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)

Airway smooth muscle (ASM) hyperplasia is a characteristic feature of the asthmatic airway, but the underlying mechanisms that induce ASM hyperplasia remain unknown. Because transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta is a potent regulator of ASM cell proliferation, we determined its expression and mitogenic signaling pathways in ASM cells. We obtained ASM cells by laser capture microdissection of bronchial biopsies and found that ASM cells from asthmatic patients expressed TGF-beta1 mRNA and protein to a greater extent than nonasthmatic individuals using real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. TGF-beta1 stimulated the growth of nonconfluent and confluent ASM cells either in the presence or absence of serum in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The mitogenic activity of TGF-beta1 on ASM cells was inhibited by selective inhibitors of TGF-beta receptor I kinase (SD-208), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K, LY-294002), ERK (PD-98059), JNK (SP-600125), and NF-kappaB (AS-602868). On the other hand, p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB-203580) augmented TGF-beta1-induced proliferation. To study role of the Smads, we transduced ASM cells with an adenovirus vector-expressing Smad4, Smad7, or dominant-negative Smad3 and found no involvement of these Smads in TGF-beta1-induced proliferation. Dexamethasone caused a dose-dependent inhibition in TGF-beta1-induced proliferation. Our findings suggest that TGF-beta1 may act in an autocrine fashion to induce ASM hyperplasia, mediated by its receptor and several kinases including PI3K, ERK, and JNK, whereas p38 MAPK is a negative regulator. NF-kappaB is also involved in the TGF-beta1 mitogenic signaling, but Smad pathway does not appear important.
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PMID:Mechanisms of induction of airway smooth muscle hyperplasia by transforming growth factor-beta. 1746 36

The ability of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) to modulate various effects on distinct cell lineages has been a central feature of its multi-faceted nature. The purpose of this study was to access the effects of deletion of a key TGF-beta signal transducer, Smad3, on MAPK activation and v-Ras(Ha)-transformation of primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). We observe reduced TGF-beta1 and v-ras(Ha) mediated activation of the JNK and ERK MAPK pathway upon ablation of Smad3. Further, Smad3-deficient MEFs demonstrate resistance to v-ras(Ha)-induced transformation while the absence of Smad3 results in increased inhibition of farnesyl transferase activity. Taken together, these observations demonstrate that the absence of Smad3 protects fibroblasts from oncogenic transformation by (i) augmenting farnesyl transferase inhibition and (ii) suppressing the Ras-JNK MAPK pathway. These results provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in v-Ras(Ha) oncogene-induced mesenchymal phenotypic transformation.
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PMID:Smad3 deficiency inhibits v-ras-induced transformation by suppression of JNK MAPK signaling and increased farnesyl transferase inhibition. 1795 12

The signals mediating transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta)-stimulated kidney fibrogenesis are poorly understood. We previously reported TGFbeta-stimulated, Smad-mediated collagen production by human kidney mesangial cells, and that ERK MAP kinase activity optimizes collagen expression and enhances phosphorylation of the Smad3 linker region. Furthermore, we showed that disrupting cytoskeletal integrity decreases type I collagen production. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK, PTK2) activity could integrate these findings. Adhesion-dependent FAK Y397 phosphorylation was detected basally, whereas FAK Y925 phosphorylation was TGFbeta1-dependent. By immunocytochemistry, TGFbeta1 stimulated the merging of phosphorylated FAK with the ends of thickening stress fibers. Cells cultured on poly-L-lysine (pLL) to promote integrin-independent attachment spread less than those on control substrate and failed to demonstrate focal adhesion (FA) engagement with F-actin. FAK Y397 phosphorylation and ERK activity were also decreased under these conditions. In cells with decreased FAK Y397 phosphorylation from either plating on pLL or overexpressing a FAK Y397F point mutant, serine phosphorylation of the Smad linker region, but not of the C-terminus, was reduced. Y397F and Y925F FAK point mutants inhibited TGFbeta-induced Elk-Gal activity, but only the Y397F mutant inhibited TGFbeta-stimulated collagen-promoter activity. The inhibition by the Y397F mutant or by culture on pLL was prevented by co-transfection of constitutively active ERK MAP kinase kinase (MEK), suggesting that FAK Y397 phosphorylation promotes collagen expression via ERK MAP kinase activity. Finally, Y397 FAK phosphorylation, and both C-terminal and linker-region Smad3 phosphorylation were detected in murine TGFbeta-dependent kidney fibrosis. Together, these data demonstrate adhesion-dependent FAK phosphorylation promoting TGFbeta-induced responses to regulate collagen production.
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PMID:MAP-kinase activity necessary for TGFbeta1-stimulated mesangial cell type I collagen expression requires adhesion-dependent phosphorylation of FAK tyrosine 397. 1803 89

