scholarly journals Involvement of Cyclic Adenosine 3′,5′-Monophosphate in the Differential Regulation of Activin βA and βB Expression by Gonadotropin in the Zebrafish Ovarian Follicle Cells

Endocrinology ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 144 (2) ◽  
pp. 491-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yajun Wang ◽  
Wei Ge

Activin is a dimeric protein consisting of two similar but distinct β-subunits, βA and βB. In our previous studies, both activin A (βAβA) and activin B (βBβB) have been demonstrated to stimulate oocyte maturation and promote oocyte maturational competence in the zebrafish. Follistatin, a specific activin-binding protein, can block both activin- and gonadotropin-induced final oocyte maturation in vitro, suggesting that activin is likely a downstream mediator of gonadotropin actions in the zebrafish ovary. In the present study, a full-length cDNA encoding zebrafish ovarian activin βA was cloned and sequenced. The precursor of zebrafish activin βA consists of 395 amino acids and its mature region exhibits about 78% homology with that of mammals. Using an in vitro primary culture of the ovarian follicle cells and semiquantitative RT-PCR assays, we examined the regulation of activin βA and βB expression by human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and its intracellular signal transduction mechanisms. hCG (15 IU/ml) increased the mRNA level of activin βA-subunit; however, it significantly down-regulated the steady-state expression level of activin βB in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The differential regulation of the two β-subunits by hCG could be mimicked by 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, forskolin, and dibutyryl-cAMP, suggesting involvement of the intracellular cAMP pathway. Interestingly, H89 (a specific inhibitor of protein kinase A, PKA) could effectively block hCG- and forskolin-stimulated activin βA expression at 10 μm, but it was unable to reverse the inhibitory effects of hCG and forskolin on βB expression. This suggests that the hCG-stimulated activin βA expression is dependent on the activation of the cAMP-PKA pathway, whereas the inhibitory effect of hCG on activin βB expression is likely mediated by PKA-independent pathway(s).

Zygote ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Sánchez Toranzo ◽  
O.S. Giordano ◽  
L.A. López ◽  
M.I. Bühler

SummaryIn amphibian oocytes meiosis, the transition from G2 to M phase is regulated by the maturation promoting factor (MPF), a complex of the cyclin-dependent kinase p34/cdc2 and cyclin B. In immature oocytes there is an inactive complex (pre-MPF), in which cdc2 is phosphorylated on both Thr-161 and Thr-14/Tyr-15 residues. The dephosphorylation of Thr-14/Tyr-15 is necessary for the start of MPF activation and it is induced by the activation of cdc25 phosphatase. Late, to complete the activation, a small amount of active MPF induces an auto-amplification loop of MPF stimulation (MPF amplification). Dehydroleucodine (DhL) is a sesquiterpenic lactone that inhibits mammalian cell proliferation in G2. We asked whether DhL interferes with MPF activation. For this question, the effect of DhL (up to 30 μM) on the resumption of meiosis was evaluated, and visualized by germinal vesicle break down (GVBD), of Bufo arenarum oocytes induced in vitro by either: (i) removing follicle cells; (ii) progesterone stimulation; (iii) VG-content injection; or (iv) injection of mature cytoplasm. The results show that DhL induced GVBD inhibition, in a dose-dependent manner, in spontaneous and progesterone-induced oocyte maturation. Nevertheless, DhL at the doses assayed had no effect on GVBD induced by mature cytoplasm injection, but exerted an inhibitory effect on GVBD induced by GV content. On the basis of these results, we interpreted that DhL does not inhibit MPF amplification and that the target of DhL is any event in the early stages of the cdc25 activation cascade.


