Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:2.7.10.1 (ERK)
95,504 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

In breast cancer, epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) expression is inversely correlated with expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and predicts the prognosis and failure of endocrine therapy. We report here, for the first time, that in ER-positive breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7, T47D, and BT474, 17 beta-estradiol (E2) transiently induced EGFR messenger RNA (mRNA) levels 2- to 3-fold; this induction was prevented by the presence of the antiestrogen ICI 164,384 and was also reflected in the level of EGFR protein. Up-regulation of EGFR mRNA is most likely due to a direct effect of ER on the EGFR gene, with no involvement of protein synthesis, as it was not inhibited in the presence of cycloheximide; however, the subsequent down-regulation of EGFR required de novo protein synthesis. E2 had no effect on EGFR mRNA stability, and EGFR transcript levels were found to parallel EGFR mRNA levels, further supporting a direct transcriptional mechanism in the regulation of EGFR expression by estrogens. Additionally, sequencing of the EGFR promoter revealed putative imperfect estrogen-responsive elements that were capable of binding human ER. The transient nature of EGFR induction by E2, with a rapid return to a basal level that is dependent on protein synthesis, suggests that breast cancer cells possess active mechanisms to maintain low levels of EGFR expression in the presence of estrogen and a functional ER.
...
PMID:Bimodal regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor by estrogen in breast cancer cells. 877 Aug 93

The effect of increased intracellular cAMP on MCF-7 breast cancer cell growth was examined by treating cells with either forskolin, an activator of adenylate cyclase, or 8-[4-chlorophenylthio]-cAMP (8-CPT-cAMP), a cAMP analog. Compared to cells maintained in control medium, treatment with either 1 or 10 microM forskolin decreased cell growth by 17% and 68%, respectively, whereas treatment with 250 microM 8-CPT-cAMP decreased cell growth by 29%. To determine whether this effect of cAMP on cell growth was mediated by inhibition of the activity of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1 and -2), two mitogen-activated protein kinases, the effect of cAMP on growth factor-induced ERK activity in MCF-7 cells was examined. Treatment with either insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) or epidermal growth factor (EGF) for 10 min stimulated a 4- to 8-fold increase in ERK1 and -2 activity. This effect of IGF-I and EGF was not inhibited by increased intracellular cAMP generated by pretreatment of the cells with 10 microM forskolin. Similarly, 10 microM forskolin had no effect on IGF-I- or EGF-induced ERK activity in cells treated with growth factor for 30 min. To determine whether cAMP inhibits other growth factor-mediated effects, its effect on the activity of the serum response element (SRE), a DNA promoter element whose activity is regulated by a variety of growth-promoting events, was examined. For these assays, MCF-7 cells were transiently transfected with pTK81-SRE-Luc, a luciferase fusion gene that contains the SRE cloned 5' to a minimal thymidine kinase promoter and the luciferase gene. Treatment with either IGF-I or EGF increased pTK81-SRE-Luc activity in a dose-dependent fashion. Pretreatment of cells with 10 microM forskolin decreased IGF-I- and EGF-stimulated luciferase activity by approximately 75%. An intermediate effect was observed using 1 microM forskolin. When intracellular cAMP levels were increased using 8-CPT-cAMP, similar results were obtained. SRE activity is dependent upon the activation by phosphorylation of a ternary complex factor; included among the ternary complex factors is Elk-1. When MCF-7 cells were cotransfected with a vector that expresses a Gal4/Elk-1 fusion protein and UAS-TK-Luc, a plasmid that contains two Gal4 DNA recognition sites cloned 5' to a thymidine kinase promoter and the luciferase gene, treatment with forskolin partially inhibited the activation of Elk-1 by IGF-I and EGF. These data demonstrate that in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, cAMP has no effect on IGF-I- or EGF-induced ERK activity, but it inhibits growth factor-induced transcription. Taken together with the effects of cAMP on IGF-I- and EGF-induced Elk-1 activation, these data suggest that the effect of cAMP on SRE activity occurs distal to ERK activation, possibly via inhibition of an ERK-independent pathway. Finally, these data indicate that the effect of increased intracellular cAMP on breast cancer growth may be mediated through inhibition of specific growth factor-induced effects, including gene transcription.
...
PMID:Growth factor-induced transcription via the serum response element is inhibited by cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. 916 3

