Incretin hormone-based therapy in type 2 diabetes has been widely used, and dipepdityl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, which prevent incretin degradation, have become popular oral hypoglycemic agents. The efficacy of DPP-4 inhibitors varies from individuals, and factors determining responses to DPP-4 inhibitors have not been fully established. We aimed to investigate whether genetic variations ...

The Drosophila eggshell is patterned by the combined action of the epidermal growth factor [EGF; Gurken (Grk)] and transforming growth factor beta [TGF-beta; Decapentaplegic (Dpp)] signaling cascades. Although Grk signaling alone can induce asymmetric gene expression within the follicular epithelium, here we show that the ability of Grk to induce dorsoventral polarity within the eggshell strict...

The Bombyx mori decapentaplegic gene is one of the conserved genes in vertebrate and invertebrates. The TGF-β superfamily contains conserved polypeptide growth factors that play important roles in different cellular processes such as proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation and cell-fate determination. The B. mori dpp gene shares genetic homology with hBMPs and Drosophila dpp. Until now, only ...

mechanisms of wing vein formation have been well studied in Drosophila melanogaster, however little is known about if the mechanisms are conserved to develop diversified wing vein patterns among insects. In Drosophila, Dpp, BMP2/4 ortholog, is initially expressed at longitudinal veins and later at crossveins to specify both veins during pupal stages. Using a GFP tagged Dpp, we first addressed h...

mechanisms of wing vein formation have been well studied in Drosophila melanogaster, however little is known about if the mechanisms are conserved to develop diversified wing vein patterns among insects. In Drosophila, Dpp, BMP2/4 ortholog, is initially expressed at longitudinal veins and later at crossveins to specify both veins during pupal stages. Using a GFP tagged Dpp, we first addressed h...

Reported assays of the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) have not in general revealed specific functions for the different proteins, belying the specificity implied by the evolutionary conservation and distinct expression patterns of the genes encoding BMPs. We have used assays of developmental function to show that the two Drosophila homologues of the BMPs, decapentaplegic (dpp) and 60A, that...

One of the most critical parameters in characterization of gas condensate reservoirs is dew point pressure (DPP), and its accurate determination is a challenging task in development and management of these reservoirs. Experimental measurement of DPP is a costly and time consuming method. Therefore, searching for a quick, reliable, inexpensive, and robust algorithm for determination of DPP is of...

INTRODUCTION A recent treatment advance for type 2 diabetes is the oral therapy with DPP IV inhibitors. New substances of this class are in development in order to increase alternatives for treating this important metabolic disease. The reader will gain detailed pharmacological and clinical information on alogliptin, dutogliptin and linagliptin and will learn how these DPP IV inhibitors may wid...

decapentaplegic (dpp), the Drosophila ortholog of BMP 2/4, directs ventral adult head morphogenesis through expression in the peripodial epithelium of the eye-antennal disc. This dpp expressing domain exerts effects both on the peripodial epithelium, and the underlying disc proper epithelium. We have uncovered a role for the Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway in dpp-mediated ventral head devel...

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) is a serine protease best known for its role in inactivating glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP), three stimulators of pancreatic insulin secretion with beneficial effects on glucose disposal. Owing to the relationship between DPP-IV and these peptides, inh...