A network map of apelin-mediated signaling

Area of Science:

• Cellular signaling pathways
• G-protein coupled receptor research
• Physiological regulation mechanisms

Background:

• The apelin receptor (APLNR) is a rhodopsin-like G-protein coupled receptor widely expressed in the human body.
• The apelin/APLNR system modulates critical signaling cascades, including AMPK/PI3K/AKT/mTOR and RAF/ERK1/2 pathways.
• APLNR activation influences diverse physiological functions such as vasoconstriction, cardiac contractility, energy metabolism, and fluid homeostasis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To consolidate and present a comprehensive network map of the apelin receptor (APLNR) signaling pathway.
• To highlight the biomedical significance of the APLNR system.
• To make curated APLNR pathway data freely accessible to the research community.

Main Methods:

• Manual curation of literature data related to the APLNR system using NetPath criteria.
• Construction of a detailed signaling network map based on curated information.
• Data compilation and deposition into the WikiPathways Database.

Main Results:

• The curated APLNR signaling map includes 35 activation/inhibition events, 38 catalysis events, 4 molecular associations, 62 gene regulation events, 113 protein expression types, and 4 protein translocation events.
• The comprehensive map provides a detailed overview of the molecular interactions within the APLNR pathway.
• The APLNR signaling pathway map is now publicly available at WikiPathways.

Conclusions:

• The developed APLNR signaling network map offers a valuable resource for understanding its diverse physiological roles.
• The accessibility of this curated data facilitates further research into the apelin/APLNR system.
• This work underscores the importance of the APLNR pathway in regulating fundamental biological processes.