It has been suggested that there is a positive correlation between increased incidence of breast cancer and the presence of organochlorine residues such as DDT and HCH in breast tissues in the United States. To study possible biochemical links between these two parameters, we have examined the effect of o,p'-DDT, the most estrogenic congener of the DDT family of chemicals and beta-HCH on protein phosphorylation activities in MCF-7, a line derived from human breast cancer cells. Both of these organochlorine chemicals were found to be potent activators of protein kinases. Among kinases activated, protein tyrosine kinases (PTK) appear to be most affected as judged by the antagonistic action of genistein, a class-specific PTK inhibitor. Moreover, these organochlorines were found to activate PTK even under cell-free conditions, indicating that they are likely to interact directly with the target protein tyrosine kinase. As a result of immunoprecipitation with specific antibodies, and testing on the action of these organochlorines, we could show that the major kinase activated by o,p'-DDT is c-Neu (= c-erbB2 product protein). The concentrations of these organochlorines required to activate c-Neu were extremely low (0.1-1 nM range), whereas an inactive analog p,p'-DDT showed no stimulatory property even at 100 nM. Such an action of these organochlorine compounds were not antagonized by the presence of 1 microM tamoxifen, indicating that it is not mediated through the estrogen receptor. In addition, their c-Neu activating actions were specifically antagonized by a c-Neu antibody known to interact with the extracellular domain of c-Neu only without affecting the EGF receptor. Moreover, these chemicals did not cause downregulation of the EGF receptor during the 72 hour test period. Together these data indicate that the action of these chemicals on c-Neu kinase is very specific.
...
PMID:Activation of c-Neu tyrosine kinase by o,p'-DDT and beta-HCH in cell-free and intact cell preparations from MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. 944 65

To determine the extent to which autocrine effects of acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-1 overexpression contribute to an increased malignant phenotype, FGF-1-transfected MCF-7 cells were retransfected with a FGF receptor (FGFR1) vector encoding a truncated dominant-negative receptor to inhibit autocrine FGF signal transduction. This transfection eliminated FGF signaling within the breast cancer cells without interfering with their ability to produce FGF-1, thereby allowing possible paracrine effects to still be observed in vivo. Truncated FGFR1 overexpression inhibited the acquired ability of FGF-1-overexpressing cells to form colonies in soft agar in estrogen-depleted or antiestrogen-containing medium. However, soft agar colony formation was still stimulated by estrogen treatment in cells expressing up to 6 x 10(5) truncated FGFR1 sites per cell. In vivo, truncated receptor expression severely inhibited the ability of the FGF-1-overexpressing cells to form tumors without estrogen in ovariectomized mice, indicating that the mitogenic effect of FGF-1 on the breast tumor cells was important in the estrogen-independent in vivo growth of these transfectants. However, rapid formation of large tumors was still observed in estrogen-supplemented mice injected with the truncated FGFR1-expressing cells, suggesting that the paracrine effects of FGF production could act in synergy with mitogenic effects mediated by estrogen. Truncated FGFR1-overexpressing cells also continued to form tumors in tamoxifen-treated mice, raising the possibility that the paracrine effects of FGF-1 expression may allow the partial agonist properties of this antiestrogen to be more readily observed. We conclude that autocrine effects of FGF-1 increase the ability of MCF-7 breast cancer cells to grow in vitro and in vivo under estrogen-depleted conditions but that paracrine effects of FGF-1 are also involved in the enhancement of tumor growth in estrogen-supplemented or tamoxifen-treated animals.
...
PMID:Both autocrine and paracrine effects of transfected acidic fibroblast growth factor are involved in the estrogen-independent and antiestrogen-resistant growth of MCF-7 breast cancer cells. 944 17

HER2 (erbB-2) proto-oncogene amplification and/or overexpression correlate with poor prognosis in many malignancies. The precise biological role of this oncogenic signaling pathway (which also involves the HER4 gene) in breast cancer is unclear. One property conferred by this oncogene relates to response to drug therapy. Clinical studies support an association between HER2 overexpression and resistance to alkylating agents (cisplatinum and cyclophosphamide). Data from the Cancer and Leukemia Group B 8869/8541 study indicate enhanced dose responsiveness to doxorubicin (Adriamycin) in patients who overexpress the HER2 receptor. Heregulin beta-2, a naturally occurring ligand that activates the HER2 receptor by inducing its heterodimerization with the HER4 receptor, has recently been cloned. The ability of this ligand to phosphorylate the HER2 receptor exogenously allows us to study the effect of HER2 activation on cancer cell behavior. To study the relationship between chemotherapy response and activation of HER2, MCF-7 cells expressing biologically active heregulin were assessed for response to doxorubicin and etoposide, both of which are topoisomerase IIalpha (topo IIalpha) inhibitors. Several clones show markedly increased sensitivity to these drugs. In addition, the same wild-type MCF-7 cells transfected with heregulin beta-2 under the control of an inducible promoter also show this dose-response relationship to doxorubicin after the expression of heregulin beta-2 is activated by zinc. The modulation of topo IIalpha was studied in the cell lines transfected with heregulin. topo IIalpha mRNA and protein (total protein and enzymatic decatenating activity) were found to be up-regulated in heregulin beta-2-transfected cells. Moreover, topo IIalpha promoter activity was also modestly increased in heregulin beta-2-transfected cells. Because up-regulation of topo IIalpha in vitro and in clinical specimens is associated with increased response to doxorubicin (presumptively by an increase in drug substrate), this may be the mechanism of the increased sensitivity to doxorubicin seen in heregulin beta-2-transfected cells. This implies that activation of HER2 or one of the other members of the receptor family may increase sensitivity to doxorubicin by up-regulation of topo IIalpha. This finding suggests the use of receptor/ligand expression to direct patient-specific therapeutic choices (e.g., doxorubicin versus alkylator-based regimens) and the use of biological agents (such as heregulin) in combination with certain chemotherapeutic agents to enhance response to treatment in breast cancer patients.
...
PMID:Induction of sensitivity to doxorubicin and etoposide by transfection of MCF-7 breast cancer cells with heregulin beta-2. 956 96

