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)

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent mitogen for endothelial cells in vitro, promotes neoangiogenesis in vivo and increases the permeability of the vascular endothelium. VEGF overexpression occurs in several cultured tumor cell lines and in certain human malignancies. Placenta growth factor (PlGF) is a recently identified growth factor for endothelial cells (EC); PlGF strongly potentiates both the proliferative and the permeabilization effects exerted by VEGF on the vascular endothelium. To uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying neoangiogenesis in human thyroid tumors, we have analysed VEGF and PlGF expression in a panel of thyroid carcinoma cell lines with different tumorigenic potential as well as in human primary thyroid tumors. We show that a high tumorigenic potential is associated with an elevated VEGF expression in human thyroid tumor cell lines. Furthermore, VEGF overexpression occurs in 5/5 highly malignant anaplastic carcinomas. Papillary and follicular carcinomas express intermediate levels of VEGF mRNA. In contrast, PlGF expression is severely down regulated in the majority of thyroid tumor cell lines and in tumors. Furthermore, we show that both the VEGF receptors, FLT-1 and flk/KDR, are expressed in endothelial cells that line tumor-embedded microvascular vessels, suggesting that VEGF but not PlGF, contributes to thyroid tumor development.
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PMID:Upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and downregulation of placenta growth factor (PlGF) associated with malignancy in human thyroid tumors and cell lines. 747 81

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been identified as a peptide growth factor specific for vascular endothelial cells. In this study, we demonstrated the expression of the KDR gene transcript, which encodes a cell surface receptor for VEGF, in normal human hematopoietic stem cells, megakaryocytes, and platelets as well as in human leukemia cell lines, HEL and CMK86. Moreover, we showed the expression of VEGF gene transcript in these normal fresh cells and cell lines. To elucidate biological functions of VEGF on hematopoiesis, we determined whether this growth factor has mitogenic activity to hematopoietic cells or the ability to suppress apoptotic cell death. The liquid culture and colony-formation assay revealed that VEGF suppressed apoptotic cell death of both CMK86 cells and normal hematopoietic stem cells caused by gamma-ray irradiation, although mitogenic activity of VEGF was not detected. The ability of VEGF to suppress apoptotic cell death was independent of the change of cell cycle distribution. These data suggest that VEGF may play an important role in survival or maintenance of hematopoietic stem cells due to the prevention of apoptotic cell death caused by some stresses such as ionizing radiation and that VEGF may give leukemia cells some abilities of resistance against radiotherapy in an autocrine or paracrine manner.
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PMID:Expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor gene, KDR, in hematopoietic cells and inhibitory effect of VEGF on apoptotic cell death caused by ionizing radiation. 758 55

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an angiogenic growth factor which binds to two structurally related tyrosine kinase receptors denoted KDR and FLT1. To compare the interaction of VEGF with each receptor, cell lines which express individual receptor subtypes were identified using Northern blot hybridization. Bovine aortic endothelial (ABAE) cells and WM35 melanoma cells were found to express KDR, while FLT1 was primarily expressed on SK-MEL-37. Both receptor subtypes were detected on another melanoma cell line (WM9). Heparin augmented VEGF binding to KDR-expressing cells (ABAE and WM35), but inhibited VEGF binding to FLT1-expressing cells (SK-MEL-37 and WM9). The concentration of heparin required for half maximal stimulation of VEGF binding to KDR-expressing cells (500 ng/ml) was 25 times greater than that required for half maximal inhibition of binding to FLT1-expressing cells (20 ng/ml). In WM9 cells, the effect of heparin was bimodal; low concentration inhibited, while higher concentrations stimulated binding of 125I-VEGF. Placenta growth factor (PIGF-1) is a recently described growth factor structurally similar to VEGF. PIGF-1 had a negligible or no effect on 125I-VEGF binding to KDR-expressing cells (ABAE, WM35), but did complete for binding to FLT1-expressing cells (SK-MEL-37 and WM9). Addition of heparin had no effect on its ability to compete for binding with 125I-VEGF. The data indicate differential regulation of the two VEGF receptors by heparin and extended specificity of FLT1 receptor, but not KDR, for binding PIGF-1 growth factor.
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PMID:VEGF receptor subtypes KDR and FLT1 show different sensitivities to heparin and placenta growth factor. 773 44

Key growth factor-receptor interactions involved in angiogenesis are possible targets for therapy of CNS tumors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a highly specific endothelial cell mitogen that has been shown to stimulate angiogenesis, a requirement for solid tumor growth. The expression of VEGF, the closely related placental growth factor (PIGF), the newly cloned endothelial high affinity VEGF receptors KDR and FLT1, and the endothelial orphan receptors FLT4 and Tie were analyzed by in situ hybridization in normal human brain tissue and in the following CNS tumors: gliomas, grades II, III, IV; meningiomas, grades I and II; and melanoma metastases to the cerebrum. VEGF mRNA was up-regulated in the majority of low grade tumors studied and was highly expressed in cells of malignant gliomas. Significantly elevated levels of Tie, KDR, and FLT1 mRNAs, but not FLT4 mRNA, were observed in malignant tumor endothelia, as well as in endothelia of tissues directly adjacent to the tumor margin. In comparison, there was little or no receptor expression in normal brain vasculature. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that these endothelial receptors are induced during tumor progression and may play a role in tumor angiogenesis.
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PMID:Expression of endothelial cell-specific receptor tyrosine kinases and growth factors in human brain tumors. 785 49

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) may modulate vascular permeability, chemotaxis for monocytes, and protease activity. In addition, VEGF may play a role in embryonic and tumor angiogenesis. In fetal mouse kidney, VEGF mRNA and protein expression have been demonstrated. This finding led to the hypothesis that VEGF might be involved in renal growth and development. To further elucidate the role of VEGF in human kidney, expression of VEGF and its receptors, the specific tyrosine kinase receptors, fit-1 and KDR, were studied. In fetal (6-24 gestational wk; mesonephros and metanephros) and adult kidney, VEGF mRNA and protein could be colocalized in glomerular epithelia and collecting duct cells by in situ hybridization and immunohistology. By reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, mRNA of three VEGF isoforms, VEGF121, VEGF165, and VEGF189, were found in fetal kidney and cortex, isolated glomeruli, and medulla of adult human kidney. KDR and flt-1 mRNA were coexpressed in endothelia of glomeruli and in peritubular capillaries in fetal and adult kidney. These data support the assumption that VEGF and its receptors may influence renal ontogenesis. We speculate that the constitutive expression of VEGF in adult kidney may be required for the function of VEGF receptor positive-fenestrated endothelia in glomeruli and postglomerular vessels. The expression of VEGF in collecting duct and of its receptors in medullary capillaries may in addition be relevant for maintaining medullary osmolality.
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PMID:Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors in human renal ontogenesis and in adult kidney. 786 62

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a homodimeric peptide growth factor which binds to two structurally related tyrosine kinase receptors denoted Flt1 and KDR. In order to compare the signal transduction via these two receptors, the human Flt1 and KDR proteins were stably expressed in porcine aortic endothelial cells. Binding analyses using 125I-VEGF revealed Kd values of 16 pM for Flt1 and 760 pM for KDR. Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVE) cells were found to express two distinct populations of binding sites with affinities similar to those for Flt1 and KDR, respectively. The KDR expressing cells showed striking changes in cell morphology, actin reorganization and membrane ruffling, chemotaxis and mitogenicity upon VEGF stimulation, whereas Flt1 expressing cells lacked such responses. KDR was found to undergo ligand-induced autophosphorylation in intact cells, and both Flt1 and KDR were phosphorylated in vitro in response to VEGF, however, KDR much more efficiently than Flt1. Neither the receptor-associated activity of phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase nor tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase C-gamma were affected by stimulation of Flt1 or KDR expressing cells, and phosphorylation of GTPase activating protein was only slightly increased. Members of the Src family such as Fyn and Yes showed an increased level of phosphorylation upon VEGF stimulation of cells expressing Flt1 but not in cells expressing KDR. The maximal responses in KDR expressing porcine aortic endothelial cells were obtained at higher VEGF concentrations as compared to HUVE cells, i.e. in the presence of Flt1. This difference could possibly be explained by the formation of heterodimeric complexes between KDR and Flt1, or other molecules, in HUVE cells.
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PMID:Different signal transduction properties of KDR and Flt1, two receptors for vascular endothelial growth factor. 792 39

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic factor which binds to two structurally similar receptor tyrosine kinases, KDR and FLT1. Towards the goal of clarifying the signal transduction pathways by which VEGF activates endothelial cells, we expressed in bacteria an enzymatically active form of the cytosolic domain of the KDR receptor. The expressed protein undergoes autophosphorylation in both bacterial cells and in its purified form. Using peptide mapping and sequencing of peptides, we identified four tyrosine residues that are phosphorylated corresponding to residues 951, 996, 1054, and 1059 of the KDR protein. The location of the phosphorylated residues in the bacterially expressed protein, and/or the consensus sequences around these sites, suggest they may be identical to the phosphorylated sites of KDR in mammalian cells.
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PMID:Biological activity and phosphorylation sites of the bacterially expressed cytosolic domain of the KDR VEGF-receptor. 799 4

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a newly identified growth and permeability factor with a unique specificity for endothelial cells. Recently the flt-encoded tyrosine kinase was characterized as a receptor for VEGF. A novel tyrosine kinase receptor encoded by the KDR gene was also found to bind VEGF with high affinity when expressed in CMT-3 cells. Screening for flt and KDR expression in a variety of species and tissue-derived endothelial cells demonstrates that flt is predominantly expressed in human placenta and human vascular endothelial cells. Placenta growth factor (PIGF), a growth factor significantly related to VEGF, is coexpressed with flt in placenta and human vascular endothelial cells. KDR is more widely distributed and expressed in all vessel-derived endothelial cells. These data demonstrate that cultured human endothelial cells isolated from different tissues express both VEGF receptors in relative high levels and, additionally, that all investigated nonhuman endothelial cells in culture are also positive for KDR gene expression.
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PMID:Differential expression of the two VEGF receptors flt and KDR in placenta and vascular endothelial cells. 812 87

The growth factor receptors expressed on endothelial cells are of special interest because of their potential to program endothelial cell growth and differentiation during development and neovascularization in various pathological states, such as wound healing and angiogenesis associated with tumorigenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor ([VEGF] also known as vascular permeability factor) is a potent mitogen and permeability factor, which has been suggested to play a role in embryonic and tumor angiogenesis. The newly cloned FLT4 receptor tyrosine kinase gene encodes a protein related to the VEGF receptors FLT1 and KDR/FLK-1. We have here studied the expression of FLT4 and the other two members of this receptor family in human fetal tissues by Northern and in situ hybridization. These results were also compared with the sites of expression of VEGF and the related placenta growth factor (PlGF). Our results reveal FLT4 mRNA expression in vascular endothelial cells in developing vessels of several organs. A comparison of FLT4, FLT1 and KDR/FLK-1 receptor mRNA signals shows overlapping, but distinct expression patterns in the tissues studied. Certain endothelia lack one or two of the three receptor mRNAs. These data suggest that the receptor tyrosine kinases encoded by the FLT gene family may have distinct functions in the regulation of the growth/differentiation of blood vessels.
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PMID:The related FLT4, FLT1, and KDR receptor tyrosine kinases show distinct expression patterns in human fetal endothelial cells. 824 83

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/vascular permeability factor (VPF), an endothelial cell (EC)-specific mitogen, stimulates angiogenesis in vivo, particularly in ischemic regions. VEGF/VPF expression by cells of hypoxic tissues coincides with expression of its two receptors, KDR and flt-1, by ECs in the same tissues. We investigated whether hypoxia or hypoxia-dependent conditions operate in coordinating this phenomenon. Human umbilical vein and microvascular ECs were exposed to direct hypoxia or to medium conditioned (CM) by myoblasts maintained in hypoxia for 4 d. Control ECs were maintained in normoxia or normoxia-CM. Binding of 125I-VEGF to ECs was then evaluated. Hypoxic treatment of ECs had no effect on 125I-VEGF binding. However, treatment of ECs with hypoxia-CM produced a threefold increase in 125I-VEGF binding, with peak at 24 h (P < 0.001, ANOVA). Scatchard analysis disclosed that increased binding was due to a 13-fold increase in KDR receptors/cell, with no change in KDR affinity (Kd = 260 +/- 51 pM, normoxia-CM versus Kd = 281 +/- 94 pM, hypoxia-CM) and no change in EC number (35.6 +/- 5.9 x 10(3) ECs/cm2, normoxia-CM versus 33.5 +/- 5.5 x 10(3) ECs/cm2, hypoxia-CM). Similar results were obtained using CM from hypoxic smooth muscle cells. KDR upregulation was not prevented by addition to the hypoxia-CM of neutralizing antibodies against VEGF, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, transforming growth factor beta 1 or basic fibroblast growth factor. Similarly, addition of VEGF or lactic acid to the normoxia-CM had no effect on VEGF binding. We conclude that mechanism(s) initiated by hypoxia can induce KDR receptor upregulation in ECs. Hypoxic cells, normal or neoplastic, not only can produce VEGF/VPF, but can also modulate its effects via paracrine induction of VEGF/VPF receptors in ECs.
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PMID:Hypoxia-induced paracrine regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor expression. 856 69


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