined and its gene structure to be elucidated as well as functional reconstitution studies to be performed. The LH receptor subunit of Mr 90,000 can be phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The native receptor appears to exist in the membrane as a dimer of identical subunits associated by noncovalent interactions. It is likely that receptor dimerization and further aggregation are necessary for signal transduction to occur, and receptor phosphorylation by one or more kinases may be involved in regulating gonadotropin action. Stimulation of the androgen pathway occurs mainly through a cAMP-mediated mechanism. The stimulatory event can be negatively influenced by the action of certain peptide hormones through the guanyl nucleotide inhibitory subunit of adenylate cyclase. Such an inhibitory action of angiotensin has further emphasized the importance of the cAMP pathway in the Leydig cell. The hormone also appears to facilitate androgen production by a cAMP-independent mechanism located at the plasma membrane or intracellular sites. A Ca2+ sensitive kinase system is present in the Leydig cell membranes. The presence of nM amounts of Ca2+ induces membrane phosphorylation of a protein Mr 45,000. Adenylate cyclase activation also is affected by Ca2+. Membrane phosphorylation may be a modifier of LH-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity and possibly other LH-induced actions in the activated Leydig cell membrane. In the adult rat testis, the ability of Leydig cells to respond to sustained gonadotropic stimulation with increased androgen production is limited by the development of a refractory state associated with loss of LH receptors and steroidogenic enzymes. Gonadotropin-induced steroidogenic lesions in adult rat testes include a late steroidogenic lesion at the site of conversion of progesterone to androgen and an early lesion before pregnenolone formation that leads to a decreased in vitro pregnenolone and testosterone response to hCG.
 ...
PMID:Endocrine regulation and communicating functions of the Leydig cell. 328 2

The hormonal regulation of adenylate cyclase, cAMP-dependent protein kinase activation, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion was studied in AtT20 mouse pituitary tumor cells. Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) stimulated cAMP accumulation and ACTH release in these cells. Maximal ACTH release was seen with 30 nM CRF and was accompanied by a 2-fold rise in intracellular cAMP. When cells were incubated with both 30 nM CRF and 0.5 mM 3-methylisobutylxanthine (MIX) cAMP levels were increased 20-fold, however, ACTH release was not substantially increased beyond release seen with CRF alone. The activation profiles of cAMP-dependent protein kinases I and II were studied by measuring residual cAMP-dependent phosphotransferase activity associated with immunoprecipitated regulatory subunits of the kinases. Cells incubated with CRF in the absence of MIX showed concentration-dependent activation of protein kinase I which paralleled stimulation of ACTH release. Protein kinase II was minimally activated. When cells were exposed to CRF in the presence of 0.5 mM MIX there was still a preferential activation of protein kinase I, although 50% of the cytosolic protein kinase II was activated. Complete activation of both protein kinases I and II was seen when cells were incubated with 0.5 mM MIX and 10 microM forskolin. Under these conditions cAMP levels were elevated 80-fold. CRF, isoproterenol, and forskolin stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in isolated membranes prepared from AtT20 cells. CRF and isoproterenol stimulated cyclase activity up to 5-fold while forskolin stimulated cyclase activity up to 15-fold. Our data demonstrate that ACTH secretion from AtT20 cells is mediated by small changes in intracellular levels of cAMP and activation of only a small fraction of the total cytosolic cAMP-dependent protein kinase in these cells is required for maximal ACTH secretion.
 ...
PMID:Hormonal activation of the cAMP-dependent protein kinases in AtT20 cells. Preferential activation of protein kinase I by corticotropin releasing factor, isoproterenol, and forskolin. 608 93

We have prepared a fluorescent conjugate of porcine calmodulin with 5-(dimethylamino)-1-naphthalene-sulfonyl chloride that is highly sensitive to both calcium binding and protein binding. We have used the fluorescence of this conjugate in addition to the intrinsic peptide fluorescence to show that adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), beta-endorphin, glucagon, and substance P undergo calcium-dependent binding by calmodulin, with competition for common binding sites. The dissociation constants determined in the presence of 0.85 mM CaCl2 and 0.2 N KC1, pH 7.3 at 25 degrees C, range from 1.5 muM to 3.4 muM. The alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, bombesin, and somatostatin also bind, with dissociation constants between 60 muM and 90 muM. Angiotensins I and III, bradykinin, neurotensin, physalaemin, substance P octapeptide, insulin, and Leu- and Met-enkephalin show little or no binding. Sequence comparisons show that the peptides that bind calmodulin well contain regions structurally similar to the recognition sequence for the cAMP-dependent protein kinase and to the sequences surrounding phosphorylated serine residues in several calmodulin binding proteins. This result suggests that modification of calmodulin binding sites in calmodulin-dependent proteins is one of the functions of protein kinase. Calcium has a dual role in peptide binding by calmodulin. The occupation of calcium binding sites having a pK approximately 4 results in a 2-fold increase in peptide binding affinity.
 ...
PMID:Binding of simple peptides, hormones, and neurotransmitters by calmodulin. 618 Jul 61

