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)

Platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF BB) activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), ERK1 and ERK2, has been shown to be necessary for mitogen-stimulated proliferation, but its role in regulating cell migration and its relationship to other chemotactic signaling events, such as CamKII activation, has not been defined. Using a modified Boyden chamber apparatus, we tested the effects of a selective inhibitor of the upstream activator of ERK1/2, MEK1, on PDGF-stimulated rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) alone and in combination with KN62, a selective inhibitor of CamKII. The MEK1 inhibitor, PD98059, caused a dose-dependent reduction in ERK2 activity that paralleled a decrease in migration up to 60%. This inhibition of migration was similar to that seen with KN62 and the combined effects of both inhibitors were non-additive. Although KN62 did not affect ERK2 activity in response to PDGF, PD98059 markedly inhibited PDGF-stimulated CamKII activity, suggesting that activation of CamKII by PDGF was dependent on ERK activity and that the effects of ERK inhibition on migration may be mediated through its ability to inhibit CamKII activity. To directly test this, VSMCs were infected with a recombinant adenovirus expressing constitutively activated CamKII. Infection reversed the inhibitory effects of KN62 on migration, but had no effect on the inhibition of migration seen with PD98059. These results suggest that while MAPK may act upstream of CamKII to control its activation in response to PDGF, it also regulates migration independently of CamKII activation.
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PMID:Regulation of vascular smooth muscle migration by mitogen-activated protein kinase and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II signaling pathways. 992 73

-Estrogens are known to induce cardioprotective effects by inhibiting smooth muscle cell (SMC) growth and neointima formation. However, the use of estrogens as cardioprotective agents is limited by carcinogenic effects in women and feminizing effects in men. If noncarcinogenic and nonfeminizing estrogenlike compounds, such as natural phytoestrogens, afford cardioprotection, this would provide a safe method for prevention of cardiovascular disease in both men and women. Therefore, we evaluated and compared in human aortic SMCs the effects of phytoestrogens (formononetin, genistein, biochanin A, daidzein, and equol) on 2.5% fetal calf serum-induced proliferation (3H-thymidine incorporation and cell number), collagen synthesis (3H-proline incorporation), and total protein synthesis (3H-leucine incorporation) and on PDGF-BB (25 ng/mL)-induced migration (modified Boydens chambers). Moreover, the effects of phytoestrogens on PDGF-BB (25 ng/mL)-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) activity in SMCs was also studied. Phytoestrogens inhibited proliferation, collagen and total protein synthesis, migration, and MAP kinase activity in a concentration-dependent manner and in the following order of potency: biochanin A>genistein>equol>daidzein>formononetin. In conclusion, our studies provide the first evidence that in human aortic SMCs phytoestrogens inhibit mitogen-induced proliferation, migration and extracellular matrix synthesis and inhibit/downregulate MAP kinase activity. Thus, phytoestrogens may confer protective effects on the cardiovascular system by inhibiting vascular remodeling and neointima formation and may be clinically useful as a safer substitute for feminizing estrogens in preventing cardiovascular disease in both women and men.
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PMID:Phytoestrogens inhibit growth and MAP kinase activity in human aortic smooth muscle cells. 993 Nov 1

A line of null mice has been produced which fails to express the transmembrane chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan NG2. Homozygous NG2 null mice do not exhibit gross phenotypic differences from wild-type mice, suggesting that detailed analyses are required to detect subtle alterations caused by the absence of NG2. Accordingly, dissociated cultures of aortic smooth muscle cells from null mice were compared to parallel cultures from wild-type mice for their ability to proliferate and migrate in response to specific growth factors. Both null and wild-type smooth muscle cells exhibited identical abilities to proliferate and migrate in response to PDGF-BB. In contrast, only the wild-type cells responded to PDGF-AA in both types of assays. NG2 null cells failed to proliferate or migrate in response to PDGF-AA, implying a defect in the signaling cascade normally initiated by activation of the PDGF (alpha)-receptor. In agreement with this idea, activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in response to PDGF-AA treatment occured only in wild-type cells. Failure to observe autophosphorylation of the PDGF (alpha)-receptor in PDGF-AA-treated null cells indicates that the absence of NG2 causes a defect in signal transduction at the level of (alpha)-receptor activation.
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PMID:PDGF (alpha)-receptor is unresponsive to PDGF-AA in aortic smooth muscle cells from the NG2 knockout mouse. 1003 40

