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)

Advances in molecular and cell biology have led to further understanding of the mechanisms of malignant growth and metastasis in human breast cancer cells. Initiation and progression of breast cancer results from mutations and the abnormal expression of many genes that control cellular proliferation, differentiation, invasion, metastasis and sensitivity to therapy (chemotherapy and radiation therapy). Inhibition of host immunity also plays a role in breast cancer progression. Many genes have been selected as targets for antisense therapy, including HER-2/neu, PKA, TGF-alpha, EGFR, TGF-beta, IGFIR, P12, MDM2, BRCA, Bcl-2, ER, VEGF, MDR, ferritin, transferrin receptor, IRE, C-fos, HSP27, C-myc, C-raf and metallothionein genes. The strategy behind antisense therapy is the development of specific therapeutic agents that aim to correct the mutations and abnormal expression of cellular genes in breast tumour cells by decreasing gene expression, inducing degradation of target mRNA and causing premature termination of transcription. Many in vitro and in vivo studies have investigated the therapeutic efficacy of oligonucleotides and antisense RNAs. These studies have demonstrated specific inhibition of tumour cell growth by antisense therapy and have shown synergistic inhibitory effects between antisense oligonucleotides or antisense RNA and conventional chemotherapeutic drugs used in the treatment of breast cancer. Antisense oligonucleotides have been modified to improve their ability to penetrate cells, bind to gene sequences and downregulate target gene function. Many delivery systems for antisense RNA and antisense oligonucleotides have been developed, including virus vectors (retrovirus, adenovirus and adeno-associate virus) and liposomes, to carry the antisense RNA or oligonucleotides through the cell membrane into the cytoplasm and nucleus of the tumour cells. However, in order to determine their feasibility antisense therapies need to be further investigated to determine their antitumour activity, pharmacokinetics and toxicity in breast cancer patients.
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PMID:Gene targets of antisense therapies in breast cancer. 1222 74

Activation of the protein kinase Akt/PKB mediates VEGF-dependent endothelial cell survival and eNOS activation. Here we examined the role of PKC in mediating VEGF-induced Akt activation. The PKC inhibitors GF109203X and calphostin C inhibited VEGF-induced Akt activation. Rottlerin and Go6976, inhibitors with specificities for PKC delta and alpha, respectively, also strongly inhibited VEGF-induced Akt activation. VEGF-induced Akt activation was prevented by down-regulation of PKC induced by prolonged pretreatment with the phorbol ester, PMA. VEGF induced phosphorylation of PKC delta at Thr 505 in the activation loop, and this phosphorylation was inhibited by LY294002, suggesting that modulation of PKC delta activation by VEGF occurs distal to phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase. PKC and PI3K inhibitors both strongly reduced the stimulation of branching tubulogenesis by VEGF in vitro. The finding that PKC mediates VEGF-induced Akt activation identifies a novel signal transduction pathway through which Akt can be regulated by growth factors acting through receptor protein tyrosine kinases, and indicates that PKC-mediated Akt activity may play an essential role in VEGF-stimulated angiogenesis.
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PMID:Vascular endothelial growth factor induces protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent Akt/PKB activation and phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase-mediates PKC delta phosphorylation: role of PKC in angiogenesis. 1237 7

We tested the hypothesis that VEGF regulates endothelial hyperpermeability to macromolecules by activating the ERK-1/2 MAPK pathway. We also tested whether PKC and nitric oxide (NO) mediate VEGF-induced increases in permeability via the ERK-1/2 pathway. FITC-Dextran 70 flux across human umbilical vein endothelial cell monolayers served as an index of permeability, whereas Western blots assessed the phosphorylation of ERK-1/2. VEGF-induced hyperpermeability was inhibited by antisense DNA oligonucleotides directed against ERK-1/2 and by blockade of MEK and Raf-1 activities (20 microM PD-98059 and 5 microM GW-5074). These blocking agents also reduced ERK-1/2 phosphorylation. The PKC inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide I (10 microM) blocked both VEGF-induced ERK-1/2 activation and hyperpermeability. The NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (200 microM) and the NO scavenger 2-phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidiazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (100 microM) abolished VEGF-induced hyperpermeability but did not block ERK-1/2 phosphorylation. These observations demonstrate VEGF-induced hyperpermeability involves activation of PKC and NOS as well as Raf-1, MEK, and ERK-1/2. Furthermore, our data suggest that ERK-1/2 and NOS are elements of different signaling pathways in VEGF-induced hyperpermeability.
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PMID:VEGF increases endothelial permeability by separate signaling pathways involving ERK-1/2 and nitric oxide. 1238 27

