Gene/Protein
Disease
Symptom
Drug
Enzyme
Compound
Pivot Concepts:
Gene/Protein
Disease
Symptom
Drug
Enzyme
Compound
Target Concepts:
Gene/Protein
Disease
Symptom
Drug
Enzyme
Compound
Query: EC:2.7.10.1 (
ERK
)
95,504
document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)
Strong evidence emphasizes the role of the
insulin-like growth factor
(IGF) system and of type-I IGF receptor (IGF-IR) signalling in tumourigenesis. In this connection: (i) changes in the expression pattern of components of the IGF system (autocrine/paracrine expression of IGF-I and -II, overexpression of IGF-IR, decreased expression of IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) and of type-II IGF receptor/cation-independent mannose-6-phosphate receptor (IGF-II/M6PR) and (ii) increased serum concentrations of proteases that cleave the IGFBPs (e.g., cathepsin D) were observed in patients with hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC), in human hepatoma cell lines and in their conditioned culture medium, as well as in rodent models of hepatocarcinogenesis. Accordingly, studies carried out with animal models do suggest that the IGF system and IGF-IR signalling may play a role in hepatocarcinogenesis and in deregulated proliferation and apoptosis of HCC cells. Finally the instrumental role of Raf/MEK/
ERK
, one of the signalling cascades stimulated by IGF-IR, in anthracycline-induced apoptosis of HepG2 and Huh-7 human hepatoma cell lines emphasizes that care must be taken when designing combinations of antitumoural molecules for antineoplastic treatment. This review addresses the putative roles of the IGF system in primary HCC, with a special focus on the underlying molecular mechanisms. In a second part it emphasizes the putative interference of IGF-IR signalling with chemotherapeutic drug-induced apoptosis in human hepatoma cells.
...
PMID:An evaluation of the role of insulin-like growth factors (IGF) and of type-I IGF receptor signalling in hepatocarcinogenesis and in the resistance of hepatocarcinoma cells against drug-induced apoptosis. 1531 94
The aim of this study was to clarify the mechanisms that regulate hematopoietic cell expansion in vitro by identifying defined culture conditions. We report the results of experiments with CD34(+) cells from cord blood (CB, n = 13), bone marrow (BM, n = 4), and mobilized peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC, n = 5) using two combinations of cytokines: (A) granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), interleukin-3 (IL-3), interleukin-6 (IL-6), stem cell factor (SCF), erythropoietin (EPO),
insulin-like growth factor
-1 (IGF-1), basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-b) and (B) combination A plus
FLT3
ligand (FL) and megakaryocyte growth and development factor (PEG rhMGDF). Cultures of immunoselected CD34(+) cells were performed in serum-free liquid medium without serum substitutes. The area under the curve (AUC) obtained by plotting the logarithm of the total number of viable cells, CD34(+) cells, and CFC per well, toward the week of culture was used as an index of cell expansion. With CB, a significant difference was obtained between the two combinations of cytokines with regard to the total number of viable cells, GM-CFC, and CD34(+) cells. The difference between the two combinations of cytokines obtained with BM was significant with respect to the total number of viable cells and CD34(+) cells but not for the erythroid and myeloid progenitors. When CD34(+) cells from peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) were cultured in presence of the two combinations of cytokines, the difference in terms of AUC was not statistically significant. Our data indicate additional effects in terms of proliferation and expansion of hematopoietic cells in serum-free conditions when FL and polyethylene glycol (PEG) rhMGDF are included in culture and suggest a differential activity of these cytokines on cells from different hematopoietic sources.
...
