Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:2.7.11.11 (AMPK)
 12,425 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

There is growing evidence that pentoxifylline (PTX) may have potential value as an antiproliferative and antifibrogenic agent. To assess whether this drug may be of use in the prevention of atherosclerosis or restenosis after angioplasty, we investigated the ability of PTX to inhibit proliferation and collagen synthesis in rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) under both basal and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)- or transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta)- stimulated conditions. Intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) and cyclic GMP (cGMP) levels were measured in confluent cells using enzyme immunoassay kits. Cell proliferation was measured by methyltetrazolium assay. Cell cycle distribution was determined by flow cytometry. Total collagen synthesis was measured by 3H-proline incorporation assay. Expression of collagen alpha 1(I) and collagen alpha 1(III) mRNAs was detected by northern blotting. Addition of PTX to VSMC cultures suppressed both basal and PDGF-AB (25 ng/ml)-driven cell proliferation, in conjunction with a cell cycle blockade at the G1/S phase at 24 h. This effect was predominantly cAMP-dependent, as PTX increased cAMP in a dose-dependent manner (0.03 to 0.33 mg/ml) but not cGMP level, and the addition of dibutyryl-cAMP (0.2 to 2 m m) closely mimicked the effect of PTX. Furthermore, co-incubation with a selective inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), H-89 (2.0 microm), or an N -myristoylated PKA pseudosubstrate nonapeptide, m-phi PKA (10 microm), prevented the antimitogenic effect of PTX. PTX also suppressed both basal and TGF- beta 1-augmented collagen alpha 1(I) and collagen alpha 1(III) mRNA levels beginning at 24 h, and attenuated both basal and TGF-beta 1 (5 ng/ml)-stimulated total collagen synthesis at 48 h. Co-incubation with H-89 or m-phi PKA reversed PTX-attenuated collagen alpha 1(I) and collagen alpha 1(III) mRNA levels at 24 h. These data suggest that the antimotigenic and anticollagen effects of PTX were mediated predominantly through a cAMP-PKA effector pathway. The dual effect of PTX on VSMC proliferation and collagen synthesis may form the rationale for animal or clinical trials for the treatment of vascular occlusion due to atherosclerosis and restenosis following angioplasty.
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PMID:Pentoxifylline inhibits PDGF-induced proliferation of and TGF-beta-stimulated collagen synthesis by vascular smooth muscle cells. 1032 5

Apoptosis of arterial smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) could play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and restenosis. Recent studies have demonstrated that extracellular adenosine induces apoptosis in various cell types. Our aim was to delineate the capacity of this nucleoside to induce ASMC apoptosis in arterial diseases. We demonstrate that adenosine dose-dependently triggers apoptosis of cultured human ASMCs. Apoptotic cell death was quantified by analysis of nuclear chromatin morphology and characterized by DNA laddering. The involvement of adenosine receptors was suggested, because neither an adenosine deaminase inhibitor, erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl) adenine hydrochloride, nor an inhibitor of cellular nucleoside transport, dipyridamole, was able to inhibit adenosine-induced ASMC apoptosis. In contrast, an A(1)/A(2)-adenosine receptor antagonist, xanthine amine congener, totally inhibited adenosine-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, among more selective inhibitors of P(1) purinoceptor subtypes, only alloxazine, an antagonist of A(1)- and A(2)-adenosine receptors, completely inhibited adenosine-induced ASMC apoptosis, suggesting that adenosine triggers ASMC apoptosis via either 1 or both of these receptors. However, 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine, 8-(3-chlorostyryl) caffeine, and 3-ethyl-5-benzyl-2-methyl-4-phenylethynyl-6-phenyl-1, 4-(+/-)-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate, which are A(1)-, A(2a)-, and A(3)-adenosine receptor antagonists, did not inhibit adenosine-induced apoptosis, suggesting an involvement of the A(2b)-receptor in this process. Moreover, the cAMP increase followed by cAMP-dependent protein kinase activation appears essential to mediate adenosine-induced ASMC apoptosis, thus confirming the previous hypothesis. These results indicate that adenosine-induced apoptosis of ASMCs is essentially mediated via A(2b)-adenosine receptor and involves a cAMP-dependent pathway.
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PMID:Extracellular adenosine induces apoptosis of human arterial smooth muscle cells via A(2b)-purinoceptor. 1062 8

