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)

Celsior solution (CS), a new preservation solution in thoracic organ transplantation, was evaluated for its efficacy in cold preservation of human liver endothelial cells (HLEC) and was compared to University of Wisconsin solution (UW) and histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate solution (HTK, Custodiol). HLEC cultures were preserved at 4 degrees C in CS, UW, and HTK, for 2, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours, with 6 hours of reperfusion. Levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), and adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) were measured after each interval of ischemia and the respective phase of reperfusion. Preservation injury of HLEC as measured by LDH release, intracellular ATP level, and MTT reduction were overall significantly (P <or= .01, P <or= .01, P < .05, respectively) lower in UW than in CS and HTK. CS demonstrates a modest superiority to HTK in HLEC preservation. Furthermore, cold preservation remains the main cause of preservation injury of HLEC regardless of the preservation solution used. Additionally, the maintenance of a high intracellular ATP level of HLEC after ischemia and reperfusion, as shown by UW, could be taken as a beneficial effect, particularly in long-term ischemia. In conclusion, our cell culture model reveals the order of efficacy to protect HLEC against preservation injury as: UW >> CS > HTK.
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PMID:UW is superior to Celsior and HTK in the protection of human liver endothelial cells against preservation injury. 1555 36

To explore the application of PCL for the engineering of soft tissues, the PCL surface was first embedded in an amphiphilic moiety and then grafted with RGD peptide to enhance the growth rate of human endothelial cells (HUVEC) on the surface. To graft cell-adhesive peptide RGD on the PCL surface, the PCL surface was first etched by the selected solvent with only nanometer-scale of surface disturbance, and simultaneously embedded with DSPE-PEG [di-stearoyl-phosphatidyl-ethanolamine-methoxy-poly (ethylene glycol)] moiety. Then the PCL-PEG surface was photochemically grafted by GRGD to form PCL-PEG-RGD surface. PCL and the modified surfaces were characterized by surface morphology, surface disturbance, contact angles, ATR-FTIR functional group analysis, and the growth rate of HUVEC. The surface disturbances of PCL and the modified surfaces were examined by atomic force microscope (AFM) and presented by the topography and a roughness parameter, Ra. The Ra values were 16.4 +/- 3.0, 34.8 +/- 1.6, and 12.8 +/- 0.3 nm (n = 3) for PCL, PCL-PEG, and PCL-PEG-RGD surfaces, respectively. The topographies of the surfaces and Ra values indicated that the PCL modified technique developed by this study resulted in only nanometer scale of surface disturbance. In addition to reducing surface disturbances, reducing contact angle from 73.7 degrees +/- 0.4 (n = 3) for the PCL surface to 56.9 degrees +/- 4.0 (n = 3) for the PCL-PEG surface, and the ATR-FTIR transmission spectra at 1660 cm(-1) for shoulder of amine I of PCL-PEG-RGD surface both confirmed the successful modification of PCL surfaces. HUVECs adhered well and grew on the PCL-PEG-RGD surface after 36 h incubation, whereas other surfaces did not support growth. Moreover, the viability for the relative growth rate of HUVECs on the PCL-PEG-RGD surface analyzed by MTT assay showed 8.5 times greater growth than that of the unmodified one. In conclusion, a PCL-PEG-RGD surface for enhancing the growth rate of HUVECs has been prepared by a new technique that caused only a nanometer-scale of surface disturbance. This technique and the PCL-PEG-RGD surface could be further applied to engineer soft tissues.
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PMID:Enhancing growth human endothelial cells on Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) embedded poly (epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) surface with nanometer scale of surface disturbance. 1557 47

To investigate the anti-vasculature effects and the anti-glioma effects of attenuated Salmonella typhimurium vaccine strain expressing VEGFR2 (flk-1) gene, plasmid pcDNA3.1-flk1 was constructed and electro-transfected into live attenuated Salmonella typhimurium strain SL7207. Mouse models of intracranial G1261 glioblastoma were treated with an orally administered attenuated Salmonella typhimurium expressing flk-1 gene. The survival period was recorded and vessel density was observed by immunofluorescence. CTLs activity was measured by MTT assay. Our results showed that attenuated Salmonella typhimurium vaccine strain expressing flk-1 gene could significantly inhibit glioblastoma growth, reduce vessel density, prolong the survival period and improve the survival rate in these mice. The flk-1 specific CTLs activity was increased obviously after the vaccination. Our study showed that attenuated Salmonella typhimurium vaccine strain expressing flk-1 gene could break peripheral immune tolerance a in glioma gainst this self-antigen and kill endothelial cells by the orally administered vaccine and can be used for both prophylactic and therapeutic purposes.
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PMID:Anti-angiogenesis effect on glioma of attenuated Salmonella typhimurium vaccine strain with flk-1 gene. 1558 6

