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1.
FASEB J ; : fj201701274RR, 2018 Jun 07.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29879378

RESUMO

Melanocortin 2 receptor accessory protein (MRAP) is a single transmembrane domain accessory protein and a critical component of the hypothamo-pituitary-adrenal axis. MRAP is highly expressed in the adrenal gland and is essential for adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) receptor expression and function. Human loss-of-function mutations in MRAP cause familial glucocorticoid (GC) deficiency (FGD) type 2 (FGD2), whereby the adrenal gland fails to respond to ACTH and to produce cortisol. In this study, we generated Mrap-null mice to study the function of MRAP in vivo. We found that the vast majority of Mrap-/- mice died at birth but could be rescued by administration of corticosterone to pregnant dams. Surviving Mrap-/- mice developed isolated GC deficiency with normal mineralocorticoid and catecholamine production, recapitulating FGD2. The adrenal glands of adult Mrap-/- mice were small, with grossly impaired adrenal capsular morphology and cortex zonation. Progenitor cell differentiation was significantly impaired, with dysregulation of WNT4/ß-catenin and sonic hedgehog pathways. These data demonstrate the roles of MRAP in both steroidogenesis and the regulation of adrenal cortex zonation. This is the first mouse model of isolated GC deficiency and reveals the role of MRAP in adrenal progenitor cell regulation and cortex zonation.-Novoselova, T. V., Hussain, M., King, P. J., Guasti, L., Metherell, L. A., Charalambous, M., Clark, A. J. L., Chan, L. F. MRAP deficiency impairs adrenal progenitor cell differentiation and gland zonation.

2.
Small ; 14(21): e1800547, 2018 May.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29673074

RESUMO

Semiconducting 2D materials, such as SnS2 , hold immense potential for many applications ranging from electronics to catalysis. However, deposition of few-layer SnS2 films has remained a great challenge. Herein, continuous wafer-scale 2D SnS2 films with accurately controlled thickness (2 to 10 monolayers) are realized by combining a new atomic layer deposition process with low-temperature (250 °C) postdeposition annealing. Uniform coating of large-area and 3D substrates is demonstrated owing to the unique self-limiting growth mechanism of atomic layer deposition. Detailed characterization confirms the 1T-type crystal structure and composition, smoothness, and continuity of the SnS2 films. A two-stage deposition process is also introduced to improve the texture of the films. Successful deposition of continuous, high-quality SnS2 films at low temperatures constitutes a crucial step toward various applications of 2D semiconductors.

3.
Nat Genet ; 55(6): 1009-1021, 2023 06.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37291193

RESUMO

Aldosterone-producing adenomas (APAs) are the commonest curable cause of hypertension. Most have gain-of-function somatic mutations of ion channels or transporters. Herein we report the discovery, replication and phenotype of mutations in the neuronal cell adhesion gene CADM1. Independent whole exome sequencing of 40 and 81 APAs found intramembranous p.Val380Asp or p.Gly379Asp variants in two patients whose hypertension and periodic primary aldosteronism were cured by adrenalectomy. Replication identified two more APAs with each variant (total, n = 6). The most upregulated gene (10- to 25-fold) in human adrenocortical H295R cells transduced with the mutations (compared to wildtype) was CYP11B2 (aldosterone synthase), and biological rhythms were the most differentially expressed process. CADM1 knockdown or mutation inhibited gap junction (GJ)-permeable dye transfer. GJ blockade by Gap27 increased CYP11B2 similarly to CADM1 mutation. Human adrenal zona glomerulosa (ZG) expression of GJA1 (the main GJ protein) was patchy, and annular GJs (sequelae of GJ communication) were less prominent in CYP11B2-positive micronodules than adjacent ZG. Somatic mutations of CADM1 cause reversible hypertension and reveal a role for GJ communication in suppressing physiological aldosterone production.


