RESUMO
Glucagon family of peptide hormones is a group of structurally related brain-gut peptides that exert their pleiotropic actions through interactions with unique members of class B1 G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). They are key regulators of hormonal homeostasis and are important drug targets for metabolic disorders such as type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), obesity, and dysregulations of the nervous systems such as migraine, anxiety, depression, neurodegeneration, psychiatric disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. The current review aims to provide a detailed overview of the current understanding of the pharmacological actions and therapeutic advances of three members within this family including glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), and glucagon.
Assuntos
Polipeptídeo Inibidor Gástrico/farmacologia , Peptídeo 1 Semelhante ao Glucagon/farmacologia , Glucagon/farmacologia , Animais , Feminino , Polipeptídeo Inibidor Gástrico/efeitos adversos , Polipeptídeo Inibidor Gástrico/uso terapêutico , Glucagon/administração & dosagem , Glucagon/uso terapêutico , Peptídeo 1 Semelhante ao Glucagon/efeitos adversos , Peptídeo 1 Semelhante ao Glucagon/uso terapêutico , Humanos , MasculinoRESUMO
Secretin family of peptide hormones is a group of structurally related brain-gut peptides that exert their functions via interactions with the class B1 G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Recent researches of these peptides and receptors in metabolism have been an area of intense focus for the development of promising drug targets as therapeutic potentials for metabolic disorders. The fact that agonists of GLP-1, a member in the family, have already started being used as therapeutics clearly indicates the importance and relevance of further research on the clinical applications of these peptides. This review aims to provide an overview of the current understanding regarding the importance of this family of peptides as well as their receptors in metabolism with special focus on their actions in the hypothalamus.
Assuntos
Metabolismo Energético/fisiologia , Hipotálamo/metabolismo , Receptores Acoplados a Proteínas G/metabolismo , Secretina/metabolismo , Animais , HumanosRESUMO
In this article, we report the isolation of a full-length cDNA clone encoding pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP)/PACAP-related peptide (PRP) from lungfish Protopterus dolloi. When comparing the deduced amino acid sequences, the lungfish PACAP was found to be highly conserved with other vertebrates; however, the PRP shares only lower levels of sequence identity with known PRP sequences. Consistently in phylogenetic analysis, the lungfish PRP, similar to sturgeon PRP, fails to cluster with other PRPs. In addition to the full-length clone, another cDNA encoding a short precursor that lacks the first 32 amino acids of the PRP was also isolated. Interestingly, similar isoforms were also identified in several nonmammalian vertebrates, and it was suggested that exon skipping of PRP/PACAP transcripts was a mechanism that regulated the expression ratio of PACAP to PRP in nonmammalian vertebrates. By real-time PCR, both long and short PRP/PACAP transcripts were found almost exclusively in the brain, and the short isoform is the more abundant transcript (3.7 times more), indicating that PACAP is the major product produced in lungfish brain. The expression patterns of lungfish and previously studied frog PRP/PACAP suggest that the PRP/PACAP gene in the tetrapod lineage may first express in the central nervous system; in the process of evolution, the functions of these peptides diversified and were later found in other tissues.
Assuntos
Peixes/metabolismo , Fragmentos de Peptídeos/metabolismo , Polipeptídeo Hipofisário Ativador de Adenilato Ciclase/metabolismo , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Animais , Sequência de Bases , Clonagem Molecular , Peixes/genética , Regulação Enzimológica da Expressão Gênica , Humanos , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Fragmentos de Peptídeos/química , Fragmentos de Peptídeos/genética , Filogenia , Polipeptídeo Hipofisário Ativador de Adenilato Ciclase/química , Polipeptídeo Hipofisário Ativador de Adenilato Ciclase/genética , RNA Mensageiro/genética , Alinhamento de SequênciaRESUMO
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is closely associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and can be detected in early premalignant lesions of nasopharyngeal epithelium. The latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) is an oncoprotein encoded by the EBV and is believed to play a role in transforming premalignant nasopharyngeal epithelial cells into cancer cells. RASSF1A is a tumor-suppressor gene commonly inactivated in many types of human cancer including NPC. In this study, we report a novel function of LMP1, in down-regulating RASSF1A expression in human epithelial cells. Downregulation of RASSF1A expression by LMP1 is dependent on the activation of intracellular signaling of NF-kappaB involving the C-terminal activating regions (CTARs) of LMP1. LMP1 expression also suppresses the transcriptional activity of the RASSF1A core promoter. RASSF1A stabilizes microtubules and regulates mitotic events. Aberrant mitotic spindles and chromosome aberrations are reported phenotypes in RASSF1A inactivated cells. In this study, we observed that LMP1 expression in human epithelial cells could induce aberrant mitotic spindles, disorganized interphase microtubules and aneuploidy. LMP1 expression could also suppress microtubule dynamics as exemplified by tracking movements of the growing tips of microtubules in live cells by transfecting EGFP-tagged EB1 into cells. The aberrant mitotic spindles and interphase microtubule organization induced by LMP1 could be rescued by transfecting RASSF1A expression plasmid into cells. Downregulation of RASSF1A expression by LMP1 may facilitate its role in transformation of premalignant nasopharyngeal epithelial cells into cancer cells.
