Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide: a novel peptide with protean implications.
OBJECTIVE
The 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.


RESULTS
Since 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.


CONCLUSIONS
Future 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.
Pisegna
Joseph R
JR
UCLA School of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (111C), VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California 90073, USA. jpisegna@ucla.edu
Oh
David S
DS
D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*
D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide