Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P06889 (Mol)
 630,302 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Progesterone (P4) can be synthesized in both central and peripheral nervous system (PNS) and exerts trophic effects in the PNS. To study its potential effects in the spinal cord, we investigated P4 modulation (4 mg/kg/day for 3 days) of two proteins responding to injury: NADPH-diaphorase, an enzyme with nitric oxide synthase activity, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a marker of astrocyte reactivity. The proteins were studied at three levels of the spinal cord from rats with total transection (TRX) at T10: above (T5 level), below (L1 level) and caudal to the lesion (L3 level). Equivalent regions were dissected in controls. The number and area of NADPH-diaphorase active or GFAP immunoreactive astrocytes/0.1 mm(2) in white matter (lateral funiculus) or gray matter (Lamina IX) was measured by computerized image analysis. In controls, P4 increased the number of GFAP-immunoreactive astrocytes in gray and white matter at all levels of the spinal cord, while astrocyte area also increased in white matter throughout and in gray matter at the T5 region. In control rats P4 did not change NADPH-diaphorase activity. In rats with TRX and not receiving hormone, a general up-regulation of the number and area of GFAP-positive astrocytes was found at all levels of the spinal cord. In rats with TRX, P4 did not change the already high GFAP-expression. In the TRX group, instead, P4 increased the number and area of NADPH-diaphorase active astrocytes in white and gray matter immediately above and below, but not caudal to the lesion. Thus, the response of the two proteins to P4 was conditioned by environmental factors, in that NADPH-diaphorase activity was hormonally modulated in astrocytes reacting to trauma, whereas up-regulation of GFAP by P4 was produced in resting astrocytes from non-injured animals.
J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2000 Jun
PMID:Modulation of NADPH-diaphorase and glial fibrillary acidic protein by progesterone in astrocytes from normal and injured rat spinal cord. 1092 16

The regulation of genes in response to wounding is mediated in part by the octadecanoids 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid (OPDA), jasmonic acid (JA) and its methyl ester methyl jasmonate (MeJA). We identified, by differential display, an Arabidopsis gene (OPR3) induced after wounding. OPR3 is homologous to members of the flavin mononucleotide (FMN) binding proteins, including the old yellow enzyme (OYE) from yeast and 12-oxophytodienoate-10,11-reductase (OPR) from Arabidopsis. Transcripts of OPR3 rapidly accumulated in leaves after wounding and MeJA treatment, but they were detected in various tissues of unwounded plants at relatively low levels. Expression of the OPR3 gene was significantly reduced in wounded leaves of the coil mutant, indicating partial dependence on jasmonate perception for full induction of the gene. The recombinant protein of OPR3 cross-reacted with an antiserum raised against the OYE protein, and showed oxidation of beta-NADPH when OPDA or 15-deoxy-delta(12,14) prostaglandin J2 (PGJ2), an analogue of OPDA, was used as substrate. Beta-NADPH oxidation was not observed when MeJA, which lacks the double bond in the ketone ring, was used as substrate. The recombinant OPR3 protein also showed beta-NADPH oxidation activity in the presence of cyclohexenone, but not cyclohexanone, suggesting that the enzyme has specificity to cleavage of olefinic bonds in cyclic enones. The results show that the OPR3 gene product represents a new OPR of Arabidopsis induced after wounding.
Plant Mol Biol 2000 Sep
PMID:An Arabidopsis gene induced by wounding functionally homologous to flavoprotein oxidoreductases. 1109 80

The effects of nitric oxide on diaphragm contraction after endotoxin administration were studied in Wistar rats. The animals were divided into seven treatments: a saline-injected group as control, three groups injected with L-NAME (0.01, 0.1, 1 mg/kg) and three groups injected with L-arginine (1, 10, 100 mg/kg). Escherichia coli endotoxin was injected into the peritoneal cavity 15 min later. Twitch kinetics and force-frequency curves were measured 0, 2, and 4 hr after endotoxin injection. In the control group, the force-frequency curves significantly decreased from 0 hr to 4 hr. In the L-NAME group, the force-frequency curves at 4 hr showed significant increases in a dose-dependent manner. In the L-arginine group, the force-frequency curve with 100 mg/kg at 4 hr showed a significant increase. There was no consistent change in the contraction time, half relaxation time, or fatiguability. NADPH diaphorase histochemistry performed on diaphragm muscle samples 4 hr after endotoxin injection showed positive in the control and L-arginine group, but was only weakly observed in L-NAME group. These data suggest that nitric oxide contributes to the endotoxin induced diaphragm contractile deterioration.
Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 1998 Jan
PMID:Effects of L-NAME and L-arginine on diaphragm contraction in a septic animal model. 1125 88

