Comparative gene-expression analysis of the dental follicle and periodontal ligament in humans.

The human dental follicle partially differentiates into the periodontal ligament (PDL), but their biological functions are different. The gene-expression profiles of the dental follicle and PDL were compared using the cDNA microarray technique. Microarray analysis identified 490 genes with a twofold or greater difference in expression, 365 and 125 of which were more abundant in the dental follicle and PDL, respectively.

Role of regulators of g-protein signaling 4 in ca signaling in mouse pancreatic acinar cells.

Regulators of G-protein signaling (RGS) proteins are regulators of Ca(2+) signaling that accelerate the GTPase activity of the G-protein α-subunit. RGS1, RGS2, RGS4, and RGS16 are expressed in the pancreas, and RGS2 regulates G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR)-induced Ca(2+) oscillations. However, the role of RGS4 in Ca(2+) signaling in pancreatic acinar cells is unknown.

Hyperosmotic Stimulus Down-regulates 1alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3)-induced Osteoclastogenesis by Suppressing the RANKL Expression in a Co-culture System.

The hyperosmotic stimulus is regarded as a mechanical factor for bone remodeling. However, whether the hyperosmotic stimulus affects 1alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3))-induced osteoclastogenesis is not clear. In the present study, the effect of the hyperosmotic stimulus on 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3)-induced osteoclastogenesis was investigated in an osteoblast-preosteoclast co-culture system.

RANKL-mediated reactive oxygen species pathway that induces long lasting Ca2+ oscillations essential for osteoclastogenesis.

RANKL (receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand) induces osteoclastogenesis by activating multiple signaling pathways in osteoclast precursor cells, chief among which is induction of long lasting oscillations in the intracellular concentration of Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](i)). The [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations activate calcineurin, which activates the transcription factor NFATc1. The pathway by which RANKL induces [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations and osteoclastogenesis is poorly understood.

Markers of squamous cell carcinoma in sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase 2 heterozygote mice keratinocytes.

A mutation of Atp2a2 gene encoding the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase 2 (SERCA2) causes Darier's disease in human and null mutation in one copy of Atp2a2 leads to a high incidence of squamous cell tumor in a mouse model. In SERCA2 heterozygote (SERCA2(+/-)) mice keratinocytes, mechanisms involved in partial depletion of SERCA2 gene and its related tumor induction have not been studied. In this study, we investigated Ca(2+) signaling and differential gene expression in primary cultured keratinocytes from SERCA2(+/-) mice.

Alteration of RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis in primary cultured osteoclasts from SERCA2+/- mice.

RANKL is essential for the terminal differentiation of monocytes/macrophages into osteoclasts. RANKL induces long-lasting oscillations in the intracellular concentration of Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](i)) only after 24 h of stimulation. These Ca(2+) oscillations play a switch-on role in NFATc1 expression and osteoclast differentiation.

1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one inhibits neurite outgrowth and causes neurite retraction in PC12 cells independently of soluble guanylyl cyclase.

The effect of the potent soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) on neurite outgrowth and retraction was investigated in PC12 cells and SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. ODQ inhibited neurite outgrowth and triggered neurite retraction in the cells stimulated with nerve growth factor (NGF), staurosporine, or Y-27632. The nitric oxide (NO) scavenger 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-imidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (PTIO) had little effect on neurite outgrowth induced by Y-27632 or staurosporine.

Chitinase activates protease-activated receptor-2 in human airway epithelial cells.

Mammalian chitinase released by airway epithelia is thought to be an important mediator of disease manifestation in an experimental model of asthma. However, the intracellular signaling mechanisms engaged by exogenous chitinase in human airway epithelial cells are unknown. Here, we investigated the direct effects of exogenous chitinase from Streptomyces griseus on Ca(2+) signaling in human airway epithelial cells.

Alteration of expression of Ca2+ signaling proteins and adaptation of Ca2+ signaling in SERCA2+/- mouse parotid acini.

Purpose: The sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA), encoded by ATP2A2, is an essential component for G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR)-dependent Ca2+ signaling. However, whether the changes in Ca2+ signaling and Ca2+ signaling proteins in parotid acinar cells are affected by a partial loss of SERCA2 are not known.

Materials And Methods: In SERCA2+/- mouse parotid gland acinar cells, Ca2+ signaling, expression levels of Ca2+ signaling proteins, and amylase secretion were investigated.

K6PC-5, a direct activator of sphingosine kinase 1, promotes epidermal differentiation through intracellular Ca2+ signaling.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a bioactive sphingolipid metabolite, regulates multiple cellular responses such as Ca(2+) signaling, growth, survival, and differentiation. Because sphingosine kinase (SphK) is the enzyme directly responsible for production of S1P, many factors have been identified that regulate its activity and subsequent S1P levels. Here we synthesized a previously unidentified SphK activator, K6PC-5, and have studied its effects on intracellular Ca(2+) signaling in HaCaT cells and epidermal differentiation in murine skin.

Initiation site of Ca(2+) entry evoked by endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) depletion in mouse parotid and pancreatic acinar cells.

Purpose: In non-excitable cells, which include parotid and pancreatic acinar cells, Ca(2+) entry is triggered via a mechanism known as capacitative Ca(2+) entry, or store-operated Ca(2+) entry. This process is initiated by the perception of the filling state of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the depletion of internal Ca(2+) stores, which acts as an important factor triggering Ca(2+) entry. However, both the mechanism of store-mediated Ca(2+) entry and the molecular identity of store-operated Ca(2+) channel (SOCC) remain uncertain.

