Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts: Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound   Target Concepts: Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound

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Query: EC:2.7.12.2 (MEK)
18,161 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) stimulates the c-Fos serum response element (SRE) by activating two distinct signal pathways regulated by the small GTPases, Ras and RhoA. Ras activates the ERK cascade leading to phosphorylation of the transcription factors Elk-1 and Sap1a at the Ets/TCF site. RhoA regulates an undefined pathway required for the activation of the SRF/CArG site. Here we have examined the role of the Ras and RhoA pathways in activation of the SRE and c-Fos expression in Rat-1 cells. Pertussis toxin and PD98059 strongly inhibited LPA-stimulated c-Fos expression and activation of a SRE:Luc reporter. C3 toxin completely inhibited RhoA function, partially inhibited SRE:Luc activity, but had no effect on LPA-stimulated c-Fos expression. Thus, in a physiological context the Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK pathway, but not RhoA, is required for LPA-stimulated c-Fos expression in Rat-1 cells. C3 toxin stimulated the stress-activated protein kinases JNK and p38 and potentiated c-Jun expression and phosphorylation; these properties were shared by another cellular stress agonist the protein kinase C inhibitor Ro-31-8220. However, C3 toxin alone or in combination with growth factors did not stimulate AP-1:Luc activity and actually antagonized the synergistic activation of AP-1:Luc observed in response to co-stimulation with growth factors and Ro-31-8220. These data indicate that C3 toxin is a cellular stress which antagonizes activation of AP-1 at a point downstream of stress-activated kinase activation or immediate-early gene induction.
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PMID:C3 toxin activates the stress signaling pathways, JNK and p38, but antagonizes the activation of AP-1 in rat-1 cells. 992 Sep 30

Collagenase-1 (matrix metalloproteinase-1, MMP-1) is expressed by several types of cells, including fibroblasts, and apparently plays an important role in the remodeling of collagenous extracellular matrix in various physiologic and pathologic situations. Here, we have examined the molecular mechanisms of the activation of fibroblast MMP-1 gene expression by a naturally occurring non-phorbol ester type tumor promoter okadaic acid (OA), a potent inhibitor of serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A. We show that in fibroblasts OA activates three distinct subgroups of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs): extracellular signal-regulated kinase1,2 (ERK1,2), c-Jun N-terminal-kinase/stress-activated protein kinase (JNK/SAPK) and p38. Activation of MMP-1 promoter by OA is entirely blocked by overexpression of dual-specificity MAPK phosphatase CL100. In addition, expression of kinase-deficient forms of ERK1,2, SAPKbeta, p38, or JNK/SAPK kinase SEK1 strongly inhibited OA-elicited activation of MMP-1 promoter. OA-elicited enhancement of MMP-1 mRNA abundance was also strongly prevented by two chemical MAPK inhibitors: PD 98059, a specific inhibitor of the activation of ERK1,2 kinases MEK1,2; and SB 203580, a selective inhibitor of p38 activity. Results of this study show that MMP-1 gene expression in fibroblasts is coordinately regulated by ERK1,2, JNK/SAPK, and p38 MAPKs and suggest an important role for the stress-activated MAPKs JNK/SAPK and p38 in the activation of MMP-1 gene expression. Based on these observations, it is conceivable that specific inhibition of stress-activated MAPK pathways may serve as a novel therapeutic target for inhibiting degradation of collagenous extracellular matrix.
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PMID:Enhancement of fibroblast collagenase-1 (MMP-1) gene expression by tumor promoter okadaic acid is mediated by stress-activated protein kinases Jun N-terminal kinase and p38. 992 49