The phosphorylation of rat adrenal protein components in response to adrenocorticotropin has been studied in adrenal quarters, isolated cells, and in vivo. In adrenal quarters, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-stimulated phosphorylation or dephosphorylation of proteins was not affected by the presence of protein synthesis inhibitors despite a total inhibition of steroidogenesis. (The term dephosphorylation refers to an apparent decrease in the labeling of a particular protein with 32P at various times after the addition of ACTH. This may be due to enzymatic removal of phosphate or protein degradation or complexation of this protein with another cellular component.) Studies with isolated cell preparations identified several proteins that are phosphorylated or dephosphorylated in response to hormone. These changes in phosphorylation were also observed in adrenal quarters and correlated well with ACTH-stimulated steroidogenesis as determined by temporal analysis and dose-response studies of corticosterone production. In vivo injection of male hypophysectomized rats with [32P]phosphate and ACTH demonstrated changes in the labeling of six adrenal proteins. Many of the proteins phosphorylated in vivo were also demonstrated to be phosphorylated in both in vitro systems. Finally, the injection of a physiological dose of ACTH appeared to selectively activate the type I cAMP-dependent protein kinase within the microsomal fraction as determined by the binding of a photoaffinity-labeled reagent. These results suggest that alterations in phosphorylation of adrenal proteins in response to ACTH is proximal to or independent of the obligatory role of protein synthesis in acute steroidogenesis.
 ...
PMID:The phosphorylation of adrenal proteins in response to adrenocorticotropic hormone. 626 22

We used co-cultures of porcine ovarian granulosa cells and mouse adrenocortical tumor cells (Y-1) to examine the kinetics of contact-dependent intercellular signal transfer and to assess the molecular mechanisms employed by this process. Exposure to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) caused cAMP-dependent protein kinase dissociation in granulosa cells and, with time, in Y-1 cells if, and only if, they contacted a responding granulosa cell. Y-1 cells close to a granulosa cell but not touching it failed to respond similarly. In reciprocal experiments, co-cultures were stimulated with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Y-1 cells dissociated protein kinase as did granulosa cells in contact with Y-1 cells; however, granulosa cells that were not in contact with Y-1 cells failed to respond to the hormone. Fluorogenic steroids were secreted by Y-1 cells cultured alone and stimulated with ACTH, but were not secreted by cultures exposed to FSH. Neither hormone caused fluorogenic steroid production by granulosa cells. On the other hand these steroids were secreted in co-cultures stimulated with ACTH and to a lesser degree in co-cultures exposed to FSH. Autoradiography revealed that I125-FSH bound only to granulosa cells, never to Y-1 cells, even if they were in contact with an ovarian cell. The possibility of cell fusion was tested by experiments in which Y-1 cell membranes were labeled with cationized ferritin. These cells were then placed in co-culture with ovarian granulosa cells that had previously been allowed to ingest latex spheres. At regions of gap junctions between Y-1 and granulosa cells ferritin remained attached to the adrenal cell membrane and was never observed to migrate to the granulosa cell membrane. From these data, we conclude that hormone specific stimulation of one cell type leads to protein kinase dissociation in heterotypic partners only if they contact a hormone responsive cell. This signal transfer is bidirectional, exhibits temporal kinetics and occurs in the absence of apparent cell fusion. The only structural feature connecting Y-1 and granulosa cells were gap junctions implying they provided the communication channels; however, alternative mechanisms cannot be excluded. We have not established the identity of the signal being transferred although cAMP is a logical candidate.
 ...
PMID:Hormone-induced intercellular signal transfer dissociates cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. 632 20

Melanin is specifically produced in melanocytes. The pathway for melanin biosynthesis is regulated by a number of melanocyte-specific proteins, including tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1, b locus protein). To understand the regulation of melanogenesis, we examined tyrosinase activities, mRNA levels of tyrosinase and TRP-1, and eumelanin and pheomelanin contents in mouse B16-F1 melanoma cells after they had been treated with some melanotropic reagents. Cholera toxin, alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, and dibutyryl cyclic AMP increased tyrosinase activity and stimulated eumelanin biosynthesis. These reagents elevated intracellular cAMP levels. In contrast, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate reduced tyrosinase activity and eumelanin synthesis. In all cases, the mRNA levels of tyrosinase and TRP-1 changed in parallel with tyrosinase activity and eumelanin content. TRP-1 was induced simultaneously with tyrosinase, although its inducibility was lower than that of tyrosinase. These results suggest that the expressions of tyrosinase and TRP-1 genes are coordinately regulated by melanotropic reagents through cAMP-dependent protein kinase and protein kinase C in mouse B16-F1 cells, and that their coordinate expression causes eumelanin biosynthesis.
 ...
PMID:Eumelanin biosynthesis is regulated by coordinate expression of tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein-1 genes. 768 98

