by Ngai Wing Keung Clement. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1992. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 172-206). / Chapter 1. --- Acknowledgment --- p.iv / Chapter 2. --- Abstract --- p.v / Chapter 3. --- Lists of Tables and Figures --- p.vii / Chapter 4. --- General Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 5. --- Review of Literature --- p.5 / Chapter 5.1. --- Historical Background of Natriuretic Peptides --- p.5 / Chapter 5.2. --- Secretion of Natriuretic Peptides --- p.8 / Chapter 5.3. --- Structure and Function Relationships --- p.12 / Chapter 5.4. --- Physiological Actions --- p.17 / Chapter 5.5. --- Natriuretic Peptide Receptors and Second Messengers --- p.22 / Chapter 5.6. --- Clinical Implications --- p.28 / Chapter 5.7. --- Review on Astrocytes --- p.31 / Chapter 6. --- General Materials and Methods --- p.43 / Chapter 6.1. --- Sources of Chemicals --- p.43 / Chapter 6.2. --- Culture of Mouse Astrocytes --- p.43 / Chapter 6.3. --- Culture of human astrocytoma cells --- p.57 / Chapter 6.4. --- Protein Determination --- p.57 / Chapter 6.5. --- Gamma Counting --- p.58 / Chapter 6.6. --- Beta Counting --- p.58 / Chapter 7. --- Receptor Identification and Characterization --- p.59 / Chapter 7.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.60 / Chapter 7.3 --- Results --- p.66 / Chapter 7.4 --- Discussion --- p.81 / Chapter 8. --- Second Messenger Systems --- p.83 / Chapter 8.1 --- Introduction --- p.83 / Chapter 8.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.85 / Chapter 8.3 --- Results --- p.97 / Chapter 8.4 --- Discussion --- p.109 / Chapter 9. --- Biological Actions of Natriuretic Peptides --- p.113 / Chapter 9.1. --- Potassium Transport --- p.113 / Chapter 9.1.1. --- Introduction --- p.113 / Chapter 9.1.2. --- Materials and Methods --- p.116 / Chapter 9.1.3. --- Results --- p.121 / Chapter 9.1.4. --- Discussion --- p.131 / Chapter 9.2 --- Taurine Release --- p.135 / Chapter 9.2.1. --- Introduction --- p.135 / Chapter 9.2.2. --- Materials and Methods --- p.137 / Chapter 9.2.3. --- Results --- p.139 / Chapter 9.2.4. --- Discussion --- p.143 / Chapter 9.3 --- Thymidine Incorporation --- p.144 / Chapter 9.3.1. --- Introduction --- p.144 / Chapter 9.3.2. --- Materials and Methods --- p.146 / Chapter 9.3.3. --- Results --- p.148 / Chapter 9.3.4. --- Discussion --- p.156 / Chapter 10. --- Interaction with Other Hormonal Systems --- p.160 / Chapter 10.1 --- Introduction --- p.160 / Chapter 10.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.162 / Chapter 10.3 --- Result --- p.163 / Chapter 10.4 --- Discussion --- p.167 / Chapter 11. --- Conclusion --- p.169 / Chapter 12. --- References --- p.172 / Chapter 13. --- Appendix --- p.208

by Tung Sin Yi, Cindy. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 117-132). / Acknowledgements --- p.I / List of Abbreviations --- p.II / Abstract --- p.IV / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Astrocytes in the Central Nervous System (CNS) l / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Characteristics of astrocytes / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Functions of astrocytes / Chapter 1.1.2.1 --- General functions of astrocytes / Chapter 1.1.2.2 --- Effects of neuroactive peptides on astrocytes / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Gliomas and the rat C6 glioma cells / Chapter 1.2 --- C-Type natriuretic peptide (CNP) in the CNS --- p.9 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Structure and distribution of natriuretic peptides in the CNS / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Actions of CNP / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Natriuretic peptide receptors and signal transduction in astrocytes / Chapter 1.3 --- Endothelin-3 (ET-3) in the CNS --- p.18 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Structure and distribution of endothelins (ETs) in the CNS / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Actions of ET-3 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Endothelin receptors and signal transductionin astrocytes / Chapter 1.4 --- cGMP second messenger system in astrocytes --- p.28 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- Second messenger systems in astrocytes / Chapter 1.4.2 --- cGMP as second messenger in astrocytes / Chapter 1.4.3 --- Post cGMP cascade effects / Chapter 1.5 --- The aims of this project --- p.33 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Methods / Chapter 2.1 --- In vitro culture of rat C6 glioma cells --- p.36 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Preparation