We present evidence that stimulation of the human beta-3 adrenergic receptor (AR), expressed in Chinese hamster ovary/K1 cells, specifically activates the mitogen-activated protein kinases extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1 and 2, but not JNK or p38. The extent and kinetics of the ERK stimulation by the beta-3 AR are identical with those of the endogenic insulin receptor. However, insulin augments cellular proliferation, whereas beta-3 AR agonists inhibit proliferation due to the production of cyclic AMP. The pharmacological profile of the ERK activation by the beta-3 AR differs significantly from its activation of adenylyl cyclase. The order of potency and intrinsic activities of both natural ligands, norepinephrine and epinephrine, is inversed between both signaling pathways. In addition, BRL 37344 and propranolol, ligands that act as agonists in the stimulation of cyclase, act as antagonists for ERK activation. The activation of ERK1/2 is sensitive to pertussis toxin, suggesting that the beta-3 AR, in addition to its interaction with Gs, can couple to Gi/o. Furthermore, the activation of ERK by the beta-3 AR is sensitive to PD98059, wortmannin, and LY294002, indicating a crucial role for mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase and phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K), respectively. A beta-3 AR-mediated stimulation of PI3K is confirmed by the observation that the selective agonist CGP 12177A specifically activates protein kinase B. As was observed for the activation of ERK, the activation of protein kinase B is inhibited by preincubation with pertussis toxin and PI3K inhibitors, suggesting that both are a consequence of a Gi/o-mediated activation of PI3K.
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PMID:Stimulation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 pathway by human beta-3 adrenergic receptor: new pharmacological profile and mechanism of activation. 992 16

Because both the brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) gene and the cytokine interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) are induced in the infarcted myocardium, localized production of IL-1beta may regulate the BNP gene. We tested whether (1) IL-1beta regulates the human BNP promoter, (2) cis elements in the proximal promoter respond to IL-1beta, and (3) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways [p42/44, c-jun (JNK) and p38 kinase] are involved. We transferred the hBNP promoter coupled to a luciferase reporter gene or constructs with mutations in the proximal promoter GATA and M-CAT elements into neonatal rat ventricular myocytes and treated the cells with IL-1beta for 24 hours. IL-1beta-stimulated hBNP luciferase activity was eliminated by pretreatment with the transcription inhibitor actinomycin D. Both the p38 kinase inhibitor SB205380 (SB) and cotransfection of a dominant-negative mutant of p38 kinase reduced IL-1beta stimulation of the hBNP promoter. Dominant-negative mutants of Ras and Rac inhibited IL-1beta-stimulated hBNP luciferase activity by 64% and 90%, respectively. Constitutively active forms of Rac and MKK6, the immediate upstream activator of p38, were stimulatory; however, only the effect of MKK6 was inhibited by SB. Neither the p42/44 nor the JNK pathway was involved in the action of IL-1beta. Both IL-1beta and MKK6 activation of the hBNP promoter were partially reduced when the promoter contained a mutated M-CAT element. In summary, (1) IL-1beta is a transcriptional activator of the hBNP promoter; (2) IL-1beta acts through a Ras-dependent pathway not coupled to activation of p42/44 MAPK or JNK; (3) IL-1beta acts through a Rac-dependent pathway, but the downstream effector is not known; and (4) IL-1beta activation of p38 kinase is partially involved in regulation of the hBNP promoter, targeting the proximal M-CAT element.
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PMID:Interleukin-1beta regulation of the human brain natriuretic peptide promoter involves Ras-, Rac-, and p38 kinase-dependent pathways in cardiac myocytes. 993 Nov 18

