Laboratory of Eukaryotic Gene Expression and Signal Transduction (LEGEST), Ghent University-UGent, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000 Gent, Belgium.
Published: April 2010
AI Article Synopsis
Article Abstract
Dopamine receptors are G-protein-coupled receptors involved in the control of motivation, learning, and fine-tuning of motor movement, as well as modulation of neuroendocrine signalling. Stimulation of G-protein-coupled receptors normally results in attenuation of signalling through desensitization, followed by internalization and down-regulation of the receptor. These processes allow the cell to regain homeostasis after exposure to extracellular stimuli and offer protection against excessive signalling. Here, we have investigated the agonist-mediated attenuation properties of the dopamine D4 receptor. We found that several hallmarks of signal attenuation such as receptor phosphorylation, internalization and degradation showed a blunted response to agonist treatment. Moreover, we did not observe recruitment of beta-arrestins upon D4 receptor stimulation. We also provide evidence for the constitutive phosphorylation of two serine residues in the third intracellular loop of the D4 receptor. These data demonstrate that, when expressed in CHO, HeLa and HEK293 cells, the human D4 receptor shows resistance to agonist-mediated internalization and down-regulation. Data from neuronal cell lines, which have been reported to show low endogenous D4 receptor expression, such as the hippocampal cell line HT22 and primary rat hippocampal cells, further support these observations.
Background: Tumor recurrence or metastasis after surgery is a significant factor influencing bladder cancer (BC) prognosis. Novel molecular biomarkers are necessary to determine each patient's specific outcome because current biomarkers have limited power for predicting prognosis. The proto-oncogene MET encodes c-MET, a tyrosine kinase receptor.
Background: To clearly reveal the correlations between tumor characteristics, age at diagnosis, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation rates in patients with pulmonary ground-glass opacities (GGOs).
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 1473 patients with GGOs between January 2015 and May 2020 from two cancer centers. The tumor characteristics and EGFR mutation rates were compared between different age groups.
Background: Gastric cancer (GC) shows limited response to immune checkpoint inhibitors due to its complex tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). This study explores the functions of various immune cells in the complex TIME in GC.
Methods: We assessed CD8 + T-cell infiltration of GC tissues by immunohistochemistry, and performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of tumor and normal tissues from 34 patients with GC.
Department of Anesthesiology and Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330001, China.
Objective: This study aimed to observe the impact of Tthoracic paravertebral nerve blockade(TPVB) at left T7 level on the α7nAChR-dependent cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway in patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy.
Methods: Scheduled thoracoscopic lung surgery patients at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from August to September 2023 were divided into two groups according to the surgical site. The experimental group underwent left T7 paravertebral nerve blockade (LTPVB group), while the control group underwent right T7 paravertebral nerve blockade (RTPVB group).
Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic multifactorial inflammatory skin disorder with a complex etiology. Despite its increasing prevalence, treatment of AD is still limited. Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) is found in cruciferous vegetables and is formed when these vegetables are cut, chewed, or cooked; it exerts diverse pharmacological activities.
