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)

The migration of endothelial cells in response to various stimulating factors plays an essential role in angiogenesis. The p38 MAPK pathway has been implicated to play an important role in endothelial cell migration because inhibiting p38 MAPK activity down-regulates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-stimulated migration. Currently, the signaling components in the p38 MAPK activation pathway and especially the mechanisms responsible for p38 MAPK-regulated endothelial cell migration are not well understood. In the present study, we found that p38 MAPK activity is required for endothelial cell migration stimulated by both VEGF and nongrowth factor stimulants, sphingosine 1-phosphate and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule. By using dominant negative forms of signaling components in the p38 MAPK pathway, we identified that a regulatory pathway consisting of MKK3-p38alpha/gamma-MAPK-activated protein kinase 2 participated in VEGF-stimulated migration. In further studies, we showed that a minimum of a 10-h treatment with SB203580 (specific p38 MAPK inhibitor) was needed to block VEGF-stimulated migration, suggesting an indirect role of p38 MAPK in this cellular event. Most interestingly, the occurrence of SB203580-induced migratory inhibition coincided with a reduction of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) expression. Furthermore, agents disrupting uPA and uPA receptor interaction abrogated VEGF-stimulated cell migration. These results suggest a possible association between cell migration and uPA expression. Indeed, VEGF-stimulated migration was not compromised by SB203580 in endothelial cells expressing the uPA transgene; however, VEGF-stimulated migration was inhibited by agents disrupting uPA-uPA receptor interaction. These results thus suggest that the p38 MAPK pathway participates in endothelial cell migration by regulating uPA expression.
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PMID:p38 Mitogen-activated protein kinase regulation of endothelial cell migration depends on urokinase plasminogen activator expression. 1537 54

Recent studies have demonstrated that mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including Jun N-terminus kinase (JNK), p38 and Erk, play crucial roles in cell migration. JNK, for example, regulates cell migration by phosphorylating paxillin, DCX, Jun and microtubule-associated proteins. Studies of p38 show that this MAPK modulates migration by phosphorylating MAPK-activated protein kinase 2/3 (MAPKAP 2/3), which appears to be important for directionality of migration. Erk governs cell movement by phosphorylating myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), calpain or FAK. Thus, the different kinases in the MAPK family all seem able to regulate cell migration but by distinct mechanisms.
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PMID:MAP kinases and cell migration. 1537 22

L-ascorbic acid (LAA) shows cytotoxicity and induces apoptosis of malignant cells in vitro, but the mechanisms by which such effects occur have not been elucidated. In the present study, we provide evidence that the ERK MAP kinase pathway is activated in response to LAA (< 1 mM) in acute myeloid leukemia cell lines. LAA treatment of cells induces a dose-dependent phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) and results in activation of its catalytic domain. Our data also demonstrate that the small G protein Raf1 and MAPK-activated protein kinase 2 are activated by LAA as an upstream and a downstream regulator of ERK, respectively. Although the ERK pathway has been known to activate cell proliferation, pharmacologic inhibition of ERK reduces LAA-dependent apoptosis and growth inhibitory response of acute myeloid leukemia cell lines, suggesting that this signaling cascade positively regulates induction of apoptotic response by LAA.
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PMID:Activation of Raf1 and the ERK pathway in response to l-ascorbic acid in acute myeloid leukemia cells. 1545 Oct 31

