title: Mechanical stretching elevates peptidyl arginine deiminase 2 expression in astrocytes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether the mechanical stretching renders modulation of the peptidyl arginine deiminase 2 (PAD2) expression in cultured astrocytes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Isolated rat brain astrocytes were subjected to mechanical stretching using a glass bead set-up and polyethylene set-up with or without immobilization. Activity assays and ELISA were performed to detect PAD2 expression. Protein deimination levels in the cells were measured using an anti-citrulline ELISA. PAD2 expression in cells subjected to mechanical stretching was compared with controls. Astrocytes were also subjected to pressure treatment and compared to control cells for PAD2 expression and deimination levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Astrocytes subjected to mechanical stretching with or without immobilization showed elevated PAD2 expression. Pressure treatment of astrocytes (25-100 mmHg) also resulted in elevated PAD2 expression and deimination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest mechanical stretching induced PAD2 expression and consequent protein deimination.
authors.affiliation: Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: Mabel E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Algeciras
authors.forename: Hidenari
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takahara
authors.forename: Sanjoy K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Bhattacharya
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000201:enzymology*; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006867:Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism*; D007103:Immobilization; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D011312:Pressure; D000080064:Protein-Arginine Deiminase Type 2; D000076342:Protein-Arginine Deiminases; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D006867:Hydrolases; C461539:Padi2 protein, rat; D000080064:Protein-Arginine Deiminase Type 2; D000076342:Protein-Arginine Deiminases