Assuntos
Neoplasias do Córtex Suprarrenal , Adenoma Adrenocortical , Hiperaldosteronismo , Hipertensão , Humanos , Aldosterona , Citocromo P-450 CYP11B2 , Junções Comunicantes , Mutação , Molécula 1 de Adesão Celular
4.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun ; 417(1): 268-73, 2012 Jan 06.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22155251

RESUMO

Molecular dynamics simulations of a fitted multimeric structure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis α-crystallin (Mtb Acr) identify solvent exclusion from the ß(4)-ß(8) hydrophobic groove as a critical factor driving subunit assembly. Dehydration is also implicated as a determinant factor governing the chaperone activity of the dimer upon its dissociation from the oligomer. Two exposed hydrogen bonds, responsible for stabilizing the ß(8)-ß(9) fold are identified as key mechanistic elements in this process. Based on the overproduction of the chemokine CXCL16, observed after macrophage exposure to Mtb Acr, the proteases ADAM10 and ADAM17 are mooted as possible targets of this chaperone activity.


Assuntos
Proteínas de Choque Térmico Pequenas/química , Simulação de Dinâmica Molecular , Mycobacterium tuberculosis , alfa-Cristalinas/química , Proteínas ADAM/química , Proteína ADAM10 , Proteína ADAM17 , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Secretases da Proteína Precursora do Amiloide/química , Quimiocina CXCL16 , Quimiocinas CXC , Humanos , Ligação de Hidrogênio , Proteínas de Membrana/química , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Estrutura Secundária de Proteína , Receptores Depuradores
5.
Inorg Chem ; 50(22): 11644-52, 2011 Nov 21.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22017450

RESUMO

Thin films of ceria (CeO(2)) have many applications, and their synthesis by liquid-injection MOCVD (metal-organic chemical vapor deposition) or ALD (atomic layer deposition) requires volatile precursor compounds. Here we report the synthesis of a series of homoleptic and heteroleptic Ce(IV) complexes with donor-functionalized alkoxide ligands mmp (1-methoxy-2-methylpropan-2-olate), dmap (1-(dimethylamino)propan-2-olate), and dmop (2-(4,4-dimethyl-4,5-dihydrooxazol-2-yl)propan-2-olate) and their potential as precursors for MOCVD and ALD of CeO(2). New complexes were synthesized by alcohol exchange reactions with [Ce(OBu(t))(4)]. [Ce(mmp)(4)] and [Ce(dmap)(4)] were both found to be excellent precursors for liquid-injection MOCVD of CeO(2), depositing high purity thin films with very low carbon contamination, and both have a large temperature window for diffusion controlled growth (350-600 °C for [Ce(mmp)(4)]; 300-600 °C for [Ce(dmap)(4)]). [Ce(mmp)(4)] is also an excellent precursor for liquid-injection ALD of CeO(2) using H(2)O as oxygen source and demonstrates self-limiting growth from 150 to 350 °C. [Ce(dmap)(4)] has lower thermal stability than [Ce(mmp)(4)] and does not show self-limiting growth in ALD. Heteroleptic complexes show a tendency to undergo ligand redistribution reactions to form mixtures in solution and are unsuitable as precursors for liquid-injection CVD.

6.
FEBS Lett ; 595(2): 284-293, 2021 01.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33185291

RESUMO

The tuberculous granuloma is a compact aggregate of dormant bacteria encapsulated by host macrophages. It is commonly regarded as a product of the host defense designed to isolate infectious mycobacteria. This work demonstrates that exposure of macrophages to the Mtb heat-shock protein Acr leads to overproduction of the chemokine CXCL16, allowing the mycobacterium to exploit the innate immune response. This induction of chemokine expression is hypothesized to occur through activation of ADAM proteases, providing an immunomodulatory role for Mtb Acr in the formation of the granuloma.


