BACKGROUND Phosphorylation of G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) by G protein coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) and the subsequent recruitment of β-arrestins are important for their desensitization. Using shRNA-mediated gene silencing strategy, we have recently shown that GRK2, GRK3 and β-arrestin-2 promote C3a receptor (C3aR) desensitization in human mast cells. We also demonstrated that β-arre...

OBJECTIVE To determine if systemic corticosteroid therapy is associated with improved outcomes for children hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). METHODS In this multicenter, retrospective cohort study we used data from 36 children's hospitals for children aged 1 to 18 years with CAP. Main outcome measures were length of stay (LOS), readmission, and total hospitalization cost....

β-Arrestins 1 and 2 are ubiquitously expressed intracellular adaptor and scaffolding proteins that play important roles in GPCR (G-protein-coupled receptor) desensitization, internalization, intracellular trafficking and G-protein-independent signalling. Recent developments in BRET (bioluminescence resonance energy transfer) technology enable novel insights to be gained from real-time monitorin...

The neurotransmitter(s) that generates the fast component of the inhibitory junction potential (IJP-F) in human jejunal circular smooth muscle is not known. The aim of this study was to determine the role of ATP and purinergic receptors in the generation of the IJP-F in human jejunal circular smooth muscle strips. The P2-receptor antagonist suramin (100 μM) reduced the IJP-F by 28%. Apamin (1 μ...