Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:2.7.11.24 (mitogen-activated protein kinase)
 95,810 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Tamoxifen, a selective estrogen-receptor modulator, is effective in the treatment and prevention of breast cancer, but therapeutic resistance is common. Pure steroidal antiestrogens are efficacious in tamoxifen-resistant disease and, unlike tamoxifen, arrest cells in a state of quiescence from which they cannot reenter the cell cycle after growth factor stimulation. We now show that in hydroxytamoxifen-treated cells, transduction of the cell cycle inhibitor p27(Kip1) induces quiescence and insensitivity to growth stimulation by insulin/insulin-like growth factor I and epidermal growth factor/transforming growth factor alpha. Furthermore, reinitiation of cell cycle progression by insulin/insulin-like growth factor I in hydroxytamoxifen-arrested cells involves dissociation of the corepressors nuclear receptor corepressor (N-CoR) and silencing mediator for retinoid and thyroid hormone receptor (SMRT) from nuclear estrogen receptor alpha and redistribution to the cytoplasm, a process that is inhibited by mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-regulated kinase, but not phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase, inhibitors. These data suggest that agents that up-regulate p27(Kip1) or inhibit growth factor signaling via the extracellular signal-regulated kinases should be tested as therapeutic strategies in tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer.
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PMID:p27(Kip1) induces quiescence and growth factor insensitivity in tamoxifen-treated breast cancer cells. 1290 98

The HER family of transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptors is composed of four members, BER1 to HER4. HER2 is a ligand-orphan receptor expressed in many human tumors and overexpressed in 25-30% of breast cancers. HER2 amplifies the signal provided by other receptors of the HER family by forming heterodimers. The essential role of HER2 in the HER signaling network led to the development of anti-HER2 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) for cancer therapy. In particular, the humanized MAb trastuzumab (Herceptin) has antitumor activity against HER2-overexpressing human breast tumor cells and is widely used for the treatment of women with HER2 overexpressing breast cancers. Trastuzumab induces HER2 receptor downmodulation and, as a result, inhibits critical signalling pathways (i.e. ras-Raf-MAPK and PI3K/Akt) and blocks cell cycle progression by inducing the formation of p27/Cdk2 complexes. Trastuzumab also inhibits HER2 cleavage, preceding antibody-induced receptor downmodulation, and this effect might contribute to its antitumor activity in some cancers. In vivo, trastuzumab inhibits angiogenesis and induces antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. A limitation of trastuzumab is that its activity is largely restricted to breast cancers with the highest level of HER2 overexpression or HER2 gene amplification. However, there is a large population of breast cancers and of many other tumors that have low or moderate HER2 expression. In such tumors, HER2 functions as a preferred coreceptor to form heterodimers with HER1 (EGFR), HER3 or HER4. For this reason, a humanized monoclonal antibody, called 2C4, that targets the role of HER2 as a coreceptor is under active development. 2C4 binds to a different epitope of HER2 ectodomain than trastuzumab and sterically hinders HER2 recruitment in heterodimers with other HER receptors. This results in the inhibition of signalling by HER2-based heterodimers both in cells with low and high HER2 expression. In vitro and in vivo antitumor activity has been reported in a range of breast and prostate tumor models. Therefore, 2C4 may have potential against a wide variety of solid tumors. Phase I trials are underway.
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PMID:Mechanism of action of anti-HER2 monoclonal antibodies: scientific update on trastuzumab and 2C4. 1290 64