2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (12) ◽  
pp. 1077-1085 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Ge

Activin (βAβA, βAβB, and βBβb) is a dimeric growth factor with diverse biological activities in vertebrate reproduction. Activin exerts its actions by binding to its specific type II and type I receptors. The activity of activin is regulated by follistatin, its binding protein, and the antagonists inhibin and antivin. All major components of the activin-inhibin-follistatin system have been identified in fish except the α subunit of inhibin. Using goldfish as a model, we have demonstrated that activin is expressed in the pituitary and the recombinant goldfish activin B has novel inverse effects on the expression of GTH β subunits. Activin increases the mRNA level of GTH-Iβ while significantly suppressing the expression of GTH-IIβ. We have also demonstrated the expression of activin and its receptors in the goldfish and zebrafish ovary. Using an in vitro ovarian follicle incubation as the system, we have investigated the involvement of the activin system in the process of final oocyte maturation. Our evidence clearly indicates that activin has potent effect of promoting final oocyte maturation, and that it may play a role in mediating the stimulatory effect of pituitary gonadotropin in the event of oocyte maturation. Key words: activin, inhibin, follistatin, fish, reproduction.


1983 ◽  
Vol 50 (04) ◽  
pp. 804-809 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torstein Lyberg

SummaryHuman monocytes in vitro respond to various agents (immune complexes, lectins, endotoxin, the divalent ionophore A 23187, 12-0-tetradecanoyl-phorbol 13-acetate [TPA], purified protein derivative [PPD] of Bacille Calmette-Guerin) with an increased synthesis of the protein component of thromboplastin. The effect of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP on this response has been studied. Dibutyryl-cyclic AMP, prostaglandin E1 and the phosphodiesterase inhibitors 3-butyl-1-methyl-xanthine (MIX) and rac -4-(3-butoxy-4-methoxybenzyl)-2-imidazolidinone (Ro 201724), separately and in combination have a pronounced inhibitory effect on the response to immune complexes and PPD, and a moderate effect on the response to endotoxin and lectins. The effect on TPA response and on the response to A 23187 was slight. Dibutyryl-cyclic GMP (1 mM) gave a slight inhibition of the TPA arid IC response, but had essentially no effect on the response to other inducers. The intracellular cAMP level increased when monocytes were incubated with IC, TPA or A 23187 followed by a decrease to basal levels within 1-2 hr, whereas lectin (PHA) and PPD did not induce such changes. The cAMP response to endotoxin varied. Stimulation with IC induced an increase in monocyte cGMP levels, whereas the other stimulants did not cause such changes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qun Zhang ◽  
Zengqiang Qu ◽  
Yanqing Zhou ◽  
Jin Zhou ◽  
Junwei Yang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Cornin is a commonly used herb in cardiology for its cardioprotective effect. The effect of herbs on the activity of cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP450s) can induce adverse drug-drug interaction even treatment failure. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the effect of cornin on the activity of CYP450s, which can provide more guidance for the clinical application of cornin. Methods Cornin (100 μM) was incubated with eight isoforms of CYP450s, including CYP1A2, 2A6, 3A4, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, and 2E1, in pooled human liver microsomes. The inhibition model and corresponding parameters were also investigated. Results Cornin exerted significant inhibitory effect on the activity of CYP3A4, 2C9, and 2E1 in a dose-dependent manner with the IC50 values of 9.20, 22.91, and 14.28 μM, respectively (p < 0.05). Cornin inhibited the activity of CYP3A4 non-competitively with the Ki value of 4.69 μM, while the inhibition of CYP2C9 and 2E1 by cornin was competitive with the Ki value of 11.31 and 6.54 μM, respectively. Additionally, the inhibition of CYP3A4 by cornin was found to be time-dependent with the KI/Kinact value of 6.40/0.055 min− 1·μM− 1. Conclusions The inhibitory effect of cornin on the activity of CYP3A4, 2C9, and 2E1 indicated the potential drug-drug interaction between cornin and drugs metabolized by these CYP450s, which needs further investigation and validation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1128.1-1129
Author(s):  
A. Mavropoulos ◽  
S. Tsiogkas ◽  
D. Skyvalidas ◽  
C. Liaskos ◽  
A. Roussaki-Schulze ◽  
...  

