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PubMed · 8719032

Somatostatin.

Abstract

1. Somatostatin (SRIF) exerts diverse physiological actions in the body including regulation of hormone and neurotransmitter release and neuronal firing activity. Analogs of SRIF are used clinically to treat tumors and cancers and to block the hypersecretion of growth hormone in acromegaly. 2. The recent cloning of five SRIF receptor subtypes has allowed for the identification of the molecular basis of the cellular actions of SRIF. The ligand binding domains and regions involved in coupling to G proteins and cellular effector systems are being identified and the processes by which SRIF inhibits cell growth and proliferation are being established. Furthermore, subtype selective agonists have been generated which are being used to investigate the specific biological roles of each SRIF receptor subtypes. 3. Such information will be useful in developing a new generation of SRIF drugs that could be employed to treat metabolic diseases, disorders of the gut, cancer and abnormalities in the central nervous system such as epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease.

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BibTeXRIS

T Reisine. 1995. Somatostatin.. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf02071127

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Protein metabolism in acromegaly: differential effects of short- and long-term treatment.

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Acromegaly↗

Acromegaly.

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Acromegaly↗

Carney complex: the first 20 years.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to comment on the current findings on Carney complex, a dominantly inherited disease and a unique multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome. RECENT FINDINGS: Sequencing of the PRKAR1A gene in more than 150 kindreds has revealed a number of pathogenic mutations; in more than 90% of the cases, the sequence change was predicted to lead to a premature stop codon and, thus, mutant mRNAs were subject to nonsense-mediated mRNA decay. In Carney complex syndrome cells carrying these mutations, protein kinase A activity is irregularly stimulated by cAMP. Mutations that did not lead to a premature stop codon have also been described; these were also associated with abnormal protein kinase A activity. Animal models of the disease have been recently developed; they reproduced some of the stigmata of Carney complex syndrome but not all. Genetic testing of patients' family members has been introduced in recent years, leading to early detection and a better overall prognosis. SUMMARY: New treatments have yet to be applied; the elucidation of the molecular pathways regulated by PRKAR1A holds the promise of leading to molecularly designed therapies.

Acromegaly↗