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Rho-kinase Activity (rho-kinase + activity)
Selected AbstractsMyosin IIA is required for neurite outgrowth inhibition produced by repulsive guidance moleculeJOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 1 2008Takekazu Kubo Abstract Although myelin-associated neurite outgrowth inhibitors express their effects through RhoA/Rho-kinase, the downstream targets of Rho-kinase remain unknown. We examined the involvement of myosin II, which is one of the downstream targets of Rho-kinase, by using blebbistatin , a specific myosin II inhibitor , and small interfering RNA targeting two myosin II isoforms, namely, MIIA and MIIB. We found that neurite outgrowth inhibition by repulsive guidance molecule (RGMa) was mediated via myosin II, particularly MIIA, in cerebellar granule neurons. RGMa induced myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation by a Rho-kinase-dependent mechanism. After spinal cord injury in rats, phosphorylated MLC in axons around the lesion site was up-regulated, and this effect depends on Rho-kinase activity. Further, RGMa-induced F-actin reduction in growth cones and growth cone collapse were mediated by MIIA. We conclude that Rho-kinase-dependent activation of MIIA via MLC phosphorylation induces F-actin reduction and growth cone collapse and the subsequent neurite retraction/outgrowth inhibition triggered by RGMa. [source] Erectile Function in Two-Kidney, One-Clip Hypertensive Rats is Maintained by a Potential Increase in Nitric Oxide ProductionTHE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue S3 2009A. Elizabeth Linder PhD ABSTRACT Introduction., Hypertension is closely associated with erectile dysfunction (ED) as it has been observed in many experimental models of hypertension. Additionally, epidemiological studies show that approximately a third of hypertensive patients have ED. Aim., To test the hypothesis that the two-kidney, one-clip (2K-1C) rat model of hypertension displays normal erectile function due to increased nitric oxide (NO) production in the penis. Methods., Ganglionic-induced increase in intracavernosal pressure (ICP)/mean arterial pressure (MAP) ratio was used as an index of erectile function in 2K-1C and in normotensive sham-operated (SHAM) anesthetized rats. Cavernosal strips from hypertensive and normotensive rats were used for isometric tension measurement. The contraction induced by alpha-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine and the relaxation induced by the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and by the Rho-kinase inhibitor Y-27632 were performed in the absence and in the presence of the NO synthase inhibitor N, -nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA). Results., Changes in ICP/MAP induced by ganglionic stimulation were not different between 2K-1C and SHAM rats. The contractile response induced by phenylephrine as well as the relaxation induced by SNP or the Y-27632 were similar in cavernosal strips from both groups. However, in the presence of L-NNA, the relaxation induced by Y-27632 was significantly impaired in 2K-1C compared to SHAM. Conclusions., These data suggest that hypertension and ED could be dissociated from high levels of blood pressure in some animal models of hypertension. Erectile function in 2K-1C hypertensive rats is maintained in spite of the increased Rho-kinase activity by increased NO signaling. Linder AE, Dorrance AM, Mills TM, Webb RC, and Leite R. Erectile function in two-kidney, one-clip hypertensive rats is maintained by a potential increase in nitric oxide production. J Sex Med 2009;6(suppl 3):279,285. [source] BXL-628, a vitamin D receptor agonist effective in benign prostatic hyperplasia treatment, prevents RhoA activation and inhibits RhoA/Rho kinase signaling in rat and human bladderTHE PROSTATE, Issue 3 2007Annamaria Morelli Abstract BACKGROUND BXL-628 is a calcitriol analog shown to decrease prostate growth in preclinical and clinical studies. BPH symptoms are generated not only by prostate overgrowth but also by bladder overactivity, resulting from an increased RhoA/Rho-kinase signaling. Because bladder smooth muscle cells express VDR, we studied effects of BXL-628 on this pathway. METHODS RhoA and Rho-kinase gene expression and functional activity were studied in rat and human bladder smooth muscle by real-time RT-PCR, immuno-kinase assays, western blot analysis, confocal microscopy, in vitro contractility, and cell migration. RESULTS In bladder smooth muscle, carbachol responsiveness was delayed and Rho-kinase activity reduced by BXL-628 treatment because of impaired RhoA membrane translocation and activation. Accordingly, RhoA-mediated biological functions, such as cell migration and cytoskeleton remodeling were also inhibited by BXL-628. CONCLUSIONS BXL-628 inhibits RhoA/Rho-kinase signaling, a calcium sensitizing pathway, suggesting its possible clinical use in the treatment of altered bladder contractility often associated with BPH-induced lower urinary tract symptoms. Prostate 67:234,247, 2007. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Role of protein kinases in mediating diabetes-induced augmented vasoconstriction to endothelin-1 in the renal arteries of STZ-diabetic ratsCELL BIOCHEMISTRY AND FUNCTION, Issue 5 2006Mariam H. M. Yousif Abstract Diabetes is associated with increased reactivity of the renal vascular bed to endothelin-1 (ET-1). It has been observed that diabetes is associated with over-expression of ETA - and ETB -receptors in the rat renal cortex. However it is not known if these receptors are over-expressed in the renal artery. The objectives of this study were to determine changes in ET-1 receptors and signalling pathways in diabetic renal arteries, to determine the relative roles of protein kinase C and tyrosine kinase activation in mediating these responses and to investigate the role of Rho-kinase activity in mediating the vasoconstrictor responses to ET-1. This study was performed on isolated renal artery segments obtained from STZ-diabetic rats. Results from this study showed that the vasoconstrictor response to ET-1 was potentiated in the diabetic renal artery segments compared to the control animals. Using selective ET-1 receptor antagonists, BQ123 and BQ788, the enhanced ET-1-induced vasoconstriction was shown in this study not to be related to changes in receptor affiinity or receptor subtype distribution. However, the augmented vasoconstrictor response to ET-1 in the diabetic renal artery preparations may be related to increased influx of Ca2+ through L-type channels and also to increased tyrosine kinase activity. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | |||||||||||||