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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)
Cripto-1 (CR-1), a recently discovered protein of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family, was found to interact with a high affinity, saturable binding site(s) on HC-11 mouse mammary epithelial cells and on several different human breast cancer cell lines. This receptor exhibits specificity for CR-1, since other EGF-related peptides including EGF, transforming growth factor alpha, heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor, amphiregulin,
epiregulin
, betacellulin, or heregulin beta1 that bind to either the EGF receptor or to other type 1 receptor tyrosine kinases such as erb B-3 or erb B-4 fail to compete for binding. Conversely, CR-1 was found not to directly bind to or to activate the tyrosine kinases associated with the
EGFR
, erb B-2, erb B-3, or erb B-4 either alone or in various pairwise combinations which have been ectopically expressed in Ba/F3 mouse pro-B lymphocyte cells. However, exogenous CR-1 could induce an increase in the tyrosine phosphorylation of 185- and 120-kDa proteins and a rapid (within 3-5 min) increase in the tyrosine phosphorylation of the SH2-containing adaptor proteins p66, p52, and p46 Shc in mouse mammary HC-11 epithelial cells and in human MDA-MB-453 and SKBr-3 breast cancer cells. CR-1 was also found to promote an increase in the association of the adaptor Grb2-guanine nucleotide exchange factor-mouse son of sevenless (mSOS) signaling complex with tyrosine-phosphorylated Shc in HC-11 cells. Finally, CR-1 was able to increase p42(erk-2) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity in HC-11 cells within 5-10 min of treatment. These data demonstrate that CR-1 can function through a receptor which activates intracellular components in the ras/raf/MEK/MAPK pathway.
...
PMID:Cripto enhances the tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc and activates mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in mammary epithelial cells. 901 73
Members of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family have been suggested as prognostic markers in patients with bladder cancer. Thus far, there has been no consensus on their usefulness. We report an analysis of six ligands and two receptors of which a subset correlate to tumor stage and survival. Biopsies from bladder cancer tumors were obtained from 73 patients followed for a median of 28 months. The mRNA content for six ligands [EGF, transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha), amphiregulin (AR), betacellulin (betaCL), heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF),
epiregulin
(
EPI
)] and two receptors [EGF receptor I Human EGF Receptor (HER1) and 2 (
HER2
)] was examined by a newly developed quantitative reverse transcription-PCR method. Five ligands and two receptors (HER1 and
HER2
) were present in median concentrations of (10(-21) mol/microg RNA) 0.39 (AR), 11 (betaCL), 2.4 (
EPI
), 40 (HB-EGF), 1.4 (TGF-alpha), 75 (HER1), and 39,000 (
HER2
). EGF was barely detectable. A significantly higher expression of
EPI
(P < 0.001), HB-EGF (P < 0.001), and TGF-alpha (P < 0.05) were observed in T2-T4 tumors as compared with Ta tumors. Especially the expression of
EPI
mRNA correlated strongly to survival (P < 0.0005), but increased expression of TGF-alpha (P < 0.005), AR, and HB-EGF (P < 0.02) was also associated with a reduced life span. For the first time, mRNA expression of six ligands and two receptors of the EGF family have been examined in bladder cancer tumors. Our data emphasize that members of the EGF family, especially
EPI
, may be potential bladder tumor markers.
...
PMID:A subclass of HER1 ligands are prognostic markers for survival in bladder cancer patients. 1150 76
Gonadotropins play a crucial role in ovarian homeostasis and fertilization through the activation of the cAMP cascade. However, gonadotropin hyper-stimulation may be associated with higher risk for ovarian cancer development. It has been suggested, that high gonadotropin levels in peritoneal and ovarian cystic fluids of patients suffering from benign ovarian cysts, may lead to malignancy. Moreover, we have recently discovered that gonadotropin stimulation can activate the MAPK cascade in target cells. Using DNA microarray technology and RNA from human granulosa cells, we discovered that stimulation with saturating doses of gonadotropins dramatically elevates activity of genes coding for
epiregulin
and amphiregulin. These gene products can bind and activate the EGF receptor and
ERBB4
, which are associated with the development of various cancers such as ovarian, breast endometrial and other non-gynecological malignancies. Gonadotropin receptors are expressed not only in the gonads, but also in non-gonadal tissues and in cancer cells. The discovery that gonadotropins activate certain mitogenic signal transduction pathways, may serve as a guide for novel anti-cancer therapy by (1) specific interference at the receptor level to block the gonadotropic response, or arresting the receptor expression and (2) blocking downstream mitogenic signals generated by these hormones, like attenuation of the expression of
epiregulin
and amphiregulin that belong to the EGF family, using anti-sense and/or SiRNA techniques targeted to suppress their expression. Moreover, since amphiregulin and
epiregulin
act as mediators of luteinizing hormone (LH) action in the mammalian ovulatory follicles, regulation of the expression of these factors may open new possibilities in treatment of ovarian malfunction implicated with ovarian hyper-stimulation.