Surface modification of orthodontic wires with photocatalytic titanium oxide for its antiadherent and antibacterial properties.

Objective: To test the antiadherent and antibacterial properties of surface modification of orthodontic wires with photocatalytic titanium oxide (TiO(2)).

Materials And Methods: TiO(2) was coated on the surface of the orthodontic wires by a sol-gel thin film dip-coating method. Bacterial adhesion to the wires was evaluated by the weight change of the wires.

Association of Shh and Ptc with keratin localization in the initiation of the formation of circumvallate papilla and von Ebner's gland.

The development of gustatory papillae in mammalian embryos requires the coordination of a series of morphological events, such as proliferation, differentiation and innervation. In mice, the circumvallate papilla (CVP) is a specialized structure that develops in a characteristic spatial and temporal pattern in the posterior region of the tongue dorsal surface. The distinct expression patterns of Shh and Ptc, which play important roles in the development of other epithelial appendages, have been localized in the trench wall that gives rise to von Ebner's gland (VEG).

Critical role of phospholipase Cgamma1 in the generation of H2O2-evoked [Ca2+]i oscillations in cultured rat cortical astrocytes.

Reactive oxygen species, such as the superoxide anion, H2O2, and the hydroxyl radical, have been considered as cytotoxic by-products of cellular metabolism. However, recent studies have provided evidence that H2O2 serves as a signaling molecule modulating various physiological functions. Here we investigated the effect of H2O2 on the regulation of intracellular Ca2+ signaling in rat cortical astrocytes.

Expression of Ca2+-dependent synaptotagmin isoforms in mouse and rat parotid acinar cells.

Synaptotagmin is a Ca2+ sensing protein, which triggers a fusion of synaptic vesicles in neuronal transmission. Little is known regarding the expression of Ca2+-dependent synaptotagmin isoforms and their contribution to the release of secretory vesicles in mouse and rat parotid acinar cells. We investigated a type of Ca2+-dependent synaptotagmin and Ca2+ signaling in both rat and mouse parotid acinar cells using RT-PCR, microfluorometry, and amylase assay.

Inhibition of connexin 43 alters Shh and Bmp-2 expression patterns in embryonic mouse tongue.

The morphogenesis of fungiform papillae occurs in a stereotyped pattern on the dorsal surface of the mammalian tongue via epithelial-mesenchymal interactions. These interactions are thought to be achieved via intercellular communication. Gap junctions can be observed in many developing tissues and have been suggested to participate in a variety of functions, including the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis.

Pharmacological characterization of rebamipide: its cholecystokinin CCK1 receptor binding profile and effects on Ca2+ mobilization and amylase release in rat pancreatic acinar cells.

We previously reported that rebamipide (2-(4-chlorobenzoylamino)-3-[2(1H)-quinolinon-4-yl]-propionic acid) generated oscillations of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) probably through the activation of cholecystokinin type 1 (CCK1) receptors in rat pancreatic acinar cells. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to establish the pharmacological characteristics of rebamipide in rat pancreatic acinar cells. CCK-8S and rebamipide inhibited [125I]BH-CCK-8S binding to rat pancreatic acinar cell membranes with IC50 values of 3.

German cockroach extract activates protease-activated receptor 2 in human airway epithelial cells.

Background: The German cockroach has been reported to act as an allergen that might be associated with a protease reaction in asthma. However, the molecular identities of the antigens in German cockroach extract (GCE) with protease activity and the protease-activated receptors (PARs) that are activated by GCE in human airway epithelial cells have not been characterized.

Objective: We investigated the direct effect of GCE on Ca(2+) signaling in human airway epithelial cells and the type of PARs activated by GCE.

Bumetanide, the specific inhibitor of Na+-K+-2Cl- cotransport, inhibits 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-induced osteoclastogenesis in a mouse co-culture system.

The Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) cotransporter (NKCC1) is responsible for ion transport across the secretory and absorptive epithelia, the regulation of cell volume, and possibly the modulation of cell growth and development. It has been reported that a variety of cells, including osteoblasts, contain this cotransporter. In this study, the physiological role of NKCC1 in osteoclastogenesis was exploited in a co-culture system.

Partial inhibition of SERCA is responsible for extracellular Ca2+ dependence of AlF-4-induced [Ca2+]i oscillations in rat pancreatic.

AlF4-is known to generate oscillations in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) by activating G proteins in many cell types. However, in rat pancreatic acinar cells, AlF4--evoked [Ca2+]i oscillations were reported to be dependent on extracellular Ca2+, which contrasts with the [Ca2+]i oscillations induced by cholecystokinin (CCK). Therefore, we investigated the mechanisms by which AlF4- generates extracellular Ca2+-dependent [Ca2+]i oscillations in rat pancreatic acinar cells.

Staurosporine-inhibitable protein kinase activity associated with secretory granule membranes isolated from rat submandibular gland cells.

Protein kinases, such as protein kinase C, have been shown to be associated with secretory granules and to regulate the event of exocytosis in various tissues including parotid salivary acinar cells. However, in submandibular acinar cells that play an important role in the secretion of proteins into the oral cavity, kinase activity on the granule membrane has not been explored. Therefore, in the present study, we isolated the secretory granules from rat submandibular acinar cells and investigated the localisation of protein kinases on the granule membrane.