This study examines the possible involvement of endogenous platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in the angiotensin II-induced growth of rat aortic smooth muscle cells. In quiescent confluent cells, anti-PDGF-AB neutralizing antibody inhibited angiotensin II-induced DNA synthesis and protein synthesis. PDGF-AA, -AB, and -BB produced concentration-dependent increases in DNA synthesis and protein synthesis. Genistein did not inhibit PDGF-AB-induced [3H]thymidine incorporation and [3H]leucine incorporation. PDGF-AB stimulated mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, and PDGF-induced MAP kinase activation was inhibited by genistein. Angiotensin II induced PDGF-A chain messenger RNA expression, and genistein inhibited angiotensin-induced PDGF gene expression. These findings suggest that endogenous PDGF is, at least in part, involved in angiotensin II-induced cell growth in rat vascular smooth muscle cells. It appears that genistein inhibits angiotensin II-induced DNA synthesis partly by inhibiting PDGF-A gene expression.
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PMID:Evidence for the involvement of platelet-derived growth factor in the angiotensin II-induced growth of rat vascular smooth muscle cells. 1007 31

Intermediary metabolites of cholesterol synthetic pathway are involved in cell proliferation. Lovastatin, an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, blocks mevalonate synthesis, and has been shown to inhibit mesangial cell proliferation associated with diverse glomerular diseases. Since inhibition of farnesylation and plasma membrane anchorage of the Ras proteins is one suggested mechanism by which lovastatin prevents cellular proliferation, we investigated the effect of lovastatin and key mevalonate metabolites on the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) and Ras in murine glomerular mesangial cells. The preincubation of mesangial cells with lovastatin inhibited the activation of MAP kinase stimulated by either FBS, PDGF, or EGF. Mevalonic acid and farnesyl-pyrophosphate, but not cholesterol or LDL, significantly prevented lovastatin-induced inhibition of agonist-stimulated MAP kinase. Lovastatin inhibited agonist-induced activation of Ras, and mevalonic acid and farnesylpyrophosphate antagonized this effect. Parallel to the MAP kinase and Ras data, lovastatin suppressed cell growth stimulated by serum, and mevalonic acid and farnesylpyrophosphate prevented lovastatin-mediated inhibition of cellular growth. These results suggest that lovastatin, by inhibiting the synthesis of farnesol, a key isoprenoid metabolite of mevalonate, modulates Ras-mediated cell signaling events associated with mesangial cell proliferation.
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PMID:Effect of inhibition of cholesterol synthetic pathway on the activation of Ras and MAP kinase in mesangial cells. 1008 72

Enhanced activity of receptor tyrosine kinases such as the PDGF beta-receptor and EGF receptor has been implicated as a contributing factor in the development of malignant and nonmalignant proliferative diseases such as cancer and atherosclerosis. Several epidemiological studies suggest that green tea may prevent the development of cancer and atherosclerosis. One of the major constituents of green tea is the polyphenol epigallocathechin-3 gallate (EGCG). In an attempt to offer a possible explanation for the anti-cancer and anti-atherosclerotic activity of EGCG, we examined the effect of EGCG on the PDGF-BB-, EGF-, angiotensin II-, and FCS-induced activation of the 44 kDa and 42 kDa mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase isoforms (p44(mapk)/p42(mapk)) in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from rat aorta. VSMCs were treated with EGCG (1-100 microM) for 24 h and stimulated with the above mentioned agonists for different time periods. Stimulation of the p44(mapk)/p42(mapk) was detected by the enhanced Western blotting method using phospho-specific MAP kinase antibodies that recognized the Tyr204-phosphorylated (active) isoforms. Treatment of VSMCs with 10 and 50 microM EGCG resulted in an 80% and a complete inhibition of the PDGF-BB-induced activation of MAP kinase isoforms, respectively. In striking contrast, EGCG (1-100 microM) did not influence MAP kinase activation by EGF, angiotensin II, and FCS. Similarly, the maximal effect of PDGF-BB on the c-fos and egr-1 mRNA expression as well as on intracellular free Ca2+ concentration was completely inhibited in EGCG-treated VSMCs, whereas the effect of EGF was not affected. Quantification of the immunoprecipitated tyrosine-phosphorylated PDGF-Rbeta, phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase, and phospholipase C-gamma1 by the enhanced Western blotting method revealed that EGCG treatment effectively inhibits tyrosine phosphorylation of these kinases in VSMCs. Furthermore, we show that spheroid formation of human glioblastoma cells (A172) and colony formation of sis-transfected NIH 3T3 cells in semisolid agar are completely inhibited by 20-50 microM EGCG. Our findings demonstrate that EGCG is a selective inhibitor of the tyrosine phosphorylation of PDGF-Rbeta and its downstream signaling pathway. The present findings may partly explain the anti-cancer and anti-atherosclerotic activity of green tea.
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PMID:Epigallocathechin-3 gallate selectively inhibits the PDGF-BB-induced intracellular signaling transduction pathway in vascular smooth muscle cells and inhibits transformation of sis-transfected NIH 3T3 fibroblasts and human glioblastoma cells (A172). 1019 59

In HL-60 human myeloblastic leukemia cells, retinoic acid is known to cause cFMS, RAF, MEK, and ERK2 dependent myeloid cell differentiation and G0 arrest associated with RB tumor suppressor protein hypophosphorylation, implicating receptor tyrosine kinase signal transduction in propelling these retinoic acid-induced cellular effects. Furthermore, ectopic expression of polyoma middle T antigen, which activates similar early signal transduction molecules as PDGF class receptors such as cFMS, accelerates these retinoic acid-induced effects. To determine if this depends on middle T's ability to activate PLCgamma, PI-3 kinase, and src-like kinases, stable transfectants of HL-60 cells expressing either the polyoma middle T dl23 mutant, which is defective for PLCgamma and PI-3 kinase activation, or the Delta205 mutant, which in addition has greatly attenuated src-like kinase activation ability, were created and compared to wild-type middle T-transfected HL-60. The transgenes were under control of the retinoic acid (or 1, 25-dihydroxy vitamin D3) inducible Moloney murine leukemia virus LTRs. Expression of the dl23 or Delta205 mutant accelerated retinoic acid-induced cell differentiation. The effects of the mutants were comparable to those of the wild-type middle T. Likewise, retinoic acid-induced G0 arrest of mutant transfected cells and wild-type middle T transfected cells was similar. The same was true for 1, 25-dihydroxy vitamin D3-induced monocytic differentiation as for retinoic acid-induced myeloid differentiation. The mutants did not cause the same slight shortening of the cell cycle as wild-type middle T. Both the mutants and the wild-type middle T caused a similar increase in the cellular basal level of activated ERK2 MAPK. Since retinoic acid increases ERK2 activation, which is necessary for differentiation, the data suggest that mutant and wild-type middle T enhanced the retinoic acid effects by increasing basal levels of ERK2 activation. Consistent with this, the polyoma-induced foreshortening of the time for differentiation coincided with the time for retinoic acid to significantly increase ERK2 activation. As in wild-type HL-60, retinoic acid induced the early down-regulation of RXRalpha in mutant transfectants similar to wild-type middle T transfectants, consistent with no loss or gain of relevant functions due to the mutations. In contrast, vitamin D3 did not down-regulate RXRalpha in HL-60 or transfectants. Polyoma middle T and these transformation-defective mutants thus enhanced ERK2 activation to have an early effect in promoting retinoic acid-induced differentiation without a strong dependence on activating PLCgamma, PI-3 kinase, or src-like kinase.
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PMID:Transformation-defective polyoma middle T antigen mutants defective in PLCgamma, PI-3, or src kinase activation enhance ERK2 activation and promote retinoic acid-induced, cell differentiation like wild-type middle T. 1022 45

