bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nutrition and somatomedin XXII: Molecular regulation of insulin-like growth factor-I during fasting and refeeding in rats
Authors: Goldstein S. , Harp J. B. , Phillips L. S. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
The liver is thought to be the locus of nutritional/hormonal regulation of circulating insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). To probe the basis of nutritional regulation, we examined changes in serum IGF-I, hepatic content of extractable IGF-I immunoreactivity (a high Mr putative precursor) and hepatic IGF-I mRNA during fasting and refeeding in rats.
Preliminary studies revealed that the hepatic level of IGF-I mRNA was consistently reduced only after food was withheld for 3 days, so the effects of refeeding were subsequently examined in such animals. After 3 days of fasting, animals lost 30% of their initial weight; weight regain was apparent within 3 h of refeeding ad libitum and, after 48 h, weight was comparable to initial fed levels. Fasting reduced levels of serum and extractable hepatic IGF-I to 19 and 26% of control (fed) values respectively (both P<0·005 vs control). There was no change in levels of serum IGF-I over the first 3 h of refeeding, but IGF-I rose above fasted levels at both 9 and 48 h (both P<0·005). Extractable hepatic IGF-I rose more slowly and was still below fasted levels after 9 h of refeeding, and modestly, but not significantly, greater than fasted levels after 48 h. The ratio of serum to hepatic IGF-I was decreased compared with control after 3 days of fasting, but increased after 3 and 9 h of refeeding (P<0·02 at 9 h).
Northern blot analysis of total hepatic RNA revealed four species of IGF-I mRNA 0·8–1·1, 2·0, 4·0 and 7·5 kb in size. Each mRNA species fell to 15–28% of control levels after 3 days of fasting (all P<0·001). There was a prompt increase in each transcript after 3 h of refeeding, and all values were significantly (P<0·05) greater than fasted levels at 9 h but, at 48 h, most species were still below control levels. Levels of mRNA for the cytoskeletal proteins β-actin and cyclophilin also fell with fasting, but were restored more rapidly than IGF-I mRNA, to or above control levels after 3 h of refeeding. The observation that IGF-I expression was decreased at 3 h when β-actin and cyclophilin were normalized suggests specificity of regulation. Despite the temporal incongruity between IGF-I mRNA and serum and hepatic IGF-I, there were highly significant correlations (all P<0·002) between each pair of parameters.
Since refeeding of fasted animals led to a rise in IGF-I mRNA which preceded rises in serum and hepatic IGF-I, our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that nutritional regulation of circulating IGF-I involves modulation at the level of hepatic IGF-I mRNA. The changes in the ratio of hepatic to serum IGF-I during fasting and refeeding indicate that there may also be regulation at the level of hepatic release.
Control of steroidogenesis by the calcium messenger system in human adrenocortical cells
Authors: Laird S. M. , Hinson J. P. , Vinson G. P. , Mallick N. , Kapas S. , Teja R. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
The involvement of the calcium messenger system in the control of steroidogenesis in the rat and bovine adrenal cortex has been studied extensively. However the role of these second messengers in the control of human adrenocortical function is not established. This was therefore studied by incubating collagenase-dispersed human adrenocortical cells with the calcium ionophore A23187 and the protein kinase C activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (TPA). The effects of the calcium channel blocker verapamil on basal and stimulated steroidogenesis were also studied.
Both TPA (1 pmol/l–10 μmol/l) and A23187 (1 nmol/l–10 μmol/l) caused a dose-dependent increase in cortisol, aldosterone and corticosterone production. Verapamil (10 μmol/l) inhibited the increase in aldosterone, corticosterone and cortisol produced in response to ACTH(1–24), potassium, and desacetyl-αMSH. Unlike previous results in the rat, these effects were not specific for aldosterone secretion.
The results suggest that, as in other species, calcium mobilization and protein kinase C activation have a role in the control of steroidogenesis in the human adrenal cortex. However, in contrast to the rat, these mechanisms appear to be involved in the control of steroidogenesis in both the zona glomerulosa and inner zone cells.
