To uncover the structural and dynamical determinants involved in the highly specific binding of Ras GTPase to its effectors, the conformational states of Ras in uncomplexed form and complexed to the downstream effectors Byr2, PI3Kγ, PLCε, and RalGDS were investigated using molecular dynamics and cross-comparison of the trajectories. The subtle changes in the dynamics and conformations of Ras up...

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been implicated in a variety of adipose tissue functions, including tissue growth, differentiation, metabolism, and inflammation. Although expression of all components necessary for a locally derived adipose tissue RAS has been demonstrated within adipose tissue, independence of local adipose RAS component concentrations from corresponding plasma RAS fluct...

Guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) activate Ras by facilitating its GTP binding. Ras guanyl nucleotide-releasing protein (GRP) was recently identified as a Ras GEF that has a diacylglycerol (DAG)-binding C1 domain. Its exchange factor activity is regulated by local availability of signaling DAG. DAG kinases (DGKs) metabolize DAG by converting it to phosphatidic acid. Because they can at...

It is well known that the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is involved in the control of blood pressure. Recently, all or part of the components concerning the RAS have been reported to be synthesized and secreted outside of classical organs or tissues, at sites including the brain, pituitary and pineal glands, eye, heart, adrenal gland, testes, ovary, placenta, and coagulating glands. The functi...

recurrent aphthous stomatitis (ras) is known as the most common chronic disease of the oral cavity, which affects a range of 5-25% of the population. ras appears to be associated with some human leukocyte antigen (hla) class ii alleles and haplotypes. this study attempts to survey the distribution of hla-drb and -dqb alleles among iranian ras patients and healthy controls. in order to evaluate ...

Background: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is among the most common oral lesions and pain is often the chief complaint of patients. The main etiology of RAS is unknown but several predisposing factors have been suggested. This study aims to assess the correlation of blood types (ABO/Rh) with RAS. Methods: We conducted this prospective screening study on 50 patients with RAS and 50 controls...

The pathogenic mechanism of Parkinson's disease (PD) appears to be multifactorial. However, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, including activation of NADPH-dependent oxidases, play a major role in the progression of dopaminergic cell death. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) was described as a circulating humoral system that regulates blood pressure and water homeostasis. However, there e...