Assuntos
Proteína ADAM10/metabolismo , Secretases da Proteína Precursora do Amiloide/metabolismo , Quimiocina CXCL16/metabolismo , Granuloma/microbiologia , Proteínas de Choque Térmico/imunologia , Proteínas de Membrana/metabolismo , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/metabolismo , Tuberculose/imunologia , Animais , Proteínas de Bactérias/imunologia , Linhagem Celular , Humanos , Imunidade Inata , Macrófagos/citologia , Macrófagos/imunologia , Camundongos , Modelos Biológicos , Modelos Moleculares , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/imunologia , Fagocitose , Análise Serial de Proteínas , Proteômica
7.
Animals (Basel) ; 11(9)2021 Sep 02.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34573543

RESUMO

Angiostrongylusvasorum is a helminth parasite of domestic dogs that is increasing in range and prevalence. Its lifecycle requires terrestrial gastropod mollusc ("gastropod") intermediate hosts, but research is lacking regarding contact risk in situ. We studied co-occurrence between dogs and gastropods in dog-walking spaces in an A. vasorum hotspot in southern England, United Kingdom, with the aim of quantifying environmental and spatio-temporal overlap. We surveyed 390 quadrats and 180 point-counts along 3 km transects at seven sites, yielding 1672 gastropod and 763 dog observations. Common gastropods comprised Arion, Cornu, Monacha, Deroceras, Tandonia, Cochlicella, and Trochulus species. Habitat was the most important factor structuring both gastropod and dog presence and abundance. Likelihood ratio comparisons from conditional probability trees revealed that dogs were 15× more likely to be present on hardstanding surfaces than other habitats but were also present on natural and amenity grassland. Presence of gastropod species associated with high A. vasorum prevalence was 65.12× more likely in woodland/scrub and 62.17× more likely in amenity grassland than other habitats. For gastropods overall, high abundance was 5.82× more likely in woodland/scrub and natural grassland. The findings suggest co-occurrence is highest in amenity and natural grassland, but infection risk is greatest in amenity grassland and woodland/scrub.

8.
Sci Rep ; 10(1): 663, 2020 01 20.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31959764

RESUMO

Antibody combinations targeting cell surface receptors are a new modality of cancer therapy. The trafficking and signalling mechanisms regulated by such therapeutics are not fully understood but could underlie differential tumour responses. We explored EGFR trafficking upon treatment with the antibody combination Sym004 which has shown promise clinically. Sym004 promoted EGFR endocytosis distinctly from EGF: it was asynchronous, not accompanied by canonical signalling events and involved EGFR clustering within detergent-insoluble plasma mebrane-associated tubules. Sym004 induced lysosomal degradation independently of EGFR ubiquitylation but dependent upon Hrs/Tsg101 that are required for the formation of intraluminal vesicles (ILVs) within late endosomes. We propose Sym004 cross-links EGFR physically triggering EGFR endocytosis and incorporation onto ILVs and so Sym004 sensitivity correlates with EGFR numbers available for binding, rather than specific signalling events. Consistently Sym004 efficacy and potentiation of cisplatin responses correlated with EGFR surface expression in head and neck cancer cells. These findings will have implications in understanding the mode of action of this new class of cancer therapeutics.


Assuntos
Anticorpos Monoclonais/farmacologia , Anticorpos , Antineoplásicos , Endocitose/efeitos dos fármacos , Transporte Proteico , Membrana Celular/metabolismo , Células Cultivadas , Proteínas de Ligação a DNA , Complexos Endossomais de Distribuição Requeridos para Transporte , Endossomos/metabolismo , Receptores ErbB/metabolismo , Neoplasias de Cabeça e Pescoço/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias de Cabeça e Pescoço/etiologia , Neoplasias de Cabeça e Pescoço/metabolismo , Humanos , Lisossomos/metabolismo , Fosfoproteínas , Receptores de Superfície Celular , Fatores de Transcrição
9.
Circ Res ; 100(4): 520-6, 2007 Mar 02.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17255528