Tristetraprolin (TTP) is the only trans-acting factor shown to be capable of regulating AU-rich element-dependent mRNA turnover at the level of the intact animal; however, the mechanism by which TTP mediated RNA instability is unknown. Using an established model system, we performed structure/function analysis with TTP as well as examined the current hypothesis that TTP function is regulated by p38-MAPKAP kinase 2 (MK2) activation. Deletion of either the N- or C-terminal domains inhibited TTP function. Extensive mutagenesis, up to 16%, of serines and threonines, some of which were predicted to mediate proteasomal targeting, did not alter human TTP function. Mutation of the conserved MK2 phosphorylation sites enhanced human TTP function in both resting and p38-stress-activated protein kinase-MK2-activated cells. However, p38-stress-activated protein kinase-MK2 activation did not alter the activity of either wild-type or mutant TTP. TTP localized to the stress granules, with arsenite treatment reducing this localization. In contrast, arsenite treatment enhanced stress granule localization of the MK2 mutant, consistent with the involvement of additional pathways regulating this event. Finally, we determined that, in response to LPS stimulation, human TTP moves onto the polysomes, and this movement occurs in the absence of 14-3-3. Taken together, these data indicate that, although p38 activation alters TTP entry into the stress granule, it does not alter TTP function. Moreover, the interaction of TTP with 14-3-3, which may limit entry into the stress granule, is not involved in the downstream message stabilization events.
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PMID:Structure/function analysis of tristetraprolin (TTP): p38 stress-activated protein kinase and lipopolysaccharide stimulation do not alter TTP function. 1594 94

Skeletal disorders and neural tube closure defects represent clinically significant human malformations. The signaling networks regulating normal skeletal patterning and neurulation are largely unknown. Targeted mutation of the active site lysine of MEK kinase 4 (MEKK4) produces a kinase-inactive MEKK4 protein (MEKK4(K1361R)). Embryos homozygous for this mutation die at birth as a result of skeletal malformations and neural tube defects. Hindbrains of exencephalic MEKK4(K1361R) embryos show a striking increase in neuroepithelial cell apoptosis and a dramatic loss of phosphorylation of MKK3 and -6, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases (MKKs) regulated by MEKK4 in the p38 pathway. Phosphorylation of MAPK-activated protein kinase 2, a p38 substrate, is also inhibited, demonstrating a loss of p38 activity in MEKK4(K1361R) embryos. In contrast, the MEK1/2-extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 (ERK1)/ERK2 and MKK4-Jun N-terminal protein kinase pathways were unaffected. The p38 pathway has been shown to regulate the phosphorylation and expression of the small heat shock protein HSP27. Compared to the wild type, MEKK4(K1361R) fibroblasts showed significantly reduced phosphorylation of p38 and HSP27, with a corresponding heat shock-induced instability of the actin cytoskeleton. Together, these data demonstrate MEKK4 regulation of p38 and that substrates downstream of p38 control cellular homeostasis. The findings are the first demonstration that MEKK4-regulated p38 activity is critical for neurulation.
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PMID:Ablation of MEKK4 kinase activity causes neurulation and skeletal patterning defects in the mouse embryo. 1619 73

Alterations in specific signal transduction pathways may explain the increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines seen in inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis. We reveal increased TNF-alpha protein expression, but similar TNF-alpha mRNA levels, in lesional compared with nonlesional psoriatic skin, demonstrating for the first time that TNF-alpha expression in lesional psoriatic skin is regulated posttranscriptionally. Increased levels of activated MAPK-activated protein kinase 2 (MK2) together with increased MK2 kinase activity were found in lesional compared with nonlesional psoriatic skin. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that activated MK2 was located in the basal layers of the psoriatic epidermis, whereas no positive staining was seen in nonlesional psoriatic skin. In vitro experiments demonstrated that both anisomycin and IL-1beta caused a significant activation of p38 MAPK and MK2 in cultured normal human keratinocytes. In addition, TNF-alpha protein levels were significantly up-regulated in keratinocytes stimulated with anisomycin or IL-1beta. This increase in TNF-alpha protein expression was completely blocked by the p38 inhibitor, SB202190. Transfection of cultured keratinocytes with MK2-specific small interfering RNA led to a significant decrease in MK2 expression and a subsequent significant reduction in the protein expression of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-8, whereas no change in the expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was seen. This is the first time that MK2 expression and activity have been investigated in an inflammatory disease such as psoriasis. The results strongly suggest that increased activation of MK2 is responsible for the elevated and posttranscriptionally regulated TNF-alpha protein expression in psoriatic skin, making MK2 a potential target in the treatment of psoriasis.
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PMID:Protein expression of TNF-alpha in psoriatic skin is regulated at a posttranscriptional level by MAPK-activated protein kinase 2. 1642 70

