Neuronal nicotinic ACh receptors (AChRs) mediate synaptic transmission throughout the nervous system, and are regulated by cellular processes and interactions that include second messenger signaling pathways. In the case of chick ciliary ganglion neurons, activation of the cAMP-dependent signaling pathway with cAMP analogs enhances ACh sensitivity in a manner consistent with an increase in the ...

Pleiotropic effects of leptin have been identified in reproduction and pregnancy, particularly in the placenta, where it works as an autocrine hormone. In this work, we demonstrated that human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) added to JEG-3 cell line or to placental explants induces endogenous leptin expression. We also found that hCG increased cAMP intracellular levels in BeWo cells in a dose-depe...

Two major intracellular signals that regulate neuronal function are calcium and cAMP. In many cases, the actions of these two second messengers involve long term changes in gene expression. One well studied target of both calcium and cAMP signaling is the transcription factor cAMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB). Multiple signaling pathways have been shown to contribute to the regulat...

Cyclic AMP (cAMP) signaling augments synaptic transmission, but because many targets of cAMP and protein kinase A (PKA) may be involved, mechanisms underlying this pathway remain unclear. To probe this mechanism, we used optogenetic stimulation of cAMP signaling by Beggiatoa-photoactivated adenylyl cyclase (bPAC) in Caenorhabditis elegans motor neurons. Behavioral, electron microscopy (EM), and...

cAMP has previously been shown to promote cell survival in a variety of cell types, but the downstream signaling pathway(s) of this antiapoptotic effect is unclear. Thus the role of cAMP signaling through PKA and cAMP-regulated guanine nucleotide exchange factors (cAMP-GEFs) in cAMP's antiapoptotic action was investigated in the present study. cAMP's protective effect against bile acid-, Fas li...

beta-Adrenergic signaling via cAMP generation and PKA activation mediates the positive inotropic effect of catecholamines on heart cells. Given the large diversity of protein kinase A targets within cardiac cells, a precisely regulated and confined activity of such signaling pathway is essential for specificity of response. Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are the only route for degrading cAMP and are...

The epsilon isoform of protein kinase C (PKCepsilon) has emerged as a critical second messenger in sensitization toward mechanical stimulation in models of neuropathic (diabetes, alcoholism, and cancer therapy) as well as acute and chronic inflammatory pain. Signaling pathways leading to activation of PKCepsilon remain unknown. Recent results indicate signaling from cAMP to PKC. A mechanism con...

Webster, Cynthia R. L., and M. Sawkat Anwer. Role of the PI3K/PKB signaling pathway in cAMP-mediated translocation of rat liver Ntcp. Am. J. Physiol. 277 (Gastrointest. Liver Physiol. 40): G1165–G1172, 1999.—cAMP stimulates Na1-taurocholate (TC) cotransport by translocating the Na1TC-cotransporting peptide (Ntcp) to the plasma membrane. The present study was undertaken to determine whether the ...

Lithium (Li), a glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) inhibitor, has used to attenuate thecannabinoid-induced dependence/withdrawal signs, but molecular mechanisms related to this areunclear. Recent studies indicate the involvement of upstream extracellular signal kinase1/2 (ERK1/2)and downstream GSK-3β pathways in the development of cannabinoid-induced dependence. Thisis mediated through cannab...

Lithium (Li), a glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) inhibitor, has used to attenuate thecannabinoid-induced dependence/withdrawal signs, but molecular mechanisms related to this areunclear. Recent studies indicate the involvement of upstream extracellular signal kinase1/2 (ERK1/2)and downstream GSK-3β pathways in the development of cannabinoid-induced dependence. Thisis mediated through cannab...