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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)
Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases can be grouped into three structural families,
ERK
, JNK, and p38, which are thought to carry out unique functions within cells. We demonstrate that
ERK
, JNK, and p38 are activated by distinct combinations of stimuli in T cells that simulate full or partial activation through the T cell receptor. These kinases are regulated by reversible phosphorylation on Tyr and
Thr
, and the dual specific phosphatases PAC1 and MKP-1 previously have been implicated in the in vivo inactivation of
ERK
or of
ERK
and JNK, respectively. Here we characterize a new MAP kinase phosphatase, MKP-2, that is induced in human peripheral blood T cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and is expressed in a variety of nonhematopoietic tissues as well. We show that the in vivo substrate specificities of individual phosphatases are unique. PAC1, MKP-2, and MKP-1 recognize
ERK
and p38,
ERK
and JNK, and
ERK
, p38, and JNK, respectively. Thus, individual MAP kinase phosphatases can differentially regulate the potential for cross-talk between the various MAP kinase pathways. A hyperactive allele of ERK2 (D319N), analogous to the Drosophila sevenmaker gain-of-function mutation, has significantly reduced sensitivity to all three MAP kinase phosphatases in vivo.
...
PMID:The mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatases PAC1, MKP-1, and MKP-2 have unique substrate specificities and reduced activity in vivo toward the ERK2 sevenmaker mutation. 862 52
Overexpression of
Neu
(ErbB-2/
HER2
) is found in approximately 20% of breast tumors. Activation of
Neu
by a point mutation (NeuT) causes constitutive tyrosine kinase activity of this transmembrane receptor and transforming activity in fibroblasts. To identify downstream targets of
Neu
, we have analyzed the ability of
Neu
to activate gene expression. Expression of NeuT, but not normal
Neu
, caused transcriptional activation of Ets, AP-1, or NF-kappaB-dependent reporter genes. Dominant inhibitory Ras or Raf mutants blocked the
Neu
-mediated transcriptional activation, confirming that Ras signaling pathways were required for this activation. Analysis with Ets2 mutants indicated that activation of Ets2 transcriptional activity mediated by NeuT or oncogenic Ras required phosphorylation of the same Ets2 residue,
threonine
72. Cotransfection of dominant inhibitory Ets2 mutants specifically blocked NeuT-mediated activation of Ets-dependent reporter genes. Furthermore, in focus formation assays using NIH 3T3 cells, the transforming activity of NeuT was inhibited 5-fold when NeuT was cotransfected with a dominant negative Ets2 mutant. However, parallel colony formation assays showed that the Ets2 dominant negative mutant did not inhibit the growth of normal cells. Together, these data show that NeuT activates a variety of transcription factor families via the Ras signaling pathway and that Ets activation is required for NeuT-mediated cellular transformation. Thus, downstream targets of
Neu
, including Ets transcription factors, may be useful points for therapeutic intervention in
Neu
/ErbB-2-associated cancers.
...
PMID:Oncogenic Neu/ErbB-2 increases ets, AP-1, and NF-kappaB-dependent gene expression, and inhibiting ets activation blocks Neu-mediated cellular transformation. 862 80
Activin, a member of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta) cytokine family, acts as a pituitary cell mitogen via a novel family of receptor-linked serine/
threonine
(Ser/
Thr
) kinases. Pituitary tumors synthesize activin subunits, and the autocrine action of these growth factors may modulate tumor proliferation. We, therefore, investigated the expression of activin/TGF beta type I receptor messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNAs), designated ALK1 through ALK5 (
ALK
= activin receptor-like kinase), and type II receptor mRNAs using RT-PCR in 34 human pituitary adenomas of all phenotypes and normal pituitary tissue. ALK2 and ALK5, specific mediators of activin and TGF beta signals, respectively, were found to be expressed only in tumor and not in normal pituitary cells, and ALK2 expression was found only in tumors of a mammosomatotroph cell lineage. ALK1, ALK3, and ALK4 mRNAs were found in both normal and neoplastic pituitary cells. The alternatively spliced cytoplasmic domain of ALK4 consists of 11 kinase subdomains, that are critical for modulating receptor function and intracellular signaling. Truncated forms of the ALK4 cytoplasmic domain lacking these subdomains may attenuate activin signal transduction and affect both tumor phenotype and proliferation via the formation of inactive type I/type II complexes. Three truncated ALK4 receptor mRNAs generated by alternate splicing of the cytoplasmic Ser/
Thr
kinase domain were found to be tumor specific. One of these truncated receptor mRNAs, ALK4-5, is a novel splice variant that has not been previously described. Expression of the ActRII and T beta RII type II receptor mRNAs, which specifically bind activin and TGF beta, respectively, was highly prevalent among all tumor subtypes and normal pituitary tissue. However, ActRIIB, an activin-specific type II receptor that displays a 3- to 4-fold higher affinity for ligand than ActRII, was expressed in 94% of tumors, but was not prevalent in normal tissue. These data are the first to demonstrate tumor-specific expression of Ser/
Thr
kinase receptors mRNAs and their splice variants in human pituitary adenomas.
