The Ras-adenylyl cyclase-protein kinase A nutrient-sensing pathway controls metabolism, proliferation and resistance to stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The genetic disruption of this pathway increases resistance to a variety of stresses. We show here that the pharmacological inhibition of this pathway by the drug triclabendazole increases resistance to oxidants, heat stress and extends the ...

The ability of neurons to differentially respond to specific temporal and spatial input patterns underlies information storage in neural circuits. One means of achieving spatial specificity is to restrict signaling molecules to particular subcellular compartments using anchoring molecules such as A-Kinase Anchoring Proteins (AKAPs). Disruption of protein kinase A (PKA) anchoring to AKAPs impair...

Calcium plays an important regulatory role in olfactory signal transduction. Many investigations into the regulation of the olfactory signaling pathway have been performed using fractions enriched in ciliary membranes from olfactory sensory neurons. The traditional method of preparing ciliary fractions uses high calcium concentrations, thought to dislodge cilia from the dendritic knobs of the o...

We previously reported the identification of human CAP, a protein that is related to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe adenylyl cyclase-associated CAP proteins. The two yeast CAP proteins have similar functions: the N-terminal domains are required for the normal function of adenylyl cyclase, while loss of the C-terminal domains result in morphological and nutritional de...

Chronic morphine administration increases levels of adenylyl cyclase and cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) activity in the locus coeruleus (LC), which contributes to the severalfold activation of LC neurons that occurs during opiate withdrawal. A role for the transcription factor cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) in mediating the opiate-induced upregulation of the cAMP pathway has ...

The activity of the adrenergic system plays an important role in the genesis of malignant arrhythmias and the spreading of the infarcted zone in acute myocardial ischemia. Acute myocardial ischemia induces an increased activity of adenylyl cyclase. This sensitization at the enzyme level as shown in the isolated perfused rat heart occurs rapidly after the onset of ischemia (5-15 minutes) and is ...

The ability of the heart to augment the perfusion of vital organs and skeletal muscles during stress is predicated on its ability to increase contractility in response to adrenergic neurohormones that are released from postsynaptic nerve terminals within the heart and/or from the adrenal gland. These neurohormonal signals must then be detected and processed by a complex of proteins located with...

Cell injury frequently occurs in the setting of tissue destruction and inflammation and is associated with a rise in intracellular calcium (Cai) and increased NO production. The mechanisms that trigger rises in Cai and NO during cell injury are not fully defined, but they may involve activation of G protein-coupled receptors for substances such as bradykinin, Ang II, thromboxane, and thrombin. ...

Thrombin is an important agonist for platelet activation and plays a major role in hemostasis and thrombosis. Thrombin activates platelets mainly through protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1), PAR4, and glycoprotein Ib. Because adenosine diphosphate and thromboxane A(2) have been shown to cause platelet aggregation by concomitant signaling through G(q) and G(i) pathways, we investigated whether ...

Dopamine D1A and D1B receptor subtypes belong to the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors. Both receptors are coupled to the activation of adenylyl cyclase and exhibit distinct brain distribution. To identify functional differences, binding and stimulation of adenylyl cyclase were assessed in 293 cells expressing transiently either dopamine D1A or D1B receptors. Membranes expressing D1B r...