Cyclic guanosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase activity in human gingival carcinoma.

Background: Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) is an essential second messenger metabolized by phosphodiesterases (PDEs).

Objectives: We looked for a possible correlation of PDE activities in human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) with and without lymph node metastases.

Materials And Methods: The analysis of phosphodiesterase activity and the cGMP assay were done by reverse-phase HPLC on samples of fresh or frozen gingival tissues.

Basic fibroblast growth factor activates endothelial nitric-oxide synthase in CHO-K1 cells via the activation of ceramide synthesis.

In this study, we analyzed the intracellular mechanisms leading to basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-dependent production of NO in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 cells and a possible physiological role for such an effect. bFGF induces NO production through the activation of the endothelial form of NO synthase (eNOS), causing a subsequent increase in the cGMP levels. In these cells, the activation of eNOS by bFGF is Ca(2+)- and mitogen-activated protein kinase-independent.

Nitric oxide production stimulated by the basic fibroblast growth factor requires the synthesis of ceramide.

Nitric oxide (NO) is an intracellular and intercellular mediator involved in the modulation of many physiologic and pathologic processes including the regulation of neoangiogenesis. We analyzed the effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on NO production in CHO-K1 cells and the intracellular mechanisms involved. bFGF induces NO production through activation of the endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), causing a subsequent increase in cGMP levels.