We tested the hypothesis that Mg(2+) influences growth of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) by modulating cell cycle activation through mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase-dependent pathways. Rat VSMCs were grown in culture medium containing normal Mg(2+) (1.02 mmol/L, control) and increasing concentrations of Mg(2+) (2-4 mmol/L) for 1-8 days. Effects of varying extracellular Mg(2+) concentration ([Mg(2+)](e)) on intracellular free Mg(2+) concentration ([Mg(2+)](i)) were assessed using mag-fura. Growth actions of Mg(2+) were evaluated by measuring cell cycle activation, DNA synthesis, and protein synthesis. Expression of cell cycle promoters, cyclin D1, cyclin E, Cdk2, and Cdk4 was assessed by immunoblotting. Phosphorylation of cell cycle inhibitors p21(cip1) and p27(kip1) and MAP kinases, ERK1/2, p38MAP kinase, and JNK was evaluated using phospho-specific antibodies. [Mg(2+)](i) increased in a dose-dependent manner in response to increasing [Mg(2+)](e). These effects were evident within 2 days and maximal responses were obtained after 6 days. High [Mg(2+)](e) induced cell cycle activation with a lower proportion of cells in G(1) phase (75 +/- 1.0%) and a higher fraction of cells in S phase (12 +/- 0.7%) versus control (G(1), 88.5 +/- 1.4%; S, 6.8 +/- 1.2%; P < 0.05). This was associated with increased protein content of cyclin D1 and Cdk4 and decreased activation of p21(cip1) and p27(kip1). In cells exposed to 2 mmol/L Mg(2+), DNA and protein synthesis was increased approximately threefold. Phosphorylation of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 was enhanced two to threefold in cells grown in 2 mmol/L Mg(2+). These effects were rapid, occurring within 2 days. Phosphorylation of MEK3/6, p38 MAP kinase, and JNK was unaltered by increasing [Mg2](e). PD98059 (10(-5) mol/L), specific MEK1/2 inhibitor, but not SB202190 (10(-5) mol/L) (specific p38 MAP kinase inhibitor), attenuated Mg(2+)-induced growth actions. These data demonstrate the novel findings that cell cycle activation and growth regulation by Mg(2+) occurs via ERK1/2-dependent, p38 MAP kinase-independent pathways.
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PMID:Modulation of vascular smooth muscle cell growth by magnesium-role of mitogen-activated protein kinases. 1456 62

Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), a metal chelating compound, is known to induce cell death in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). However, the molecular mechanism for PDTC-induced VSMC death is not well understood. Addition of PDTC reduced cell growth and DNA synthesis on VSMC in low density conditions. However, in serum depleted medium, PDTC did not affect the cell viability, suggesting that certain factors in serum may mediate the cytotoxic effect of PDTC. Several metal chelators prevented the cell death induced by PDTC. In a serum-deprived condition, addition of exogenous metals, copper, iron, and zinc, restored the cytotoxic effect of PDTC. These data indicate that metals such as copper, iron, and zinc in serum may mediate the cytotoxic effect of PDTC. At low VSMC density in 10% FBS, treatment of PDTC, which induced a cell-cycle block in G1-phase, induced down-regulation of cyclins and CDKs and up-regulation of the CDK inhibitor p21 expression, whereas up-regulation of p27 or p53 by PDTC was not observed. Finally, we determined PDTC-mediated signaling pathway involved in VSMC death. Among relevant pathways, PDTC induced marked activation of p38MAPK and JNK. Expression of dominant negative p38MAPK and SB203580, a p38MAPK specific inhibitor, blocked PDTC-dependent p38MAPK, growth inhibition, and p21 expression. These data demonstrate that the p38MAPK pathway participates in p21 induction, which consequently leads to decrease of cyclin D1/cdk4 and cyclin E/cdk2 complexes and PDTC-dependent VSMC growth inhibition. In conclusion, an understanding of the molecular mechanisms of PDTC in VSMC provides a theoretical basis for clinical approaches using antioxidant therapies in atherosclerosis.
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PMID:PDTC, metal chelating compound, induces G1 phase cell cycle arrest in vascular smooth muscle cells through inducing p21Cip1 expression: involvement of p38 mitogen activated protein kinase. 1460 33

Although c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) is activated by treatment with therapeutic agents, the biologic sequelae of inhibiting constitutive activation of JNK has not yet been clarified. In this study, we examine the biologic effect of JNK inhibition in multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines. JNK-specific inhibitor SP600125 induces growth inhibition via induction of G1 or G2/M arrest in U266 and MM.1S multiple myeloma cell lines, respectively. Neither exogenous IL-6 nor insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) overcome SP600125-induced growth inhibition, and IL-6 enhances SP600125-induced G2/M phase in MM.1S cells. Induction of growth arrest is mediated by upregulation of p27(Kip1), without alteration of p53 and JNK protein expression. Importantly, SP600125 inhibits growth of MM cells adherent to bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). SP600125 induces NF-kappaB activation in a dose-dependent fashion, associated with phosphorylation of IkappaB kinase alpha (IKKalpha) and degradation of IkappaBalpha. In contrast, SP600125 does not affect phosphorylation of STAT3, Akt, and/or ERK. IKK-specific inhibitor PS-1145 inhibits SP600125-induced NF-kappaB activation and blocks the protective effect of SP600125 against apoptosis. Our data therefore demonstrate for the first time that inhibiting JNK activity induces growth arrest and activates NF-kappaB in MM cells.
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PMID:Biologic sequelae of c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) activation in multiple myeloma cell lines. 1464 74

