Prostate apoptosis response-4 (Par-4) is a tumor suppressor protein that forms a complex with glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) to induce apoptosis. Previously, we reported that ER stress-induced apoptosis is a critical host defense mechanism against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). We sought to understand the role of Par-4 during ER stress-induced apoptosis in response to mycobacterial inf...

The PAR proteins play an essential role in establishing and maintaining cell polarity. While their function is conserved across species, little is known about their regulators and effectors. Here we report the identification of 13 potential components of the C. elegans PAR polarity pathway, identified in an RNAi-based, systematic screen to find suppressors of par-2(it5ts) lethality. Most of the...

Protease-activated receptors (PARs) are widely distributed in human airways, and recent evidence indicates a role for PARs in the pathophysiology of inflammatory airway disease. To further investigate the role of PARs in airway disease, we determined the expression and function of PARs in a murine model of respiratory tract viral infection. PAR-1, PAR-2, PAR-3, and PAR-4 mRNA and protein were e...

Vilazodone (VLZ) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and 5-HT1A receptor partial agonist approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder in adults. In preclinical studies, VLZ had significantly lower sexual side effects than SSRIs and reduced serotonin transporter (SERT) levels in forebrain regions. In the current study, once-daily paroxetine (PAR, 10 mg/kg), VLZ (10 mg/k...

In order to investigate the effect of urea and Azocompost on economic yield, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and radiation use efficiency (RUE) of wild majoram, a factorial experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications at Yazd and Mashhad, Iran, during 2012-2013 growing season. Four urea levels and four Azocompost levels (to provide 0, 40, 80 and 120 k...

BACKGROUND Protease-activated receptors (PARs), a family member of G-protein coupled receptors, are present and functionally active in a wide variety of cells. The object of this study was to demonstrate the presence and function of PAR-1 and PAR-2 in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV). METHODS DMNV neurons were isolated from neonatal rat brainstems using micro-dissection and enzymat...

Protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) is a G protein-coupled receptor that functions as a cell-surface sensor for coagulation factors and other proteases associated with the tumour microenvironment. Pancreatic cancer cells express high levels of PAR-2 and activation of PAR-2 may induce their proliferation and migration. Interestingly, however, PAR-2 expression is increased in stroma-rich pancre...

Polarization of the C. elegans zygote along the anterior-posterior axis depends on cortically enriched (PAR) and cytoplasmic (MEX-5/6) proteins, which function together to localize determinants (e.g. PIE-1) in response to a polarizing cue associated with the sperm asters. Using time-lapse microscopy and GFP fusions, we have analyzed the localization dynamics of PAR-2, PAR-6, MEX-5, MEX-6 and PI...

Protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) is a widely expressed tethered ligand receptor that can be activated by trypsin and other trypsin-like serine proteases. In the exocrine pancreas, PAR-2 activation modulates acinar cell secretion of digestive enzymes and duct cell ion channel function. During acute pancreatitis, digestive enzyme zymogens, including trypsinogen, are activated within the panc...