Cloning and characterization of a gene encoding pig epidermal growth factor
Authors: Pascall J. C. , Jones D. S. C. , Doel S. M. , Clements J. M. , Hunter M. , Fallon T. , Edwards M. , Brown K. D. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
A portion of the pig epidermal growth factor (EGF) gene has been isolated and characterized. The nucleotide sequencies of exons 20 and 21, which encode the EGF region of the precursor protein, show 85% similarity with the human EGF gene sequence. In addition, conservation of the intron—exon boundaries between the two species was generally observed. Although the pig exon 21 appeared to lack a single nucleotide at its 5′ end relative to the human gene, sequences obtained by direct amplification of the genomic DNA around the 5′ end of this exon using the polymerase chain reaction, and from a pig EGF cDNA recombinant isolated from a kidney library, indicated that the deletion was probably a cloning artifact. Comparison of the predicted amino acid sequence of pig EGF with that of EGF from other species, as well as with several other polypeptides which bind to the EGF receptor, indicated conservation of Gly18, Tyr37, Gly39 and Arg41 in addition to all six cysteine residues and Leu47, which are known to be critical for biological activity. A synthetic gene encoding the predicted amino acid sequence of pig EGF was expressed in yeast. The recombinant polypeptide was shown to compete with 125I-labelled mouse EGF for binding to cells and to stimulate DNA synthesis in quiescent monolayers of Swiss 3T3 cells.
Rat adrenal 5α-reductase mRNA content and enzyme activity are sex hormone dependent
Authors: Lephart E. D. , Simpson E. R. , Trzeciak W. H. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
To investigate the effects of sex hormones on 5α-reductase, we examined 5α-reductase mRNA content and enzyme activity in the adrenal cortex of peripubertal male and female rats. In male rats, the influence of castration or hormone-replacement treatment with dihydrotestosterone (5α-DHT) on 5α-reductase was assessed. To stimulate ovarian sex hormone production in immature female rats, the effect of a single injection of 5 IU pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) on 5α-reductase was examined. The efficacy of the treatments was demonstrated by measuring serum LH and ventral prostate weight in male rats, and serum oestradiol and ovarian weight in female rats. Growth hormone was also measured across all treatments in male and female rats. Adrenal 5α-reductase mRNA levels were determined by RNA blot analysis utilizing a rat 5α-reductase cDNA as probe. 5α-Reductase enzyme activity was estimated by isolating [ 3H]5α-DHT by thin-layer chromatography after incubation with [3H]testosterone. The identity of the [3H]5α-DHT formed was demonstrated by recrystallization of the derivatized DHT to constant specific activity. In controls, adrenal cortical 5α-reductase mRNA content was nearly four times higher in immature female rats compared with intact peripubertal males. Castration resulted in a sevenfold increase in adrenal 5α-reductase mRNA content compared with that in intact controls, while in DHT-injected castrated animals the mRNA level was nearly undetectable. The content of adrenal 5α-reductase mRNA in anoestrous rats was nearly four times higher than in PMSG-treated animals. Adrenal 5α-reductase activity was higher in immature female rats than in intact peripubertal males. Castrated rats displayed more than a threefold increase in 5α-reductase activity over that of controls, whereas the activity values were below controls in castrated animals treated with DHT. In immature female rats treated with PMSG, 5α-reductase activity decreased by 40% to that of anoestrous controls. These results indicate that in the rat adrenal cortex the content of mRNA encoding 5α-reductase is negatively regulated by sex hormones presumably at the transcriptional level. Suppression of the enzymatic activity of adrenal 5α-reductase by sex hormones is due to lower mRNA levels encoding this protein.
Expression of parathyroid hormone-related protein mRNA in the rat before birth: demonstration by hybridization histochemistry
Authors: Senior P. V. , Heath D. A. , Beck F. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
The ontogeny of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PTH-related protein (PTHrP) gene expression was studied by hybridization histochemistry in the rat at various stages between implantation and full term. PTHrP mRNA was demonstrable in the early post-implantation trophoblastic giant cells but disappeared from this site before 13·5 days. Localized gene expression, detectable by the in-situ technique, began between 12·5 and 15·5 days in embryonic tissues. The distribution of gene expression suggests that PTHrP may be concerned with the process of implantation. Its widespread, yet clearly localized, distribution in embryonic and fetal tissues is consistent with a paracrine or autocrine function which may relate to the transforming growth factor-β family of growth factors. PTH expression occurred solely in the parathyroid and was detectable in the fetal parathyroid at 13·5 days of gestation.
