Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:2.7.11.13 (protein kinase C)
 49,245 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME) are leading causes of blindness in the working-age population of most developed countries. The increasing number of individuals with diabetes worldwide suggests that DR and DME will continue to be major contributors to vision loss and associated functional impairment for years to come. Early detection of retinopathy in individuals with diabetes is critical in preventing visual loss, but current methods of screening fail to identify a sizable number of high-risk patients. The control of diabetes-associated metabolic abnormalities (i.e., hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension) is also important in preserving visual function because these conditions have been identified as risk factors for both the development and progression of DR/DME. The currently available interventions for DR/DME, laser photocoagulation and vitrectomy, only target advanced stages of disease. Several biochemical mechanisms, including protein kinase C-beta activation, increased vascular endothelial growth factor production, oxidative stress, and accumulation of intracellular sorbitol and advanced glycosylation end products, may contribute to the vascular disruptions that characterize DR/DME. The inhibition of these pathways holds the promise of intervention for DR at earlier non-sight-threatening stages. To implement new therapies effectively, more individuals will need to be screened for DR/DME at earlier stages-a process requiring both improved technology and interdisciplinary cooperation among physicians caring for patients with diabetes.
 ...
PMID:Diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema: pathophysiology, screening, and novel therapies. 1294 34

It is well established that certain chemotherapeutic agents have potent antiangiogenic properties which may be part of their antitumor activity. Temozolomide (TMZ) is a lipophilic methylating agent used in the therapy of malignant melanoma and other tumors. We sought to determine whether TMZ is capable of inhibiting angiogenesis or influencing endothelial function. We used the in vivo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay, and HUVEC-based in vitro Matrigel, adhesion and proliferation assays to determine the antiangiogenic effects of different doses of TMZ. In the CAM assay, angiogenesis was significantly inhibited by 5 microM TMZ, a concentration also found to be effective in interfering with in vitro angiogenesis as measured by the Matrigel assay. For the inhibition of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)- or beta-phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-induced endothelial cell proliferation or endothelial cell adhesion to fibronectin, TMZ concentrations of at least 25 microM were necessary, indicating that bFGF-, VEGF- or protein kinase C-mediated pathways may not primarily be involved in the observed antiangiogenic effect. Thus, we could demonstrate that TMZ inhibits angiogenesis at low, non-toxic doses that correspond to the plasma concentrations achieved by an oral application of 20 mg/m2 every 8 h. This 'metronomic' scheduling has already been used in phase I studies and has produced antitumor effects. Therefore, the antitumor activity of TMZ may, at least in part, be due to its antiangiogenic properties. The precise mechanism of its antiangiogenic action remains to be elucidated.
 ...
PMID:Inhibition of angiogenesis by non-toxic doses of temozolomide. 1296 Jul 35

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a platelet-derived sphingolipid that binds to S1P1 (EDG-1) receptors and activates the endothelial isoform of NO synthase (eNOS). S1P and the polypeptide growth factor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) act independently to modulate angiogenesis and activate eNOS. In these studies, we explored the cross-talk between S1P and VEGF signaling pathways. When cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells were treated with VEGF (10 ng/ml), the expression of S1P1 protein and mRNA increased by approximately 4-fold. S1P1 up-regulation by VEGF was seen within 30 min of VEGF addition and reached a maximum after 1.5 h. By contrast, expression of neither bradykinin B2 receptors nor the scaffolding protein caveolin-1 was altered by VEGF treatment. The EC50 for VEGF-promoted induction of S1P1 expression was approximately 2 ng/ml, within its physiological concentration range. S1P1 induction by VEGF was attenuated by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein and by the PKC inhibitor calphostin C. Preincubation of bovine aortic endothelial cells with VEGF (10 ng/ml for 90 min) markedly enhanced subsequent S1P-dependent eNOS activation. VEGF pretreatment of cultured endothelial cells also markedly potentiated S1P-promoted eNOS phosphorylation at Ser-1179, as well as S1P-mediated activation of kinase Akt. In isolated rat arteries, VEGF pretreatment markedly potentiated S1P-mediated vasorelaxation and eNOS Ser-1179 phosphorylation. Taken together, these data indicate that VEGF specifically induces expression of S1P1 receptors, associated with enhanced intracellular signaling responses to S1P and the potentiation of S1P-mediated vasorelaxation. We suggest that VEGF acts to sensitize the vascular endothelium to the effects of lipid mediators by promoting the induction of S1P1 receptors, representing a potentially important point of cross-talk between receptor-regulated eNOS signaling pathways in the vasculature.
 ...
PMID:VEGF induces S1P1 receptors in endothelial cells: Implications for cross-talk between sphingolipid and growth factor receptors. 1296 13

