PKA Pathway (pka + pathway)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Pituitary adenylyl cyclase-activating polypeptide controls the proliferation of retinal progenitor cells through downregulation of cyclin D1

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 3 2010
Brian Njaine
Abstract During retinal development, cell proliferation and exit from the cell cycle must be precisely regulated to ensure the generation of the appropriate numbers and proportions of the various retinal cell types. Previously, we showed that pituitary adenylyl cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) exerts a neuroprotective effect in the developing retina of rats, through the cAMP,cAMP-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase A) (PKA) pathway. Here, we show that PACAP also regulates the proliferation of retinal progenitor cells. PACAP, PACAP-specific receptor (PAC1), and the receptors activated by both PACAP and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), VPAC1 and VPAC2, are expressed during embryonic and postnatal development of the rat retina. Treatment of retinal explants with PACAP38 reduced the incorporation of [3H]thymidine as well as the number of 5-bromo-2,-deoxyuridine-positive and cyclin D1-positive cells. Pharmacological experiments indicated that PACAP triggers this antiproliferative effect through the activation of both PAC1 and VPACs, and the cAMP,PKA pathway. In addition, PACAP receptor activation decreased both cyclin D1 mRNA and protein content. Altogether, the data support the hypothesis that PACAP is a cell-extrinsic regulator with multiple roles during retinal development, including the regulation of proliferation in a subpopulation of retinal progenitor cells. [source]


Glucose sensing in the intestinal epithelium

FEBS JOURNAL, Issue 16 2003
Jane Dyer
Dietary sugars regulate expression of the intestinal Na+/glucose cotransporter, SGLT1, in many species. Using sheep intestine as a model, we showed that lumenal monosaccharides, both metabolisable and nonmetabolisable, regulate SGLT1 expression. This regulation occurs not only at the level of transcription, but also at the post-transcriptional level. Introduction of d -glucose and some d -glucose analogues into ruminant sheep intestine resulted in >,50-fold enhancement of SGLT1 expression. We aimed to determine if transport of sugar into the enterocytes is required for SGLT1 induction, and delineate the signal-transduction pathways involved. A membrane impermeable d -glucose analogue, di(glucos-6-yl)poly(ethylene glycol) 600, was synthesized and infused into the intestines of ruminant sheep. SGLT1 expression was determined using transport studies, Northern and Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. An intestinal cell line, STC-1, was used to investigate the signalling pathways. Intestinal infusion with di(glucos-6-yl)poly(ethylene glycol) 600 led to induction of functional SGLT1, but the compound did not inhibit Na+/glucose transport into intestinal brush-border membrane vesicles. Studies using cells showed that increased medium glucose up-regulated SGLT1 abundance and SGLT1 promoter activity, and increased intracellular cAMP levels. Glucose-induced activation of the SGLT1 promoter was mimicked by the protein kinase A (PKA) agonist, 8Br-cAMP, and was inhibited by H-89, a PKA inhibitor. Pertussis toxin, a G-protein (Gi)-specific inhibitor, enhanced SGLT1 protein abundance to levels observed in response to glucose or 8Br-cAMP. We conclude that lumenal glucose is sensed by a glucose sensor, distinct from SGLT1, residing on the external face of the lumenal membrane. The glucose sensor initiates a signalling pathway, involving a G-protein-coupled receptor linked to a cAMP,PKA pathway resulting in enhancement of SGLT1 expression. [source]


Role of Protein Kinases in the Prolactin-Induced Intracellular Calcium Rise in Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells Expressing the Prolactin Receptor

JOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 9 2000
B. Sorin
Abstract There is still only limited understanding of the early steps of prolactin signal transduction in target cells. It has been shown that prolactin actions are associated with cell protein phosphorylation, Ca2+ increases, and so on. However, the link between the activation of kinases and calcium influx or intracellular Ca2+ mobilization has not yet been clearly established. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, stably transfected with the long form of rabbit mammary gland prolactin receptor (PRL-R) cDNA were used for PRL-R signal transduction studies. Spectrofluorimetric techniques were used to measure intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) in cell populations with Indo1 as a calcium fluorescent probe. We demonstrate that, although protein kinase C activation (PMA or DiC8) caused a calcium influx in CHO cells, prolactin-induced PKC activation was not responsible for the early effect of prolactin on [Ca2+]i. Activation of protein kinase A (PKA) or protein kinase G did not modify [Ca2+]i and inhibition of PKA pathway did not affect the prolactin response. In the same way, phosphatidylinositol-3 kinaseinhibition had no effect on the prolactin-induced Ca2+ increase. On the other hand, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (herbimycin A, lavendustin A, and genistein) completely blocked the effect of prolactin on [Ca2+]i (influx and release). W7, a calmodulin-antagonist, and a specific inhibitor of calmodulin kinases (KN-62), only blocked prolactin-induced Ca2+ influx but had no significant effect on Ca2+ release. Using pharmacological agents, we present new data concerning the involvement of protein phosphorylations in the early effects of prolactin on ionic channels in CHO cells expressing the long form of PRL-R. Our results suggest that, at least in the very early steps of prolactin signal transduction, serine-threonine phosphorylation does not participate in the prolactin-induced calcium increase. On the other hand, tyrosine phosphorylation is a crucial, very early step, since it controls K+ channel activation, calcium influx, and intracellular calcium mobilization. Calmodulin acts later, since its inhibition only blocks the prolactin-induced Ca2+ influx. [source]


Parathyroid hormone stimulates the endothelial expression of vascular endothelial growth factor

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION, Issue 11 2008
G. Rashid
ABSTRACT Background, We showed previously that parathyroid hormone (PTH) may stimulate the endothelial expression of pro-atherosclerotic and pro-inflammatory markers. Considering the impact of PTH on vasculature, we decided to evaluate its effect on mRNA and intra-cellular protein expressions of endothelial vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) taking into account that VEGF may play a role in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunctions. Materials and methods, Human umbilical vein cords endothelial cells (HUVEC) were stimulated for 24 h with 10,12,10,10 mol L,1 PTH. The VEGF-165 mRNA expression (critical in stimulating endothelial cell proliferation) was evaluated by RT/PCR and the intra-cellular VEGF protein expression by flow cytometry. The pathways by which PTH may have an effect on VEGF expression were also evaluated. Results, PTH (10,10 mol L,1) significantly increased VEGF-165 mRNA expression (P < 0·05). The addition of 50 nmol L,1 protein kinase C (PKC) and 10 µmol L,1 protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitors significantly reduced the VEGF-165 mRNA expression (P = 0·01). We also examined whether nitric oxide (NO) may be involved in the PTH-induced stimulation of VEGF-165 expression. Pre-treatment of the cells with 200 µmol L-nitro arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, NO synthase inhibitor) was found to inhibit VEGF-165 mRNA expression (P = 0·006). VEGF protein could not be detected in the medium of HUVEC but it was present in the cell cytoplasm. PTH had no significant effect on cytoplasmatic VEGF protein expression. Conclusion, The stimulatory effect of PTH on endothelial VEGF-165 mRNA expression is partly through PKC and PKA pathways and is also NO dependent. [source]