Background:Delphinidin, a dietary anthocyanidin and powerful anti-oxidant from pigmented fruits and vegetables, has broad anti-inflammatory properties. In a human skin model of psoriasis, delphinidin reduced expression of proliferative and inflammatory markers (1).Objectives:The rationale of our study was to assess whether delphinidin can in vitro suppress IL-17 and IFN-γ production in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) subsets from patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).Methods:PBMCs were obtained from 24 patients with PsA attending the outpatient clinic of the Department of Rheumatology/clinical Immunology at the University General Hospital of Larissa, Greece. 16 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were also included in the study. Delphinidin was supplemented at a concentration ranging from 1 to 50μg/ml, one hour prior to cell stimulation. Cell viability (Annexin V staining) and innate/adaptive lymphocyte subpopulations were assessed by flow cytometry with a panel of fluorochrome-conjugated antibodies against CD56, CD3, CD4 and CD8. Intracellular expression of IL-17 and IFN-γ was measured following PMA/ionomycin stimulation for 5 hours using standard cell permeabilization protocols and monoclonal antibodies against IL-17 and IFN-γResults:Delphinidin at concentration ≥10 μg/ml sharply diminished IL-17-production by CD4(+) T cells (Th17) and CD56(+)CD3(+) (NKT) cells from patients with psoriatic arthritis and normal controls (p≤0.05). IFN-γ producing T (CD4 and CD8) cells, as well as NK and NKT cells were also dose-dependently suppressed following delphinidin pre-incubation in both patients and healthy controls. Inhibition of IFN-γ(+) cells ranged from 27 to 69% and peaked at delphinidin concentration 20-50μg/ml. The inhibitory effect of delphinidin on IL-17 and IFN-γ producing lymphocytes was not due to compromised cell viability, as assessed by annexin V binding.Conclusion:Delphinidin exerts, in a dose-dependent manner, a profound in vitro inhibitory effect on T cell and NKT cell IL-17 and IFN-γ production in PsA, and therefore, it may be used as a dietary immunosuppressant, complementary to standard treatment.References:[1]Chamcheu JC Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2015;28(4):177-88. doi: 10.1159/000368445Disclosure of Interests:ATHANASIOS MAVROPOULOS: None declared, Sotirios Tsiogkas: None declared, Dimitrios Skyvalidas: None declared, Christos Liaskos: None declared, Aggeliki Roussaki-Schulze Grant/research support from: Received a grant to support the educational and research activities of the department from Genesis Pharma (2018), Speakers bureau: Received honoraria from Genesis Pharma and Janssen(2017) and from Roche and Pharmaserve Lilly(2018), Efterpi Zafiriou Speakers bureau: Received honoraria from Genesis Pharma, Abbvie, Novartis, Roche, Jansses(2017) and Novartis, Abbvie(2018), Dimitrios Bogdanos: None declared, Lazaros Sakkas Grant/research support from: Received a grant to support the educational and research activities of the department from Bristol-Meyers Squib, Speakers bureau: Received honoraria from Actellion(2018), Janssen(2017), Novartis(2017), Sanofi-Aventis(2018), Abbvie(2017) and Roche(2017)


2005 ◽  
Vol 102 (6) ◽  
pp. 1101-1107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hartmut Vatter ◽  
Michael Zimmermann ◽  
Veronika Tesanovic ◽  
Andreas Raabe ◽  
Lothar Schilling ◽  
...  

Object. The central role of endothelin (ET)—1 in the development of cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage is indicated by the successful treatment of this vasospasm in several animal models by using selective ETA receptor antagonists. Clazosentan is a selective ETA receptor antagonist that provides for the first time clinical proof that ET-1 is involved in the pathogenesis of cerebral vasospasm. The aim of the present investigation was, therefore, to define the pharmacological properties of clazosentan that affect ETA receptor—mediated contraction in the cerebrovasculature. Methods. Isometric force measurements were performed in rat basilar artery (BA) ring segments with (E+) and without (E−) endothelial function. Concentration effect curves (CECs) were constructed by cumulative application of ET-1 or big ET-1 in the absence or presence of clazosentan (10−9, 10−8, and 10−7 M). The inhibitory potency of clazosentan was determined by the value of the affinity constant (pA2). The CECs for contraction induced by ET-1 and big ET-1 were shifted to the right in the presence of clazosentan in a parallel dose-dependent manner, which indicates competitive antagonism. The pA2 values for ET-1 were 7.8 (E+) and 8.6 (E−) and the corresponding values for big ET-1 were 8.6 (E+) and 8.3 (E−). Conclusions. The present data characterize clazosentan as a potent competitive antagonist of ETA receptor—mediated constriction of the cerebrovasculature by ET-1 and its precursor big ET-1. These functional data may also be used to define an in vitro profile of an ET receptor antagonist with a high probability of clinical efficacy.


