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

The potential use of low dose chemotherapy has been appealing since lower dosages are more attainable during cancer therapy and cause less toxicity in patients. Combination therapy of Taxol, a promising frontline chemotherapy agent, with natural anti-tumor agents that are considerably less toxic with a capability of activating additional apoptotic signals or inhibiting survival signals may provide a rational molecular basis for novel chemotherapeutic strategies. Esculetin, a well-known lipoxygenase inhibitor, showed an inhibitory effect on the cell cycle progression of HL-60 cells in our previous study. In this report, the effects of a concomitant administration of esculetin and Taxol were investigated in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. Firstly, esculetin alone could exert an antiproliferation effect together with an inhibitory effect on the activation of ERKs and p38 MAPK. As compared to the treatment with Taxol only, a co-administration with esculetin and Taxol could result in a further enhancement of apoptosis as revealed by DNA fragmentation assay and Annexin-V-based assay. Meanwhile, immunoblotting analysis also showed that the co-administration of esculetin and Taxol could increase the expression of Bax and the cytosolic release of cytochrome C and enhance the expression of Fas and Fas ligand while the activation of caspase-8 and caspase-3 was also increased. Finally, the ERK cascade was proven to be involved in the enhancement of esculetin on the Taxol-induced apoptosis.
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PMID:Enhancement of esculetin on Taxol-induced apoptosis in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. 1605 Dec 89

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the protein expression involved in the progression from dysplasia to invasive esophageal squamous cell carcinomas and to analyze the prognostic value of markers. Immunohistochemistry was performed for cell cycle regulators [p53, p21, p27, p16, cyclin D1, Rb], apoptosis-related proteins [Fas, Fas-L, FADD, TRAIL, DR4, DR5, caspase-8, caspase-3, bcl-2, Bax], tumor suppressor proteins [beta-catenin, E-cadherin, FHIT, Smad 4, VHL, PTEN, KAI-1], and oncoproteins [c-myc, COX-2, EGFR]. Caspase-3, TRAIL, Fas-L, Fas, Smad 4, VHL, E-cadherin, and EGFR revealed significant differences between dysplasia and their corresponding invasive cancer portion in 25 cases. In a total of 118 cases of invasive cancer, proteins with frequent (> or = 60% of the cases) alterations were p53 (overexpression in 64% of SCCs), p27 (loss in 91%), p16 (loss in 81%), and FHIT (loss in 75%). Early clinical stage and bcl-2 immunopositivity were related to the survival rate of patients. In conclusion, caspase-3, TRAIL, Fas-L, Fas, Smad 4, VHL, E-cadherin, and EGFR may be involved in the progression from dysplasia to invasive esophageal SCCs. Clinical stage and bcl-2 are independent prognostic factors throughout the multivariate analysis.
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PMID:Differential protein expression between esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and dysplasia, and prognostic significance of protein markers. 1613 47

Helicobacter pylori (Hp) can induce apoptosis of gastric cancer cells. The mechanism of the process still needs further elucidating. This study was aimed to analyse the mechanism through which Hp induce apoptosis in human gastric cancer cell line BGC-823. The extract from VacA(+) and CagA(+) Helicobacter pylori strain NCTC11637 was applied to induce apoptosis. The expression, breakdown, and phosphorylation of proteins were probed by Western blotting with specific antibodies. Apoptosis of the cells was detected by flow cytometry. The results showed that incubating the cells with Hp extract caused the breakdown of both caspase-3 and -1. The breakdown was dose-dependent and correlated with the occurrence of the Hp extract-induced apoptosis. Among the substrates of caspase-3, DNA fragment factor (DFF) was degraded during incubation with Hp extract and a small fragment was released. However, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) did not break down during the incubation. Tyrosine kinase inhibitor Genistein prevented both the break down of caspase-3 and the apoptosis induced by Hp extract. MAPK/ERK inhibitor PD98059 did not prevent the apoptosis induced by Hp extract. The expression and activity of JNK, and the expression of Bcl-2 and Fas proteins did not change during the incubation with Hp extract. The results suggested that Hp extract initiated apoptosis in BGC-823 cells through activating tyrosine kinase, caspase-1, -3, and DFF.
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PMID:Analysis on the mechanism of Helicobacter pylori-induced apoptosis in gastric cancer cell line BGC-823. 1614 14

gammadelta T cells participate in the innate immune response to a variety of infectious microorganisms. They also link to the adaptive immune response through their induction of maturation of dendritic cells (DC) during the early phase of an immune response when the frequency of Ag-specific T cells is very low. We observe that in the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi, synovial Vdelta1 T cells from Lyme arthritis synovial fluid potently induce maturation of DC, including production of IL-12, and increased surface expression of CD40 and CD86. The activated DC are then able to stimulate the Vdelta1 T cells to up-regulate CD25. Both of these processes are initiated primarily by Fas stimulation rather than CD40 activation of DC via high expression of Fas ligand by the Vdelta1 T cells. DC are resistant to Fas-induced death due to expression of high levels of the Fas inhibitor c-FLIP. This effect serves to divert Fas-mediated signals from the caspase cascade to the ERK MAPK and NF-kappaB pathways. The findings affirm the importance of the interaction of certain T cell populations with DC during the early phases of the innate immune response. They also underscore the view that as levels of c-FLIP increase, Fas signaling can be diverted from induction of apoptosis to pathways leading to cell effector function.
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PMID:Lyme arthritis synovial gammadelta T cells instruct dendritic cells via fas ligand. 1623 55

