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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)
The molecular bridges that link the LH surge with functional changes in cumulus cells that possess few LH receptors are being unraveled. Herein we document that epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like factors amphiregulin (Areg), epiregulin (Ereg), and betacellulin (Btc) are induced in cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) by autocrine and paracrine mechanisms that involve the actions of prostaglandins (PGs) and progesterone receptor (PGR). Areg and Ereg mRNA and protein levels were reduced significantly in COCs and ovaries collected from prostaglandin synthase 2 (Ptgs2) null mice and Pgr null (PRKO) mice at 4 h and 8 h after human chorionic gonadotropin, respectively. In cultured COCs, FSH/forskolin induced Areg mRNA within 0.5 h that peaked at 4 h, a process blocked by inhibitors of p38MAPK (SB203580), MAPK kinase (MEK) 1 (PD98059), and PTGS2 (NS398) but not
protein kinase A
(
PKA
) (KT5720). Conversely, AREG but not FSH induced Ptsg2 mRNA at 0.5 h with peak expression of Ptgs2 and Areg mRNAs at 4 h, processes blocked by the EGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor AG1478 (AG), PD98059, and NS398. PGE2 reversed the inhibitory effects of AG on AREG-induced expression of Areg but not Ptgs2, placing Ptgs2 downstream of EGF-R signaling. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and adenovirally expressed PGRA synergistically induced Areg mRNA in granulosa cells. In COCs, AREG not only induced genes that impact matrix formation but also genes involved in steroidogenesis (
StAR
, Cyp11a1) and immune cell-like functions (Pdcd1, Runx1, Cd52). Collectively, FSH-mediated induction of Areg mRNA via p38MAPK precedes AREG induction of Ptgs2 mRNA via ERK1/2. PGs acting via PTGER2 in cumulus cells provide a secondary, autocrine pathway to regulate expression of Areg in COCs showing critical functional links between G protein-coupled receptor and growth factor receptor pathways in ovulating follicles.
...
PMID:Paracrine and autocrine regulation of epidermal growth factor-like factors in cumulus oocyte complexes and granulosa cells: key roles for prostaglandin synthase 2 and progesterone receptor. 1654 7
The activation of the rate-limiting step in steroid biosynthesis, that is the transport of cholesterol into the mitochondria, is dependent on
PKA
-mediated events triggered by hormones like ACTH and LH. Two of such events are the protein tyrosine dephosphorylation mediated by protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) and the release of arachidonic acid (AA) mediated by two enzymes, ACS4 (acyl-CoA synthetase 4) and Acot2 (mitochondrial thioesterase). ACTH and LH regulate the activity of PTPs and Acot2 and promote the induction of ACS4. Here we analyzed the involvement of PTPs on the expression of ACS4. We found that two PTP inhibitors, acting through different mechanisms, are both able to abrogate the hormonal effect on ACS4 induction. PTP inhibitors also reduce the effect of cAMP on steroidogenesis and on the level of
StAR
protein, which facilitates the access of cholesterol into the mitochondria. Moreover, our results indicate that exogenous AA is able to overcome the inhibition produced by PTP inhibitors on
StAR
protein level and steroidogenesis. Then, here we describe a link between PTP activity and AA release, since ACS4 induction is under the control of PTP activity, being a key event for AA release,
StAR
induction and steroidogenesis.
...
PMID:Protein tyrosine phosphatases regulate arachidonic acid release, StAR induction and steroidogenesis acting on a hormone-dependent arachidonic acid-preferring acyl-CoA synthetase. 1663 Jul 18
Cyclic AMP responsive element (CRE) binding protein (CREB) is known to activate transcription when its Ser133 is phosphorylated. However, transducer of regulated CREB activity (TORC), a CREB specific co-activator, upregulates CREB activity in a phospho-Ser133-independent manner. Interestingly, TORC is also regulated by phosphorylation; the phospho-form is inactive, and the dephospho-form active. When
PKA
phosphorylates CREB, it inhibits TORC kinases simultaneously and accelerates dephosphorylation of TORC. We show in this report that staurosporine, a kinase inhibitor, induces the expression of the
StAR
gene in Y1 adrenocortical cells, possibly a result of an increase in the population of dephospho-TORC. The expression of the
StAR
gene is known to be regulated by SF-1 and CREB, and the co-activators CBP/p300 may mediate the actions of both factors. Our experiments using KG501, a disruptor of the interaction between phospho-CREB and CBP/p300, also support the importance of TORC in the regulation of
StAR
gene expression.
...
PMID:Dephosphorylation of TORC initiates expression of the StAR gene. 1721 Feb 23
IGF-1 plays a key role in the proliferation and differentiation of granulosa cells. However, the molecular mechanism of IGF-1 action in avian granulosa cells during follicle maturation is unclear. Here, we first studied IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) expression, IGF-1-induced progesterone production and some IGF-1R signaling pathways in granulosa cells from different follicles. IGF-1R (mRNA and protein) was higher in fresh or cultured granulosa cells from the largest follicles (F1 or F2) than in those from smaller follicles (F3 or F4). In vitro, IGF-1 treatment (10(-8)M, 36h) increased progesterone secretion by four-fold in mixed F3 and F4 (F3/4) granulosa cells and by 1.5-fold in F1 granulosa cells. IGF-1 (10(-8)M, 30min)-induced increases in tyrosine phosphorylation of IGF-1R beta subunit and phosphorylation of ERK were higher in F1 than in F3/4 granulosa cells. Interestingly, IGF-1 stimulation (10(-8)M, 10min) decreased the level of AMPK Thr172 phosphorylation in F1 and F3/4 granulosa cells. We have recently showed that AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) is a
protein kinase
involved in the steroidogenesis in chicken granulosa cells. We then studied the effects of AMPK activation by AICAR (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside), an activator of AMPK, on IGF-1-induced progesterone secretion by F3/4 and F1 granulosa cells. AICAR treatment (1mM, 36h) increased IGF-1-induced progesterone secretion,
StAR
protein levels and decreased ERK phosphorylation in F1 granulosa cells. Opposite data were observed in F3/4 granulosa cells. Adenovirus-mediated expression of dominant negative AMPK totally reversed the effects of AICAR on IGF-1-induced progesterone secretion,
StAR
protein production and ERK phosphorylation in both F3/4 and F1 granulosa cells. Thus, a variation of energy metabolism through AMPK activation could modulate differently IGF-1-induced progesterone production in F1 and F3/4 granulosa cells.
...
PMID:IGF-1 receptor signaling pathways and effects of AMPK activation on IGF-1-induced progesterone secretion in hen granulosa cells. 1747 73
Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and its active metabolite, monobutyl phthalate (MBP), display no binding affinity for the androgen receptor, yet exert antiandrogenic effects by altering steroid biosynthesis. However, the mechanisms underlying this observed effect are not known. The purpose of this study was to determine the site of MBP action on steroidogenesis in vitro using mouse Leydig tumor cells (MLTC-1). Various concentrations of MBP (0, 50, 100, 200, 400, or 800 micromol/L) were added to the medium for 24 h followed by stimulation with some compounds such as human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), cholera toxin (CT), cAMP analog 8-Br-cAMP, 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol (22R-HC), and pregnenolone. Data showed that MBP inhibited the increases in progesterone production induced by hCG and CT. In contrast, the levels of intracellular cAMP remained unaltered. In addition, 8-Br-cAMP-stimulated progesterone production was also suppressed by MBP. These results suggested that the site in the steroid biosynthesis pathway affected by MBP occurs downstream of
PKA
activation in MLTC-1 cells. Moreover, incubation with 22R-HC and pregnenolone as progesterone precursors for P-450 side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc) and 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3betaHSD) respectively resulted in no marked change in progesterone production, indicating that MBP did not influence P450scc and 3betaHSD but did exert an effect on cholesterol transportation into mitochondria, the rate-limiting step. These results were supported by the downregulated
StAR
expression seen with MBP administration, as
StAR
is a key factor in this process. Data indicate that MBP interfered with steroid hormone production by affecting
StAR
expression in MLTC-1 cells.
...
PMID:Monobutyl phthalate inhibits steroidogenesis by downregulating steroidogenic acute regulatory protein expression in mouse Leydig tumor cells (MLTC-1). 1747 10
ACTH has been shown to stimulate androgen production by the fetal/neonatal mouse testis through the melanocortin type 2 receptor (MC2R). This study was designed to localize the expression of MC2R in the neonatal mouse testis and characterize the effects of ACTH on testicular androgen production. Using immunohistochemistry, MC2R was localized to the fetal-type Leydig cell population of the neonatal testis. ACTH caused a time-dependent increase in cyclic AMP (cAMP) and testosterone production by isolated cells with an increase in cAMP apparent in < 3 min. There was no additive effect of maximally stimulating doses of ACTH and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Androgen production in response to ACTH and hCG was reduced by UO126 and dexamethasone, which are the inhibitors of ERK1/2 and phospholipase A2 respectively. Expression of mRNA encoding
StAR
was increased fourfold by both ACTH and hCG, although expression of mRNA encoding for steroidogenic enzymes was not markedly affected. The potency of N-terminal fragments of ACTH to stimulate androgen production was similar to that seen previously in the adrenal. Data indicate that both LH and ACTH, acting through their respective receptors, stimulate steroidogenesis by fetal-type Leydig cells via arachidonic acid,
protein kinase A
, and ERK1/2 activation of
StAR
.
...
PMID:Effects of ACTH and expression of the melanocortin-2 receptor in the neonatal mouse testis. 1763 72
Previous studies demonstrated significantly lower plasma cortisol level in homozygous halothane-positive (Hal nn) pigs, as compared with homozygous halothane-negative (Hal NN) pigs. To determine whether such difference is attributed to the fundamental alterations in adrenocortical function, F1 offsprings from Pietrain (Hal nn)xErhualian (Hal NN) were intercrossed to produce F2 sibling pigs with segregated genotypes. Adrenocortical cells were isolated from the Hal nn and Hal NN F2 pigs, respectively, and cultured with or without ACTH challenge. Cortisol levels in culture medium, as well as the content of MC2R, cAMP, CREB, phosphorylated CREB (pCREB),
StAR
and P450scc in adrenocortical cell lysates, were determined. Cortisol, cAMP,
StAR
and P450scc levels were significantly lower in Hal nn adrenocortical cells under basal condition without ACTH challenge. ACTH significantly increased cortisol level in the medium and the protein content of MC2R,
StAR
, P450scc in adrenocortical cell lysates, regardless of genotypes. Total CREB protein content was not different between genotypes and treatments, whereas pCREB content exhibited significant effects of genotype and treatment, being higher in Hal NN than in Hal nn under basal condition and in response to ACTH challenge. These results indicate that the compromised cAMP/
PKA
/pCREB signaling pathway of ACTH and diminished expression of limiting factors in adrenocortical steroidogenesis (
StAR
and P450scc) may contribute to the significantly lower plasma cortisol levels in Hal nn pigs.
...
PMID:Diminished expression of ACTH signaling proteins and steroidogenic limiting factors in adrenocortical cells isolated from halothane nn pigs. 1830 76
Gonadal steroid production is stimulated by gonadotropin binding to G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Although GPCR-mediated increases in intracellular cAMP are known regulators of steroidogenesis, the roles of other signaling pathways in mediating steroid production are not well characterized. Recent studies suggest that luteinizing hormone (LH) receptor activation leads to trans-activation of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors in the testes and ovary. This pathway is critical for LH-induced steroid production in ovarian follicles, probably through matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-mediated release of EGF receptor (EGFR) binding ectodomains. Here we examined LH and EGF receptor cross-talk in testicular steroidogenesis using mouse MLTC-1 Leydig cells. We demonstrated that, similar to the ovary, trans-activation of the EGF receptor was critical for gonadotropin-induced steroid production in Leydig cells. LH-induced increases in cAMP and
cAMP-dependent protein kinase
(
PKA
) activity mediated trans-activation of the EGF receptor and subsequent mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation, ultimately leading to
StAR
phosphorylation and mitochondrial translocation. Steroidogenesis in Leydig cells was unaffected by MMP inhibitors, suggesting that cAMP and
PKA
trans-activated EGF receptors in an intracellular fashion. Interestingly, although cAMP was always needed for steroidogenesis, the EGFR/MAPK pathway was activated and necessary only for early (30-60 min), but not late (120 min or more), LH-induced steroidogenesis in vitro. In contrast, 36-h EGF receptor inhibition in vivo significantly reduced serum testosterone levels in male mice, demonstrating the physiologic importance of this cross-talk. These results suggest that GPCR-EGF receptor cross-talk is a conserved regulator of gonadotropin-induced steroidogenesis in the gonads, although the mechanisms of EGF receptor trans-activation may vary.
...
PMID:Cross-talk between G protein-coupled and epidermal growth factor receptors regulates gonadotropin-mediated steroidogenesis in Leydig cells. 1870 61
It is known that ERK1/2 and MEK1/2 participate in the regulation of Star gene transcription. However, their role in
StAR
protein post-transcriptional regulation is not described yet. In this study we analyzed the relationship between the MAPK cascade and
StAR
protein phosphorylation and function. We have demonstrated that (a) steroidogenesis in MA-10 Leydig cells depends on the specific of ERK1/2 activation at the mitochondria; (b) ERK1/2 phosphorylation is driven by mitochondrial
PKA
and constitutive MEK1/2 in this organelle; (c) active ERK1/2 interacts with
StAR
protein, leads to
StAR
protein phosphorylation at Ser(232) only in the presence of cholesterol; (d) directed mutagenesis of Ser(232) (S232A) inhibited in vitro
StAR
protein phosphorylation by ERK1; (e) transient transfection of MA-10 cells with
StAR
S232A cDNA markedly reduced the yield of progesterone production. We show that
StAR
protein is a substrate of ERK1/2, and that mitochondrial ERK1/2 is part of a multimeric complex that regulates cholesterol transport.
...
PMID:Hormonal activation of a kinase cascade localized at the mitochondria is required for StAR protein activity. 1900 46
Progesterone secretion by the steroidogenic cells of the corpus luteum (CL) is essential for reproduction. Progesterone synthesis is under the control of LH, but the exact mechanism of this regulation is unknown. It is established that LH stimulates the LH receptor/choriogonadotropin receptor, a G-protein coupled receptor, to increase cAMP and activate
cAMP-dependent protein kinase A
(
PKA
). In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that cAMP/
PKA
-dependent regulation of the Wnt pathway components
glycogen synthase kinase
(
GSK
)-3beta and beta-catenin contributes to LH-dependent steroidogenesis in luteal cells. We observed that LH via a cAMP/
PKA
-dependent mechanism stimulated the phosphorylation of GSK3beta at N-terminal Ser9 causing its inactivation and resulted in the accumulation of beta-catenin. Overexpression of N-terminal truncated beta-catenin (Delta90 beta-catenin), which lacks the phosphorylation sites responsible for its destruction, significantly augmented LH-stimulated progesterone secretion. In contrast, overexpression of a constitutively active mutant of GSK3beta (
GSK
-S9A) reduced beta-catenin levels and inhibited LH-stimulated steroidogenesis. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated the association of beta-catenin with the proximal promoter of the
StAR
gene, a gene that expresses the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, which is a cholesterol transport protein that controls a rate-limiting step in steroidogenesis. Collectively these data suggest that cAMP/
PKA
regulation of GSK3beta/beta-catenin signaling may contribute to the acute increase in progesterone production in response to LH.
...
PMID:Convergence of 3',5'-cyclic adenosine 5'-monophosphate/protein kinase A and glycogen synthase kinase-3beta/beta-catenin signaling in corpus luteum progesterone synthesis. 1981 52
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