The role of carbohydrate in human choriogonadotropin (hCG) action. Effects of N-linked carbohydrate chains from hCG and other glycoproteins on hormonal activity

AbstractOrthodox neurocognitive accounts of the bodily sense of agency suggest that the experience of agency arises when action-effects are anticipated accurately. In this paper, I argue that while successful anticipation is crucial for the sense of agency, the role of unsuccessful prediction has been neglected, and that inefficacy and uncertainty are no less central to the sense of agency. I will argue that this is reflected in the phenomenology of agency, which can be characterized both as the experience of (1) efficacy and (2) effort. Specifically, the “sense of efficacy” refers to the perceptual experience of an action unfolding as anticipated. The “sense of effort”, in contrast, arises when an action has an uncertain trajectory, feels difficult, and demands the exertion of control. In this case, actions do not unfold as anticipated and require continuing adaptation if they are to be efficacious. I propose that, taken individually, the experience of efficacy and effort are insufficient for the sense of agency and that these experiences can even disrupt the sense of agency when they occur in isolation from each other. I further argue that a fully-fledged sense of agency depends on the temporally extensive process of prediction error-cancelation. This way, a comparator account can accommodate both the role of accurate prediction and prediction error and thus efficacy and effort.

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Cellular Distribution, Regulated Expression, and Functional Role of the Anorexigenic Peptide, NUCB2/Nesfatin-1, in the Testis

Endocrinology ◽

10.1210/en.2011-2032 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 153 (4) ◽

pp. 1959-1971 ◽

Cited By ~ 55

Author(s):

D. García-Galiano ◽

R. Pineda ◽

T. Ilhan ◽

J. M. Castellano ◽

F. Ruiz-Pino ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Leydig Cell ◽

Functional Role ◽

Energy Homeostasis ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Whole Body ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Gonadal Function ◽

Human Choriogonadotropin ◽

Puberty Onset

Nesfatin-1, product of the precursor NEFA/nucleobindin2 (NUCB2), was initially identified as anorectic hypothalamic neuropeptide, acting in a leptin-independent manner. In addition to its central role in the control of energy homeostasis, evidence has mounted recently that nesfatin-1 is also produced in peripheral metabolic tissues, such as pancreas, adipose, and gut. Moreover, nesfatin-1 has been shown to participate in the control of body functions gated by whole-body energy homeostasis, including puberty onset. Yet, whether, as is the case for other metabolic neuropeptides, NUCB2/nesfatin-1 participates in the direct control of gonadal function remains unexplored. We document here for the first time the expression of NUCB2 mRNA in rat, mouse, and human testes, where NUCB2/nesfatin-1 protein was identified in interstitial mature Leydig cells. Yet in rats, NUCB2/nesfatin-1 became expressed in Sertoli cells upon Leydig cell elimination and was also detected in Leydig cell progenitors. Although NUCB2 mRNA levels did not overtly change in rat testis during pubertal maturation and after short-term fasting, NUCB2/nesfatin-1 content significantly increased along the puberty-to-adult transition and was markedly suppressed after fasting. In addition, testicular NUCB2/nesfatin-1 expression was up-regulated by pituitary LH, because hypophysectomy decreased, whereas human choriogonadotropin (super-agonist of LH receptors) replacement enhanced, NUCB2/nesfatin-1 mRNA and peptide levels. Finally, nesfatin-1 increased human choriogonadotropin-stimulated testosterone secretion by rat testicular explants ex vivo. Our data are the first to disclose the presence and functional role of NUCB2/nesfatin-1 in the testis, where its expression is regulated by developmental, metabolic, and hormonal cues as well as by Leydig cell-derived factors. Our observations expand the reproductive dimension of nesfatin-1, which may operate directly at the testicular level to link energy homeostasis, puberty onset, and gonadal function.

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Role of sialic acid residues in the in vitro superactivity of human choriogonadotropin (hCG) in rat Leydig cells

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Cell Research ◽

10.1016/0167-4889(94)90294-1 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 1224 (3) ◽

pp. 559-565 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Florence Apparailly ◽

Yves Combarnous

Keyword(s):

Sialic Acid ◽

Leydig Cells ◽

Human Choriogonadotropin

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Cognitive control of action: The role of action effects

Psychological Research ◽

10.1007/s00426-003-0145-6 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 68 (2-3) ◽

pp. 71-73 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Dieter Nattkemper ◽

Michael Ziessler

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Control ◽

Action Effects

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The Role of External Action-Effects in the Execution of a Soccer Kick: A Comparison across Skill Level

Motor Control ◽

10.1123/mcj.10.4.386 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 386-404 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Paul Ford ◽

Nicola J. Hodges ◽

Raoul Huys ◽

A. Mark Williams

Keyword(s):

External Action ◽

Skill Level ◽

Action Effects ◽

Soccer Kick

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The integument

10.1093/oso/9780198785552.003.0002 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Derek Burton ◽

Margaret Burton

Keyword(s):

Seasonal Changes ◽

Neural Control ◽

Epidermal Cells ◽

Hormonal Activity ◽

Fish Skin ◽

Skin Structure ◽

Terrestrial Vertebrates ◽

Boundary Functions ◽

Dermal Collagen

The skin is the boundary between fish and environment and possesses important boundary functions such as protection and camouflage. Fish skin is mucigenic, contrasting with keratinized skin in terrestrial vertebrates. Structurally, there is an outer epidermis, a dermis and an inner hypodermis, the entire mucigenic epidermis remaining alive, with mitotic cells, unlike a keratinized epidermis. A variety of specialized epidermal cells are described, and the role of the ‘bias-sleeve’ orientation of dermal collagen is discussed. Scales, scutes and bony plates have protective roles. The variety of morphological types is considered. Skin colouration has important boundary functions in fish; colour largely depends upon different kinds of chromatophores, mainly dermal, and may change under hormonal or neural control in some species. Seasonal changes may occur in skin structure which can also be affected by captivity. Pollutants such as oil can affect fish skin structure both directly and systemically by influencing hormonal activity.

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