Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:2.7.10.1 (ERK)
95,504 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The MET oncogene encodes the tyrosine kinase receptor for hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF), known to stimulate invasive growth of epithelial cells. MET is overexpressed in a significant percentage of human cancers and is amplified during the transition between primary tumors and metastasis. To investigate whether this oncogene is directly responsible for the acquisition of the metastatic phenotype, we exploited a single-hit oncogenic version of MET, able to transform and to confer invasive and metastatic properties to nontumorigenic cells, both in vitro and in nude mice. We mutagenized the signal transducer docking site of Met (Y1349VHVX3Y1356VNV), which has the uncommon property of binding and activating multiple src homology region 2 (SH2)-containing intracellular effectors. Notably, a point mutation (H1351 --> N) increased the transforming ability of the oncogene but abolished its metastatic potential. This mutation duplicates the Grb2 binding site, super-activating the Ras pathway and preventing the binding of the other intracellular transducers. Complementation in trans with another nonmetastatic mutant (N1358 --> H), recruiting all the transducers downstream to Met except Grb2, rescued the invasive-metastatic phenotype. It is concluded that the metastatic potential of the MET oncogene relies on the properties of its multifunctional docking site, and that a single point mutation affecting signal transduction can dissociate neoplastic transformation from metastasis.
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PMID:A point mutation in the MET oncogene abrogates metastasis without affecting transformation. 939 Nov 19

Specific gene families, e.g. encoding members of signal transduction pathways, show a gene dosage sensitivity. We report on the determination of the gene dosages of egfr and c-erbB-2 in relation to the intratumoral concentration of the tyrosine kinase receptor protein EGFR and p185c-erbB-2 and the clinical outcome of breast cancer patients in a retrospective study. Prognostic unfavorable subgroups were determined in a life-table analysis by (a) an average gene copy number of egfr of less than 0.4 and greater than 1.6 and an intratumoral EGFR concentration of more than 56 fmol/mg, (b) an intratumoral p185c-erbB-2 concentration above 26 HNU/mg and (c) a quotient of egfr and c-erbB-2 average gene copy numbers of less than 0.15 and greater than 4.35.
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PMID:Translational research studies of erbB oncogenes: selection strategies for breast cancer treatment. 945 4

Previously, we identified macrophage-stimulating protein (MSP) as being expressed during hamster lung injury induced by nitrosamine carcinogens. Transient, generalized epithelial-cell hyperplasia during the preneoplastic period, and eventually nonneuroendocrine (non-NE) lung tumors, are known to develop in these nitrosamine-treated hamsters. We wished to test the hypothesis that MSP and its tyrosine kinase receptor, RON, might represent an autocrine/paracrine system involved in the pathogenesis of human nonneuroendocrine lung tumors, the non-small-cell carcinomas (NSCLCs). We found that this occurred in a paracrine fashion in three of eight primary human NSCLCs that expressed messenger RNA (mRNA) for MSP at high levels in histologically normal lung adjacent to the tumor, but not in the primary tumor, together with mRNA for RON in both normal and tumor tissue. MSP and RON could also constitute an autocrine/paracrine system in human NSCLC cell lines: five of 16 cell lines (squamous and adenosquamous) expressed both MSP and RON; and an additional five of 16 cell lines expressed RON without detectable MSP. Although three cases of primary squamous-cell carcinomas expressed MSP (two of three in the tumor and one of three in nonneoplastic lung), mRNA for RON was not detectable in these cases. RON was functional in all tested RON mRNA-positive cell lines, with exogenous MSP inducing RON-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation. Treatment of a RON-positive adenosquamous carcinoma cell line with MSP additionally resulted in increased motility in a cell-migration assay, suggesting that MSP might promote cell migration of some NSCLCs. In conclusion, MSP and RON might represent an autocrine/paracrine system involved in the pathogenesis of lung cancer, although the nature of the biologic responses in different cell types might vary considerably.
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PMID:Macrophage-stimulating protein and its receptor in non-small-cell lung tumors: induction of receptor tyrosine phosphorylation and cell migration. 953 36

Chromosome 8p11-12 is the site of a recurrent breakpoint in a myeloproliferative disorder that involves lymphoid (T- or B-cell), myeloid hyperplasia and eosinophilia, and evolves toward acute leukemia. This multilineage involvement suggests the malignant transformation of a primitive hematopoietic stem cell. In this disorder, the 8p11-12 region is associated with three different partners 6q27, 9q33, and 13q12. We describe here the molecular characterization of the t(8;13) translocation that involves the FGFR1 gene from 8p12, encoding a tyrosine kinase receptor for members of the fibroblast growth factor family, and a gene from 13q12, tentatively named FIM (Fused In Myeloproliferative disorders). FIM is related to DXS6673E, a candidate gene for X-linked mental retardation in Xq13.1; this defines a gene family involved in different human pathologies. The two reciprocal fusion transcripts, FIM/FGFR1 and FGFR1/FIM are expressed in the malignant cells. The FIM/FGFR1 fusion protein contains the FIM putative zinc finger motifs and the catalytic domain of FGFR1. We show that it has a constitutive tyrosine kinase activity.
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PMID:Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 is fused to FIM in stem-cell myeloproliferative disorder with t(8;13). 957 49

The RET proto-oncogene encodes a tyrosine kinase receptor expressed in neuroectoderm-derived cells. Mutations in specific regions of the gene are responsible for the tumor syndromes multiple endocrine neoplasia types 2A and 2B (MEN 2A and 2B), while mutations along the entire gene are involved in a developmental disorder of the gastrointestinal tract, Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR disease). Two mutants in the extracellular domain of RET, one associated with HSCR disease and one carrying a flag epitope, were analyzed to investigate the impact of the mutations on RET function. Both mutants were impeded in their maturation, resulting in the lack of the 170-kDa mature form and the accumulation of the 150-kDa immature form in the endoplasmic reticulum. Although not exposed on the cell surface, the 150-kDa species formed dimers and aggregates; this was more pronounced in a double mutant bearing a MEN 2A mutation. Tyrosine phosphorylation and the transactivation potential were drastically reduced in single and double mutants. Finally, in cotransfection experiments both mutants exerted a dominant negative effect over protoRET and RET2A through the formation of a heteromeric complex that prevents their maturation and function. These results suggest that HSCR mutations in the extracellular region cause RET loss of function through a dominant negative mechanism.
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PMID:Mutations in the extracellular domain cause RET loss of function by a dominant negative mechanism. 958 72

Cancer is a genetic disease caused by 'gain of function' mutations of oncogenes and 'loss of function' mutations of tumour suppressors and of genes involved in DNA repair mechanisms. The RET gene encodes a tyrosine kinase receptor for molecules belonging to the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family. RET is a paradigmatic example of how different mutations of a single gene can lead to different neoplastic phenotypes. Indeed, gene rearrangements, often caused by chromosomal inversions, activate the oncogenic potential of RET in a fraction of human thyroid papillary carcinomas. On the other hand, different point mutations activate RET in familial multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (FMTC), MEN-2A and MEN-2B. Little information is so far available on the biochemical mechanisms by which the potent transforming and mitogenic signals of RET are delivered to the nucleus. However, recent data indicate coupling to the Shc-Ras-MAPK pathway as a necessary step in RET signal transduction.
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PMID:Molecular biology of the MEN2 gene. 968 50

Expression of the tyrosine kinase receptor, c-KIT, progressively decreases during local tumor growth and invasion of human melanomas. We have previously shown that enforced c-KIT expression in highly metastatic cells inhibited tumor growth and metastasis in nude mice. Furthermore, the ligand for c-KIT, SCF, induces apoptosis in human melanoma cells expressing c-KIT under both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Here we show that loss of c-KIT expression in highly metastatic cells correlates with loss of expression of the transcription factor AP-2. The c-KIT promoter contains three binding sites for AP-2 and EMSA gels demonstrated that AP-2 protein binds directly to the c-KIT promoter. Transfection of wild-type AP-2 into c-KIT-negative A375SM melanoma cells activated a c-KIT promoter-driven luciferase reporter gene, while expression of a dominant-negative AP-2B in c-KIT-positive Mel-501 cells inhibited its activation. Endogenous c-KIT mRNA and expression of proteins were upregulated in AP-2-transfected cells, but not in control cells. In addition, re-expression of AP-2 in A375SM cells suppressed their tumorigenicity and metastatic potential in nude mice. These results indicate that the expression of c-KIT is highly regulated by AP-2 and that enforced AP-2 expression suppresses tumorigenicity and metastatic potential of human melanoma cells, possibly through c-KIT transactivation and SCF-induced apoptosis. Therefore, loss of AP-2 expression might be a crucial event in the development of malignant melanoma.
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PMID:Loss of AP-2 results in downregulation of c-KIT and enhancement of melanoma tumorigenicity and metastasis. 968 4

The enteric nervous system (ENS) in vertebrates is derived from the neural crest and constitutes the most complex part of the peripheral nervous system. Natural and induced mutagenesis in mammals has shown that the tyrosine kinase receptor RET and its functional ligand glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) play key roles in the development of the ENS in humans and mice. We have developed and briefly describe here a number of assays that analyze the specific function of the RET receptor and its ligand. Our data suggest that the RET signal transduction pathway has multiple roles in the development of the mammalian ENS.
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PMID:III. Role Of the RET signal transduction pathway in development of the mammalian enteric nervous system. 968 43

Neurturin (NTN) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) are the first two members of the GDNF family (GF) of neurotrophic factors. These two proteins are potent survival factors for several populations of central and peripheral neurons in mature and developing rodents. The receptor for these factors is a multicomponent complex that includes the RET (rearranged during transfection) tyrosine kinase receptor and one of two glycosyl phosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked ligand-binding components called GDNF family receptor alphas (GFRalpha-1 and GFRalpha-2). We have used in situ hybridization to study the mRNA expression of NTN, GDNF, RET, GFRalpha-1, and GFRalpha-2 in the central nervous system (CNS) of adult mice. GF receptors are expressed in several areas in which neuronal populations known to respond to NTN and GDNF are located, including the ventral horn of the spinal cord and the compacta region of the substantia nigra. In addition, we have demonstrated receptor expression in other areas of the brain including the thalamus and hypothalamus. Neurons in these areas express GF receptors, and therefore, may respond to NTN or GDNF. NTN and GDNF are expressed in targets of neurons that express GF receptors. The pattern of GF factor and receptor expression in the adult brain suggests a role for these factors in maintaining neuronal circuits in the mature CNS.
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PMID:Expression of neurturin, GDNF, and their receptors in the adult mouse CNS. 970 32

Fibroblast growth factors (FGF) 1 and 2 and their tyrosine kinase receptor (FGFR) are present throughout the adult retina. FGFs are potential mitogens, but adult retinal cells are maintained in a nonproliferative state unless the retina is damaged. Our work aims to find a modulator of FGF signaling in normal and pathological retina. We identified and sequenced a truncated FGFR1 form from rat retina generated by the use of selective polyadenylation sites. This 70-kDa form of soluble extracellular FGFR1 (SR1) was distributed mainly localized in the inner nuclear layer of the retina, whereas the full-length FGFR1 form was detected in the retinal Muller glial cells. FGF2 and FGFR1 mRNA levels greatly increased in light-induced retinal degeneration. FGFR1 was detected in the radial fibers of activated retinal Muller glial cells. In contrast, SR1 mRNA synthesis followed a biphasic pattern of down- and up-regulation, and anti-SR1 staining was intense in retinal pigmented epithelial cells. The synthesis of SR1 and FGFR1 specifically and independently regulated in normal and degenerating retina suggests that changes in the proportion of various FGFR forms may control the bioavailability of FGFs and thus their potential as neurotrophic factors. This was demonstrated in vivo during retinal degeneration when recombinant SR1 inhibited the neurotrophic activity of exogenous FGF2 and increased damaging effects of light by inhibiting endogenous FGF. This study highlights the significance of the generation of SR1 in normal and pathological conditions.
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PMID:Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) soluble receptor 1 acts as a natural inhibitor of FGF2 neurotrophic activity during retinal degeneration. 976 44


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