...
PMID:Drug development for ovarian hyper-stimulation and anti-cancer treatment: blocking of gonadotropin signaling for epiregulin and amphiregulin biosynthesis. 1531 92
Regeneration of the urothelium is rapid and effective in order to maintain a barrier to urine following tissue injury. Whereas normal human urothelial (NHU) cells are mitotically quiescent and G0 arrested in situ, they rapidly enter the cell cycle upon seeding in primary culture and show reversible growth arrest at confluency. We have used this as a model to investigate the role of EGF receptor signaling in urothelial regeneration and wound-healing. Transcripts for HER-1, HER-2, and HER-3 were expressed by quiescent human urothelium in situ. Expression of HER-1 was upregulated in proliferating cultures, whereas HER-2 and HER-3 were more associated with a growth-arrested phenotype. NHU cells could be propagated in the absence of exogenous EGF, but autocrine signaling through HER-1 via the MAPK and PI3-kinase pathways was essential for proliferation and migration during urothelial wound repair. HB-EGF was expressed by urothelium in situ and HB-EGF,
epiregulin
, TGF-alpha, and amphiregulin were expressed by proliferating NHU cells. Urothelial wound repair in vitro was attenuated by neutralizing antibodies against HER-1 ligands, particularly amphiregulin. By contrast, the same ligands applied exogenously promoted migration, but inhibited proliferation, implying that HER-1 ligands provoke differential effects in NHU cells depending upon whether they are presented as soluble or juxtacrine ligands. We conclude that proliferation and migration during wound healing in NHU cells are mediated through an
EGFR
autocrine signalling loop and our results implicate amphiregulin as a key mediator.
...
PMID:Autocrine regulation of human urothelial cell proliferation and migration during regenerative responses in vitro. 1587 46
The epidermal growth factor (EGF) system is ubiquitous in humans and plays fundamental roles in embryogenesis, development, proliferation and differentiation. As the endometrium of fertile women is characterized by proliferation and differentiation, we hypothesize a role for the EGF system. Fourteen premenopausal women had endometrial samples removed on day 6 +/- 1 and day 6 +/- 1 and 12 +/- 1 after ovulation during one menstrual cycle. RNA was extracted and analysed by real-time PCR, and immunohistochemistry was performed to localize the components of the EGF system. Human EGF Receptor 1 (HER1) showed highest expression during the proliferative phase,
HER2
and
HER4
during the early and
HER3
during the late secretory phase. Amphiregulin (AR) and transforming growth factor alpha (TGFalpha) expression is highest in proliferative phase. Heparin binding (HB)-EGF and betacellulin (BCL) show no variation. Epiregulin (EP) is detectable in some samples. EGF is undetectable. HER1,
HER2
,
HER3
and
HER4
were localized to the epithelium and glands
HER3
and
HER4
solely in the secretory phase. Amphiregulin was seen in leucocytes and stromal cells, TGFalpha and betacellulin in the epithelial lining,
epiregulin
in stromal cells whereas HB-EGF and EGF are undetectable. In conclusions, we observed cyclical expression of the four EGF receptors and two ligands and localized all four receptors and four ligands in endometrial biopsies. This suggests a role for the EGF system in growth of the endometrium.
...
PMID:Expression of the epidermal growth factor system in human endometrium during the menstrual cycle. 1610 Feb 39
The aim of this study was to determine whether
epiregulin
, a novel member of EGF-related growth factor family, was able to affect proliferation and secretory function of rat insulinoma INS-1E and RINm5F cell lines. A 24 h treatment with
epiregulin
resulted in a stimulation of INS-1E and RINm5F cells proliferation; this effect was completely blocked in the presence of an anti-
epiregulin
antibody which did not affect basal DNA synthesis in the absence of added ligand. In acute experiments,
epiregulin
was able to potentiate insulin release in the presence of glucose or arginine, in the two cell lines. Finally, in the two cell lines expressing ErbB receptors, we demonstrated that only
EGFR
/ErbB1 was activated by
epiregulin
. Thus,
epiregulin
appears as a new growth and insulinotropic factor in pancreatic beta cell lines.
