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 recruitment of perivascular cells to developing microvessels is a key component of microvessel assembly. Whereas platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) signaling is critical for this process during embryonic development, its role from the postnatal stages through adulthood remains unclear. We investigated the potential role of PDGF signaling during microvessel assembly by measuring in vivo the migration of labeled fibroblasts to PDGF in mesenteric connective tissue and by examining PDGF-B and PDGF receptor-beta (PGDFR-beta) expression in microvascular networks during normal maturation. PDGF-B homodimer (PDGF-BB; 30 ng/ml) application elicited a significant (P < 0.05) increase (7.8 +/- 4.1 cells) in labeled fibroblasts within 100 microm of the source micropipette after 2 h. PDGF-A homodimer (30 ng/ml) application and control solution did not elicit directed migration. PDGF-B was expressed in microvessel endothelium and smooth muscle, whereas PDGFR-beta was expressed in endothelium, smooth muscle, and interstitial fibroblasts. Given that PDGF-BB elicits fibroblast migration in the mesentery and that PDGF-B and PDGFR-beta are expressed in a pattern that indicates paracrine signaling from microvessels to the interstitium, the results are consistent with a role for PDGF-B in perivascular cell recruitment to microvessels.
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PMID:In vivo chemotactic properties and spatial expression of PDGF in developing mesenteric microvascular networks. 1129 13

The term 'platelet-derived growth factor' (PDGF) refers to a family of disulphide-bonded dimeric isoforms that are important for growth, survival and function in several types of connective tissue cell. So far, three different PDGF chains have been identified - the classical PDGF-A and PDGF-B and the recently identified PDGF-C. PDGF isoforms (PDGF-AA, AB, BB and CC) exert their cellular effects by differential binding to two receptor tyrosine kinases. The PDGF alpha-receptor (PDGFR-alpha) binds to all three PDGF chains, whereas the beta-receptor (PDGFR-beta) binds only to PDGF-B. Gene-targeting studies using mice have shown that the genes for PDGF-A and PDGF-B, as well as the two PDGFR genes, are essential for normal development. Furthermore, overexpression of PDGFs is linked to different pathological conditions, including malignancies, atherosclerosis and fibroproliferative diseases. Here we have identify and characterize a fourth member of the PDGF family, PDGF-D. PDGF-D has a two-domain structure similar to PDGF-C and is secreted as a disulphide-linked homodimer, PDGF-DD. Upon limited proteolysis, PDGF-DD is activated and becomes a specific agonistic ligand for PDGFR-beta. PDGF-DD is the first known PDGFR-beta-specific ligand, and its unique receptor specificity indicates that it may be important for development and pathophysiology in several organs.
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PMID:PDGF-D is a specific, protease-activated ligand for the PDGF beta-receptor. 1133 81

Cell motility plays a critical role for many physiological and pathological processes including wound healing, fibrosis, angiogenesis, and tumor metastasis. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is among the most potent stimuli for mesenchymal cell migration. The PDGF B-chain homodimer PDGF BB activates both alpha- and beta-receptor subunits (alpha-PDGFR and beta-PDGFR), and promotes cell migration in many cell types including fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells. PDGF-A chain homodimer PDGF AA activates alpha-PDGFR only, and its role for cell migration is still debatable. PDGF BB, but not PDGF AA, induces smooth muscle cell migration. Interestingly, alpha-PDGFR was shown to antagonize beta-PDGFR-induced smooth muscle cell migration. In the present study, we investigated the role of alpha-PDGFR and beta-PDGFR in PDGF-mediated cell migration of murine fibroblasts (NIH 3T3). Unlike smooth muscle cells, both PDGF AA and PDGF BB promoted NIH 3T3 cell migration. The effect of PDGF BB activation of beta-PDGFR alone for cell migration was examined using previously established NIH 3T3 clones in which alpha-PDGFR signaling is inhibited by a dominant-negative alpha-PDGFR, or an antisense construct of alpha-PDGFR. PDGF BB activation of beta-PDGFR alone was sufficient to induce cell migration, but the efficiency was significantly lower compared to PDGF activation of both receptors. These results showed that both alpha- and beta-PDGFRs promote fibroblast cell migration and their effects are additive. Taken together, we propose that cell-type specific alpha-PDGFR signaling is critical for regulation of mesenchymal cell migration in response to PDGF isoform, whereas beta-PDGFR mainly promotes cell migration.
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PMID:Both platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)-alpha and PDGFR-beta promote murine fibroblast cell migration. 1140 17

Stable transfection of neomycin and human manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD2) expression plasmids into a murine fibrosarcoma cell line (FSa-II) was previously done in our laboratory. Treatment with 10 microM 5-azacytidine induced apoptosis in the control cell line (NEO), whereas the MnSOD-overexpressing cell line (SOD-H) demonstrated differentiated-appearing morphology. The levels of the myogenic transcription factor, MyoD, and the muscle-specific marker, alpha-actin, were increased over time with 5-azacytidine treatment in the SOD-H cell line. Nuclear transcription factor NFkappaB was activated in the SOD-H cell line, whereas inhibition of NFkappaB activation reduced the levels of MyoD and alpha-actin. Members of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway and the Raf1/MEK/ERK cascade were shown to play a positive role in this event. Overexpression of MnSOD not only can protect cells from the toxic effects of 5-azacytidine, but can also promote the fibrosarcoma cells to enter a differentiation program.
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PMID:Overexpression of MnSOD protects murine fibrosarcoma cells (FSa-II) from apoptosis and promotes a differentiation program upon treatment with 5-azacytidine: involvement of MAPK and NFkappaB pathways. 1149 85

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and protein kinase B (PKB or Akt) are major signal transduction molecules regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. We examined how cultured rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) at different cell densities respond to selected stimuli and how this is reflected in the two distinct (MAPK and Akt) and yet cross-talking signaling pathways. VSMC were cultured to 100% confluence, reaching contact inhibition, and to 60-70% confluence, as sparse, proliferating cells. They were treated with menadione (an intracellular generator of O(-2)) and/or platelet-derived growth factor homodimer BB (PDGF). In sparse cells, menadione or PDGF alone activated ERK, and together the effect was synergistic, whereas in confluent cells menadione's and PDGF's activations of ERK were, at most, additive. Activation of the upstream ERK kinase (MEK-1) paralleled ERK activation except in sparse cells in which the synergistic effects of menadione and PDGF on ERK could not be fully accounted for by MEK-1 activation. Another member of the MAPK family, p38, did not show significant changes. Akt activation by PDGF alone was present under both cell culture conditions; Akt activation is blocked by menadione. Co-incubation with the reducing agent dithiothreitol or calcium chelators (EDTA/EGTA) inhibited partially or completely menadione's effects on MEK/ERK and Akt pathways, as well as menadione's effects on PDGF-induced ERK and Akt activations. These data suggest that in VSMC, the state of cell confluence determines how distinct pathways of MAPK activation cross talk. In addition while PDGF may function as a survival factor by inducing Akt activation, menadione could promote apoptosis by inhibiting PDGF-induced Akt activation independent of cell density. The effects of menadione, but not those of PDGF, are more dependent on the cellular redox status and extracellular calcium.
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PMID:Rat aortic smooth muscle cell density affects activation of MAP kinase and Akt by menadione and PDGF homodimer BB. 1159 93

EDG-1, encoded by the endothelial differentiation gene-1, is a heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide binding protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) for sphingosine-1-phosphate (SPP) that has been shown to stimulate angiogenesis and cell migration in cultured endothelial cells. Unexpectedly, EDG-1 knockout embryos had a normal blood vessel network, vasculogenesis and angiogenesis, but died in utero owing to massive haemorrhaging as a result of failure of smooth muscle cells and pericytes to migrate around the circumference and reinforce endothelial tubes [Liu, Wada, Yamashita, Mi, Deng, Hobson, Rosenfeldt, Nava, Chae, Lee, et al. (2000) J. Clin. Invest. 106, 951-961]. This vascular maturation defect is similar to the phenotype of mice homozygous for disrupted alleles of platelet-derived growth factor B-subunit homodimer (PDGF-BB) or its receptor PDGFR-beta. We found that fibroblasts from EDG-1 null embryos did not migrate toward PDGF or SPP, and inhibition of motility correlated with defective activation of the small guanosine triphosphatase Rac, which is required for lamellipodia formation and directional locomotion [Hobson, Rosenfeldt, Barak, Olivera, Poulton, Caron, Milstien, and Spiegel (2001) Science 291, 1800-1803]. Moreover, we showed that PDGF-directed cell migration requires both sphingosine kinase activation and expression of EDG-1, suggesting a functional link between PDGF signalling and EDG-1. Indeed, treatment of wild-type cells with PDGF transactivated EDG-1 as determined by translocation of beta-arrestin and phosphorylation of EDG-1. These findings reveal a new paradigm for receptor cross-communication in which activation of a GPCR by a receptor tyrosine kinase is critical for cell motility. Our observations might also clarify the role of EDG-1 in vascular maturation and angiogenesis.
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PMID:The sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor EDG-1 is essential for platelet-derived growth factor-induced cell motility. 1170 84

In Part I, the review summarised the safety of adenoviral vectors and provided insight into approaches being undertaken to improve the specificity, durability and potency of adenoviral delivery vehicles. In Part II, brief discussions are held regarding results of preclinical and clinical trials with a variety of different genes, which have demonstrated antitumour activity in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region (HNSCC). Studies have been performed with a variety of immune modulatory genes. Preliminary results demonstrate activity with several cytokine genes, tumour antigen genes and co-stimulatory molecule genes. Despite only preliminary results, thus far, a theoretical attractive feature for the use of gene therapy for the enhancement of immune modulation is that local injection of the gene product appears to be well tolerated. It is also successful in inducing systemic immune response, potentially providing effect to metastatic sites distal from the injected site. Animal studies have confirmed efficacy in the use of specific targeting of molecules regulating cancer growth (EGF receptor [EGFR], super oxide dismutase [SOD], cyclin D1, E1A and Bcl-2). These approaches are discussed. However, the most significant clinical advances for the use of gene therapy in advanced HNSCC involves two agents: Adp53 and ONYX-015. Preliminary Phase I and II results suggest evidence of efficacy and justify accrual Phase III trials, which are currently ongoing.
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PMID:Head and neck cancer: gene therapy approaches. Part II: genes delivered. 1189 Aug 70

Internal tandem duplication (ITD) of the juxtamembrane (JM) domain of FLT3 is the most frequent mutation in human acute myeloid leukemia, and is significantly associated with leukocytosis and a poor prognosis. Previously we reported that FLT3 with ITD (FLT3/ITD) formed a homodimer and was autophosphorylated on tyrosine residues, while the mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we elucidated the role of the JM domain in FLT3 activation. Mutant FLT3 with not only ITD but also an elongating or shortening JM domain transformed murine IL3-dependent myeloid progenitor cell line 32D regardless of the tyrosine residues in the JM domain. These mutant FLT3s were constitutively tyrosine phosphorylated and activated signal-transduction molecules such as SHC, MAP kinase and STAT5a. Notably, co-transfection of the truncated FLT3/ITD lacking kinase and C-terminal domains with the wild type (Wt)-FLT3 into 32D cells resulted in the autonomous proliferation. In these cells, truncated FLT3/ITD generated a hetero-complex with Wt-FLT3 and Wt-FLT3 was constitutively tyrosine phosphorylated. These findings indicate that the FLT3 JM domain plays an important role in receptor activation, and that the length-mutated JM domain induces ligand-independent receptor activation but also activates Wt-FLT3 in a trans-manner.
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PMID:Mechanism of constitutive activation of FLT3 with internal tandem duplication in the juxtamembrane domain. 1197 Nov 90

Overexpression of the growth factor receptor subunit c-erbB2, leading to its ligand-independent homodimerization and activation, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of mammary carcinoma. Here, we have examined the effects of c-erbB2 on the adhesive properties of a mammary epithelial cell line, HB2/tnz34, in which c-erbB2 homodimerization can be induced by means of a transfected hybrid "trk-neu" construct. trk-neu consists of the extracellular domain of the trkA nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor fused to the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of c-erbB2, allowing NGF-induced c-erbB2 homodimer signaling. Both spreading and adhesion on collagen surfaces were impaired on c-erbB2 activation in HB2/tnz34 cells. Antibody-mediated stimulation of alpha(2)beta(1) integrin function restored adhesion, suggesting a direct role for c-erbB2 in integrin inactivation. Using pharmacological inhibitors and transient transfections, we identified signaling pathways required for suppression of integrin function by c-erbB2. Among these was the MEK-ERK pathway, previously implicated in integrin inactivation. However, we could also show that downstream of phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (PKB) acted as a previously unknown, potent inhibitor of integrin function and mediator of the disruptive effects of c-erbB2 on adhesion and morphogenesis. The integrin-linked kinase, previously identified as a PKB coactivator, was also found to be required for integrin inactivation by c-erbB2. In addition, the PI3K-dependent mTOR/S6 kinase pathway was shown to mediate c-erbB2-induced inhibition of adhesion (but not spreading) independently of PKB. Overexpression of MEK1 or PKB suppressed adhesion without requirement for c-erbB2 activation, suggesting that these two pathways partake in integrin inhibition by targeting common downstream effectors. These results demonstrate a major novel role for PI3K and PKB in regulation of integrin function.
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PMID:c-erbB2-induced disruption of matrix adhesion and morphogenesis reveals a novel role for protein kinase B as a negative regulator of alpha(2)beta(1) integrin function. 1218 54

To investigate the possible mechanism of gene transcription changes induced by magnetic field (MF), we examined the DNA binding behavior of the transcription factor cyclic-AMP responsive element binding protein (CREB) in HL60 cells after exposure to a 0.1mT 50-Hz extremely low frequency (ELF) sinusoidal MF by a gel shift assay. Magnetic field induced a time-dependent activation of CREB binding. The complex formation increased shortly after MF exposure for 10min, reaching a peak level after 1h, and then recovered to basal level at 4h after exposure. A novel MF-induced ATF2/ATF2 homodimer formation was observed after MF exposure for 30min, 1, and 2h. Furthermore, We found that the MF-induced increase of CREB DNA binding in HL60 cells was dependent on both extracellular and intracellular Ca(2+) but not PKA, PKC, ERK, or p38 MAPK by using various pathway inhibitors. These data indicate that MF exposure activates CREB DNA binding through calcium-related signal transduction pathways under our experimental conditions.
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PMID:CREB DNA binding activation by a 50-Hz magnetic field in HL60 cells is dependent on extra- and intracellular Ca(2+) but not PKA, PKC, ERK, or p38 MAPK. 1220 Jan 50


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