...
PMID:Tumor-specific expression and alternate splicing of messenger ribonucleic acid encoding activin/transforming growth factor-beta receptors in human pituitary adenomas. 863 4
The JNK protein kinase is a member of the MAP kinase group that is activated in response to dual phosphorylation on
threonine
and tyrosine. Ten JNK isoforms were identified in human brain by molecular cloning. These protein kinases correspond to alternatively spliced isoforms derived from the JNK1, JNK2 and JNK3 genes. The protein kinase activity of these JNK isoforms was measured using the transcription factors ATF2,
Elk
-1 and members of the Jun family as substrates. Treatment of cells with interleukin-1 (IL-1) caused activation of the JNK isoforms. This activation was blocked by expression of the MAP kinase phosphatase MKP-1. Comparison of the binding activity of the JNK isoforms demonstrated that the JNK proteins differ in their interaction with ATF2,
Elk
-1 and Jun transcription factors. Individual members of the JNK group may therefore selectively target specific transcription factors in vivo.
...
PMID:Selective interaction of JNK protein kinase isoforms with transcription factors. 865 73
The mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases are a family of serine/
threonine
kinases that are regulated by distinct extracellular stimuli. The currently known members include extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1 (ERK1), ERK2, the c-Jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinases (JNK/SAPKs), and p38 MAP kinases. We find that overexpression of the Ste20-related enzymes p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) and PAK2 in 293 cells is sufficient to activate JNK/SAPK and to a lesser extent p38 MAP kinase but not ERK2. Rat MAP/ERK kinase kinase 1 can stimulate the activity of each of these MAP kinases. Although neither activated Rac nor the PAKs stimulate ERK2 activity, overexpression of either dominant negative Rac2 or the N-terminal regulatory domain of PAK1 inhibits Ras-mediated activation of ERK2, suggesting a permissive role for Rac in the control of the
ERK
pathway. Furthermore, constitutively active Rac2, Cdc42hs, and RhoA synergize with an activated form of Raf to increase ERK2 activity. These findings reveal a previously unrecognized connection between Rho family small G proteins and the
ERK
pathway.
...
PMID:Actions of Rho family small G proteins and p21-activated protein kinases on mitogen-activated protein kinase family members. 866 87
Isolated autosomal dominant hypoparathyroidism is a heterogeneous disorder characterized by parathyroid hormone (PTH) deficiency, hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia. The candidate gene approach was used to study a large Norwegian family. The loci for the PTH gene, PTH receptor gene and
RET
protooncogene were excluded using dinucleotide markers and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Complete cosegregation of this trait was found with the chromosomal region 3q13, using the short tandem repeat markers D3S1267, D3S1269, D3S1303, D3S1518, and RHO. This region contains the candidate locus for the Ca(2+)-sensing receptor (PCAR1). By single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of all PCAR1 exons followed by automated sequencing, we identified a C to T transition in exon 2 (cDNA position 452) on the mutant allele in the family. The mutation predicts a substitution of
Thr
to Met in amino acid position 151 (T151M). A StyI restriction site created by the nucleotide substitution was used to confirm the mutation on all alleles, as well as to exclude it among 100 normal alleles (blood donors). SSCP analysis also identified a novel polymorphism of PCAR1 intron 4 (1609-88t --> c) on normal alleles. The T151M mutation is located in the extracellular N-terminal domain of PCAR1, which belongs to the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors. We suggest that this is a gain-of-function mutation that increases the sensitivity of the receptor to [Ca2+], thereby decreasing the calcium set point.
...
PMID:The Ca(2+)-sensing receptor gene (PCAR1) mutation T151M in isolated autosomal dominant hypoparathyroidism. 869 26
SPRK (also called
PTK
-1 and MLK-3), a member of the mixed lineage kinase subfamily of (Ser/
Thr
) protein kinases, encodes an amino-terminal SH3 domain followed by a kinase catalytic domain, two leucine zippers interrupted by a short spacer, a Rac/Cdc42 binding domain, and a long carboxyl-terminal proline-rich region. We report herein that SPRK activates the stress-activated protein kinases (SAPKs) but not ERK-1 during transient expression in COS cells; the p38 kinase is activated modestly (1.3-2 fold) but consistently. SPRK also activates cotransfected SEK-1/MKK-4, a dual specificity kinase which phosphorylates and activates SAPK. Reciprocally, expression of mutant, inactive SEK-1 inhibits completely the basal and SPRK-activated SAPK activity. Immunoprecipitated recombinant SPRK is able to phosphorylate and activate recombinant SEK-1 in vitro to an extent comparable to that achieved by MEK kinase-1. These results identify SPRK as a candidate upstream activator of the stress-activated protein kinases, acting through the phosphorylation and activation of SEK-1.
...
PMID:The mixed lineage kinase SPRK phosphorylates and activates the stress-activated protein kinase activator, SEK-1. 870 71
Activation of the cyclin-dependent kinases to promote cell cycle progression requires their association with cyclins as well as phosphorylation of a
threonine
(residue 161 in human p34cdc2). This phosphorylation is carried out by
CAK
, the Cdk-activating kinase. We have purified and cloned
CAK
from S. cerevisiae. Unlike CAKs from other organisms, Cak1p is active as a monomer, has full activity when expressed in E. coli, and is not a component of the basal transcription factor, TFIIH. A temperature-sensitive mutation in CAK1 confers a G2 delay accompanied by low Cdc28p protein kinase activity and shows genetic interactions with altered expression of the gene for the major mitotic cyclin, CLB2. Our data raise the intriguing possibility that p40MO15-cyclin H-MAT1, identified as the predominant
CAK
in vertebrate cell extracts, may not function as a physiological
CAK
.
...
PMID:The Cdk-activating kinase (CAK) from budding yeast. 875 10
We have analyzed 95 blood- and 25 paraffin-derived DNA samples of 120 individuals from Switzerland (MEN 2 family members and patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma or pheochromocytoma) for the presence of
RET
protooncogene mutations in exons 10, 11, 13, 14 and 16, where recently germline point mutations have been identified in more than 95% of patients with MEN 2A, familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (FMTC) and MEN 2B. Molecular DNA screening of samples was performed by non-radioactive single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and heteroduplex gel electrophoresis method followed by mutation analysis of PCR products by direct cycle sequencing using an automated DNA sequencer. We identified 12 MEN 2A/FMSC and 6 MEN 2B families with 29 gene carriers. Ten different types of mutations were identified in the MEN 2A/FMTC families (620 Cys-->Arg, 618 Cys-->Ser, Gly, 611 Cys-->Tyr; 634 Cys-->Arg, Tyr, Trp, Phe, Ser, Gly) and all 6 MEN 2B families had a 918 Met-->
Thr
point mutation. Our results indicate that PCR-based DNA testing for
RET
point mutations is a rapid, accurate and reproducible method of identifying MEN 2 gene carriers using blood or tissue DNA. Early detection of gene carriers allows preventive thyroidectomy without neck dissection or parathyroid transplantation, and non-gene carriers can be released from biochemical testing. Furthermore, it is shown that the distribution and localization of
RET
mutations in MEN 2 families from Switzerland concur with combined results of larger series and that a "founder effect" of MEN 2 can be excluded for this country.
...
PMID:[Detection of RET-proto-oncogene mutations in the diagnosis of Type 2 endocrine neoplasia (MEN 2)]. 876 74
Sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and pheochromocytoma (PC) have been reported to be associated with some specific
RET
gene mutations. To assess the role of
RET
in the development of MTC and PC, we screened 14 sporadic MTC, two MTC-derived cell lines, and 5 sporatic PC cases of
RET
mutations by a systematic analysis of the whole coding sequence, including all intron-exon junctions. In only 6 of the 14 sporadic MTC we were able to detect a
RET
mutation. Apart from the MET918-->
Thr
mutation in 5 of the MTC cases, we found a 3-bp deletion in exon 11, only present in the tumor, in another case. Analysis of 2 cell lines revealed the Met918-->
Thr
mutation in 1 and a Cys634-->Trp mutation in the other cell line. A possible somatic nature of these mutations could not be confirmed because in neither case was constitutive DNA available. We conclude that a large proportion of sporadic MTC must be due to mutations in an unidentified gene(s) other than
RET
. In none of the sporadic PC cases was a
RET
mutation found. As PC is a frequent complication in families suffering from von Hippel Lindau disease, for which mutations of the VHL gene are responsible, we also screened the 5 sporadic PC cases for VHL mutations. This revealed a Gly164-->Ser mutation in a single specimen. Thus, in PC, a large majority of tumors are due to mutations in an unidentified gene(s) other than
RET
and VHL.
...
PMID:Extensive mutation scanning of RET in sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma and of RET and VHL in sporadic pheochromocytoma reveals involvement of these genes in only a minority of cases. 876 45
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