PMID:Effect of addition of FLT-3 ligand and megakaryocyte growth and development factor on hemopoietic cells in serum-free conditions. 1534 30
Drugs that inhibit the function of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) are of interest in the treatment of pediatric cancers because these agents deplete the cellular levels of signaling molecules that are important for the growth and survival of many childhood tumors. To generate preclinical data in anticipation of clinical trials of Hsp90 inhibitors in children, we evaluated the effects of the Hsp90 inhibitor geldanamycin (GA) alone and in combination with cis-platinum (II)-diamine dichloride (cisplatin) in pediatric tumor cells. Immunoblotting demonstrated depletion of the Hsp90 client proteins AKT and the type 1
insulin-like growth factor
receptor (
IGF1R
) in a panel of pediatric tumor cell lines after exposure to GA. Drug exposure also led to a dramatic decrease in cell survival/proliferation in MYCN-amplified and non-amplified neuroblastoma cells. Moderate inhibition of survival/proliferation was observed in RB-deficient and wild-type osteosarcoma cells. Treatment of neuroblastoma and osteosarcoma cell lines with GA in combination with cisplatin resulted in greater than additive inhibition of survival/proliferation based on median dose analysis. Exposure to this drug combination also resulted in a marked increase in nuclear fragmentation as assessed by terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) analysis. Combined exposure also abrogated the ability of GA to induce a cytoprotective heat shock response and resulted in Hsp90 adduct formation. Our findings suggest that Hsp90 inhibitors may prove useful either alone or as a component of multi-drug regimens in the treatment of neuroblastoma and osteosarcoma.
...
PMID:Hsp90 inhibitors deplete key anti-apoptotic proteins in pediatric solid tumor cells and demonstrate synergistic anticancer activity with cisplatin. 1545 81
The type 1
insulin-like growth factor
receptor (
IGF1R
) is overexpressed in prostate cancer, and mediates proliferation, motility, and survival. Many prostate cancers harbor inactivating PTEN mutations, enhancing Akt phosphorylation. This activates the principal antiapoptotic pathway downstream of the
IGF1R
, calling into question the value of
IGF1R
targeting in this tumor. The aim of the current study was to assess the effect of
IGF1R
gene silencing in prostate cancer cells that lack functional PTEN protein. In human DU145, LNCaP and PC3 prostate cancer cells, transfection with
IGF1R
small interfering RNA induced significant enhancement of apoptosis and inhibition of survival, not only in PTEN wild-type DU145 but also in PTEN mutant LNCaP and PC3. This was attributed to attenuation of IGF signaling via Akt, ERKs and p38. In both DU145 and PC3,
IGF1R
knockdown led to enhancement of sensitivity to mitoxantrone, etoposide, nitrogen mustard and ionizing radiation. There was no sensitization to paclitaxel or 5-fluorouracil, which do not damage DNA, suggesting that chemosensitization results from impairment of the DNA damage response, in addition to removal of apoptosis protection. These results support the concept of
IGF1R
targeting in prostate cancer, and indicate that PTEN loss does not render tumor cells refractory to this strategy.
...
PMID:Silencing of the IGF1R gene enhances sensitivity to DNA-damaging agents in both PTEN wild-type and mutant human prostate cancer. 1549 78
The b isoform of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2, FGFR2b/
FGFR2
-IIIb/Ksam-IIC1/
KGFR
, a tyrosine kinase receptor, is expressed in a wide variety of epithelia and is downregulated in several human carcinomas including prostate, salivary and urothelial cell carcinomas. FGFR2b has been shown to inhibit growth in tumour cell lines derived from these carcinomas. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the inhibition of human urothelial carcinoma cell growth following FGFR2b expression. Using a nylon DNA array, we analysed the gene expression profile of the T24 bladder tumour cell line, transfected or not with a construct encoding FGFR2b. The expression of FGFR2b in T24 cells decreased
insulin-like growth factor
(IGF)-II mRNA levels. This decrease was correlated with a decrease in IGF-II secretion and may have been responsible for the observed inhibition of cell growth because the addition of exogenous IGF-II restored growth rates to normal levels. Using SU5402, an inhibitor of FGFR tyrosine kinase activity, and a kinase dead mutant of the receptor, FGFR2b Y659F/Y660F, we also demonstrated that the growth inhibition and decrease in IGF-II secretion induced by FGFR2b did not require tyrosine kinase activity. Finally, we demonstrated the involvement of the distal carboxy-terminal domain of the receptor in decreasing IGF-II expression and inhibiting T24 cell growth, as Ksam-IIC3, a variant of FGFR2b carrying a short carboxy-terminus, neither downregulated IGF-II nor inhibited cell proliferation. Our data suggest that FGFR2b inhibits the growth of bladder carcinoma cells by reducing IGF-II levels via its carboxy-terminal domain, independent of its tyrosine kinase activity.
