Endothelin stimulation of cytosolic calcium and gonadotropin secretion in anterior pituitary cells

Article Abstract:

Endothelin is a peptide hormone consisting of a short string of amino acids, which has important physiological effects on its target tissue. Endothelin is generally known for its ability to constrict blood vessels. Unlike many hormones, which have a variety of effects on a variety of different tissues, the effects of endothelin seemed to be largely restricted to blood vessels. However, it was found that there was material similar to endothelin located in the spinal cord, the pituitary gland, and the hypothalamus of the brain. Although immunological techniques are only capable of demonstrating that the material in the nervous system shares common features with endothelin, and cannot show that the material is endothelin itself, the results nevertheless raised the question of whether endothelin might play a role in neuroendocrine regulation as well. Using suspensions of pituitary cells obtained from rats, scientists were able to show that the hormone endothelin was effective in stimulating the pituitary cells to release gonadotropins, or hormones that regulate the primary sex organs. Furthermore, endothelin seems to be just as effective in this stimulation as gonadotropin-releasing hormone, the hypothalamic factor thought to be primarily responsible for this function. Investigators were also able to show that the response of the pituitary cells to endothelin involves both the mobilization of intracellular calcium and the uptake of calcium by the stimulated cells. While previous research has shown that angiotensin II, norepinephrine, and vasopressin (all hormones that affect the blood vessels) exert influence on the secretion of gonadotropins, the effects are generally weak. The effect of endothelin is robust, and suggests that endothelin may play an important role in the regulation of pituitary function. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Endothelin, Gonadotropin, Gonadotropins, Pituitary gland

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Targeting retroviral vectors to specific cells

Article Abstract:

Research that indicated that a retroviral vector with a chimeric envelope glycoprotein is a very efficient means of infecting human cells is open to interpretation. Arguments concerning the research results are presented.

Genetic vectors, Retroviruses

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Cyclic ADP-ribose: a new way to control calcium

Article Abstract:

Cyclic adenosine diphosphate ribose, a molecule that is found in sea urchin eggs, can increase the production of calcium, which affects the muscles. Cyclic ADPR acts as a messenger for the pancreatic release of insulin.

Calcium in the body, Calcium (Nutrient), Adenosine diphosphate

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