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2/KDR/Flk-1) is a high-affinity receptor for vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), and mediates most of the endothelial growth and survival signals from VEGF-A. VEGFR-2 has a typical tyrosine kinase receptor structure with seven immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domains in the extracellular region, as well as a long kinase insert in the tyrosine kinase domain. It utilizes a unique signaling system for DNA synthesis in vascular endothelial cells, i.e. a phospholipase C gamma-protein kinase C-Raf-MAP kinase pathway. Although VEGF-A binds two receptors, VEGFR-1 and -2, a newly isolated ligand VEGF-E (Orf-virus-derived VEGF) binds and activates only VEGFR-2. Transgenic mice expressing VEGF-E(NZ-7) showed a dramatic increase in angiogenesis with very few side effects (such as edema and hemorrhagic spots), suggesting strong angiogenic signaling and a potential clinical utility of VEGF-E. VEGF family members bear three loops produced via three intramolecular disulfide bonds, and cooperation between loop-1 and loop-3 is necessary for the specific binding and activation of VEGFR-2 for angiogenesis. As it directly upregulates tumor angiogenesis, VEGFR-2 is an appropriate target for suppression of solid tumor growth using exogenous antibodies, small inhibitory molecules and in vivo stimulation of the immune system.
 ...
PMID:Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2: its unique signaling and specific ligand, VEGF-E. 1296 71

To understand how vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production is activated in malignant glioma cells, we employed protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) and protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors to evaluate the extent to which these protein kinases were involved in signal transduction leading to VEGF production. PTK inhibitors blocked glioma proliferation and epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced VEGF secretion, while H-7, a PKC inhibitor, inhibited both EGF-induced and baseline VEGF secretion. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a non-specific activator of PKC, induced VEGF secretion by glioma cells, which was enhanced by calcium ionophore A23187, but completely blocked after prolonged treatment of cells with 1 microM PMA, by presumably depleting PKC. All inhibitors (genistein, AG18, AG213, H-7, prolonged PMA treatment) which inhibited EGF-induced VEGF secretion in glioma cells also inhibited cell proliferation at similar concentrations. However, PKC inhibition only blocked 50% of the VEGF secretion induced by growth factors (EGF, platelet-derived growth factor-BB, or basic fibroblast growth factor). This reserve capacity could be ascribed to a PKC-independent effect, or to PKC isoenzymes not down-regulated by PMA. These findings extend our previous assertion that VEGF secretion is tightly coupled with proliferation by suggesting that activation of convergent growth factor signaling pathways will lead to increased glioma VEGF secretion. Understanding of signal transduction of growth factor-induced VEGF secretion should provide a rational basis for the development of novel strategies for therapy.
 ...
PMID:Protein kinase C mediates induced secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor by human glioma cells. 1367 66

Activation of adenosine receptors in folliculostellate (FS) cells of the pituitary gland leads to the secretion of IL-6 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We investigated the action of adenosine A2 receptor agonists on IL-6 and VEGF secretion in two murine FS cell lines (TtT/GF and Tpit/F1), and demonstrated a rank order of potency, 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA)>2-p-(2-carboxyethyl)phenethylamino-5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine>adenosine, suggesting mediation via the A2b receptor. NECA-mediated IL-6 release was inhibited by the PLC inhibitor 1-[6-((17beta-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5(10)-tiene-17-yl)amino)hexyl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione, the PI3 kinase inhibitor wortmannin and the PKC inhibitors bisindolylmaleimide 1 and bisindolymaleimide X1 HCl (Ro-32-0432). NECA-mediated IL-6 release was attenuated (<50%) by the extracellular signal-regulated kinase MAPK inhibitor 2'-amino-3'-methoxyflavone, and completely (>95%) inhibited by the p38 MAPK inhibitor 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulphinylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)1H-imidazole. NECA stimulates p38 MAPK phosphorylation that is inhibited by Ro-32-0432 but not by wortmannin. Dexamethasone inhibits NECA-stimulated IL-6 and VEGF secretion. These findings indicate that adenosine can stimulate IL-6 secretion in FS cells via the A2b receptor coupled principally to PLC/PKC and p38 MAPK; such an action may be important in the modulation of inflammatory response processes in the pituitary gland.
 ...
PMID:Adenosine-induced IL-6 expression in pituitary folliculostellate cells is mediated via A2b adenosine receptors coupled to PKC and p38 MAPK. 1450 37

Angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) cooperate in migration and survival of endothelial cells by activation of phosphatidylinositol-3 (PI-3) kinase and mitogen activating protein (MAP) kinase pathways. However, Ang1 opposes the effect of VEGF on vascular permeability. We found that Ang1 also blocks VEGF-mediated diffusion of fluoresin isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled albumin across an endothelial cell monolayer. VEGF-mediated vascular permeability has been attributed, in part, to activation of phospholipase A(2) and subsequent formation of platelet activating factor. However, Ang1 had no effect on VEGF-induced activation of phospholipase A(2) or the release of arachidonic acid. VEGF-mediated permeability was associated with disruption of endothelial cell junctional complexes, dissociation of beta-catenin from VE-cadherin, and accumulation of beta-catenin in the cytosol. In contrast, Ang1 enhanced the interaction of beta-catenin with VE-cadherin and impaired VEGF-mediated dissociation of this complex. Ang1 also blocked VEGF-induced translocation of protein kinase C (PKC) and beta2 to the membrane, but had no effect on activation of PKC alpha. In addition, staurosporine and a PKC beta inhibitor, LY379196, blocked VEGF-mediated dissociation of beta-catenin from VE-cadherin, diffusion of albumin across the endothelial cell monolayer, and translocation of PKC beta isoforms. These data indicate that VEGF-mediated disruption of endothelial cell-cell interactions requires activation of PKC beta isoforms and that this pathway is blocked by Ang1.
 ...
PMID:Opposing effect of angiopoietin-1 on VEGF-mediated disruption of endothelial cell-cell interactions requires activation of PKC beta. 1458 44

Vascular permeability factor/vascular endothelial growth factor (VPF/VEGF), the critical molecule in tumor angiogenesis, is regulated by different stimuli, such as hypoxia and oncogenes, and also by growth factors. Previously we have shown that in AsPC-1 pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells, insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-IR) regulates VPF/VEGF expression. Insulin receptor substrate-1 and -2 (IRS-1 and IRS-2), two major downstream molecules of IGF-1R, are known to be important in the genesis of diabetes. In this study, we have defined a new role of IRS in angiogenesis. Both of the IRS proteins modulate VPF/VEGF expression in pancreatic cancer cells by different mechanistic pathways. The Sp1-dependent VPF/VEGF transcription is regulated mainly by IRS-2. Protein kinase C-zeta (PKC-zeta) plays a central role in VPF/VEGF expression and acts as a switching element. Furthermore, we have also demonstrated that the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway, but not the Ras pathway, is a downstream event of IRS proteins for VPF/VEGF expression in AsPC-1 cells. Interestingly, like renal cancer cells, in AsPC-1 cells PKC-zeta leads to direct Sp1-dependent VPF/VEGF transcription; in addition, it also promotes a negative feedback loop to IRS-2 that decreases the association of IRS-2/IGF-1R and IRS-2/p85. Taken together, our results show that in AsPC-1 pancreatic carcinoma cells, Sp1-dependent VPF/VEGF transcription is controlled by IGF-1R signaling through IRS-2 proteins and modulated by a negative feedback loop of PKC-zeta to IRS-2. Our data also suggest that IRS proteins, which are known to play crucial roles in IGF-1R signaling, are also important mediators for tumor angiogenesis.
 ...
PMID:Role of insulin receptor substrates and protein kinase C-zeta in vascular permeability factor/vascular endothelial growth factor expression in pancreatic cancer cells. 1460 96

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the world. Therapeutic improvements caused by recent cytotoxic agents seem to have reached a plateau. New therapeutic strategies are, therefore, necessary to improve the cure rate. These include receptor-targeted therapy, signal transduction or cell-cycle inhibition, angiogenesis inhibitors, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors, gene therapy and vaccines. The antiepidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) group includes compounds acting on the extracellular domain of EGFR, such as IMC-C225 and trastuzumab; small molecules inhibiting EGFR phosphorylation, such as ZD 1839 and OSI-774; or compounds that interfere with one of the downstream steps, such as mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitors. Farnesyl transferase inhibitors, such as SCH66336, and protein kinase C inhibitors, such as ISIS 3521, have also shown antitumour activity. Antiangiogenesis inhibitors include matrix metalloprotease inhibitors (MMPIs), suchs as marimastat, AG3340, BAY 12-9566, BMS-275291 and Col-3. Antiangiogenic agents offer great potential for the treatment of lung cancer, as shown in preclinical models, whereas emerging data suggest that there are limits to their use as monotherapy in advanced disease. Molecules targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or its receptor (VEGFR) also seem to control tumour progression and may prolong survival. COX-2 inhibitors are another class of agents currently under evaluation in clinical trials for their chemoprevention role in subjects at high lung cancer risk, and also in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in combination with standard chemotherapeutics. Genetic and immunologic therapies represent two additional promising modalities. All of these therapies are in different phases of clinical testing and have shown encouraging activity alone or in combination with chemotherapy drugs.
 ...
PMID:Emerging drugs for non-small cell lung cancer. 1461 Sep 20

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.
 ...
PMID:Pharmacologic therapy for diabetic retinopathy. 1461 Sep 24


<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10