title: cAMP-Epac Pathway Stimulation Modulate Connexin-43 and MicroRNA-21 Expression in Glioma Cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Malignant astrocytic gliomas are the most common and lethal brain malignancies due to their refractory to the current therapies. Nowadays, molecular targeted therapy has attracted great attention in treatment of glioma. Connexin 43 (Cx43) and micro ribonucleic acid-21(miR-21) are among molecules that are involved in glioma development and progression. These molecules showed potential to be as target molecules with regard to glioma. Some studies have reported that cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling could be effective on Cx43 and miR-21 in tissues other than in brain. We investigate possible relationship between β-adrenergic receptor and its newly described downstream, exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac) signaling pathway and expression of Cx43 and miR-21 in low (1321N1) and high grade (U87MG) glioma cell lines.
  
  
  METHODS
  We treated cells with β-adrenergic agonist and Epac activator with and without adenyl cyclase inhibitor. Cx43 and miR-21 expression were measured with real-time PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our data showed that in 1321N1 cells, β-adrenergic-Epac pathway stimulation up and down-regulated Cx43 and miR-21 expression respectively. Whereas, in U87MG cells these interventions had no effect on Cx43 and miR-21 expression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings demonstrate that low grade astrocytoma cells have better response to our pharmacological interventions.
authors: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.; Stem Cell Technology Research Center, Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering Department, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Hossein
authors: H
authors: Mostafavi
authors: Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran.; Stem Cell Technology Research Center, Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering Department, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Mojtaba
authors: M
authors: Khaksarian
authors: Department of Neuroscience, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.; Division of Neuroscience, Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Mohammad Taghi
authors: MT
authors: Joghataei
authors: Department of Neuroscience, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.; Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
authors: Sadegh
authors: S
authors: Yoosefee
authors: Department of Neuroscience, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Maryam
authors: M
authors: Soleimannejad
authors: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
authors: Raheleh
authors: R
authors: Gholamzadeh
authors: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
authors: Sanam
authors: S
authors: Seifollahi Bahnamiri
authors: Neuroscience Institute, Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.; Department of Neuroscience, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Mahmoud Reza
authors: MR
authors: Hadjighassem
keywords: 1321N1; Cx43; Epac; U87MG; beta adrenergic receptor; cAMP; glioma; miR-21