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)

During gram-negative sepsis, human monocytes are triggered to produce large quantities of proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in response to endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]). Several studies have identified signal transduction pathways that are activated by LPS, including activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including ERK1 and ERK2, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and p38. In this study, the relevance of ERK1 and ERK2 activation for LPS-induced TNF-alpha production by primary human monocytes has been addressed with PD-098059, which specifically blocks activation of MAPK kinase (MEK) by Raf-1. TNF-alpha levels in the monocyte culture supernatant, induced by 10 ng of LPS/ml, were reduced by PD-098059 (50 microM). In addition, PD-098059 also reduced TNF-alpha mRNA expression when cells were stimulated for 1 h with LPS. On the other hand, LPS-induced interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels in the monocyte supernatant were only slightly inhibited by PD-098059. Ro 09-2210, a recently identified MEK inhibitor, completely abrogated TNF-alpha levels at nanomolar concentrations. IL-10 levels also were strongly reduced. To show the efficacy of PD-098059 and Ro 09-2210, ERK1 and -2 activation was monitored by Western blotting with an antiserum that recognizes the phosphorylated (i.e., activated) forms of ERK1 and ERK2. Addition of LPS to human monocytes resulted in activation of both ERK1 and ERK2 in a time- and concentration (50% effective concentration between 1 and 10 ng of LPS/ml)-dependent manner. Activation of ERK2 was blocked by PD-098059 (50 microM), whereas ERK1 seemed to be less affected. Ro 09-2210 completely prevented LPS-induced ERK1 and ERK2 activation. LPS-induced p38 activation also was prevented by Ro 09-2210. These data further support the view that the ERK signal transduction pathway is causally involved in the synthesis of TNF-alpha by human monocytes stimulated with LPS.
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PMID:Lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor alpha production by human monocytes involves the raf-1/MEK1-MEK2/ERK1-ERK2 pathway. 1041 44

Endothelial cells (ECs) subjected to shear stress constantly release nitric oxide (NO). The effect of NO on shear stress-induced endothelial responses was examined. ECs subjected to shear stress induced a transient and shear force-dependent increase in early growth response-1 (Egr-1) mRNA levels. Treatment of ECs with an NO donor, S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) or 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1), inhibited this shear stress-induced Egr-1 expression. Conversely, an NO synthase inhibitor to ECs, N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine, augmented this Egr-1 expression. NO modulation of Egr-1 expression was demonstrated by functional analysis of Egr-1 promoter activity using a chimera containing the Egr-1 promoter region (-698 bp) and reporter gene luciferase. In contrast to the enhanced promoter activity after N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine treatment, shear stress-induced Egr-1 promoter activity was attenuated after ECs were treated with an NO donor. ECs cotransfected with a dominant negative mutant of Ras (RasN17), Raf-1 (Raf301), or a catalytically inactive mutant of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-2 (mERK) inhibited shear stress-induced Egr-1 promoter activity. NO modulation of the signaling pathway was shown by its inhibitory effect on shear stress-induced ERK1/ERK2 phosphorylation and activity. This inhibitory effect was further substantiated by the inhibition of NO on both the shear stress-induced transcriptional activity of Elk-1 (an ERK substrate) and the promoter activity of a reporter construct containing serum response element. NO-treated ECs resulted in a reduction of binding of nuclear proteins to the Egr-1 binding sequences in the platelet-derived growth factor-A promoter region. These results indicate that shear stress-induced Egr-1 expression is modulated by NO via the ERK signaling pathway in ECs. Our findings support the importance of NO as a negative regulator in endothelial responses to hemodynamic forces.
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PMID:Nitric oxide regulates shear stress-induced early growth response-1. Expression via the extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway in endothelial cells. 1043 66