RESUMO

Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. Lifelong environmental factors (eg, salt intake, obesity, alcohol) and genetic factors clearly contribute to the development of hypertension, but it has also been established that stress in utero may program the later development of the disease. This phenomenon, known as fetal programming can be modeled in a range of experimental animal models. In maternal low protein diet rat models of programming, administration of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor antagonists in early life can prevent development of hypertension, thus implicating the renin-angiotensin system in this process. Here we show that in this model, expression of the AT(1b) angiotensin receptor gene in the adrenal gland is upregulated by the first week of life resulting in increased receptor protein expression consistent with the increased adrenal angiotensin responsiveness observed by others. Furthermore, we show that the proximal promoter of the AT(1b) gene in the adrenal is significantly undermethylated, and that in vitro, AT(1b) gene expression is highly dependent on promoter methylation. These data suggest a link between fetal insults to epigenetic modification of genes and the resultant alteration of gene expression in adult life leading ultimately to the development of hypertension. It seems highly probable that similar influences may be involved in the development of human hypertension.


Assuntos
Epigênese Genética/fisiologia , Hipertensão/embriologia , Hipertensão/genética , Sistema Renina-Angiotensina/genética , Animais , Feminino , Regulação da Expressão Gênica no Desenvolvimento/fisiologia , Hipertensão/fisiopatologia , Masculino , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Receptor Tipo 1 de Angiotensina/biossíntese , Receptor Tipo 1 de Angiotensina/genética
10.
Endocr Connect ; 8(7): R122-R130, 2019 Jul.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31189126

RESUMO

The melanocortin-2-receptor (MC2R), also known as the ACTH receptor, is a critical component of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. The importance of MC2R in adrenal physiology is exemplified by the condition familial glucocorticoid deficiency (FGD), a potentially fatal disease characterised by isolated cortisol deficiency. MC2R mutations cause ~25% of cases. The discovery of a MC2R accessory protein MRAP, mutations of which account for ~20% of FGD, has provided insight into MC2R trafficking and signalling. MRAP is a single transmembrane domain accessory protein highly expressed in the adrenal gland and essential for MC2R expression and function. Mouse models helped elucidate the action of ACTH. The Mc2r-knockout (Mc2r - / - ) mice was the first mouse model developed to have adrenal insufficiency with deficiencies in glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoid and catecholamines. We recently reported the generation of the Mrap - / - mice which better mimics the human FGD phenotype with isolated glucocorticoid deficiency alone. The adrenal glands of adult Mrap - / - mice were grossly dysmorphic with a thickened capsule, deranged zonation and deranged WNT4/beta-catenin and sonic hedgehog (SHH) pathway signalling. Collectively, these mouse models of FGD highlight the importance of ACTH and MRAP in adrenal progenitor cell regulation, cortex maintenance and zonation.

11.
Endocr Relat Cancer ; 26(1): 165-180, 2019 01 01.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30345732

RESUMO

Primary cilia are sensory organelles involved in regulation of cellular signaling. Cilia loss is frequently observed in tumors; yet, the responsible mechanisms and consequences for tumorigenesis remain unclear. We demonstrate that cilia structure and function is disrupted in human pheochromocytomas - endocrine tumors of the adrenal medulla. This is concomitant with transcriptional changes within cilia-mediated signaling pathways that are associated with tumorigenesis generally and pheochromocytomas specifically. Importantly, cilia loss was most dramatic in patients with germline mutations in the pseudohypoxia-linked genes SDHx and VHL. Using a pheochromocytoma cell line derived from rat, we show that hypoxia and oncometabolite-induced pseudohypoxia are key drivers of cilia loss and identify that this is dependent on activation of an Aurora-A/HDAC6 cilia resorption pathway. We also show cilia loss drives dramatic transcriptional changes associated with proliferation and tumorigenesis. Our data provide evidence for primary cilia dysfunction contributing to pathogenesis of pheochromocytoma by a hypoxic/pseudohypoxic mechanism and implicates oncometabolites as ciliary regulators. This is important as pheochromocytomas can cause mortality by mechanisms including catecholamine production and malignant transformation, while hypoxia is a general feature of solid tumors. Moreover, pseudohypoxia-induced cilia resorption can be pharmacologically inhibited, suggesting potential for therapeutic intervention.


