https://www.cell.com/trends/cell-biology/pdf/0962-8924(92)90174-L.pdf

The small GTP-binding protein rho regulates the assembly of focal adhesions and actin stress fibers in response to growth factors.

The small GTP-binding protein rac regulates growth factor-induced membrane ruffling.

Small GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) exist in eukaryotes from yeast to human and constitute a superfamily consisting of more than 100 members. This superfamily is structurally classified into at least five families: the Ras, Rho, Rab, Sar1/Arf, and Ran families. They regulate a wide variety of cell functions as biological timers (biotimers) that initiate and terminate specific cell functions and determine the periods of time for the continuation of the specific cell functions. They furthermore play key roles in not only temporal but also spatial determination of specific cell functions. The Ras family regulates gene expression, the Rho family regulates cytoskeletal reorganization and gene expression, the Rab and Sar1/Arf families regulate vesicle trafficking, and the Ran family regulates nucleocytoplasmic transport and microtubule organization. Many upstream regulators and downstream effectors of small G proteins have been isolated, and their modes of activation and action have gradually been elucidated. Cascades and cross-talks of small G proteins have also been clarified. In this review, functions of small G proteins and their modes of activation and action are described.

Small GTP-Binding Proteins

Prostanoids are the cyclooxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid and include prostaglandin (PG) D2, PGE2, PGF2α, PGI2, and thromboxne A2. They are synthesized and released upon cell stimulation and act on cells in the vicinity of their synthesis to exert their actions. Receptors mediating the actions of prostanoids were recently identified and cloned. They are G protein-coupled receptors with seven transmembrane domains. There are eight types and subtypes of prostanoid receptors that are encoded by different genes but as a whole constitute a subfamily in the superfamily of the rhodopsin-type receptors. Each of the receptors was expressed in cultured cells, and its ligand-binding properties and signal transduction pathways were characterized. Moreover, domains and amino acid residues conferring the specificities of ligand binding and signal transduction are being clarified. Information also is accumulating as to the distribution of these receptors in the body. It is also becoming clear for some types of ...

/pdf/prostanoid-receptors-structures-properties-and-functions-39b6l6xzxf.pdf

Prostanoid Receptors: Structures, Properties, and Functions

The role of lipid peroxidation and antioxidants in oxidative modification of LDL.

Asparagine residue in the rho gene product is the modification site for botulinum ADP-ribosyltransferase.

Nicotinic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors were studied in autopsied brains from four histologically normal controls and five histopathologically verified cases of Alzheimer-type dementia (ATD), using ligand binding techniques. Nicotinic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors were assessed by (-)-[3H]nicotine and [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate [( 3H]QNB), respectively. Compared with the controls, (-)-[3H]nicotine binding sites in the ATD brain regions examined were significantly reduced in the putamen and the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NbM). [3H]QNB binding was significantly reduced in the hippocampus and NbM. These findings suggest that there are significant changes of nicotinic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors in selected regions of ATD brains.

Changes in nicotinic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors in Alzheimer-type dementia.

https://www.gastrojournal.org/article/0016-5085(79)90281-6/pdf

Effects of water-immersion stress on gastric secretion and mucosal blood flow in rats.

Although cigarette smoking is one of the major risk factors for atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease, the precise mechanisms of its adverse effects have not been fully elucidated. We incubated low density lipoprotein (LDL) with cigarette smoke (CS) extract and examined the incorporation of the lipoprotein by macrophages in vitro. When incubated with macrophages, LDL pretreated with CS extract (100 micrograms/ml) stimulated cholesteryl [14C]oleate synthesis approximately equal to 12.5-fold that with unmodified LDL and transformed macrophages to cells rich in lipid droplets positively stained with oil red O. Enhancement in cholesteryl ester synthesis was dependent on the concentration of CS-modified LDL and exhibited saturation kinetics. When subjected to electrophoreses, CS-modified LDL migrated to a more anionic position than did unmodified LDL and showed extensive fragmentation of apolipoprotein B. This LDL modification depended upon the incubation time and concentration of the CS extract. Superoxide dismutase inhibited modification of LDL by 52%, suggesting that superoxide anion is, at least in part, involved. These results suggest that CS extract alters LDL into a form recognized and incorporated by macrophages. Such modification if it occurs in vivo, could explain the increased incidence of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease in smokers.

https://www.pnas.org/content/pnas/85/7/2344.full.pdf

Cholesteryl ester accumulation in macrophages incubated with low density lipoprotein pretreated with cigarette smoke extract

We have previously reported that intracerebroventricular administration of 6R-L-erythro-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin (6R-BH4), a cofactor for tyrosine hydroxylase, enhances biosynthesis of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylamine (dopamine) in the rat brain. In the present study, we have more precisely examined the effects of 6R-BH4 on dopamine release in vivo from the rat striatum using brain microdialysis. The amount of dopamine collected in striatal dialysates was determined using HPLC with electrochemical detection after purification with an alumina batch method. When the striatum was dialyzed with Ringer solution containing various concentrations of 6R-BH4 (0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mM), dopamine levels in striatal dialysates increased in a concentration-dependent manner. Biopterin had little effect on dopamine levels in dialysates. The 6R-BH4-induced increase in dopamine levels in dialysates was abolished after pretreatment with tetrodotoxin (50 microM) added to the perfusion fluid, but after pretreatment with nomifensine (100 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection), an inhibitor of dopamine uptake mechanism, a larger increase was observed. After inhibition of tyrosine hydroxylase by pretreatment with alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine (250 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection), most of the increase persisted. These results suggest that 6R-BH4 has a dopamine-releasing action, which is not dependent on biosynthesis of dopamine.

Motohatsu Fujiwara

Papers

Asparagine residue in the rho gene product is the modification site for botulinum ADP-ribosyltransferase.

Changes in nicotinic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors in Alzheimer-type dementia.

Effects of water-immersion stress on gastric secretion and mucosal blood flow in rats.

Cholesteryl ester accumulation in macrophages incubated with low density lipoprotein pretreated with cigarette smoke extract

Enhancement of dopamine release in vivo from the rat striatum by dialytic perfusion of 6R-L-erythro-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin.