Noribogaine is a G-protein biased κ-opioid receptor agonist.

Noribogaine is the long-lived human metabolite of the anti-addictive substance ibogaine. Noribogaine efficaciously reaches the brain with concentrations up to 20 μM after acute therapeutic dose of 40 mg/kg ibogaine in animals. Noribogaine displays atypical opioid-like components in vivo, anti-addictive effects and potent modulatory properties of the tolerance to opiates for which the mode of action remained uncharacterized thus far.

Matrix metalloproteinase-1 contribution to sarcoma cell invasion.

Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) activity has been linked to numerous disease processes from arthritis to ulcer. Its proteolytic activity has been implicated inconsistently in different steps of tumourigenesis and metastasis. The discrepancies may be attributable to our limited understanding of MMP-1 production, cellular trafficking, secretion and local activation.

Crosstalk Signalling Role in Modulation of Drugs Side Effects.

Tumorigenesis is regulated by the complex cell-matrix signalling interactions that incorporate feedback mechanisms from constantly evolving microenvironments. Under normal circumstances, these matrix signalling processes together with infiltrating immune cells tightly control the extent of tissue remodelling. They are the key elements of regulated homeostatic repair of local matrix architecture and biological function.

Matrix metalloproteinase 1: role in sarcoma biology.

In carcinomas stromal cells participate in cancer progression by producing proteases such as MMPs. The expression MMP1 is a prognostic factor in human chondrosarcoma, however the role in tumor progression is unknown. Laser capture microdissection and In Situ hybridization were used to determine cellular origin of MMP1 in human sarcomas.

Extracellular matrix-induced gene expression in human breast cancer cells.

Extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules modify gene expression through attachment-dependent (focal adhesion-related) integrin receptor signaling. It was previously unknown whether the same molecules acting as soluble peptides could generate signal cascades without the associated mechanical anchoring, a condition that may be encountered during matrix remodeling and degradation and relevant to invasion and metastatic processes. In the current study, the role of ECM ligand-regulated gene expression through this attachment-independent process was examined.

Transforming growth factor beta signaling via Ras in mesenchymal cells requires p21-activated kinase 2 for extracellular signal-regulated kinase-dependent transcriptional responses.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) signaling via Smad proteins occurs in various cell types. However, whereas the biological response to TGF-beta can be as distinct as growth promoting (i.e.

Molecular mechanism of tenascin-C action on matrix metalloproteinase-1 invasive potential.

The aim of the current study was to confirm that tenascin-C large splice variant (TNC320) stimulates matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) expression and to elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying this activation. The analysis of gene expression in cultured cells grown under different conditions indicated significant increases of MMP-1 mRNA steady-state levels in the cells treated with TNC320 (200%) compared with TNC220 (100%) and bovine serum albumin (BSA), which served as controls. Gel electrophoresis results demonstrated augmented MMP-1 protein in cells cultured with TNC320, whereas slight up-regulation was noticed in cells treated with TNC220 or fibronectin.

Absence of a correlation between the presence of a single nucleotide polymorphism in the matrix metalloproteinase 1 promoter and outcome in patients of chondrosarcoma.

Purpose: Increased levels of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) expression have been associated with poor outcome in chondrosarcoma. The existence of a single nucleotide polymorphism creating an Ets-binding site in the MMP-1 promoter may be one mechanism for elevated MMP-1 transcription. The aim of our study was to identify the prevalence of this single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in chondrosarcoma patients, to determine its correlation with disease outcome, and to discern whether it could serve as a prognostic marker in patients with chondrosarcoma.

siRNA mediated inhibition of MMP-1 reduces invasive potential of a human chondrosarcoma cell line.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a crucial role in tumor cell invasion and metastasis. Expression of MMP-1 has been reported as a prognostic predictor of recurrence in human chondrosarcoma, and studies using human chondrosarcoma cell lines indicate that MMP-1 expression levels correlate with in vitro invasiveness. These observations suggest that MMP-1 activity has a central role in cell egress from the primary tumor at an early step in the metastatic cascade.

Cell-type-specific activation of PAK2 by transforming growth factor beta independent of Smad2 and Smad3.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) causes growth arrest in epithelial cells and proliferation and morphological transformation in fibroblasts. Despite the ability of TGF-beta to induce various cellular phenotypes, few discernible differences in TGF-beta signaling between cell types have been reported, with the only well-characterized pathway (the Smad cascade) seemingly under identical control. We determined that TGF-beta receptor signaling activates the STE20 homolog PAK2 in mammalian cells.

Internalization-dependent and -independent requirements for transforming growth factor beta receptor signaling via the Smad pathway.

Members of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) family of proteins signal through cell surface transmembrane serine/threonine protein kinases known as type I and type II receptors. The TGF-beta signal is extended through phosphorylation of receptor-associated Smad proteins by the type I receptor. Although numerous investigations have established the sequence of events in TGF-beta receptor (TGF-beta R) activation, none have examined the role of the endocytic pathway in initiation and/or maintenance of the signaling response.