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

The pannier (pnr) gene of Drosophila encodes a zinc-finger transcription factor of the GATA family and is involved in several developmental processes during embryonic and imaginal development. We report some novel aspects of the regulation and function of pnr during embryogenesis. Previous work has shown that pnr is activated by decapentaplegic (dpp) in early development, but we find that after stage 10, the roles are reversed and pnr becomes an upstream regulator of dpp. This function of pnr is necessary for the activation of the Dpp pathway in the epidermal cells implicated in dorsal closure and is not mediated by the JNK pathway, which is also necessary for Dpp activity in these cells. In addition, we show that pnr behaves as a selector-like gene in generating morphological diversity in the dorsoventral body axis. It is responsible for maintaining a subdivision of the dorsal half of the embryo into two distinct, dorsomedial and dorsolateral, regions, and also specifies the identity of the dorsomedial region. These results, together with prior work on its function in adults, suggest that pnr is a major factor in the genetic subdivision of the body of Drosophila.
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PMID:The functions of pannier during Drosophila embryogenesis. 1173 63

Zinc is one of the most abundant transition metals in the brain. A substantial fraction (10-15%) of brain zinc is located inside presynaptic vesicles of certain glutamatergic terminals in a free or loosely bound state. This vesicle zinc is released with neuronal activity or depolarization, probably serving physiologic functions. However, with excess release, as may occur in a variety of pathologic conditions, zinc may translocate to and accumulate in postsynaptic neurons, events which may contribute to selective neuronal cell death. Intracellular mechanisms of zinc neurotoxicity may include disturbances in energy metabolism, increases in oxidative stress, and activation of apoptosis cascades. Zinc inhibits glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), and depletes nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). On the other hand, zinc activates protein kinase C (PKC) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk-1/2), and induces NADPH oxidase; these events result in oxidative neuronal injury. Zinc can also trigger caspase activation and apoptosis via the p75(NTR) pathway. Interestingly, the converse-depletion of intracellular zinc-also induces neuronal death, but in this case, exclusively via classical apoptosis. In addition to the neurotoxic effect, zinc may contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic neurodegenerative disease. For example, in Alzheimer's disease (AD), mature amyloid plaques, but not preamyloid deposits, are found to contain high levels of zinc, suggesting the role of zinc in the process of plaque maturation. Further insights into roles of zinc in brain diseases may help set a new direction toward the development of effective treatments.
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PMID:Zinc and disease of the brain. 1183 57

A direct role of carbon monoxide (CO), an effector-signaling molecule during heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) catalysis of heme, in the protection against hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury needs to be established. This study was designed to determine the effects and downstream mechanisms of CO on cold I/R injury in a clinically relevant isolated perfusion rat liver model. After 24 hours of cold storage, rat livers perfused ex vivo for 2 hours with blood supplemented with CO (300 parts per million) showed significantly decreased portal venous resistance and increased bile production, as compared with control livers perfused with blood devoid of CO. These beneficial effects correlated with improved liver function (serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase levels) and diminished histological features of hepatocyte injury (Banff's scores). The CO-mediated cytoprotective effects were nitric oxide synthase- and cyclic guanine monophosphate-independent, but p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-dependent. Moreover, adjunctive use of zinc protoporphyrin, a competitive HO-1 inhibitor, has shown that exogenous CO could fully substitute for endogenous HO-1 in preventing hepatic I/R insult. This study performed in a clinically relevant ex vivo cold ischemia model is the first to provide the evidence that HO-1-mediated cytoprotection against hepatic I/R injury depends on the generation of, and can be substituted by, exogenous CO. The p38 MAPK signaling pathway represents the key downstream mechanism by which CO prevents the I/R insult. In conclusion, regimens that employ exogenous CO should be revisited, as they may have potential applications in preventing/mitigating I/R injury, and thus expanding the liver donor pool for clinical transplantation.
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PMID:Ex vivo exposure to carbon monoxide prevents hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury through p38 MAP kinase pathway. 1191 27

The characterization of protein components produced from bone tissues with fracture healing was investigated. Weanling rats were sacrificed between 1 and 7 days after the femoral fracture. Protein content in the femoral-diaphyseal tissues was markedly elevated by fracture healing. Moreover, when the femoral-diaphyseal tissues with fracture healing were cultured for 24 h in a serum-free medium, many proteins in the bone tissues were released into the medium. Analysis with sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) showed that many protein molecules were released from the diaphyseal tissues with fracture healing. Especially, a protein molecule of approximately 66 kDa was markedly increased by fracture healing. This protein molecule was significantly increased, when the diaphyseal tissues with fracture healing were cultured in the presence of zinc acexamate (10(-6)-10(-4) M). Zinc acexamate (10(-4) M)-induced increase in medium 66 kDa protein molecule was significantly inhibited in the presence of actinomycin D (10(-7) M) or cycloheximide (10(-6) M). The zinc effect was completely blocked in the presence of PD98059 (10(-5) M), an inhibitor of MAPK kinase, or staurosporine (10(-6) M), an inhibitor of protein kinase C. The medium 66 kDa protein molecule was significantly elevated in the presence of parathyroid hormone (1-34) (10(-7) M), insulin-like growth factor-I (10(-8) M) or transforming growth factor-beta (10(-11) M), while 17beta-estradiol (10(-9) M) did not have an effect. The effect of these bone-stimulating factors was equal to the zinc effect. Zinc did not significantly enhance the effect of insulin-like growth factor-I in increasing medium 66 kDa protein molecule. The present study demonstrates that fracture healing increases production of the approximately 66 kDa protein molecule which is a major component produced from femoral-diaphyseal tissues of weanling rats, and that this elevation is enhanced by zinc treatment.
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PMID:Characterization of the increase in bone 66 kDa protein component with healing rat fractures: stimulatory effect of zinc. 1195 57

We previously reported that prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) induces phosphoinositide hydrolysis by phospholipase C and phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis by phospholipase D through heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein, resulting in the activation of protein kinase C (PKC) in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells and that PGF2alpha stimulates the synthesis of interleukin-6 (IL-6) via PKC-dependent p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activation. In the present study, we investigated whether zinc affects the PGF2alpha-induced IL-6 synthesis in these cells. Zinc complex of l-carnosine (l-CAZ) dose-dependently suppressed the PGF2alpha-stimulated IL-6 synthesis. In addition, zinc alone reduced the IL-6 synthesis. L-CAZ suppressed the PGF2alpha-induced p44/p42 MAP kinase phosphorylation. However, the p44/p42 MAP kinase phosphorylation induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), a direct activator of PKC, or NaF, a direct activator of GTP-binding protein, was not affected by l-CAZ. l-CAZ reduced the PGF2alpha-stimulated formation of inositol phosphates and choline. However, l-CAZ did not affect the formation of inositol phosphates or choline induced by NaF. These results strongly suggest that zinc reduces PGF2alpha-induced IL-6 synthesis via suppression of phosphoinositide-hydrolyzing phospholipase C and phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D in osteoblasts.
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PMID:Zinc suppresses IL-6 synthesis by prostaglandin F2alpha in osteoblasts: inhibition of phospholipase C and phospholipase D. 1196 2

Previous studies have shown that exposure of cells to Zn2+ ions induces Ras and MAPK activation through the EGF receptor (EGFR). To further determine the role of EGFR in Zn2+-induced signaling, mouse B82L fibroblasts expressing no detectable EGFR protein (B82L-par), wild type EGFR (B82L-wt), kinase-deficient EGFR (B82L-K721M), or COOH-truncated EGFR (B82L-c'958) were tested. Exposure to Zn2+ induced Ras activity in B82L-wt, B82L-K721M, and B82L-c'958 but not in B82L-par cells, indicating that the tyrosine kinase domain and the auto-phosphorylation sites of the EGFR were not required for Zn2+-induced Ras activation. Zn2+ induced Src activation in all B82L cell lines, including B82L-par, indicating that Src activation is independent of the presence of the EGFR. A Src kinase inhibitor blocked Zn2+-induced Ras activation in all the B82L cell lines capable of this response, suggesting the involvement of Src kinase in Zn2+-induced Ras activation via the EGFR. Zn2+ induced the association of the EGFR with Src and specifically increased the phosphorylation of EGFR at tyrosine 845 (Tyr-845), a known Src phosphorylation site. Stably transfected B82L cells with a point mutation of the EGFR at Tyr-845 (B82L-Y845F) exhibited only basal Ras activity following exposure to Zn2+. These data demonstrate that Src-dependent phosphorylation of the EGFR at Tyr-845 is required for EGFR transactivation and Zn2+-induced Ras activation.
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PMID:Src-dependent phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor on tyrosine 845 is required for zinc-induced Ras activation. 1198 94

