We investigated the effects of salt-sensitive signaling molecules on ionic fluxes and gene expression related to K+/Na+ homeostasis in a perennial herb, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, during short-term NaCl stress (100 mM, 24 h). Salt treatment caused more pronounced Na+ accumulation in root cells than in leaf cells. Na+ ions were mostly compartmentalized in vacuoles. Roots exposed to NaCl showed incre...

The intracellular Ca2+ stores and the mechanisms of Ca2+ entry produced by norepinephrine (NE) were investigated in small mesenteric resistance arteries of the rat. In Ca2+-free medium, NE (10 μM) elicited a transient increase in both intracellular free Ca2+concentration ([Ca2+]i) and tension that were both drastically reduced by caffeine and only partially reduced by the two sarco(endo)plasmic...

Inducible gene expression is a gene regulatory mechanism central to plant response to environmental cues. The inducible genes are often repressed under normal growth conditions while their expression levels are significantly elevated by conditions such as abiotic stresses. Induction of gene expression requires both cis-acting DNA elements and trans-acting proteins that are modulated through sig...

Cisplatin is an important chemotherapeutic agent but can cause acute renal injury. Part of this acute renal injury is mediated through tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). The pathway through which cisplatin mediates the production of TNF-alpha and injury is not known. Cisplatin activates p38 MAPK and induces apoptosis in cancer cells. p38 MAPK activation leads to increased production of TN...

a variety of mechanisms. This study assessed the role of the superoxide anion, the hydroxyl radical, and hydrogen peroxide in vasoconstriction and mural thrombosis after coronary artery angioplasty in intact dogs. Methods and Results. Injury was induced by inflation of a balloon catheter 50±6% above baseline arterial diameter; dogs were followed for 2 hours before death. Epicardial coronary dia...

Exposure of mammalian cells to oxygen radicals formed by the reduction of molecular oxygen may result in cell dysfunction and death. In endothelial cells, one of the earliest and most consistent features of oxidant attack is a dramatic depletion in intracellular ATP content. The mechanisms involved in this depletion include inhibition of ADP phosphorylation, inactivation of the glycolytic pathw...

Canine lingual arteries are innervated by calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-containing vasodilator nerves. Although the vascular system might be considered as the first target of oxygen-derived free radicals in some of the pathophysiological conditions, the effect of oxygen-derived free radicals on neurotransmission in CGRP nerves remains unknown. We, therefore, investigated the role of ox...

With twenty-five G-protein-coupled TAS2R receptors bitterness is the most complex taste sensation in terms of signal transduction. The objective of this sensory study was to investigate the effect of hTAS2R38 bitter receptor gene genotypes on intensity of bitterness of different N-C=S containing compounds. In addition, we studied the bitterness of vegetables that produce glucosinolates, which a...

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are capable of homing to and repair damaged myocardial tissues. Apoptosis of BMSCs in response to various pathological stimuli leads to the attenuation of healing ability of BMSCs. Plenty of evidence has shown that elevated homocysteine level is a novel independent risk factor of cardiovascular diseases. The present study was aimed to investigate wheth...

PURPOSE The lipofuscin fluorophore A2E is known to be an initiator of blue-light-induced apoptosis in retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of oxidative mechanisms in mediating the cellular damage. METHODS Human RPE (ARPE-19) cells that had accumulated A2E were exposed to blue light in the presence and absence of oxygen, and nonviable cells...