Assuntos
Neoplasias das Glândulas Suprarrenais , Cílios , Feocromocitoma , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Animais , Criança , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Células PC12 , Ratos , Adulto Jovem
12.
J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol ; 193: 105422, 2019 10.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31265901

RESUMO

The adrenal cortex governs fundamental metabolic processes though synthesis of glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoids and androgens. Studies in rodents have demonstrated that the cortex undergoes a self-renewal process and that capsular/subcapsular stem/progenitor cell pools differentiate towards functional steroidogenic cells supporting the dynamic centripetal streaming of adrenocortical cells throughout life. We previously demonstrated that the Notch atypical ligand Delta-like homologue 1 (DLK1)/preadipocyte factor 1 (PREF1) is expressed in subcapsular Sf1 and Shh-positive, CYP11B1-negative and CYP11B2-partially positive cortical progenitor cells in rat adrenals, and that secreted DLK1 can modulate GLI1 expression in H295R cells. Here we show that the human adrenal cortex remodels with age to generate clusters of relatively undifferentiated cells expressing DLK1. These clusters (named DLK1-expressing cell clusters or DCCs) increased with age in size and were found to be different entities to aldosterone-producing cell clusters, another well-characterized and age-dependent cluster structure. DLK1 was markedly overexpressed in adrenocortical carcinomas but not in aldosterone-producing adenomas. Thus, this data identifies a novel cell population in the human adrenal cortex and might suggest a yet-to be identified role of DLK1 in the pathogenesis of adrenocortical carcinoma in humans.


Assuntos
Córtex Suprarrenal/citologia , Proteínas de Ligação ao Cálcio/metabolismo , Proteínas de Membrana/metabolismo , Córtex Suprarrenal/metabolismo , Aldosterona/metabolismo , Sistema Enzimático do Citocromo P-450/metabolismo , Humanos
13.
Endocrinology ; 149(4): 1898-905, 2008 Apr.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18174287

RESUMO

The role of ACTH in stimulating or inhibiting growth of adrenal cells has been a subject of some controversy. Reports that ACTH may stimulate ERK/MAPK in Y1 cells have suggested a role for cAMP in this process. In attempting to extend this work, the ACTH responses in the human H295R cell line have been studied. This cell line makes only a very modest cAMP response to ACTH, yet the ERK1/2 response is highly reproducible and immediate but not prolonged. It is minimally reduced by the protein kinase A inhibitor, H89, but unaffected by protein kinase C and calcium inhibitors. Inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor or other tyrosine kinase receptor transactivation was without effect, as was inhibition of c-Src activity or c-Src phosphorylation. The most effective inhibitor of this pathway was dansylcadaverine, an inhibitor of receptor internalization. These findings imply that ACTH-induced ERK1/2 activation in H295R cells is dependent on a mechanism distinct from that by which most G protein-coupled receptors activate ERK1/2 but that nevertheless seems to depend on receptor internalization.


Assuntos
Córtex Suprarrenal/enzimologia , Hormônio Adrenocorticotrópico/farmacologia , Proteína Quinase 1 Ativada por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Proteína Quinase 3 Ativada por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Linhagem Celular , Ativação Enzimática/efeitos dos fármacos , Humanos , Sistema de Sinalização das MAP Quinases , Receptor Tipo 2 de Melanocortina/metabolismo , Receptores Acoplados a Proteínas G/fisiologia
14.
FASEB J ; 21(14): 4095-100, 2007 Dec.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17625072

RESUMO

The adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) receptor (melanocortin 2 receptor, or MC2R) is the smallest G-protein-coupled receptor that, when activated by the peptide hormone ACTH, stimulates cAMP production and adrenal steroidogenesis. Receptor expression is dependent on a specific membrane trafficking process involving an accessory protein (melanocortin 2 receptor accessory protein, or MRAP) and other unidentified components. In an attempt to discover novel receptor interacting proteins, the C-terminal tail of the MC2R was used to screen a mouse adrenal Y6 cell cDNA library using the bacterial two-hybrid system. This identified the nucleoporin Nup 50 (Npap60) as the major full-length interacting protein. Interaction was confirmed by a GST pulldown assay and by coimmunoprecipitation in human H295R cells (which express both proteins endogenously). Deletion analysis identified the region between residues 143 and 466 in Nup50 as being required for interaction with the MC2R. Stimulation of H295R cells with ACTH (10(-6) M) was followed by a gradual translocation of the Nup50-MC2R complex from the membrane to the nucleus after 30 min. This time course is most consistent with MC2R internalization dynamics and may suggest a novel role for Nup50.


Assuntos
Núcleo Celular/metabolismo , Complexo de Proteínas Formadoras de Poros Nucleares/metabolismo , Receptor Tipo 2 de Melanocortina/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais/fisiologia , Transporte Ativo do Núcleo Celular/fisiologia , Hormônio Adrenocorticotrópico/fisiologia , Animais , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Humanos , Camundongos
15.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29755409

RESUMO

Equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) is a placental glycoprotein critical for early equine pregnancy and used therapeutically in a number of species to support reproductive activity. The factors in trophoblast that transcriptionally regulate eCGß-subunit (LHB), the gene which confers the hormones specificity for the receptor, are not known. The aim of this study was to determine if glial cells missing 1 regulates LHB promoter activity. Here, studies of the LHB proximal promoter identified four binding sites for glial cells missing 1 (GCM1) and western blot analysis confirmed GCM1 was expressed in equine chorionic girdle (ChG) and surrounding tissues. Luciferase assays demonstrated endogenous activity of the LHB promoter in BeWo choriocarcinoma cells with greatest activity by a proximal 335 bp promoter fragment. Transactivation studies in COS7 cells using an equine GCM1 expression vector showed GCM1 could transactivate the proximal 335 bp LHB promoter. Chromatin immunoprecipitation using primary ChG trophoblast cells showed GCM1 to preferentially bind to the most proximal GCM1-binding site over site 2. Mutation of site 1 but not site 2 resulted in a loss of endogenous promoter activity in BeWo cells and failure of GCM1 to transactivate the promoter in COS-7 cells. Together, these data show that GCM1 binds to site 1 in the LHB promoter but also requires the upstream segment of the LHB promoter between -119 bp and -335 bp of the translation start codon for activity. GCM1 binding partners, ETV1, ETV7, HOXA13, and PITX1, were found to be differentially expressed in the ChG between days 27 and 34 and are excellent candidates for this role. In conclusion, GCM1 was demonstrated to drive the LHB promoter, through direct binding to a predicted GCM1-binding site, with requirement for another factor(s) to bind the proximal promoter to exert this function. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that ETV7 and HOXA13 act in concert with GCM1 to initiate LHB transcription between days 30 and 31, with ETV1 partnering with GCM1 to maintain transcription.