Mitogenic signals initiated at the plasma membrane are transmitted to the nucleus through an intricate signalling network. We identified the protooncoprotein Cot as a new component of mitogenic signalling cascades, which activates both the classic cytoplasmic cascade and the SAPK stress pathway. Wildtype and activated Cot phosphorylate and activate MEK-1 and SEK-1 in vitro. These findings are consistent with the sequence homology between Cot and the rat gene Tpl-2. Expression of oncogenic Cot in 293, NIH3T3 and PC12 cells leads to in vivo phosphorylation of endogenous c-Jun and Erk-1/2 suggesting that the serine/threonine kinase Cot functions beside c-Raf-1 and Mos as a direct activator of MEK-1. Furthermore, we have examined the biological effects of Cot on the phenotype of fibroblastic and neuronal cells. In order to test a potential c-Raf-1 dependency of Cot transformation, the effect of oncogenic Cot on Raf revertant CHP25 cells was determined. Cot could restore the transformed phenotype indicating that Cot transformation is not dependent on active c-Raf-1 and that Cot is not a target for the putative Raf inhibitor, which is presumably active in the revertant cell line. Expression of oncogenic versions of Raf as well as v-Mos leads to differentiation of PC12 cells. Cot also induces neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells. These data are consistent with the role of Cot in the classic mitogenic cascade and suggest that the simultaneously activated JNK/SAPK stress pathway has no antagonistic effects in this context.
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PMID:Cot protooncoprotein activates the dual specificity kinases MEK-1 and SEK-1 and induces differentiation of PC12 cells. 1005 Aug 76

The cJun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) are encoded by three genes generating ten protein kinase polypeptides and are activated in settings of cell stress, mitogenesis, differentiation and morphogenesis. The specific role of the JNK family members in these diverse cell programmes is largely undefined. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that individual JNK isoforms would exhibit distinct patterns of regulation within cells. The cDNAs encoding five haemagglutinin (HA)-tagged JNK isoforms (p46JNK1alpha, p54JNK2alpha, p54JNK2beta, p46JNK3 and p54JNK3) were expressed in cultured rat PC12 phaeochromocytoma cells and human small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) cells by retrovirus-mediated gene transfer. In addition, HA-tagged forms of the dual-specificity mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases (MKKs), MKK4 and MKK7, which are specific activators of the JNK enzymes, were similarly expressed. Reverse transcription and PCR revealed that JNK3 is endogenously expressed in SCLC cells, but not in either chromaffin or neuronally differentiated PC12 cells. MKK4 and MKK7 were endogenously expressed in both PC12 cells and SHP77 cells. Immunoprecipitation and analysis of the JNKs expressed in SCLC cells revealed strong stimulation of all five JNK isoforms by UV radiation. Hypertonic stress, elicited by mannitol, also significantly stimulated these same JNKs, although the JNK3 isoforms were most strongly activated. In PC12 cell transfectants, however, selective and equal activation of p54JNK2alpha and p54JNK3 by UV and osmotic stress was observed, with little or no activation of JNK1alpha or JNK2beta. In contrast with the broad activation of the JNK enzymes by UV in SCLC cells, only HA-MKK4 was stimulated by UV exposure in these cells, whereas osmotic stress stimulated both HA-MKK4 and HA-MKK7. These findings indicate selective activation of JNK and MKK isoforms in a manner that is dependent upon the specific cell stress and the cell type.
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PMID:Stress- and cell type-dependent regulation of transfected c-Jun N-terminal kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase isoforms. 1005 39

Although an important contribution of ERK and JNK mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation in Ras transformation of rodent fibroblasts has been determined, their role in mediating oncogenic Ras transformation of human tumor cells remains to be established. We have utilized the human HT1080 fibrosarcoma and DLD-1 colon carcinoma cell lines, which contain endogenous mutated and oncogenic N- and K-ras alleles, respectively, to address this role. Study of these cells is advantageous over Ras-transformed rodent model cell systems for two key reasons. First, the ras mutations occurred naturally in the progression of the tumors from which the cell lines were derived, rather than due to overexpression of an exogenously introduced gene. Second, although these tumor cells possess defects in multiple genetic loci, it has been established that mutated Ras contributes significantly to the transformed phenotype of these cells. Clonal variant lines of HT1080 and DLD-1 have been isolated which have lost the oncogenic ras allele and exhibit a corresponding impairment in growth transformation in vitro and in vivo. We found that upregulation of Raf/MEK/ERK and JNK correlated with expression of oncogenic Ras in HT1080, but not DLD-1 cells. Furthermore, inhibition of ERK activation in parental HT1080 cells caused the same changes in cell morphology and actin stress fiber organization seen with loss of expression of activated N-Ras(61K). Thus, we suggest that constitutive activation of the Raf/MEK/ERK and JNK pathways is necessary for Ras-induced transformation of HT1080 but not DLD-1 cells. These results emphasize that cell type differences exist in the signaling pathways by which oncogenic Ras causes transformation.
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PMID:Differential contribution of the ERK and JNK mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades to Ras transformation of HT1080 fibrosarcoma and DLD-1 colon carcinoma cells. 1008 35