T cell stimulation leads to triggering of signals transmitted from the cell membrane to the nucleus through TCR/CD3 proteins. Characterization of these signals largely results from the use of cell lines stimulated with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies. These studies have established that activation caused a rapid increase in the formation of GTP-bound Ras, which stimulates the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway involving the extracellular-regulated kinase-2 (ERK-2) and activates the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NF-AT) that regulates interleukin-2 (IL-2) gene transcription. In the present study, we used human primary T cells, and we investigated the intracellular signals triggered by two different anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies (UCHT1 and X-35), which both strongly induce cell proliferation. We found that, in contrast to the commonly used UCHT1, X-35 activated IL-2 gene transcription without stimulation of the Raf-1/mitogen-activated ERK kinase-1 (MEK-1)/ERK-2 phosphorylation cascade; we also showed that X-35 stimulation, which triggers an ERK-2-independent pathway, does not involve activation of p21(ras). In addition to demonstrating that activation of p21(ras) and of its Raf-1/MEK-1/ERK-2 effector pathway is not an event obligatorily triggered upon TCR/CD3 ligation, these results provide the first evidence of the existence of a p21(ras)/ERK-2-independent pathway for IL-2 gene transcription in human primary T lymphocytes.
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PMID:Evidence for a p21(ras)/Raf-1/MEK-1/ERK-2-independent pathway in stimulation of IL-2 gene transcription in human primary T lymphocytes. 1046 12

The MDR1 gene encoding the multidrug pump P-glycoprotein is transcriptionally activated in response to diverse extracellular stimuli, including the tumor promoting phorbol ester, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). However, the signal transduction pathway responsible is unknown. Downstream of protein kinase C (PKC), the effects of TPA are often mediated by the Raf-1/MEK/ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade, and Raf-1 has been implicated in MDR1 induction by serum and mitogens. Therefore, we examined the potential role of MAPK activation in TPA-mediated MDR1 induction in human leukemia K562 cells. MDR1 mRNA expression was significantly increased by TPA in the concentration range of 4 - 100 nM, with a maximal response 5 - 10 h after TPA addition. TPA-mediated MDR1 induction was inhibited by several PKC inhibitors including staurosporine, H7 and calphostin C. TPA stimulated the subcellular translocation of PKCalpha from the cytosol to the membrane and nucleus but did not affect other PKC isozymes. TPA also activated the Raf1/MEK/ERK cascade and activated another MAPK member, p38, but not JNK. In order to determine the potential role of MAPKs in MDR1 induction by TPA, specific inhibitors were utilized. The MEK inhibitor PD 098059, as well as the PKC inhibitors, completely blocked TPA-mediated ERK activation. However, under identical conditions, MDR1 induction by TPA was completely unaffected by PD 098059. Furthermore, SB 202190, which effectively inhibited TPA-mediated p38 activation, failed to inhibit TPA-induced MDR1 mRNA expression. These data demonstrate that MDR1 induction by TPA occurs via a PKC-dependent mechanism that operates independently of ERK, p38 or JNK pathways, and thus have important implications for understanding the mechanisms of MDR1 induction by extracellular stimuli.
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PMID:Phorbol ester induced MDR1 expression in K562 cells occurs independently of mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways. 1052 56

Our previous study demonstrated increases in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) phosphorylation and receptor tyrosine kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1 and ERK2) activities in the ulcer margin of experimental gastric ulcer during healing. However, the intermediate steps linking activated receptor tyrosine kinase to ERKs during ulcer healing are as yet unknown. Raf-1 is upstream of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK/ERK) and can be activated by Ras-dependent and/or Ras-independent mechanisms. Therefore, we studied Raf-1 activity, its potential activators protein kinase C (PKC) and Ras, and expression and associations of adapter proteins Shc, Grb2, and Sos during experimental gastric ulcer healing. To investigate if Raf-1-ERK activation is attributable to the epithelial component of ulcer margins, we studied the effect of EGF on PKC, Ras, and ERK activities in a rat gastric epithelial cell line (RGM1). Our results demonstrate that gastric ulceration significantly increases Raf-1 kinase activity, Grb2 and Ras protein, and Shc-Grb2 and Grb2-Sos complex levels. In contrast, PKC activity and protein level were significantly decreased in the ulcer margins. In RGM1 cells, EGF significantly increased Ras and ERK2 activities without affecting PKC activity. These findings indicate that Raf-1 activation during gastric ulcer healing is Ras mediated, involves Shc-Grb2-Sos, and is PKC-independent.
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PMID:Activation of Raf-1 during experimental gastric ulcer healing is Ras-mediated and protein kinase C-independent. 1055 Mar 32

