Endocrine Abstracts

In the last years estrogens have emerged as important regulators in male reproductive function. Spermatogenesis depends on the tight control of germ cell apoptosis and several studies indicated estrogens as playing a role in this process. The stem cell factor (SCF), a membrane-bound cytokine, and its receptor (c-kit), and the Fas ligand (FasL)/Fas receptor (FasR) system are powerful mechanisms controlling germ cell proliferation and apoptosis through the direct membrane commun...

The SMP30 (Senescence Marker Protein 30) is involved in the maintenance of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis and in the regulation of various Ca2+- dependent proteins. A suppressive effect on cell proliferation, DNA synthesis and on the expression of oncogenes in rat hepatoma cells overexpressing SMP30 has been reported recently suggesting it may have a role in cancer progression. High levels of SMP30 expression have been found in liver and kidney of rats bu...

Prostate cancer (PCa) is an endocrine tumor that presents distinct metabolic features associated with neoplastic development, namely in the transition from the androgen-dependent to the androgen-independent phenotype that characterizes advanced stages of prostate cancer. Recently, we have found that LNCaP (androgen-responsive) and PC3 (androgen-nonresponsive) PCa cells present distinct glycolytic metabolism profiles in consequence of altered gene expression and/or activity of ...

Transthyretin (TTR) is well documented as a carrier for thyroid hormones. It also binds retinol binding protein preventing its filtration trough the kidneys and therefore is involved in delivering retinol to target cells. Moreover, TTR sequesters amyloid-beta impairing its deposition in nervous tissues and possibly contributing to its removal. Despite its importance in mammalian physiology, there are few studies regarding the regulation of TTR synthesis. In silico analy...