BACKGROUND An important phenomenon observed in glioma metabolism is increased aerobic glycolysis in tumor cells, which is generally referred to as the Warburg effect. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta2, which we previously showed to be induced by lactic acid, is a key pathophysiological factor in glioblastoma, leading to increased invasion and severe local immunosuppression after proteolyti...

In the livers of humans and many other mammalian species, beta2-adrenergic receptors (beta2-ARs) play an important role in the modulation of glucose production by glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. In male mice and rats, however, the expression and physiological role of hepatic beta2-ARs are rapidly lost with development under normal physiological conditions. We previously described a line of ...

Postoperative resynostosis and secondary craniofacial growth abnormalities are common sequelae after craniofacial surgery. It has been suggested that an overexpression of transforming growth factor-beta2 (Tgf-beta2) may be related to craniosynostosis and contribute to postoperative resynostosis. Interference with Tgf-beta2 function using neutralizing antibodies may inhibit resynostosis and impr...

Beta2-adrenoceptors are widely, almost ubiquitously, expressed. Activation of these receptors on bronchial smooth muscle by short- and long-acting beta2-adrenoceptor agonists causes bronchodilation. Here, the beta2-adrenoceptor is linked by the G protein, Gs, to adenylyl cyclase, which increases cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), thus activating protein kinase A, which affects calcium level...

PURPOSE Histologic studies have previously demonstrated increased expression of small heat shock proteins (Hsps) in reactive optic nerve head (ONH) astrocytes of patients with glaucoma. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta2 and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) are known to induce ONH astrocyte reactivation. The goal of the present study was to determine whether new potentially involved Hsps, such ...

Beta2-1 fructans are carbohydrate molecules with prebiotic properties. Through resistance to digestion in the upper gastrointestinal tract, they reach the colon intact, where they selectively stimulate the growth and/or activity of beneficial members of the gut microbiota. Through this modification of the intestinal microbiota, and by additional mechanisms, beta2-1 fructans may have beneficial ...

The novel phorbol ester receptor beta2-chimaerin is a Rac-GAP protein possessing a single copy of the C1 domain, a 50-amino acid motif initially identified in protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes that is involved in phorbol ester and diacylglycerol binding. We have previously shown that, like PKCs, beta2-chimaerin binds phorbol esters with high affinity in a phospholipid-dependent manner (Caloca, M....

PURPOSE This study investigates the effects of heat shock treatment and the role of Hsp70 and Hsp90 on tranforming growth factor beta 2 (TGF-beta2)-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in rat lens epithelial explants. METHODS Rat lens epithelial explants from 7 to 10 day-old Wistar rats were dissected and incubated for 24 h before treatment. The explants were divided into eight ...

We have developed an array of assays for nicotinic acetylcholine receptor binding and function. [125I]alpha-Bungarotoxin-, (-)-[3H]nicotine-, and [3H]epibatidine-binding nicotinic acetylcholine receptors were assayed in mouse brain membranes and sections. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor function was quantified using synaptosomal [3H]dopamine, [3H]gamma-aminobutyric acid ([3H]GABA), and 86Rb(+)...

The cholinergic system is involved in arousal and in rapid eye movement sleep (REMS). To evaluate the contribution of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) to these functions, we studied with polygraphic recordings the regulation of sleep in mice lacking the beta2 subunit gene of the nAChRs, a major component of high-affinity nicotine binding sites in the brain. Nicotine (1-2 mg/kg, i.p.) ...