Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and signaling via the tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB) have been shown to be altered in Alzheimer’s Disease. In addition, it has been reported that the isoforms of TrkB can differentially affect metabolism of amyloid precursor protein (APP). Conversely, A, a neurotoxic cleavage product of APP, has been shown to impair TrkB/ BDNF signaling. There...

Nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) is an important family of transcription factors that can be activated by calmodulin and calcineurin in human cells. To investigate the expression and clinical significance of NFAT isoforms and calcineurin in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we collected tumor and adjacent normal tissues from 159 NSCLC patients and assembled them in a tissue microarr...

BACKGROUND Plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPases (PMCA) extrude Ca(2+) ions out of the cell and contribute to generation of calcium oscillations. Calcium signaling is crucial for transcriptional regulation of dopamine secretion by neuroendocrine PC12 cells. Low resting [Ca(2+)]c in PC12 cells is maintained mainly by two Ca(2+)-ATPases, PMCA2 and PMCA3. Recently, we found that Ca(2+) dependent phosphat...

W hen a basic scientist looks at heart failure, he sees a disease that appears to originate from any damage that causes low cardiac output, is progressive, and elicits a variety of physiological responses that attempt to correct the depressed cardiac function. Furthermore, these reflex physiological responses to low cardiac output—increased sympathoadrenal tone, increased activity of the renin–...