Tissue factor (TF) is a cell-surface glycoprotein responsible for initiating the extrinsic pathway of coagulation. The overexpression of TF in human malignancy has been correlated with the angiogenic phenotype, poor prognosis, and thromboembolic complications. The mechanisms underlying constitutive expression of TF in cancer cells are poorly defined. We cloned TF cDNA on the basis of its strong expression in metastatic MDA-MB-231 breast carcinoma cells in contrast to its weak expression in non-metastatic MCF-7 cells. Transient transfection analysis showed that TF promoter activity in MCF-7 cells could be stimulated by expression of a membrane-targeted raf kinase (raf-CAAX). raf-induced activity was dependent on the presence of an AP-1/NF-kappaB motif in the TF promoter and was inhibited by dominant-negative mutants of jun and by I-kappaB alpha. MDA-MB-231 cells were found to contain higher levels of ERK1/2 kinase activity than did MCF-7 cells. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that MDA-MB-231 nuclear proteins bound strongly to an oligonucleotide corresponding to the AP-1/NF-kappaB sequence, whereas MCF-7 nuclear extracts showed weak binding to this element. Finally, we showed that TF mRNA levels in MDA-MB-231 cells declined after addition of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitor PD98059. Our data showed that activation of the raf-ERK pathway led to activation of TF expression in breast carcinoma cells and suggested that constitutive activation of this pathway leads to high TF expression in MDA-MB-231 cells.
...
PMID:Activation of tissue-factor gene expression in breast carcinoma cells by stimulation of the RAF-ERK signaling pathway. 958 53

Elk-1, an ets related gene codes for at least two splice variants Elk-1, which regulates c-fos transcription and deltaElk-1, both of which function as transcriptional activators. To investigate the role of Elk-1 and deltaElk-1 proteins in apoptosis; we have developed rat fibroblast cell lines and human breast cancer cell lines expressing Elk-1 and deltaElk-1. The expression of Elk-1 and deltaElk-1 proteins in the Elk-1/deltaElk-1 transfectants were analysed by immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot analysis. The Elk-1 unlike deltaElk-1 transfectants showed a shortened and flattened morphology compared to the parental cells. We have found that calcium ionophore treatment of Rat-1 Elk-1, MCF-7 Elk-1, Rat-1 deltaElk-1 and MCF-7 deltaElk-1 transfectants resulted in programmed cell death. These results indicate that constitutive expression of Elk-1 and deltaElk-1 proteins triggers apoptosis in Rat-1 fibroblasts and breast cancer cells when treated with calcium ionophore.
...
PMID:Induction of apoptosis by Elk-1 and deltaElk-1 proteins. 969 47

Micelles formed from polycaprolactone-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PCL-b-PEO) diblock copolymers were investigated as a novel drug delivery system. The affinity of the micelles for hydrophobic solubilizates was assayed by determining the partition coefficient for the lipophilic compound, pyrene, between the micelles and water; the partition coefficient was found to be on the order of 10(2). The Trypan blue and Alamar blue survival assays were used to assess the in vitro biocompatibility of the micelles with PC 12 cells, MCF-7 breast cancer cells, and primary cultures of human microglia, astrocytes, and cortical neurons. The micelles were then studied as a delivery vehicle for the neurotrophic agents FK506 and L-685,818 in PC 12 cell cultures. In both cases, the micelle-incorporated drugs, in the presence of nerve growth factor (5 ng/mL), were able to promote the degree of differentiation of the PC 12 rat pheochromocytoma cells.
...
PMID:Polycaprolactone-b-poly(ethylene oxide) block copolymer micelles as a novel drug delivery vehicle for neurotrophic agents FK506 and L-685,818. 973 90

