 |
|
Proteins that stop a major signaling pathway can also generate new proteins
April 25, 2008DURHAM, N.C. - Duke University Medical Center researchers have recently discovered that a crucial communications pathway in cells not only stops cells from making proteins, it also makes them go. The team was able to define the way in which proteins called beta arrestins (for their role in stopping signals) also turn on pathways that ultimately lead to the production of new proteins in virtually all tissues in the body.
Because proteins are the building blocks for all cells, this new pathway for the general control of protein manufacturing has opened a new universe for biological studies.
The GPCRs, which were first theorized and discovered at Duke by the study's senior author, Robert J. Lefokowitz, MD, begin a signaling cascade that transmits a message from the cell surface, such as a hormone or neurotransmitter, to the cell's interior and tells it to do something, such as cranking out a particular protein.
These receptors regulate virtually all physiological processes, everything from heart rate to mood. Research on GPCRs has led to numerous successful drugs, including beta blockers which help relieve hypertension, angina and coronary disease, as well as new antihistamines and ulcer drugs. They also formed the basis of Nobel Prize winning work on smell receptors.
"The reason the new work is so exciting to me is that it reminds us, yet again, how the scientific process continuously renews itself, said Lefkowitz, James B. Duke Professor of Medicine and investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. "We discovered the beta arrestins almost 20 years ago, and now we find out they play signaling roles we never dreamed of back then. We are hopeful that these new ideas may lead to new types of drugs."
The study's findings, published in this month's Journal of Biological Chemistry, identified an enzyme called Mnk1 which is activated by beta-arrestin signaling. "What's been discovered here is that beta arrestins initiate important cell signals in their own right, and specifically the control over protein synthesis indicates that they may possess wide control of biological functions," said Scott DeWire PhD, lead author and adjunct assistant professor of medicine at Duke University.
"This added layer of complexity provides us opportunities to study receptors in a whole new way, and possibly identify beta-arrestin-specific signaling," DeWire said. "This is something completely unexpected according to the traditional dogma. Ten years ago, nobody would have imagined that beta-arrestins, with their ability to stop the GPCR signals, could exert global control over protein synthesis."
Duke University Medical Center
Signaling Pathway Current Events and Signaling Pathway News RSSUCR plant scientist's research spawns new discoveries showing how crops survive drought
Breakthrough research done earlier this year by a plant cell biologist at the University of California, Riverside has greatly accelerated scientists' knowledge on how plants and crops can survive difficult environmental conditions such as drought.
'Cross-talk' mechanism contributes to colorectal cancer
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health have identified a molecular mechanism that allows two powerful signaling pathways to interact and begin a process leading to colorectal tumors.
Novel mouse gene reduces major pathologies associated with Alzheimer's disease
A new study reveals that a previously undiscovered mouse gene reduces the two major pathological perturbations commonly associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Mouse gene suppresses Alzheimer's plaques and tangles
Investigators at Burnham Institute for Medical Research (Burnham) and colleagues have identified a novel mouse gene (Rps23r1) that reduces the accumulation of two toxic proteins that are major players in Alzheimer's disease: amyloid beta and tau.
Researchers use drug-radiation combo to eradicate lung cancer
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have eliminated non-small cell lung (NSCL) cancer in mice by using an investigative drug called BEZ235 in combination with low-dose radiation.
That '4 hour erection': new discovery may help prevent a complication of priapism
For men coping with painful erections lasting for long periods of time, or priapism, new research published online in The FASEB Journal (http://www.fasebj.org) offers hope.
Master regulator found for regenerating nerve fibers in live animals
Researchers at Children's Hospital Boston report that an enzyme known as Mst3b, previously identified in their lab, is essential for regenerating damaged axons (nerve fibers) in a live animal model, in both the peripheral and central nervous systems.
The food-energy cellular connection revealed
Our body's activity levels fall and rise to the beat of our internal drums-the 24-hour cycles that govern fundamental physiological functions, from sleeping and feeding patterns to the energy available to our cells.
