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Analysis of signaling pathways used by parathyroid hormone to activate the c-fos gene in human SaOS2 osteoblast-like cells.

We have evaluated the signaling pathways activated by parathyroid hormone (PTH) in SaOS2 human osteoblastlike cells correlating with induction of the c-fos proto-oncogene. Human PTH(1-34) (hPTH[1-34]) and hPTH(1-34) Nle8,18 Tyr34 induced the expression of c-fos mRNA in quiescent SaOS2 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. N-terminal truncations of hPTH(1-34) that fail to activate protein kinase A (PKA) also abolished c-fos mRNA induction. In gel retardation assays hPTH(1-34) led to a change in the mobility of specific, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element binding protein (CREB)-containing protein-DNA complexes identical to that caused by other activators of PKA. The appearance of this altered mobility complex correlated temporally with the induction of c-fos mRNA. Using a c-fos serum response element probe, a slowed protein DNA complex appeared upon serum, epidermal growth factor, and basic fibroblast growth factor treatment. This slowed complex reflects phosphorylation of the transcription factor ternary complex factor (TCF) mediated via activation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway. The MAP kinase cascade is also activated by protein kinase C (PKC), and treatment with phorbol ester led to the induced TCF shift. In contrast, PTH did not produce this shift, ruling out PTH activation of c-fos via PKC and the MAP kinase signaling cascade. Further evidence for this was the lack of effect of the highly selective PKC inhibitor CGP 41251 on c-fos induction by hPTH(1-34). The janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) signaling cascade targets the v-sis-inducible element in the c-fos promoter via the induced binding of STATs. Interferon gamma rapidly induced STAT binding in SaOS2 cells, unlike PTH. Thus, PTH induction of c-fos transcription appears to occur principally through activation of PKA that then targets CREB and the c-fos calcium/cAMP response element.

Gene Expression Regulation↗

Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) vitellogenins: development of homologous and heterologous ELISAs and analysis of vitellogenin pathway through the ovarian follicle.

Vitellogenin (VTG) of Oreochromis niloticus was again purified, due to the conflicting results found in the literature. Three purification processes have been used: electrophoresis and electro-elution, double chromatography (gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography) and single ion-exchange chromatography. Using SDS-PAGE we confirmed in all cases the presence of two polypeptidic forms of plasma VTG of 130 kDa (VTG1) and 170 kDa (VTG2). We raised polyclonal antibodies against each VTG form and we demonstrated the complete cross-reactivity of each antibody with both forms of VTG by Enzyme Immuno-Assay (EIA) and Western blots. The homologous ELISAs developed exhibited a detection limit of 6 ng x ml(-1), equivalent to 60 ng x ml(-1) of plasma VTG and allowed us to quantify the total plasma VTG of O. niloticus with high specificity and sensitivity. Using photonic and electron immunomicroscopy, we followed the pathway of VTG into the ovarian follicle (OF) demonstrating that VTG enters the oocyte at stage 3 of OF development, at the same time as cortical alveoli and lipid globules appear. Heterologous ELISAs performed on other cichlid species allowed us to quantify plasma VTG in Oreochromis aureus and Sarotherodon melanotheron and to detect it in Hemichromis fasciatus, Hemichromis bimaculatus and Tilapia zillii, constituting a reliable tool for monitoring the presence of xeno-estrogens in the environment of these fish species.

Animals↗

Comparative analysis of apoptotic pathways in rat, mouse, and hamster spermatozoa.

