The role of ATP-dependent calcium uptake into intracellular storage compartments is an essential feature of hormonally induced calcium signaling. Thapsigargin, a non-phorboid tumor promoter, increasingly is being used to manipulate calcium stores because it induces a hormone-like elevation of cytosolic calcium. It has been suggested that thapsigargin acts through inhibition of the endoplasmic r...

The Entamoeba histolytica upstream regulatory element 3-binding protein (URE3-BP) binds to the URE3 sequence of the Gal/GalNAc-inhibitable lectin hgl5 and ferredoxin 1 (fdx) gene promoters. This binding can be inhibited in vitro by addition of calcium. Two EF-hand motifs, which are associated with the ability to bind calcium, are present in the amino acid sequence of URE3-BP. Mutation of the se...

Promoter methylation is one of the main epigenetic mechanisms that lead to the inactivation of tumor suppressor genes during carcinogenesis. Due to the reversible nature of DNA methylation, many studies have been performed to correct theses epigenetic defects by inhibiting DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs). In this case novel therapeutics especially siRNA oligonucleotides have been used to specifi...

background: peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (pparγ), a member of nuclear receptor superfamily, comprises two isoforms in mouse. these two isoforms are encoded by different mrnas, which are arisen by alternative promoter usage. there are two promoter regions upstream of pparγ gene. a 3 kb fragment, containing several transcription factor binding sites, acts as pparγ1 promoter re...

Previously, we observed that hypoxia increases the expression of the β1-subunit (KCNMB1) of the calcium-sensitive potassium channel (BK(Ca)). Herein, we elucidate the mechanism whereby hypoxia increases KCNMB1 expression in human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (hPASMC). In response to hypoxia, the expression of both the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α (HIF-1α) and KCNMB1...

To analyze the regulation of Matrix Gla Protein (MGP) gene expression in Xenopus laevis, we cloned the xMGP gene and its 5' region, determined their molecular organization, and characterized the transcriptional properties of the core promoter. The Xenopus MGP (xMGP) gene is organized into five exons, one more as its mammalian counterparts. The first two exons in the Xenopus gene encode the DNA ...

In a closed endocrine loop, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D) induces the expression of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) in bone, with the phosphaturic peptide in turn acting at kidney to feedback repress CYP27B1 and induce CYP24A1 to limit the levels of 1,25D. In 3T3-L1 differentiated adipocytes, 1,25D represses FGF23 and leptin expression and induces C/EBPβ, but does not affect leptin recep...

satureja hortensis is a popular herb in most regions of the world with leaves used as seasoning. evidence shows that this plant contains phenolic components such as thymol and carvacrol with a relatively wide spectrum of antimicrobial activity. this study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of s. hortensis plant powder as an alternative to antimicrobial growth promoters in broiler diets. the plant...

The phorbol ester tumor promoter phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) induced mouse resident peritoneal macrophage spreading in an in vitro system in a time- and dose-dependent manner; this process was modified by agents which alter intracellular calcium metabolism. After a 35-min incubation with PMA, 50% of the macrophages were spread (as classified by at least a 2-fold increase in cell surfa...