Signal transduction

studied and are linked to wound healing as well as metastasis in cancer cells (Lawson et al., 2012). When extracellular signals, either chemical or physical, contact the cell surface it triggers a response that induces movement. If the signaling molecule is a growth factor (ex. Epidermal Growth Factor) it could activate a GTPase protein coupled receptor (GPCR). The next is a signal cascade often led by Rabs or Ras (small G-proteins) proteins that are powered by GTPase hydrolysis, which often recruits

Rosa laevigata Michx is a well-known medicinal plant, and it has been widely used in China for a long time. Previous studies revealed that the total flavonols fraction from the Rosa laevigata Michx has potent antioxidant, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective and antithrombotic activities through attenuating inflammation, suppression of apoptosis and altering mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways (114). Another study showed that Rosa laevigata Michx significantly ameliorates renal dysfunction

feedback or other regulatory proteins acting as GTPase-activating proteins being activated by Ras, which in turn accelerates the hydrolysis of GTP to GDP and subsequently prevents prolonged Ras stimulation signalling [31]. As mentioned earlier, GnRHR signals mainly via ERK and NFAT, therefore monitoring these two key aspects are essential during pulsatile and sustained stimulation. In Chapter 3, NFAT-EFP translocation assay was used as a downstream readout for cytoplasmic Ca2+ in LßT2 and HeLa cells.

Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) Introduction: CGRP belongs to calcitonin family of peptides which are of two types, α-CGRP (extensively studied) and β-CGRP. Alfa-CGRP is a 37-amino acid peptide that is produced from alternative splicing (1) of CGRP gene located on chromosome number 11. Beta-CGRP changes in 3 amino acids and encoded by a separate gene.(2) Synthesis: There are two forms of CGRP found, one is alfa CGRP and other is beta CGRP. Alfa CGRP contrast only by 3 amino acids but share

GSH is the major low-molecular-mass thiol in most cell types, and it plays a crucial role in the prevention of oxidative injury. It has been shown in numerous studies that GSH and cellular thiols are initial targets for HOCl (and the other hypohalous acids) with in cells. Early studies with RBCs showed that GSH was rapidly depleted on addition of HOCl, with upto 90% of the GSH lost shown to be converted to glutathione disulfide (GSSG) upon exposure to oxidant concentrations Z50 µM (Vissers et al

Introduction Since its discovery as a product of the alternate reading frame of the mouse Arf/Ink4a locus signals, the Arf tumor suppressor has been identified as a key sensor of hyperproliferative stimuli such as those originating from mutant Ras and c-Myc oncoproteins to prevent early stage cancer cells to undergo neoplastic transformation by inducing senescence or apoptosis (reviewed in Refs. 1, 2). p19Arf and p16Ink4a are transcribed from separate and unique first exons 1β and 1α (18 kilo base

Given the vital role of caspase activation in apoptotic cell death, blocking their function is a useful approach to find out whether apoptosis has a causal effect in triggering compensatory proliferation. In various species tissue regeneration was impaired if cell death was blocked with pan-caspase or effector caspase inhibitors (Fan and Bergmann 2008; Li et al. 2010; Ryoo and Bergmann 2012; Tseng et al. 2007). This approach has also been shown to ameliorate loss of neuronal cells and function after

The MCR1 gene provides instructions for making a protein called melanocortin 1 receptor. This receptor plays a major role when it comes to pigmentation. This receptor is located on cells that produce melanin called melanocytes. (https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/MC1R). Melanin is a substance that gives skin, hair, and eyes the color. Melanin is also found in the retina part of the eye, and it gives humans normal vision. Common variations (polymorphisms) in the MC1R gene are associated with normal differences

intracellular signalling pathways that result in crucial physiological processes. Cell signalling is an important process required for cellular activity, coordination and the normal growth and development of cells. GPCR’s transduce extracellular signals allowing them to respond to the extracellular environment [2]. All GPCR’s are coupled to a G protein which is heterotrimeric, meaning it contains three different G protein subunits: Gα, Gβ and Gγ. When an associated

Discovered in the early 1990s, ClCs are involved in a many physiological processes including regulating resting membrane potential in skeletal muscle, facilitation of transepithelial chloride reabsorption in kidneys and control of pH and chloride concentration in intracellular compartments through coupled Cl-/H+ exchange mechanisms [1]. The family consists of nine members, with ClC-1 and ClC-2 giving rise to substantial chloride currents, when expressed in Xenopus oocytes or transfected cells [2]