The effects of exogenous oxidative stress due to passive smoking on cholesteryl ester (CE)-metabolizing enzymes and their regulatory kinases were examined by exposing rats to cigarette smoke (CS) for a 1-h period twice a day for 8, 12, or 20 wk. An oxidatively modified low density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) with a high lipid peroxide was identified in three CS groups after all three exposure periods. The rat aortic acid and neutral CE hydrolases (ACEH and NCEH) were activated to similar extents by both cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and protein kinase C (PKC) in the presence of their respective cofactors. The aortic PKC activity in the three CS groups exhibited significant reductions of 72, 84, and 75% as compared with the respective controls, which coincided with the reductions in the ACEH activities (86, 71, and 80%, respectively), whereas the PKA activities increased to 121, 197, and 252% in the three CS groups, respectively. Reflecting the increase of the PKA activity, the NCEH activity exhibited increases of 112% at 8 wk and 140% until 12 wk of exposure and decreased by 50% of the control value at 20 wk of exposure, suggesting inactivation of NCEH itself. The activation of acyl-CoA:cholesterol O-acyltransferase activity was associated with an increase of free cholesterol in aorta. The vitamin E diet prevented the formation of Ox-LDL and the oxidative inactivation of most enzymes, especially PKC, until 12 wk, but was less effective by 20 wk. The oxidative inactivation of PKC, particularly its activated form that translocated to the membrane fraction, was confirmed in the in vitro exposure to active oxygen generators at an optimal concentration; this inactivation was prevented by catalase and superoxide dismutase. These results suggested that the formation of Ox-LDL and alterations in CE-metabolizing enzymes caused by passive smoking could contribute to a twofold increase in the aortic CE content, thereby contributing to one of the mechanisms for atherosclerosis associated with smoking.
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PMID:Effects of passive smoking on the regulation of rat aortic cholesteryl ester hydrolases by signal transduction. 1090 85

We present evidence of a link between low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor binding and activation of a platelet G-coupled protein. LDL stimulation induced cytosolic [Ca2+]i mobilization, increase in inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) formation and a rapid cytosol-to-membrane translocation of protein kinase C (PKC) enzymatic activity. Pertussis toxin inhibited all the stimulatory effects, whereas cholera toxin had no effect. Using ligand-binding assays, we demonstrated that exposing platelet LDL receptors to high concentrations of LDL (1.5 g/l) caused a rapid down-regulation and desensitization, as shown by the reduction in the Bmax, intracellular [Ca2+]i mobilization and IP3 formation to 65, 73 and 63%, respectively. The inhibitory effects were reversible and dose and time dependent. Furthermore, VLDL (0.2 g/l) and IDL (0.07 g/l) induced similar desensitization effects. However, HDL3 (up to 1.5 g/l), chylomicrons (up to 0.5 g/l) and cyclohexandione-modified LDL (which does not bind to platelets) had no significant effects. Protein kinase C inhibitors (150 nmol/l staurosporine, 100 micromol/l H-7, and 10 nmol/l bisindolylmaleimide) inhibited desensitization to 71%, on average. Sequestration blocking agents (0.30 g/l, concanavalin A) had no significant effect if phosphorylation was operative. However, there was a complete blockade with the concurrent inhibition of both pathways. In contrast, cAMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitors (PKI, 1 micromol/l) or beta2-adrenergic receptor kinase inhibitors (100 nmol/l, heparin), had no effect. Overall results indicate that LDL binds to a pertussis sensitive G-protein coupled receptor and that high levels of lipoproteins down-regulate the number of receptors and desensitize its mediated response by a mechanism that involves PKC-phosphorylation and sequestration of binding sites. This new regulatory mechanism may have implications for the thrombogenicity in hyperlipidemia and for effects of lipid lowering therapy.
Atherosclerosis 2001 Mar
PMID:Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) binds to a G-protein coupled receptor in human platelets. Evidence that the proaggregatory effect induced by LDL is modulated by down-regulation of binding sites and desensitization of its mediated signaling. 1122 31

Lipid oxidation products promote atherosclerosis and may also affect osteoporosis. We showed previously that oxidized lipids including 8-isoprostaglandin E2 (isoPGE2) inhibit osteoblastic differentiation of preosteoblasts. Since osteoporosis is mediated both by decreased osteoblastic bone formation and by increased osteoclastic bone resorption, we assessed whether oxidized lipids regulate the osteoclastic potential of marrow hematopoietic cells. Treatment of marrow-derived preosteoclasts with isoPGE2 enhanced osteoclastic differentiation as evidenced by increased tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity and multinucleation, which were inhibited by calcitonin, and increased numbers of resorption pits. The enhanced osteoclastic differentiation by isoPGE2 was observed whether preosteoclasts were in coculture with stromal cells or in monoculture in the presence of receptor-activated NFkappaB ligand (RANKL) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Receptor antagonist studies suggest that isoPGE2 effects were mediated by prostaglandin receptor subtypes EP2/DP on preosteoclasts and subtype EP1 and thromboxane receptors on stromal/osteoblast cells. The enhanced TRAP activity was also inhibited by cAMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitors, and isoPGE2 elevated intracellular cAMP levels of preosteoclast monocultures. Other oxidized lipids also enhanced the TRAP activity of preosteoclast monocultures. These data suggest that isoPGE2 enhances osteoclastic differentiation of marrow preosteoclasts and that this regulation occurs via the cAMP-dependent protein kinase pathway.
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PMID:8-Isoprostaglandin E2 enhances receptor-activated NFkappa B ligand (RANKL)-dependent osteoclastic potential of marrow hematopoietic precursors via the cAMP pathway. 1182 70

