Only mammals express RAGE

Figure 1 showing RAGE (aka: Ager) expression only in mammals from Sessa et al., PLOS ONE. 9(1): e86903, 2014. Figure 1 showing RAGE (aka: Ager) expression only in mammals from Sessa et al., PLOS ONE. 9(1): e86903, 2014.

RAGE stands for "receptor for advanced glycation end-products", also known as "AGER", and new research shows that it first appeared in mammals (Sessa et al., 2014). Despite the name, the receptor also binds other signaling molecules such as HMGB1, S100 proteins, beta-amyloid, phosphatidylserine, among others (Xie et al., 2013). RAGE is reportedly involved in diabetes, cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, osteoarthritis, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, as well as liver and renal diseases (Sessa et al., 2014; Xie et al., 2013). In fact, mice that are missing RAGE seems to resist the development of many of these diseases, which is what makes this research so interesting. As you can imagine, scientists are looking into the RAGE signaling pathway as a potential therapeutic for these diseases.

I wonder if the lack of this receptor also protects non-mammalian organisms from these disease states...

There must be a reason that mammals developed this protein. In fact, the highest expression is observed in lungs. Therefore, recent studies have confirmed that despite its pathological effects in other tissues, it is important in supporting the normal biomechanics of breathing (Al-Robaiy, et l., 2013).

Sources:

Al-Robaiy S, Weber B, Simm A, Diez C, Rolewska P, Silber RE, Bartling BThe receptor for advanced glycation end-products supports lung tissue biomechanics. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 305(7):L491-500, 2013.

Sessa L, Gatti E, Zeni F, Antonelli A, Catucci A, Koch M, Pompilio G, Fritz G, Raucci A, Bianchi ME. The receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) is only present in mammals, and belongs to a family of cell adhesion molecules. PLOS ONE. 9(1): e86903, 2014.

Xie J, Méndez JD, Méndez-Valenzuela V, Aguilar-Hernández MM. Cellular signalling of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE). Cell Signal. 25(11):2185-2197, 2013.

More like this

  When blood sugar concentrations are elevated, humans run the risk of glucose binding to proteins in the blood and causing the irreversible formation of advanced glycation end products (AGE). Once formed, AGEs can bind to their receptor (RAGE) and stimulate inflammation and oxidative stress…
New research published in Science Reports by Strauch et al., shows that fruit flies can tell the difference between cancerous and healthy cells. The researchers recorded calcium patterns indicative of neuronal activity that was stimulated in response to various odors emitted by healthy and…
I used a cruel headline, but this is actually a useful list: Fifty psychological and psychiatric terms to avoid: a list of inaccurate, misleading, misused, ambiguous, and logically confused words and phrases. It's not just the popular media that mangle scientific language, but also more technical…
By @finchtalk (Todd Smith) In 2014 and beyond Finchtalk will be contributing to Digitalbio’s blog at this site. We kick off 2014 with Finchtalk’s traditional post on the annual database issue from Nucleic Acids Research (NAR). Biological data and databases are ever expanding. This year was no…

Something to do with the phylogenetic aggression needs?maybe?

So... how likely is it that AGER is connected with the operation of two-way breathing in mammals, and is not necessary for flow-through breathing as used by birds and at least some reptiles? Maybe it has something to do with maintaining the health of the "dead space" in mammalian lungs?

By Jim Sweeney (not verified) on 26 Sep 2017 #permalink