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Oxymatrine
Oxymatrine (matrine oxide, matrine ''N''-oxide, matrine 1-oxide) is one of many Quinolizidine alkaloids, quinolizidine alkaloid compounds extracted from the root of ''Sophora flavescens'', a Chinese herb. It is very similar in structure to matrine, which has one less oxygen atom. Oxymatrine has a variety of effects ''in vitro'' and in animal models, including protection against apoptosis, tumor and fibrotic tissue development, and inflammation. Furthermore, oxymatrine has been shown to decrease cardiac ischemia (decreased blood perfusion), myocardial injury, Heart arrhythmia, arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), and improve heart failure by increasing cardiac function. Role in cardiac fibrosis Recent research has shown that oxymatrine prevents cardiac fibrosis in rats.Shen, X, Yang, Y, Xiao, T, Peng, J, Liu, X. (2011) Protective effect of oxymatrine on myocardial fibrosis induced by acute myocardial infarction in rats involved in TGF-b1-Smads signal pathway. Journal of Asian Natural ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Quinolizidine Alkaloids
Quinolizidine alkaloids are natural products that have a quinolizidine structure; this includes the lupine alkaloids. Occurrence Quinolizidine alkaloids can be found in the plant family of legumes, especially in papilionaceous plants. While the lupine alkaloids (following their name) can be found in lupines, tinctorin, for example, was isolated from the dyer's broom. Examples More than 200 quinolizidine alkaloids are known which can be classified into 6 structural types: * the lupinine type with 34 known structures, including lupinine and its derivatives * the camoensine type with 6 known structures, including camoensin * the spartein type with 66 structures, including sparteine, lupanine, angustifoline * the α-pyridone type with 25 structures, including anagyrine and cytisine * the matrine type with 31 structures, including matrine * and the ormosanin type with 19 structures, including ormosanine. (–)-Lupinine Structural Formula V2.svg, (–)-lupinine (6R,7S,9S,1 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Extracellular Matrix
In biology, the extracellular matrix (ECM), also called intercellular matrix, is a three-dimensional network consisting of extracellular macromolecules and minerals, such as collagen, enzymes, glycoproteins and hydroxyapatite that provide structural and biochemical support to surrounding cells. Because multicellularity evolved independently in different multicellular lineages, the composition of ECM varies between multicellular structures; however, cell adhesion, cell-to-cell communication and differentiation are common functions of the ECM. The animal extracellular matrix includes the interstitial matrix and the basement membrane. Interstitial matrix is present between various animal cells (i.e., in the intercellular spaces). Gels of polysaccharides and fibrous proteins fill the Interstitial fluid, interstitial space and act as a compression buffer against the stress placed on the ECM. Basement membranes are sheet-like depositions of ECM on which various epithelial cells rest ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dose–response Relationship
The dose–response relationship, or exposure–response relationship, describes the magnitude of the response of an organism, as a function of exposure (or doses) to a stimulus or stressor (usually a chemical) after a certain exposure time. Dose–response relationships can be described by dose–response curves. This is explained further in the following sections. A stimulus response function or stimulus response curve is defined more broadly as the response from any type of stimulus, not limited to chemicals. Motivation for studying dose–response relationships Studying dose response, and developing dose–response models, is central to determining "safe", "hazardous" and (where relevant) beneficial levels and dosages for drugs, pollutants, foods, and other substances to which humans or other organisms are exposed. These conclusions are often the basis for public policy. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has developed extensive guidance and reports on dose–respon ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Smad4
SMAD4, also called SMAD family member 4, Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 4, or DPC4 (Deleted in Pancreatic Cancer-4) is a highly conserved protein present in all metazoans. It belongs to the SMAD family of transcription factor proteins, which act as mediators of TGF-β signal transduction. The TGFβ family of cytokines regulates critical processes during the lifecycle of metazoans, with important roles during embryo development, tissue homeostasis, regeneration, and immune regulation. SMAD 4 belongs to the co-SMAD group (''common mediator'' SMAD), the second class of the SMAD family. SMAD4 is the only known co-SMAD in most metazoans. It also belongs to the Darwin family of proteins that modulate members of the TGFβ protein superfamily, a family of proteins that all play a role in the regulation of cellular responses. Mammalian SMAD4 is a homolog of the ''Drosophila'' protein "Mothers against decapentaplegic" named Medea. SMAD4 interacts with R-Smads, such as SMAD2, SMA ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Smad3
Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3 also known as SMAD family member 3 or SMAD3 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SMAD3 gene. SMAD3 is a member of the SMAD family of proteins. It acts as a mediator of the signals initiated by the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) superfamily of cytokines, which regulate cell proliferation, differentiation and death. Based on its essential role in TGF beta signaling pathway, SMAD3 has been related with tumor growth in cancer development. Gene The human SMAD3 gene is located on chromosome 15 on the cytogenic band at 15q22.33. The gene is composed of 9 exons over 129,339 base pairs. It is one of several human homologues of a gene that was originally discovered in the fruit fly ''Drosophila melanogaster''. The expression of SMAD3 has been related to the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK/ERK pathway), particularly to the activity of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase-1 (MEK1). Studies have demonstrated that inhi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Smad2
Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 2 also known as SMAD family member 2 or SMAD2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''SMAD2'' gene. MAD homolog 2 belongs to the SMAD, a family of proteins similar to the gene products of the ''Drosophila'' gene 'mothers against decapentaplegic' (Mad) and the ''C. elegans'' gene Sma. SMAD proteins are signal transducers and transcriptional modulators that mediate multiple signaling pathways. Function SMAD2 mediates the signal of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, and thus regulates multiple cellular processes, such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. This protein is recruited to the TGF-beta receptors through its interaction with the SMAD anchor for receptor activation (SARA) protein. In response to TGF-beta signal, this protein is phosphorylated by the TGF-beta receptors. The phosphorylation induces the dissociation of this protein with SARA and the association with the family member SMAD4. The ass ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Serine/threonine-specific Protein Kinase
A serine/threonine protein kinase () is a kinase enzyme, in particular a protein kinase, that phosphorylates the OH group of the amino-acid residues serine or threonine, which have similar side chains. At least 350 of the 500+ human protein kinases are serine/threonine kinases (STK). In enzymology, the term ''serine/threonine protein kinase'' describes a class of enzymes in the family of transferases, that transfer phosphates to the oxygen atom of a serine or threonine side chain in proteins. This process is called phosphorylation. Protein phosphorylation in particular plays a significant role in a wide range of cellular processes and is a very important posttranslational modification. The chemical reaction performed by these enzymes can be written as :ATP + a protein \rightleftharpoons ADP + a phosphoprotein Thus, the two substrates of this enzyme are ATP and a protein, whereas its two products are ADP and phosphoprotein. The systematic name of this enzyme class is ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
TGF Beta Receptor 2
Transforming growth factor, beta receptor II (70/80kDa) is a TGF beta receptor. ''TGFBR2'' is its human gene. It is a tumor suppressor gene. Function This gene encodes a member of the serine/threonine protein kinase family and the TGFB receptor subfamily. The encoded protein is a transmembrane protein that has a protein kinase domain, forms a heterodimeric complex with another receptor protein, and binds TGF-beta. This receptor/ligand complex phosphorylates proteins, which then enter the nucleus and regulate the transcription of a subset of genes related to cell proliferation. Mutations in this gene have been associated with Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Deitz aortic aneurysm syndrome, Osler–Weber–Rendu syndrome, and the development of various types of tumors. At least 73 disease-causing mutations in this gene have been discovered. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been characterized. Interactions TGF beta receptor 2 has been shown to ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
TGF Beta Receptor 1
Transforming growth factor beta receptor I (activin A receptor type II-like kinase, 53kDa) is a membrane-bound TGF beta receptor protein of the TGF-beta receptor family for the TGF beta superfamily of signaling ligands. ''TGFBR1'' is its human gene. Function The protein encoded by this gene forms a heteromeric complex with type II TGF-β receptors when bound to TGF-β, transducing the TGF-β signal from the cell surface to the cytoplasm. The encoded protein is a serine/threonine protein kinase. Mutations in this gene have been associated with Loeys–Dietz aortic aneurysm syndrome (LDS, LDAS). Interactions TGF beta receptor 1 has been shown to interact with: * Caveolin 1, * Endoglin, * FKBP1A, * FNTA, * Heat shock protein 90kDa alpha (cytosolic), member A1 * Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 7, * PPP2R2A, * STRAP, * TGF beta 1, and * TGF beta receptor 2. Inhibitors * GW-788,388 * LY-2109761 * Galunisertib (LY-2157299) * SB-431,542 * SB-525,334 * Reps ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
TGF Beta 1
TGF may refer to: Medicine * Tubuloglomerular feedback, a reflex of the nephrons in the kidney * Transforming growth factor, either of two classes of polypeptide growth factors (TGF-α and TGF-β) Science * Terrestrial gamma-ray flash, a burst of gamma rays produced in the Earth's atmosphere, generally associated with lightning * Tidal Generating Force, an effect of gravity responsible for creating tides * Trivial Graph Format, a text-based file format for describing graphs Entertainment * The Games Factory, video game development software created by Clickteam * The Gracious Few, an American rock group from York, Pennsylvania Other * Chali language The Chali language ( Dzongkha: ཚ་ལི་ཁ་; Wylie: ''Tsha-li-kha''; also called "Chalikha," "Chalipkha," "Tshali," and "Tshalingpa") is an East Bodish language spoken by about 1,398 people in Wangmakhar, Gorsum and Tormazhong villages ..., by ISO 639 code See also * * * {{disambig ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mechanism Of Action
In pharmacology, the term mechanism of action (MOA) refers to the specific biochemical interaction through which a drug substance produces its pharmacological effect. A mechanism of action usually includes mention of the specific molecular targets to which the drug binds, such as an enzyme or receptor. Receptor sites have specific affinities for drugs based on the chemical structure of the drug, as well as the specific action that occurs there. Drugs that do not bind to receptors produce their corresponding therapeutic effect by simply interacting with chemical or physical properties in the body. Common examples of drugs that work in this way are antacids and laxatives. In contrast, a mode of action (MoA) describes functional or anatomical changes, at the cellular level, resulting from the exposure of a living organism to a substance. Importance Elucidating the mechanism of action of novel drugs and medications is important for several reasons: * In the case of anti-infectiv ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Type III Collagen
Type III Collagen is a homotrimer, or a protein composed of three identical peptide chains (monomers), each called an alpha 1 chain of type III collagen. Formally, the monomers are called collagen type III, alpha-1 chain and in humans are encoded by the gene. Type III collagen is one of the fibrillar collagens whose proteins have a long, inflexible, triple-helical domain. Protein structure and function Type III collagen is synthesized by cells as a pre-procollagen. The signal peptide is cleaved off producing a procollagen molecule. Three identical type III procollagen chains come together at the carboxy-terminal ends, and the structure is stabilized by the formation of disulphide bonds. Each individual chain folds into left-handed helix and the three chains are then wrapped together into a right-handed superhelix, the triple helix. Prior to assembling the super-helix, each monomer is subjected to a number of post-translational modifications that occur while the monomer is ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