The clinical usefulness of trastuzumab (Herceptin; Genentech, San Francisco, CA) in breast cancer treatment is limited by the rapid development of resistance. We previously reported that IGF-I signaling confers resistance to the growth-inhibitory actions of trastuzumab in a model system, but the underlying molecular mechanism remains unknown. We used SKBR3/neo cells (expressing few IGF-I receptors) and SKBR3/IGF-IR cells (overexpressing IGF-I receptor) as our experimental model. IGF-I antagonized the trastuzumab-induced increase in the level of the Cdk inhibitor p27(Kip1). This resulted in decreased association of p27(Kip1) with Cdk2, restoration of Cdk2 activity and attenuation of cell-cycle arrest in G(1) phase, all of which had been induced by trastuzumab treatment in SKBR3/IGF-IR cells. We also found that the decrease in p27(Kip1) induced by IGF-I was accompanied by an increase in expression of Skp2, which is a ubiquitin ligase for p27(Kip1), and by increased Skp2 association with p27(Kip1). A specific proteasome inhibitor (LLnL) completely blocked the ability of IGF-I to reduce the p27(Kip1) protein level, while IGF-I increased p27(Kip1) ubiquitination. This suggests that the action of IGF-I in conferring resistance to trastuzumab involves targeting of p27(Kip1) to the ubiquitin/proteasome degradation machinery. Finally, specific inhibitors of MAPK and PI3K suggest that the IGF-I-mediated reduction in p27(Kip1) protein level by increased degradation predominantly involves the PI3K pathway. Our results provide an example of resistance to an antineoplastic therapy that targets one tyrosine kinase receptor by increased signal transduction through an alternative pathway in a complex regulatory network.
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PMID:Molecular mechanisms underlying IGF-I-induced attenuation of the growth-inhibitory activity of trastuzumab (Herceptin) on SKBR3 breast cancer cells. 1464 98

In neuroblastoma (NB), expression of the TrkA receptor is correlated with good prognosis while N-myc amplification is correlated with poor prognosis. Decreased N-myc levels are key to controlling growth and inducing differentiation in NB cells. In this report, we detail mechanisms by which nerve growth factor (NGF) decreases N-myc levels in TrkA-transfected NB cells and its effect on NB cell proliferation. NGF induced a decrease in N-myc mRNA within 1 h of treatment that occurred in the presence of cycloheximide. The stability of N-myc mRNA was not affected by NGF, indicating a transcriptional control of N-myc mRNA by NGF. NGF but not brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) decreased N-myc levels demonstrating that p75 alone was not involved. The NGF-induced decrease in N-myc expression was blocked by the Trk tyrosine kinase (TK) antagonist K252a indicating that signals transduced by Trk TK downstream targets were involved. Pharmacologic inhibitors implicated the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) path. This was supported by the finding that expression of a constitutively activated component of the MAPK path, MAPK kinase (MEK), decreased N-myc levels. Alterations in the level of N-myc are known to alter NB cell cycle progression by affecting the levels of E2Fs and p27(kip1). Consistent with these findings, NGF decreased NB cell number and decreased cyclin E-dependent kinase activity via an increase in p27(kip1). Thus, our results indicate that the MAP kinase is selectively involved in the NGF-induced N-myc downregulation through a transcriptional mechanism. Furthermore, NGF affects the time required for 15N TrkA cells to complete a replication cycle by decreasing N-myc, E2Fs, cyclin E kinase activity and increasing p27(kip1) binding to cyclin E kinase.
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PMID:NGF activation of TrkA decreases N-myc expression via MAPK path leading to a decrease in neuroblastoma cell number. 1469 55

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation is absolutely required for cervical cell proliferation. This suggests that EGFR-inhibitory agents may be of therapeutic value. In the present study, we investigated the effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a bioactive green tea polyphenol, on EGFR signaling in cervical cells. EGCG inhibits epidermal growth factor-dependent activation of EGFR, and EGFR-dependent activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases ERK1/2. EGCG also inhibits EGFR-dependent AKT activity. The EGCG-dependent reduction in ERK and AKT activity is associated with reduced phosphorylation of downstream substrates, including p90RSK, FKHR, and BAD. These changes are associated with increased p53, p21(WAF-1), and p27(KIP-1) levels, reduced cyclin E level, and reduced CDK2 kinase activity. Consistent with these findings, flow cytometry and TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl-transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling) staining revealed EGCG-dependent G(1) arrest. Moreover, sustained EGCG treatment caused apoptotic cell death. In addition to inhibiting EGFR, cell-free studies demonstrated that EGCG directly inhibits ERK1/2 and AKT, suggesting that EGCG acts simultaneously at multiple levels to inhibit EGF-dependent signaling. Importantly, the EGCG inhibition is selective, as EGCG does not effect the EGFR-dependent activation of JNK. These results suggest that EGCG acts to selectively inhibit multiple EGF-dependent kinases to inhibit cell proliferation.
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PMID:Epigallocatechin-3-gallate inhibits epidermal growth factor receptor signaling pathway. Evidence for direct inhibition of ERK1/2 and AKT kinases. 1470 54