Zygote ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 309-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carsten Krischek ◽  
Burkhard Meinecke

In the present study the effects of roscovitine on the in vitro nuclear maturation of porcine oocytes were investigated. Roscovitine, a specific inhibitor of cyclin-dependent protein kinases, prevented chromatin condensation in a concentration-dependent manner. This inhibition was reversible and was accompanied by non-activation of p34cdc2/histone H1 kinase. It also decreased enzyme activity of MAP kinase, suggesting a correlation between histone H1 kinase activation and the onset of chromatin condensation. The addition of roscovitine (50 μM) to extracts of metaphase II oocytes revealed that the MAP kinase activity was not directly affected by roscovitine, which indicates a possible link between histone H1 and MAP kinase. Chromatin condensation occurred between 20 and 28 h of culture of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) in inhibitor-free medium (germinal vesicle stage I, GV1: 74.6% and 13.7%, respectively). Nearly the same proportion of chromatin condensation was detected in COCs incubated initially in inhibitor-free medium for 20-28 h and subsequently in roscovitine-supplemented medium (50 μM) for a further 2-10 h (GV I: 76.2% and 18.8%, respectively). This observation indicates that roscovitine prevents chromatin condensation even after an initial inhibitor-free cultivation for 20 h. Extending this initial incubation period to ≥22 h led to an activation of histone H1 and MAP kinase and increasing proportions of oocytes exhibiting chromatin condensation in the presence of roscovitine. It is concluded that histone H1 kinase is involved in the induction of chromatin condensation during in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes.


1996 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 257-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chun W. Wong ◽  
Geoffrey O. Regester ◽  
Geoffrey L. Francis ◽  
Dennis L. Watson

SummaryStudies on the immunomodulatory activities of ruminant milk and colostral whey fractions were undertaken. By comparing with boiled colostral whey in a preliminary experiment, a putative heat-labile immunostimulatory factor for antibody responses was found to be present in ovine colostral whey. Studies were then undertaken in sheep in which the efferent prefemoral lymphatic ducts were cannulated bilaterally, and immune responses in the node were measured following subcutaneous injection in the flank fold of whey protein preparations of various purities. A significant sustained decline of efferent lymphocyte output was observed following injection with autologous crude milk whey or colostral whey preparations, but no changes were observed in interferon-gamma levels in lymph plasma. Two bovine milk whey fractions (lactoperoxidase and lactoferrin) of high purity were compared in bilaterally cannulated sheep. A transient decline over the first 6 h was seen in the efferent lymphocyte output and lymph flow rate after injection of both fractions. A significant difference was seen between the two fractions in interferongamma levels in lymph at 6 h after injection. However, no significant changes in the proportion of the various efferent lymphocyte phenotypes were seen following either treatment. Whereas both fractions showed a significant inhibitory effect in a dose-dependent manner on the proliferative response of T lymphocytes, but not B lymphocytes, to mitogenic stimulation in vitro, no similar changes were seen following in vivo stimulation with these two fractions.


Author(s):  
Ganiyu Oboh ◽  
Veronica O. Odubanjo ◽  
Fatai Bello ◽  
Ayokunle O. Ademosun ◽  
Sunday I. Oyeleye ◽  
...  

AbstractAvocado pear (The inhibitory effects of extracts on AChE and BChE activities and antioxidant potentials (inhibition of FeThe extracts inhibited AChE and BChE activities and prooxidant-induced TBARS production in a dose-dependent manner, with the seed extract having the highest inhibitory effect and the leaf extract exhibiting higher phenolic content and radical scavenging abilities, but lower Fe chelation ability compared with that of the seed. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins, alkaloids, and terpenoids in both extracts, whereas the total alkaloid profile was higher in the seed extract than in the leaf extract, as revealed by GC-FID.The anti-cholinesterase and antioxidant activities of avocado leaf and seed could be linked to their phytoconstituents and might be the possible mechanisms underlying their use as a cheap and natural treatment/management of AD. However, these extracts should be further investigated in vivo.


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