An ERK2-binding site at the N terminus of MEK1 was reported to mediate their stable association. We examined the importance of this binding site in the feedback phosphorylation of MEK1 on Thr(292) and Thr(386) by ERK2, the phosphorylation and activation of ERK2 by MEK1, and the interaction of MEK1 with ERK2 and Raf-1. Deletion of the binding site from MEK1 reduced its phosphorylation by ERK2, but had no effect on its phosphorylation by p21-activated protein kinase-1 (PAK1). A MEK1 N-terminal peptide containing the binding site inhibited MEK1 phosphorylation by ERK2. However, it did not affect MEK1 phosphorylation by p21-activated protein kinase or myelin basic protein phosphorylation by ERK2. Deletion of the N-terminal ERK-binding domain of MEK1 also reduced its ability to phosphorylate ERK2 in vitro, to co-immunoprecipitate with ERK2, and to stimulate ERK2 activation in transfected cells, but it did not alter the association with endogenous Raf-1. Using ERK2-p38 chimeras and an ERK2 deletion mutant, a MEK1-binding site of ERK2 was localized to its N terminus.
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PMID:The N-terminal ERK-binding site of MEK1 is required for efficient feedback phosphorylation by ERK2 in vitro and ERK activation in vivo. 1056 69

Apoptosis of the ovarian granulosa cells plays a crucial role in the determination of the number of follicles destined to ovulate in each reproductive cycle. While the activation of specific apoptotic pathway or the inactivation of cell survival pathway can initiate apoptosis, the signaling mechanism(s) involved in initiating the onset of apoptosis in granulosa cells is not fully understood. In the present study, using granulosa cells derived from eCG-primed immature rats, we investigated the temporal signaling events involved in the onset of apoptosis in the granulosa cells. The administration of 15 IU of eCG to 21-day-old immature female rats stimulate the growth and development of ovarian follicles until 72 h, after which the granulosa cells of the ovarian follicles undergo apoptosis due to the waning levels of tropic hormonal support. An analysis of the signaling events leading to apoptosis indicates that the DNA fragmentation can be seen in these cells from 96 h. A small increase in the levels of the pro-apoptotic factor Bax can be seen from 96 h while an increase in the activity of JNK can be seen from 108 h onwards. By contrast, a reduction in ERK signaling can be seen by 48 h. Similar reduction in Raf-1 kinase activity can be discerned from 48 h onwards. A concomitant decrease in the phosphorylated form of Bad can also be detected. These findings taken together, suggest that the loss of tropic hormone support is translated into the attenuation of Raf-1-MEK-ERK signaling pathway and this reduction along with a reduction in the levels of phosphorylated form of Bad triggers the onset of apoptosis in the ovarian granulosa cells.
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PMID:Apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells: correlation with the reduced activity of ERK-signaling module. 1057 38

