Browsing Pathways

Insulin is responsible for the regulation of glucose levels in the body. It stimulates the storage of energy and inhibits the breakdown of high energy metabolites. Glycogen and lipid biosynthesis are upregulated, and conversely, glycogen and fatty acid metabolism are down-regulated. Insulin also modulates transcription and translation. Binding of insulin to the insulin receptor (IR) results in the activation of its tyrosine kinase activity leading to IR autophosphorylation. IR then phosphorylates several substrates that lead to the activation of an intracellular signalling cascade. IR activation leads to the activation of H-Ras, MAPK1-3, and PI3-kinase pathways. The activation of these pathways leads to modulation of key proteins in glycogen metabolism/lipid metabolism and transcription/translation.

Nilotinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor used to treat chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), a cancer characterized by increased and unregulated growth of white blood cells in the bone marrow and the accumulation of these cells in the blood. The cause of CML pathophysiology is the BCR-ABL fusion protein - the result of a genetic abnormality known as the Philadelphia chromosome in which Abelson Murine Leukemia viral oncogene homolog 1 (ABL1) translocates within the Breakpoint Cluster Region (BCR) gene on chromosome 22. BCR-ABL is a cytoplasm-targeted constitutively active tyrosine kinase that activates several oncogenic pathways which promote increased cell proliferation and survival including the MAPK/ERK Pathway, the JAK-STAT Pathway, and the PI3K/Akt pathway. Nilotinib is considered a second generation BCR-ABL inhibitor (Imatinib being the progenitor) that inhibits BCR-ABL activity by binding a highly conserved ATP binding site to effectively lock the tyrosine kinase in an inactive conformation. As a result, phosphate is unable to be transferred from ATP to activate oncogenic signalling cascades. For greater detail, refer to the pathway titled BCR-ABL Action in CML Pathogenesis. Nilotinib is able to bind ABL with greater affinity than Imatinib (20-fold to 30-fold increase). It is therefore administered to patients with Imatinib resistance. Notably, Nilotinib is ineffective against the T315I mutation in BCR-ABL, and further research is necessary.

Clemastine is a first-generation ethanolamine H1-antihistamine. H1-antihistamines interfere with the agonist action of histamine at the H1 receptor and are administered to attenuate inflammatory process in order to treat conditions such as allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and urticaria. H1-antihistamines act on H1 receptors in T-cells to inhibit the immune response, in blood vessels to constrict dilated blood vessels, and in smooth muscles of lungs and intestines to relax those muscles. Allergies causes blood vessel dilation which causes swelling (edema) and fluid leakage. Reducing the activity of the NF-κB immune response transcription factor through the phospholipase C and the phosphatidylinositol (PIP2) signalling pathways also decreases antigen presentation and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, cell adhesion molecules, and chemotactic factors. Furthermore, lowering calcium ion concentration leads to increased mast cell stability which reduces further histamine release. First-generation antihistamines readily cross the blood-brain barrier and cause sedation and other adverse central nervous system (CNS) effects (e.g. nervousness and insomnia). Second-generation antihistamines are more selective for H1-receptors of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and do not cross the blood-brain barrier. Consequently, these newer drugs elicit fewer adverse drug reactions.

Fosinopril (trade name: Monopril) belongs to the class of drugs known as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and is used primarily to lower high blood pressure (hypertension). This drug can also be used in the treatment of congestive heart failure and type II diabetes. Fosinopril is a prodrug which, following oral administration, undergoes biotransformation in vivo into its active form fosinoprilat via cleavage of its ester group by the liver. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is a component of the body's renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) and cleaves inactive angiotensin I into the active vasoconstrictor angiotensin II. ACE (or kininase II) also degrades the potent vasodilator bradykinin. Consequently, ACE inhibitors decrease angiotensin II concentrations and increase bradykinin concentrations resulting in blood vessel dilation and thereby lowering blood pressure.

Fosinopril (trade name: Monopril) belongs to the class of drugs known as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and is used primarily to lower high blood pressure (hypertension). This drug can also be used in the treatment of congestive heart failure and type II diabetes. Fosinopril is a prodrug which, following oral administration, undergoes biotransformation in vivo into its active form fosinoprilat via cleavage of its ester group by the liver. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is a component of the body's renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) and cleaves inactive angiotensin I into the active vasoconstrictor angiotensin II. ACE (or kininase II) also degrades the potent vasodilator bradykinin. Consequently, ACE inhibitors decrease angiotensin II concentrations and increase bradykinin concentrations resulting in blood vessel dilation and thereby lowering blood pressure.

Spirapril (trade name: Renormax) belongs to the class of drugs known as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and is used primarily to lower high blood pressure (hypertension). This drug can also be used in the treatment of congestive heart failure and type II diabetes. Spirapril is a prodrug which, following oral administration, undergoes biotransformation in vivo into its active form spiraprilat via cleavage of its ester group by the liver. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is a component of the body's renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) and cleaves inactive angiotensin I into the active vasoconstrictor angiotensin II. ACE (or kininase II) also degrades the potent vasodilator bradykinin. Consequently, ACE inhibitors decrease angiotensin II concentrations and increase bradykinin concentrations resulting in blood vessel dilation and thereby lowering blood pressure.

Temocapril (trade name: Acecol) belongs to the class of drugs known as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and is used primarily to lower high blood pressure (hypertension). This drug can also be used in the treatment of congestive heart failure and type II diabetes. Temocapril is a prodrug which, following oral administration, undergoes biotransformation in vivo into its active form temocaprilat via cleavage of its ester group by the liver. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is a component of the body's renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) and cleaves inactive angiotensin I into the active vasoconstrictor angiotensin II. ACE (or kininase II) also degrades the potent vasodilator bradykinin. Consequently, ACE inhibitors decrease angiotensin II concentrations and increase bradykinin concentrations resulting in blood vessel dilation and thereby lowering blood pressure.

Cilazapril (trade name: Dynorm, Inhibace, Vascace) belongs to the class of drugs known as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and is used primarily to lower high blood pressure (hypertension). This drug can also be used in the treatment of congestive heart failure and type II diabetes. Cilazapril is a prodrug which, following oral administration, undergoes biotransformation in vivo into its active form cilazaprilat via cleavage of its ester group by the liver. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is a component of the body's renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) and cleaves inactive angiotensin I into the active vasoconstrictor angiotensin II. ACE (or kininase II) also degrades the potent vasodilator bradykinin. Consequently, ACE inhibitors decrease angiotensin II concentrations and increase bradykinin concentrations resulting in blood vessel dilation and thereby lowering blood pressure.

Trandolapril (trade name: Mavik) belongs to the class of drugs known as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and is used primarily to lower high blood pressure (hypertension). This drug can also be used in the treatment of congestive heart failure and type II diabetes. Trandolapril is a prodrug which, following oral administration, undergoes biotransformation in vivo into its active form trandolaprilat via cleavage of its ester group by the liver. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is a component of the body's renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) and cleaves inactive angiotensin I into the active vasoconstrictor angiotensin II. ACE (or kininase II) also degrades the potent vasodilator bradykinin. Consequently, ACE inhibitors decrease angiotensin II concentrations and increase bradykinin concentrations resulting in blood vessel dilation and thereby lowering blood pressure.

BTG Family Member-2 (BTG2) is endowed with antiproliferative activity. The expression of BTG2 in cycling cells induces accumulation of hypophosphorylated, growth-inhibitory forms of Retinoblastoma protein(Rb) and lead to G1 arrest through impairment of DNA synthesis. Rb is a nuclear phosphoprotein whose phosphorylation state oscillates regularly during the cell cycle. Hypophosphorylated Rb associates with members of the E2F family of transcription factors, impairing their activity and leading to a cell cycle block in G1. Conversely, the phosphorylation of Rb inactivates its growth suppression activity by freeing E2F molecules, thus enabling them to transactivate genes required for the progression of the cell into S phase and the remainder of the cell cycle. Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are the molecules responsible for Rb phosphorylation and its consequent inactivation.