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma-(PPAR gamma) ligands troglitazone (TRO), rosiglitazone (RSG), and 15-deoxy-delta prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) on vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration directed by multiple chemoattractants. Involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in migration also was examined, because TRO was previously shown to inhibit nuclear events stimulated by this pathway during mitogenic signaling in VSMCs. Migration of rat aortic VSMCs was induced 5.4-fold by PDGF, 4.6-fold by thrombin, and 2.3-fold by insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I; all values of p < 0.05). The PPAR gamma ligands 15d-PGJ2, RSG, or TRO all inhibited VSMC migration with the following order of potency: 15d-PGJ2 > RSG > TRO. Inhibition of MAPK signaling with PD98059 completely blocked PDGF-, thrombin-, and IGF-I-induced migration. All chemoattractants induced MAPK activation. PPAR gamma ligands did not inhibit MAPK activation, suggesting a nuclear effect of these ligands downstream of MAPK. The importance of nuclear events was confirmed because actinomycin D also blocked migration. We conclude that PPAR gamma ligands are potent inhibitors of VSMC migration pathways, dependent on MAPK and nuclear events. PPAR gamma ligands act downstream of the cytoplasmic activation of MAPK and appear to exert their effects in the nucleus. Because VSMC migration plays an important role in the formation of atherosclerotic lesions and restenosis, PPAR gamma ligands like TRO and RSG, which ameliorate insulin resistance in humans, also may protect the vasculature from diabetes-enhanced injury.
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PMID:PPAR gamma-ligands inhibit migration mediated by multiple chemoattractants in vascular smooth muscle cells. 1022 69

Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) of the intima are generally quiescent and non proliferative. Their proliferation due to different stimulations occurs in myointimal hyperplasia and is regularly present in atherogenesis or after transluminal angioplasty leading to vascular occlusive stenosis. In the course of these pathologies, the Tissue Factor (TF) synthesis was upregulated and rapidly expressed at the membrane of the SMCs. Heparin is known to inhibit SMCs proliferation induced by FCS. We evaluated the inhibitory effect of heparin on the expression of TF induced by various mitogenic (FCS, PDGF-BB and EGF) and non-mitogenic (bacterial LPS) agents. Inhibition by heparin of SMCs proliferation induced by the same agonists was also determined. Quiescent human vascular SMCs from normal adult arteries were treated for 1 h by heparin and related sulfated polysaccharides before stimulation by the agonists. All the agonists up-regulated the expression of TF antigen and activity. TF expression induced by the growth factors was inhibited by heparin (IC 50: 10-30 microg/ml), and other sulfated polysaccharides (IC 50: 1-5 microg/ml). SMCs proliferation, late activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2), and PKC activity were inhibited by heparin (IC 50: 30-50 microg/ml) in SMCs stimulated by FCS but not in SMCs treated by PDGF or EGF. In contrast, heparin had no effect on LPS-induced TF expression nor on LPS-induced PKC activation. These results indicate that, besides its well known effect on SMC proliferation, heparin displays an inhibitory effect on cell mediated blood clotting processes through regulation of the TF expression.
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PMID:Effects of heparin and related sulfated polysaccharides on tissue factor expression induced by mitogenic and non-mitogenic factors in human vascular smooth muscle cells. 1034 8

1. Interstitial fibroblast proliferation is an elemental feature in the development of cardiac fibrosis. The effects of inhibitors of the intracellular signalling proteins, MEK, a kinase involved in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K), were tested on growth of cultured human cardiac fibroblasts. 2. Cardiac fibroblasts were isolated from transplant recipient myocardium and made quiescent by serum deprivation for 48 h. Cells were incubated for 24 h with the inhibitors PD 098059 (0.3-30 mumol/L) and LY294002 (1-25 mumol/L) in the presence and absence of platelet-derived growth factor-AB (PDGF-AB, 10 ng/mL). DNA synthesis was measured by [3H]-thymidine incorporation assay (20-24 h). 3. Both compounds markedly inhibited both basal and PDGF-stimulated increases in DNA synthesis in a concentration-dependent manner. Cardiac fibroblast DNA synthesis was reduced to near control levels by PD 098059, while it was inhibited completely by LY294002. 4. These results implicate the importance of MAPK and PI3-K activation in the signal transduction pathways necessary for cardiac fibroblast replication.
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PMID:Inhibition of human cardiac fibroblast mitogenesis by blockade of mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. 1040 75


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