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)

The Met receptor tyrosine kinase has been shown to be overexpressed or mutated in a variety of solid tumors and has, therefore, been identified as a good candidate for molecularly targeted therapy. Activation of the Met tyrosine kinase by the TPR gene was originally described in vitro through carcinogen-induced rearrangement. The TPR-MET fusion protein contains constitutively elevated Met tyrosine kinase activity and constitutes an ideal model to study the transforming activity of the Met kinase. We found, when introduced into an interleukin 3-dependent cell line, TPR-MET induces factor independence and constitutive tyrosine phosphorylation of several cellular proteins. One major tyrosine phosphorylated protein was identified as the TPR-MET oncoprotein itself. Inhibition of the Met kinase activity by the novel small molecule drug SU11274 [(3Z)-N-(3-chlorophenyl)-3-([3,5-dimethyl-4-[(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)carbonyl]-1H-pyrrol-2-yl]methylene)-N-methyl-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-5-sulfonamide] led to time- and dose-dependent reduced cell growth. The inhibitor did not affect other tyrosine kinase oncoproteins, including BCR-ABL, TEL-JAK2, TEL-PDGFbetaR, or TEL-ABL. The Met inhibitor induced G(1) cell cycle arrest and apoptosis with increased Annexin V staining and caspase 3 activity. The autophosphorylation of the Met kinase was reduced on sites that have been shown previously to be important for activation of pathways involved in cell growth and survival, especially the phosphatidylinositol-3'-kinase and the Ras pathway. In particular, we found that the inhibitor blocked phosphorylation of AKT, GSK-3beta, and the pro-apoptotic transcription factor FKHR. The characterization of SU11274 as an effective inhibitor of Met tyrosine kinase activity illustrates the potential of targeting for Met therapeutic use in cancers associated with activated forms of this kinase.
...
PMID:A novel small molecule met inhibitor induces apoptosis in cells transformed by the oncogenic TPR-MET tyrosine kinase. 1450 Mar 82

Effects of the tyrphostin tyrosine kinase inhibitor adaphostin (NSC 680410) have been examined in human leukemia cells (Jurkat, U937) in relation to mitochondrial events, apoptosis, and perturbations in signaling and cell cycle regulatory events. Exposure of cells to adaphostin concentrations > or =0.75 microM for intervals > or =6 h resulted in a pronounced release of cytochrome c and AIF, activation of caspase-9, -8, and -3, and apoptosis. These events were accompanied by the caspase-independent downregulation of Raf-1, inactivation of MEK1/2, ERK, Akt, p70S6K, dephosphorylation of GSK-3, and activation of c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAPK. Adaphostin also induced cleavage and dephosphorylation of pRb on CDK2- and CDK4-specific sites, as well as the caspase-dependent downregulation of cyclin D1. Inducible expression of a constitutively active MEK1 construct markedly diminished adaphostin-induced cytochrome c and AIF release, JNK activation, and apoptosis in Jurkat cells. Ectopic expression of Raf-1 or constitutively activated (myristolated) Akt also significantly attenuated adaphostin-induced apoptosis, but protection was less than that conferred by enforced activation of MEK. Lastly, antioxidants (e.g., L-N-acetylcysteine; L-NAC) opposed adaphostin-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction, Raf-1/MEK/ERK downregulation, JNK activation, and apoptosis. However, in contrast to L-NAC, enforced activation of MEK failed to block adaphostin-mediated ROS generation. Together, these findings demonstrate that the tyrphostin adaphostin induces multiple perturbations in signal transduction pathways in human leukemia cells, particularly inactivation of the cytoprotective Raf-1/MEK/ERK and Akt cascades, that culminate in mitochondrial injury, caspase activation, and apoptosis. They also suggest that adaphostin-related oxidative stress acts upstream of perturbations in these signaling pathways to trigger the cell death process.
...
PMID:Induction of apoptosis in human leukemia cells by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor adaphostin proceeds through a RAF-1/MEK/ERK- and AKT-dependent process. 1464 18

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is synthesized in the brain, but whether DHEA is involved in modulating neuronal cell survival is not yet fully understood. Herein we show that when deprived of trophic support, GT1-7 hypothalamic neurons undergo apoptosis following exposure to DHEA, as demonstrated both by morphological and biochemical criteria. This proapoptotic effect appeared to be specific to DHEA itself, and not through conversion of DHEA to other steroids such as androgen or estrogen. Importantly, we determined that IGF-I protects GT1-7 neurons from DHEA-induced cell death. DHEA-induced apoptosis was associated with increased activation of caspase 3 and decreased PARP, which were both attenuated with addition of IGF-I. Addition of DHEA prevented phosphorylation of both Akt and glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3beta), downstream effector molecules of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway. Further IGF-I was able to sustain Akt activity and thus preventing GSK-3beta activation in the presence of DHEA. On the other hand, the MAP kinases, ERK, p38, and JNK, were not affected by DHEA. These findings suggest that in GT1-7 hypothalamic neurons, DHEA acts detrimentally to induce cell death and IGF-I is able to rescue the neurons by preserving the activity of Akt, and therefore maintaining the proapoptotic kinase GSK-3beta, in a phosphorylated catalytically inactive state.
...
PMID:IGF-I signaling prevents dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-induced apoptosis in hypothalamic neurons. 1506 51

Numerous enzymes hyperphosphorylate Tau in vivo, leading to the formation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the neurons of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Compared with age-matched normal controls, we demonstrated here that the protein levels of WW domain-containing oxidoreductase WOX1 (also known as WWOX or FOR), its Tyr33-phosphorylated form, and WOX2 were significantly down-regulated in the neurons of AD hippocampi. Remarkably knock-down of WOX1 expression by small interfering RNA in neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells spontaneously induced Tau phosphorylation at Thr212/Thr231 and Ser515/Ser516, enhanced phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK-3beta) and ERK, and enhanced NFT formation. Also an increased binding of phospho-GSK-3beta with phospho-Tau was observed in these WOX1 knock-down cells. In comparison, increased phosphorylation of Tau, GSK-3beta, and ERK, as well as NFT formation, was observed in the AD hippocampi. Activation of JNK1 by anisomycin further increased Tau phosphorylation, and SP600125 (a JNK inhibitor) and PD-98059 (an MEK1/2 inhibitor) blocked Tau phosphorylation and NFT formation in these WOX1 knock-down cells. Ectopic or endogenous WOX1 colocalized with Tau, JNK1, and GSK-3beta in neurons and cultured cells. 17Beta-estradiol, a neuronal protective hormone, increased the binding of WOX1 and GSK-3beta with Tau. Mapping analysis showed that WOX1 bound Tau via its COOH-terminal short-chain alcohol dehydrogenase/reductase domain. Together WOX1 binds Tau via its short-chain alcohol dehydrogenase/reductase domain and is likely to play a critical role in regulating Tau hyperphosphorylation and NFT formation in vivo.
...
PMID:Down-regulation of WW domain-containing oxidoreductase induces Tau phosphorylation in vitro. A potential role in Alzheimer's disease. 1512 4

The serine/threonine kinase Akt functions intracellularly as a cardinal nodal point for a constellation of converging upstream signaling pathways, which involve stimulation of receptor tyrosine kinases such as IGF-1R, HER2/Neu, VEGF-R, PDGF-R), and an assembly of membrane-localized complexes of receptor-PI-3K and activation of Akt through the second messenger PIP(3). The integration of these intracellular signals at the level of Akt and its kinase activity, regulates the phosphorylation of its several downstream effectors, such as NF-kappa B, mTOR, Forkhead, Bad, GSK-3 and MDM-2. These phosphorylation events in turn mediate the effects of Akt on cell growth, proliferation, protection from pro-apoptotic stimuli, and stimulation of neo-angiogenesis. Because Akt and its upstream regulators are deregulated in a wide range of solid tumors and hematologic malignancies, and in view of the aforementioned biologic sequelae of this pathway, the Akt pathway is considered a key determinant of biologic aggressiveness of these tumors, and a major potential target for novel anti-cancer therapies. This review focuses on ongoing translational efforts to therapeutically target Akt and its biologic sequelae, either at the level of Akt itself or at the levels of its upstream regulators and downstream effectors. Because Akt is also important for proliferative and anti-apoptotic signaling pathways critical for normal cells, particular emphasis is placed on the fine-tuning the targeting of individual components of this pathway to maximize the therapeutic index of anti-cancer strategies based on the PI-3K/Akt pathway.
...
PMID:The Akt pathway: molecular targets for anti-cancer drug development. 1513 32

Manic-depressive illness has been conceptualized as a neurochemical illness. However, brain imaging and postmortem studies reveal gray-matter reductions, as well as neuronal and glial atrophy and loss in discrete brain regions of manic-depressive patients. The roles of such cerebral morphological deficits in the neuropathophysiology and therapeutic mechanisms of manic-depressive illness are unknown. Valproate (2-propylpentanoate) is a commonly used mood stabilizer. The ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) pathway is used by neurotrophic factors to regulate neurogenesis, neurite outgrowth, and neuronal survival. We found that chronic treatment of rats with valproate increased levels of activated phospho-ERK44/42 in neurons of the anterior cingulate, a region in which we found valproate-induced increases in expression of an ERK pathway-regulated gene, bcl-2. Valproate time and concentration dependently increased activated phospho-ERK44/42 and phospho-RSK1 (ribosomal S6 kinase 1) levels in cultured cortical cells. These increases were attenuated by Raf and MEK (mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK kinase) inhibitors. Although valproate affects the functions of GSK-3 (glycogen synthase kinase-3) and histone deacetylase (HDAC), its effects on the ERK pathway were not fully mimicked by selective inhibitors of GSK-3 or HDAC. Similar to neurotrophic factors, valproate enhanced ERK pathway-dependent cortical neuronal growth. Valproate also promoted neural stem cell proliferation-maturation (neurogenesis), demonstrated by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation and double staining of BrdU with nestin, Tuj1, or the neuronal nuclei marker NeuN (neuronal-specific nuclear protein). Chronic treatment with valproate enhanced neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. Together, these data demonstrate that valproate activates the ERK pathway and induces ERK pathway-mediated neurotrophic actions. This cascade of events provides a potential mechanism whereby mood stabilizers alleviate cerebral morphometric deficits associated with manic-depressive illness.
...
PMID:Mood stabilizer valproate promotes ERK pathway-dependent cortical neuronal growth and neurogenesis. 1526 71

The maintenance of murine embryonic stem (ES) cell self-renewal is regulated by leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF)-dependent activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and LIF-independent mechanisms including Nanog, BMP2/4, and Wnt signaling. Here we demonstrate a previously undescribed role for phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) in regulation of murine ES cell self-renewal. Treatment with the reversible PI3K inhibitor, LY294002, or more specific inhibition of class I(A) PI3K via regulated expression of dominant negative Deltap85, led to a reduction in the ability of LIF to maintain self-renewal, with cells concomitantly adopting a differentiated morphology. Inhibition of PI3Ks reduced basal and LIF-stimulated phosphorylation of PKB/Akt, GSK3alpha/beta, and S6 proteins. Importantly, LY294002 and Deltap85 expression had no effect on LIF-induced phosphorylation of STAT3 at Tyr(705), but did augment LIF-induced phosphorylation of ERKs in both short and long term incubations. Subsequently, we demonstrate that inhibition of MAP-Erk kinases (MEKs) reverses the effects of PI3K inhibition on self-renewal in a time- and dose-dependent manner, suggesting that the elevated ERK activity observed upon PI3K inhibition contributes to the functional response we observe. Surprisingly, upon long term inhibition of PI3Ks we observed a reduction in phosphorylation of beta-catenin, the target of GSK-3 action in the canonical Wnt pathway, although no consistent alterations in cytosolic levels of beta-catenin were observed, indicating this pathway is not playing a major role downstream of PI3Ks. Our studies support a role for PI3Ks in regulation of self-renewal and increase our understanding of the molecular signaling components involved in regulation of stem cell fate.
...
PMID:Regulation of embryonic stem cell self-renewal by phosphoinositide 3-kinase-dependent signaling. 1532 62

The molecular bases underlying burn- or critical illness-induced insulin resistance still remain unclarified. Muscle protein catabolism is a ubiquitous feature of critical illness. Akt/PKB plays a central role in the metabolic actions of insulin and is a pivotal regulator of hypertrophy and atrophy of skeletal muscle. We therefore examined the effects of burn injury on insulin-stimulated Akt/PKB activation in skeletal muscle. Insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of Akt/PKB was significantly attenuated in burned compared with sham-burned rats. Insulin-stimulated Akt/PKB kinase activity, as judged by immune complex kinase assay and phosphorylation status of the endogenous substrate of Akt/PKB, glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta), was significantly impaired in burned rats. Furthermore, insulin consistently failed to increase the phosphorylation of p70 S6 kinase, another downstream effector of Akt/PKB, in rats with burn injury, whereas phosphorylation of p70 S6 kinase was increased by insulin in controls. The protein expression of Akt/PKB, GSK-3beta, and p70 S6 kinase was unaltered by burn injury. However, insulin-stimulated activation of ERK, a signaling pathway parallel to Akt/PKB, was not affected by burn injury. These results demonstrate that burn injury impairs insulin-stimulated Akt/PKB activation in skeletal muscle and suggest that attenuated Akt/PKB activation may be involved in deranged metabolism and muscle wasting observed after burn injury.
...
PMID:Burn injury impairs insulin-stimulated Akt/PKB activation in skeletal muscle. 1553 6

Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide in brown seaweed, was found to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in human lymphoma HS-Sultan cell lines. Fucoidan-induced apoptosis was accompanied by the activation of caspase-3 and was partially prevented by pretreatment with a pan-caspase inhibitor, z-VAD-FMK. The mitochondrial potential in HS-Sultan cells was decreased 24 hr after treatment with fucoidan, indicating that fucoidan induced apoptosis through a mitochondrial pathway. When HS-Sultan was treated with 100 microg/mL fucoidan for 24 hr, phosphorylation of ERK and GSK markedly decreased. In contrast, phosphorylation of p38 and Akt was not altered by treatment with fucoidan. L-selectin and P-selectin are known to be receptors of fucoidan; however, as HS-Sultan does not express either of these selectins, it is unlikely that fucoidan induced apoptosis through them in HS-Sultan. The neutralizing antibody, Dreg56, against human L-selectin did not prevent the inhibitory effect of fucoidan on the proliferation of IM9 and MOLT4 cells, both of which express L-selectin; thus it is possible fucoidan induced apoptosis though different receptors. These results demonstrate that fucoidan has direct anti-cancer effects on human HS-Sultan cells through caspase and ERK pathways.
...
PMID:Fucoidan induces apoptosis of human HS-sultan cells accompanied by activation of caspase-3 and down-regulation of ERK pathways. 1560 79

We developed anti-Akt1 single-chain antibodies (scFv) by panning a mouse phage-displayed scFv recombinant antibody library. Recombinant scFv that bound glutathione S-transferase (GST)-Akt1 were screened for their ability to inhibit Akt activity in vitro in a kinase reaction containing human recombinant Akt1 and an Akt/serum glucocorticoid-inducible kinase (SGK) substrate. Michaelis-Menten analysis of kinase inhibition by a selected scFv was consistent with scFv-mediated competition with enzyme's substrate for the catalytic site of Akt. To generate a membrane-permeable version of the anti-Akt1 scFv, the scFv gene was subcloned into a GST expression vector carrying a membrane-translocating sequence (MTS) from Kaposi fibroblast growth factor. A purified GST-anti-Akt1-MTS fusion protein accumulated intracellularly in 293T, BT-474, and PyVmT cells in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. Intracellular accumulation correlated temporally with inhibition of p-Ser(473) Akt and GSK-3alpha/beta phosphorylation, suggesting that Ser(473) is an Akt autophosphorylation site. Phosphorylated (activated) phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1, mitogen-activated protein kinase, p38, and HER2 (erbB2) were not affected, supporting Akt kinase specificity for the inhibitory scFv. Exogenously expressed constitutively active Akt2 and Akt3 were also inhibited in vitro by the anti-Akt1 fusion protein. Furthermore, GST-anti-Akt1-MTS induced apoptosis in three cancer cell lines that express constitutively active Akt. Finally, systemic treatment with the anti-Akt scFv reduced tumor volume and neovascularization and increased apoptosis in PyVmT-expressing transgenic tumors implanted in mouse dorsal window chambers. Thus, GST-anti-Akt1-MTS is a novel cell-permeable inhibitor of Akt, which selectively inhibits Akt-mediated survival in intact cells both in vitro and in vivo.
...
PMID:Proapoptotic activity of cell-permeable anti-Akt single-chain antibodies. 1580 82


<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next >>