Loss of tumor supressor gene essential to transforming benign nerve tumors into cancers
Researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center showed for the first time that the loss or decreased expression of the tumor suppressor gene PTEN plays a central role in the malignant transformation of benign nerve tumors called neurofibromas into a malignant and extremely deadly form of sarcoma.
KEAP1 Keeps major cancer-promoting protein at bay
A tumor-suppressing protein snatches up an important cancer-promoting enzyme and tags it with molecules that condemn it to destruction, a research team led by scientists at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center reports this week in the journal Molecular Cell.
More Signaling Pathway Current Events and Signaling Pathway News Articles
 |
Signaling Pathways in Liver Diseases by Jean-Francois Dufour (Editor), Pierre-Alain Clavien (Editor) Signaling Pathways in Liver Diseases, 2nd edition focuses on signaling pathways which are particularly important in liver diseases. Recent progress brought hepatology to new frontiers. The increasing frequency of surgery on steatotic and cirrhotic liver obliges liver surgeons and hepatologists to understand the molecular mechanisms at play in these situations and how they can be influenced. Better comprehension of the cellular mechanisms participating in liver regeneration, hepato-cellular apoptosis and ischemia/reperfusion inquiry is mirrored by a dramatic increase in complexity. The number and scope of publications is intimidating and difficult for busy individuals to extract a coherent framework. This book will serve as a source of information facilitating the reading of the... |
 |
Dietary Modulation of Cell Signaling Pathways (Oxidative Stress and Disease) by Young-Joon Surh (Editor), Zigang Dong (Editor), Enrique Cadenas (Editor), Lester Packer (Editor) A consequence of rapid progress in the science of nutrigenomics and nutrigenetics is the substantial accumulation of data covering nutrienal modulation of gene expression at the cellular and subcellular levels. Current research is increasingly focused on the role of nutrition and diet in modifying oxidative damage in the progression of disease. Dietary Modulation of Cell Signaling Pathways reviews some of these findings, focusing on nutrient-gene interactions with particular emphasis on the intracellular signaling network. Explore a Pivotal Function for Maintaining Homeostasis The book addresses the dietary modulation of particular gene expression systems and highlights the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms that involve upstream signaling... |
 |
Wnt Signaling: Volume 1: Pathway Methods and Mammalian Models (Methods in Molecular Biology) by Elizabeth Vincan (Editor) Since their discovery, Wnt signaling molecules have been shown to control key events in embryogenesis, to maintain tissue homeostasis in the adult and, when aberrantly activated, to promote human degenerative diseases and cancer, thus making them a vital area of study. Wnt Signaling: Methods and Protocols examines both biochemical assays and vertebrate and invertebrate model systems to provide a point of reference to current molecular protocols and the diverse model systems employed to study this important signaling pathway. In Volume 1, Pathway Methods and Mammalian Models, assays to measure activation of the diverse Wnt signaling pathways are explored, along with a selection of models and strategies used to study mammalian Wnt/FZD fuction, from protein-protein interaction and simple... |
 |
Signaling Pathways for Translation: Insulin and Nutrients by Robert E. Rhoads (Editor) Louisiana State Univ., Shreveport. Discusses anabolic mechanisms regulating eukaryotic protein synthesis. Emphasizes insulin and amino acids. Provides new data and comprehensive literature reviews. |
 |
Natural Compounds and Their Role in Apoptotic Cell Signaling Pathways (Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences) by Marc Diederich (Editor) Apoptosis is a highly regulated mechanism by which cells undergo cell death in an active way. As one of the most challenging tasks concerning cancer is to induce apoptosis in malignant cells, researchers increasingly focus on natural products to modulate apoptotic signaling pathways. This book reviews the main effects of natural compounds on the different apoptotic signaling pathways, including the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways, the NF-kB-mediated pathway, the PI3K/Akt signaling, and other main pathways. Among the topic specially covered are: Effects of natural compounds on cancer cells Natural compounds as inducers of cell death Diet in health and disease Inflammation and cancer Natural compounds as kinase... |