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38/MAPK-activated protein kinase 2 (MK2) signaling pathway plays an important role in the posttranscriptional regulation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), which is dependent on the adenine/uridine-rich element (ARE) in the 3' untranslated region of TNF mRNA. After lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, MK2-deficient macrophages show a 90% reduction in TNF production compared to the wild type. Tristetraprolin (TTP), a protein induced by LPS, binds ARE and destabilizes TNF mRNA. Accordingly, macrophages lacking TTP produce large amounts of TNF. Here, we generated MK2/TTP double knockout mice and show that, after LPS stimulation, bone marrow-derived macrophages produce TNF mRNA and protein levels comparable to those of TTP knockout cells, indicating that in the regulation of TNF biosynthesis TTP is genetically downstream of MK2. In addition, we show that MK2 is essential for the stabilization of TTP mRNA, and phosphorylation by MK2 leads to increased TTP protein stability but reduced ARE affinity. These data suggest that MK2 inhibits the mRNA destabilizing activity of TTP and, in parallel, codegradation of TTP together, with the target mRNA resulting in increased cellular levels of TTP.
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PMID:Mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase 2 regulates tumor necrosis factor mRNA stability and translation mainly by altering tristetraprolin expression, stability, and binding to adenine/uridine-rich element. 1650 14

Resveratrol (3,4',5-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene), a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound found abundantly in grape skins and red wines, has been found to pharmacologically precondition the heart against ischemia reperfusion injury through the potentiation of a survival signal involving cAMP response element-binding protein-dependent phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt-BclII pathway. The present study was designed to determine whether, similar to ischemic preconditioning, resveratrol uses mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) as upstream signaling targets. The isolated rat hearts were preperfused for 15 min with Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer in the absence (control) or presence of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 inhibitor 2'-amino-3'-methoxyflavone (PD98059), p38 MAPK inhibitor 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole (SB-202190), mitogen- and stress-activated protein kinase 1 (MSK-1) inhibitor N-[2-(4-bromocinnamylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinoline (H89), protein kinase A inhibitor (9S,10S,12R)-2,3,9,10,11,12-hexahydro-10hydroxy-9-methyl-1-oxo-9,12-epoxy-1H-diindolo[1,2,3fg: 3',2',1'-kl]-pyrrolo[3,4-i][1,6]benzodiazocine-10-carboxylic acid hexyl ester (KT5720), resveratrol only, resveratrol plus PD98059, resveratrol plus SB-202190, resveratrol plus H89, or resveratrol plus KT5720. Consistent with previous reports, resveratrol provided cardioprotection as evidenced by its ability to improve postischemic ventricular function, reduction of myocardial infarct size, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. The cardioprotection afforded by resveratrol was partially abolished with PD98059 or SB-202190, suggesting that ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK play roles in resveratrol-mediated preconditioning. An MSK-1 inhibitor, H89, abolished resveratrol-mediated preconditioning, indicating MSK-1 to be the downstream target molecule for both ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK. KT5720 had no effect on resveratrol-mediated cardioprotection. Corroborating these results, Western blot analysis revealed phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, MAPK-activated protein (MAPKAP) kinase 2, and MSK-1 with resveratrol and inhibition of phosphorylation with corresponding inhibitors. These results showed for the first time that resveratrol triggers an MAPK signaling pathway involving ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK, the former using MSK-1 as the downstream target and the latter, using both MAPKAP kinase 2 and MSK-1 as downstream targets.
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PMID:Potentiation of a survival signal in the ischemic heart by resveratrol through p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase/mitogen- and stress-activated protein kinase 1/cAMP response element-binding protein signaling. 2233