Assuntos
Aberrações Cromossômicas , Regulação para Baixo/genética , Células Epiteliais/metabolismo , Células Epiteliais/patologia , Microtúbulos/metabolismo , Proteínas Supressoras de Tumor/antagonistas & inibidores , Proteínas Supressoras de Tumor/genética , Proteínas da Matriz Viral/fisiologia , Linhagem Celular , Linhagem Celular Transformada , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Células HeLa , Humanos , Microtúbulos/patologia , NF-kappa B/fisiologia , Proteínas Supressoras de Tumor/biossínteseRESUMO
Secretin holds a unique place in the history of endocrinology and gastrointestinal physiology, as it is the first peptide designated as a hormone. During the last century since its first discovery, the hormonal effects of secretin in the gastrointestinal tract were extensively studied, and its principal role in the periphery was found to stimulate exocrine secretion from the pancreas. Recently, a functional role of secretin in the brain has also been substantiated, with evidence suggesting a possible role of secretin in embryonic brain development. Given that secretin and its receptors are widely expressed in multiple tissues, this peptide should therefore exhibit pleiotrophic functions throughout the body. The present article reviews the current knowledge on the central and peripheral effects of secretin as well as its therapeutic uses.
Assuntos
Secretina/metabolismo , Animais , Doença , Humanos , Receptores Acoplados a Proteínas G/metabolismo , Receptores dos Hormônios Gastrointestinais/metabolismo , Secretina/uso terapêutico , Transdução de SinaisRESUMO
Previous studies demonstrated that secretin could be released from the cerebellum, where it exerts a facilitatory action on the GABAergic inputs into the Purkinje neurons. In the present article, we provide evidence of the endogenous release of secretin in the hypothalamus and the mechanisms underlying this release. Incubation of the hypothalamic explants with KCl induces the release of secretin to 4.35 +/- 0.45-fold of the basal level. This K+-induced release was tetrodotoxin and cadmium sensitive, suggesting the involvement of voltage-gated sodium and calcium channels. The use of specific blockers further revealed the involvement of L-, N-, and P-type high voltage-activated (HVA) calcium channels. Results present in the current article provide further and more solid evidence of the role of secretin as a neuropeptide in the mammalian central nervous system.
Assuntos
Hipotálamo/metabolismo , Secretina/metabolismo , Animais , Masculino , Cloreto de Potássio/farmacologia , Ratos , Ratos Endogâmicos WF , Receptores Acoplados a Proteínas G/metabolismo , Receptores dos Hormônios Gastrointestinais/metabolismoRESUMO
Previous studies demonstrated that secretin could modulate synaptic transmission in the rat cerebellum. In the present report, we provide evidence for the endogenous release of secretin in the cerebellum and further characterize the actions of secretin in this brain area. First, to show that secretin is released endogenously, blocks of freshly dissected cerebella were challenged with a high concentration of KCl. Incubation with KCl almost doubled the rate of secretin release. This KCl-induced release was sensitive to tetrodotoxin and cadmium suggesting the involvement of voltage-gated sodium and calcium channels. The use of specific channel blockers further revealed that L-type and P/Q-type calcium channels underlie both basal and KCl-evoked secretin release. In support of this, depolarization of Purkinje neurons in the presence of NMDA, group II mGluR and cannabinoid CB1 receptor blockers resulted in increased inhibitory postsynaptic current frequency. Second, we found that the previously reported facilitatory action of secretin on GABAergic inputs to Purkinje neurons is partly dependent on the release of endogenous glutamate. In the presence of CNQX, an AMPA/kainate receptor antagonist, the facilitatory effect of secretin on GABA release was significantly reduced. In support of this idea, application of AMPA, but not kainate receptor agonist, facilitated GABA release from inhibitory terminals, an action that was sensitive to AMPA receptor antagonists. These data indicate that a direct and an indirect pathway mediate the action of secretin in the basket cell-Purkinje neuron synapse. The results provide further and more solid evidence for the role of secretin as a neuropeptide in the mammalian CNS.