Striatal and cortical neurons containing NADPH-diaphorase [NADPH-d(+)] are highly vulnerable to excitotoxicity that is induced by activation of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA)- or kainate-sensitive glutamate receptors. This has been attributed to Ca2+ entry through AMPA/kainate receptors in NADPH-d(+) neurons. In this study, we applied single cell RT-PCR technique to test the hypothesis that differences in levels and processing of the GluR2 subunit would contribute to the selective vulnerability of NADPH-d(+) neurons to AMPA. The nested PCR specific for GluR1-GluR4 showed that rat striatal NADPH-d(+) neurons expressed twice as much GluR1 mRNA as NADPH-d(-) neurons did. The percentage of RNA editing at the Q/R site of GluR2 was 46% in NADPH-d(+) neurons and 92% in NADPH-d(-) neurons. These results suggest that the unedited expression of GluR2 and the reduced ratio of GluR2/GluR1 render NADPH-d(+) neurons highly sensitive to Ca2+-mediated AMPA neurotoxicity. In support of this, most NADPH-d(+) neurons exposed to 100 microM AMPA showed Co2+ uptake and survived AMPA challenge only in the absence of extracellular Ca2+.
Mol Cell Neurosci 2001 Jun
PMID:High abundance of GluR1 mRNA and reduced Q/R editing of GluR2 mRNA in individual NADPH-diaphorase neurons. 1141 91

Pentaerythritol tetranitrate reductase (PETN reductase) degrades high explosive molecules including nitrate esters, nitroaromatics and cyclic triazine compounds. The enzyme also binds a variety of cyclic enones, including steroids; some steroids act as substrates whilst others are inhibitors. Understanding the basis of reactivity with cyclic enones requires structural information for the enzyme and key complexes formed with steroid substrates and inhibitors. The crystal structure of oxidised and reduced PETN reductase at 1.5 A resolution establishes a close structural similarity to the beta/alpha-barrel flavoenzyme, old yellow enzyme. In complexes of oxidised PETN reductase with progesterone (an inhibitor), 1,4-androstadiene-3,17-dione and prednisone (both substrates) the steroids are stacked over the si-face of the flavin in an orientation different from that reported for old yellow enzyme. The specifically reducible 1,2 unsaturated bonds in 1,4-androstadiene-3,17-dione and prednisone are not optimally aligned with the flavin N5 in oxidised enzyme complexes. These structures suggest either relative "flipping" or shifting of the steroid with respect to the flavin when bound in different redox forms of the enzyme. Deuterium transfer from nicotinamide coenzyme to 1,4-androstadiene-3,17-dione via the enzyme bound FMN indicates 1alpha addition at the steroid C2 atom. These studies rule out lateral motion of the steroid and indicate that the steroid orientation is "flipped" in different redox states of the enzyme.
J Mol Biol 2001 Jul 06
PMID:Crystal structure of pentaerythritol tetranitrate reductase: "flipped" binding geometries for steroid substrates in different redox states of the enzyme. 1142 99