Growing evidence indicates that interactions of T cells with extracellular matrix through beta1 integrins are important for the regulation of T cell-mediated immune responses and diseases. In this regard, we have recently demonstrated that collagen I (Coll I) through alpha2beta1 integrin inhibited Fas-induced apoptosis of T cells by activating a protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A)-dependent ERK/MAP Kinase pathway. As survival of T cells is critical for their functions, we further investigated the mechanisms underlying the activation of this pathway. Inhibition studies demonstrated that Coll I activates the ERK/MAP Kinase pathway in Jurkat T cells through the activation of Ras and Raf-1. Activation of PP2A was not necessary for the binding of Coll I to Jurkat T cells, but is required for the activation of Raf-1. In accordance, activation of Ras, Raf-1 and PP2A were also required for the ability of Coll I to protect Jurkat T cells from Fas-induced apoptosis. In contrast and despite its capacity to activate Ras, fibronectin (Fbn) failed to activate PP2A and Raf-1. These results might explain, at least in part, the weak ability of Fbn to activate ERK in T cells, supporting thus the differential signaling of beta1 integrin members in these cells. This study provides novel insights into the mechanisms by which beta1 integrins activate the ERK/MAP Kinase pathway in T cells, and is the first report to provide a role for PP2A in integrin-mediated ERK/MAP Kinase activation.
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PMID:Collagen type I-mediated activation of ERK/MAP Kinase is dependent on Ras, Raf-1 and protein phosphatase 2A in Jurkat T cells. 1626 49

Polycythemia vera (PV) is a clonal myeloproliferative disorder characterized by excessive erythrocyte production. Most patients with PV harbor an activating JAK2 mutation, but the molecular links between this mutation and erythrocyte overproduction are unknown. The interaction between death receptors and their ligands contributes to the physiological regulation of erythropoiesis through the inhibition of erythroblast proliferation and differentiation. With the use of an in vitro culture system to generate differentiating erythroid cells, we found that erythroblasts derived from patients with PV harboring the JAK2 V617F mutation were able to proliferate and generate higher numbers of mature erythroid cells in the presence of inhibitory signals delivered by CD95 (Fas/Apo-1) and TRAIL receptor stimulation. JAK2-mutated PV erythroblasts showed lower levels of CD95-induced caspase activation and incomplete caspase-mediated cleavage of the erythroid transcription factor GATA-1, which was entirely degraded in normal erythroblasts on CD95 stimulation. JAK2 mutation was associated in PV erythroblasts with cytokine-independent activation of the JAK2 effectors Akt/PKB and ERK/MAP and with a deregulated expression of c-FLIP(short), a potent cellular inhibitor of death receptor-induced apoptosis. These results show the presence in PV erythroblasts of proliferative and antiapoptotic signals that may link the JAK2 V617F mutation with the inhibition of death receptor signaling, possibly contributing to a deregulation of erythropoiesis.
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PMID:Increased death receptor resistance and FLIPshort expression in polycythemia vera erythroid precursor cells. 1638 30

Herein we report that the prosurvival sphingolipid sphingosine 1-phosphate regulates the activities of both Bad and Bax during apoptosis of Jurkat cells. First, sphingosine 1-phosphate treatment results in Bad inactivation via the ERK/Rsk-1 pathway. Second, sphingosine 1-phosphate blocks the translocation of Bax to the mitochondria induced by Fas ligation. MEK inhibition by PD98059 or U0126 not only abrogates sphingosine 1-phosphate-induced Bad phosphorylation, but also its cytoprotective effect. Furthermore, inhibition of both mitochondrial cytochrome c efflux and Bax translocation to the mitochondria by sphingosine 1-phosphate could be overcome by PD98059 or U0126. Hence, the MEK/ERK pathway seems to be crucial for the survival effects initiated by sphingosine 1-phosphate.
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PMID:Regulation by sphingosine 1-phosphate of Bax and Bad activities during apoptosis in a MEK-dependent manner. 1641 56

