bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Procholecystokinin and proenkephalin A mRNA expression is modulated by cyclic AMP and noradrenaline
Authors: Monstein H. J. , Folkesson R. , Geijer T. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Regulation of the expression of procholecystokinin (proCCK) and proenkephalin A mRNA was studied in the human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-MC. Cells were treated with dibutyryl-3′,5′-cyclic AMP (dbcAMP), noradrenaline or isoproterenol, a β-adrenoceptor agonist. Levels of proCCK and proenkephalin A mRNA were determined by Northern blot analysis with proCCK- and proenkephalin A-specific cRNA hybridization probes 9 h after drug treatments. ProCCK and proenkephalin A mRNA were co-expressed in SK-N-MC cells. ProCCK mRNA levels were increased 1·5–2·5 times by dbcAMP, noradrenaline and isoproterenol when compared with controls. The level of proenkephalin A mRNA increased approximately two to three times under the same drug conditions, whereas the level of N-myc mRNA did not change significantly. These results suggest that expression of proCCK and proenkephalin A mRNA may be regulated by a similar cAMP-dependent mechanism in the SK-N-MC cell line.
Developmental and hormonal regulation of a mouse mammary tumour virus glycoprotein in normal mouse mammary epithelium
Authors: Bolander F. F. , Blackstone M. E. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
A radioimmunoassay was developed and validated for the major glycoprotein (gp58) of the mouse mammary tumour virus (MMTV). Using this assay, the expression of gp58 during pregnancy and lactation was found to parallel that for MMTV RNA. In particular, there was a very rapid induction in late pregnancy and a decline in late lactation, although some residual expression persisted well into involution. In cultures of normal mouse mammary tissue, induction of gp58 occurred after a 24-h lag period and began to reach a plateau after 3 days. Both the insulin and prolactin dose—response curves for gp58 resembled those for MMTV RNA; in contrast, the effects of steroid hormones on gp58 and MMTV RNA were disparate. Although progesterone stimulated the RNA, it only slightly increased gp58 levels; however, the presence of cortisol greatly augmented this stimulation, despite the inability of cortisol to induce RNA at physiological concentrations. These results suggest that insulin, prolactin and progesterone act primarily at the level of RNA accumulation in normal mammary epithelium, while cortisol affects some more distal event.
Thyroidal inhibition of growth hormone secretion in fowl: tri-iodothyronine-induced down-regulation of thyrotrophin-releasing hormone-binding sites on pituitary membranes
Authors: Harvey S. , Baidwan J. S. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
The number, but not affinity, of binding sites for [3H]3-methyl-histidine2-TRH ([3H]Me-TRH) on chicken adenohypophysial plasma membranes was increased in chickens made hypothyroid by goitrogen (methimazole) treatment (50 mg/kg per day for 7 days), which also increased circulating GH concentrations. Daily i.p. injection of thyroxine (T4; 100 μg/kg for 7 days) had no effect on [3H]Me-TRH binding to pituitary membranes, although it suppressed endogenous GH secretion. Binding of [3H]Me-TRH to pituitary caudal lobe membranes was, however, suppressed by tri-iodothyronine (T3) injected chronically (100 μg/kg per day, i.p., for 7 days) or acutely (100 μg/kg, 2 h before being killed). The suppression of [3H]Me-TRH binding and inhibition of GH secretion following T3 administration was dose related. Binding of [3H]Me-TRH to caudal lobe membranes was also suppressed following the incubation of pituitary glands with T3 in vitro, and the response was both dose and time related.
These results suggest that T3 inhibits GH secretion in fowl by a down-regulation of pituitary TRH receptors. However, other mechanisms are involved in thyroidal inhibition of GH release in birds, since T4 had no effects on [3H]Me-TRH binding yet suppressed GH secretion in vivo.