The biological effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) 27 and 38 on peptide secretion and gene regulation were studied in the mouse corticotrope-derived cell line AtT20. Treatment of these cells with PACAP 27/38 led to a dose-dependent increase in cAMP content and ACTH accumulation in the medium with an apparent ED50 value close to 10(-9) M. The genomic effects of PACAP were first investigated by using a reporter gene containing a cAMP responsive element (CRE: TGACGTCA) PACAP 27/38 stimulate transcription from this construction and the effect is further increased when cells are cotreated with the phosphodiesterase inhibitor rolipram. Furthermore, we show by measuring nuclear heterologous proopiomelanocortin (POMC) RNA levels or by using a reporter gene containing the POMC promoter region, that PACAP stimulates POMC transcription. This transcriptional stimulation is mediated by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) since genetic inactivation of PKA by a dominant inhibitory mutant of this enzyme completely abolished the effect of PACAP on POMC transcription. Finally, we show that the transcriptional stimulation of POMC by PACAP is repressed by the glucocorticoid receptor agonist dexamethasone. Taken together, these data suggest that PACAP is a hypophysiotropic hormone that exert similar if not identical functions as corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) on corticotrope cells.
 ...
PMID:Pituitary adenyl cyclase-activating peptide: a hypophysiotropic factor that stimulates proopiomelanocortin gene transcription, and proopiomelanocortin-derived peptide secretion in corticotropic cells. 784 39

Although C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) has been shown to exist at the highest concentration in the anterior pituitary in rat tissues, its physiological role(s) there is (are) not clear. In this study, we report a novel function of CNP examined with anterior pituitary-derived cell lines, GH3 and AtT20/D16v-F2. Both CNP and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) increased cellular cGMP levels in both cell lines in dose-dependent manners. CNP, but not ANP, stimulated growth hormone (GH) release from GH3 cells. In contrast, neither ANP nor CNP had any significant effect on the corticotropin release from AtT20/D16v-F2 cells. An activator for cGMP-dependent protein kinase (cGK), dibutyryl cGMP, mimicked the stimulation of GH release from GH3 cells by CNP. Constitutive GH release from GH3 cells was greatly diminished in the presence of inhibitors for cAMP-dependent protein kinase, while stimulative GH release by CNP was not affected. However, inhibitors which can block cGK almost completely diminished the stimulative effect of CNP. An inhibitor for protein kinase C did not show any effect on either constitutive or CNP-stimulative GH release. Our observations indicate that the stimulation of GH release from GH3 cells by CNP is mediated mainly by the cGK signal-transduction pathway, not by cAMP-dependent protein kinase or protein kinase C, through a CNP-specific receptor (possibly ANP-B receptor). Thus, CNP may act as a local modulator in the anterior pituitary.
 ...
PMID:C-type natriuretic peptide stimulates secretion of growth hormone from rat-pituitary-derived GH3 cells via a cyclic-GMP-mediated pathway. 802 May 2

Specific high-affinity receptors for alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) are found in variable abundance on many melanoma cell lines. We have examined melanocortin peptides and other factors for their ability to regulate the number of MSH receptors in eleven human and two mouse melanoma cell lines. MSH induced up-regulation of its own receptors in three human cell lines and down-regulation in six human and two mouse melanoma cell lines. No regulation was observed in two human lines. Scatchard analysis revealed modulation of the number of receptors per cell without any change in affinity. The concentrations inducing half-maximal response for up- and down-regulation were 1.6 nM and 0.23 nM, respectively. ACTH1-17 and [Nle4,D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH were more potent, whereas ACTH1-24, desacetyl-alpha-MSH, and [Nle4]-alpha-MSH were less potent in receptor up-regulation as compared to alpha-MSH. Down-regulation but not up-regulation could be fully mimicked by Gs-protein activation and partially by elevation of cellular cAMP. Combination of different agents which increase cAMP was found to be counterregulatory. TPA and retinoic acid generally down-regulated MSH receptors but had no effect on HBL cells. Several protein kinase inhibitors increased MSH binding in B16 cells. MSH-induced receptor down-regulation and melanin synthesis were most effectively antagonized by selective inhibitors of cAMP-dependent protein kinase in these cells. Taken together, MSH receptors on melanoma cells are both positively and negatively regulated. Whereas cAMP-dependent protein kinase activation seems to be involved in down-regulation, the mechanism responsible for up-regulation remains to be elucidated.
 ...
PMID:Homologous and heterologous regulation of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone receptors in human and mouse melanoma cell lines. 816 86


<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 Next >>