Multiple forms of angiotensin II receptors in rat tissues
Authors: Jimenez E. , Marsigliante S. , Barker S. , Hinson J. P. , Vinson G. P. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Angiotensin II (AII) receptors were identified in rat tissue membranes by specific binding of 125I-labelled AII. Using an isoelectric focusing technique, two forms of the high-affinity AII receptor were identified in rat adrenal zona glomerulosa and liver membranes. These migrated to isoelectric points (pI) 6.8 and 6.7. Two low-affinity forms migrated to pI 6.5 and 6.3. The two high-affinity forms were in greatest abundance in the zona glomerulosa, while the low-affinity pI 6.5 isoform was predominant in liver membranes. In uterine membranes both low-affinity isoforms were observed, but there was only one of the high-affinity forms (pI 6.7).
Concentrations of AII receptor isoforms were increased in the zona glomerulosa of sodium-deprived rats.
Reduction of disulphide bridges with dithiothreitol (DTT) had different effects on the various AII receptor isoforms. Thus 1 mmol DTT/l caused a twofold increase in 125I-labelled AII binding in zona glomerulosa membranes. DTT produced no appreciable differences in specific AII binding in uterine membranes, whereas there was a 50% reduction of binding in liver membranes. At 20mmol/1, DTT greatly decreased AII binding in all tissues.
The data suggest the existence of multiple forms of AII receptors which may have different functions.
The gene for the common α subunit of porcine pituitary glycoprotein hormone
Authors: Kato Y. , Ezashi T. , Hirai T. , Kato T. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
The gene for the common α subunit of the porcine anterior pituitary glycoprotein hormones was cloned from a genomic library constructed in EMBL3. The nucleotide sequence of the entire coding sequence of the porcine common α-subunit gene was determined in addition to one intron and 1059 and 160 bp of the 5′-and 3′-flanking regions respectively. Southern blot analysis of the porcine genomic DNA indicated that the common α-subunit gene is present as a single copy. The transcriptional unit of the porcine common α subunit spanned about 14kb and contained four exons interrupted by three introns of about 11.5, 1.2 and 0.4kb. The short untranslated sequence in the first exon and the location of the exon/intron junctions at amino acid residues +9/+10 and +71/+72 were highly conserved among the rat, human and bovine common α-subunit genes. In the proximal portion of the 5′-flanking region, one TATA box and one CCAAT box were present. A steroid-responsive element was not found up to 1059 bases upstream from the transcription start site. The potential AP-1 and AP-2 factor-responsive elements were present at three and one positions respectively in the 5′-flanking region. This feature suggests that hypothalamic gonadotrophin-releasing hormone stimulates the expression of the common α-subunit gene predominantly by a signal-transduction system, with the protein kinase C cascade and factors AP-1 and AP-2 as mediators. The cyclic AMP-responsive element was also present at two positions, but a single base substitution was found in each sequence compared with the consensus sequence. The porcine common α-subunit gene has a structure distinct from its counterparts, the porcine FSH-β and LH-β genes, reflecting differential control of their synthesis during gametogenesis.
Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone modulation of gonadotrophins in the ewe: evidence for differential effects on gene expression and hormone secretion
Authors: McNeilly J. R. , Brown P. , Clark A. J. , McNeilly A. S. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
While the regulation of gonadotrophin secretion by gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) has been well documented in both rats and sheep, its role in the synthesis of gonadotrophin subunits remains unclear. We have investigated the effects of the specific inhibition of GnRH by a GnRH agonist on the expression of gonadotrophin subunit genes and the subsequent storage and release of both intact hormones and free α subunit.
Treatment with GnRH agonist for 6 weeks abolished pulsatile LH secretion, reduced plasma concentrations of FSH and prevented GnRH-induced release of LH and FSH. This was associated with a reduction of pituitary LH-β mRNA and FSH-β mRNA levels (to 5 and 30% of luteal control values respectively), but not α mRNA which was significantly increased (75% above controls). While there was a small decrease in the pituitary content of FSH (30% of controls), there was a drastic reduction in LH pituitary content (3% of controls). In contrast to the observed rise in α mRNA, there was a decrease in free α subunit in both the pituitary and plasma (to 30 and 80% of control levels).
These results suggest that, while GnRH positively regulates the expression of both gonadotrophin β-subunit genes, it can, under certain circumstances, negatively regulate α-subunit gene expression. Despite the complete absence of LH and FSH in response to GnRH, there remained a basal level of β-subunit gene expression and only a modest reduction (50%) in the plasma levels of both FSH and LH, suggesting that there is a basal secretory pathway. The dramatic reduction in LH pituitary content indicates that GnRH is required for the operation of a regulatory/storage pathway for the secretion of LH. There appears to be no similar mechanism for FSH. The LH-specific pathway is probably dependent upon the availability of LH-β subunits which subsequently plays a role in regulating α subunit by sequestering, assembling and storing the intact hormone in the presence of GnRH. Finally, in the absence of responsiveness to GnRH, the regulation of α-subunit production is not at the level of gene transcription. Inefficient translation of the mRNA or rapid degradation of the free α chain may account for the observed dramatic decrease in production of α subunit.
Modulation of the functional properties of human thyrocytes in monolayer or follicle culture: effects of some anaesthetic drugs
Authors: Massart C. , Le Tellier C. , Mallédant Y. , Leclech G. , Nicol M. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
It is well known that some volatile anaesthetic drugs, such as halothane and isoflurane, alter the functions of the human thyroid gland, but the action of other anaesthetic drugs, such as thiopental, midazolam and ketamine, on thyroid function is still unknown. We have investigated the effects of these three drugs on the functional properties of human thyrocytes cultured in monolayers or follicles and stimulated by TSH. Thiopental, midazolam and ketamine induced total suppression or a partial reduction, depending on the dose administered, of cyclic AMP (cAMP), follicular thyroglobulin (Tg) and free tri-iodothyronine (FT3) production. In contrast, free thyroxine levels increased in the medium of thyrocytes cultured as follicles. Small doses of the drugs did not affect thyrocyte production. The inhibiting effect of thiopental, midazolam and ketamine on Tg and FT3 production seems to result from the inhibition of cAMP production and 5′-deiodinase.
Involvement of calmodulin in depolarization-induced release of corticotrophin-releasing hormone-41 from the rat hypothalamus in vitro
Authors: Tsagarakis S. , Rees L. H. , Besser G. M. , Grossman A. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
We have employed an acute explant system of the rat hypothalamus in vitro, as previously described, to examine the role of calcium and calmodulin in the release of corticotrophin-releasing hormone-41 (CRH-41). Release of CRH-41, as determined by radioimmunoassay, was stimulated in a dose-dependent manner by the membrane-depolarizing agents KCl and veratridine. Stimulation was also observed with the calcium ionophore A23187. The calcium channel blocker verapamil (1–100 μmol/l) inhibited both KCl-and veratridine-induced release in a dose-dependent manner (maximum inhibition of 75% and 60% respectively), thus providing further evidence that calcium entry is required for secretion of CRH-41 following membrane depolarization. Trifluoperazine (1–100 μmol/1), an inhibitor of calmodulin—calcium interaction, decreased both KCl- and veratridine-evoked CRH-41 secretion in a dose-dependent fashion (maximum inhibition of 50% and 30% respectively). Similarly, phenytoin, a calmodulin-dependent kinase inhibitor, in the concentration range of 1–100 μmol/1, also decreased depolarization-induced CRH-41 release in a dose-dependent manner. The basal release of CRH-41 was unaffected by either treatment. Finally, both calmodulin inhibitors (10 μmol/l) decreased CRH-41 release induced by the calcium ionophore A23187 (10 μmol/l).
These data provide evidence for the role of calcium in membrane depolarization-induced stimulus-secretion coupling of rat hypothalamic CRH-41. Furthermore, inhibition of the stimulatory responses by two separate classes of calmodulin inhibitors suggests a role for calmodulin, at least in part, in this process.