Expression of the human pro-opiomelanocortin gene introduced into a rat glial cell line
Authors: Usui T. , Nakai Y. , Tsukada T. , Takahashi H. , Fukata J. , Naito Y. , Nakaishi S. , Tominaga T. , Murakami N. , Imura H. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
A fragment of human genomic DNA containing the entire pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) gene was introduced by transfection into the rat glial cell line C6. Blot analysis using poly(A)-rich RNA from the transformed C6 cells showed several hybridization bands. One band was similar in size (1·2 kb) to the POMC mRNA of human pituitary, while two were larger (2·6 and 2·2 kb) and the fourth smaller (800 bp). S1 nuclease mapping revealed that the POMC transcripts in transformed C6 cells were similar to those in non-pituitary tissues. Immunoreactive ACTH (ir-ACTH) was measurable in both the culture medium and cells. Gel chromatography showed that ir-ACTH in the medium eluted at a position identical to that of so-called big ACTH (approximately 40 kDa) which is found in the plasma of patients with ectopic ACTH syndrome. The human POMC gene could thus be expressed in the non-pituitary rat glial cell line C6, although the transcripts and translation products in C6 cells differ from those in the human pituitary. These results suggest that the transformed C6 cell may be a useful tool for studying the regulation of human POMC gene expression in non-pituitary cells.
MULTIPLE DNA ELEMENTS DETERMINE BASAL AND THYROID HORMONE REGULATED EXPRESSION OF THE HUMAN GLYCOPROTEIN α SUBUNIT GENE IN PITUITARY CELLS
Authors: Balfour N.J. , Franklyn J.A. , Gurr J.A. , Sheppard M.C. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Basal and thyroid hormone-regulated expression of constructs containing varying lengths of 5′ flanking sequence of the human glycoprotein hormone α subunit gene ligated to the reporter gene encoding chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) were examined in transfected pituitary GH3 cells. CAT gene expression was quantified by measurement of CAT enzyme activity. In addition, an RNase protection assay was used to confirm changes in CAT mRNA levels and to verify regulation of transcription from the authentic α gene start site. The pattern of basal α promoter activity indicated the presence of inhibitory DNA elements between −98 and −172 and upstream of −846 relative to the transcriptional start site, as well as a stimulatory element between −346 and −846. Each of the transfected constructs exhibited tri-iodothyronine inhibition of α promoter activity, suggesting the presence of an inhibitory thyroid hormone response element within 98 bp of the α gene transcriptional start site.
Desensitization of thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH)-induced growth hormone secretion in chickens: coincident down-regulation of TRH binding to pituitary membranes
Authors: Harvey S. , Baidwan J. S. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Release of GH is stimulated by TRH in chickens. However, for 60 min following a priming injection of TRH, a second injection of TRH is unable to provoke further GH release. TRH binds to the plasma membranes of the pituitary caudal lobe, in which somatotrophs predominate, although the magnitude of [3H]3-methyl-histidine2-TRH ([3H]Me-TRH) binding was reduced (by 25–50%) 30 min after the i.v. administration of a dose of TRH (5 μg/kg maximally effective in provoking GH release. A significant reduction in [3H]Me-TRH binding to caudal lobe membranes was also observed within 15 min of TRH administration and was maintained for at least 60 min. Control levels of [3H]Me-TRH binding were restored 2 h after TRH injection, coincident with the restoration of GH responsiveness to TRH challenge. The suppression of [3H]Me-TRH binding to pituitary membranes 30 min after in-vivo TRH administration was dose related, whereas the maximal (10 min) GH response to TRH was biphasic. The suppression of [3H]Me-TRH binding to chicken pituitary membranes was due to direct pituitary actions of TRH and could be induced by a 30-min exposure to 100 nm TRH in vitro.
These results demonstrate that avian pituitary TRH-binding sites differ greatly from mammalian ones in the timing of the onset and duration of down-regulation. Pituitary TRH-binding sites in birds are rapidly and transiently down-regulated following TRH administration in vivo, coincident with the period of GH refractoriness to TRH challenge.
Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of the cDNA for the putative β subunit of the type-II gonadotrophin from the European eel
Authors: Quérat B. , Moumni M. , Jutisz M. , Fontaine Y.A. , Counis R. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Oestradiol treatment enhances type-II gonadotrophin (GTH-II) synthesis in the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) at the silver stage. As a first step in studying the molecular mechanisms involved in this stimulation, we cloned and characterized the cDNA encoding the β subunit of eel GTH-II.
