Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a neuropeptide highly expressed in the central and peripheral nervous system, where it exerts several neuromodulatory functions and is an important trophic and protective factor. PACAP has been shown to activate several protective pathways, mainly through its specific PAC1 receptor and protein kinase A, C and MAP kinases downstream. It has been shown to have very potent neuroprotective actions against different neurotoxic agents both in vitro and in vivo.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Mol Neurosci
November 2012
Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a widespread neuropeptide with a diverse array of biological functions. Not surprisingly, the lack of endogenous PACAP therefore results in a variety of abnormalities. One of the important effects of PACAP is its neuroprotective and general cytoprotective role.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a widespread neuropeptide with diverse effects in the nervous system and peripheral organs. One of the most well-studied effects of PACAP is its cytoprotective action, against different harmful stimuli in a wide variety of cells and tissues. PACAP occurs in the urinary system, from the kidney to the lower urinary tract.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP), a multifunctional neuropeptide, has 2 active forms, PACAP38 and PACAP27. It is now well-established that PACAP has several actions also in peripheral organs, including renoprotective effects. The peptide itself has not been previously identified in the rat kidney.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a pleiotropic and multifunctional peptide exerting its effects via 3 main receptors (PAC1, VPAC1 and VPAC2). PACAP is now considered to be a potent neurotrophic and neuroprotective peptide. It plays an important role during the embryonic development of the nervous system.
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