The role of the central neuropeptide pigment-dispersing factor (PDF) in circadian timekeeping in Drosophila is remarkably similar to that of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in mammals. Like VIP, PDF is expressed outside the circadian network by neurons innervating the gut, but the function and mode of action of this PDF have not been characterized. Here we investigate the visceral roles of PDF by adapting cellular and physiological methods to the study of visceral responses to PDF signaling in wild-type and mutant genetic backgrounds. We find that intestinal PDF acts at a distance on the renal system, where it regulates ureter contractions. We show that PdfR, PDF's established receptor, is expressed by the muscles of the excretory system, and present evidence that PdfR-induced cAMP increases underlie the myotropic effects of PDF. These findings extend the similarities between PDF and VIP beyond their shared central role as circadian regulators, and uncover an unexpected endocrine mode of myotropic action for an intestinal neuropeptide on the renal system.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1200247109 | DOI Listing |
Biomolecules
December 2024
Jiangsu Clinical Innovation Center for Anorectal Diseases of T.C.M., Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210022, China.
The amphibian skin secretions are excellent sources of bioactive peptides, some of which and their derivatives exhibit multiple properties, including antibacterial and antagonism against bradykinin. A novel peptide Senegalin-2 was isolated from the skin secretions of frog. Senegalin-2 relaxed rat bladder smooth muscle (EC 17.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Health Popul Nutr
January 2025
Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Huaihai West Road, Xuzhou, Jiang Su, 221004, China.
Aims: This study aims to assess the serum levels of pepsinogen (PG)I, PG II, and gastrin (G17) in patients with gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM) and evaluate their correlation with demographic characteristics.
Methods: A total of 247 normal controls (NC) and 240 patients diagnosed with GIM were enrolled in this study. All participants underwent a gastroscopy procedure followed by pathological examination for diagnosis confirmation.
Oncologist
January 2025
Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, United States.
Objectives: Well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NET) are highly vascular tumors characterized by their expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). This trial investigated the activity of ramucirumab, a monoclonal antibody that targets VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) and inhibits activity of VEGF, in combination with somatostatin analog therapy in patients (pts) with advanced extra-pancreatic NET.
Methods: We conducted a single-arm phase II trial enrolling pts with advanced, progressive extra-pancreatic NET.
Acta Physiol (Oxf)
February 2025
Institute for Physiology, University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
Aim: Despite dysfunctional vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-positive interneurons (VIP-INs) being linked to the emergence of neurodevelopmental disorders, the temporal profile of VIP-IN functional maturation and cortical network integration remains unclear.
Methods: Postnatal VIP-IN development was traced with patch clamp experiments in the somatosensory cortex of Vip-IRES-cre x tdTomato mice. Age groups were chosen during barrel field formation, before and after activation of main sensory inputs, and in adult animals (postnatal days (P) P3-4, P8-10, P14-16, and P30-36).
J Clin Med
December 2024
Department of Ophthalmology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hospital, Gwangju 61469, Republic of Korea.
Sensitivity to ocular irritation varies among individuals, being influenced by clinical, subjective, and biochemical factors. This study aimed to evaluate individual variability in ocular irritation sensitivity, focusing on clinical parameters, pain perception, and tear neuromediator profiles. Sixty female participants aged 20-40 were classified into high-sensitivity and low-sensitivity groups based on their response to an irritant (Tween20).
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