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)

When T cells are activated, the expression of the CD95 ligand is elevated, with the purpose of inducing apoptosis in target cells and to later eliminate the activated T cells. We have shown previously that mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK or ERK) signaling suppresses CD95-mediated apoptosis in different cellular systems. In this study we examined whether MAPK signaling controls the persistence and CD95-mediated termination of an immune response in activated T cells. Our results show that activation of Jurkat T cells through the T cell receptor immediately suppresses CD95-mediated apoptosis, and that this suppression is mediated by MAPK activation. During the phase of elevated MAPK activity, the activation of caspase-8 and Bid is inhibited, whereas the assembly of a functional death-inducing signaling complex (DISC) is not affected. These results explain the resistance to CD95 responses observed during the early phase of T cell activation and suggest that MAPK-activation deflects DISC signaling from activating caspase-8 and Bid. The physiological relevance of the results was confirmed in activated primary peripheral T cells, in which inhibition of MAPK signaling markedly sensitized the cells to CD95-mediated apoptosis.
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PMID:MAPK/ERK signaling in activated T cells inhibits CD95/Fas-mediated apoptosis downstream of DISC assembly. 1103 9

Human CMV (HCMV) retinitis frequently leads to blindness in iatrogenically immunosuppressed patients and in the end stage of AIDS. Despite the general proinflammatory potential of HCMV, virus infection is associated with a rather mild cellular inflammatory response in the retina. To investigate this phenomenon, the influence of HCMV (strains AD169 or Hi91) infection on C-X-C chemokine secretion, ICAM-1 expression, and neutrophil recruitment in cultured human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells was studied. Supernatants from infected cultures contained enhanced levels of IL-8 and melanoma growth-stimulating activity/Gro alpha and induced neutrophil chemotaxis compared with supernatants from uninfected RPE cells. Despite HCMV-induced ICAM-1 expression on RPE cells, binding of activated neutrophils to HCMV-infected RPE cells and subsequent transepithelial penetration were significantly reduced. Reduced neutrophil adhesion to infected RPE cells correlated with HCMV-induced up-regulation of constitutive Fas ligand (FasL) expression. Functional blocking of FasL on RPE cells with the neutralizing mAbs NOK-1 and NOK-2 or of the Fas receptor on neutrophils with mAbB-D29 prevented the HCMV-induced impairment of neutrophil/RPE interactions. Fas-FasL-dependent impairment of neutrophil binding had occurred by 10 min after neutrophil/RPE coculture without apoptotic signs. Neutrophil apoptosis was first detected after 4 h. Treatment of neutrophils with a specific inhibitor of caspase-8 suppressed apoptosis, whereas it did not prevent impaired neutrophil binding to infected RPE. The current results suggest a novel role for FasL in the RPE regulation of neutrophil binding. This may be an important feature of virus escape mechanisms and for sustaining the immune-privileged character of the retina during HCMV ocular infection.
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PMID:Decreased neutrophil adhesion to human cytomegalovirus-infected retinal pigment epithelial cells is mediated by virus-induced up-regulation of Fas ligand independent of neutrophil apoptosis. 1103 78

Human immunodeficiency virus-type 1 (HIV-1) infection is characterized by increased immune cell apoptosis. Apoptosis can be triggered by signals that arise from within the cell, or by signals that are elicited by binding of extracellular "death ligands" to their "death receptors," most of which belong to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-receptor family, such as CD95 (Fas/Apo-1). In immune cells the oligomerization of CD95, induced by its ligand CD95L, and the recruitment of different intracytoplasmic molecules that in turn activate FLICE/caspase 8 are crucial. To study the role of CD95/CD95L interactions during HIV-1 infection, we developed an original method based upon quantitative-competitive (QC) RT-PCR that allowed us to quantify the amounts of mRNA coding for the total (tCD95) and membrane (mCD95) forms of CD95. We first studied the expression of different forms of CD95 mRNA in a classical model of chronic HIV infection using two infected cell lines of different origin--lymphocytic (ACH-2) or monocytic (U1). We have shown that infected cells of monocytic origin preferentially produce the "protective" (soluble) form of CD95, and no detectable CD95L mRNA, while lymphoid cells produce more mRNA for the membrane form of CD95 (which triggers apoptosis) along with low but detectable amounts of CD95L mRNA. One can hypothesize that a complex balance exists between pro-apoptotic events, perhaps triggered by the host to limit viral production, and anti-apoptotic events likely triggered by the virus to increase its production and survival. In cells of monocytic origin, which act as a reservoir for the virus, the anti-apoptotic molecules are favored; in cells of lymphocytic origin, molecules with an apoptotic meaning are prevalent.
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PMID:Quantitation of CD95 and CD95L mRNA expression in chronic and acute HIV-1 infection by competitive RT-PCR. 1119 40