In response to transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta) stimulation, fibroblasts modify their integrin repertoire and adhesive capabilities to certain extracellular matrix proteins. Although TGFbeta has been shown to increase the expression of specific alphav integrins, the mechanisms underlying this are unknown. In this study we demonstrate that TGFbeta1 increased both beta3 integrin subunit mRNA and protein levels as well as surface expression of alphavbeta3 in human lung fibroblasts. TGFbeta1-induced alphavbeta3 expression was strongly adhesion-dependent and associated with increased focal adhesion kinase and c-Src kinase phosphorylation. Inhibition of beta3 integrin activation by the Arg-Gly-Asp tripeptide motif-specific disintegrin echistatin or alphavbeta3 blocking antibody prevented the increase in beta3 but not beta5 integrin expression. In addition, echistatin inhibited TGFbeta1-induced p38 MAPK but not Smad3 activation. Furthermore, inhibition of the Src family kinases, but not focal adhesion kinase, completely abrogated TGFbeta1-induced expression of alphavbeta3 and p38 MAPK phosphorylation but not beta5 integrin expression and Smad3 activation. The TGFbeta1-induced alphavbeta3 expression was blocked by pharmacologic and genetic inhibition of p38 MAPK- but not Smad2/3-, Sp1-, ERK-, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and NF-kappaB-dependent pathways. Our results demonstrate that TGFbeta1 induces alphavbeta3 integrin expression via a beta3 integrin-, c-Src-, and p38 MAPK-dependent pathway. These data identify a novel mechanism for TGFbeta1 signaling in human lung fibroblasts by which they may contribute to normal and pathological wound healing.
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PMID:Transforming growth factor beta1 induces alphavbeta3 integrin expression in human lung fibroblasts via a beta3 integrin-, c-Src-, and p38 MAPK-dependent pathway. 1835 85

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta1) promotes cartilage matrix synthesis and induces tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 (TIMP-3), which inhibits matrix metalloproteinases, aggrecanases and TNF-alpha-converting enzyme implicated in articular cartilage degradation and joint inflammation. TGF-beta1 activates Akt, ERK and Smad2 pathways in chondrocytes. Here we investigated previously unexplored roles of specific Smads in TGF-beta1 induction of TIMP-3 gene by pharmacological and genetic knockdown approaches. TGF-beta1-induced Smad2 phosphorylation and TIMP-3 protein expression could be inhibited by the Smad2/3 phosphorylation inhibitors, PD169316 and SB203580 and by Smad2-specific siRNA. Specific inhibitor of Smad3 (SIS3) and Smad3 siRNA abolished TGF-beta induction of TIMP-3. Smad2/3 siRNAs also down regulated TIMP-3 promoter-driven luciferase activities, suggesting transcriptional regulation. SiRNA-driven co-Smad4 knockdown abrogated TIMP-3 augmentation by TGF-beta. TIMP-3 promoter deletion analysis revealed that -828 deletion retains the original promoter activity while -333 and -167 deletions display somewhat reduced activity suggesting that most of the TGF-beta-responsive, cis-acting elements are found in the -333 fragment. Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis confirmed binding of Smad2 and Smad4 with the -940 and -333 promoter sequences. These results suggest that receptor-activated Smad2 and Smad3 and co-Smad4 critically mediate TGF-beta-stimulated TIMP-3 expression in human chondrocytes and TIMP-3 gene is a target of Smad signaling pathway.
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PMID:Smad signaling pathway is a pivotal component of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 regulation by transforming growth factor beta in human chondrocytes. 1847 42

One of the shared physiological roles between TGF-beta and connexin family members is to inhibit epithelial cell cycle progression and consequently, to provide protection against malignant transformation. Herein, we demonstrated that TGF-beta1 induces the expression of connexin43 (Cx43) in normal murine mammary gland (NMuMG) cell lines at the protein and mRNA levels, and transcriptionally. Using overexpression of a truncated dominant-negative form of Cx43, we determined that the modulation of gap junctional communication by TGF-beta1 plays a key role in the control of NMuMG cells proliferation by TGF-beta1. In addition, using overexpression of truncated dominant-negative forms of either Smad2 or Smad3, and MDA-MB-468 human breast carcinoma cells deficient for Smad4, we determined that the Smad cascade is not implicated in TGF-beta1 effect on Cx43 expression. Using specific pharmacologic inhibitors for JNK, ERK, p38, and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways, we demonstrated the cooperative role of p38 and PI3K/AKT signaling in TGF-beta1-induced Cx43 expression and gap junctional communication. Furthermore, transfection of a c-jun antisense expression vector significantly prevented TGF-beta1-induced Cx43 gene expression demonstrating the involvement of c-Jun/AP-1 pathway together with p38 and PI3K/AKT pathways in mediating TGF-beta1-induced Cx43 gene expression.
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PMID:TGF-beta induces connexin43 gene expression in normal murine mammary gland epithelial cells via activation of p38 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. 1866 19

Altered transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta) expression may contribute to inflammatory bowel disease and modulate epithelial cell restitution. Interference with TGFbeta-mediated signaling inhibits excisional skin wound healing, but accelerates healing of incisional cutaneous wounds and wounds in some other tissues. Therefore, we sought to clarify the potential role of Smad3-dependent TGFbeta signaling in intestinal mucosal healing in Smad3 null mice. Jejunal serosal application of filter disks saturated with 75% acetic acid yielded a circumscribed reproducible ischemic mucosal ulcer 1 day later. We compared ulcer area at 3 and 5 days to day 1 in Smad3 knockout mice and syngeneic wild-type mice, and evaluated mucosal immunoreactivity at the ulcer edge for TGFbeta, phosphorylated (activated) focal adhesion kinase (pFAK), phosphorylated extracellular signal-related kinase (pERK), proliferating cell nuclear antigen and apoptosis by TUNEL. Ulcer healing in Smad3 null mice was 17% less at day 3 (n=14, P=0.022) and 15% less at day 5 (n=14, P=0.004) than in wild-type littermates. In wild-type mice, pFAK, pERK and TGFbeta immunoreactivity were elevated in epithelium immediately adjacent to the ulcer compared with more distant mucosa. However, this pattern of immunoreactivity for pFAK, pERK and TGFbeta was not observed in Smad3 null mice. Smad3 null mice exhibited increased epithelial proliferation and no differences in apoptotic cell death compared with wild types, suggesting that ulcer healing may reflect differences in restitutive cell migration. Thus, Smad3-dependent disruption of the TGFbeta signaling pathway impairs the healing of murine intestinal mucosal ulcers and alters patterns of activated FAK and ERK immunoreactivity important for cell migration at the ulcer edge. These studies suggest a significant role for Smad3-dependent TGFbeta signaling in intestinal mucosal healing.
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PMID:Smad3 knockout mice exhibit impaired intestinal mucosal healing. 1871 54

In liver wound healing, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) plays a critical role in stellate cell activation as well as signaling cascades in the fibrogenic response to injury. We postulate that the TGF-beta-dependent downstream signaling pathway may vary according to the mechanism of stellate cell activation; this study was undertaken to ascertain whether the downstream signaling pathways mediated by TGF-beta vary in different liver injury models. We measured Smad3 and MAP kinase activation after isolating stellate cells from rat livers injured by either bile duct ligation (BDL) or repeated carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) administration. Phospho-Smad3 was dramatically up-regulated in stellate cells after CCl(4) injury, but not after BDL-induced injury. TGF-beta signaling in stellate cells activated after BDL was mediated prominently through ERK activation, whereas activation induced by CCl(4) injury or culture led to a cross-signaling mechanism involving both Smad3 and p38. The divergent Smad signaling pathways observed appeared to be attributable to the differential regulation of the early growth response gene-1 (Egr-1), an apparent negative transcriptional factor for Smad3 in our system. In addition, inhibition of ERK activation in stellate cells from BDL-injured liver led to a decrease in expression of endothelin-converting enzyme-1, a critical regulator of endothelin-1. We speculate that TGF-beta signaling proceeds through differential signaling pathways depending on the mechanism of liver injury that leads to stellate cell activation.
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PMID:Divergent transforming growth factor-beta signaling in hepatic stellate cells after liver injury: functional effects on ECE-1 regulation. 1875 13

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) plays a key role in scleroderma pathogenesis. The transcription factor early growth response-1 (Egr-1) mediates the stimulation of collagen transcription elicited by TGF-beta and is necessary for the development of pulmonary fibrosis in mice. Here, we report that TGF-beta causes a time- and dose-dependent increase in Egr-1 protein and mRNA levels and enhanced transcription of the Egr-1 gene via serum response elements in normal fibroblasts. The ability of TGF-beta to stimulate Egr-1 was preserved in Smad3-null mice and in explanted Smad3-null fibroblasts. The response was blocked by a specific mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MEK1) inhibitor but not by an ALK5 kinase inhibitor. Furthermore, MEK1 was phosphorylated by TGF-beta, which was sufficient to drive Egr-1 transactivation. Stimulation by TGF-beta enhanced the transcriptional activity of Elk-1 via the MEK-extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 pathway. Bleomycin-induced scleroderma in the mouse was accompanied by increased Egr-1 accumulation in lesional fibroblasts. Furthermore, biopsies of lesional skin and lung from patients with scleroderma showed increased Egr-1 levels, which were highest in early diffuse disease. Moreover, both Egr-1 mRNA and protein were elevated in explanted scleroderma skin fibroblasts in vitro. Together, these findings define a Smad-independent TGF-beta signal transduction mechanism that underlies the stimulation of Egr-1, demonstrate for the first time sustained Egr-1 up-regulation in fibrotic lesions and suggests that Egr-1 has a role in the induction and progression of fibrosis.
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PMID:Smad-independent transforming growth factor-beta regulation of early growth response-1 and sustained expression in fibrosis: implications for scleroderma. 1877 33

In the mammalian testis, junctional adhesion molecule-B (JAM-B) is found at the blood-testis barrier between Sertoli cells and the apical ectoplasmic specializations between Sertoli and germ cells. The expression of JAM-B is tightly regulated to allow the transit of developing germ cells across the blood-testis barrier and the timely release of mature spermatids at stage VIII. In this study, the basal transcription of JAM-B in the mouse Sertoli cell line, MSC-1 cells, was examined. We found that the constitutive expression of JAM-B is carried out by the binding of specificity proteins (Sps), ETS domain transcription factor Elk-1 (Elk1), neuron-restrictive silencer factor (NRSF), and E2F transcription factor 3 (E2F3) to various cis-acting elements including TG interacting factor (TGIF), Elk-1, NRSF, and proximal Sp1 (pSp1) + E2F binding motifs. We also investigated the effects of two cytokines IL-1alpha and TGF-beta2 on JAM-B expression. IL-1alpha promotes JAM-B expression by facilitating the binding of Elk-1 to TGIF and pSp1 + E2F motifs in a p38-dependent manner, which leads to an additive effect on Sp1- and NRSF-mediated JAM-B transactivation. TGF-beta2 inhibits JAM-B transcription via the activation of mothers against decapentaplegic (Smad) proteins and activated Smads compete with specificity proteins (Sp1 and Sp3) for the TGIF motif, resulting in JAM-B repression. IL-1alpha and Smad3 expression have been reported to be stage specific. IL-1alpha is absent in the seminferous epithelium at stages VII-VIII, whereas a high level of nuclear Smad3 level is found at the same stages. This study shows for the first time that IL-1alpha and TGF-beta2 regulate JAM-B expression in an opposite manner, and in vitro data obtained herein provide some clues on how junctions are regulated in the testis.
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PMID:Opposite effects of interleukin-1alpha and transforming growth factor-beta2 induce stage-specific regulation of junctional adhesion molecule-B gene in Sertoli cells. 1916 72


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