Trp-Lys-Tyr-Met-Val-Met (WKYMVM) is a novel potent peptide which can stimulate phosphoinositide hydrolysis in U937 as well as U266 and HL-60 cells (Baek et al., J. Biol. Chem. 271, 8170 (1996)). The peptide also induces superoxide generation in human neutrophils (Seo et al., J. Immunol. 158, 1896 (1997)). However, the signaling pathway down-stream of PLC set in motion by the peptide is not yet completely understood. We studied the signaling pathway of the peptide with the goal of elucidating the mechanism of the peptide's action. WKYMVM induced a rapid and transient activation of the ERKs in human histiocytic lymphoma cells, U937. The ERK1 activation peaked at 5 min and returned to the basal level after 30 min. The ERK1 stimulation by the peptide was partially inhibited by pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin (PTX), implicating G-protein involvement in the peptide's action. Pretreatment of staurosporine, protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, or PKC down-regulating PMA had no impact on the ERK1 activation by the peptide, indicating that the signaling pathway is independent of PKC activation. Pretreatment of the cells with neomycin and intracellular Ca2+ mobilizing reagents had also no effect on the ERK1 activation by the peptide. However, pretreatment with wortmannin or LY294002, the inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI-3K), strongly inhibited peptide-stimulated ERK1 activation. Our results suggest that PI-3K may be an important participant in the ERK cascade induced by the peptide. Furthermore, the treatment of U937 cells with the peptide activated p74Raf-1, an upstream kinase of ERK. Taken together, our results suggest that the peptide activate ERK via a G-protein/PI-3K/Ras/Raf-1 mediated signaling pathway in U937 cells.
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PMID:Trp-Lys-Tyr-Met-Val-Met activates mitogen-activated protein kinase via a PI-3 kinase-mediated pathway independent of PKC. 1057 64

L1-mediated axon growth involves intracellular signaling, but the precise mechanisms involved are not yet clear. We report a role for the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade in L1 signaling. L1 physically associates with the MAPK cascade components Raf-1, ERK2, and the previously identified p90(rsk) in brain. In vitro, ERK2 can phosphorylate L1 at Ser(1204) and Ser(1248) of the L1 cytoplasmic domain. These two serines are conserved in the L1 family of cell adhesion molecules, also being found in neurofascin and NrCAM. The ability of ERK2 to phosphorylate L1 suggests that L1 signaling could directly regulate L1 function by phosphorylation of the L1 cytoplasmic domain. In L1-expressing 3T3 cells, L1 cross-linking can activate ERK2. Remarkably, the activated ERK localizes with endocytosed vesicular L1 rather than cell surface L1, indicating that L1 internalization and signaling are coupled. Inhibition of L1 internalization with dominant-negative dynamin prevents activation of ERK. These results show that L1-generated signals activate the MAPK cascade in a manner most likely to be important in regulating L1 intracellular trafficking.
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PMID:Activation of the MAPK signal cascade by the neural cell adhesion molecule L1 requires L1 internalization. 1060 64

Microtubule inhibitors are widely used in cancer chemotherapy, but the signaling mechanisms that link microtubule disarray to destructive or protective cellular responses are poorly understood. Because members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family have been implicated in regulation of cell survival and cell death, we examined the extent and kinetics of activation of JNK, ERK, and p38 MAPKs in response to treatment of KB-3 carcinoma cells with several microtubule inhibitors. All four agents tested (vinblastine, vincristine, Taxol, and colchicine) caused significant (6- to 13-fold) activation of JNK, concomitant inactivation of ERK, and a reduction in basal p38 MAPK activity. JNK activation and ERK inactivation occurred prior to caspase 3 activation. The microtubule inhibitors also induced phosphorylation of Raf-1 kinase. SEK-1, upstream of JNK, was also activated and phosphorylated in response to the microtubule inhibitors, and sustained phosphorylation of three endogenous JNK substrates (c-Jun, ATF-2, and JunD) was observed. By comparison, the antitumor agent doxorubicin induced activation of JNK and p38 but had no effect on ERK activity or Raf-1. These data demonstrate that microtubule inhibitors elicit distinct and specific effects on MAPK-mediated signaling pathways and suggest in particular that coordinate and reciprocal alterations in JNK and ERK activities are important facets of the cellular response to microtubule disruption.
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PMID:Microtubule inhibitors elicit differential effects on MAP kinase (JNK, ERK, and p38) signaling pathways in human KB-3 carcinoma cells. 1062 71


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