Although a novel second form of GnRH (GnRH-II) has been reported to have an antiproliferative effect on gynecologic cancer cells, its biological mechanism remains to be elucidated. We have previously demonstrated that GnRH-II activates p38 MAPK. There is accumulating evidence that activation of MAPKs by GnRH-I and -II is important for cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. In the present study, we further investigated the involvement of GnRH-II in the inhibition of cell proliferation and activation of ERK1/2 and c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase/stress-activated protein kinase (JNK/SAPK) in ovarian cancer cells, OVCAR-3. The [(3)H]thymidine incorporation and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays revealed that treatment with GnRH-II suppresses cell proliferation of ovarian cancer cells. Western blot analysis demonstrated that ERK1/2 was activated by GnRH-II (100 nm). Moreover, PD98059 (10 mum), an inhibitor of a MAPK/ERK kinase, reversed the activation of ERK1/2 induced by GnRH-II. The activation of ERK1/2 by GnRH-II subsequently phosphorylated Elk-1 as a downstream pathway, which was blocked by PD98059. On the other hand, it is not likely that GnRH-II activates the JNK/SAPK pathway. Taken together, these results indicate that the ERK1/2 pathway is involved in the effect of GnRH-II on antiproliferation and may be an important target for ovarian cancer therapy.
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PMID:Extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase, but not c-Jun N-terminal kinase, is activated by type II gonadotropin-releasing hormone involved in the inhibition of ovarian cancer cell proliferation. 1559 81

Soluble supramolecular inclusion complexes were formed by threading alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CD) molecules over poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) chains of ternary block copolymers of PEG, PCL and polyethylenimine (PEI). Characteristic shifts of PCL absorptions in FTIR, (1)H NMR and UV spectra strongly suggest that alpha-CD is threaded over PEG and PCL blocks. Due to the reduced hydrophobic interaction between PCL blocks, the resulting supramolecular complexes displayed a dramatically increased solubility, in comparison with the ternary block copolymers. Their ability to complex DNA was almost as efficient as that of branched PEI 25 kDa, as shown in the ethidium bromide fluorescence quenching experiments. Resulting DNA polyplexes displayed a size of around 200 nm and a neutral surface charge. Microscopy studies in 3T3 fibroblasts revealed an efficient cellular uptake. Transfection efficiencies of inclusion complexes were in the same order of magnitude as PEI. In contrast to PEI a 100x lower toxicity was observed by MTT-assay, allowing the administration of nitrogen-to-phosphate ratios of up to 20. These new gene delivery systems merit further characterization under in vivo conditions.
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PMID:Supramolecular gene delivery vectors showing enhanced transgene expression and good biocompatibility. 1576 85

1 The mitochondrial respiratory chain produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) during normal electron transport. Despite producing ROS, mitochondria are vulnerable to oxidative stress. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been associated with many degenerative diseases, making it important to identify compounds that protect mitochondria from ROS-mediated toxicity. Here we report that ciclopirox (CPX) blocks H2O2-induced mitochondrial injury by maintaining mitochondrial transmembrane potential (Deltapsim). 2 CPX completely blocked H2O2-stimulated release of lactate dehydrogenase (a marker of cell death) and decrease in MTT reduction (a marker of mitochondrial function) in adenocarcinoma SK-HEP-1 cells. 3 H2O2 rapidly depolarized the Deltapsim, and CPX blocked this H2O2-stimulated Deltapsim decrease. Similar data were obtained in experiments using mitochondria isolated from rat liver. 4 Furthermore, CPX effectively inhibited H2O2-induced mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) opening. In de-energized mitochondria, however, CPX did not inhibit Ca2+-evoked MPTP opening, indicating that CPX is not a direct inhibitor of the MPTP. 5 Oxygen consumption studies showed that in the presence of pyruvate and malate CPX restored the rate of state 3 to state 4 respiration decreased by H2O2. Consistent with this, CPX replenished ATP levels lowered by H2O2. 6 The present results indicate that CPX protects SK-HEP-1 cells from H2O2 cytotoxicity by inhibiting Deltapsim decrease and indirectly preventing MPTP opening.
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PMID:Ciclopirox protects mitochondria from hydrogen peroxide toxicity. 1580 12

