Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:2.7.11.25 (MEKK1)
 1,856 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades play essential roles in the transduction of extracellular signals to cytoplasmic and nuclear effectors. The MAPK kinase kinase MEKK2 is essential for activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5). These pathways are important for expression of specific cytokine genes in mast cells following cross-linking of the high-affinity IgE receptor (FcepsilonRI). A consequence of ERK5 activation is activation of the transcriptional factor myocyte enhancing factor-2C (MEF2C), leading to increased c-Jun expression. We have investigated the role of MEF2C activation in mast cells and demonstrated that it requires sequential activation of the signaling cascade of MEKK2-MEK5-ERK5. Following phosphorylation of MEF2C, activated MEF2C regulates transcription of c-Jun but not TNF-alpha. Inhibition of ERK5, MEK5 activation or activation of MEKK2-deficient mast cells was associated with inhibition of MEF2C phosphorylation and a decrease in c-Jun expression. Thus, these data define an activation module, MEKK2-MEK5-ERK5-MEF2C in the transcriptional activation of c-Jun in mast cells following FcepsilonRI cross-linking. These results demonstrate the novel and important, MEKK2-dependent role of MEF2C in induction of c-Jun expression in mast cells activated through FcepsilonRI, a pathway distinct from that involving MEKK2-MEK5-ERK5 in the regulation of mast cell cytokine production.
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PMID:MEF2C regulates c-Jun but not TNF-alpha gene expression in stimulated mast cells. 1451 74

The transcription factor NF-kappaB regulates genes involved in innate and adaptive immune response, inflammation, apoptosis, and oncogenesis. Proinflammatory cytokines induce the activation of NF-kappaB in both transient and persistent phases. We investigated the mechanism for this biphasic NF-kappaB activation. Our results show that MEKK3 is essential in the regulation of rapid activation of NF-kappaB, whereas MEKK2 is important in controlling the delayed activation of NF-kappaB in response to stimulation with the cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-1alpha. MEKK3 is involved in the formation of the IkappaBalpha:NF-kappaB/IKK complex, whereas MEKK2 participates in assembling the IkappaBbeta:NF-kappaB/IKK complex; these two distinct complexes regulate the proinflammatory cytokine-induced biphasic NF-kappaB activation. Thus, our study reveals a novel mechanism in which different MAP3K and IkappaB isoforms are involved in specific complex formation with IKK and NF-kappaB for regulating the biphasic NF-kappaB activation. These findings provide further insight into the regulation of cytokine-induced specific and temporal gene expression.
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PMID:Mechanisms of proinflammatory cytokine-induced biphasic NF-kappaB activation. 1463 85

TGF-beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), a member of the MAPKKK family, is thought to be a key modulator of the inducible transcription factors NF-kappaB and AP-1 and, therefore, plays a crucial role in regulating the genes that mediate inflammation. Although in vitro biochemical studies have revealed the existence of a TAK1 complex, which includes TAK1 and the adapter proteins TAB1 and TAB2, it remains unclear which members of this complex are essential for signaling. To analyze the function of TAK1 in vivo, we have deleted the Tak1 gene in mice, with the resulting phenotype being early embryonic lethality. Using embryonic fibroblasts lacking TAK1, TAB1, or TAB2, we have found that TNFR1, IL-1R, TLR3, and TLR4-mediated NF-kappaB and AP-1 activation are severely impaired in Tak1(m/m) cells, but they are normal in Tab1(-/-) and Tab2(-/-) cells. In addition, Tak1(m/m) cells are highly sensitive to TNF-induced apoptosis. TAK1 mediates IKK activation in TNF-alpha and IL-1 signaling pathways, where it functions downstream of RIP1-TRAF2 and MyD88-IRAK1-TRAF6, respectively. However, TAK1 is not required for NF-kappaB activation through the alternative pathway following LT-beta signaling. In the TGF-beta signaling pathway, TAK1 deletion leads to impaired NF-kappaB and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation without impacting Smad2 activation or TGF-beta-induced gene expression. Therefore, our studies suggests that TAK1 acts as an upstream activating kinase for IKKbeta and JNK, but not IKKalpha, revealing an unexpectedly specific role of TAK1 in inflammatory signaling pathways.
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PMID:TAK1, but not TAB1 or TAB2, plays an essential role in multiple signaling pathways in vivo. 1626 Apr 93

We have recently established a TNF-alpha-promoted metastasis model, in which the ability to metastasize to the lung was enhanced by stimulation of cultured colon 26 cells with TNF-alpha before intravenous inoculation. To investigate intracellular events in metastatic cascades of TNF-alpha-treated cancer cells, we have focused on the stress signaling pathways to c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38. Treatment with a specific inhibitor, SP600125 or SB203580, in vitro suppressed TNF-alpha-induced migration and pulmonary metastasis. Activation of endogenous TAK1, a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP3K) regulating the JNK and p38 MAPK pathways, was induced rapidly by TNF-alpha, and co-transfection of TAK1 with its activator protein TAB1 stimulated activation of JNK and p38 MAPKs, which led to activation of the transcription factor AP-1. The activation of stress signaling pathways by TAK1 resulted in enhanced migration to fibronectin in vitro and metastasis to the lung in vivo without affecting cell proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. Moreover, knockdown of endogenous TAK1 using small interfering RNA (siRNA) suppressed the TNF-alpha-induced JNK/p38 activation, migration and pulmonary metastasis. These results indicate that TAK1-mediated stress signaling pathways in cancer cells are essential for TNF-alpha-promoted metastasis to the lung.
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PMID:TAK1-mediated stress signaling pathways are essential for TNF-alpha-promoted pulmonary metastasis of murine colon cancer cells. 1638 69