Apoptosis is a type of cell death characterized by the activation of a family of cysteine-proteases called caspases. We made a comparative study to determine the presence of several caspases and other regulators of apoptosis in rat, mouse, and hamster spermatozoa. Our results showed that the three species have both active and inactive caspases-8 and -3, the proapoptotic protein BID, p53, and the endogenous caspase inhibitor cIAP-1. However, we did not find evidence for the presence of active caspase-9. The acrosome reaction (i.e., the exocytic process of sperm acrosome) and sperm viability were not affected by the presence of a general caspase inhibitor. On the other hand, valinomycin, which promotes caspase-dependent cell death in somatic cells, induced caspase-independent cell death in spermatozoa. TRAIL, a ligand whose receptor induces apoptosis in malignant cells, did not have any effect in the viability of mouse spermatozoa, despise the presence of its receptor in rat and mouse, but not in hamster spermatozoa. Therefore, our results strongly suggest that rodent spermatozoa have some components of the apoptotic pathway. However, the role of caspases in mammalian spermatozoa appears to be unrelated to sperm survival or to the acrosome reaction under physiological conditions.

Acrosome Reaction↗

Analysis of motor pathway involvement in konzo using transcranial electrical and magnetic stimulation.

To elucidate the involvement of motor pathways in konzo, 21 konzo subjects (mean age 22 years) underwent transcranial electrical stimulation (TES) in 1998. Fourteen konzo subjects (mean age 21 years) underwent transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in 2000. Three subjects underwent both TES and TMS. Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were recorded in the abductor pollicis brevis (APB) muscle with TES, and in the abductor digiti minimi (ADM) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles with TMS. APB-MEPs were normal in 2 of 21 subjects and absent in 9; central conduction time (CCT) was prolonged in 10. Resting ADM-MEPs were absent in 9 of 14 subjects with clinically preserved upper limbs. Among these nine, seven subjects responded after facilitation. Most subjects (13 of 14) failed to show TA-MEPs. Of the subjects who underwent both types of stimulation, one had normal TES-MEP but abnormal ADM-MEP with TMS. These findings suggest involvement of both corticomotoneurons and motor descending pathways in konzo.

Adolescent↗

Electron ionisation mass spectral analysis and fragmentation pathways for some thiophosphorylic p-carboxybenzene sulfonamides.

The work presents the 70 eV electron impact mass spectra of some thiophosphorylic p-carboxybenzene sulfonamides, and proposes rationalisation of their fragmentation pathways. Accurate mass measurements of the fragment ions, and metastable ion analyses performed in the MIKES mode, were used to elucidate the most abundant ion compositions and to elucidate the fragmentation patterns of these pharmacologically interesting compounds.

Journal Article↗

Biosynthesis of cytochrome f in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii: analysis of the pathway in gabaculine-treated cells and in the heme attachment mutant B6.

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii uses two c-type cytochromes for photosynthetic electron transfer: the thylakoid membrane-bound cytochrome f of the cytochrome b6f complex and the soluble cytochrome c6. Previously, a class of photosynthesis-minus, acetate-requiring mutants was identified which were deficient in both c-type cytochromes, and biochemical analyses of cytochrome c6 biosynthesis in these strains indicated that they were each blocked at the step of heme attachment to apocytochrome c6. In order to demonstrate that the deficiency in cytochrome f results from the same biochemical and genetic defect, cytochrome f biosynthesis was examined in the B6 mutant (a representative of this phenotypic class) and in spontaneous suppressor strains derived from B6. Pulse-radiolabeling experiments show that B6 synthesizes a form of cytochrome f that is rapidly degraded in vivo. This polypeptide is membrane associated and migrates with an electrophoretic mobility identical to that of standard apocytochrome f produced in vitro but slightly greater than that of standard holocytochrome f produced in vivo by wild-type cells. These findings suggest that the B6 strain is unable to convert apocytochrome f to holocytochrome f and that apocytochrome f is unstable in vivo. In the suppressed strains, accumulation of both holocytochrome f and holocytochrome c6 is restored. One suppressor mutation (strain B6R) displays uniparental inheritance whereas another (B6T3) displays Mendelian inheritance. In both cases, the three phenotypes, photosynthesis-plus, b6f+ and cyt c6+ co-segregate in genetic crosses. This study therefore confirms that the dual cyt b6f-/cytc6- deficiency in B6 results from a single mutation that affects a step in holocytochrome formation that is common to the biosynthetic pathways of both plastidic c-type cytochromes. The study also confirms that pre-apocytochrome f synthesis, processing and association with the membrane is not dependent on heme attachment. Synthesis of cytochrome f does, however, appear to be dependent on heme availability. In cells depleted of tetrapyrrole pathway intermediates by gabaculine treatment, cytochrome f synthesis was significantly reduced. Since gabaculine treatment did not affect the stability of cytochrome f nor the accumulation of cytochrome f-encoding transcripts, the reduction is attributed to post-transcriptional regulation of preapocytochrome f synthesis via a pathway that is sensitive to the availability of heme or a tetrapyrrole pathway intermediate.

Animals↗

Enzymatic analysis of the pathways of glucose catabolism and gluconeogenesis in Pseudomonas citronellolis.

Extracts of Pseudomonas citronellolis cells grown on glucose or gluconate possessed all the enzymes of the Entner-Doudoroff pathway. Gluconokinase and either or both 6-phosphogluconate dehydratase and KDPG aldolase were induced by growth on these substrates. Glucose and gluconate dehydrogenases and 6-phosphofructokinase were not detected. Thus catabolism of glucose proceeds via an inducible Entner-Doudoroff pathway. Metabolism of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate apparently proceeded via glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, phosphoglycerate kinase, phosphoglycerate mutase, enolase and pyruvate kinase. These same enzymes plus triose phosphate isomerase were present in lactate-grown cells indicating that synthesis of triose phosphates from gluconeogenic substrates also occurs via this pathway. Extracts of lactate grown-cells possessed fructose diphosphatase and phosphohexoisomerase but apparently lacked fructose diphosphate aldolase thus indicating either the presence of an aldolase with unusual properties or requirements or an alternative pathway for the conversion of triose phosphate to fructose disphosphate. Cells contained two species of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, one an NAD-dependent enzyme which predominated when the organism was grown on glycolytic substrates and the other, an NADP-dependent enzyme which predominated when the organism was grown on gluconeogenic substrates.

Fructose-Bisphosphatase↗

Topographical analysis of lymphatic pathways from the meso- and hypopharynx based on minute cadaveric dissections: possible application to neck dissection in pharyngeal cancer surgery.

To facilitate the development of new operative procedures for pharyngeal cancer, it is important to understand the precise location of the lymph nodes and their pathways. Minute dissection of 22 neck-halves (11 adult cadavers) was undertaken to determine the location and topographical relationships of the lymphatics of the pharynx. Four groups of lymph nodes on the drainage pathways from the meso- and hypopharynx to the internal jugular nodes were classified according to their topographical relationships to the carotid arteries: lateral pharyngeal, superior thyroid, lateral retropharyngeal and medial retropharyngeal nodes. Lymphatics from the mesopharynx passed laterally to lateral pharyngeal or jugulodigastric nodes or slightly upward to lateral retropharyngeal nodes. Lymphatic drainage from the hypopharynx was multidirectional with the pathways being classified as follows: ascending pathway to the lateral pharyngeal and lateral retropharyngeal nodes, lateral pathway to the internal jugular chain, and descending pathway connecting to the uppermost vessels ascending from the recurrent laryngeal nerve chain. In addition, a contralateral pathway was found originating from the hypopharynx extending to the contralateral internal jugular chain. These findings provide valuable information for comparison with CT and MRI studies, as well as with clinicopathological data, to clarify the precise mode of metastasis in head and neck cancers. These results are also applicable to neck dissection in meso- and hypopharyngeal cancers.

Aged↗

Morphological analysis of transportation pathways of microspheres after their introduction into the uterine horn cavity in cyclic pigs.

