Study findings from Hebei Medical University, Department of Nephrology broaden understanding of life sciences
2007 NOV 22 -- Investigators publish new data in the report 'Collectrin, a homologue of ACE2, its transcriptional control and functional perspectives.' "Collectrin is a type I membrane protein and shares significant homology with C-terminal domain of angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2). However, collectrin lacks catalytic domain and it suggests the presence of uncharacterized physiological functions of collectrin," researchers in Shijiazhuang, People's Republic of China report. "Collectrin is transcriptionally regulated by hepatocyte nuclear factor-alpha and -beta and is highly expressed on renal proximal tubules and collecting ducts as well as pancreatic beta-cells. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated interesting physiological roles of collectrin related to insulin secretion, formation of primary cilia, renal cyst formation and amino acid transport. The common underlying molecular mechanism may be suggested by the evidence that collectrin binds to SNARE complex by interacting with snapin. Collectrin is involved in the process of vesicle transport and membrane fusion and thus it delivers insulin for exocytosis or various membrane proteins to apical plasmalemma and primary cilia," wrote Y. Zhang and colleagues, Hebei Medical University, Department of Nephrology. The researchers concluded: "Collectrin may be the new therapeutic target for various pathological processes such as diabetes, polycystic kidney disease, hypertension and aminoaciduria." Zhang and colleagues published their study in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications (Collectrin, a homologue of ACE2, its transcriptional control and functional perspectives. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 2007;363(1):1-5). For additional information, contact Y. Zhang, Third Hospital Hebei Medical University, Dept. of Nephrology, Shijiazhuang 050051, PR China. Publisher contact information for the journal Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications is: Academic Press Inc. Elsevier Science, 525 B St., Ste. 1900, San Diego, CA 92101-4495, USA. Keywords: People's Republic of China, Shijiazhuang, Life Sciences. This article was prepared by Hospital Law Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Hospital Law Week via NewsRx.com.
|