Regulation of MAPK pathways by PKC isoforms was examined in murine bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs). The PKCalpha, betaI, and betaII isoforms showed the most robust activation after FcepsilonR1-mediated stimulation by anti-ovalbumin specific IgE and ovalbumin (IgE-ova). PKCalpha, betaI, and betaII were all involved in activation of JNK, MEKK2, and ERK5, with differential relative contributions of each isoform to specific MAPK pathway components. BMMCs from mice lacking MEKK2 showed reduced production (50-60%) of IL-6, IL-13, and TNF-alpha after stimulation, demonstrating MEKK2-dependent and -independent pathways for cytokine production. Cytokine production was stimulated by over-expression of PKC in cells from MEKK2-deficient and wild-type mice. Activation of ERK5 did not occur in BMMCs lacking MEKK2, indicating that MEKK2-independent cytokine production was also ERK5-independent. Since MAPK modules differentially regulate mast cell functions, including degranulation and cytokine production, it is suggested that specific functions could be targeted by inhibiting specific PKC isoforms.
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PMID:Protein kinase C alpha, betaI, and betaII isozymes regulate cytokine production in mast cells through MEKK2/ERK5-dependent and -independent pathways. 1643 Aug 78

Airway epithelial cells are simultaneously exposed to and produce cytokines and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in inflammatory settings. The signaling events and the physiologic outcomes of exposure to these inflammatory mediators remain to be elucidated. Previously we demonstrated that in cultured mouse lung epithelial cells exposed to bolus administration of H(2)O(2), TNF-alpha-induced NF-kappaB activity was inhibited, whereas c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation was enhanced via a mechanism involving TNF receptor-1 (TNF-RI). In this study we used the nonphagocytic NADPH oxidase (Nox1) to study the effects of endogenously produced ROS on a line of mouse alveolar type II epithelial cells. Nox1 expression and activation inhibited TNF-alpha-induced inhibitor of kappaB kinase (IKK), and NF-kappaB while promoting JNK activation and cell death. Nox1-induced JNK activation and cell death were attenuated through expression of a dominant-negative TNF-RI construct, implicating a role for TNF-RI in Nox1 signaling. Furthermore, Nox1 used the TNF-RI adaptor protein TNF-receptor-associated factor-2 (TRAF2), and the redox-regulated JNK MAP3K, apoptosis signal kinase-1 (ASK1), to activate JNK. In addition, ASK1 siRNA attenuated both Nox1-induced JNK activity and cell death. Collectively, these studies suggest a mechanism by which ROS produced in lung epithelial cells activate JNK and cause cell death using TNF-RI and the TRAF2-ASK1 signaling axis.
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PMID:Nonphagocytic oxidase 1 causes death in lung epithelial cells via a TNF-RI-JNK signaling axis. 1707 81

The therapeutic effects of alpha-lipoic acid (alpha-LA) via NF-kappa B down regulation were demonstrated on joint inflammation and erosion in an animal model. In this study, we investigated how alpha-LA inhibits the pathway of NF-kappa B activation by TNF-alpha via the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) fibroblast-like synovial cells (FLS). FLS were stimulated with TNF-alpha following pre-treatment with or without alpha-LA. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) revealed that TNF-alpha activates NF-kappa B in FLS. This was inhibited by alpha-LA at concentrations of 1 mM. TNF-alpha induced IKK mediated phosphorylation of GST-I kappa B and pre-treatment with alpha-LA inhibited this pathway. FLS constitutively express MEKK1, MEKK2, MEKK3, and TAK1 and that their levels are unaffected by TNF-alpha or alpha-LA. Immunoprecipitation using anti-MEKK1 antibody phosphorylated GST-I kappa B and pre-treating the cells with alpha-LA could abolish the reaction. FLS were immunoprecipitated using an antibody to MEKK1, and MKK4 was coprecipitated with MEKK1. In addition, immune complexes precipitated with anti-MKK4 antibody phosphorylated GST-I kappa B, and pre-treatment with alpha-LA inhibited the phosphorylation. Immunoprecipitation assay showed that MEKK1, MKK4, IKK-alpha, IKK-beta, I kappa B, and NF-kappa B comprised immunocomplex. It can be concluded that TNF-alpha activates NF-kappa B in FLS through MEKK1-MKK4-IKK signaling complex, and alpha-LA inhibits this signaling at the level of or upstream of IKK-alpha and IKK-beta.
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PMID:Alpha-lipoic acid inhibits TNF-alpha induced NF-kappa B activation through blocking of MEKK1-MKK4-IKK signaling cascades. 1818 52