...
PMID:Effect of epiregulin on pancreatic beta cell growth and insulin secretion. 1633 91
AREG (Amphiregulin), BTC (beta-cellulin), EGF, EPGN (Epigen),
EREG
(Epiregulin), HBEGF, NRG1, NRG2, NRG3, NRG4 and TGFA (TGFalpha) constitute EGF family ligands for
ERBB
family receptors. Cetuximab (Erbitux), Pertuzumab (Omnitarg) and Trastuzumab (Herceptin) are anti-cancer drugs targeted to EGF family ligands, while Gefitinib (Iressa), Erlotinib (Tarceva) and Lapatinib (GW572016) are anti-cancer drugs targeted to
ERBB
family receptors. AREG and TGFA are biomarkers for Gefitinib non-responders. The TCF/LEF binding sites within the promoter region of human EGF family members were searched for by using bioinformatics and human intelligence (Humint). Because three TCF/LEF-binding sites were identified within the 5'-promoter region of human AREG gene, comparative genomics analyses on AREG orthologs were further performed. The EPGN-
EREG
-AREG-BTC cluster at human chromosome 4q13.3 was linked to the PPBP-CXCL segmental duplicons. AREG was the paralog of HBEGF at human chromosome 5q31.2. Chimpanzee AREG gene, consisting of six exons, was located within NW_105918.1 genome sequence. Chimpanzee AREG was a type I transmembrane protein showing 98.0% and 71.4% total amino-acid identity with human AREG and mouse Areg, respectively. Three TCF/LEF-binding sites within human AREG promoter were conserved in chimpanzee AREG promoter, but not in rodent Areg promoters. Primate AREG promoters were significantly divergent from rodent Areg promoters. AREG mRNA was expressed in a variety of human tumors, such as colorectal cancer, liver cancer, gastric cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, esophageal cancer and myeloma. Because human AREG was characterized as potent target gene of WNT/beta-catenin signaling pathway, WNT signaling activation could lead to Gefitinib resistance through AREG upregulation. AREG is a target of systems medicine in the field of oncology.
...
PMID:Canonical WNT signaling pathway and human AREG. 1668 31
Methionine deprivation stress (MDS) eliminates mitotic activity in melanoma cells regardless of stage, grade, or TP53 status, whereas it has a negligible effect on normal skin fibroblasts. In most cases, apoptosis accounts for the elimination of up to 90% of tumor cells from the culture within 72 hours after MDS, leaving a scattered population of multinucleated resistant cells. Loss of mitosis in tumor cells is associated with marked reduction of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 1 transcription and/or loss of its active form (CDK1-P-Thr(161)), which is coincident with up-regulation of CDKN1A, CDKN1B, and CDKN1C (p21, p27, and p57). Expression of the proapoptotic LITAF, IFNGR,
EREG
, TNFSF/TNFRSF10 and TNFRSF12, FAS, and RNASEL is primarily up-regulated/induced in cells destined to undergo apoptosis. Loss of Aurora kinase B and BIRC5, which are required for histone H3 phosphorylation, is associated with the accumulation of surviving multinucleated cells. Nevertheless, noncycling survivors of MDS are sensitized to temozolomide, carmustin, and cisplatin to a much greater extent than normal skin fibroblasts possibly because of the suppression of MGMT/TOP1/POLB, MGMT/RAD52/RAD54, and cMET/RADD52, respectively. Sensitivity to these and additional genotoxic agents and radiation may also be acquired due to loss of cMET/OGG1, reduced glutathione reductase levels, and a G(2)-phase block that is a crucial step in the damage response associated with enhancement of drug toxicity. Although the genes controlling mitotic arrest and/or apoptosis in response to low extracellular methionine levels are unknown, it is likely that such control is exerted via the induction/up-regulation of tumor suppressors/growth inhibitor genes, such as TGFB, PTEN, GAS1, EGR3, BTG3, MDA7, and the proteoglycans (LUM, BGN, and DCN), as well as the down-regulation/loss of function of prosurvival genes, such as NFkappaB, MYC, and
ERBB2
. Although MDS targets several common genes in tumors, mutational variability among melanomas may decide which metabolic and signal transduction pathways will be activated or shutdown.
...
