Signaling pathways and biological effects of corticotropin (ACTH), pro-opiomelanocortin NH2-terminal peptide (N-POMC) and fibroblast growth factor type 2 (FGF2) in rat adrenal primary culture cells.

Author(s)

Gabriele Ebling Mattos

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI)
• Defense date: 2011-05-24

Examining board members

Claudimara Ferini Pacicco Lotfi; Madson Queiroz de Almeida; Silvya Stuchi Maria Engler; Cecilia Helena de Azevedo Gouveia Ferreira; Patricia Gama

• Advisor: Claudimara Ferini Pacicco Lotfi

Abstract

One of the factors that regulate adrenal cortex is the adrenocorticotrophic hormone, ACTH, however, the fibroblast growth factor type 2, FGF2) and pro-opiomelanocortin N-terminal peptides, N-POMC, might also be involved. The mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways: ERK, JNK and p38, together with other signaling pathways such as PKA, PKC and PI3K/Akt are important for cells trophic definition. We analyze the importance of these pathways and their influence in viability, proliferation and cell death stimulated by ACTH, FGF2 and N-POMC, using pharmacological and molecular inhibitors in primary culture of adrenocortical cells, glomerulosa and fasciculata/reticularis cells. Our results show that the mediating signaling pathways involved in FGF2 and N-POMC proliferative effects are, respectively, ERK/JNK and ERK/JNK/Akt. On the other hand, the pro-apoptotic response promoted by ACTH is through p38 signaling, probably associated with the absence of activation of other pathways involved with cell survival, like ERK and JNK. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 06/00607-9 - Analysis of the signaling pathways, the gene expression and the biological effect of the corticotrophin (ACTH), N-terminal proopiomelanocortin peptide (N-POMC) and the fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) in rat adrenal primary cultures cells
• Grantee: Gabriele Ebling Mattos
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)