|
Involvement of [Ca.sup.2+] signaling pathway during oocyte maturation of the northern quahog Mercenaria mercenaria.(Report): An article from: Journal of Shellfish Research by Tao Zhang (Author), Qing Wang (Author), Hongsheng Yang (Author) This digital document is an article from Journal of Shellfish Research, published by National Shellfisheries Association, Inc. on August 1, 2009. The length of the article is 4141 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser. Citation Details Title: Involvement of [Ca.sup.2+] signaling pathway during oocyte maturation of the northern quahog Mercenaria mercenaria.(Report) Author: Tao Zhang Publication: Journal of Shellfish Research (Magazine/Journal) Date: August 1, 2009 Publisher: National Shellfisheries Association, Inc. Volume: 28 Issue: 3 Page: 527(6) Article Type: Report Distributed by Gale, a part... | |
|
PCBs exert an estrogenic effect through repression of the Wnt7a signaling pathway in the female reproductive tract.(Research): An article from: Environmental Health Perspectives by Risheng Ma (Author), David A. Sassoon (Author) This digital document is an article from Environmental Health Perspectives, published by Thomson Gale on June 1, 2006. The length of the article is 6805 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser. Citation Details Title: PCBs exert an estrogenic effect through repression of the Wnt7a signaling pathway in the female reproductive tract.(Research) Author: Risheng Ma Publication: Environmental Health Perspectives (Magazine/Journal) Date: June 1, 2006 Publisher: Thomson Gale Volume: 114 Issue: 6 Page: 898(7) Distributed by Thomson... | |
 |
R-Ras Proteins, TGF-Beta and Cancer: Mechanisms of Interaction Among the R-Ras, TC21 and TGF-Beta Signaling Pathways by Mete Erdogan (Author) During the progression of human cancers, normal cells acquire genetic and epigenetic changes in the signaling pathways that govern their proliferation, resulting in uncontrolled growth and tumor formation. Oncogenic Ras and Transforming Growth Factor-Beta are known to cooperate in promoting malignant transformation, yet the mechanism by which they interact has not been established. Here, we present novel mechanisms through which Transforming Growth Factor-Beta interacts with two Ras-related proteins, R-Ras and TC21, to transform mammary epithelial cells. |
|
Apoptosis 2003: From Signaling Pathways to Therapeutic Tools (Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences) by Marc Diederich (Editor) This volume concerns all aspects of apoptosis from signalling pathways to the therapeutic tools that can be derived from an increasing knowledge about the phenomenon of cell death. Discussed in this volume are cell death and development; mitochondria as regulators of apoptosis; apoptotic signal transduction pathways; inhibitors and activation of apoptosis; receptors as mediators of cell death; apoptosis in human disease, including diabetes, blood diseases and neurodegenerative and cardiovascular disease; transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of apoptosis; chromatin structure and apoptosis; the p53 family; and the cell cycle and cell death. Also discussed are caspases and glutahione. | |
 |
New Antibody Microarray Tube for Cellular Localization and Signaling Pathways by Lin Wang (Author), Stefan Wölfl (Author), Minghu Jiang (Author) New Antibody Microarray Tube for Cellular Localization and Signaling Pathways describes a new integrated protein biochip system including protein localization, biocomputing and signaling pathways. In the post-genome era, proteomics study for direct analysis of a group of proteins becomes more and more important. Identification of its location often provides crucial information for understanding the function or regulation of a given protein in biological pathways. The book discusses a new microarray tube with incorporation of nuclear and cytoplasmic protein purification and biocomputing technologies, intended for setting-up signaling pathways and making new discoveries. The book is intended for researchers in the fields of medicine, biology, electronics, pharmacy, computer... |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |