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)

It has been widely shown that many plant-derived compounds present significant anti-inflammatory effects. For this reason, they represent potential molecules for the development of new drugs, especially designed for the treatment and/or control of chronic inflammatory states such as rheumatism, asthma, inflammatory bowel diseases, atherosclerosis, etc. This review focuses on the naturally-occurring compounds with anti-inflammatory properties and attempts to correlate their actions with the modulation of cytokines and associated intracellular signalling pathways; it continues the review published in the November, 2003 issue of Planta Medica. Abbreviations. AP-1:activator protein-1 CCR1:chemokine receptor 1 CINC-1:cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant 1 COX:cyclooxygenase EGCG:(-)-epigallocatechin gallate ELAM-1:endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 ERK:extracellular signal-regulated kinase GRO:growth-related oncogene HUVEC:human umbilical vein endothelial cells ICAM-1:intercellular adhesion molecule-1 IFN:interferon IL:interleukin iNOS:inducible nitric oxide synthase IRA:the natural interleukin receptor activation JAK:janus kinase JNK:c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase LPS:lipopolysaccharide MAPK:mitogen-activated protein kinases MCP:monocyte chemotactic protein MHC:major histocompatibility complex MIP:macrophage inflammatory protein MMP:matrix metalloproteinases MPO:myeloperoxidase NF-kappaBnuclear factor kappa B NO:nitric oxide PAF:platelet aggregation factor PGEE:prostaglandin PK:protein kinase PMA/TPA:phorbol myristate acetate RANTES:regulated upon activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted TGF-beta:transforming growth factor-beta TNFalpha:tumour necrosis factor VCAM-1:vascular cell adhesion molecule-1
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PMID:Anti-inflammatory compounds of plant origin. Part II. modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and adhesion molecules. 1499 84

TGF-beta (transforming growth factor-beta) plays a critical role in modulating the inflammatory response and other biological processes through its regulation of the production of MMPs (matrix metalloproteinases). In both Mono-Mac-6 and RAW264.7 monocyte/macrophage cells, TGF-beta abrogated lipopolysaccharide-induced increases in the enzymic activity and mRNA level of MMP-9. A fragment of the human MMP-9 promoter was used to characterize its regulation by TGF-beta signalling. In RAW264.7 cells, TGF-beta or its downstream signalling protein, Smad3 (Sma- and Mad-related protein 3), inhibited lipopolysaccharide-stimulated promoter activity. The suppressive activity of TGF-beta on the MMP-9 promoter was abrogated by an inhibitory Smad, Smad7. The MMP-9 promoter contains a putative TIE (TGF-beta inhibitory element). However, neither mutation nor deletion of the TIE had any effect on the inhibitory activity of TGF-beta on MMP-9 transcription, indicating that the consensus TIE is not required for this effect of TGF-beta. Analysis using a series of deletion mutants of the MMP-9 promoter revealed that a region containing a consensus NF-kappaB (nuclear factor-kappaB) site is required for the basal activity and TGF-beta-mediated suppression of the promoter. Mutation of the putative NF-kappaB site not only markedly reduced the basal transcriptional activity of the promoter, but also abrogated the responsiveness of the promoter to TGF-beta. In addition, a minimal promoter containing one copy of the NF-kappaB sequence was responsive to TGF-beta treatment. Furthermore, an electrophoretic mobility shift assay was performed with the nuclear extracts from RAW264.7 cells, and it was found that TGF-beta treatment did not disrupt the binding of NF-kappaB p50 and p65 proteins to the NF-kappaB sequence. Taken together, these studies indicate that the NF-kappaB site is indispensable for the suppressive activity of TGF-beta in the regulation of MMP-9 transcription.
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PMID:Suppression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 transcription by transforming growth factor-beta is mediated by a nuclear factor-kappaB site. 1508 14

Airway epithelial cells are often the sites of targeted adenovirus vector delivery. Activation of the host inflammatory response and modulation of signal transduction pathways by adenovirus vectors have been previously documented, including activation of MAP kinases and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase). The effect of activation of these pathways by adenovirus vectors on cell survival has not been examined. Both the PI3-kinase/Akt and ERK/MAP kinase signaling pathways have been linked to cell survival. Akt has been found to play a role in cell survival and apoptosis through its downstream effects on apoptosis-related proteins. Constitutive activation of either PI3-kinase or Akt blocks apoptosis induced by c-Myc, UV radiation, transforming growth factor-beta, Fas, and respiratory syncytial virus infection. We examined the effect of adenovirus vector infection on activation of these prosurvival pathways and its downstream consequences. Airway epithelial cells were transduced with replication-deficient adenoviral vectors containing a nonspecific transgene, green fluorescent protein driven by the cytomegalovirus promoter, or an empty vector with no transgene. They were then exposed to the proapoptotic stimulus actinomycin D plus TNF-alpha, and evidence of apoptosis was evaluated. Compared with the cells treated with actinomycin/TNF alone, the adenovirus vector-infected cells had a 50% reduction in apoptosis. When we examined induction of the prosurvival pathways, ERK and AKT, in the viral vector-infected cells, we found that there was significant activation of both Akt and ERK.
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PMID:Adenovirus vectors activate survival pathways in lung epithelial cells. 1510 95

During synapse formation, specialized subcellular structures develop at synaptic junctions in a tightly regulated fashion. Cross-signalling initiated by ephrins, Wnts and transforming growth factor-beta family members between presynaptic and postsynaptic termini are proposed to govern synapse formation. It is not well understood how multiple signals are integrated and regulated by developing synaptic termini to control synaptic differentiation. Here we report the identification of FSN-1, a novel F-box protein that is required in presynaptic neurons for the restriction and/or maturation of synapses in Caenorhabditis elegans. Many F-box proteins are target recognition subunits of SCF (Skp, Cullin, F-box) ubiquitin-ligase complexes. fsn-1 functions in the same pathway as rpm-1, a gene encoding a large protein with RING finger domains. FSN-1 physically associates with RPM-1 and the C. elegans homologues of SKP1 and Cullin to form a new type of SCF complex at presynaptic periactive zones. We provide evidence that T10H9.2, which encodes the C. elegans receptor tyrosine kinase ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase), may be a target or a downstream effector through which FSN-1 stabilizes synapse formation. This neuron-specific, SCF-like complex therefore provides a localized signal to attenuate presynaptic differentiation.
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PMID:An SCF-like ubiquitin ligase complex that controls presynaptic differentiation. 1520 41

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog (GnRHa) is used for medical management of endometriosis and premature luteinizing hormone surge during controlled ovarian stimulation. Human endometrium expresses GnRH receptors, and GnRHa alters the expression of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and receptors in endometrial cells. Because the diverse biological actions of GnRHa and TGF-beta are mediated in part through the MAPK pathway, we determined whether utilization of MAPK/ERK and transcriptional activation of immediate early genes c-fos and c-jun result in differential regulation of fibronectin, known as key regulator of embryo implantation and endometriosis progression. Using endometrial stromal cells (ESC) and the endometrial epithelial cell line HES, we demonstrated that GnRHa and TGF-beta, in a dose-, time-, and cell-dependent manner, increased the level of phosphorylated ERK1/2 (pERK1/2). GnRH antagonist Antide also increased pERK1/2 induction in ESC and HES, whereas pretreatment reduced GnRHa-induced pERK2 in ESC but not in HES. Cotreatments with GnRHa plus TGF-beta1 did not have an additive or an inhibitory effect on pERK1/2 induction compared with GnRHa or TGF-beta1 action alone. TGF-beta1 and GnRHa increased ERK1/2 nuclear accumulation and inversely regulated the expression of c-fos and c-jun and that of fibronectin in a cell-specific manner. Pretreatment with U-0126, a MEK1/2 inhibitor, blocked basal, as well as GnRHa- and TGF-beta1-induced pERK1/2; however, it differentially affected c-fos, c-jun, and fibronectin expression. In conclusion, the results indicate that GnRHa and TGF-beta signaling through MAPK/ERK results in differential regulation of fibronectin expression in endometrial cells, a molecular mechanism where short- and long-term GnRHa therapy and locally expressed TGF-beta could influence embryo implantation and endometriosis implants, respectively.
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PMID:Gonadotropin-releasing hormone and TGF-beta activate MAP kinase and differentially regulate fibronectin expression in endometrial epithelial and stromal cells. 1526 61

Sef was recently identified as a negative regulator of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling in a genetic screen of zebrafish and subsequently in mouse and humans. By inhibiting FGFR1 tyrosine phosphorylation and/or Ras downstream events, Sef inhibits FGF-mediated ERK activation and cell proliferation as well as PC12 cell differentiation. Here we show that Sef and a deletion mutant of Sef lacking the extracellular domain (SefIC) physically interact with TAK1 (transforming growth factor-beta-associated kinase) and activate JNK through a TAK1-MKK4-JNK pathway. Sef and SefIC overexpression also resulted in apoptotic cell death, while dominant negative forms of MKK4 and TAK1 blocked Sef-mediated JNK activation and attendant 293T cell apoptosis. These investigations reveal a novel activating function of Sef that is distinct from its inhibitory effect on FGF receptor signaling and ERK activation.
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PMID:Sef interacts with TAK1 and mediates JNK activation and apoptosis. 1527 32

The utilization of adult stem cells in tissue engineering is a promising solution to the problem of tissue or organ shortage. Adult bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are undifferentiated, multipotential cells which are capable of giving rise to chondrocytes when maintained in a three-dimensional culture and treated with members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) family of growth factors. In this study, we fabricated a nanofibrous scaffold (NFS) made of a synthetic biodegradable polymer, poly(-caprolactone) (PCL), and examined its ability to support in vitro chondrogenesis of MSCs. The electrospun PCL porous scaffold was constructed of uniform, randomly oriented nanofibers with a diameter of 700 nm, and structural integrity of this scaffold was maintained over a 21-day culture period. MSCs cultured in NFSs in the presence of TGF-beta1 differentiated to a chondrocytic phenotype, as evidenced by chondrocyte-specific gene expression and synthesis of cartilage-associated extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. The level of chondrogenesis observed in MSCs seeded within NFSs was comparable to that observed for MSCs maintained as cell aggregates or pellets, a widely used culture protocol for studying chondrogenesis of MSCs in vitro. Due to the physical nature and improved mechanical properties of NFSs, particularly in comparison to cell pellets, the findings reported here suggest that the PCL NFS is a practical carrier for MSC transplantation, and represents a candidate scaffold for cell-based tissue engineering approaches to cartilage repair.
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PMID:A three-dimensional nanofibrous scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering using human mesenchymal stem cells. 1528 38

Endoglin is a transmembrane accessory receptor for transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) that is predominantly expressed on proliferating endothelial cells in culture and on angiogenic blood vessels in vivo. Endoglin, as well as other TGF-beta signalling components, is essential during angiogenesis. Mutations in endoglin and activin receptor-like kinase 1 (ALK1), an endothelial specific TGF-beta type I receptor, have been linked to the vascular disorder, hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia. However, the function of endoglin in TGF-beta/ALK signalling has remained unclear. Here we report that endoglin is required for efficient TGF-beta/ALK1 signalling, which indirectly inhibits TGF-beta/ALK5 signalling. Endothelial cells lacking endoglin do not grow because TGF-beta/ALK1 signalling is reduced and TGF-beta/ALK5 signalling is increased. Surviving cells adapt to this imbalance by downregulating ALK5 expression in order to proliferate. The ability of endoglin to promote ALK1 signalling also explains why ectopic endoglin expression in endothelial cells promotes proliferation and blocks TGF-beta-induced growth arrest by indirectly reducing TGF-beta/ALK5 signalling. Our results indicate a pivotal role for endoglin in the balance of ALK1 and ALK5 signalling to regulate endothelial cell proliferation.
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PMID:Endoglin promotes endothelial cell proliferation and TGF-beta/ALK1 signal transduction. 1538 67

Tubulogenesis by epithelial cells regulates kidney, lung, and mammary development, whereas that by endothelial cells regulates vascular development. Although functionally dissimilar, the processes necessary for tubulation by epithelial and endothelial cells are very similar. We performed microarray analysis to further our understanding of tubulogenesis and observed a robust induction of regulator of G protein signaling 4 (RGS4) mRNA expression solely in tubulating cells, thereby implicating RGS4 as a potential regulator of tubulogenesis. Accordingly, RGS4 overexpression delayed and altered lung epithelial cell tubulation by selectively inhibiting G protein-mediated p38 MAPK activation, and, consequently, by reducing epithelial cell proliferation, migration, and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The tubulogenic defects imparted by RGS4 in epithelial cells, including its reduction in VEGF expression, were rescued by overexpression of constitutively active MKK6, an activator of p38 MAPK. Similarly, RGS4 overexpression abrogated endothelial cell angiogenic sprouting by inhibiting their synthesis of DNA and invasion through synthetic basement membranes. We further show that RGS4 expression antagonized VEGF stimulation of DNA synthesis and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/ERK2 and p38 MAPK activation as well as ERK1/ERK2 activation stimulated by endothelin-1 and angiotensin II. RGS4 had no effect on the phosphorylation of Smad1 and Smad2 by bone morphogenic protein-7 and transforming growth factor-beta, respectively, indicating that RGS4 selectively inhibits G protein and VEGF signaling in endothelial cells. Finally, we found that RGS4 reduced endothelial cell response to VEGF by decreasing VEGF receptor-2 (KDR) expression. We therefore propose RGS4 as a novel antagonist of epithelial and endothelial cell tubulogenesis that selectively antagonizes intracellular signaling by G proteins and VEGF, thereby inhibiting cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and VEGF and KDR expression.
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PMID:Identification and characterization of regulator of G protein signaling 4 (RGS4) as a novel inhibitor of tubulogenesis: RGS4 inhibits mitogen-activated protein kinases and vascular endothelial growth factor signaling. 1554

Angiogenesis governs the progression of multiple myeloma (MM). Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) contribute to angiogenesis and comprise mature ECs and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). The present study sought to characterize CECs and their relation to disease activity and therapeutic response in 31 consecutive patients with MM. CECs, identified as CD34(+)/CD146(+)/CD105(+)/CD11b(-) cells, were 6-fold higher in patients compared to controls and correlated positively with serum M protein and beta(2)-microglobulin. Circulating EPCs displayed late colony formation/outgrowth and capillary-like network formation on matrigel; these processes were inhibited after effective thalidomide treatment. Co-expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (KDR) and CD133 characterized EPCs in MM, and KDR mRNA elevations correlated with M protein levels. In vitro exposure of ECs to thalidomide or its derivative CC-5013 inhibited gene expression of the receptors for transforming growth factor-beta and thrombin. Thus, elevated levels of CECs and EPCs covary with disease activity and response to thalidomide, underscoring the angiogenic aspect of MM and suggesting that angioblastlike EPCs are a pathogenic biomarker and a rational treatment target in MM. The results also highlight the anti-angiogenic properties of thalidomide and CC-5013 and further elucidate possible mechanisms of their effectiveness against MM. (Blood. 2005;105:3286-3294).
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PMID:Circulating endothelial progenitor cells in multiple myeloma: implications and significance. 1561 73


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