mRNA abundance for a number of genes is increased by amino acid limitation. From an array screening study in HepG2 human hepatoma cells, it was established that one set of genes affected by amino acid availability is the set associated with cell-cycle control. The present study describes the increased expression of both mRNA and protein for the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p21 and p27 in response to deprivation of HepG2 cells for a single essential amino acid, histidine. The increase in p21 and p27 mRNA content depended on de novo protein synthesis and involved a post-transcriptional mRNA stabilization component. For p21, increase in mRNA by histidine depletion appeared to be independent of p53 transactivation, and the absolute level of p53 protein was unaffected by this treatment. Histidine limitation caused an increase in the phosphorylation of ERK1/ERK2 (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase), and inhibition of the ERK signal transduction pathway resulted in a reduction in the starvation-dependent increase in p21 mRNA. Blockade of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase and mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) pathways also blunted the increase in p21 mRNA content. These results document the amino acid-dependent control of the synthesis of specific cell-cycle regulators and help to explain the block at G1 phase after amino acid limitation.
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PMID:Induction of p21 and p27 expression by amino acid deprivation of HepG2 human hepatoma cells involves mRNA stabilization. 1471 82

Cell proliferation and apoptosis are controlled by tightly orchestrated signaling pathways that culminate in transcriptional activation/repression of multiple proteins. Dysregulation of cell cycle and/or apoptosis control may lead to genomic instability, neoplastic transformation and tumor progression. Under certain conditions, some hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] compounds are toxic and carcinogenic in the human respiratory tract, and we have shown that they induce apoptosis and/or cell cycle arrest in a p53-dependent fashion. There is increasing evidence linking extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation with the DNA damage response, by both p53-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Here, the aim was to study the effect of Cr(VI) transcriptional regulation of key cell cycle inhibitors and pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins, as well as the role of ERK activation in the Cr(VI) genotoxic response. Diploid human lung fibroblasts were incubated with 3-9 uM Na2CrO4, and RNA was isolated at 4, 8, and 24 h, as well as 24 h after Cr(VI) exposure was terminated (recovery). mRNA expression was quantitated by RNase protection assay with a 32P-labeled multi-transcript probe containing gene sequences for the cdk inhibitors, p21waf1/cip1, p27kip1, p16INK4a, p15INK4b; the pro-apoptotic proteins bcl-XS and bax; the anti-apoptotic proteins bcl-W, bcl-XL, and bcl2, GADD45, and cyclin A. In general, bcl-W and bcl-XL expression were both downregulated after Cr exposure, to around 50% at 24 h, which was more pronounced after the recovery period. At Cr(VI) concentrations < or = 6 uM, bcl2 expression was upregulated. Of particular interest is that bax expression was reduced, in a dose and time-dependent fashion, however that of bcl-XS was elevated by nearly 3-fold after 8 h, and declined to control levels at the end of the recovery period. Expression of GADD45 and p21 were both upregulated by 2-fold at 8 h, but declined to control levels during recovery. Neither the expression of p27 nor that of p16 were apparently affected by Cr(VI) exposure, however the expression of p15 was markedly increased after exposure to all concentrations of Cr(VI). Finally, the expression of cyclin A was decreased after 24 h Cr(VI) exposure. Cr(VI) induced a transient burst of ERK activity (2-6-fold over control) around 0.5-3 h after exposure. However, inhibition of ERK activation with PD98059 had no effect on the Cr-induced alterations in gene expression. Moreover, Cr(VI)-induced clonogenic lethality, as assessed after 24 h exposure to 1 and 2 uM Cr(VI), was also not affected by ERK inhibition. These data suggest that both p53-dependent and -independent apoptotic and growth-inhibitory pathways are markedly affected by Cr(VI) exposure. However, the ability of Cr(VI) to affect key apoptotic and growth arresting genes, and thus clonogenic lethality, appears to be independent of ERK. Continued investigation into the cellular and molecular mechanisms of Cr(VI)-induced cell cycle and apoptosis control should further the understanding of Cr(VI)-associated carcinogenesis.
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PMID:Induction of pro-apoptotic and cell cycle-inhibiting genes in chromium (VI)-treated human lung fibroblasts: lack of effect of ERK. 1497 55


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