Countercurrent transfer is thought to be one of the most important mechanisms involved in the transfer of substances between the uterus and oviduct. The present study was aimed at recognizing other putative transportation pathways from the uterine cavity through the oviduct onto the surface of and into internal ovarian structures. Microspheres (latex beads, 0.8 microm in diameter) were introduced into the uterine horn cavity of pigs, for 30 min, at various days of the estrous cycle. The transportation pathways of the beads were then analyzed by light and electron microscopy. The transport of microspheres through the oviduct canal into ovarian tissues took place on each day of the estrous cycle. The largest numbers of microspheres passed through the tunica albuginea to the corpora lutea. Some of microspheres also reached the surface of the uterine ligament through the oviduct canal, where they attained the lumen of blood and lymphatic vessels, mainly of the vascular subovarian (VSP) and paraovarian lymphatic plexus (PLP), via the lymphatic stomata pathway. Transport of microspheres also took place simultaneously through the uterine and oviduct walls and from particular organs through blood and lymphatic vessels. Although the present results do not exclude the participation of countercurrent transfer between venous, lymphatic, and arterial vessels, they provide morphological evidence for the presence of direct transportation pathways of substances, released into the uterine lumen, into ovarian tissues through the oviduct canal.

Animals↗

Retinotopic analysis of fiber pathways is amphibians. I. The adult newt Cynops pyrrhogaster.

The possibility that pathways of retinal fibers within the optic tract and the tectum of the adult newt are retinotopic was examined by selective labeling of the retinal fibers with horseradish peroxidase. Within the optic tract fibers from the ventral, temporal and dorsal retinal quadrants were ordered from the dorsal to ventral edges of th optic tract. The nasal retinal fibers exhibited two different pathways. The fibers from the dorsonasal retina ran along the ventral edge of the optic tract, while the fibers from the ventronasal retina ran along the dorsal edge of the optic tract. Segregation of pathways within the optic tract was incomplete between the nasal and other retinal fibers. The dorsonasal retinal fibers were mixed completely with the dorsal retinal fibers, and the ventronasal retinal fibers were mixed partly with the ventral retinal fibers. Both the dorsal and dorsonasal retinal fibers preferentially entered the lateral tract, and finally projected onto the ventrolateral parts of the middle tectum and of the caudal tectum, respectively. The ventral and ventronasal retinal fibers entered the dorsomedial tract, and projected onto the dorsomedial parts of the middle tectum and of the caudal tectum, respectively. The temporal retinal fibers invaded the nasal tectum directly. Most dorsal, ventral, and nasal retinal fibers ran along the sub-tracts as far as to the level of their terminals, then sharply turned in a direction to the tectum.

Afferent Pathways↗

Retinotopic analysis of fiber pathways in amphibians. II. The frog Rana nigromaculata.

The possibility of retinotopic organization of pathways of retinal fibers within the optic tract and the tectum of the frog was studied by selective labeling of the retinal fibers with horseradish peroxidase. Within the optic tract the pathways of the ventral, temporal and dorsal retinal fibers were ordered from the dorsal to ventral edges of the optic tract. The nasal retinal fibers ran along both the dorsal and ventral edges of the optic tract. The dorsal retinal fibers and the nasal retinal fibers which were located along the ventral edge of the optic tract entered the ventrolateral perimeter of the tectum and formed the lateral tract. The ventral retinal fibers and the nasal retinal fibers which were located along the dorsal edge of the optic tract entered the dorsomedial perimeter of the tectum and formed the dorsomedial tract. The temporal retinal fibers invaded the tectum directly at the diencephalo-tectal junction. The topography of fiber pathway observed for the frog was exactly the same as that seen in the newt, and seemed to be common to all amphibian species.

Afferent Pathways↗

A pharmacological analysis of autonomic pathways mediating myocardial disturbances originating in a lateral hypothalamic area of the cat.

