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

TAR RNA binding protein (TRBP) belongs to an RNA binding protein family that includes the double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase (PKR), Drosophila Staufen and Xenopus xlrbpa. One member of this family, PKR, is a serine/threonine kinase which has anti-viral and anti-proliferative effects. In this study we show that TRBP is a cellular down-regulator of PKR function. Assaying expression from an infectious HIV-1 molecular clone, we found that PKR inhibited viral protein synthesis and that over-expression of TRBP effectively countered this inhibition. In intracellular and in cell-free assays we show that TRBP directly inhibits PKR autophosphorylation through an RNA binding-independent pathway. Biologically, TRBP serves a growth-promoting role; cells that overexpress TRBP exhibit transformed phenotypes. Our results demonstrate the oncogenic potential of TRBP and are consistent with the notion that intracellular PKR function contributes physiologically towards regulating cellular proliferation.
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PMID:Oncogenic potential of TAR RNA binding protein TRBP and its regulatory interaction with RNA-dependent protein kinase PKR. 903 43

The double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-activated protein kinase (PKR) is one of many genes induced by IFN. The PKR sequentially undergoes autophosphorylation and activation on binding to dsRNA. Previous studies have shown that PKR may be an important factor in the regulation of viral and cellular protein synthesis. Recent studies suggest that PKR may function as a tumor suppressor gene. The role of PKR in various human leukemic cells was therefore investigated. PKR mRNA levels by reverse transcription-PCR, protein expression by Western blot and FACScan analysis, and activity by phosphorylation status were studied. The expression of a known inhibitor of PKR, p58, was also investigated at mRNA and protein levels. A total of 24 samples from normal mononuclear cells (MNCs), 26 samples of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 26 samples of acute myelogenous leukemia, 32 samples of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and 5 samples of hairy cell leukemia was investigated. Mean mRNA levels were increased in acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute myelogenous leukemia and decreased in chronic lymphocytic leukemia compared to normal MNCs. The mRNA levels in hairy cell leukemia were similar to those of normal MNCs. PKR protein was detectable in normal MNCs and leukemic cell extracts, and on FACScan analysis, more than 70% of cells stained positive for PKR. PKR activity was detectable in all samples investigated and was enhanced 4-23-fold in the presence of the synthetic dsRNA, poly(I) x poly(C). Protein expression of a known PKR inhibitor, p58, was barely detectable in normal MNCs and leukemic cells, with high expression in the HeLa cell line. These findings provide no evidence to support the hypothesis that PKR acts as a tumor suppressor in human leukemic cells.
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PMID:Role of double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase in human hematological malignancies. 904 Nov 99

We investigated the possible translational role which elevated concentrations of highly purified Semliki Forest virus (SFV) capsid (C)-protein molecules may play in a cell-free translation system. Here we demonstrate that in the absence of double-stranded RNA high concentrations of C protein triggered the phosphorylation of the interferon-induced, double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase, PKR. Activated PKR in turn phosphorylated its natural substrate, the alpha subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF-2), thereby inhibiting initiation of host cell translation. These findings were further strengthened by experiments showing that during natural infection with SFV the maximum phosphorylation of PKR coincided with the maximum synthesis of C protein 4-9 hours post infection. Thus, our results demonstrate that high concentrations of C-protein molecules may act in a hitherto novel mechanism on PKR to inhibit host cell protein synthesis during viral infection.
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PMID:Semliki Forest virus capsid protein inhibits the initiation of translation by upregulating the double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase (PKR). 906

The antiviral activity of the interferon-induced, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-activated protein kinase (PKR) is mediated through dsRNA binding leading to PKR autophosphorylation and subsequent inhibition of protein synthesis. Previous biochemical studies have suggested that autophosphorylation of PKR occurs via a protein-protein interaction and that PKR can form dimers in vitro. Using four independent biophysical and biochemical methods, we have characterized the solution complex formed between PKR and trans-activating region (TAR) RNA, a 57-nucleotide RNA species with double-stranded secondary structure derived from the human immunodeficiency virus type I genome. Chemical cross-linking and gel filtration analyses of PKR.TAR RNA complexes reveals that TAR RNA addition increases PKR dimerization and results in the formation of a solution complex with a molecular weight of approximately 150,000. Addition of TAR RNA to PKR results in a quenching of tryptophan fluorescence, indicative of a conformational shift. Through small angle neutron scattering analysis, we show that PKR exists in solution predominantly as a dimer, and has an elongated solution structure. Addition of TAR RNA to PKR causes a significant conformational shift in the protein at a 2:1 stoichiometric ratio of protein to RNA. Taken together, these data indicate that the PKR activation complex consists of a protein dimer bound cooperatively to one dsRNA molecule.
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PMID:Characterization of the solution complex between the interferon-induced, double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase and HIV-I trans-activating region RNA. 908 92

A direct, ribonuclease T1 protection assay was employed to study the binding of a delta agent genomic RNA transcript containing the conserved domain to the double-stranded RNA- (dsRNA-) dependent protein kinase of mammalian cells, PKR (also known as DAI, p1-elF2, or p68 kinase). In a control reaction, this assay identified a major portion of the same PKR binding site in VA RNA as deduced previously using a footprinting technique (Clarke PA, Mathews MB, 1995, RNA 1:1-20). Although delta agent RNA contains extensive secondary structure throughout the conserved region, we found a remarkable specificity in its PKR binding. The same region was protected by intact PKR and by a 184-amino acid fragment thereof containing the two RNA-binding motifs (dsRBMs) but lacking kinase activity. Two specific opposed, continuous segments of delta agent RNA (extending about 65-70 bases) were obtained reproducibly. Each is more than twice as long as those protected in VA RNA (about 25 bases), suggesting the involvement of PKR dimers in delta RNA binding. The PKR-protected region of delta agent RNA also contains a characteristic tertiary structural element that may be involved in binding specificity.
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PMID:Surprising specificity of PKR binding to delta agent genomic RNA. 908 50

Apoptosis occurs in response to different cellular stresses, including viral infection, inflammatory cytokines, growth factor deprivation, and UV light, but it is unclear whether these inducers share a common mechanism of induction. The interferon-induced, double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase (PKR) has been implicated in processes that rely on apoptosis as control mechanisms in vivo, including antiviral activities, cell growth regulation, and tumorigenesis. Here we report that mouse embryo fibroblasts from mutant mice containing homozygous deletions in the PKR gene (Pkr(0/0) mice) were resistant to apoptotic cell death in response to double-stranded RNA, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, or lipopolysaccharide. The mechanism underlying the suppression of apoptosis in the Pkr(0/0) cells could be attributed to defects in the activation of DNA-binding activity for the transcription factor interferon regulatory factor-1 and in Fas mRNA induction. Thus, these results provide genetic evidence implicating a requirement for PKR in mediating different forms of stress-related apoptosis.
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PMID:A double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase-dependent pathway mediating stress-induced apoptosis. 909 84

Post-translational modifications such as protein phosphorylation provide an important mechanism by which the functional activity of proteins can be controlled and, hence, biological processes regulated. Interferons (IFN) are a multigene family of cytokines that can profoundly affect a wide variety of functions in animal cells including virus replication, cell growth and differentiation, and the immune response. Changes in protein phosphorylation mediated by the IFN-inducible, RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) are implicated in the control of cell proliferation mediated by IFNs. Our knowledge of the structure, regulation and function of PKR will be summarized in this brief review, with focus on those aspects of protein phosphorylation and interferon action involving PKR that are central to the roles of the enzyme in the control of cell growth and proliferation.
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PMID:The PKR protein kinase--an interferon-inducible regulator of cell growth and differentiation. 911 94

The biosynthesis of RNA in vitro using bacteriophage RNA polymerases has opened up many avenues of research. Large amounts of specific RNA species can be readily produced but small amounts of contaminants that are simultaneously generated can interfere with biological assays, PKR, a ribosome-associated and double-stranded (ds) RNA-dependent protein kinase, is an important regulator of the initiation of protein synthesis. It can be activated by very low concentrations of dsRNA and inhibited by small structured RNAs or high concentrations of dsRNA. The best-studied inhibitor of PKR activation is adenovirus VA RNA1. Its gene was cloned into a plasmid under the control of the T7 RNA polymerase promoter, and the optimization of VA RNA transcription is described. A dsRNA by-product of the transcription reaction activates PKR in kinase autophosphorylation assays, and hence a purification protocol that allows the separation and removal of dsRNA contaminants was developed. A scheme to analyze the RNA product with specific nucleases is discussed. In a reticulocyte cell-free translation system the activation of PKR by dsRNA contaminating a synthetic mRNA preparation is likely to lead to shut-off of translation. An assay to directly visualize and measure the level of PKR phosphorylation in the lysate is detailed.
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PMID:Synthesis and purification of single-stranded RNA for use in experiments with PKR and in cell-free translation systems. 912 52

Efficient manipulation of the regulatory mechanisms controlling host cell gene expression provides the means for productive infection by animal viruses. Upon infecting the host cell, viruses must: (i) bypass the cellular antiviral defense mechanisms to prevent the translational blocks imposed by the interferon pathway; and (ii) effectively "hijack" the host protein synthetic machinery into mass production of virion protein components. The multicomponent regulatory nature of cellular gene expression has provided the means of selecting for a diverse range of mechanisms utilized by animal viruses to ensure that replication efficiency is maintained throughout the virus life cycle. One important research component of the careful examination of gene regulation is those studies that focus on elucidating the mechanisms by which viruses control mRNA translation during host cell infection. Much of the work in our laboratory has focused on elucidating the strategies by which human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and influenza virus regulate protein synthesis during infection. Here we describe the ways in which these two distinctly different RNA viruses ensure the selective and efficient translation of their viral mRNAs in infected cells. These strategies include circumvention of the deleterious effects associated with activation of the interferon-induced protein kinase, PKR. Herein we describe our methodologies designed to elucidate the translational regulation in cells infected by these viruses. We conclude with a brief summary of new directions, utilizing these methods, taken toward understanding the translational control mechanisms imposed by these viral systems, and how our studies of virally infected cells have allowed us to identify growth-regulating components of normal, uninfected cells.
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PMID:What happens inside lentivirus or influenza virus infected cells: insights into regulation of cellular and viral protein synthesis. 912 53

The interferon-inducible double-stranded RNA protein kinase PKR controls protein synthesis through the phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF)-2. In addition to its demonstrated role in translational control, several reports have suggested a transcriptional role for PKR. Here we report that PKR is involved in IFN- and dsRNA-signaling pathways by modulating the function of the signal transducer and activator of transcription STAT1. We also show that PKR associates with STAT1 in mouse and human cells. The association is not a kinase-substrate interaction since STAT1 phosphorylation is not modified by PKR in vitro or in vivo. In addition, the formation of the PKR-STAT1 complex is not dependent upon the enzymatic activity of PKR but does require the dsRNA-binding domain of PKR. Moreover, there is a concomitant decrease in PKR-STAT1 interaction and increase in STAT1 DNA binding in response to IFNs or dsRNA. These findings suggest that PKR plays an important role in IFN and dsRNA-signaling pathways by modulating the transcriptional function of STAT1.
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PMID:Physical association between STAT1 and the interferon-inducible protein kinase PKR and implications for interferon and double-stranded RNA signaling pathways. 913 45


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