J. Pisegna, D. Oh
Feb 1, 2007
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Influential Citations
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Journal
Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity
Abstract
Purpose of reviewThe purpose of this review is to highlight the importance of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide in physiological processes and to describe how this peptide is becoming increasingly recognized as having a major role in the body. Since its discovery in 1989, investigators have sought to determine the site of biological activity and the function of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide in maintaining homeostasis. Recent findingsSince its discovery, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide appears to play an important role in the regulation of processes within the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract, as well in reproductive biology. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide has been shown to regulate tumor cell growth and to regulate immune function through its effects on T lympocytes. These discoveries suggest the importance of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide in neuronal development, neuronal function, gastrointestinal tract function and reproduction. SummaryFuture studies will examine more closely the role of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide in regulation of malignantly transformed cells, as well as in regulation of immune function.