Hypericin (HYP) is a photosensitizing pigment from Hypericum perforatum that displays cytotoxic effects in neoplastic cell lines. Therefore, HYP is presently under consideration as a new anticancer drug in photodynamic therapy. Here, we investigated the mechanism of action of HYP photo-induced apoptosis of Jurkat cells compared to the cytostatic drug paclitaxel (PXL). Both photoactivated HYP and PXL similarly increased the activity of caspase-8 and caspase-3, and drug-induced apoptosis of Jurkat cells was completely blocked by inhibitors of caspase-8 (Z-IETD-FMK) and caspase-3 (Z-DEVD-FMK). The involvement of death receptors was analyzed using neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against Fas (SM1/23), FasL (NOK-2) and TNF-R1 (MAB225), and a polyclonal rabbit anti-human TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) antiserum. TRAIL antibody blocked TRAIL-induced and HYP photo-induced, but not PXL-induced apoptosis of Jurkat cells. In contrast, PXL-induced, but not HYP-induced apoptosis was blocked by the SM1/23 and NOK-2 antibodies. Anti-TNF-R1 antibody had no effect. These findings suggest that HYP photo-induced apoptosis of Jurkat cells is mediated in part by the TRAIL/TRAIL-receptor system and subsequent activation of upstream caspases.
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PMID:Hypericin photo-induced apoptosis involves the tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and activation of caspase-8. 1127 99

We identified a novel cDNA (IG20) that is homologous to cDNAs encoding a protein differentially expressed in normal and neoplastic cells (DENN-SV) and human MADD (MAPK-activating death domain-containing protein). Furthermore, we show that the above variants most likely result from alternative splicing of a single gene. Functional analyses of these variants in permanently transfected HeLa cells revealed that IG20 and DENN-SV render them more susceptible or resistant to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced apoptosis, respectively. All variants tested could interact with TNF receptor 1 and activate ERK and nuclear factor kappaB. However, relative to control cells, only cells expressing IG20 showed enhanced TNF-alpha-induced activation of caspase-8 and -3, whereas cells expressing DENN-SV showed either reduced or no caspase activation. Transfection of these cells with a cDNA encoding CrmA maximally inhibited apoptosis in HeLa-IG20 cells. Our results show that IG20 can promote TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis and activation of caspase-8 and -3 and suggest that it may play a novel role in the regulation of the pleiotropic effects of TNF-alpha through alternative splicing.
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PMID:Contrasting effects of IG20 and its splice isoforms, MADD and DENN-SV, on tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced apoptosis and activation of caspase-8 and -3. 1157 81

Stimulation of CD95 leads to oligomerization of this receptor and the recruitment of the Fas-associated death domain (FADD) and procaspase-8 to form the death-inducing signaling complex (DISC). Subsequent proteolytic activation of caspase-8 at the DISC leads to the activation of downstream caspases and execution of apoptosis. The anticancer drug 9-nitrocamptothecin (9NC) inhibits the nuclear enzyme topoisomerase I (Top1), an event followed by apoptosis of cancer cells. We investigated whether other mechanisms downstream of the DNA-Top1-9NC complexing step regulate the apoptotic ability of 9NC in DU145 cells. We demonstrate that induction of apoptosis in DU145 cells, upon exposure to 9NC, is associated with de novo expression of CD95 and CD95L, suggesting that 9NC-induced apoptosis is mediated by the CD95 system. In this line, we observed early activation of procaspase-3, -7, and -8, but not -1, -9, and -10. Moreover, 9NC treatment resulted in the dramatic down-regulation of c-FLIP(short) expression, but not that of c-FLIP(long) or FADD. Furthermore, incubation of DU145 cells with a neutralizing antibody (NOK-1) to CD95L or transient transfection of a c-FLIP(short) expression vector into DU145 cells partially abrogated 9NC-triggered apoptosis. We propose that 9NC triggers apoptosis by driving DU145 cells from a nonapoptotic status (c-FLIP(short)(high), CD95(low), CD95L(low)) toward a proapoptotic status (c-FLIP(short)(low), CD95(high), CD95L(high)). These findings indicate that in addition to a Top1-mediated effect, 9NC can additionally activate a CD95/CD95L-dependent apoptotic pathway.
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PMID:Induction of apoptosis in 9-nitrocamptothecin-treated DU145 human prostate carcinoma cells correlates with de novo synthesis of CD95 and CD95 ligand and down-regulation of c-FLIP(short). 1158 48

Anticancer treatment using cytotoxic drugs is considered to mediate cell death by activating key elements of the apoptosis program and the cellular stress response. While proteolytic enzymes (caspases) serve as main effectors of apoptosis, the mechanisms involved in activation of the caspase system are less clear. Two distinct pathways upstream of the caspase cascade have been identified. Death receptors, eg, CD95 (APO-1/Fas), trigger caspase-8, and mitochondria release apoptogenic factors (cytochrome c, Apaf-1, AIF), leading to the activation of caspase-9. The stressed endoplasmic reticulum (ER) contributes to apoptosis by the unfolded protein response pathway, which induces ER chaperones, and by the ER overload response pathway, which produces cytokines via nuclear factor-kappaB. Multiple other stress-inducible molecules, such as p53, JNK, AP-1, NF-kappaB, PKC/MAPK/ERK, and members of the sphingomyelin pathway have a profound influence on apoptosis. Understanding the complex interaction between different cellular programs provides insights into sensitivity or resistance of tumor cells and identifies molecular targets for rational therapeutic intervention strategies.
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PMID:Cellular stress response and apoptosis in cancer therapy. 1167 28

Previous studies have demonstrated that SH2-containing inositol phosphatase (SHIP) is involved in the control of B cell, myeloid cell and macrophage activation and proliferation. The goal of the present study was to examine the role of SHIP during proliferation and apoptosis in cells of the erythroid lineage. Wild-type and catalytically inactive SHIP proteins were overexpressed in the erythropoietin (EPO)-dependent cell line AS-E2. Stable overexpression of catalytically inactive SHIP decreased proliferation and resulted in prolonged activation of the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases ERK1/2 and protein kinase B (PKB), while wild-type SHIP did not affect EPO-mediated proliferation or phosphorylation of ERK and PKB. When AS-E2 cells were EPO deprived a significant increase in apoptosis was observed in clones overexpressing wild type. Mutational analysis showed that this increase in apoptosis was independent of the enzymatic activity of SHIP. The enhanced apoptosis due to overexpression of SHIP was associated with an increase in caspase-3 and -9 activity, without a distinct effect on caspase-8 activity or mitochondrial depolarization. Moreover, in cells overexpressing SHIP apoptosis could be reduced by a caspase-3 inhibitor. These data demonstrate that in the erythroid cell line AS-E2 overexpression of catalytically inactive SHIP reduced proliferation, while overexpression of wild-type SHIP had no effect. Furthermore, overexpression of SHIP enhanced apoptosis during growth factor deprivation by inducing specific caspase cascades, which are regulated independently of the 5-phosphatase activity of SHIP.
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PMID:Effects of overexpression of the SH2-containing inositol phosphatase SHIP on proliferation and apoptosis of erythroid AS-E2 cells. 1168 17

We observed that N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (4HPR), a chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agent, effectively induced apoptosis in hepatoma cells. Interestingly, Fas-negative (Hep 3B and PLC/PRF/5) hepatoma cells were shown to be more susceptible to apoptosis induced by 4HPR than were Fas-positive (Hep G2 and SK-HEP-1) hepatoma cells. Thus, we explored the mechanisms underlying 4HPR-induced apoptosis in Fas-defective hepatoma cells. Hep 3B cells stably expressing the dominant-negative Fas-associated death domain (dnFADD) showed no alteration in 4HPR drug susceptibility, but when stably expressing E1B19K, Crm A, or dominant-negative FLICE (dnFLICE), Hep 3B cells were resistant, suggesting that 4HPR-induced apoptosis was mediated by caspase-8 activation. Furthermore, apoptosis could be completely blocked by Z-VAD-FMK (a general caspase inhibitor) or by IETD-CHO (a caspase-8 inhibitor), but was only partially blocked by Ac-DEVD-CMK (a caspase-3 inhibitor), by N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) (an antioxidant), by N-acetyl-leucyl-leucyl-norleucinal (ALLN) (a calpain inhibitor I), or by Z-LEHD-FMK (a caspase-9 inhibitor). Time-sequence analysis of the induction of apoptosis by 4HPR revealed that an initial caspase-8 activation was followed by late mitochondrial cytochrome c release and minor caspase-9 activation, which suggested that caspase-8 activation is the primary upstream regulatory point. Activation of Bid or induction of proapoptotic Bax was not observed during apoptosis. In contrast, Bcl-xL expression was decreased during 4HPR-induced apoptosis. Taken together, these results indicate that 4HPR may be a potential chemotherapeutic drug, which is able to induce apoptosis in Fas-defective hepatoma cells through caspase-8 activation.
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PMID:Activation of caspase-8 during N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide-induced apoptosis in Fas-defective hepatoma cells. 1173 1

The death ligands CD95L and Apo2L/TRAIL are promising investigational agents for the treatment of malignant glioma. EGFR is overexpressed in a significant proportion of malignant gliomas in vivo. Here, we report that CD95L-induced cell death is enhanced by EGFR inhibition using tyrphostine AG1478 in 7 of 12 human malignant glioma cell lines. Conversely, CD95-mediated and Apo2L-induced cell death are both inhibited by overexpression of EGFR in LN-229 cells. CD95L-induced cell death augmented by AG1478 is accompanied by enhanced processing of caspase 8. LN-229 cells overexpressing the viral caspase inhibitor, crm-A, are not sensitized to CD95L-induced cell death by AG1478, indicating that EGFR exerts its antiapoptotic properties through a caspase 8-dependent pathway. These data define a modulatory effect of EGFR-activity on death ligand-induced apoptosis and indicate that EGFR inhibition is likely to improve the efficacy of death ligand-based cancer therapies. Furthermore, it is tempting to speculate that EGFR amplification protects tumor cells from death ligand-mediated host immune responses in vivo and that EGFR's effects on death receptor-mediated apoptosis may explain the anti-tumor effects of non-cytotoxic, unarmed anti-EGFR family antibodies.
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PMID:CD95-mediated apoptosis of human glioma cells: modulation by epidermal growth factor receptor activity. 1177 Aug 95


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