...
PMID:Inhibition of human bladder tumour cell growth by fibroblast growth factor receptor 2b is independent of its kinase activity. Involvement of the carboxy-terminal region of the receptor. 1551 81
The type 1
insulin-like growth factor
receptor (IGF-1R) is overexpressed by many tumours and mediates proliferation, motility and apoptosis protection. Tumour growth and metastasis can be blocked by agents that inhibit IGF-1R expression or function, suggesting the IGF-1R as a promising treatment target. We showed that antisense-IGF-1R expression in melanoma cells leads to enhanced radiosensitivity and impaired activation of ATM, required for DNA double-strand break repair. Antisense and dominant negative strategies also enhance tumour cell chemosensitivity, and remarkably, immune protection can be induced by tumour cells killed in vivo by IGF-1R-antisense. However, antisense agents cause only modest
IGF1R
down-regulation, and can affect the insulin receptor. Specificity is an important issue for development of both kinase inhibitors and molecular reagents. Using an array-based screen to identify accessible regions of
IGF1R
mRNA, we designed small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that induce potent
IGF1R
gene silencing without affecting the insulin receptor. These siRNAs block IGF signalling, enhance radio- and chemosensitivity, and show genuine therapeutic potential. The clinical efficacy of IGF-1R targeting will be determined by key factors including the role of the receptor in established tumours, the potency of inhibition achieved in vivo, and the extent to which other signalling pathways compensate for IGF-1R loss.
...
PMID:The IGF receptor as anticancer treatment target. 1556 33
The limitations of conventional systemic therapy for breast cancer have encouraged the development of novel therapeutic approaches. Trastuzumab, a humanized antibody directed against
HER2
, has entered the clinic as a successful therapy for patients with
HER2
positive breast cancers demonstrating the therapeutic potential of anti-growth factor receptor strategies. Abundant experimental and epidemiological evidence has also suggested that the
insulin-like growth factor
(IGF) system is a treatment target in breast cancer. IGF receptor activation has important functions in malignant transformation, cell proliferation, protection from cell death, and metastasis of breast cancer cells. The requirement of ligand-receptor interaction to trigger the signaling cascade in IGF system has made several strategies plausible. These include lowering the circulating IGFs, neutralization of IGF action by IGF binding proteins, disruption of ligand binding to receptor by monoclonal antibodies, inhibition of IGF receptor tryosine kinase activity, and targeting of downstream signaling pathways. While the optimal anti-IGF strategy remains to be defined, the addition of IGF-targeting strategies alone or in combination with other modalities could provide a new avenue for breast cancer treatment.
...
PMID:The type I IGF receptor as a target for breast cancer therapy. 1568 82
Analysis of gene expression pattern is a useful approach to evaluating the biological behavior and clinical outcome of several human malignancies. Differentially expressed genes in malignant squamous cervical cells and the feasibility of gene expression profiling on squamous cervical cells obtained from cervical swabs were investigated. Cervical squamous cells from three women with high-risk human papilloma virus (HR-HPV) positive invasive squamous cervical carcinoma and from three HPV-negative women with normal ectocervical smears were analyzed with cDNA array. Immunoblot analysis was performed to detect the proteins corresponding to the highest upregulated genes with cDNA array. mRNA expression of
ERBB2
,
KIT
,
FLT1
, MYCN, RAS, CDKN2A, CCND1, NME1, NME2,
MET
, FGF7,
FGFR2
, and STAT1 was increased in malignant samples. Several expressed genes associated with antiapoptosis (such as BCL2), cell structuring, or cell attachment were also upregulated in carcinoma cells. Decreased gene expression was observed for members of the transforming growth factor receptor superfamily (TGF) and integrin family, interleukin 1 (IL1), and
insulin-like growth factor
binding proteins (IGFBPs). This study shows the feasibility of gene expression profiling of cervical squamous cells obtained with cytobrushes by identifying a characteristic gene expression pattern that clearly distinguishes between malignant and normal cervical epithelia of squamous type. We hypothesize that this noninvasive technique could be used in the evaluation of ambiguous Papanicolaou (PAP) smears.
...
PMID:cDNA array analysis of cytobrush-collected normal and malignant cervical epithelial cells: a feasibility study. 1577 2
The estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) exists as a functional receptor at the plasma membrane. The structural requirements for localization and function are not well understood. Several laboratories have recently elucidated certain requirements. We recently found the translocation of ERalpha to the membrane in the absence of estrogen is dependent on caveolin-1 and serine 522 of the ERalpha protein. Mutation of serine 522 to alanine results in a 62% decrease in membrane localization and association with caveolin-1. Similarly, deletion of the caveolin-1 scaffolding domain (amino acids 60-100) largely prevents the localization of ERalpha at the plasma membrane. In the presence of estradiol (E2), ERalpha, Src-homology and collagen homology (Shc), and
insulin-like growth factor
receptor-1 proteins associate with and increase the localization of ERalpha at the membrane. Membrane-localized ERalpha functions as an atypical G-protein coupled receptor. There is no good evidence that ERalpha spans the membrane or contains an extracellular domain. E2/ERalpha activates different G-proteins in cell context-related fashion. These G-proteins lead to the activation of Src through PLC, PKC, IP3 and calcium influx. In breast cancer, Src activates matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9, which cleaves heparin binding epidermal growth factor, and thus activates
EGFR
. This leads to downstream signaling through
ERK
and PI3 kinase, imparting cell growth and survival.
...
PMID:Requirements for estrogen receptor alpha membrane localization and function. 1586 18
Characteristics of hVSMC apoptosis and its inhibition by
insulin-like growth factor
-1 (IGF-1) remain unclear. Also unclear is whether a balance in hVSMCs exists whereby c-Jun N-terminal stress kinases (JNK) promote apoptosis while extracellular signal-regulated (ERK1/2) MAP kinases inhibit cell death. In this study, we examined the involvement of Akt/PKB and its upstream kinase, PDK1 and whether JNK activation correlated with human and rat VSMC apoptosis induced by staurosporine and by c-myc, respectively. We observed a strong, sustained JNK activation (and c-Jun phosphorylation), which correlated with VSMC apoptosis. IGF-1 (13.3 nM), during apoptosis inhibition, transiently inhibited JNK activity at 1 h in a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K)- and MEK-
ERK
-dependent manner, as wortmannin (100 nM) or PD98059 (30 muM) partially attenuated the IGF-1 effect. PKC down-regulation had no effect on JNK inhibition by IGF-1. While IGF-1 alone produced a strong phosphorylation of Akt/PKB in hVSMCs up to 6 h, it was notably stronger and more sustained during ratmyc and hVSMCs apoptosis inhibition. Further, whereas transient expression of phosphorylated Akt protected VSMCs from apoptosis by nearly 50%, expression of dominant interfering alleles of Akt or PDK1 strongly inhibited IGF-1-mediated VSMC survival. These results demonstrate for the first time that transient inhibition of a pro-apoptotic stimulus in VSMCs may be sufficient to inhibit a programmed cell death and that sustained anti-apoptotic signals (Akt) elicited by IGF-1 are augmented during a death stimulus. Furthermore, PI3-K and
ERK
-MAPK pathways may cooperate to protect VSMCs from cell death.
...
PMID:Sustained Akt/PKB activation and transient attenuation of c-jun N-terminal kinase in the inhibition of apoptosis by IGF-1 in vascular smooth muscle cells. 1590 15
<< Previous
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Next >>