Partial PTK6 (also known as Brk) cDNA was initially isolated by reverse transcription-PCR of normal human melanocyte mRNAs and the full-length cDNA encodes a non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase with an SH3 domain, an SH2 domain, and a kinase catalytic domain. We have cloned the human PTK6 gene by screening human genomic lambda libraries using the full-length PTK6 cDNA as probe. The human PTK6 gene consists of 8 exons encompassing 8.8 kb and all the splicing junctions followed the conserved GT/AG rule. Coding sequence of the PTK6 gene was identical to that of the cDNA cloned from T-47D, human breast tumor cell line. Although the amino acid sequence of the PTK6 polypeptide showed the strongest homology to those of the Src family members of protein tyrosine kinases, exon-intron boundaries of the PTK6 gene were quite different from those of the Src family genes, which are evolutionarily conserved. The 813-bp 5'-flanking sequence of the PTK6 gene upstream of a luciferase reporter gene conferred significant promoter activity, at approximately 60% level of the SV40 promoter, in transient expression assays into MCF-7, human breast tumor cell line. PTK6 mRNA was expressed at very high level in colon and at high levels in small intestine and prostate, and at low levels in some tested fetal tissues. These results suggest that PTK6 constitutes an evolutionarily distinct family of non-receptor protein tyrosine kinases and may function as an intracellular signal transducer in specific tissues.
...
PMID:Exon-intron structure of the human PTK6 gene demonstrates that PTK6 constitutes a distinct family of non-receptor tyrosine kinase. 974 26

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF, FGF-2) is progressively lost from mammary epithelial cells as they become malignant. To investigate the effects of restoring the expression of bFGF in breast cancer cells, we constructed MCF-7 cells that permanently overexpress 18-kD cytoplasm-localizing bFGF (MCF-7/deltaA(FGF)(18) cells) and cells that express both the 18-kD along with the 22- and 24-kD nucleus-localizing bFGF peptides (MCF-7/NCF(FGF)(18,22,24) cells), using retroviral transduction. These stable cell constructs grew more slowly and had a larger fraction of their populations in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle than control cells. All forms of bFGF were eluted from MCF-7/NCF(FGF)(18,22,24) cell monolayers with 2 M NaCl, in contrast to fibroblasts that were demonstrated to secrete only the 18-kD bFGF isoform. High-affinity binding of 18-kD 125I-bFGF to these cells was significantly decreased, probably because of competitive binding by the autocrine-secreted bFGF. Recombinant 18-kD bFGF that was previously demonstrated in our laboratory to inhibit proliferation, activate MAP kinase, and induce the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21WAF1/CIP1 in MCF-7 cells, further inhibited MCF-7/deltaA(FGF)(18) cells but had no effect on MCF-7/NCF(FGF)(18,22,24) cells. The total cellular content of the high-affinity FGF receptors 1-3 was unchanged, but FGF receptor 4 was decreased in MCF-7/NCF(FGF)(18,22,24) cells. Both cell types overexpressing bFGF isoforms had elevated levels of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27Kip1 but not that of p21WAF1/CIP1. In MCF-7/deltaA(FGF)(18) cells, FGFR1 and MAP kinase were constitutively phosphorylated. Exogenous recombinant 18-kD bFGF did not accentuate these effects but did induce an increase in the levels of p21WAF1/CIP1 corresponding to the further inhibition induced by exogenous bFGF in these cells. In MCF-7/NCF(FGF)(18,22,24) cells, FGFR1 and MAP kinase were not phosphorylated at baseline nor upon stimulation with recombinant bFGF, and exogenous bFGF only had a minimal effect on low steady-state p21WAF1/CIP1 levels. However, stimulation of these cells with phorbol ester or insulin did result in MAP kinase phosphorylation. While growth-inhibited in the G1 phase of the cell cycle, MCF-7/NCF(FGF)(18,22,24) cells retained active isoforms of cdk2 and the hyperphosphorylated form of Rb. These data suggest that high molecular weight forms of bFGF overexpressed in MCF-7 cells do not activate the receptor-mediated MAP kinase pathway, and do not induce p21WAF1/CIP1 in an autocrine manner, but inhibit proliferation through other, possibly direct nuclear signalling mechanisms.
...
PMID:Overexpression of basic fibroblast growth factor in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells: lack of correlation between inhibition of cell growth and MAP kinase activation. 980 50


<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next >>