1. Neural angiotensinergic circuitry located in the lamina terminalis has been proposed to be involved in blood pressure regulation and fluid homeostasis. 2. ANG II binding sites have been described to be localized throughout the lamina terminalis including the subfornical organ (SFO), the median preoptic nucleus (MnPO), and the organum vasculosum lamina terminalis (OVLT). 3. The present experiment was designed to investigate the ANG II binding sites localization in the lamina terminalis. For this purpose, we have compared the ANG II binding sites, acetylcholinesterase, and NADPH-diaphorase distributions throughout the lamina terminalis. Additionally, we have studied the effect of the preferential lesion of SFO neuronal cell bodies by local injection of NMDA on the ANG II binding sites density in different areas of the lamina terminalis. 4. Male Wistar rats were anesthetized, immobilized in a stereotaxic apparatus, and 500 nl of saline or 250 nmol NMDA was injected into the SFO. 5. Animals were sacrificed 1 week later, the brain was removed, frozen, and sagittal 16 microm slices were cut in a cryostat. Alternate brain slices were incubated with [125I]-Sar1-ANG II for receptor autoradiography or histochemically stained for visualization of acetylcholinesterase and NADPH-diaphorase activities. Binding capacity was determined by computerized quantitative densitometry of autoradiograms. The intensity of histochemical reactions was measured as relative units obtained by computerized densitometry processing of the brain slices stained for either activity. 6. Acetylcholinesterase staining was mainly located in the SFO, with faint staining reaction in other areas of the lamina terminalis. NADPH-diaphorase staining was homogeneously distributed throughout the lamina terminalis. A significant positive correlation was observed between acetylcholinesterase and NADPH-diaphorase stainings in the SFO of control and NMDA-lesioned rats. 7. ANG II binding sites were localized throughout the lamina terminalis. A significant positive correlation was observed between the density of ANG II binding sites and the intensity of acetylcholinesterase or NADPH-diaphorase staining in the SFO of control and NMDA-lesioned rats. 8. The distribution of the NADPH-diaphorase staining was found to closely match the distribution of the ANG II binding sites in the lamina terminalis. 9. Neuronal lesion of the SFO caused significant reductions in the density of ANG II biding sites in the SFO (-68%) and the MnPO (-48%). No changes were observed either in the OVLT or outside the lamina terminalis in the superior colliculus. 10. The present results indicate the following: first, the presence of high levels of acetylcholinesterase staining in the SFO and of NADPH-diaphorase throughout the lamina terminalis; second, that ANG II binding sites in the SFO and possibly in the MnPO are localized in neuronal cell bodies; third, that SFO lesion did not affect the expression of ANG II binding sites in the OVLT, thus suggesting that these binding sites correspond to different angiotensinergic system: and finally, the existence of a striking correlation between the distribution of the ANG II binding sites and NADPH-diaphorase throughout the lamina terminalis, thus suggesting a interrelation between angiotensinergic and nitrergic systems in the lamina terminalis.
Cell Mol Neurobiol 2001 Feb
PMID:Effect of NMDA-induced lesion of the subfornical organ on the angiotensin II binding sites density and acetylcholinesterase or NADPH-diphorase activities in the lamina terminalis of the rat brain. 1144 Feb

Nitric oxide (NO) has been found to modulate the response of rat, bovine and human adrenocortical cells to corticotropic factors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible involvement of NO in the control of corticosteroid secretion in the frog Rana ridibunda. Histochemical studies using the NADPH-diaphorase reaction and immunohistochemical labeling with antibodies against NO synthase (NOS) revealed that NOS is exclusively expressed in chromaffin cells. The NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and the NO synthase inhibitor Nw-nitro-L-arginine (L-NO(2)Arg) did not modify the spontaneous production of corticosterone and aldosterone by perifused adrenal slices. Similarly, L-NO(2)Arg had no effect on the secretory responses induced by ACTH, angiotensin II (AII) and endothelin-1 (ET-1). In contrast, SNP significantly inhibited the stimulatory effects of ACTH, AII and ET-1 on corticosterone and aldosterone secretion. These data provide the first evidence for a modulatory role of NO on adrenocortical cell activity in amphibians.
J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2001 Jun
PMID:Evidence for the involvement of nitric oxide in the control of steroid secretion by the frog adrenal gland. 1145 63

The development and progression of atherosclerotic lesions in Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbits is associated with increases in inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) immunoreactivity. In contrast, there is a reduction of immunoreactivity for neuronal NOS (NOS1) in aortic endothelial cells, but no change in endothelial NOS (NOS3) immunoreactivity. However, subendothelial macrophages and smooth muscle showed a different pattern of immunoreactivity of NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d), NOS2, ET-1, and NOS1. The lipid-rich macrophages in the intima were positively labeled for NADPH-d, NOS1, NOS2, NOS3, and ET-1. Smooth muscle cells in the subendothelium and the medial layers of the vascular wall were also positive for these markers. These results are consistent with the reduction of endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation that is known to occur during the development and progression of atherosclerosis in familial hypercholesterolemia. The data suggest a key role for vasoactive substances in the development of atherosclerosis.
Exp Mol Pathol 2001 Aug
PMID:Atherosclerotic lesions are associated with increased immunoreactivity for inducible nitric oxide synthase and endothelin-1 in thoracic aortic intimal cells of hyperlipidemic Watanabe rabbits. 1150 96

