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)

CRH, a major mediator of the stress response, has been shown to exert potent immunomodulatory effects in vivo, through mechanisms that have not been elucidated yet. To determine the molecular pathways mediating the proinflammatory effects of peripheral CRH, we studied its role in the activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), a transcription factor crucial for the regulation of a variety of inflammatory mediator genes. Our studies demonstrate that, in mouse thymocytes, CRH induces the NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity in a time- and dose-dependent manner, with parallel degradation of its inhibitor protein inhibitor of NF-kappaB. The effect of CRH is not inhibited by dexamethasone and is mediated by the protein kinase A and protein kinase C signaling pathways. In vivo, we show that CRH-deficient mice respond to lipopolysaccharide administration by reduced activation of thymus NF-kappaB, despite their significantly elevated proinflammatory cytokine and their low corticosterone levels. These findings suggest a putative molecular pathway mediating the proinflammatory effects of peripheral CRH through induction of the NF-kappaB DNA binding activity.
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PMID:Regulation of nuclear factor-kappaB by corticotropin-releasing hormone in mouse thymocytes. 1240 45

CRH regulates the body's response to stressful stimuli by modulating the activity of the hypothalamic pituitary axis. In primary cultures and cell lines, CRH also acts as a potent neuroprotective factor in response to a number of toxins. Using primary neuronal cultures from the cerebellum, cerebral cortex, and hippocampus, we demonstrate that CRH exerts a brain region-specific neuroprotective effect on amyloid beta 25-35 toxicity. At low CRH concentrations (10(-8) M), neuroprotective effects can be observed only in cerebellar and hippocampal cultures, but a higher CRH concentration (10(-7) M) additionally led to the protection of cortical neurons. These neuroprotective effects were inhibited by H89, a specific protein kinase A inhibitor. Western blot analysis, carried out using phospho-specific antibodies directed against MAPK, cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), and glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)3 beta also resulted in brain legion-specific differences regarding intracellular signaling. Correlating with cell survival, low CRH concentrations resulted in activation of the CREB pathway and inactivation of GSK3 beta in cerebellar and hippocampal cultures, but higher concentrations additionally resulted in activated CREB and inactivated GSK3 beta in cortical cultures. In contrast, MAPK activation occurred only in cortical neurons. Differences in signaling were found to be independent of receptor expression levels because RT-PCR analysis indicated no region-specific differences in CRHR1 mRNA expression.
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PMID:Brain region-specific neuroprotective action and signaling of corticotropin-releasing hormone in primary neurons. 1293 79

Activation of CRH receptors type 1 (CRH-R1) by CRH or urocortin (UCN) leads to stimulation of multiple G proteins with consequent effects on diverse signaling cascades in a tissue-specific manner. In human myometrium and human embryonic kidney (HEK)293 cells, binding of UCN to CRH-R1alpha receptors activates both the Gs and Gq, leading to activation of the adenylyl cyclase/protein kinase A (PKA) and the phospholipase C/protein kinase C and ERK1/2 signaling pathways, respectively. The overall result of these signals is often unpredictable, as these two signaling pathways can interact in many cellular systems, with either potentiation or inhibition of ERK1/2 activity. In the present studies we investigated potential signaling interactions after stimulation of CRH-R1alpha receptors in human cultured pregnant myometrial cells or HEK293 cells overexpressing recombinant CRH-R1alpha receptors. We found that the adenylyl cyclase/PKA pathway has the capacity to markedly decrease UCN-induced ERK1/2 activation, and that these effects were due in part to the ability of PKA to phosphorylate the CRH-R1alpha at position Ser(301) in the third intracellular loop. Mutant CRH-R1alpha receptors with substitutions at position Ser(301), which is the only potential PKA phosphorylation site, were resistant to PKA-dependent phosphorylation and showed altered signaling characteristics, which were dependent upon the amino acid substitution at this position. We conclude that Ser(301), which is located in the third intracellular loop of CRH-R1alpha, is critical for efficient coupling of the receptor to G proteins and to second messenger generation. Phosphorylation by PKA prevents maximal coupling of the CRH-R1alpha to Gq-protein, and thereby reduces activation of ERK 1/2.
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PMID:Protein kinase A-induced negative regulation of the corticotropin-releasing hormone R1alpha receptor-extracellularly regulated kinase signal transduction pathway: the critical role of Ser301 for signaling switch and selectivity. 1465 55

The presence and the different functional aspects of cytokine-related molecules in invertebrates are described. Cytokine-like factors affect immune functions, such as cell motility, chemotaxis, phagocytosis and cytotoxicity. In particular, cell migration shows a species-specific effect for IL-1alpha and TNF-alpha and a dose-correlated effect for IL-8, PDGF-AB and TGF-beta1. Apart from some exceptions, the phagocytic effect increases significantly at all the concentrations tested and with all the species used. PDGF-AB, TGF-beta1 and IL-8 provoke conformational changes in mollusk immunocytes, involving the signaling transduction pathways of phosphatidylinositol and cAMP. PDGF-AB and TGF-beta1 partially inhibit the induced programmed cell death in an insect cell line, and the survival effect is mediated by the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, PKA and PKC. The exogenous administration of these growth factors in an invertebrate wound repair model showed that they are able to control the wound environment and promote the repair process by accelerating the coordinated activities involved. Moreover, IL-1alpha, IL-2 and TNF-alpha are able to induce nitric oxide synthase. PDGF-AB and TGF-beta1 provoke an increase in neutral endopeptidase-24.11 (NEP)-like activity in membrane preparations from mollusk immunocytes, while NEP deactivates the PDGF-AB- and TGF-beta1-induced cell shape changes. Cytokines are also involved in invertebrate stress response in a manner extremely similar to that in vertebrates. Several studies suggest the existence on the mollusk immunocyte membrane of an ancestral receptor capable of binding both IL-2 and CRH. Furthermore, the competition found between CRH and a large number of cytokines supports the idea that invertebrate cytokine receptors show a certain degree of promiscuity. The multiple functions of cytokines detected in invertebrates underline another characteristic of mammalian cytokines, i.e. their great pleiotropicity. Altogether, the studies on the function of the invertebrate humoral factors show a close overlapping with those found in vertebrates, and the hypothesized missing correlation between invertebrate and vertebrate cytokine genes that is emerging from the limited molecular biology data present in literature might represent a very peculiar strategy followed by Nature in the evolution of cytokines.
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PMID:Invertebrate humoral factors: cytokines as mediators of cell survival. 1497 62

The molecular basis of pituitary tumorigenesis remains controversial, but there are two major theories which have been subject to most investigation: hormonal (usually hypothalamic factors) and/or growth factor overstimulation, or a molecular defect within the pituitary itself. It has been shown, for example, that excessive regulatory hormone stimulation can lead to an increased number of cells in the pituitary in various physiological or pathological states such as pregnancy (lactotrophs), untreated primary hypothyroidism (thyrotrophs and lactotrophs),primary hypoadrenalism (corticotrophs) and ectopic GHRH-secreting tumours (somatotrophs). Animal models also provide data that in the presence of excessive hypothalamic hormone stimulation, adenoma formation can occur. However, evidence in favour of the monoclonal nature of pituitary tumours argues for an intrinsic molecular defect as the primary initiating event in tumour formation. We review the various hormonal factors and their receptors effecting the different types of pituitary cells, such as CRH, AVP and cortisol feedback on corticotrophs; GHRH, Galpha PKA, somatostatin and GH and IGF feedback on somatotrophs; GnRH, LH/FSH, activin and oestrogen feedback on gonadotrophs; dopamine, oestrogen and prolactin feedback on lactotrophs; and TRH, TSH and thyroid hormone feedback on thyrotrophs. The monoclonal origin of adenomas makes it unlikely that hypothalamic factors could initiate pituitary transformation, but they could still create an environment where there is a higher chance that a possible causative tumorigenic mutation may occur in one (or several) of the overstimulated pituitary cells, or enhance the proliferation of an already-mutated cell.
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PMID:Role of regulatory factors in pituitary tumour formation. 1528 40

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) cooperates with CRH at the pituitary level to induce POMC gene transcription, resulting in activation of the pituitary-adrenal axis. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we show that the NurRE-signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) composite element of the POMC promoter was the predominant target of the LIF-CRH synergy. Whereas NurRE or STAT sites alone conferred synergy, the maximal response was found with the NurRE-STAT reporter, suggesting that direct DNA binding of both transcription factors is required for an optimal synergy. During LIF-CRH stimulation, Nur77 and activated STAT1-3 were bound to the composite element, and the binding of each factor was abolished by appropriate mutations. CREB was also detected in this complex in a stimulation-dependent and DNA binding-independent manner. Nur77 and STAT1-3 bound to the NurRE-STAT site were each sufficient for CREB recruitment. Recombinant CREB directly interacted with recombinant Nur77 or STAT1-3. Moreover, CREB-Nur77 interaction was increased by CREB phosphorylation at Ser-133 and the dominant-negative mutant CREB-M1 efficiently inhibited the synergistic LIF-CRH response. This synergism was also inhibited after transfection of CREB-small interfering RNA. We conclude that both CREB phosphorylation at Ser-133 and level of CREB expression are crucial in LIF-CRH synergism where CREB, without direct DNA binding, could improve the stability of Nur77 and STAT1-3 binding to POMC promoter and facilitate the recruitment of coactivators. This novel intrapituitary signaling mechanism may have more general implications in cross talks between cAMP-protein kinase A and Janus kinase-STAT pathways.
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PMID:Synergistic signaling by corticotropin-releasing hormone and leukemia inhibitory factor bridged by phosphorylated 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein at the Nur response element (NurRE)-signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) element of the proopiomelanocortin promoter. 1531 49

Previously we documented that human epidermis exclusively expresses corticotropin releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRH-R1). To define the role of CRH in the epidermis, we investigated its effects on differentiation of normal human adult epidermal keratinocytes. Thus, CRH inhibited proliferation in a dose dependent fashion and significantly decreased Ki-67 antigen expression. This effect was independent of either the presence or the absence of growth factors in the medium. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that CRH inhibited the transition from G0/1 to S phase of the cell cycle, which was accompanied by an increased expression of cdk inhibitor p16 (Ink4a) protein. The antiproliferative effect was attenuated by protein kinase C inhibitor (GF109203X) but not by H89 (protein kinase A inhibitor), PD98059, or SB203580 (MAP kinase inhibitors). The cell cycle withdrawal was associated with the induction of keratinocyte differentiation. Thus, CRH stimulated the expression of cytokeratin 1 and involucrin, and inhibited cytokeratin 14 on both mRNA and protein levels. It also increased cell granularity and cell size. Furthermore, CRH induced signal transduction cascade that included stimulation of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate, which was time and dose dependent. CRH also increased activator protein-1 DNA binding activity with JunD identified as the most important element. Thus, activation of CRH-R1 induces a non-random and sequential signal transduction cascade governing both keratinocyte differentiation and the inhibition of cell proliferation through G0/1 arrest. We propose that this program, triggered by CRH interaction with CRH-R1, includes induction of a transduction pathway involving the sequential activation of phospholipase C, protein kinase C, activator protein-1 (including Jun D), and p16.
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PMID:Corticotropin-releasing hormone induces keratinocyte differentiation in the adult human epidermis. 1546 47

CRH receptor (CRHR) 1 and the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) are both G protein-coupled receptors. Activation of CRHR1 leads to increases in cAMP production and phosphorylation of the transcription factor cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB). In contrast, CB1 is negatively coupled to the cAMP signaling cascade. In this study, we analyzed a putative interaction between these two systems focusing on the regulation of the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a CREB-regulated gene. In situ hybridization revealed coexpression of CRHR1 and CB1 receptors in the granular layer of the cerebellum. Therefore, we analyzed the effects of CRH and the CB1 agonist WIN-55,212-2 on BDNF expression in primary cerebellar neurons from rats and mice. We observed that application of CRH for 48 h led to an increase in BDNF mRNA and protein levels. This effect was inhibited by WIN-55,212-2. At the level of intracellular signaling, short-term application of WIN-55,212-2 inhibited CRH-induced cAMP accumulation and CREB phosphorylation. Pharmacological analysis demonstrated that the CRHR1 antagonist R121919, the protein kinase A inhibitor H89, and the calcium chelator 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid acetoxymethyl ester inhibited CRH-mediated BDNF expression. Moreover, depolarization-induced BDNF synthesis was also inhibited by long-term application of WIN-55,212-2 in wild-type mice but not in CB1-deficient mice. Thus, these data highlight an interaction between the CRH and the cannabinoid system in the regulation of BDNF expression by influencing cAMP and Ca2+ signaling pathways.
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PMID:Corticotropin-releasing hormone-mediated induction of intracellular signaling pathways and brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression is inhibited by the activation of the endocannabinoid system. 1559 Nov 44

CRH-binding protein (CRH-BP) binds CRH with high affinity and inhibits CRH-mediated ACTH release from anterior pituitary corticotrope-like cells in vitro. In female mouse pituitary, CRH-BP is localized not only in corticotropes, but is also expressed in gonadotropes and lactotropes. To investigate the functional significance of gonadotrope CRH-BP, we examined the molecular mechanisms underlying GnRH-regulated CRH-BP expression in alphaT3-1 gonadotrope-like cells. CRH-BP is endogenously expressed in alphaT3-1 cells, and quantitative real-time RT-PCR and ribonuclease protection assays demonstrate that GnRH induces a 3.7-fold increase in CRH-BP mRNA levels. GnRH also induces intracellular CRH-BP (2.0-fold) and secreted CRH-BP (5.3-fold) levels, as measured by [125I]CRH:CRH-BP chemical cross-linking. Transient transfection assays using CRH-BP promoter-luciferase constructs indicate that GnRH regulation involves protein kinase C-, ERK- and calcium-dependent signaling pathways and is mediated via a multipartite GnRH response element that includes activator protein 1 and cAMP response element (CRE) sites. The CRE site significantly contributes to GnRH responsiveness, independent of protein kinase A, representing a unique form of multipartite GnRH regulation in alphaT3-1 cells. Furthermore, EMSAs indicate that alphaT3-1 nuclear proteins specifically bind at activator protein 1 and CRE sites. These data demonstrate novel regulation of pituitary CRH-BP, highlighting the importance of the pituitary gonadotrope as a potential interface between the stress and reproductive axes.
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PMID:Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) positively regulates corticotropin-releasing hormone-binding protein expression via multiple intracellular signaling pathways and a multipartite GnRH response element in alphaT3-1 cells. 1597 7

Urocortin (UCN) is a 40 amino acid peptide which is closely related to corticotropin-releasing hormone and binds with high affinity to both CRH type 1 and type 2 receptors. UCN is expressed in human reproductive tissues including endometrium, ovary, and placenta. This study was designed to investigate the cellular localization of UCN at the implantation site of the human blastocyst, as well as the regulation of the UCN promoter by two major intracellular signaling pathways, the cAMP/PKA and diacylglycerol/PKC pathways, in cells of placental origin. For this reason, immunohistochemistry was performed on tissue sections from paraffin-embedded human first trimester placentas and freshly isolated human invasive extravillous trophoblast cells (EVT) were analyzed for UCN expression using RT-PCR and immunofluorescence. Finally, UCN promoter activity was analyzed in the JEG3 human choriocarcinoma cell line. Immunohistochemistry revealed expression of UCN in the cytotrophoblast, the EVT and decidual cells. Both UCN mRNA and peptide were detectable in freshly isolated EVT. Finally, a human UCN promoter luciferase reporter construct transfected into JEG3 cells was significantly inducible by phorbol ester plus ionomycin, but not by phorbol ester alone or by forskolin. Collectively, the present study reports the expression of UCN in EVT and the activation of the UCN gene promoter by the diacylglycerol/PKC pathway. The functional significance of urocortin for the physiology of EVT requires further investigation.
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PMID:Expression of urocortin in the extravillous human trophoblast at the implantation site. 1669 78


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