Open AccessSCNH2 is a novel apelinergic family member acting as a potent mitogenic and chemotactic factor for both endothelial and epithelial cells
Author(s) -
Changge Fang,
Ingalill Avis,
Caterina Bianco,
Natalie Held,
Jennifer Morris,
Kris Ylaya,
Stephen M. Hewitt,
Alfred C. Aplin,
Roberto F. Nicosia,
Laura Fung,
John D. Lewis,
William G. StetlerStevenson,
David Salomon,
Frank Cuttitta
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
open journal of clinical diagnostics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2162-5824
pISSN - 2162-5816
DOI - 10.4236/ojcd.2013.32009
Subject(s) - apelin , angiogenesis , chemotaxis , g protein coupled receptor , embryonic stem cell , microbiology and biotechnology , receptor , cancer research , vascular endothelial growth factor , cell growth , medicine , biology , vegf receptors , biochemistry , gene
The gut hormone apelin is a major therapeutic focus for several diseases involving inflammation and aberrant cell growth. We investigated whether apelin-36 contained alternative bioactive peptides associated with normal physiology or disease. Amino acid sequence analysis of apelin-36 identified an amidation motif consistent with the formation of a secondary bioactive peptide (SCNH2). SCNH2 is proven to be mitogenic and chemotactic in normal/malignant cells and augments angiogenesis via a PTX-resistant/CT-X-sensitive G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). Notably, SCNH2 is substantially more potent and sensitive than apelin-13 and vascular endothelial growth factor-A. Endogenous SCNH2 is highly expressed in human tumors and placenta and in mouse embryonic tissues. Our findings demonstrate that SCNH2 is a new apelinergic member with critical pluripotent roles in angiogenesis related diseases and embryogenesis via a non-APJ GPCR.