Atherosclerosis involves cellular immune responses and altered vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) function. Nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP is uniquely capable of inhibiting key processes in atherosclerosis. In this study, we determined the effects of NO/cGMP and their molecular mechanisms in the regulation of NF-kappaB-dependent gene expression in VSMCs. We found that cGMP-elevating agents such as the NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), reduced TNF-alpha-induced NF-kappaB-dependent reporter gene expression in rat aortic VSMCs in a cGMP-dependent manner. The effects of SNAP and CNP on NF-kappaB are mediated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) but not cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) based on the findings that the selective PKA inhibitor, PKI, abolished the effects of SNAP and CNP on NF-kappaB, whereas the PKG inhibitor Rp-8-Br-PET-cGMP had no effect. Inhibition of cGMP-inhibited cAMP-hydrolyzing phosphodiesterase 3 (PDE3) blocked SNAP- and CNP-elicited effects on NF-kappaB-dependent transcription. Furthermore, cGMP analogues such as 8-pCPT-cGMP, which selectively activates PKG but does not inhibit PDE3, had no effect on NF-kappaB-mediated transcription. Activation of PKA by SNAP or cAMP-elevating agents not only inhibited TNF-alpha-induced NF-kappaB-dependent reporter gene expression but also reduced endogenous NF-kappaB-dependent adhesion molecule and chemokine expression. These results suggest that SNAP and CNP exert inhibitory effects on NF-kappaB-dependent transcription by activation of PKA via cGMP-dependent inhibition of PDE3 activity. Therefore, PDE3 is a novel mediator of inflammation in VSMCs.
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PMID:Role of phosphodiesterase 3 in NO/cGMP-mediated antiinflammatory effects in vascular smooth muscle cells. 1291 48

Obesity, a state of increased adipose tissue mass, is a major cause for type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension, resulting in clustering of risk factors for atherosclerosis. Heterozygous PPARgamma knockout mice and KKA(y) mice administered with a PPARgamma antagonist were protected from high-fat diet-induced adipocyte hypertrophy and insulin resistance. Moderate reduction of PPARgamma activity prevented adipocyte hypertrophy, thereby diminution of TNFalpha, resistin, and FFA and upregulation of adiponectin and leptin. These alterations led to reduction of tissue TG content in muscle/liver, thereby ameliorating insulin resistance. Insulin resistance in the lipoatrophic mice and KKA(y) mice were ameliorated by replenishment of adiponectin. Moreover, adiponectin transgenic mice ameliorated insulin resistance and diabetes, but not the obesity of ob/ob mice. Furthermore, targeted disruption of the adiponectin gene caused moderate insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. In muscle, adiponectin activated AMP kinase and PPARgamma pathways, thereby increasing beta-oxidation of lipids, leading to decreased TG content, which ameliorated muscle insulin resistance. In the liver, adiponectin also activated AMPK, thereby downregulating PEPCK and G6Pase, leading to decreased glucose output from the liver. In conclusion, PPARgamma plays a central role in the regulation of adipocyte hypertrophy and insulin sensitivity. The upregulation of the adiponectin pathway by PPARgamma may play a role in the increased insulin sensitivity of heterozygous PPARgamma knockout mice, and activation of adiponectin pathway may provide novel therapeutic strategies for obesity-linked disorders such as type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
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PMID:[The mechanisms by which PPARgamma and adiponectin regulate glucose and lipid metabolism]. 1450 Nov 64

Leukocyte and platelet adhesion to endothelial cells, an early step in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, is mediated through adhesion molecules. It has been shown that statins decrease adhesion molecule expression. We examined the hypothesis that fluvastatin decreased intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) expression through a nitric oxide-mediated pathway. Human iliac artery endothelial cells were exposed to fluvastatin in the presence or absence of 2 mM N-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA). Flow cytometry analysis was used to measure ICAM-1 and PECAM-1 expression. In a separate experiment, confluent cell cultures were exposed in a serum-free medium to fluvastatin 20 microM, and the supernatant was collected for nitrate/nitrite determination after 6 and 48 hr of incubation. Protein was isolated and processed for immunoblotting with monoclonal antibodies specific for endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), Ser(1177)-phosphorylated eNOS, and AMP kinase. Relative band intensity was assessed with densitometry. Results are presented as the mean +/- standard deviation (SD), and p < 0.05 was considered significant. ICAM-1 and PECAM-1 were expressed constitutively. Human iliac artery endothelial cells (HIAECS) treated with 5 microM fluvastatin did not exhibit reduced expression of PECAM-1 or ICAM-1. Incubation with 10 microM fluvastatin reduced basal expression of both ICAM-1 and PECAM-1. Fluorescence intensity (FI) for these substance was as follows: 3638 +/- 1671, p = 0.01 and PECAM-1 vs. control FI 276 +/- 52 vs. 522 +/- 78, p = 0.02. In the presence of 2 mM L-NMMA, fluvastatin failed to decrease the expression of ICAM-1 (fluvastatin 10 microM + L-NMMA: FI was 3042 +/- 1378 vs. 3638 +/- 1671 for the control p = 0.01) or PECAM-1 (fluvastatin 10 microM + L-NMMA: FI was 415 +/- 188 vs. 522 +/- 78 for the control, p = 0.1). Incubation with 20 microM fluvastatin similarly reduced ICAM-1 expression (FI was 2014 +/- 1595 vs. 3638 +/- 1671 for the control, p = 0.02) and PECAM-1 expression (FI was 196 +/- 109 vs. 522 +/- 78 for the control, p = 0.02). This reduction was prevented in the presence of 2 mM L-NMMA. L-NMMA in a concentration of 2 mM had no significant effect on adhesion molecule expression (p > 0.05 for all comparisons of the control FI versus 2 mM L-NMMA mean FI). After a 48 hr incubation with 20 microM fluvastatin there was a 219 +/- 35% increase in the cell eNOS protein content (p = 0.01) and a 170 +/- 26% increase in the cell AMPK protein content (p = 0.02). Ser(1177)-phosphorylated eNOS protein levels were increased by 41 +/- 8% (p = 0.03). The nitric oxide concentration in the medium of the HIAEC treated with 20 microM fluvastatin for 48 hr was significantly higher than that in the control (p = 0.0004), pointing to increased production during the incubation period. Fluvastatin thus decreases basal expression of ICAM-1 and PECAM-1. Competitive inhibition of eNOS with L-NMMA abolishes the effect of fluvastatin on ICAM-1 and PECAM-1 expression. The statin up-regulates eNOS and AMP kinase, one of the enzymes that activates eNOS via phosphorylation at Ser(1177). We have shown that after a 48-hr exposure to fluvastatin there is an increased amount of the phosphorylated enzyme in the endothelial cells.
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PMID:Nitric oxide mediates the effect of fluvastatin on intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 expression on human endothelial cells. 1581 60

Cells have the capability of defending themselves from various stressors by activating a genetic program with the production of substances known as heat shock proteins (Hsps) and their regulatory partners, the heat shock transcription factors. Hsps play a major role in systemic hypertension, coronary artery disease, carotid atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction and myocardial ischemia. In this review we discuss the interaction between Hsp70 and CaN which was carried out in our laboratory. We demonstrated that the cardiac Hsp70 stimulated a 2-fold increase in calcineurin (CaN) activity. In addition, the pull-down assay revealed that Hsp70 directly interacts with CaN. Furthermore, expressed cardiac specific Hsp70 was phosphorylated in vitro by cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The phosphorylated Hsp70 was unable to activate the phosphatase activity of CaN. For the first time we demonstrated that Hsp70 is phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase and provides an on/off switch for the regulation of CaN signaling by Hsp70. This will lead to therapeutic benefit in human diseases such as atherosclerosis, cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, and ischemia.
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PMID:Interaction between heat shock protein 70 kDa and calcineurin in cardiovascular systems (Review). 1646 87

AMPK is a serine/threonine protein kinase, which serves as an energy sensor in all eukaryotic cell types. Published studies indicate that AMPK activation strongly suppresses cell proliferation in non-malignant cells as well as in tumour cells. These actions of AMPK appear to be mediated through multiple mechanisms including regulation of the cell cycle and inhibition of protein synthesis, de novo fatty acid synthesis, specifically the generation of mevalonate as well as other products downstream of mevalonate in the cholesterol synthesis pathway. Cell cycle regulation by AMPK is mediated by up-regulation of the p53-p21 axis as well as regulation of TSC2-mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) pathway. The AMPK signalling network contains a number of tumour suppressor genes including LKB1, p53, TSC1 and TSC2, and overcomes growth factor signalling from a variety of stimuli (via growth factors and by abnormal regulation of cellular proto-oncogenes including PI3K, Akt and ERK). These observations suggest that AMPK activation is a logical therapeutic target for diseases rooted in cellular proliferation, including atherosclerosis and cancer. In this review, we discuss about exciting recent advances indicating that AMPK functions as a suppressor of cell proliferation by controlling a variety of cellular events in normal cells as well as in tumour cells.
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PMID:AMPK and cell proliferation--AMPK as a therapeutic target for atherosclerosis and cancer. 1661 76


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