Understanding the role of signal transduction in regulating pathways responsible for cell growth, survival and apoptosis is critical for cancer therapy. We developed and characterized a HER2/neu and Fas overexpressing cell line (BNT.888 ACA2) from a salivary gland adenocarcinoma that arose in a HER2/neu transgenic mouse. We evaluated the effects of Iressa on signal transduction networks downstream of the activated HER2 and the impact on proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis. Iressa treatment diminished phosphorylation of the HER2/neu and EGFR. Phosphorylation of STAT-3 also decreased and mitogenic signaling through the MAPK pathways was greatly reduced. Cyclin D1 levels decreased, and cells were arrested in G0 and failed to enter S-phase because of hypophosphorylation of Rb and to traverse the G2M checkpoint because of degradation of cyclin B1. Cytostasis occurred within 48 hr at 250-500 nM Iressa. Levels of proapoptotic factors (bim and bax) increased and levels of antiapoptotic factors (bcl-2 and bcl-xL) decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Higher doses of Iressa diminished phosphorylation of Akt slightly, but failed to induce apoptosis. Fas antibody was a potent agonist of apoptosis. Pretreatment with Iressa (1 microM, 24 hr) greatly enhanced Fas-mediated apoptosis as determined by Annexin V binding, cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP. Augmentation of apoptosis was associated with increased Fas expression and membrane localization. Iressa pretreatment increased bid activation, cleavage of caspases -3, -9 and -12 and stress signaling via c Jun. These data showing that Iressa induces cytostasis and primes the extrinsic (Fas) and intrinsic (mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum) apoptotic pathways should lead to the development of novel therapeutic targets and strategies.
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PMID:Iressa induces cytostasis and augments Fas-mediated apoptosis in acinic cell adenocarcinoma overexpressing HER2/neu. 1647 Aug 40

This study was designed to assess the effects of opiate treatment on the expression of Fas-associated protein with death domain (FADD) in the rat brain. FADD is involved in the transmission of Fas-death signals that have been suggested to contribute to the development of opiate tolerance and addiction. Acute treatments with high doses of sufentanil and morphine (mu-agonists), SNC-80 (delta-agonist), and U50488H (kappa-agonist) induced significant decreases (30-60%) in FADD immunodensity in the cerebral cortex, through specific opioid receptor mechanisms (effects antagonized by naloxone, naltrindole, or nor-binaltorphimine). The cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist WIN 55,212-2 did not alter FADD content in the brain. Chronic (5 days) morphine (10-100 mg/kg), SNC-80 (10 mg/kg), or U50488H (10 mg/kg) was associated with the induction of tachyphylaxis to the acute effects. In morphine- and SNC-80-tolerant rats, antagonist-precipitated (2 h) or spontaneous withdrawal (24-48 h) induced a new and sustained inhibition of FADD (13-50%). None of these treatments altered the densities of caspases 8/3 (including the active cleaved forms) in the brain. Pretreatment of rats with SL 327 (a selective MEK1/2 inhibitor that blocks ERK activation) fully prevented the reduction of FADD content induced by SNC-80 in the cerebral cortex (43%) and corpus striatum (29%), demonstrating the direct involvement of ERK1/2 signaling in the regulation of FADD by the opiate agonist. The results indicate that mu- and delta-opioid receptors have a prominent role in the modulation of FADD (opposite to that of Fas) shortly after initiating treatment. Opiate drugs (and specifically the delta-agonists) could promote survival signals in the brain through inhibition of FADD, which in turn is dependent on the activation of the antiapoptotic ERK1/2 signaling pathway.
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PMID:Effects of opiate drugs on Fas-associated protein with death domain (FADD) and effector caspases in the rat brain: regulation by the ERK1/2 MAP kinase pathway. 1648 86

Normal erythropoiesis critically depends on the balance between the renewal of precursor cells and their differentiation. If the renewal phase is shortened, the decrease in the precursor pool results in anemia; conversely, impaired differentiation increases the number of proliferating progenitors and the potential risk of leukemic transformation. Using gene ablation, we have discovered 2 self-sustaining signal transduction loops that antagonize each other and regulate erythroid progenitor proliferation and differentiation, respectively. We identify Raf-1 as the main activator of the MEK/ERK cascade and as the key molecule in maintaining progenitor proliferation. Differentiation, in contrast, is mediated by Fas via the activation of both the ASK1/JNK/p38 module and the caspase cascade. The point of convergence between the 2 cascades is activated ERK, which positively feeds back on the proliferation pathway by maintaining the expression of Raf-1, while inhibiting the expression of Fas and therefore differentiation. In turn, Fas, once expressed, antagonizes proliferation by exerting a negative feedback on ERK activation and Raf-1 expression. Simultaneously, Fas-mediated caspase activation precipitates differentiation. These results identify Raf-1 and Fas as the key molecules whose expression finely tunes erythropoiesis and the extent of ERK activation as the switch that tips the balance between them.
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PMID:A balance between Raf-1 and Fas expression sets the pace of erythroid differentiation. 1652 94


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