A cDNA library was constituted in λgt10 from oestradiol-treated eels. It was screened using an oligodeoxyribonucleotide mixed probe designed to be complementary to a highly conserved region of cDNAs from several LH-related β subunits. Several clones were obtained and four were subcloned in pUC13 and sequenced. The longest clones comprised a 420 bp coding sequence, plus 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions of 36 and 172 bp respectively. Comparison with GTH-II from other teleost fish permitted the localization of the putative cleavage site of a 24 amino acid signal peptide. The resulting 116 amino acid apopeptide had well-conserved cysteine positions and a putative N-linked glycosylation site; homology was 70–80% with GTH–II from other fish, 45% with LH from mammals and birds, 38% with mammalian FSH and only 35% with fish GTH-I. Preliminary results indicated a strong positive effect of oestradiol treatment on the level of the putative GTH-II β-subunit mRNA. This supports our proposal that the European eel provides a suitable model for studying the positive regulation of gonadotrophin synthesis by gonadal steroids.
Absence of specific cell-surface binding of tissue plasminogen activator in uterine cells
Authors: Ayub M. , Jenkins N. , White J. O. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), an arginine-specific serine protease, is an oestrogen-regulated protein in uterine and breast cancer tissue. It contains a domain which shares homology with epidermal growth factor (EGF).
The aim of the present study was to determine whether specific tPA receptors or EGF receptors mediate the binding of tPA to cells and whether tPA possesses intrinsic mitogenic activity. The binding of 125I-labelled tPA to rat uterine and liver membranes was shown to be non-specific and could not be displaced by unlabelled tPA or EGF. Furthermore, acid washing of cell membranes did not unmask specific tPA-binding sites. In contrast, 125I-labelled EGF binding to both rat uterine and liver membranes was displaced in a dose-dependent manner by unlabelled EGF, and Scatchard analysis of the binding data revealed dissociation constant (Kd) values of 2·4 and 0·71 nm respectively. Unlabelled tPA (up to 20 000-fold excess) did not displace 125I-labelled EGF binding to these membranes.
A study of the binding of 125I-labelled tPA and 125I-labelled EGF to endometrial carcinoma cells (Ishikawa), cervical carcinoma cells (HOG-1) and vulval carcinoma cells (A431) showed that up to a 100-fold excess of EGF or a 1000-fold excess of tPA did not displace 125I-labelled tPA binding to these cells. In contrast, 125I-labelled EGF binding was displaced by unlabelled EGF (Kd values for Ishikawa and HOG-1 cells were 2·72 and 1·92 nm respectively) but not by unlabelled tPA (1000-fold excess).
Treatment of Ishikawa and HOG-1 cells with EGF (20 ng/ml) for up to 6 days stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation 1·3- to 2-fold and 3·5- to 4·7-fold respectively. Human recombinant tPA (10 IU/ml) was without effect on both cell lines over 6 days of treatment.
It was concluded that although tPA contains an EGF-like domain it does not bind specifically to membrane preparations from rat uterine or liver cells or to cultured uterine cancer cells, and does not displace bound 125I-labelled EGF. Furthermore, tPA does not have mitogenic properties similar to those of EGF.
Molecular cloning and DNA sequence analysis of preproinsulin genes in the NON mouse, an animal model of human non-obese, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
Authors: Sawa T. , Ohgaku S. , Morioka H. , Yano S. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Two insulin genes of the NON mouse, an animal model of human non-obese, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, were isolated and characterized to examine the hypothesis that these genes are structurally different from those of normal mice. The NON mouse was found to have two non-allelic insulin genes, as does the normal mouse, and no structural differences were found between the normal and NON mouse in the nucleotide sequence of the insulin gene, including that of the 5′-transcriptional regulatory region, and in the deduced amino acid sequence. There was, however, an additional 113 bp sequence and seven point mutations in a further 5′-flanking region, and three point mutations in the 3′-flanking region of the insulin II gene. We conclude that reduced expression of insulin genes in the NON mouse is not due to the structural change in the known transcriptional regulatory region, although the effect on insulin II gene expression of an additional sequence upstream of the 5′-flanking region, as the negative regulatory factor, remains to be elucidated.
