Endocrine Abstracts

Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) signal transduction requires heterocomplexing between type II receptors and different type I (α or β) receptors resulting in the activation of different signalling pathways. Previously, we have used αT3-1 and Lβt-2 cell lines, which are representative of different stages of gonadotroph development, to demonstrate differential expression of the receptor isoforms during gonadotroph maturation. BMPR-Iα and II mRNA and ...

The local expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) during pituitary development mediates the commitment of undifferentiated cells to the gonadotroph lineage. In the current study, we have used alphaT3-1 and LbetaT2 cells, which represent different stages of gonadotroph development to examine BMP-2 receptor (BMPR) expression and effects of BMP-2 on cell signalling pathways and cell proliferation. In bone, signal transduction via BMPRs requires heteromeric complexing b...

Adrenomedullin (AM) is a multifunctional peptide hormone which plays a significant role in vasodilation and angiogenesis, implicating it in hypertension as well as in carcinogenesis. AM exerts its effects via the Calcitonin Receptor-Like Receptor (CLR) complexed with either Receptor Activity Modifying Protein (RAMP) 2 or 3.The aim of the present study is to investigate the biological actions, functions and possible target genes of AM in immortalized Huma...

Adrenomedullin (ADM) is a multifunctional peptide which plays a significant role in vasodilation, angiogenisis and septic shock. It exerts its effects via the calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR) in combination with either receptor associated protein (RAMP) 2 or 3. However the regulation of the ADM receptors is still widely unknown (1). In the present study the effects of adrenomedullin on immortalized Human Microvascular Endothelial Cells (HMECs) was investigated. Endothe...

The cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the actions of BMP-2 to induce gonadotroph-specific gene expression during pituitary development are poorly understood. We have characterised BMP receptor (BMP-R) expression in two gonadotroph models, the alphaT3-1 and LbetaT2 cells, which represent different stages of gonadotroph development. Signal transduction via BMP-R requires a heterodimeric complex between type I (A or B) and type II receptors. RT-PCR for BMP-R, using sub...

BACKGROUND: Ghrelin is a novel 28-amino acid peptide which was isolated from the rat stomach and has now been shown to have a widespread tissue distribution. Ghrelin is the endogenous ligand of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1a (GHS-R1a), and stimulates growth hormone (GH) release via the hypothalamus as well as by a direct action on the pituitary GHS-R1a. Ghrelin and the GHS-R1a also coexist within the pituitary. There are conflicting data regarding the effects...

Regulation of many pituitary-specific genes involves calcium signalling, yet the mechanisms and signalling molecules involved have yet to be established. CaMK's are expressed in a wide variety of tissues, and are known to modulate transcriptional regulators such as MAPK's and CREB. It is unclear as to which anterior pituitary cell types express CaMK's, or which isoforms are present. We have examined the presence and localisation of type II and IV CaMK's in alphaT3-1, LbetaT2 (...