TGF-beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) is a MAP3K family member that activates NF-kappaB and JNK via Toll-like receptors and the receptors for IL-1, TNF-alpha, and TGF-beta. Because the TAK1 downstream molecules NF-kappaB and JNK have opposite effects on cell death and carcinogenesis, the role of TAK1 in the liver is unpredictable. To address this issue, we generated hepatocyte-specific Tak1-deficient (Tak1DeltaHEP) mice. The Tak1DeltaHEP mice displayed spontaneous hepatocyte death, compensatory proliferation, inflammatory cell infiltration, and perisinusoidal fibrosis at age 1 month. Older Tak1DeltaHEP mice developed multiple cancer nodules characterized by increased expression of fetal liver genes including alpha-fetoprotein. Cultures of primary hepatocytes deficient in Tak1 exhibited spontaneous cell death that was further increased in response to TNF-alpha. TNF-alpha increased caspase-3 activity but activated neither NF-kappaB nor JNK in Tak1-deficient hepatocytes. Genetic abrogation of TNF receptor type I (TNFRI) in Tak1DeltaHEP mice reduced liver damage, inflammation, and fibrosis compared with unmodified Tak1DeltaHEP mice. In conclusion, hepatocyte-specific deletion of TAK1 in mice resulted in spontaneous hepatocyte death, inflammation, fibrosis, and carcinogenesis that was partially mediated by TNFR signaling, indicating that TAK1 is an essential component for cellular homeostasis in the liver.
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PMID:Disruption of TAK1 in hepatocytes causes hepatic injury, inflammation, fibrosis, and carcinogenesis. 2087 30

Inducible heat shock protein70 (HSP70) is one of the most important HSPs for maintenance of cell integrity during normal cellular growth as well as pathophysiological conditions. Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase (ASK) 1, a mammalian MAPKKK, activates the JNK and p38 pathways. Here we report a novel function of HSP70 in regulating TNF-alpha-induced cell apoptosis. Our study demonstrated that HSP70 physically interacted with ASK1 and promoted the ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal degradation of ASK1. CHIP (carboxyl terminus of the HSC70-interacting protein) which acted as a co-chaperone of HSP70 cooperated with HSP70 in regulating ASK1. We also found that TNF-alpha stimulated HSP70/CHIP/ASK1 association and through cooperating with CHIP, HSP70 inhibits TNF-alpha-induced cell apoptosis both in over-expression and RNAi conditions. Structural analysis indicated that C-terminal domain of HSP70 was necessary for ASK1 degradation, and N- terminal domain of ASK1 was essential for its binding to HSP70. All these findings indicated that HSP70 and CHIP association is important for HSP70 in interacting with ASK1. Through forming the complex of HSP70/CHIP/ASK1, HSP70 promotes ASK1 proteasomal degradation and prevents TNF-alpha-induced cell apoptosis.
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PMID:Heat shock protein 70 together with its co-chaperone CHIP inhibits TNF-alpha induced apoptosis by promoting proteasomal degradation of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase1. 2034 36

Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) and ASK2 are both members of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAP3K) family that are implicated in apoptotic cell death, stress responses, and various diseases. We have determined that NT2RI3007443, TESTI4031745, SGK341, and human MAP3K15 are all transcribed from the same genomic locus, which we designate "ASK3 gene" based on sequence homology to ASK1 and ASK2. NT2RI3007443, TESTI4031745, and SGK341 displayed distinct expression profiles among human tissues. TESTI4031745 was expressed in relatively high levels. The expression of TESTI4031745 was increased in rectum tumor and Alzheimer's disease hippocampus and decreased in kidney tumor and Alzheimer's disease frontal lobe. NT2RI3007443 showed moderate levels of ubiquitous expression in normal adult tissues. They did not drastically change in diseases except for increase in cirrhosis liver. Expression of SGK341 was restricted. It was highly expressed in fetal brain, and moderately expressed in normal hippocampus, pancreas, spleen, lung, and kidney. Further, its expression was dramatically increased in hepatic cirrhosis and decreased in lung tumor. Target proteins encoded by NT2RI3007443 and TESTI4031745 were translated in cell-free protein synthesis system. They exhibited protein kinase activity indicated by ATP consumption and phosphorylation of Syntide 2 as a substrate. We demonstrated that knockdown of ASK3 protected HeLa cells against cytotoxicity induced by anti-Fas monoclonal antibody, TNF-alpha, or oxidative stress. These findings suggest that "ASK3 gene" is a novel member of apoptosis signal-regulating kinases and that it plays a pivotal role in the signal transduction pathway implicated in apoptotic cell death triggered by cellular stresses. It can be a putative therapeutic drug target for multiple human diseases.
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PMID:ASK3, a novel member of the apoptosis signal-regulating kinase family, is essential for stress-induced cell death in HeLa cells. 2036 54


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