16.
Cell Rep ; 22(5): 1236-1249, 2018 01 30.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29386111

RESUMO

Adrenal insufficiency is managed by hormone replacement therapy, which is far from optimal; the ability to generate functional steroidogenic cells would offer a unique opportunity for a curative approach to restoring the complex feedback regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Here, we generated human induced steroidogenic cells (hiSCs) from fibroblasts, blood-, and urine-derived cells through forced expression of steroidogenic factor-1 and activation of the PKA and LHRH pathways. hiSCs had ultrastructural features resembling steroid-secreting cells, expressed steroidogenic enzymes, and secreted steroid hormones in response to stimuli. hiSCs were viable when transplanted into the mouse kidney capsule and intra-adrenal. Importantly, the hypocortisolism of hiSCs derived from patients with adrenal insufficiency due to congenital adrenal hyperplasia was rescued by expressing the wild-type version of the defective disease-causing enzymes. Our study provides an effective tool with many potential applications for studying adrenal pathobiology in a personalized manner and opens venues for the development of precision therapies.


Assuntos
Corticosteroides/biossíntese , Hiperplasia Suprarrenal Congênita , Insuficiência Adrenal/etiologia , Técnicas de Reprogramação Celular/métodos , Células-Tronco Pluripotentes Induzidas , Hiperplasia Suprarrenal Congênita/complicações , Células Cultivadas , Humanos , Células-Tronco Pluripotentes Induzidas/citologia , Células-Tronco Pluripotentes Induzidas/metabolismo , Modelos Biológicos
17.
ACS Appl Mater Interfaces ; 9(33): 27357-27364, 2017 Aug 23.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28783307

RESUMO

We introduce a new approach to creating low-resistance metal-semiconductor ohmic contacts, illustrated using high conductivity Au island metal films (IMFs) on Ge, with hot carrier injection initiated at low applied voltage. The same metallization process simultaneously allows ohmic contact to n-Ge and p-Ge, because hot carriers circumvent the Schottky barrier formed at metal/n-Ge interfaces. A 2.5× improvement in contact resistivity is reported over previous techniques to achieve ohmic contact to both n- and p- semiconductor. Ohmic contacts at 4.2 K confirm nonequilibrium current transport. Self-assembled Au IMFs are strongly orientated to Ge by annealing near the Au/Ge eutectic temperature. Au IMF nanostructures form, provided the Au layer is below a critical thickness. We anticipate that optimized IMF contacts may have applicability to many material systems. Optimizing this new paradigm for metal-semiconductor contacts offers the prospect of improved nanoelectronic systems and the study of voltage controlled hot holes and electrons.

18.
J Clin Endocrinol Metab ; 102(9): 3349-3359, 2017 09 01.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28911133

RESUMO

Context: The human fetal adrenal (HFA) is an integral component of the fetoplacental unit and important for the maintenance of pregnancy. Low kisspeptin levels during pregnancy are associated with miscarriage, and kisspeptin and its receptor are expressed in the HFA. However, the role of kisspeptin in fetal adrenal function remains unknown. Objective: To determine the role of kisspeptin in the developing HFA. Design: Experiments using H295R and primary HFA cells as in vitro models of the fetal adrenal. Association of plasma kisspeptin levels with HFA size in a longitudinal clinical study. Setting: Academic research center and tertiary fetal medicine unit. Participants: Thirty-three healthy pregnant women were recruited at their 12-week routine antenatal ultrasound scan. Main Outcome Measures: The spatiotemporal expression of Kiss1R in the HFA. The production of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) from HFA cells after kisspeptin treatment, alone or in combination with adrenocorticotropic hormone or corticotropin-releasing hormone. Fetal adrenal volume (FAV) and kisspeptin levels at four antenatal visits (∼20, 28, 34, and 38 weeks' gestation). Results: Expression of Kiss1R was present in the HFA from 8 weeks after conception to term and was shown in the inner fetal zone. Kisspeptin significantly increased DHEAS production in H295R and second-trimester HFA cells. Serial measurements of kisspeptin confirmed a correlation with FAV growth in the second trimester, independent of sex or estimated fetal weight. Conclusions: Kisspeptin plays a key role in the regulation of the HFA and thus the fetoplacental unit, particularly in the second trimester of pregnancy.