Assuntos
Cerebelo/fisiologia , Agonistas de Aminoácidos Excitatórios/farmacologia , Antagonistas de Aminoácidos Excitatórios/farmacologia , Receptores de AMPA/fisiologia , Secretina/fisiologia , 6-Ciano-7-nitroquinoxalina-2,3-diona/farmacologia , Animais , Canais de Cálcio/efeitos dos fármacos , Canais de Cálcio/fisiologia , Cerebelo/efeitos dos fármacos , Técnicas In Vitro , Técnicas de Patch-Clamp , Cloreto de Potássio/farmacologia , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , Receptores de AMPA/efeitos dos fármacos , Secretina/metabolismo , Ácido alfa-Amino-3-hidroxi-5-metil-4-isoxazol Propiônico/farmacologiaRESUMO
The expression and spatial distribution of secretin and its receptor in human cerebellum were investigated by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical techniques. Secretin mRNAs are found in Purkinje cells whereas secretin receptor transcripts are present in Purkinje cells and basket cells in the molecular cell layer. In addition, secretin-immunoreactivities are localized in both the soma and dendrites of Purkinje cells. These data are the first demonstration of the spatial distribution of secretin and its receptor in distinct neurons within the human cerebellum. The cellular localizations of this ligand-receptor pair are consistent with the proposed actions of secretin in the cerebellum of rodents and hence suggest that secretin also serves specific neural functions in the human cerebellum.
Assuntos
Cerebelo/metabolismo , Regulação da Expressão Gênica/fisiologia , Receptores dos Hormônios Gastrointestinais/metabolismo , Secretina/metabolismo , Cerebelo/citologia , Dendritos/genética , Dendritos/metabolismo , Humanos , Imuno-Histoquímica/métodos , Hibridização In Situ/métodos , Microscopia Confocal/métodos , Células de Purkinje/citologia , Células de Purkinje/metabolismo , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismo , Receptores Acoplados a Proteínas G , Receptores dos Hormônios Gastrointestinais/genética , Secretina/genéticaRESUMO
There is growing evidence that secretin, the first hormone discovered in our history, has functions in the brain other than in the gastrointestinal tract. This article reports for the first time that secretin and its receptor mRNAs are produced in distinct cell types within the epididymis. To test if secretin affects electrolyte transport in the epididymis, we measured short-circuit current (Isc) in cultured epididymal epithelia and found secretin dose-dependently stimulated Isc. Ion substitution experiments and use of pharmacological agents inferred that the stimulated Isc is a result of concurrent electrogenic chloride and bicarbonate secretion. It is further shown that secretin and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) function via totally different mechanisms: 1) PACAP works only from the apical side of the epithelium to stimulate chloride and not bicarbonate secretion, while secretin acts on the apical and basolateral sides to stimulate chloride and bicarbonate secretion. 2) the stimulation by PACAP but not secretin requires local prostaglandin synthesis. By immunocytochemical staining, secretin is localized in the principal cells of the initial segment and caput epididymidis, whereas secretin receptor is present in the principal cells of the proximal as well as the distal part of the epididymis. This pattern of distribution appears to be consistent with the idea that secretin is secreted by the proximal epididymis and acts on the proximal and distal epididymis in an autocrine and paracrine fashion. Its function is to control secretion of electrolytes and water.