Chitosan-modified biodegradable hydrogels were prepared by UV irradiation of solutions in mild aqueous acidic media of poly(caprolactone)-co-poly(ethylene glycol)-co-poly(caprolactone) diacrylate (PCL-PEG-PCL-DA) and chitosan. Hydrogels obtained were characterized using FT-IR, DSC, TGA and XPS. FT-IR, TGA and DSC revealed the semi-interpenetrating polymer network structure formed in the hydrogel. Though the water swelling degree of these chitosan-modified hydrogels was substantial in the range of 322-539%, it was found that fibroblasts could still attach, spread and grow on them; this is in contrast to the commonly investigated PEG-diacrylate hydrogel. The MTT assay demonstrated that cells could grow better on 3 or 6% chitosan-modified hydrogel than unmodified PCL-PEG-PCL-DA hydrogels or low-content (1%) chitosan-modified PCL-PEG-PCL-DA hydrogel. Increased chitosan content resulted in increased cell interaction and also decreased water swelling, both of which results in increased cell attachment and spread.
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PMID:Cell viability of chitosan-containing semi-interpenetrated hydrogels based on PCL-PEG-PCL diacrylate macromer. 1585 Feb 86

The Raf/MEK/ERK signaling cascade has been extensively studied for its roles in growth and differentiation of a variety of cell types. Confliciting evidence exists regarding the function of classical MAPK signaling with regards to the development of chemotherapeutic drug resistance; some reports describe an pro-survival role, whereas others have suggested that activation of Raf/MEK/ERK is essential for drug-induced death. To elucidate the importance of MAPK signaling in the development of advanced prostate cancer drug resistance, DU145 and PC3 prostate cells were stably-infected/transfected with constitutively-activated mutants of both Raf-1 and B-Raf. Results from MTT analyses suggested that activation of either Raf-1 or B-Raf is inconsequential in prostate cancer chemoresistance. To confirm these findings, the MAPK signal transduction cascade was activated with EGF and response to doxorubicin or paclitaxel was measured in the presence/absence of the MEK-specific inhibitor, U0126. These results showed that inhibition of signals transduced by the MAPK pathway are insufficient to affect the chemoresistance profile of advanced prostate cancer cells. Together, these data demonstrate that the response of prostatic tumors to the chemotherapeutic compounds doxorubicin and paclitaxel is independent of Raf/MEK/ERK signaling.
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PMID:Modulation of Raf/MEK/ERK kinase activity does not affect the chemoresistance profile of advanced prostate cancer cells. 1587 Aug 80

Two strategies, direct ligation after enzyme digestion and over-lap PCR technology, were adopted to construct a fusion gene which was composed of the antimelanoma single chain antibody gene and the staphylococcal enterotoxin A gene without N-terminal signal sequence. The fusion gene was subcloned into pET28-a vector and transformed into E. coli BL21(DE3). Ni-NTA system was selected to separate and purify the expresstd products. The inhibition ratio of the fusion protein was tested by MTT method. It is shown that the 6His-ScFv-SEA fusion protein can be expressed stably in E. coli BL21 (DE3). The quantity of the fusion protein was shown up to 30% of the total protein of the bacteria and mainly in inclusion body. By activation the effective cells, the fution protein can inhibit the melanoma cell whith expressed corresponding antigen.
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PMID:[The construction and expression of superantigen SEA and antimelanoma ScFv fusion gene]. 1597 92

Betulinic acid (BA), a pentacyclic triterpene first identified less than a decade ago, has served as a melanoma-specific cytotoxic agent, and yet its specificity is being challenged. Recently, we found that human melanoma cells exhibited less sensitivity to betulinic acid than human skin keratinocytes. This study was designed to investigate the cell signaling pathway leading human melanoma cells to increased resistance to betulinic acid treatment. In vitro experiments using cultured human melanoma cells indicated that betulinic acid transiently induced survivin expression. The expression of survivin started 30 min post-betulinic acid treatment, peaked at 2 h, remained elevated for 8 h and returned to basal level within 24 h. Similarly, epithelial growth factor (EGF) treatment induced expression of survivin in a time-dependent manner. Since epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation leads to the activation of cell signaling components that are important to cell survival, we next examined whether BA-induced survivin expression is mediated by the EGFR pathway. The results showed that BA induced EGFR tyrosine phosphorylation in a time-dependent manner. Further, BA strongly induced AKT phosphorylation in a similar pattern. AKT activation started 15 min post-treatment, peaked at approximately 1 h, remained elevated for 4 h and returned to basal level within 8 h. BA also induced ERK activation and, in contrast, weakly induced JNK and p38 activation. Pretreatment of EGFR inhibitor PD153035 blocked BA-induced EGFR phosphorylation, ERK and AKT activation, and survivin expression. Results of the MTT dye assay showed that a combination of PD153035 and BA enhanced melanoma cell death. Collectively, we conclude that betulinic acid transiently activated the EGFR/AKT cell survival pathway and induced survivin expression, contributing to less sensitivity in human melanoma cells. The data suggest that a combination of the EGFR inhibitor and betulinic acid may be a better clinical option to treat human melanoma.
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PMID:Transient activation of EGFR/AKT cell survival pathway and expression of survivin contribute to reduced sensitivity of human melanoma cells to betulinic acid. 1607 34


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