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)

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the protein expression involved in the progression from dysplasia to invasive esophageal squamous cell carcinomas and to analyze the prognostic value of markers. Immunohistochemistry was performed for cell cycle regulators [p53, p21, p27, p16, cyclin D1, Rb], apoptosis-related proteins [Fas, Fas-L, FADD, TRAIL, DR4, DR5, caspase-8, caspase-3, bcl-2, Bax], tumor suppressor proteins [beta-catenin, E-cadherin, FHIT, Smad 4, VHL, PTEN, KAI-1], and oncoproteins [c-myc, COX-2, EGFR]. Caspase-3, TRAIL, Fas-L, Fas, Smad 4, VHL, E-cadherin, and EGFR revealed significant differences between dysplasia and their corresponding invasive cancer portion in 25 cases. In a total of 118 cases of invasive cancer, proteins with frequent (> or = 60% of the cases) alterations were p53 (overexpression in 64% of SCCs), p27 (loss in 91%), p16 (loss in 81%), and FHIT (loss in 75%). Early clinical stage and bcl-2 immunopositivity were related to the survival rate of patients. In conclusion, caspase-3, TRAIL, Fas-L, Fas, Smad 4, VHL, E-cadherin, and EGFR may be involved in the progression from dysplasia to invasive esophageal SCCs. Clinical stage and bcl-2 are independent prognostic factors throughout the multivariate analysis.
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PMID:Differential protein expression between esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and dysplasia, and prognostic significance of protein markers. 1613 47

Oxidant stress-mediated regulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) is linked to pathologic outcomes in lung epithelium, yet a role for Ca2+ and Ca2+/cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) in ERK1/2 signaling has not been defined. In this study, we tested the hypotheses that oxidants induce Ca2+-mediated phosphorylation of ERK and CREB, and that CREB is required for oxidant-induced proliferation and apoptosis. H2O2 initiated an influx of extracellular Ca2+ that was required for phosphorylation of both ERK and CREB in C10 lung epithelial cells. H2O2-mediated CREB phosphorylation was sensitive to MEK inhibition, suggesting that crosstalk between Ca2+, ERK, and CREB signaling pathways contributes to the oxidant-induced response. Reduction of CREB activity, using a dominant-negative CREB construct, inhibited c-fos steady-state mRNA levels, but unexpectedly enhanced bcl-2 steady-state mRNA levels after H2O2 exposure. Whereas inhibition of CREB activity had no detectable effect on H2O2 stimulation of cell cycle, loss of CREB activity significantly reduced the number of cells undergoing apoptosis. These data support a novel communication between Ca2+-ERK1/2 and CREB elicited by H2O2, and further provide evidence that CREB is an important regulator of apoptosis in oxidant-mediated responses of lung epithelial cells.
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PMID:Oxidant-mediated cAMP response element binding protein activation: calcium regulation and role in apoptosis of lung epithelial cells. 1615 Oct 51

Stem cell factor (SCF) is a highly expressed cytokine in the central nervous system. In the present study, we demonstrate a neuroprotective role for SCF and its tyrosine kinase receptor, c-kit, against camptothecin-induced apoptosis and glutamate excitotoxicity in rat cortical neurons. This protection was blocked by pharmacological or molecular inhibition of either the MEK/ERK or PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. The importance of these pathways was further confirmed by the activation of both ERK, in a MEK-dependent manner, and Akt, via PI3K. Activation of Akt increased the binding of the p50 and p65 subunits of NFkappaB, which was also important for neuroprotection. Akt inhibition prevented NFkappaB binding, suggesting a role for Akt in SCF-induced NFkappaB. Pharmacological inhibition of NFkappaB or dominant negative IkappaB also prevented neuroprotection by SCF. SCF up-regulated the anti-apoptotic genes, bcl-2 and bcl-xL in an NFkappaB-dependent manner. Together, these findings demonstrate a neuroprotective role for SCF in cortical neurons, an effect that was mediated by Akt and ERK, as well as NFkappaB-mediated gene transcription. SCF represents a novel therapeutic target in the treatment of neurodegenerative disease.
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PMID:Neuroprotection by stem cell factor in rat cortical neurons involves AKT and NFkappaB. 1618 9

DNA methylation and copy number in the genomes of three immortalized prostate epithelial and five cancer cell lines (LNCaP, PC3, PC3M, PC3M-Pro4, and PC3M-LN4) were compared using a microarray-based technique. Genomic DNA is cut with a methylation-sensitive enzyme HpaII, followed by linker ligation, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, labeling, and hybridization to an array of promoter sequences. Only those parts of the genomic DNA that have unmethylated restriction sites within a few hundred base pairs generate PCR products detectable on an array. Of 2732 promoter sequences on a test array, 504 (18.5%) showed differential hybridization between immortalized prostate epithelial and cancer cell lines. Among candidate hypermethylated genes in cancer-derived lines, there were eight (CD44, CDKN1A, ESR1, PLAU, RARB, SFN, TNFRSF6, and TSPY) previously observed in prostate cancer and 13 previously known methylation targets in other cancers (ARHI, bcl-2, BRCA1, CDKN2C, GADD45A, MTAP, PGR, SLC26A4, SPARC, SYK, TJP2, UCHL1, and WIT-1). The majority of genes that appear to be both differentially methylated and differentially regulated between prostate epithelial and cancer cell lines are novel methylation targets, including PAK6, RAD50, TLX3, PIR51, MAP2K5, INSR, FBN1, and GG2-1, representing a rich new source of candidate genes used to study the role of DNA methylation in prostate tumors.
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PMID:Survey of differentially methylated promoters in prostate cancer cell lines. 1620 77

Most mesenchymal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract belong to the category of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) and are characterized by the immunohistochemical expression of KIT receptor. In cases without detectable KIT receptor expression several differential diagnoses have to be taken into consideration. Here, we report a case of a 41-year-old man with a tumor of the small bowel composed of large epithelioid tumor cells arranged in solid and alveolar sheets including scattered osteoclast-like multinucleated giant cells. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells expressed strongly S-100 protein, vimentin, and to a lesser extent, bcl-2. HMB-45, melan-A, KIT receptor, desmin, smooth-muscle actin, and CD-34 were not detectable. Ki-67 index was 20%. The diagnosis was established by 2 different FISH strategies demostrating the presence of a t(12;22)(q13;q12) translocation, the diagnostic hallmark of clear cell sarcoma of soft parts. Our results provide further evidence for the existence of a new tumor entity designated gastrointestinal clear cell sarcoma with osteoclast-like giant cells. The diagnosis of this entity should be considered in the presence of S-100-positive tumors of the gastrointestinal tract containing multinucleated giant cells and can be established by FISH analysis.
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PMID:Clear cell sarcoma-like tumor with osteoclast-like giant cells in the small bowel: further evidence for a new tumor entity. 1627 85

Current understanding of IGF-I-mediated neuroprotection implies the activation of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI-3K), which leads to the activation of Akt/Protein Kinase B. In non-neuronal cells, Akt phosphorylates and activates the transcription factor CREB, implicated in the transcription of the anti-apoptotic bcl-2 gene. This paper further analyses the anti-apoptotic IGF-I action in neurons. We show that IGF-I protects cortical neurons against ceramide-induced apoptosis. Ceramide decreases Akt phosphorylation during apoptotic process whereas a simultaneous treatment with IGF-I increases Akt phosphorylation. Analysis of the signal transduction pathways revealed that IGF-I induces CREB phosphorylation via PI-3K and ERK, whereas simultaneous ceramide and IGF-I treatment decreases CREB phosphorylation. Although an overexpression of Bcl-2 protects cortical neurons against ceramide-induced apoptosis, our data indicate that the Bcl-2 protein level is not modulated during IGF-I, ceramide and/or LY294002 treatment. In consequence, we demonstrated that IGF protects neurons against ceramide-induced apoptosis and that IGF-I protection involves the PI-3K/Akt and ERK pathways; this protection may be independent of CREB and Bcl-2.
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PMID:IGF-I protects cortical neurons against ceramide-induced apoptosis via activation of the PI-3K/Akt and ERK pathways; is this protection independent of CREB and Bcl-2? 1629 Mar 12

Positive selection during thymocyte development is driven by the affinity and avidity of the TCR for MHC-peptide complexes expressed in the thymus. In this study, we show that programmed death-1 (PD-1), a member of the B7/CD28 family of costimulatory receptors, inhibits TCR-mediated positive selection through PD-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1):PD-1 interactions. Transgenic mice that constitutively overexpress PD-1 on CD4+CD8+ thymocytes display defects in positive selection in vivo. Using an in vitro model system, we find that PD-1 is up-regulated following TCR engagement on CD4+CD8+ murine thymocytes. Coligation of TCR and PD-1 on CD4+CD8+ thymocytes with a novel PD-1 agonistic mAb inhibits the activation of ERK and up-regulation of bcl-2, both of which are downstream mediators essential for positive selection. Inhibitory signals through PD-1 can overcome the ability of positive costimulators, such as CD2 and CD28, to facilitate positive selection. Finally, defects in positive selection that result from PD-1 overexpression in thymocytes resolve upon elimination of PD-L1, but not PD-1 ligand 2, expression. PD-L1-deficient mice have increased numbers of CD4+CD8+ and CD4+ thymocytes, indicating that PD-L1 is involved in normal thymic selection. These data demonstrate that PD-1:PD-L1 interactions are critical to positive selection and play a role in shaping the T cell repertoire.
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PMID:Programmed death-1 (PD-1):PD-ligand 1 interactions inhibit TCR-mediated positive selection of thymocytes. 1630 44

Understanding the role of signal transduction in regulating pathways responsible for cell growth, survival and apoptosis is critical for cancer therapy. We developed and characterized a HER2/neu and Fas overexpressing cell line (BNT.888 ACA2) from a salivary gland adenocarcinoma that arose in a HER2/neu transgenic mouse. We evaluated the effects of Iressa on signal transduction networks downstream of the activated HER2 and the impact on proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis. Iressa treatment diminished phosphorylation of the HER2/neu and EGFR. Phosphorylation of STAT-3 also decreased and mitogenic signaling through the MAPK pathways was greatly reduced. Cyclin D1 levels decreased, and cells were arrested in G0 and failed to enter S-phase because of hypophosphorylation of Rb and to traverse the G2M checkpoint because of degradation of cyclin B1. Cytostasis occurred within 48 hr at 250-500 nM Iressa. Levels of proapoptotic factors (bim and bax) increased and levels of antiapoptotic factors (bcl-2 and bcl-xL) decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Higher doses of Iressa diminished phosphorylation of Akt slightly, but failed to induce apoptosis. Fas antibody was a potent agonist of apoptosis. Pretreatment with Iressa (1 microM, 24 hr) greatly enhanced Fas-mediated apoptosis as determined by Annexin V binding, cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP. Augmentation of apoptosis was associated with increased Fas expression and membrane localization. Iressa pretreatment increased bid activation, cleavage of caspases -3, -9 and -12 and stress signaling via c Jun. These data showing that Iressa induces cytostasis and primes the extrinsic (Fas) and intrinsic (mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum) apoptotic pathways should lead to the development of novel therapeutic targets and strategies.
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PMID:Iressa induces cytostasis and augments Fas-mediated apoptosis in acinic cell adenocarcinoma overexpressing HER2/neu. 1647 Aug 40

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) has been reported to decrease ischemic neuronal damage and increase IL-6 secretion in rats. However, the mechanisms underlying neuroprotection are still to be fully elucidated. The present study was designed to investigate the role played by PACAP and IL-6 in mediating neuroprotection after ischemia in a null mouse. Infarct volume, neurological deficits, and cytochrome c in cytoplasm were higher in PACAP(+/-) and PACAP(-/-) mice than in PACAP(+/+) animals after focal ischemia, although the severity of response was ameliorated by the injection of PACAP38. A decrease in mitochondrial bcl-2 was also accentuated in PACAP(+/-) and PACAP(-/-) mice, but the decrease could be prevented by PACAP38 injection. PACAP receptor 1 (PAC1R) immunoreactivity was colocalized with IL-6 immunoreactivity in neurons, although the intensity of IL-6 immunoreactivity in PACAP(+/-) mice was less than that in PACAP(+/+) animals. IL-6 levels increased in response to PACAP38 injection, an effect that was canceled by cotreatment with the PAC1R antagonist. However, unlike in wild-type controls, PACAP38 treatment did not reduce the infarction in IL-6 null mice. To clarify the signaling pathway associated with the activity of PACAP and IL-6, phosphorylated STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription) 3, ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase), and AKT levels were examined in PACAP(+/-) and IL-6 null mice after ischemia. Lower levels of pSTAT3 and pERK were observed in the PACAP(+/-) mice, whereas a reduction in pSTAT3 was recorded in the IL-6 null mice. These results suggest that PACAP prevents neuronal cell death after ischemia via a signaling mechanism involving IL-6.
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PMID:Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) decreases ischemic neuronal cell death in association with IL-6. 1665 28

Small cell carcinoma of the prostate (SCPC) is morphologically similar to small cell carcinoma of the lung (SCLC) and maybe misinterpreted as Gleason pattern 5b prostate adenocarcinoma (HGPC). Recognition of SCPC is important because of its different clinical behavior. This study aims to characterize the immunophenotype of histologically classic SCPC using a comprehensive panel of markers, to better understand its histogenesis, aid in its classification, and evaluate potential therapeutic targets. Using the World Health Organization morphologic criteria for SCLC, 18 SCPC cases were identified; and studied for the following tumor marker groups: prostate specific/related, neuroendocrine, sex steroid hormone receptors, and prognostic/treatment target-related. Ten cases of UPC were used as controls. PSA was positive in 17% of SCPC and neuroendocrine markers were expressed in HGPC. PSA, TTF-1 and CD56 were the most helpful markers in differentiating between SCPC and HGPC (P<0.01), whereas bombesin/GRP, c-kit, bcl-2, and EGFR expression was more frequent in SCPC. SCPC is best diagnosed by following the World Health Organization diagnostic criteria for SCLC. Immunohistochemical markers can help separate SCPC from HGPC and may be useful in histologically borderline cases. Potential therapeutic targets are identified immunohistochemically in SCPC (Bombesin/GRP, c-kit, bcl-2, and EGFR).
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PMID:Small cell carcinoma of the prostate: an immunohistochemical study. 1672 47


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