Tetrapeptide H-Ala-Glu-Asp-Arg-OH stimulates expression of cytoskeletal and nuclear matrix proteins

The cytoskeleton is an essential cell component that plays several structural and functional roles. However, the filaments that make up the cytoskeleton cannot function independently and depend on the accessory or ancillary proteins to effectively carry out their function. Accessory proteins associate with cytoskeletal filaments and their monomers, aiding filament formation and function. They also help in the cross-communication among cytoskeletal filaments. Cytoskeletal accessory proteins are...

Proteoglycans are extensively glycosylated proteins, commonly found in the extracellular matrix, interwoven with collagen fibers. Hyaline cartilage, the most common type of cartilage in the body, consists of short and dispersed collagen fibers associated with large amounts of proteoglycans. These proteoglycans have long negative charges that attract cations, which in turn attract water molecules. This influx of ions and water molecules swells up the proteoglycan like a water-soaked gel that can...

The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors are of three kinds RI, RII, and RIII. The RI...

Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...

Golgi matrix proteins are a group of highly dynamic proteins that maintain the stacked structure of Golgi. These proteins adapt to rapid morphological changes of the Golgi during the cell cycle. During cell division, mild proteolysis removes these connections resulting in Golgi unstacking. In The daughter cells, these proteins help reassemble the unstacked Golgi.
One of the first identified Golgi matrix proteins was GM130, a rod-like protein located in the cis-Golgi. Subsequently, many Golgi...

The extracellular matrix or ECM holds cells together to form a tissue and allows the cells within the tissue to communicate. ECM comprises proteins such as fibronectin, collagen, laminin, etc. The most abundant protein in this space is collagen. Collagen fibers are interwoven with carbohydrate-containing protein molecules called proteoglycans. ECM allows cell migration and provides a structural scaffold at cell adhesion that anchors the cell when the extracellular matrix proteins interact with...