We describe a hypothalamus-specific mRNA that encodes preprohypocretin, the putative precursor of a pair of peptides that share substantial amino acid identities with the gut hormone secretin. The hypocretin (Hcrt) protein products are restricted to neuronal cell bodies of the dorsal and lateral hypothalamic areas. The fibers of these neurons are widespread throughout the posterior hypothalamus and project to multiple targets in other areas, including brainstem and thalamus. Hcrt immunoreactivity is associated with large granular vesicles at synapses. One of the Hcrt peptides was excitatory when applied to cultured, synaptically coupled hypothalamic neurons, but not hippocampal neurons. These observations suggest that the hypocretins function within the CNS as neurotransmitters.

/pdf/the-hypocretins-hypothalamus-specific-peptides-with-4pipr77drn.pdf

The hypocretins: Hypothalamus-specific peptides with neuroexcitatory activity

Biology of Incretins: GLP-1 and GIP

The neurohypophysial peptide oxytocin (OT) and OT-like hormones facilitate reproduction in all vertebrates at several levels. The major site of OT gene expression is the magnocellular neurons of the hypothalamic paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei. In response to a variety of stimuli such as suckling, parturition, or certain kinds of stress, the processed OT peptide is released from the posterior pituitary into the systemic circulation. Such stimuli also lead to an intranuclear release of OT. Moreover, oxytocinergic neurons display widespread projections throughout the central nervous system. However, OT is also synthesized in peripheral tissues, e.g., uterus, placenta, amnion, corpus luteum, testis, and heart. The OT receptor is a typical class I G protein-coupled receptor that is primarily coupled via Gq proteins to phospholipase C-β. The high-affinity receptor state requires both Mg2+ and cholesterol, which probably function as allosteric modulators. The agonist-binding region of the receptor has bee...

The Oxytocin Receptor System: Structure, Function, and Regulation

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is a 30-amino acid peptide hormone produced in the intestinal epithelial endocrine L-cells by differential processing of proglucagon, the gene which is expressed in ...

The Physiology of Glucagon-like Peptide 1

The biology of incretin hormones.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are nuclear transcription factors which are involved in many biological processes, such as regulation of cell differentiation, lipid metabolism, inflammation and cell death. PPARs consist of three families, PPAR-alpha, PPAR-delta and PPAR-gamma. Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE) has been described as a pure antagonist of PPAR-gamma. However, recent data also revealed PPAR-gamma-agonistic activities of BADGE. Here we show that BADGE kills transformed cells by apoptosis and promotes the cytotoxic effects of tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and indomethacin. The cytotoxic effect of BADGE does not require PPAR-gamma expression and is mediated in caspase-dependent and caspase-independent manners.

/pdf/bisphenol-a-diglycidyl-ether-induces-apoptosis-in-tumour-1p7gw0wfb4.pdf

Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether induces apoptosis in tumour cells independently of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, in caspase-dependent and -independent manners

The present paper addresses the question how alpha-glucosidase inhibitors affect glucose homeostasis. To facilitate this already established data on the effects of induced malabsorption on gut hormones such as gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) in connection with preliminary findings which deal with the new incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (7-36) amide (GLP-1) are discussed. To emphasize the possibly important impact of a regulated GLP-1 release in response to glucosidase inhibitor treatment we evaluate the recently introduced concept of 'glucose competence' of pancreatic beta-cells. The slowing of nutrient (i.e. glucose) absorption by therapeutic means (for example, acarbose) could supplement a new approach in the treatment of type 2 diabetics which would utilize the well-preserved insulinotropic activity of GLP-1 in these patients, its glucagon-lowering effect, and its possible inhibition of gastric emptying rates, the latter helping to reduce the requirement for rapid insulin secretory responses as is intended while using alpha-glucosidase inhibitor treatment.

Intestinal effects of α‐glucosidase inhibitors: absorption of nutrients and enterohormonal changes

Glycosylation of the GLP-1 receptor is a prerequisite for regular receptor function

Multiple molecular forms of insulin and glucagon-like peptide from the Pacific ratfish (Hydrolagus colliei).

https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/29450/0000532.pdf;sequence=1

Priming effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 (7-36) amide, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and cholecystokinin-8 at the isolated perfused rat pancreas

Rüdiger Göke

Papers

Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether induces apoptosis in tumour cells independently of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, in caspase-dependent and -independent manners

Intestinal effects of α‐glucosidase inhibitors: absorption of nutrients and enterohormonal changes

Glycosylation of the GLP-1 receptor is a prerequisite for regular receptor function

Multiple molecular forms of insulin and glucagon-like peptide from the Pacific ratfish (Hydrolagus colliei).

Priming effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 (7-36) amide, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and cholecystokinin-8 at the isolated perfused rat pancreas