Characterization and cloning of a bovine insulin-like growth factor-binding protein
Authors: Upton F. Z. , Szabo L. , Wallace J. C. , Ballard F. J. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
The primary structure of the insulin-like growth factor-binding protein (IGFBP) produced by the bovine kidney cell line, MDBK, has been deduced from the cDNA clone. The MDBK binding protein precursor consists of a hydrophobic pre-peptide of at least 26 amino acids and a mature protein of 284 amino acids. The predicted protein sequence shares extensive sequence similarity with both the rat (82%) and human (89%) IGFBP-2s, so that the MDBK binding protein is clearly the bovine counterpart of IGFBP-2. The protein has limited similarity with classes 1 (31%) and 3 (31%) human IGFBPs, except that all 18 cysteine residues are conserved. Other features deduced from the bovine IGFBP-2 cDNA include: an abundance of leucine in the pre-peptide, an Arg-Gly-Asp sequence, absence of N-linked glycosylation sites, and an imperfect polyadenylation signal as well as an ATTTA motif in the 3′ non-coding DNA. Western blotting indicated that this binding protein is widely distributed in bovine fluids as well as in media conditioned by bovine cell lines. Proteins immunologically related to bovine IGFBP-2 were detected not only in sheep, but also in chickens, indicating that this IGFBP is not exclusively mammalian.
Association of glucocorticoid receptors with prostate nuclear sites for androgen receptors and with androgen response elements
Authors: Davies P. , Rushmere N. K. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Ventral prostate glands of intact normal rats contained low levels (2500 molecules/cell) of high-affinity (dissociation constant (Kd) 0·57 nmol/l) glucocorticoid receptors (GR). Levels of GR increased 2·8-fold 1 day after castration, and 4·3-fold 3 days after castration. Nuclear GR increased from a normal value of 1150 molecules/nucleus to 5200 molecules/nucleus 3 days after castration. The greater increase in intranuclear GR was in that associated with oligomeric chromatin. Although nuclear GR never approached the normal population of nuclear androgen receptors (AR; approximately 16000 molecules/nucleus), the selective rise in chromatin-associated receptors ensured that almost 60% of chromatin sites remained occupied. GR associated with prostate nuclear structures in a similar manner to AR, and exogenous GR bound saturably and with high affinity (Kd 100 pmol/1) to a similar number of sites as did AR. Both steroid receptors apparently competed for the same sites. In DNA—cellulose competition analyses, synthetic oligonucleotides containing glucocorticoid response elements or putative androgen response elements competed similarly against immobilized non-specific DNA for both AR and GR. In view of these data and information from other sources, it is probable that the role of GR in the prostate should be assessed with a view to understanding its action under conditions of androgen deprivation.
The gene for the β subunit of porcine LH: clusters of GC boxes and CACCC elements
Authors: Ezashi T. , Hirai T. , Kato T. , Wakabayashi K. , Kato Y. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
The gene for the β subunit of porcine LH (LH-β) was cloned from a genomic library constructed in EMBL3. The nucleotide sequence was determined for the entire gene transcriptional unit of porcine LH-β in addition to 1277 and 372 bp of the 5′- and 3′-flanking regions respectively. Southern blot analysis of the porcine genomic DNA indicated that the LH-β gene is present as a single copy. The transcriptional unit of porcine LH-β spanned 1107 bp and contained three exons interrupted by two introns of 326 and 289 bp. The short untranslated sequence in the first exon and the location of the exon/intron junctions at amino acid residues −16/−15 and +41/+42 were highly conserved in the rat, human and bovine LH-β genes. In the 5′-flanking region, one TATA box and two CCAAT boxes were present. The steroid-responsive element was not found up to 1277 bases upstream of the transcription start site. The potential AP-2 factor-responsive elements appeared nine times within the sequence that was determined, and four of them were located in the 5′-flanking region. Two distal AP-2 elements were arranged in an inverted repeat forming a 16 bp palindromic sequence. This feature suggested that hypothalamic gonadotrophin-releasing hormone stimulates expression of the LH-β gene, predominantly by a signal-transduction system with the protein kinase C cascade and a mediator, the AP-2 factor. A further characteristic feature of the porcine LH-β gene was the presence of clusters of GC boxes and CACCC elements in the 5′-flanking region and the downstream sequence. Co-existence of these regulatory elements with other elements, such as the AP-2 element or CCAAT box, was also found. The porcine LH-β gene shows a structure distinct from the porcine FSH-β and common α genes, which are counterparts of the LH-β gene, reflecting differential control of their synthesis during gametogenesis.
