Niacin has been demonstrated to activate a PI3K/Akt signaling cascade to prevent brain damage after stroke and UV-induced skin damage; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms for HCA2-induced Akt activation remain to be elucidated. Using CHO-K1 cells stably expressing HCA2 and A431 cells, a human epidermoid cell line with high levels of endogenous expression of functional HCA2 receptors, w...

Niacin raises high-density lipoprotein and lowers low-density lipoprotein through the activation of the β-hydroxybutyrate receptor hydroxycarboxylic acid 2 (HCA2) (aka GPR109a) but with an unwanted side effect of cutaneous flushing caused by vascular dilation because of the stimulation of HCA2 receptors in Langerhans cells in skin. HCA1 (aka GPR81), predominantly expressed in adipocytes, was re...

Vascular cambium, a type of lateral meristem, is the source of secondary xylem and secondary phloem, but little is known about the molecular mechanisms of its formation and development. Here, we report the characterization of an Arabidopsis thaliana gain-of-function mutant with dramatically increased cambial activity, designated high cambial activity2 (hca2). The hca2 mutant has no alternative ...

background: recently, reports have indicated a role for the membrane form of toll-like receptor 2 (tlr2) in asthma pathogenesis. in this study we examined soluble tlr2 levels in serum and sputum of asthmatic and healthy subjects. methods: serum and sputum samples were obtained from 33 asthmatic and 19 healthy subjects. the asthmatics were classified into four groups according to the global init...

abstract objective: the previous studies indicated that the tlrs especially toll-like receptor 4) tlr4 (are involved in the process of diabetes. the aim of the present research was to investigate the time course expression pattern of tlr4-a main component of innate immune system- in mrna levels in the heart tissue of diabetic male wistar rats. materials and methods: in this research, adult wist...

MANY POSTZYGOTIC REPRODUCTIVE BARRIER FORMS HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN PLANTS: hybrid weakness, hybrid necrosis, and hybrid chlorosis. In this study, linkage analysis of the genes causing hybrid chlorosis in F(2) generation in rice, HCA1 and HCA2, was performed. HCA1 and HCA2 are located respectively on the distal regions of the short arms of chromosomes 12 and 11. These regions are known to be high...

leptin is secreted mainly by fat, which is involved in energy metabolism and reproduction. leptin and itsreceptor (ob-r) have been detected in human spermatozoa and testis, thus it can be concluded leptin involves in male physiology. the goal of this study was determination of the presence of leptin receptor mrna in the ram testis, epididymis and spermatozoa by reverse transcription polymerase ...

Leptin is secreted mainly by fat, which is involved in energy metabolism and reproduction. Leptin and itsreceptor (Ob-R) have been detected in human spermatozoa and testis, thus it can be concluded leptin involves in male physiology. The goal of this study was determination of the presence of leptin receptor mRNA in the ram testis, epididymis and spermatozoa by reverse transcription polymerase ...