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Macrocortin: a polypeptide causing the anti-phospholipase effect of glucocorticoids

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Abstract

Anti-inflammatory glucocorticoids inhibit prostaglandin (PG) biosynthesis by preventing arachidonic acid release from phos-pholipids rather than inhibiting the cyclooxygenase1–16. As in other cells17–19, this steroid action depends on receptor occupation and de novo protein/RNA biosynthesis12–16. We have previously shown in guinea pig perfused lungs and rat peritoneal leukocytes that the effect of steroids on PG generation is mediated by an uncharacterized ‘second messenger’13,16. Now, we report that this factor (which we have named ‘macrocortin’) is an intracellular polypeptide whose release and synthesis are stimulated by steroids. Macrocortin derived from rat peritoneal leukocytes is very similar to that released from guinea pig lungs.

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Author notes

  1. Geoffrey J. Blackwell, Roderick J. Flower and Luca Parente: The Wellcome Research Laboratories, Langley Court, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3BS, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Experimental Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Naples, Via L. Rodino 22, 80138, Naples, Italy

    Geoffrey J. Blackwell, Rosa Carnuccio, Massimo Di Rosa, Roderick J. Flower, Luca Parente & Paola Persico

Authors
  1. Geoffrey J. Blackwell
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  2. Rosa Carnuccio
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  3. Massimo Di Rosa
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  4. Roderick J. Flower
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  5. Luca Parente
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  6. Paola Persico
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Blackwell, G., Carnuccio, R., Rosa, M. et al. Macrocortin: a polypeptide causing the anti-phospholipase effect of glucocorticoids. Nature 287, 147–149 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1038/287147a0

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