A physiological role for PAF in the stimulation of mammalian embryonic development

Article Abstract:

The platelet-activating factor (PAF) formed by both mouse and human preimplantation embryos was found to function as an autocrine growth factor that affected the development of embryos during pregnancy. The PAF represented a group of growth factors, which enhanced pregnancy potentials, obtained from the embryo during its first stages of development. Moreover, the physiological activity of PAF included inflammation and allergy control. The role of PAF as fertility enhancing agents could be hinderd with the introduction of PAF inhibitors or antagonists.

author: O'Neill, Chris
Physiological aspects, Embryology, Animal embryology, Platelet activating factor

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Frizzled proteins constitute a novel family of G protein-coupled receptors, most closely related to the secretin family

Article Abstract:

Secretin receptors and frizzled proteins share a structural similarity and putative evolutionary homology. Results of a study showed that they share a cysteine-rich extracellular amino terminus that may support a role in ligand recognition. Moreover, findings of sequence alignments indicated that the proteins support a novel G protein-coupled receptor family. It is also suggested that adenylate cyclase-based signalling may also be supported in the frizzled receptor family.

author: Beeley, Lee J., Barnes, Michael R., Duckworth, D. Malcolm
Analysis, G proteins, Ligands, Ligands (Chemistry)

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Lipocortin-1 exhibits novel actions, providing clinical opportunities

Article Abstract:

Studies conducted on the action of lipocortin-1 (annexin-1) suggested that this intracellular protein group may have an important role in clinical medicine. Several researches on the action of anti-lipocortin-1 antibodies in the body provide evidences of its action as an anti-inflammatory and antipyretic agent. Testing of the protein with EDTA also showed that the protein may be found in inner and outer surfaces of the cell.

author: Rothwell, Nancy J., Flower. Rod

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subjects list: Research, Autocrine mechanisms, Proteins
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