scholarly journals Function, Regulation and Biological Roles of PI3Kγ Variants

Biomolecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernd Nürnberg ◽  
Sandra Beer-Hammer

Phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) γ is the only class IB PI3K member playing significant roles in the G-protein-dependent regulation of cell signaling in health and disease. Originally found in the immune system, increasing evidence suggest a wide array of functions in the whole organism. PI3Kγ occur as two different heterodimeric variants: PI3Kγ (p87) and PI3Kγ (p101), which share the same p110γ catalytic subunit but differ in their associated non-catalytic subunit. Here we concentrate on specific PI3Kγ features including its regulation and biological functions. In particular, the roles of its non-catalytic subunits serving as the main regulators determining specificity of class IB PI3Kγ enzymes are highlighted.

2007 ◽  
Vol 408 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ping Wang ◽  
Puneet Kumar ◽  
Chang Wang ◽  
Kathryn A. DeFea

PAR-2 (protease-activated receptor 2) is a GPCR (G-protein-coupled receptor) that can elicit both G-protein-dependent and -independent signals. We have shown previously that PAR-2 simultaneously promotes Gαq/Ca2+-dependent activation and β-arrestin-1-dependent inhibition of class IA PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase), and we sought to characterize further the role of β-arrestins in the regulation of PI3K activity. Whereas the ability of β-arrestin-1 to inhibit p110α (PI3K catalytic subunit α) has been demonstrated, the role of β-arrestin-2 in PI3K regulation and possible differences in the regulation of the two catalytic subunits (p110α and p110β) associated with p85α (PI3K regulatory subunit) have not been examined. In the present study we have demonstrated that: (i) PAR-2 increases p110α- and p110β-associated lipid kinase activities, and both p110α and p110β are inhibited by over-expression of either β-arrestin-1 or -2; (ii) both β-arrestin-1 and -2 directly inhibit the p110α catalytic subunit in vitro, whereas only β-arrestin-2 directly inhibited p110β; (iii) examination of upstream pathways revealed that PAR-2-induced PI3K activity required the small GTPase Cdc (cell-division cycle)42, but not tyrosine phosphorylation of p85; and (iv) β-arrestins inhibit PAR-2-induced Cdc42 activation. Taken together, these results indicated that β-arrestins could inhibit PAR-2-stimulated PI3K activity, both directly and through interference with upstream pathways, and that the two β-arrestins differ in their ability to inhibit the p110α and p110β catalytic subunits. These results are particularly important in light of the growing interest in PAR-2 as a pharmacological target, as commonly used biochemical assays that monitor G-protein coupling would not screen for β-arrestin-dependent signalling events.


2016 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Gajšek Grbec ◽  
Marija Pfeifer ◽  
Primož Rožman

AB0 blood groups are inherited markers on blood cells. Since their discovery, there were numerous attempts to be attributed a wide variety of biological functions they don’t possess. The purpose of this article is primarily to inform the professional, as well as lay public that the theory of healthy nutrition based on AB0 blood groups represents nothing more than a pseudoscience used for mass exploitation and commercial purposes. ABO blood groups were attributed such characteristics by naturopathic doctor Peter D'Adamo, who on the basis of false methods and erroneous assumptions wrote a bestseller "Eat Right For Your Type". It claims that the blood groupsAB0 represent a "key to the functioning of our immune system" and that the blood group based diet represents a “key to the health of every man”. As in the case of nutrition based on the ABO blood groups, the scientific knowledge in the field of immunohematology is misused to mislead the lay public, we are obliged to explain the real meaning and the role of blood groups in health and disease, the misuse of blood groups in relation to healthy nutrition.


Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1686 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caretta ◽  
Denaro ◽  
D’Avella ◽  
Mucignat-Caretta

Deregulation of intracellular signal transduction pathways is a hallmark of cancer cells, clearly differentiating them from healthy cells. Differential intracellular distribution of the cAMP-dependent protein kinases (PKA) was previously detected in cell cultures and in vivo in glioblastoma and medulloblastoma. Our goal is to extend this observation to meningioma, to explore possible differences among tumors of different origins and prospective outcomes. The distribution of regulatory and catalytic subunits of PKA has been examined in tissue specimens obtained during surgery from meningioma patients. PKA RI subunit appeared more evenly distributed throughout the cytoplasm, but it was clearly detectable only in some tumors. RII was present in discrete spots, presumably at high local concentration; these aggregates could also be visualized under equilibrium binding conditions with fluorescent 8-substituted cAMP analogues, at variance with normal brain tissue and other brain tumors. The PKA catalytic subunit showed exactly overlapping pattern to RII and in fixed sections could be visualized by fluorescent cAMP analogues. Gene expression analysis showed that the PKA catalytic subunit revealed a significant correlation pattern with genes involved in meningioma. Hence, meningioma patients show a distinctive distribution pattern of PKA regulatory and catalytic subunits, different from glioblastoma, medulloblastoma, and healthy brain tissue. These observations raise the possibility of exploiting the PKA intracellular pathway as a diagnostic tool and possible therapeutic interventions.


Author(s):  
Gabriele Stephan ◽  
Niklas Ravn-Boess ◽  
Dimitris G Placantonakis

Abstract Members of the adhesion family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have received attention for their roles in health and disease, including cancer. Over the past decade, several members of the family have been implicated in the pathogenesis of glioblastoma. Here, we discuss the basic biology of adhesion GPCRs and review in detail specific members of the receptor family with known functions in glioblastoma. Finally, we discuss the potential use of adhesion GPCRs as novel treatment targets in neuro-oncology.


Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 672
Author(s):  
Richard A. Pepermans ◽  
Geetanjali Sharma ◽  
Eric R. Prossnitz

Estrogen is involved in numerous physiological and pathophysiological systems. Its role in driving estrogen receptor-expressing breast cancers is well established, but it also has important roles in a number of other cancers, acting both on tumor cells directly as well as in the function of multiple cells of the tumor microenvironment, including fibroblasts, immune cells, and adipocytes, which can greatly impact carcinogenesis. One of its receptors, the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), has gained much interest over the last decade in both health and disease. Increasing evidence shows that GPER contributes to clinically observed endocrine therapy resistance in breast cancer while also playing a complex role in a number of other cancers. Recent discoveries regarding the targeting of GPER in combination with immune checkpoint inhibition, particularly in melanoma, have led to the initiation of the first Phase I clinical trial for the GPER-selective agonist G-1. Furthermore, its functions in metabolism and corresponding pathophysiological states, such as obesity and diabetes, are becoming more evident and suggest additional therapeutic value in targeting GPER for both cancer and other diseases. Here, we highlight the roles of GPER in several cancers, as well as in metabolism and immune regulation, and discuss the therapeutic value of targeting this estrogen receptor as a potential treatment for cancer as well as contributing metabolic and inflammatory diseases and conditions.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 850
Author(s):  
María Ángeles Martín ◽  
Sonia Ramos

Flavanols are natural occurring polyphenols abundant in fruits and vegetables to which have been attributed to beneficial effects on health, and also against metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome. These positive properties have been associated to the modulation of different molecular pathways, and importantly, to the regulation of immunological reactions (pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, nuclear factor-κB [NF-κB], inducible enzymes), and the activity of cells of the immune system. In addition, flavanols can modulate the composition and function of gut microbiome in a prebiotic-like manner, resulting in the positive regulation of metabolic pathways and immune responses, and reduction of low-grade chronic inflammation. Moreover, the biotransformation of flavanols by gut bacteria increases their bioavailability generating a number of metabolites with potential to affect human metabolism, including during metabolic diseases. However, the exact mechanisms by which flavanols act on the microbiota and immune system to influence health and disease remain unclear, especially in humans where these connections have been scarcely explored. This review seeks to summarize recent advances on the complex interaction of flavanols with gut microbiota, immunity and inflammation focus on metabolic diseases.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 699
Author(s):  
Cielo García-Montero ◽  
Oscar Fraile-Martínez ◽  
Ana M. Gómez-Lahoz ◽  
Leonel Pekarek ◽  
Alejandro J. Castellanos ◽  
...  

The most prevalent diseases of our time, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) (including obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and some types of cancer) are rising worldwide. All of them share the condition of an “inflammatory disorder”, with impaired immune functions frequently caused or accompanied by alterations in gut microbiota. These multifactorial maladies also have in common malnutrition related to physiopathology. In this context, diet is the greatest modulator of immune system–microbiota crosstalk, and much interest, and new challenges, are arising in the area of precision nutrition as a way towards treatment and prevention. It is a fact that the westernized diet (WD) is partly responsible for the increased prevalence of NCDs, negatively affecting both gut microbiota and the immune system. Conversely, other nutritional approaches, such as Mediterranean diet (MD), positively influence immune system and gut microbiota, and is proposed not only as a potential tool in the clinical management of different disease conditions, but also for prevention and health promotion globally. Thus, the purpose of this review is to determine the regulatory role of nutritional components of WD and MD in the gut microbiota and immune system interplay, in order to understand, and create awareness of, the influence of diet over both key components.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii124-ii124
Author(s):  
Jan Remsik ◽  
Xinran Tong ◽  
Ugur Sener ◽  
Danille Isakov ◽  
Yudan Chi ◽  
...  

Abstract For decades, the central nervous system was considered to be an immune privileged organ with limited access to systemic immunity. However, the leptomeninges, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-filled anatomical structure that protects the brain and spinal cord, represent a relatively immune-rich environment. Despite the presence of immune cells, complications in the CSF, such as infectious meningitis and a neurological development of cancer known as leptomeningeal metastasis, are difficult to treat and are frequently fatal. We show that immune cells entering the CSF are held in an ‘idle’ state that limits their cytotoxic arsenal and antigen presentation machinery. To understand this underappreciated neuroanatomic niche, we used unique mouse models and rare patient samples to characterize its cellular composition and critical signaling events in health and disease at a single-cell resolution. Revealing the mediators of CSF immune response will allow us to re-evaluate current therapeutic protocols and employ rational combinations with immunotherapies, therefore turning the patient’s own immune system into an active weapon against pathogens and cancer.


2013 ◽  
Vol 69 (11) ◽  
pp. 2287-2292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew C. Kruse ◽  
Aashish Manglik ◽  
Brian K. Kobilka ◽  
William I. Weis

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are a large class of integral membrane proteins involved in regulating virtually every aspect of human physiology. Despite their profound importance in human health and disease, structural information regarding GPCRs has been extremely limited until recently. With the advent of a variety of new biochemical and crystallographic techniques, the structural biology of GPCRs has advanced rapidly, offering key molecular insights into GPCR activation and signal transduction. To date, almost all GPCR structures have been solved using molecular-replacement techniques. Here, the unique aspects of molecular replacement as applied to individual GPCRs and to signaling complexes of these important proteins are discussed.


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