Although only 16 genes have been identified in mammals, several Galpha subunits can be simultaneously activated by G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to modulate their complicated functions. Current GPCR assays are limited in the evaluation of selective Galpha activation, thus not allowing a comprehensive pathway screening. Because adenylyl cyclases are directly activated by G(s)alpha and the ...

Neuromedin U (NmU) is a structurally highly conserved neuropeptide. It is ubiquitously distributed, with highest levels found in the gastrointestinal tract and pituitary. Originally isolated from porcine spinal cord, it has since been isolated and sequenced from several species. Amino acid alignment of NmU from different species reveals a high level of conservation, and particular features with...

Previously, high levels of gastrin-releasing peptide and its mRNA were detected in classic small cell lung cancer cell lines. Here the ability of lung cancer cell lines to synthesize neuromedin B (NMB), a structurally similar mammalian bombesin-like peptide, was investigated. By radioimmunoassay, NMB (0.1-0.7 pmol/mg of protein) was detected in 23 of 33 lung cancer cell lines. In contrast, gast...

Two endogenous receptors for the potent smooth muscle-stimulating peptide neuromedin U (NmU) have recently been identified and cloned. Pharmacological, binding, and expression studies were conducted in an attempt to determine the receptor(s) involved in the smooth muscle-stimulating effects of NmU. The NmU peptides caused a concentration-dependent contraction of canine isolated urinary bladder....

Neuromedin U (NmU) -a neuropeptide belonging to the neuromedin family- plays a substantial role in HER2-positive breast cancer, correlating with increased aggressiveness, resistance to HER2-targeted therapies and overall significantly poorer outcome for patients. However, the mechanism through which it exerts these effects remains unclear. To elucidate this, initially we used HER2-positive brea...

The pars tuberalis (PT) is part of the anterior pituitary gland surrounding the median eminence as a thin cell layer. The characteristics of PT differ from those of the pars distalis (PD), such as cell composition and gene expression, suggesting that the PT has a unique physiological function compared to the PD. Because the PT highly expresses melatonin receptor type 1, it is considered a media...