Prokineticin receptors (version 2019.4) in the IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology Database

Prokineticin receptors, PKR1 and PKR2 (provisional nomenclature as recommended by NC-IUPHAR [23]) respond to the cysteine-rich 81-86 amino-acid peptides prokineticin-1 (also known as endocrine gland-derived vascular endothelial growth factor, mambakine) and prokineticin-2 (protein Bv8 homologue). An orthologue of PROK1 from black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) venom, mamba intestinal toxin 1 (MIT1, [65]) is a potent, non-selective agonist at prokineticin receptors [41], while Bv8, an orthologue of PROK2 from amphibians (Bombina sp., [44]), is equipotent at recombinant PKR1 and PKR2 [48], and has high potency in macrophage chemotaxis assays, which are lost in PKR1-null mice.

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Localization and Quantification of Cyclic Changes in the Expression of Endocrine Gland Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in the Human Corpus Luteum

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism ◽

10.1210/jc.2004-0843 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 90 (1) ◽

pp. 427-434 ◽

Cited By ~ 74

Author(s):

Hamish M. Fraser ◽

Julie Bell ◽

Helen Wilson ◽

Paul D. Taylor ◽

Kevin Morgan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ◽

Growth Factor ◽

Corpus Luteum ◽

Luteal Phase ◽

Endocrine Gland ◽

Vascular Endothelial ◽

Vegf Mrna ◽

Prokineticin 2 ◽

Endothelial Growth Factor ◽

Human Corpus Luteum

Abstract Angiogenesis is essential for normal growth and function of the corpus luteum. The roles of various angiogenic factors in these events are being elucidated. Endocrine gland vascular endothelial growth factor (EG-VEGF) has recently been described in the human ovary. To define the localization of EG-VEGF mRNA in the corpus luteum and determine changes in its expression, dated human corpora lutea were studied at the early, mid-, and late luteal phases. Quantitative RT-PCR was employed to determine changes in EG-VEGF mRNA and compare expression to its related factor prokineticin-2 and the established angiogenic factor, VEGF. In situ hybridization was used to localize sites of production of EG-VEGF. To investigate whether expression of EG-VEGF was under the influence of LH or progesterone, luteinized granulosa cells were stimulated with human chorionic gonadotropin in the presence or absence of a progesterone synthesis inhibitor. EG-VEGF mRNA increased throughout the luteal phase, whereas there was no change in VEGF mRNA. The relative abundance of RNAs based upon PCR signal intensity showed that VEGF and EG-VEGF were highly expressed, whereas expression of prokineticin-2 was low. EG-VEGF mRNA was localized predominantly to granulosa-derived cells of the corpus luteum. Human chorionic gonadotropin stimulated both VEGF and EG-VEGF mRNA in vitro, but the level of expression was not influenced by progesterone. These results establish that in the human corpus luteum EG-VEGF is principally derived from granulosa lutein cells and that its synthesis is highest during the mid- to late luteal phase.

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Polymorphisms of endocrine gland-derived vascular endothelial growth factor gene and its receptor genes are associated with recurrent pregnancy loss

Human Reproduction ◽

10.1093/humrep/deq256 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 25 (11) ◽

pp. 2923-2930 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

M.-T. Su ◽

S.-H. Lin ◽

I.-W. Lee ◽

Y.-C. Chen ◽

C.-C. Hsu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ◽

Growth Factor ◽

Pregnancy Loss ◽

Recurrent Pregnancy Loss ◽

Endocrine Gland ◽

Vascular Endothelial ◽

Factor Gene ◽

Growth Factor Gene ◽

Endothelial Growth Factor

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Endocrine gland-derived vascular endothelial growth factor in rat pancreas: genetic expression and testosterone regulation

Journal of Endocrinology ◽

10.1677/joe-07-0567 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 197 (2) ◽

pp. 309-314 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Angélica Morales ◽

Sumiko Morimoto ◽

Lorenza Díaz ◽

Guillermo Robles ◽

Vicente Díaz-Sánchez

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ◽

Growth Factor ◽

Pancreatic Tissue ◽

Endocrine Gland ◽

Vascular Endothelial ◽

Rinm5f Cells ◽

Vegf Gene ◽

Rat Pancreas ◽

Endothelial Growth Factor

Endocrine gland-derived vascular endothelial growth factor (EG-VEGF) is an endothelial cell mitogen, expressed essentially in steroidogenic cells. Recently, the expression of EG-VEGF in normal human pancreas and pancreatic adenocarcinoma has been demonstrated. Epidemiologically, pancreatic carcinogenesis is more frequent in males than females, and given that androgen receptors and testosterone biotransformation have been described in pancreas, we hypothesized that testosterone could participate in the regulation of EG-VEGF expression. In this study, we investigated the regulation of EG-VEGF gene expression by testosterone in normal rat pancreatic tissue and rat insulinoma cells (RINm5F). Total RNA was extracted from rat pancreas and cultured cells. Gene expression was studied by real-time PCR and protein detection by immunohistochemistry. Serum testosterone was quantified by RIA. Results showed that EG-VEGF is expressed predominantly in pancreatic islets and vascular endothelium, as well as in RINm5F cells. EG-VEGF gene expression was lower in the pancreas of rats with higher testosterone serum levels. A similar effect that was reverted by flutamide was observed in testosterone-treated RINm5F cells. In summary, testosterone down-regulated EG-VEGF gene expression in rat pancreatic tissue and RINm5F cells. This effect could be mediated by the androgen receptor. To our knowledge, this is the first time that a direct effect of testosterone on EG-VEGF gene expression in rat pancreas and RINm5F cells is demonstrated.

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