PMID:Mitotic arrest, apoptosis, and sensitization to chemotherapy of melanomas by methionine deprivation stress. 1690 95
Intrinsic resistance to the epidermal growth factor receptor (
EGFR
; HER1) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) gefitinib, and more generally to
EGFR
TKIs, is a common phenomenon in breast cancer. The availability of molecular criteria for predicting sensitivity to
EGFR
-TKIs is, therefore, the most relevant issue for their correct use and for planning future research. Though it appears that in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) response to gefitinib is directly related to the occurrence of specific mutations in the
EGFR
TK domain, breast cancer patients cannot be selected for treatment with gefitinib on the same basis as such
EGFR
mutations have been reported neither in primary breast carcinomas nor in several breast cancer cell lines. Alternatively, there is a general agreement on the hypothesis that the occurrence of molecular alterations that activate transduction pathways downstream of
EGFR
(i.e., MEK1/MEK2 right curved arrow ERK1/2 MAPK and PI-3'K right curved arrow AKT growth/survival signaling cascades) significantly affect the response to
EGFR
TKIs in breast carcinomas. However, there are no studies so far addressing a role of EGF-related ligands as intrinsic breast cancer cell modulators of
EGFR
TKI efficacy. We recently monitored gene expression profiles and sub-cellular localization of HER-1/-2/-3/-4 related ligands (i.e., EGF, amphiregulin, transforming growth factor-alpha, beta-cellulin,
epiregulin
and neuregulins) prior to and after gefitinib treatment in a panel of human breast cancer cell lines. First, gefitinib-induced changes in the endogenous levels of EGF-related ligands correlated with the natural degree of breast cancer cell sensitivity to gefitinib. While breast cancer cells intrinsically resistant to gefitinib (IC50 > or =15 microM) markedly up-regulated (up to 600 times) the expression of genes codifying for HER-specific ligands, a significant down-regulation (up to 10(6) times) of HER ligand gene transcription was found in breast cancer cells intrinsically sensitive to gefitinib (IC50 < or =1 microM). Second, loss of HER1 function differentially regulated the nuclear trafficking of HER-related ligands. While gefitinib treatment induced an active import and nuclear accumulation of the HER ligand NRG in intrinsically gefitinib-resistant breast cancer cells, an active export and nuclear loss of NRG was observed in intrinsically gefitinib-sensitive breast cancer cells. In summary, through in vitro and pharmacodynamic studies we have learned that, besides mutations in the HER1 gene, oncogenic changes downstream of HER1 are the key players regulating gefitinib efficacy in breast cancer cells. It now appears that pharmacological inhibition of HER1 function also leads to striking changes in both the gene expression and the nucleo-cytoplasmic trafficking of HER-specific ligands, and that this response correlates with the intrinsic degree of breast cancer sensitivity to the
EGFR
TKI gefitinib. The relevance of this previously unrecognized intracrine feedback to gefitinib warrants further studies as cancer cells could bypass the antiproliferative effects of HER1-targeted therapeutics without a need for the overexpression and/or activation of other HER family members and/or the activation of HER-driven downstream signaling cascades.
...
PMID:An update of the mechanisms of resistance to EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors in breast cancer: Gefitinib (Iressa) -induced changes in the expression and nucleo-cytoplasmic trafficking of HER-ligands (Review). 1754 82
The epidermal growth factor (EGF) family comprises multiple mediators such as transforming growth factor-alpha, amphiregulin, heparin binding-EGF, and
epiregulin
, which are crucially involved in the tissue-specific proliferation/differentiation homeostasis. Typically, they act in an autocrine and paracrine manner on their specific cell membrane receptor and mount an effective reparative response to any attack to biophysical integrity. In addition, the
EGFR
can be activated by transactivation from a variety of G-protein-coupled receptors, integrins, and cytokine receptors, so that it acts as the major transducer of disparate cell functions, including changes in proliferation rate, cellular shape, attachment and motility, and regulation of proinflammatory activation. However, numerous experimental observations indicate that the different
EGFR
ligands are not redundant, but may rather provide distinct and specific contributions to keratinocyte functions. Importantly, increasing evidence now suggests that the
EGFR
pathway has a major impact on the inflammatory/immune reactions of the skin, in the apparent effort of enhancing innate immune defense while opposing overactivation of keratinocyte pro-inflammatory functions. This review covers the molecular mechanisms and functions activated by this major growth factor system in the regulation of keratinocyte biology and focuses on the complex contribution of
EGFR
signaling to the inflammatory processes in the skin.
...
PMID:The epidermal growth factor receptor system in skin repair and inflammation. 1804 51
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