VEGF is an endothelial cell cytokine that promotes angiogenesis and enhances microvascular permeability. Recently, it has been shown that the protein kinase Akt functions in a key intercellular signaling pathway downstream of VEGF. Here, we employed adenovirus-mediated gene transfer in conjunction with the Miles assay in hairless albino guinea pigs to assess the role of Akt signaling in vascular permeability. VEGF-induced vascular permeability was blocked by the transduction of a dominant negative mutant of Akt. Conversely, transduction of a constitutively active form of Akt promoted vascular permeability in a manner similar to VEGF protein administration. This Akt-mediated increase in vascular permeability was inhibited by the eNOS inhibitor L-NAME. These data show that Akt signaling is both necessary and sufficient for vascular permeability in an in vivo model.
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PMID:Akt signaling mediates VEGF/VPF vascular permeability in vivo. 1245 64

Deregulation of protein kinase activity has been shown to play a central role in the pathogenesis of human cancer. The molecular pathogenesis of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in particular, depends on formation of the bcr-abl oncogene, leading to constitutive expression of the tyrosine kinase fusion protein, Bcr-Abl. Based on these observations, imatinib was developed as a specific inhibitor for the Bcr-Abl protein tyrosine kinase. The expanding understanding of the basis of imatinib-mediated tyrosine kinase inhibition has revealed a spectrum of potential new antitumor applications beyond the powerful activity already reported in the treatment of CML. Imatinib has shown activity in vivo against PDGF-driven tumor models including glioblastoma, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans and chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. Antiangiogenic effects have been demonstrated by inhibition of PDGF-, VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor)- and bFGF- (basic fibroblast growth factor) induced angiogenesis in vivo, and by inhibition of angiogenesis and tumor growth in an experimental bone metastasis model. Imatinib has been shown to reduce interstitial fluid pressure in an experimental colonic carcinoma model by blocking PDGF-mediated effects on tumor-associated blood vessels and stromal tissue. It is also a potent inhibitor of the Kit receptor tyrosine kinase, and has demonstrated activity clinically against the Kit-driven gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and experimentally in small-cell lung cancer cell lines. The pharmacology of imatinib and its activity in various tumor models is discussed.
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PMID:Pharmacology of imatinib (STI571). 1252 70

Gap junction channels provide the basis for the electrical syncytial properties of the heart as a communicating electrical network. Cardiac gap junction channels are predominantly composed of connexin 40 or connexin 43. The conductance of these channels (g(j)) can be regulated pharmacologically: substances which activate protein kinase C, protein kinase A or protein kinase G may alter Cx43 gap junction conductance. However, for PKC, this seems to be subtype specific. Thus, antiarrhythmic peptides can enhance g(j) via activation of PKCepsilon, while FGF-2 reduces g(j) via PKCepsilon. Lipophilic drugs can uncouple the channels. Besides an acute regulation of g(j), the expression of the cardiac connexins can also be regulated. A decrease in Cx43 with a concomitant increase in Cx40 has been found in end-stage failing hearts, while in renovascular hypertension, an increase in Cx43 has been described. Mediators like endothelin-1, angiotensin-II, TGF-beta, VEGF, and cAMP have been shown to increase Cx43. Interestingly, endothelin-1 and angiotensin-II increased Cx43 but did not affect Cx40 expression. In contrast, in humans suffering from atrial fibrillation (AF), the content in Cx40 can be enhanced while Cx43 was unaltered, although in several other studies, other changes of the cardiac connexins were found, which might be related to the type of AF. Regarding the role of calcium, the content in both Cx40 and Cx43 was decreased in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes after 24 h administration of 100 nM verapamil. Thus, gap junctional channels can be affected pharmacologically either acutely by modulating gap junction conductance or chronically by altering gap junction protein expression. Interestingly, it appears that the expression of Cx43 and Cx40 can be differentially regulated.
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PMID:Pharmacological modulation and differential regulation of the cardiac gap junction proteins connexin 43 and connexin 40. 1256 16

Diabetic retinopathy remains one of the major causes of acquired blindness in developed nations. This is true despite the development of laser treatment, which can prevent blindness in the majority of those who develop macular oedema (ME) or proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). ME is manifest by retinal vascular leakage and thickening of the retina. The hallmark of PDR is neovascularisation (NV)--abnormal angiogenesis that may ultimately cause severe vitreous cavity bleeding and/or retinal detachment. Pharmacologic therapy aimed specifically at preventing vascular leakage and NV would be a welcome addition to the armamentarium. PDR and ME could be prevented by improved metabolic control or by pharmacologically blunting the biochemical consequences of hyperglycaemia (e.g., with aldose reductase inhibitors, inhibitors of non-enzymatic glycation or by protein kinase C [PKC] inhibition). The angiogenesis in PDR could be treated via growth factor (e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF], insulin like growth factor-1 [IGF-1]) blockade, integrin (e.g., alpha-v beta-3) blockade, extracellular matrix alteration (e.g., with steroid compounds) or interference with intracellular signal transduction pathways (e.g., PKC and mitogen activated protein kinase [MAPK] pathway proteins). Some of these antiangiogenic agents may also prove useful for treating or preventing ME. Numerous potentially useful antiangiogenic compounds are in development; two drugs are presently in clinical trials for treatment of the preproliferative stage of PDR, while two are in clinical trials for treatment of ME.
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PMID:Pharmacologic therapy for diabetic retinopathy. 1461 Sep 24

Many malignant tumors including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) express or over-express EGFR that have shown correlations with rapid growth, metastases, resistance to conventional chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and poor prognosis. Gefitinib is a potent and selective inhibitor of EGFR tyrosine kinase (EGFRTK). Gefitinib specifically inhibited EGF-stimulated cell proliferation in vitro and it also exhibited a broad anti-tumor spectrum against NSCLC, prostate, colorectal, and ovarian cancers in vivo. Gefitinib showed dose-dependent and reversible reduction of c-fos mRNA level and decreased Ki67 significantly in tumors in vivo. In in vitro studies, gefitinib arrested the cell cycle at G1 phase by inducing intrinsic cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) inhibitors and following inhibition of cdk2. Apoptosis was also seen in gefitinib-treated tumor cells and skin biopsy samples from clinical study. Gefitinib inhibited VEGF production in tumor cells through inhibition of EGFR signaling, leading to suppression of angiogenesis. In clinical studies, gefitinib demonstrated therapeutic benefit in patients who failed conventional chemotherapy. No correlation has been established between the anti-tumor activity of gefitinib and EGFR expression level, whilst sensitivity factors to gefitinib are yet to be elucidated. Identification of sensitivity factors will be a key for effective use of EGFRTK inhibitors including gefitinib for cancer treatment.
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PMID:EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor "gefitinib (Iressa)" for cancer therapy. 1463 3

The central role of VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor A) in angiogenesis is dependent upon its ability to co-ordinately regulate multiple endothelial functions. The multifunctionality of VEGF at the cellular level results from its ability to initiate a diverse, complex and integrated network of signalling pathways via its major receptor, kinase-insert-domain-containing receptor (KDR). Activation of phospholipase C-gamma, protein kinase C, Ca(2+), ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated protein kinase), Akt, Src, focal adhesion kinase and calcineurin pathways has been implicated in mediating multiple VEGF functions, including survival, proliferation, migration, vascular permeability, tubulogenesis, NO and prostanoid synthesis, and gene expression. NO and prostanoids in turn play paracrine and autocrine roles in linking post-receptor signalling to biological functions. Integration between biologically important signalling cascades occurs at several points. Akt and ERK, for example, are key junction points linking together signal transduction involved in survival and NO generation, and proliferation and prostanoid biosynthesis. Together, the multiplicity, functional versatility and integration of VEGF signalling provide a useful framework for understanding the mechanisms underlying the endothelial biological response to this key factor.
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PMID:VEGF signalling: integration and multi-tasking in endothelial cell biology. 1464 Oct 20

Besides being expressed on endothelial cells, vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs) are also functional on subsets of leukemias, resulting in autocrine loops that sustain leukemia migration and proliferation. While recent evidence suggests that VEGF supports hematopoietic stem cell survival via an internal loop, the molecular mechanisms whereby autocrine stimulation of VEGFR-2 (KDR) promotes leukemia growth are not well understood. Here we show on acute myeloid primary leukemias and cell lines that VEGF/KDR autocrine loops operate both internally and externally. First, we demonstrate that KDR is constitutively phosphorylated and located at the nucleus of VEGF-producing leukemias. Treatment with anti-VEGF antibody, which acts externally, blocked KDR nuclear translocation and inhibited nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB; p65 and c-rel) activation. In contrast, a KDR-specific intracellular inhibitor failed to block KDR nuclear translocation, but inhibited the constitutive activation of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK)/Erk and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT pathways. Notably, treatment with the anti-VEGF antibody alone had little effect on cell survival, while the internal inhibitor induced leukemia apoptosis, and the 2 drugs produced synergistic effects, together and with chemotherapy, reducing cell survival to a larger extent than either agent alone. Our results demonstrate that internal and external VEGF/KDR autocrine loops regulate leukemia survival via different mechanisms, and suggest that blocking both may have therapeutic potential.
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PMID:Internal and external autocrine VEGF/KDR loops regulate survival of subsets of acute leukemia through distinct signaling pathways. 1472 93


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