Differential association of endogenous proenkephalin-derived peptides with membranes of microsomes from rat striatum, adrenal medulla and heart ventricle
Authors: Vindrola O. , Ase A. , Aloyz R. , Saravia F. , Finkielman S. , Nahmod V. E. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Proenkephalin-derived peptides, in common with other prohormones, are associated with membranes of microsomes and secretory granules in the bovine adrenal medulla. Post-translational processing of the precursor molecule varies depending upon the tissue. The relationship between post-translational events in different tissues was examined by studying the membrane association of endogenous proenkephalin-derived peptides in the crude microsomal fraction of rat adrenal medulla, brain striatum and heart ventricle. [Met]-Enkephalin and synenkephalin (proenkephalin(1–70)) immunoreactivities were quantified by radioimmunoassay after sequential enzymatic digestion with trypsin and carboxypeptidase B. Between 60 and 75% of total immunoreactive peptides present in intact microsomes of the three tissues were associated with membranes and specifically released with 2 m KSCN (pH 7·4). Analysis of the chromatographic profile of materials present in the soluble and associated fractions produced the following results. In the three tissues the materials associated with microsomal membranes corresponded to peptides larger than 3–5 kDa and displayed synenkephalin and [Met]-enkephalin immunoreactivity. Adrenal and heart microsomes showed a continuous pattern of membrane-associated proenkephalin-derived peptides of high, intermediate and low molecular weights containing the synenkephalin and [Met]-enkephalin sequences. These tissues, however, presented quantitative differences, as the highest concentrations belonged to materials larger and smaller than 12·5 kDa in adrenal and heart microsomes respectively. On the other hand, brain striatal microsomes displayed a discontinuous pattern of associated materials, with the absence of some products of high and intermediate molecular weight. Only in the soluble fraction of striatal microsomes were peptides detected of high and intermediate molecular weight containing the [Met]-enkephalin but not the synenkephalin sequence.
In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the association of proenkephalin-derived peptides with microsomal membranes is a common event in the adrenal medulla, heart ventricle and rat striatum, involving, in all cases, some portion of the C-terminal sequence of the synenkephalin molecule. These observations provide further evidence suggesting that the differential profiles of proenkephalin-derived peptides in the adrenal medulla and striatum may be related to differential post-translational processing instead of changes in processing rate.
Effect of testosterone on regulation of the level of sex steroid-binding protein mRNA in monkey (Macaca fascicularis) liver
Authors: Kottler M. L. , Dang C. D. , Salmon R. , Counis R. , Degrelle H. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Two specific oligonucleotide probes complementary to different regions of human sex steroid-binding protein (SBP) cDNA were used to study the levels of hepatic monkey SBP mRNA during different hormonal states. In females the SBP mRNA level was higher than in males and paralleled the serum SBP level. After castration, the SBP concentration increased in the serum but was reduced after testosterone treatment. In contrast, the hepatic SBP mRNA level decreased after castration and was restored by testosterone treatment. These results suggest a high homology of the nucleotide sequence between human and monkey SBP mRNAs. The changes in liver SBP mRNA levels may explain the sex difference in plasma SBP concentrations, but mechanisms other than the regulation of transcription may regulate the plasma concentration in monkeys.
Parathyroid hormone-related peptide in normal human fetal development
Authors: Moniz C. , Burton P. B. J. , Malik A. N. , Dixit M. , Banga J. P. , Nicolaides K. , Quirke P. , Knight D. E. , McGregor A. M. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) has been detected in fetal serum and amniotic fluid. Using a combination of immunocytochemistry and molecular biology we have detected the peptide and its mRNA in a variety of fetal tissues throughout gestation. Tissue-specific mRNA isoforms were observed, the pattern of hybridization of which changed throughout gestation. In addition, the intensity and pattern of immunocytochemical localization of the peptide was found to vary over the time-period studied (8∓30 weeks). PTHrP is expressed by a variety of tumours associated with the syndrome of humoral hypercalcaemia of malignancy and probably accounts for the hypercalcaemia by virtue of its limited amino acid homology with parathyroid hormone. These data demonstrate for the first time that PTHrP, a tumour-related peptide, is expressed during normal human fetal development, and suggest the possibility that it may function to regulate fetal calcium balance and growth in utero.