Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: EC:2.7.11.1 (protein kinase)
81,284 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Recent investigations provided evidence that the sphingomyelin signal transduction pathway mediates apoptosis for tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in several hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cells. In this pathway, TNF-receptor interaction initiates sphingomyelin hydrolysis to ceramide by a sphingomyelinase. Ceramide acts as a second messenger stimulating a ceramide-activated serine/threonine protein kinase. The present studies show that ionizing radiation, like TNF, induces rapid sphingomyelin hydrolysis to ceramide and apoptosis in bovine aortic endothelial cells. Elevation of ceramide with exogenous ceramide analogues was sufficient for induction of apoptosis. Protein kinase C activation blocked both radiation-induced sphingomyelin hydrolysis and apoptosis, and apoptosis was restored by ceramide analogues added exogenously. Ionizing radiation acted directly on membrane preparations devoid of nuclei, stimulating sphingomyelin hydrolysis enzymatically through a neutral sphingomyelinase. These studies provide the first conclusive evidence that apoptotic signaling can be generated by interaction of ionizing radiation with cellular membranes and suggest an alternative to the hypothesis that direct DNA damage mediates radiation-induced cell kill.
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PMID:Ionizing radiation acts on cellular membranes to generate ceramide and initiate apoptosis. 804 31

The sphingomyelin pathway is a new signal transduction system initiated by hydrolysis of plasma membrane sphingomyelin to ceramide by the actin of a neutral sphingomyelinase. Ceramide serine/threonine protein kinase termed ceramide-activated protein kinase. This kinase belongs to a family of proline-directed protein kinases that recognize substrates containing the minimal motif, X-Thr/Ser-Pro-X, where the phosphoacceptor site is followed on the carboxyl terminus by a proline residue and X may be any amino acid. Three lines of evidence, rapid kinetics of activation of the sphingomyelin pathway by tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, the ability of cell-permeable ceramide analogs to bypass receptor activation and mimic the effect of TNF alpha, and reconstitution of this cascade in a cell-free system, support the concept that the sphingomyelin pathway serves to signal TNF alpha-induced monocytic differentiation. Hence, the sphingomyelin pathway may represent a signaling system analogous to more well-defined systems such as the cyclic adenosine monophosphate and phosphoinositide pathways.
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PMID:Signal transduction through the sphingomyelin pathway. 808 39

Recent investigations identified a new signal transduction pathway, termed the sphingomyelin pathway, which may mediate the action of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha and interleukin-1 beta (Mathias, S., Younes, A., Kan, C., Orlow, I., Joseph, C., and Kolesnick, R. N. (1993) Science 259, 519-522). This pathway is initiated by hydrolysis of sphingomyelin to ceramide by a neutral sphingomyelinase and stimulation of a ceramide-activated Ser/Thr protein kinase. Recent investigations demonstrated that kinase activity is proline-directed, recognizing substrates in which the phosphoacceptor site is followed by a proline residue. Until now, the kinase has been defined only as a membrane-bound activity capable of phosphorylating a peptide derived from the sequence surrounding Thr669 of the epidermal growth factor receptor. In the present studies, the kinase was quantitatively extracted from membrane with detergent and separated from protein kinase C by anion-exchange chromatography and isoelectric focusing. Ceramide-activated protein kinase was resolved as an exclusively membrane-bound, 97-kDa protein with a pI of 7.05. Kinase activity toward the epidermal growth factor receptor peptide co-purified with activity toward a generic proline-directed substrate, myelin basic protein. Kinase activity was reconstituted by a denaturation-renaturation procedure and demonstrated activity toward self (autophosphorylation) and exogenous substrate (myelin basic protein). Autophosphorylation occurred exclusively on serine residues. These activities were enhanced to 7-fold of control by ceramide and TNF alpha. These investigations provide additional evidence for a role for ceramide-activated protein kinase in signal transduction for TNF alpha.
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PMID:Renaturation and tumor necrosis factor-alpha stimulation of a 97-kDa ceramide-activated protein kinase. 830 Jun 38