Assuntos
Epididimo/metabolismo , Receptores dos Hormônios Gastrointestinais/metabolismo , Secretina/metabolismo , Inibidores de Adenilil Ciclases , Animais , Ânions/metabolismo , Comunicação Autócrina , Sequência de Bases , Bicarbonatos/metabolismo , Cloretos/metabolismo , Inibidores de Ciclo-Oxigenase/farmacologia , DNA Complementar/genética , Inibidores Enzimáticos/farmacologia , Epididimo/citologia , Epididimo/efeitos dos fármacos , Iminas/farmacologia , Transporte de Íons/efeitos dos fármacos , Masculino , Comunicação Parácrina , Piroxicam/farmacologia , RNA Mensageiro/genética , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismo , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , Receptores Acoplados a Proteínas G , Receptores dos Hormônios Gastrointestinais/genética , Secretina/genéticaRESUMO
We have identified a second form of the type-II neuropeptide encoding a molt inhibiting hormone-like (MeeMIH-B) neuropeptide. MeeMIH-B showed only a 70% amino acid identity to the MIH-A (formerly MIH) isolated from the same species, suggesting a possible different function of the deduced neuropeptide. Like other neuropeptide members of the CHH family, the MIH-B gene consists of three exons separated by two introns. The levels of MIH-B mRNA transcript in the eyestalk decrease in the initial phase of gonad maturation and increase towards the end of maturation. The drop in MIH-B level suggests an inhibitory role for this neuropeptide in the initiation of vitellogenesis. MIH-B transcripts can also be detected in the brain, thoracic ganglion and ventral nerve cord. Together with the CHH-B peptide that we have previously described, this is the second peptide of the CHH family that can also be identified in the ventral nerve cord and in the XOSG complex. A recombinant MIH-B was produced and a polyclonal antibody against rMIH-B was subsequently generated. Specific anti-rMIH-B antiserum recognized the presence of MIH-B in the sinus gland, X-organs, as well as a giant neuron of the ventral nerve cord. Injection of rMIH-B delayed the molting cycle of the maturing female. Taken together, the results of this study suggest that a drop in MIH-B level may be required for the delay in the molting of the maturing females.
Assuntos
Crustáceos/química , Hormônios de Invertebrado/química , Neuropeptídeos/química , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Animais , Sequência de Bases , Clonagem Molecular , Eletroforese em Gel de Poliacrilamida , Imuno-Histoquímica , Hormônios de Invertebrado/genética , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Neuropeptídeos/genética , Proteínas Recombinantes/química , Proteínas Recombinantes/genética , Homologia de Sequência de AminoácidosRESUMO
The isoprenoid methyl farnesoate (MF) has been implicated in the regulation of crustacean development and reproduction in conjunction with eyestalk molt inhibiting hormones and ecdysteroids. Farnesoic acid O-methyltransferase (FAMeT) catalyzes the methylation of farnesoic acid (FA) to produce MF in the terminal step of MF synthesis. We have previously cloned and characterized the shrimp FAMeT. In the present study, recombinant FAMeT (rFAMeT) was produced for bioassay and antiserum generation. FAMeT is widely distributed in shrimp tissues with the highest concentration observed in the ventral nerve cord. Interestingly, an additional larger protein in the eyestalk also showed immunoreactivity to anti-FAMeT serum. FAMeT was localized in the neurosecretory cells of the X-organ-sinus gland complex of the eyestalk. As shown by RT-PCR, FAMeT mRNA is constitutively expressed throughout the molt cycle in the eyestalk and the ventral nerve cord. To show that our cloned gene product had FAMeT activity, we demonstrated that expressed rFAMeT gene product catalyzed the conversion of FA to MF in a radiochemical assay. The ubiquitous distribution of FAMeT suggests that this enzyme is involved in physiological processes in addition to gametogenesis, oocyte maturation and development and metamorphosis of the shrimp. We hypothesize that FAMeT directly or indirectly (through MF) modulates the reproduction and growth of crustaceans by interacting with the eyestalk neuropeptides as a consequence of its presence in the neurosecretory cells of the X-organ-sinus gland.
Assuntos
Metiltransferases/fisiologia , Sistemas Neurossecretores/enzimologia , Penaeidae/enzimologia , Estruturas Animais/enzimologia , Animais , Indução Enzimática , Ácidos Graxos Insaturados/fisiologia , Regulação da Expressão Gênica no Desenvolvimento , Metamorfose Biológica , Metilação , Metiltransferases/análise , Morfogênese , Especificidade de Órgãos , Penaeidae/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Penaeidae/ultraestrutura , RNA Mensageiro/biossíntese , Proteínas Recombinantes de Fusão/fisiologia , Reprodução/fisiologia , Sesquiterpenos/metabolismoRESUMO
In mammals, growth hormone (GH) is under a dual hypothalamic control exerted by growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and somatostatin (SRIH). We investigated GH release in a pleuronectiform teleost, the turbot (Psetta maxima), using a serum-free primary culture of dispersed pituitary cells. Cells released GH for up to 12 days in culture, indicating that turbot somatotropes do not require releasing hormone for their regulation. SRIH dose-dependently inhibited GH release up to a maximal inhibitory effect of 95%. None of the potential stimulators tested induced any change in basal GH release. Also, neither forskolin, an activator of adenylate cyclase, nor phorbol ester (TPA), an activator of protein kinase C, were able to modify GH release, suggesting that spontaneous basal release already represents the maximal secretory capacity of turbot somatotropes. In contrast, forskolin and TPA were able to increase GH release in the presence of SRIH. In this condition (coincubation with SRIH), pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) stimulated GH release, whereas none of the other neuropeptides tested (GHRHs; sea bream or salmon or chicken II GnRHs; TRH; CRH) had any significant effect. These data indicate that inhibitory control by SRIH may be the basic control of GH production in teleosts and lower vertebrates, while PACAP may represent the ancestral growth hormone-releasing factor in teleosts, a role taken over in higher vertebrates by GHRH.