The p38 family of MAP kinases (p38-MAPKs) is involved in regulating the proliferation, survival, and migration of various cancer cells. The present study has investigated the expression, subcellular localization, phosphorylation, and activity of p38-MAPKs in normal and tumoural human thyroid tissues and in thyroid cell lines. The expression and nucleo-cytosolic compartmentalization of the alpha-isoform of p38-MAPKs (p38alpha-MAPK) were studied by western blotting in the WRO and B-CPAP cell lines, which are derived from human follicular and papillary thyroid carcinomas, respectively, and in the non-transformed rat thyroid cell lines FRTL-5 and PCCL3. Immunohistochemistry was used to study the expression and subcellular localization of p38alpha-MAPK, and of the phosphorylated forms of p38-MAPKs (P-p38-MAPKs) in human toxic adenomas (TAs), follicular adenomas (FAs), papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs), and follicular thyroid carcinomas (FTCs). The activity of p38-MAPKs in PTCs and FTCs was revealed by immunohistochemical detection of their typical phosphorylated substrate, MAPK-activated protein kinase 2/3 (MK2/3). p38alpha-MAPK was expressed in all cell lines and this expression was restricted to the cytosolic compartment. p38 MAPK activity was involved in regulating DNA synthesis in B-CPAP cells. p38alpha-MAPK and P-p38-MAPKs were strongly expressed in PTC and FTC cells, although only in the cytoplasm, whereas they were only very weakly expressed in FA cells, and absent in adjacent normal tissues. They were also expressed at a high level in TAs, but they were found in both nucleus and cytoplasm. Finally, phospho-MK2/3 immunostaining followed very similar patterns to those of p38alpha-MAPK and P-p38-MAPKs in PTCs and FTCs. Taken together, these results show for the first time that the p38-MAPK signalling cascade is functional in two types of differentiated carcinoma of the thyroid. The observation that p38-MAPK hyper-expression occurs in FTC, but not in FA, may provide an additional diagnostic tool for malignancy in some thyroid nodules.
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PMID:High-level expression, activation, and subcellular localization of p38-MAP kinase in thyroid neoplasms. 1682 48

MAPK-activated protein kinase 2 (MAPKAP K2 or MK2) is one of several kinases directly regulated by p38 MAPK. A role for p38 MAPK in the pathology of Alzheimer disease (AD) has previously been suggested. Here, we provide evidence to suggest that MK2 also plays a role in neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative pathology of relevance to AD. MK2 activation and expression were increased in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) + interferon gamma-stimulated microglial cells, implicating a role for MK2 in eliciting a pro-inflammatory response. Microglia cultured ex vivo from MK2-deficient (MK2-/-) mice demonstrated significant inhibition in release of tumor necrosis factor alpha, KC (mouse chemokine with highest sequence identity to human GROs and interleukin-8), and macrophage inflammatory protein 1alpha on stimulation with LPS + interferon gamma or amyloid-beta peptide (1-42) compared with MK2+/+ wild-type microglia. Consistent with an inhibition in pro-inflammatory mediator release, cortical neurons co-cultured with LPS + interferon gamma-stimulated or amyloid-beta peptide (1-42)-stimulated MK2-/- microglia were protected from microglial-mediated neuronal cell toxicity. In a transgenic mouse model of AD in which amyloid precursor protein and presenilin-1 harboring familial AD mutations are overexpressed in specific regions of the brain, elevated activation and expression of MK2 correlated with beta-amyloid deposition, microglial activation, and up-regulation of tumor necrosis factor alpha, macrophage inflammatory protein 1alpha, and KC gene expression in the same brain regions. Our data propose a role for MK2 in AD brain pathology, for which neuroinflammation involving cytokines and chemokines and overt neuronal loss have been documented.
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PMID:MAPK-activated protein kinase 2 deficiency in microglia inhibits pro-inflammatory mediator release and resultant neurotoxicity. Relevance to neuroinflammation in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer disease. 1677 24


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