A study was made of the mechanisms mediating autonomic changes resulting from stimulation of a site in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA). This site, when stimulated, induced angina-like ECG disturbances similar to those observed in some cases of brain traumas. These ECG changes were often associated with other autonomic changes, such as pressor response, tachycardia (in some cases bradycardia), nictitating membrane (NM) contraction and pupillary dilatation. Most symptoms were sympathetic: they were largely abolished by spinal cord section between C1 and C2, but were not affected by vagotomy, except that bradycardia was converted to tachycardia. Adrenal catecholamines were not involved since adrenal vein ligation was without effect. Hexamethonium (5-10 mg/kg) prevented pressor response and tachycardia in most cats but only partly protected against ECG changes and NM contractions. Atropine methyl nitrate (0.2 mg/kg) abolished the remaining ECG abnormalities and NM tension. The beta-receptor antagonists, propranolol and practolol (50 micrograms/kg) completely prevented the ECG changes induced either by isoprenaline or LHA stimulation. It is concluded that the symptoms induced by LHA stimulation result from noradrenaline release in the target organs.

Angina Pectoris↗

Application of metabolic control analysis to the pathways of carbohydrate breakdown in Hymenolepis diminuta.

The application of metabolic control theory to carbohydrate breakdown in the tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta shows that it is not necessary for both phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and pyruvate kinase to be modulated in order to control the relative fluxes through the two arms of the phosphoenolpyruvate branchpoint. Changes in activity of enzymes outside of the two branches also influence the flux ratio. Control coefficients of individual enzymes for the fluxes through phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and pyruvate kinase are not fixed, but vary as the flux ratio between the two arms of the branchpoint changes. The metabolic model can also be used to evaluate the role of the fructose-1,6-bisphosphate loop and to calculate metabolite transition time control coefficients.

Acetates↗

An integrated modeling-experimental strategy for the analysis of metabolic pathways.

An inherent problem in studying the behavior of a metabolic pathway is the impossibility of developing a complete, detailed model that includes all the cellular processes that have an impact on the set of fluxes in such a pathway. Lacking this, one requires some means of modeling the interactions between a metabolic pathway and other cellular processes for the purpose of analyzing pathway characteristics within the cell (e.g., determining sensitivity coefficients for various steps in the pathway) with a minimal amount of time and effort. A general framework is developed for studying these issues in a rigorous manner. Using this framework, detailed knowledge about a metabolic pathway (i.e., a set of rate expressions for steps in the pathway) can be combined with the results from a relatively simple set of experiments in order to obtain estimates for the sensitivity of the pathway to enzyme activities, inhibition constants, and other parameters that determine the pathway's behavior, while accounting for the pathway's interaction with the rest of the cellular metabolism. A model system representing amino acid production is used to illustrate the problem and to provide results based on computational experiments. The modeling strategy described here should be useful in genetic design to improve pathway fluxes and metabolic network selectivity.

Amino Acids↗

Theoretical analysis of biochemical pathways of nitric oxide release from vascular endothelial cells.

Vascular endothelium expressing endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) produces nitric oxide (NO), which has a number of important physiological functions in the microvasculature. The rate of NO production by the endothelium is a critical determinant of NO distribution in the vascular wall. We have analyzed the biochemical pathways of NO synthesis and formulated a model to estimate NO production by the microvascular endothelium under physiological conditions. The model quantifies the NO produced by eNOS based on the kinetics of NO synthesis and the availability of eNOS and its intracellular substrates. The predicted NO production from microvessels was in the range of 0.005-0.1 microM/s. This range of predicted values is in agreement with some experimental values but is much lower than other rates previously measured or estimated from experimental data with the help of mathematical modeling. Paradoxical discrepancies between the model predictions and previously reported results based on experimental measurements of NO concentration in the vicinity of the arteriolar wall suggest that NO can also be released through eNOS-independent mechanisms, such as catalysis by neuronal NOS (nNOS). We also used our model to test the sensitivity of NO production to substrate availability, eNOS concentration, and potential rate-limiting factors. The results indicated that the predicted low level of NO production can be attributed primarily to a low expression of eNOS in the microvascular endothelial cells.

Endothelium, Vascular↗