Assuntos
Linguados/metabolismo , Hormônio do Crescimento/metabolismo , Neuropeptídeos/fisiologia , Hipófise/metabolismo , Animais , Células Cultivadas , Colforsina/farmacologia , Meios de Cultura Livres de Soro , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Sinergismo Farmacológico , Enguias/metabolismo , Hormônio do Crescimento/antagonistas & inibidores , Técnicas In Vitro , Neuropeptídeos/administração & dosagem , Neuropeptídeos/farmacologia , Polipeptídeo Hipofisário Ativador de Adenilato Ciclase , Adeno-Hipófise/citologia , Adeno-Hipófise/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais/fisiologia , Somatostatina/administração & dosagem , Somatostatina/farmacologia , Especificidade da Espécie , Acetato de Tetradecanoilforbol/farmacologiaRESUMO
Glucagon plays a pivotal role in the regulation of metabolism. A glucagon receptor has been previously characterized in the frog, Rana tigrina rugulosa, and the frog and human glucagon receptors have been shown to possess similar binding affinities toward human glucagon. To study the structural evolution of glucagon peptide and its receptor in vertebrates, in the current study, a proglucagon cDNA from the same frog species was cloned. Interestingly, in contrast to the mammalian proglucagons that contain only one GLP-1 peptide, the frog proglucagon cDNA encodes two GLP-1 peptides (GLP-1A and GLP-1B) in addition to a glucagon peptide and a glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2). By reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) analysis, the proglucagon gene expression was widely detected in the brain, colon, small intestine, liver, lung, and pancreas, suggesting that the proglucagon-derived peptides have diverse functions in frogs. Moreover, tissue-specific alternative mRNA splicing was observed in the brain, colon, and pancreas. In these tissues, proglucagon transcripts with a 135 bp in frame deletion encoding GLP-1A were found. This splicing event in R. tigrina rugulosa is novel because it deletes a GLP-1 encoding sequence instead of the GLP-2 observed in other vertebrates. These findings should enhance understanding of the proglucagon evolution, structure, and expression in vertebrates.
Assuntos
Processamento Alternativo/genética , DNA Complementar/genética , Glucagon/genética , Fragmentos de Peptídeos/genética , Precursores de Proteínas/genética , Ranidae/genética , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Animais , Sequência de Bases , Clonagem Molecular , DNA Complementar/química , DNA Complementar/isolamento & purificação , Regulação da Expressão Gênica , Glucagon/química , Peptídeo 1 Semelhante ao Glucagon , Peptídeo 2 Semelhante ao Glucagon , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Fragmentos de Peptídeos/química , Peptídeos/química , Peptídeos/genética , Proglucagon , Precursores de Proteínas/química , Técnica de Amplificação ao Acaso de DNA Polimórfico , Ranidae/fisiologia , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase Via Transcriptase Reversa , Alinhamento de Sequência , Análise de Sequência de DNA , Homologia de Sequência de AminoácidosRESUMO
Secretin was the first hormone discovered in human history, and yet, its function as a neuropeptide has been overlooked in the past. The recent discovery of the potential use of secretin in treating autistic patients, together with the conflicting reports on its effectiveness, urges an in-depth investigation of this issue. We show here that in the rat cerebellar cortex, mRNAs encoding secretin are localized in the Purkinje cells, whereas those of its receptor are found in both Purkinje cells and GABAergic interneurons. Immunoreactivity for secretin is localized in the soma and dendrites of Purkinje cells. In addition, secretin facilitates evoked, spontaneous, and miniature IPSCs recorded from Purkinje cells. We propose that secretin is released from the somatodendritic region of Purkinje cells and serves as a retrograde messenger modulating GABAergic afferent activity.