of reagents / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Culture of C6 glioma cells / Chapter 2.1.3 --- "Cell plating in 6-well, 24-well and 96-well plastic trays" / Chapter 2.2 --- Determination of cGMP --- p.40 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Measurement of cGMP / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Data analysis / Chapter 2.3 --- Determination of the effect of CNP on cGMP productionin C6 cells --- p.41 / Chapter 2.4 --- Determination of the effect of ET-3 on the action of CNPin C6cells --- p.44 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Measurement of intracellular cGMP levels affected by ET-3 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Measurement of intracellular cGMP levels affected by CNP with ET-3 pretreatment / Chapter 2.5 --- Determination of the effects of PKC activator and inhibitor on CNP-treated C6 cells --- p.46 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Measurement of intracellular cGMP levels affected by PKC activator or inhibitor / Chapter 2.5.2 --- Measurement of intracellular cGMP levels affected by CNP with PKC activator or inhibitor pretreatment / Chapter 2.5.3 --- Measurement of intracellular cGMP levels affected by CNP with PKC inhibitor antagonized PMA or ET-3 pretreatment / Chapter 2.6 --- Determination of the effect of arachidonic acid on the action of CNP in C6 cells --- p.49 / Chapter 2.7 --- Determination of the effects of ET-3 and CNP on calcium uptake in C6 cells --- p.50 / Chapter 2.8 --- Determination of the effects of CNP and ET-3 on cell volume change in C6 cells --- p.51 / Chapter 2.9 --- Determination of the effects of CNP and ET-3 on glucose and amino acids uptake in C6 cells --- p.53 / Chapter 2.9.1 --- Measurement of glucose uptake in CNP - and/or ET- 3-treated C6 cells / Chapter 2.9.2 --- Measurement of amino acids uptake in CNP - and/or ET-3-treated C6 cells / Chapter 2.10 --- "Determination of thymidine, uridine and leucine incorporation in CNP - and/or ET-3- treated C6 cells" --- p.55 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Results / Chapter 3.1 --- Effects of CNP and ET-3 on cGMP production in cultured rat C6 glioma cells --- p.56 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Effect of CNP on cGMP production in cultured C6 glioma cells --- p.57 / Chapter 3.1.1.1 --- The time course of CNP on cGMP production / Chapter 3.1.1.2 --- Dosage-response of CNP on cGMP production / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Effect of ET-3 on cGMP production in C6 glioma cells --- p.61 / Chapter 3.1.2.1 --- Effect of ET-3 on basal cGMP production / Chapter 3.1.2.2 --- Effect of pre-exposure duration to ET-3 on CNP-induced cGMP formation / Chapter 3.1.2.3 --- Dosage-response of ET-3 on CNP-induced cGMP production / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Effect of PMA on cGMP production in C6 glioma cells --- p.65 / Chapter 3.1.3.1 --- Effect of PMA on basal cGMP production / Chapter 3.1.3.2 --- Effect of pre-exposure duration to PMA on CNP-induced cGMP formation / Chapter 3.1.3.3 --- Dosage-response of PMA on CNP-induced cGMP production / Chapter 3.1.4 --- Effects of PKC inhibitors on cGMP production in C6 glioma cells --- p.73 / Chapter 3.1.4.1 --- Effects of PKC inhibitors on basal cGMP production / Chapter 3.1.4.2 --- Effects of PKC inhibitors on CNP-induced cGMP formation / Chapter 3.1.4.3 --- Antagonism of PKC inhibitors on the action of PMA on CNP-induced cGMP formation / Chapter 3.1.4.4 --- Antagonism of PKC inhibitors on the action of ET-3 on CNP-induced cGMP formation / Chapter 3.1.5 --- Effect of arachidonic acid on CNP-induced cGMP production in C6 glioma cells --- p.82 / Chapter 3.2 --- Effects of CNP and ET-3 on cellular metabolism in cultured rat C6 glioma cells --- p.83 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Effects of CNP and ET-3 on calcium uptake in C6 glioma cells --- p.86 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Effects of CNP and ET-3 on cell volume changes in C6 glioma cells --- p.89 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Effects of CNP and ET-3 on glucose and amino acids uptake in C6 glioma cells --- p.91 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Effects of CNP and ET-3 on C6 cell proliferation --- p.98 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Effects of CNP and ET-3 on RNA synthesis --- p.101 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- Effects of CNP and ET-3 on protein synthesis --- p.103 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Discussion and Conclusion --- p.105 / References --- p.117