The mechanism of CD40/CD154-induced chemokine production and its potential role in renal inflammatory disease were explored. Human proximal tubule cells maintained in primary culture were used as the experimental model. With the use of immunocytochemistry, confocal microscopy, and a cell fractionation assay, the CD40 receptor was found to be expressed in the cell membrane of the epithelial cell, and, on engagement by CD154, its cognate ligand, translocated to the cytoplasmic compartment. Engagement of CD40 by CD154 stimulated interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) production, which proceeded via receptor activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2, stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK)/c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. CD40 ligation also engaged tumor necrosis factor receptor-activating factor 6 (TRAF6), as evidenced by colocalization of the activated receptor with TRAF6 in the cytoplasmic compartment, translocation of both proteins from the insoluble to the soluble cell fraction, and coimmunoprecipitation of the two proteins only under ligand-stimulated conditions. Furthermore, an antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotide targeted against TRAF6 mRNA blunted p38 and SAPK/JNK but not ERK1/2 MAPK activities, as well as IL-8 and MCP-1 production, arguing that TRAF6 is an upstream activator. The zinc chelator TPEN, but not the calcium chelator BAPTA, obliterated CD154-evoked MAPK activity and chemokine production, providing indirect evidence for protein-protein interactions playing a critical role in CD40 signaling in these cells. We conclude that in human proximal tubule cells, CD40 and TRAF6 reside in separate low-density, detergent-insoluble membrane microdomains, or rafts, and on activation translocate and associate with one another probably via zinc-finger domains in the soluble or cytoplasmic compartment. TRAF6, in turn, activates SAPK/JNK and p38 MAPK phosphorylation, which in turn stimulates IL-8 and MCP-1 production in these cells.
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PMID:CD40 ligation stimulates MCP-1 and IL-8 production, TRAF6 recruitment, and MAPK activation in proximal tubule cells. 1199 18

Neurodegenerative disorders in humans may be triggered or exacerbated by exposure to occupational or environmental agents. Here, we show that a brief exposure to methylisothiazolinone, a widely used industrial and household biocide, is highly toxic to cultured neurons but not to glia. We also show that the toxic actions of this biocide are zinc dependent and require the activation of p44/42 extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) via a 12-lipoxygenase-mediated pathway. The cell death process also involves activation of NADPH oxidase, generation of reactive oxygen species, DNA damage, and overactivation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, all occurring downstream from ERK phosphorylation. The toxic effects of methylisothiazolinone and related biocides on neurons have not been reported previously. Because of their widespread use, the neurotoxic consequences of both acute and chronic human exposure to these toxins need to be evaluated.
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PMID:In vitro neurotoxicity of methylisothiazolinone, a commonly used industrial and household biocide, proceeds via a zinc and extracellular signal-regulated kinase mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent pathway. 1219 62

Zinc is an important trace element in the body and is involved in both the proliferation and growth arrest of many kinds of cells including colorectal epithelial cells. The aim of this study was to identify the molecular mechanism of the growth regulation of colorectal cancer cells by extracellular zinc. Zinc-stimulated activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade was measured by immunoblotting and Elk-1 dependent trans-reporter gene expression, and zinc-stimulated p21(Cip/WAF1) activation by immunoblotting, Northern blot analysis and immunochemistry. Cell proliferation was measured by thymidine and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation. By treating colorectal cancer cells with 100 microM ZnCl2, MAPKs were activated in two different phases, the initial weak activation occurred within 5 min and this was followed by a stronger and more prolonged activation. Zinc concomitantly activated Raf-1-MEK-MAPK kinases, and induced Elk-1 dependent trans-reporter gene expression. Prolonged activation of MAPKs by 100 microM of ZnCl2 resulted in the induction and nuclear localization of p21(Cip/WAF1) and was related to the inhibition of both thymidine and BrdU incorporations. These results not only suggest the presence of a mechanism for p21(Cip/WAF1) dependent negative regulation of colorectal cancer cell growth by zinc but also suggest potential usage of zinc to control the growth of colorectal cancer cells.
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PMID:Extracellular zinc stimulates ERK-dependent activation of p21(Cip/WAF1) and inhibits proliferation of colorectal cancer cells. 1238 73

In various mammalian cells, two group IIb metals, cadmium and zinc, induce several morphological and biochemical effects that are salient features of programmed cell death. In C6 rat glioma cells, cadmium caused externalization of phosphatidylserine, breakdown of the mitochondrial membrane potential, activation of caspase-9, internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, chromatin condensation, and nuclear fragmentation. In NIH3T3 murine fibroblasts, cadmium-induced apoptosis was inhibited by overexpression of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2. Cadmium-induced DNA fragmentation in C6 cells was independent of inhibition of protein kinase A (PKA), protein kinase C (PKC), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase, Ca-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase, and protein kinase G. Zinc at moderate concentrations (10-50 microM) protected against programmed cell death induced by cadmium, whereas deprivation of zinc by the membrane-permeable chelator N,N,N',N-terakis-(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine (TPEN) caused cell death with features characteristic of apoptosis. On the other hand, at elevated extracellular levels (150-200 microM), zinc alone caused programmed cell death in C6 cells. Zinc-induced apoptosis was independent of inhibition of PKA, PKC, guanylate cyclase and MAPK, but it was suppressed in the presence of 100 microM lanthanum chloride.
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PMID:Induction of apoptosis in mammalian cells by cadmium and zinc. 1242 48


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