Assuntos
Cerebelo/metabolismo , Secretina/metabolismo , Transmissão Sináptica/fisiologia , Ácido gama-Aminobutírico/metabolismo , Adenilil Ciclases/efeitos dos fármacos , Adenilil Ciclases/metabolismo , Animais , Northern Blotting , Cerebelo/citologia , Cerebelo/efeitos dos fármacos , Dendritos/metabolismo , Ativadores de Enzimas/farmacologia , Inibidores Enzimáticos/farmacologia , Hibridização In Situ , Interneurônios/efeitos dos fármacos , Interneurônios/metabolismo , Potenciais da Membrana/efeitos dos fármacos , Potenciais da Membrana/fisiologia , Inibição Neural/efeitos dos fármacos , Inibição Neural/fisiologia , Parvalbuminas/biossíntese , Parvalbuminas/genética , Técnicas de Patch-Clamp , Células de Purkinje/efeitos dos fármacos , Células de Purkinje/metabolismo , RNA Mensageiro/análise , RNA Mensageiro/biossíntese , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , Receptores Acoplados a Proteínas G , Receptores dos Hormônios Gastrointestinais/genética , Receptores dos Hormônios Gastrointestinais/metabolismo , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase Via Transcriptase Reversa , Secretina/genética , Secretina/farmacologia , Transmissão Sináptica/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
Recently, a frog pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP)/vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptor (fPVR) has been characterized, and interestingly, this receptor exhibits characteristics of both mammalian PACAP type II receptors VPAC(1)R and VPAC(2)R. In order to investigate the receptors responsible for mediating the actions of VIP and PACAP in amphibians, in this report, a frog VPAC(2) receptor (fVPAC(2)R) cDNA was isolated. fVPAC(2)R shares 47.7, 46.9 and 62.5% amino acid sequence identity with fPVR, human VPAC(1)R and human VPAC(2)R respectively. Functionally, fVPAC(2)R, when expressed in CHO cells, was responsive to both frog peptides including VIP, PACAP38 and PACAP27 where the EC(50) values of these peptides in intracellular cAMP production were 0.15, 0.18 and 0.16 microM respectively. The pharmacological profiles of human peptides (VIP, PACAP38 and peptide histidine methionine) to stimulate frog and human VPAC(2)Rs were compared, and it was found that these peptides could only activate the frog receptor at micromolar concentrations. fVPAC(2)R was found to be widely distributed in various peripheral tissues as well as several regions of the brain. The presence of the receptor transcripts suggests the functional roles of the receptor in mediating the actions of PACAP and/or VIP in these tissues. As VIP and particularly PACAP27 are highly conserved peptides in vertebrate evolution, comparative studies of these peptides and their receptors in non-mammalian vertebrates should provide clues to better understand the physiology of these important peptides in human and other vertebrates.
Assuntos
Hipófise/metabolismo , Ranidae/genética , Ranidae/metabolismo , Receptores de Peptídeo Intestinal Vasoativo/genética , Receptores de Peptídeo Intestinal Vasoativo/metabolismo , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Animais , Sequência de Bases , Células CHO , Cricetinae , AMP Cíclico/biossíntese , DNA Complementar/genética , DNA Complementar/isolamento & purificação , Humanos , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Neuropeptídeos/metabolismo , Filogenia , Polipeptídeo Hipofisário Ativador de Adenilato Ciclase , RNA Mensageiro/genética , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismo , Receptores de Peptídeo Intestinal Vasoativo/química , Receptores Tipo II de Peptídeo Intestinal Vasoativo , Proteínas Recombinantes/química , Proteínas Recombinantes/genética , Proteínas Recombinantes/metabolismo , Homologia de Sequência de Aminoácidos , Especificidade da Espécie , Distribuição Tecidual , Peptídeo Intestinal Vasoativo/metabolismoRESUMO
In this study, a mutagenesis-based strategy was employed to assess the roles of two highly conserved motifs (KLR and RLAR) within the third endoloop of the human secretin receptor. Block deletion of KLRT and mutation of Lys323 (K(323)I) significantly reduced cAMP accumulation, and these mutations did not affect ligand interaction and receptor number expressed on the cell surface. Thus, the KLRT region at the N terminus of the third endoloop, particularly Lys323, is important for G protein coupling. For the RLAR motif, receptors with substitutions at positions 339 and 342 from Arg to Ala (R(339, 342)A), Glu (R(339, 342)E), or Ile (R(339, 342)I) as well as block deletion of the RLAR motif were all found to be defective in both secretin-binding and cAMP production. Interestingly, a single mutation at the corresponding positions of Arg339 or Arg342 responded as the wild-type human secretin receptor in all functional assays, indicating that the presence of one Arg at either position within the RLAR motif is sufficient for a normal receptor function. Immunofluorescent staining of these mutant receptors showed that these Arg residues are responsible for surface presentation and/or receptor stability.
