β-arrestin 1 and 2 (also known as arrestin 2 and 3) are homologous adaptor proteins that regulate seven-transmembrane receptor trafficking and signalling. Other proteins with predicted 'arrestin-like' structural domains but lacking sequence homology have been indicated to function like β-arrestin in receptor regulation. We demonstrate that β-arrestin2 is the primary adaptor that rapidly binds a...

Intracellular microelectrodes were used to record neurogenic inhibitory junction potentials in the intestinal circular muscle coat. Electrical field stimulation was used to stimulate intramural neurons and evoke contraction of the smooth musculature. Exposure to β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (β-NAD) did not alter smooth muscle membrane potential in guinea pig colon or human jejunum. ATP, ...

Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) and photon counting histogram (PCH) analysis are powerful ways to study mobility and stoichiometry of G protein coupled receptor complexes, within microdomains of single living cells. However, relating these properties to molecular mechanisms can be challenging. We investigated the influence of β-arrestin adaptors and endocytosis mechanisms on plasma ...

The prevalence of thyroid diseases including autoimmune hyperthyroidism (Graves’ disease), thyroiditis, and different forms cancer is increasing every year, while the effectiveness their treatment remains low limited, mainly, to replacement therapy with hormones surgical radioisotope methods. This review presents current state problem pharmacological correction in new approaches regulation func...

RATIONALE Phosphorylation of β(2)-adrenergic receptor (β(2)AR) by a family of serine/threonine kinases known as G protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK) and protein kinase A (PKA) is a critical determinant of cardiac function. Upregulation of G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) is a well-established causal factor of heart failure, but the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. OBJEC...

Human vascular endothelial cells express the estrogen receptor-β (ER-β), which can be modulated by the opiate alkaloid morphine. OBJECTIVES: To determine if morphine is capable of down regulating the ER-β receptor in a similar fashion as the μ opiate receptor since they are both coupled to constitutive nitric oxide synthase derived nitric oxide release. METHODS AND RESULTS: Endothelial cells ob...

transforming growth factor-beta (tgf-β) is one of the most important cytokines implicated in growth, differentiation, repair and also the pathogenesis of the lung fibrosis by its stimulatory effect on extracellular matrix deposition. pulmonary epithelial cells are considered as a source of tgf-β in lung. substance p (sp), as a neuroimmunomodulator has elevated levels in inflamed airways and alt...

The glucagon receptor (GCGR) is a member of the class B G protein-coupled receptor family. Activation of GCGR by glucagon leads to increased glucose production by the liver. Thus, glucagon is a key component of glucose homeostasis by counteracting the effect of insulin. In this report, we found that in addition to activation of the classic cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) pathway, activation of GCGR...

PURPOSE THE AIMS OF THIS STUDY WERE AS FOLLOW: 1) to de scribe the expression status of estrogen receptor-α and -β mRNAs in five gastric carcinoma cell lines; 2) to evaluate in vitro the effects of 17β-estradiol and estrogen receptor antagonists on the proliferation of the cell lines. MATERIALS AND METHODS Detection of estrogen receptor-α and estrogen receptor-β mRNA in five human gastric can...