The data discussed in the preceding sections suggest that information may be transmitted both through synthesis and through degradation of sphingomyelin. Although the sphingomyelin pathway holds promise as a new signaling system coupling TNF receptor activation to cellular stimulation (Fig. 5), the work is still at a preliminary stage. A physical association of receptors with neutral sphingomyelinase has yet to be established and the ceramide-activated protein kinase has yet to be isolated. Endogenous substrates for the kinase have also to be identified. Furthermore, the exact role of this pathway has not been defined. It is unclear whether this pathway is specific to monocyte differentiation or cytokine action. It also seems unlikely that a single signal transduction mechanism can account for all the diverse effects of TNF-alpha in different systems (Vilcek and Lee, 1991). Interactions with other signaling systems are sure to complicate elucidation of the exact role(s) of this pathway. Nevertheless, availability of cell-permeable analogs of ceramide, localization of many components of the system at the cell surface, and recent development of anti-TNF receptor antibodies to receptor isotypes may allow for greater definition of the sphingomyelin pathway in the near future.
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PMID:Ceramide: a novel second messenger. 836 54

Recent investigations suggest that tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha may utilize the sphingomyelin pathway for signal transduction. Signaling in this system involves hydrolysis of sphingomyelin to ceramide by action of a neutral sphingomyelinase and stimulation of a ceramide-activated protein kinase (Dressler, K. A., Mathias, S., and Kolesnick, R. N. (1992) Science 255, 1715-1718). To clarify the role of this pathway in TNF action, the present studies assessed the effect of the sphingomyelin pathway on activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B), an event considered integral to the transfer of the TNF message to the cell nucleus. As shown previously, TNF (1 nM) induced a marked increase in nuclear NF-kappa B binding in human leukemia (HL-60) cells within 5 min, and elevated binding was detected for as long as 1 h. Addition of a maximally effective concentration of sphingomyelinase, 0.1 units.ml-1, induced a 50% reduction in sphingomyelin content by 5 min from a basal level of 560 pmol.10(6) cells-1 and a quantitative increase in ceramide levels from 89 pmol.10(6) cells-1. Sphingomyelinase 0.1 units.ml-1 also induced an increase in nuclear NF-kappa B binding within 5 min, an effect measurable for as long as 1 h. As little as 1 x 10(-5) units.ml-1 sphingomyelinase was effective and a maximal effect occurred with 1 x 10(-3) units.ml-1. A cell-permeable ceramide analog, C8-ceramide, which mimics biologic effects of TNF-alpha, also enhanced nuclear NF-kappa B activation within minutes. In contrast, addition of a phospholipase C or a synthetic diacylglycerol (DG) analog, 1,2-dioctanoylglycerol, failed to enhance nuclear NF-kappa B binding despite large increases in cellular DG content. Further, TNF-alpha induced elevation in ceramide content by 2 min to 185% of control but did not affect DG levels. These studies provide evidence that stimulation of the sphingomyelin pathway leads to NF-kappa B activation in HL-60 cells.
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PMID:Tumor necrosis factor activation of the sphingomyelin pathway signals nuclear factor kappa B translocation in intact HL-60 cells. 837 8

Recent results suggest an activation of T-lymphocytes via the CD40L implying a dual function of this ligand involved in the activation of both B- and T-lymphocytes [1-4]. Here, we provide evidence that activation of T-lymphocytes via CD40L results in activation of a neutral but not an acidic sphingomyelinase correlating with a consumption of sphingomyelin and a release of ceramide. Activation of the neutral sphingomyelinase by the CD40L seems to involve a novel signalling cascade since it is independent of CD40L induced protein kinase activation or association of the neutral sphingomyelinase with the CD40L.
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PMID:The CD40-ligand stimulates T-lymphocytes via the neutral sphingomyelinase: a novel function of the CD40-ligand as signalling molecule. 931 37

Inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 trigger the ceramide signaling pathway, initiated by neutral sphingomyelinase-elicited hydrolysis of cell membrane phospholipid sphingomyelin to ceramide, a new lipid second messenger. Here, we show that triggering the ceramide pathway by sphingomyelinase or C2- and C6-ceramide enhances collagenase-1 (matrix metalloproteinase-1; MMP-1) gene expression by fibroblasts. C2-ceramide activates three distinct mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in dermal fibroblasts, i.e. extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), stress-activated protein kinase/Jun N-terminal-kinase (SAPK/JNK), and p38. Stimulation of MMP-1 promoter activity by C2-ceramide is dependent on the presence of a functional AP-1 cis-element and is entirely inhibited by overexpression of MAPK inhibitor, dual specificity phosphatase CL100 (MAPK phosphatase-1). Activation of MMP-1 promoter by C2-ceramide is also effectively inhibited by kinase-deficient forms of ERK1/2 kinase (MEK1/2) activator Raf-1, ERK1 and ERK2, SAPK/JNK activator SEK1, or SAPKbeta. In addition, ceramide-dependent induction of MMP-1 expression is potently prevented by PD 98059, a selective inhibitor of MEK1 activation, and by specific p38 inhibitor SB 203580. These results show that triggering the ceramide signaling pathway activates MMP-1 gene expression via three distinct MAPK pathways, i.e. ERK1/2, SAPK/JNK, and p38, and suggest that targeted modulation of the ceramide signaling pathway may offer a novel therapeutic approach for inhibiting collagenolytic activity, e.g. in inflammatory disorders.
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PMID:Enhancement of fibroblast collagenase (matrix metalloproteinase-1) gene expression by ceramide is mediated by extracellular signal-regulated and stress-activated protein kinase pathways. 947 67

Sphingolipids and their metabolic products are now known to have second-messenger functions in a variety of cellular signaling pathways. Lactosylceramide (LacCer), a glycosphingolipid (GSL) present in vascular cells such as endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, macrophages, neutrophils, platelets, and monocytes, contributes to atherosclerosis. Large amounts of LacCer accumulate in fatty streaks, intimal plaque, and calcified intimal plaque, along with oxidized low density lipoproteins (Ox-LDLs), growth factors, and proinflammatory cytokines. A possible role for LacCer in vascular cell biology was suggested when this GSL was found to stimulate the proliferation in vitro of aortic smooth muscle cells (ASMCs). A further link of LacCer in atherosclerosis was uncovered by the finding that Ox-LDLs stimulated specifically the biosynthesis of LacCer. Ox-LDL-stimulated endogenous synthesis of LacCer by activation of UDP-Gal:GlcCer,beta1-4galtransferase (GalT-2) is an early step in this signaling pathway. In turn, LacCer serves as a lipid second messenger that orchestrates a signal transduction pathway, ultimately leading to cell proliferation. This signaling pathway includes LacCer-mediated activation of NADPH oxidase that produces superoxide. Such superoxide molecules stimulate the GTP loading of p21(ras). Subsequently, the kinase cascade (Raf-1, Mek2, and p44MAPK [mitogen-activated protein kinase]) is activated. The phosphorylated form of p44MAPK translocates from the cytoplasm to the nucleus and engages in c-fos expression, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) such as cyclin activation, and cell proliferation takes place. Interestingly, D-threo-1-phenyl-2-decanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol (D-PDMP), an inhibitor of GalT-2, can abrogate the Ox-LDL-mediated activation of GalT-2, the signal kinase cascade noted above, as well as cell proliferation. Additional studies have revealed that LacCer mediates the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced nuclear factor-kappaB expression and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) expression in vascular endothelial cells via the redox-dependent transcriptional pathway. LacCer also stimulates the expression of CD11/CD8, or Mac-1, on the surface of human neutrophils. Collectively, this phenomenon may contribute to the adhesion of neutrophils or monocytes to the endothelial cell surface and thus initiate the process of atherosclerosis. In addition, the LacCer-mediated proliferation of ASMCs may contribute to the progression of atherosclerosis. On the other hand, programmed cell death (apoptosis) by proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha, interleukin-1, and high concentrations of Ox-LDL occur via activation of a cell membrane-associated neutral sphingomyelinase (N-SMase). N-SMase hydrolyzes sphingomyelin into ceramide and phosphocholine. In turn, ceramide or a homologue serves as an important stress-signaling molecule. Interestingly, an antibody against N-SMase can abrogate Ox-LDL- and TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis and therefore may be useful for in vivo studies of apoptosis in experimental animals. Because plaque stability is an integral aspect of atherosclerosis management, activation of N-SMase and subsequent apoptosis may be vital events in the onset of plaque rupture, stroke, or heart failure. Interestingly, in human liver cells, N-SMase action mediates the TNF-alpha-induced maturation of the sterol regulatory-element binding protein. Moreover, a cell-permeable ceramide can reconstitute the phenomenon above in a sterol-independent fashion. Such findings may provide new avenues for therapy for patients with atherosclerosis. The findings described here indicate an important role for sphingolipids in vascular biology and provide an exciting opportunity for further research in vascular disease and atherosclerosis.
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PMID:Sphingolipids in atherosclerosis and vascular biology. 976 22

The 55-kDa receptor for tumor necrosis factor (TR55) triggers multiple signaling cascades initiated by adapter proteins like TRADD and FAN. By use of the primary amine monodansylcadaverine (MDC), we addressed the functional role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor internalization for intracellular signal distribution. We show that MDC does not prevent the interaction of the p55 TNF receptor (TR55) with FAN and TRADD. Furthermore, the activation of plasmamembrane-associated neutral sphingomyelinase activation as well as the stimulation of proline-directed protein kinases were not affected in MDC-treated cells. In contrast, activation of signaling enzymes that are linked to the "death domain" of TR55, like acid sphingomyelinase and c-Jun-N-terminal protein kinase as well as TNF signaling of apoptosis in U937 and L929 cells, are blocked in the presence of MDC. The results of our study suggest a role of TR55 internalization for the activation of select TR55 death domain signaling pathways including those leading to apoptosis.
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PMID:Inhibition of receptor internalization by monodansylcadaverine selectively blocks p55 tumor necrosis factor receptor death domain signaling. 1018 5

Neutral sphingomyelinase (N-SMase) has emerged as an important cell membrane-associated enzyme that participates in several signal transduction and cell regulatory phenomena. Using expression cloning, we have identified a 3.7-kilobase pair cDNA transcript for N-SMase whose open reading frame predicts a 397-amino acid polypeptide. Transfection of COS-7 cells with cDNA for N-SMase resulted in a marked increase in N-SMase activity. Recombinant N-SMase (r-N-SMase) had the following physical-chemical properties. Mg(2+) activated and Cu(2+) and glutathione inhibited the activity of r-N-SMase. In contrast, dithiothreitol did not alter the activity of the enzyme. Of several phospholipids examined, sphingomyelin was the preferred substrate for r-N-SMase. The apparent molecular mass of r-N-SMase derived from COS-7 cells was approximately 90 kDa, similar to the native neutral sphingomyelinase prepared from human urine. However, upon expression in Escherichia coli, the apparent molecular mass of the recombinant enzyme was approximately 45 kDa. We speculate that this apparent difference in recombinant enzymes derived from COS-7 and E. coli cells may be due to extensive post-transcriptional changes. r-N-SMase has numerous post-transcriptional modification sites such as phosphorylation sites via protein kinase C, casein kinase II, tyrosine kinase, and cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinases as well as sites for glycosylation and myristoylation. Amino acid sequence alignment studies revealed that r-N-SMase has some similarity to acid sphingomyelinase and significant homology to the death domains of tumor necrosis factor-alpha receptor-1 and Fas/Apo-I. We believe that the molecular cloning and characterization of N-SMase cDNA will accelerate the process to define its role as a key regulator in apoptosis, lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, and other cell regulatory pathways.
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PMID:Molecular cloning, characterization, and expression of a novel human neutral sphingomyelinase. 1060 12


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