Assuntos
Córtex Suprarrenal/embriologia , Glândulas Suprarrenais/embriologia , Desenvolvimento Fetal/fisiologia , Kisspeptinas/sangue , Córtex Suprarrenal/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Glândulas Suprarrenais/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Hormônio Adrenocorticotrópico/metabolismo , Adulto , Análise de Variância , Biomarcadores/sangue , Hormônio Liberador da Corticotropina/metabolismo , Feminino , Humanos , Gravidez , Resultado da Gravidez , Segundo Trimestre da Gravidez , Estudos Prospectivos , Ultrassonografia Pré-Natal , Adulto Jovem
19.
Endocrinology ; 147(12): 6019-26, 2006 Dec.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16997835

RESUMO

The peptide hormone ACTH stimulates lipolysis and suppresses leptin production in adipocytes via the G protein-coupled receptor, melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2-R). We have shown previously that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma2 is the primary factor responsible for transactivation of the already identified murine MC2-R promoter in the differentiating 3T3-L1 adipocyte cell line. In this study we show that despite the activity of this promoter being transient during differentiation, MC2-R message remains elevated at later time points during adipogenesis. Analysis of the late transcripts reveals that they initiate from a transcriptional start site in the first intron of the murine MC2-R. The genomic sequence upstream of this start site acts as an adipocyte-specific promoter whose activation is delayed in differentiation, compared with the upstream promoter. A CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein binding site, 87 bp upstream of the transcriptional initiation site, is necessary for the activity of this promoter, and protein binding analyses reveal that this site is bound by CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein factors. Real-time PCR analysis of mRNA initiating from the two start sites shows that there is a switch in promoter usage from the 5' to the 3' promoter around d 5, indicating the complex regulation of the murine MC2-R during adipogenesis.


Assuntos
Adipogenia/genética , Proteínas Estimuladoras de Ligação a CCAAT/metabolismo , Regiões Promotoras Genéticas , Receptor Tipo 2 de Melanocortina/genética , Elementos Reguladores de Transcrição/fisiologia , Células 3T3-L1/citologia , Tecido Adiposo/metabolismo , Animais , Sequência de Bases , Sítios de Ligação , Diferenciação Celular , Códon de Iniciação/análise , Proteínas de Ligação a DNA/metabolismo , Éxons , Íntrons/fisiologia , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C3H , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Isoformas de Proteínas/análise , Receptor Tipo 2 de Melanocortina/química , Receptor Tipo 2 de Melanocortina/metabolismo , Análise de Sequência de DNA , Transcrição Gênica , Ativação Transcricional
20.
J Mol Endocrinol ; 37(3): 415-20, 2006 Dec.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17170082

RESUMO

The ACTH receptor melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2-R) is a G-protein-coupled receptor principally expressed in the adrenal cortex and the adipocyte, where it stimulates steroidogenesis and lipolysis respectively. The coding region of the murine gene is encoded by a single exon, although three upstream non-coding exons have been documented, one of which is incorporated by alternative splicing in adrenal cells. We have detected a novel transcript in adipocytes, which includes a previously unidentified 86 bp exon upstream of the coding region. This transcript appears with slower kinetics during a time course of differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells and is much more highly expressed in these cells and murine adipose tissues than in the Y1 murine adrenocortical cell line, also it is undetectable in murine foetal testes. Inclusion of this exon extends the 5' UTR to 468 bp and introduces three upstream open reading frames. These are typical features of mRNAs under translational control and imply that the MC2-R gene is regulated both transcriptionally and post-transcriptionally during adipogenesis.


Assuntos
Adipócitos/citologia , Adipócitos/metabolismo , Adipogenia/genética , Processamento Alternativo/genética , Diferenciação Celular , Biossíntese de Proteínas/genética , Receptor Tipo 2 de Melanocortina/genética , Células 3T3 , Animais , Sequência de Bases , Éxons/genética , Camundongos , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Isoformas de Proteínas/genética , Transcrição Gênica/genética
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