Assuntos
Motivos de Aminoácidos/genética , Segregação de Cromossomos , Receptores dos Hormônios Gastrointestinais/genética , Sequência de Aminoácidos/genética , Substituição de Aminoácidos , Animais , Células CHO , Membrana Celular/metabolismo , Sequência Conservada , Cricetinae , Deleção de Genes , Humanos , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Mutação/fisiologia , Receptores Acoplados a Proteínas G , Receptores dos Hormônios Gastrointestinais/fisiologiaRESUMO
Methylfarnesoate (MF), an analogue of the insect juvenile hormone III, has been implicated to play a vital role in the regulation of the growth and reproductive development in crustaceans. Farnesoic acid O-methyltransferase (FAMeT) is the key enzyme involved in catalyzing the final step in the MF biosynthetic pathway. In this study, we report the cloning and characterization of the cDNA encoding the putative FAMeT of the shrimp Metapenaeus ensis. FAMeT comprises 280 amino acid residues with a predicted molecular weight of 32kDa. The predicted putative FAMeT protein reveals a high degree of structural conservation of FAMeT with the lobsters. It shares 79 and 70% sequence identities with the putative FAMeTs of Homarus americanus and Panulirus interruptus, respectively. As revealed by the Southern blot analysis and genomic PCR, only one gene exists in the shrimp genome and the gene is uninterrupted in the coding region. The shrimp FAMeT mRNA is widely distributed in many tissues with the highest expression level observed in the central nervous system. A constant level of FAMeT expression is recorded in the ventral nerve cord of the juveniles and the mature females during the reproductive cycle. Unlike the ventral nerve cord, the eyestalk of the juvenile male, but not the female, expresses FAMeT. Further study shows that the eyestalk of the mature female expresses FAMeT during all stages of ovarian maturation. We speculate that FAMeT may be important for the regulation of eyestalk neuropeptides. This is the first extensive study on the molecular characterization, structural analysis and expression of the crustacean FAMeT.
Assuntos
Decápodes/enzimologia , Hormônios de Invertebrado/biossíntese , Metiltransferases/genética , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Animais , Sequência de Bases , Clonagem Molecular , DNA Complementar , Olho/enzimologia , Feminino , Expressão Gênica , Masculino , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Análise de Sequência de DNA , Homologia de Sequência de Aminoácidos , SesquiterpenosRESUMO
Multiple transcription start sites were identified in the human gonadotropin releasing hormone receptor (hGnRHR) gene. Recently, an upstream promoter residing at -1727/-1674, in vicinity of a CAP site at -1673, was characterized. In this report, we elucidated the underlying mechanisms for the regulation of this promoter. Functionally, this promoter was constitutively suppressed by a silencer element (-1673/-1351) situated immediately downstream to it. On the other hand, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), via the cAMP pathway, was found to be the extracellular cue to control the upstream promoter. Following PACAP-27, PACAP-38 (30 nM) and forskolin (25 microM) treatment, there were significant increases in the reporter gene activities. By deletion analysis, the region residing at -1727 to -1577, containing the distal promoter and 97 bp of the silencer was subsequently found to be responsible for PACAP/cAMP induction. To localize the PACAP-dependent cis-acting element(s) within the silencer, block replacement scanning mutation was performed and a hGnRHR gene PACAP-responsive element (GPRE) was identified at -1676/-1648. The actions of PACAPs and forskolin on the GPRE were further evidenced by gel mobility shift assays. There was an increase in protein binding onto this element only after peptide treatment. As GnRH receptor number on gonadotrope cell surface is a key factor in regulating gonadotropin release, the present study provides an insight into the interplay between PACAP and GnRH receptors on pituitary gonadotropes to control human reproductive functions.