1. The Wobbler mouse suffers an autosomal recessive mutation producing severe motoneuron degeneration and astrogliosis in the spinal cord. It has been considered a suitable model of human motoneuron disease, including the sporadic form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). 2. Evidences exist demonstrating increased oxidative stress in the spinal cord of Wobbler mice, whereas antioxidant therapy delayed neurodegeneration and improved muscle trophism. 21-Aminosteroids are glucocorticoid-derived hydrophobic compounds with antioxidant potency 3 times higher than vitamin E and 100 times higher than methylprednisolone. They do not bind to intracellular receptors, and prevent lipid peroxidation by insertion into membrane lipid bilayers. 3. In common with the spinal cord of ALS patients, Wobbler mice present astrocytosis with hyperexpression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and increased expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and growth-associated protein (GAP-43) in motoneurons. Here, we review our studies on the effects of a 21-aminosteroid on GFAP, NOS, and GAP-43. 4. First, we showed that 21-aminosteroid treatment further increased GFAP-expressing astrocytes in gray matter of the Wobbler spinal cord. This effect may provide neuroprotection if one considers a trophic and beneficial function of astrocytes during the course of degeneration. Other neuroprotectans used in Wobbler mice (T-588) also increased pre-existing astrocytosis. 5. Second, histochemical determination of NADPH-diaphorase, a parameter indicative of neuronal NOS activity, showed that the 21-aminosteroid down-regulated the high activity of this enzyme in ventral horn motoneurons. Therefore, suppression of nitric oxide by decreasing NADPH-diaphorase (NOS) activity may provide neuroprotection considering that excess NO is highly toxic to motoneurons. 6. Finally, 21-aminosteroid treatment significantly attenuated the aberrant expression of both GAP-43 protein and mRNA in Wobbler motoneurons. Hyperexpression of GAP-43 possibly indicated abnormal synaptogenesis, denervation, and muscle atrophy, parameters which may return to normal following antioxidant steroid treatment. 7. Besides 21-aminosteroids, other steroids also behave as neuroprotectans. In this regard, degenerative diseases may constitute potential targets of these hormones, based on the fact that the spinal cord expresses in a regional and cell-specific fashion, receptors for androgens. progesterone, adrenal steroids, and estrogens.
Cell Mol Neurobiol 2001 Jun
PMID:Cellular basis of steroid neuroprotection in the wobbler mouse, a genetic model of motoneuron disease. 1156 36

The effects of an intravenous injection of Interleukin-12 (IL-12) after endotoxin administration and without endotoxin administration on diaphragm muscle were studied using Wistar rats. Three treatment groups, namely a control (Saline+endotoxin) group, an IL-12+endotoxin group and an IL-12 only group were studied. E. coli endotoxin (30 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally 5 min after Saline or IL-12 (0.25 microg) injection. In the control group, the force-frequency curves, twitch tension (TT) and slope during contraction time (TT/CT) were significantly lower at 4 h than those at 0 h due to endotoxin (P<0.001, P<0.01 and P<0.01, respectively), and NO production was increased at 4 h as shown by NADPH diaphorase staining. In the IL-12+endotoxin group, the decrement of the force-frequency curves, TT and TT/CT induced by endotoxin at 4 h were significantly prevented compared with those of the control group (P<0.001, P<0.05 and P<0.05, respectively), and NO production was blocked at 4 h. In the IL-12 only group, the force-frequency curves were decreased in the range of high frequency and IL-12 resulted in NO production. Furthermore, the positive muscle fibers detected by NADPH diaphorase staining were classified as type I and IIa muscle fibers by ATPase staining in the control and IL-12 only groups. It is concluded that IL-12 prevents the deterioration of diaphragm muscle contraction induced by endotoxin by reducing NO production in type I and IIa muscle fibers. These results suggest that IL-12 and endotoxin may interfere with each other.
Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2001 Nov
PMID:Interleukin-12 prevents diaphragm muscle deterioration in a septic animal model. 1169 2


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