TRI-IODOTHYRONINE INCREASES INTRA-CELLULAR CALCIUM LEVELS IN SINGLE RAT MYOCYTES
Authors: Lomax R.B. , Cobbold P.H. , Allshire A.P. , Cuthbertson K.S.R. , Robertson W.R. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
We have studied the effects of acute administration of tri-iodothyronine (T3) on cytosolic free calcium levels [Ca2+]i in single rat myocytes microinjected with aequorin. Ventricular myocytes were isolated by perfusing rat hearts with collagenase, and healthy, rod-shaped cells were injected to <1% of their volume with aequorin. The photons emitted from single cells were measured and a conversion to [Ca2+]i made on the basis of an in vitro calibration after the remaining aequorin had been discharged by cell lysis. Only cells that depolarized reversibly (showing elevated [Ca2+]i levels) when superfused with 80mM KC1, and which gave a substantial signal on lysis with distilled water were used. The [Ca2+]i rose from a resting value of 150±56nM (mean ± SD, n=14) by 127±47nM on depolarization with 80mM KC1. Application of T3 (1-100nM) led to an increase (P<0.05) in [Ca2+]i (mean amplitude of 152±35nM) before returning to baseline. The median duration of these events was 10 min (range = 1.4-34.4 min). The time to response was shorter when lOOnM T3 was applied (median and range; 6.8, 0-14 min) than when 1nM T3 was used (16, 7.0-56.1 min) (P<0.05). To conclude, physiological concentrations of thyroid hormones caused rapid but transient stimulation of [Ca2+]i in single rat myocytes.
Biosynthesis of corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) in mouse corticotrophic tumour cells expressing the human proCRH gene: intracellular storage and regulated secretion
Authors: Castro M. G. , Brooke J. , Bullman A. , Hannah M. , Glynn B. P. , Lowry P. J. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
The mouse corticotrophic tumour cell line AtT-20 naturally synthesizes pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) which is proteolytically processed to N-POMC(1–76), ACTH, β-lipotrophin and β-endorphin. The processed products are stored in secretory vesicles and released upon stimulation with specific secretagogues. ArT-20 cells which have been stably transfected with the human corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) gene store and secrete immunoreactive CRH. The present results demonstrate that the CRH precursor is proteolytically processed in the transfected cells to yield the 41 amino acid neuropeptide CRH(1–41). On stimulation with the secretagogue noradrenaline, CRH(1–41) was released into the medium, while the precursor was not. Whilst treatment of wild-type ArT-20 cells with exogenous CRH(1–41) (1 nm) caused a fourfold stimulation of ACTH release above basal levels, the peptide had no effect on ACTH release from the stably transfected cells R1 and R4. These results suggest that the endogenous CRH produced by the transfected R1 and R4 cells may cause down-regulation of their CRH receptors, and thus exogenous CRH cannot cause further stimulation of ACTH release in these cells. We propose that the CRH precursor is correctly processed in the transfected AtT-20 cells (R1 and R4) and that the foreign prohormone is sorted into the secretory pathway.
Intracellular signalling in the ovine pars tuberalis: an investigation using aluminium fluoride and melatonin
Authors: Morgan P. J. , Hastings M. H. , Thompson M. , Barrett P. , Lawson W. , Davidson G. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
The effect of aluminium fluoride (AlF4−) has been studied on inositol phosphate accumulation, calcium mobilization, cyclic AMP production and [2-125I]iodomelatonin binding in ovine pars tuberalis cells. These cells have high-affinity receptors for, and respond to, melatonin through inhibition of forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase. In the presence of 10 mm LiCl, AlF4− stimulated the net accumulation of inositol monophosphate and inositol bisphosphate. Consistent with these findings, AlF4− increased intracellular calcium; although this response was attenuated in calcium-depleted medium, indicating that the calcium response comprises both intracellular and extracellular components. Melatonin was ineffective on either basal or AlF4−-stimulated turnover of inositol phosphates. In concordance with the inositol phosphate response, melatonin had no effect on either the AlF4−-stimulated or the basal calcium levels. AlF4− blocked the increase in cyclic AMP stimulation by l μm forskolin, being as effective as melatonin, achieving approximately 90% inhibition. AlF4− also attenuated the binding of [2-125I]iodomelatonin to ovine pars tuberalis membranes by 15%. At the concentration used, these results are consistent with the interpretation that AlF4− activates many G protein-mediated responses, and thus imply that the inhibitory pathway for cyclic AMP predominates over the stimulatory arm, whereas there can only be a stimulatory pathway linked to phosphoinositide metabolism in ovine pars tuberalis cells.