Assuntos
Inativação Gênica/efeitos dos fármacos , Neuropeptídeos/farmacologia , Regiões Promotoras Genéticas/genética , Receptores LHRH/genética , Elementos de Resposta/genética , Sequência de Bases , Ligação Competitiva , Linhagem Celular , Colforsina/farmacologia , AMP Cíclico/metabolismo , DNA/genética , DNA/metabolismo , Regulação para Baixo/efeitos dos fármacos , Eletroforese em Gel de Poliacrilamida , Feminino , Genes Reporter/genética , Humanos , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Mutação/genética , Polipeptídeo Hipofisário Ativador de Adenilato Ciclase , Ligação Proteica/efeitos dos fármacos , Transdução de Sinais/efeitos dos fármacos , Transcrição Gênica/efeitos dos fármacos , Células Tumorais CultivadasRESUMO
GnRH has been showed to regulate hCG expression and secretion from the placenta through a GnRH receptor (GnRHR)-mediated process. Recently, we have reported the isolation of human GnRHR full-length complementary DNA from the human placental cells including choriocarcinoma JEG-3 cells, immortalized extravillous trophoblasts, and primary cultures of trophoblasts. Despite these observations, the molecular mechanism that controls the transcription regulation of the GnRHR gene expression in the placenta remains unknown. Here we described the identification of an upstream placenta-specific promoter located between nucleotide (nt) -1737 and -1346 (relative to the translation start site) for the human GnRHR gene. Using transient transfection studies, this upstream promoter has been shown to determine the placental cell-specific expression of this gene. Primer extension studies further confirmed the utilization of this promoter in JEG-3 cells in vivo. By mutagenesis coupled to functional studies, we have identified four putative transcription factor-binding sites, namely human glucocorticoid receptor (hGR)-Oct-1 (nt -1718 to -1710), hGR-cAMP response element (CRE; nt -1649 to -1641), hGR-GATA (nt -1602 to -1597), and hGR-activating protein-1 (nt -1518 to -1511), that are essential to the expression of this gene. Mutations of these cis-acting motifs reduced the promoter activity. The CRE and GATA motifs were subsequently shown to be placenta specific, as mutations of these motifs caused a dramatic loss in promoter activities in the placental JEG-3 cells, but not in the ovarian carcinoma OVCAR-3, monkey kidney COS-1, and human embryonic kidney 293 cells. Gel mobility assays confirmed the binding of nuclear proteins Oct-1, CRE-binding protein, GATA-2, GATA-3, c-Fos, and c-Jun from JEG-3 cells to these four elements.
Assuntos
Placenta/metabolismo , Regiões Promotoras Genéticas/genética , Receptores LHRH/genética , Regiões 5' não Traduzidas/genética , Adulto , Animais , Sítios de Ligação/genética , Células Cultivadas , Mapeamento Cromossômico , Primers do DNA , Eletroforese em Gel de Poliacrilamida , Feminino , Genes Reporter/genética , Humanos , Luciferases/genética , Camundongos , Mutagênese Sítio-Dirigida , Gravidez , Receptores LHRH/biossíntese , TransfecçãoRESUMO
gC1qR is an ubiquitously expressed cell protein that interacts with the globular heads of C1q (gC1q) and many other ligands. In this study, the 7.8-kilobase pair (kb) human gC1qR/p32 (C1qBP) gene was cloned and found to consist of 6 exons and 5 introns. Analysis of a 1.3-kb DNA fragment at the 5'-flanking region of this gene revealed the presence of multiple TATA, CCAAT, and Sp1 binding sites. Luciferase reporter assays performed in different human cell lines demonstrated that the reporter gene was ubiquitously driven by this 1.3-kb fragment. Subsequent 5' and 3' deletion of this fragment confined promoter elements to within 400 base pairs (bp) upstream of the translational start site. Because the removal of the 8-bp consensus TATATATA at -399 to -406 and CCAAT at -410 to -414 did not significantly affect the transcription efficiency of the promoter, GC-rich sequences between this TATA box and the translation start site may be very important for the promoter activity of the C1qBP gene. One of seven GC-rich sequences in this region binds specifically to PANC-1 nuclear extracts, and the transcription factor Sp1 was shown to bind to this GC-rich sequence by the supershift assay. Primer extension analysis mapped three major transcription start regions. The farthest transcription start site is 49 bp upstream of the ATG translation initiation codon and is in close proximity of the specific SP1 binding site.