The stress-activated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), a member of the subgroup of mammalian kinases, appears to play an important role in regulating inflammatory responses, including cytokine secretion and apoptosis. The upstream mediators that link extracellular signals with the p38 MAPK signaling pathway are currently unknown. Here we demonstrate that pp125 focal adhesion kinase-related tyrosine kinase RAFTK (also known as PYK2, CADTK) is activated specifically by methylmethane sulfonate (MMS) and hyperosmolarity but not by ultraviolet radiation, ionizing radiation, or cis-platinum. Overexpression of RAFTK leads to the activation of p38 MAPK. Furthermore, overexpression of a dominant-negative mutant of RAFTK (RAFTK K-M) inhibits MMS-induced p38 MAPK activation. MKK3 and MKK6 are known potential constituents of p38 MAPK signaling pathway, whereas SEK1 and MEK1 are upstream activators of SAPK/JNK and ERK pathways, respectively. We observe that the dominant-negative mutant of MKK3 but not of MKK6, SEK1, or MEK1 inhibits RAFTK-induced p38 MAPK activity. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that treatment of cells with 1, 2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, tetra(acetoxymethyl)-ester, a membrane-permeable calcium chelator, inhibits MMS-induced activation of RAFTK and p38 MAPK. Taken together, these findings indicate that RAFTK represents a stress-sensitive mediator of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway in response to certain cytotoxic agents.
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PMID:Activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase by PYK2/related adhesion focal tyrosine kinase-dependent mechanism. 1018 97

We report here that JNK/SAPKs are activated by TRAIL in parallel to induction of apoptosis in human T and B cell lines. Death signaling as well as JNK/SAPK activation by TRAIL in these cells is FADD- and caspase-dependent since dominant-negative FADD or the caspase inhibitor zVAD prevented both, apoptosis and JNK/SAPK activity. JNK/SAPK activity in response to triggering of CD95 by an agonistic antibody (alphaAPO-1) was also diminished by dominant-negative FADD or zVAD. Correspondingly, a cell line resistant to alphaAPO-1-induced death exhibited crossresistance to TRAIL-induced apoptosis and did not upregulate JNK/SAPK activity in response to TRAIL or alphaAPO-1. Inhibition of JNK/SAPK activity, by stably transfecting cells with a dominant-negative JNKK-MKK4 construct, reduced apoptosis in response to TRAIL or alphaAPO-1. Therefore, activation of JNK/SAPKs by TRAIL or alphaAPO-1 occurs downstream of FADD and caspases and contributes to apoptosis in human lymphoid cell lines.
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PMID:JNK/SAPK activity contributes to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. 1020 May 59

Endothelial cells (ECs) exposed to cyclic strain induce gene expression. To elucidate the signaling mechanisms involved, we studied the effects of cyclic strain on ECs by using early growth response-1 (Egr-1) as a target gene. Cyclic strain induced a transient increase of Egr-1 mRNA levels that resulted in an increase of binding of nuclear proteins to the Egr-1 binding sequences in the platelet-derived growth factor-A promoter region. ECs subjected to strain enhanced Egr-1 transcription as revealed by promoter activities. Catalase pretreatment inhibited this induction. ECs, transfected with a dominant positive mutant of Ras (RasL61), increased Egr-1 promoter activities. In contrast, transfection with a dominant negative mutant of Ras (RasN17) attenuated this strain inducibility. ECs transfected with a dominant negative mutant of Raf-1 (Raf301) or the catalytically inactive mutant of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-2 (mERK2) diminished strain-induced promoter activities. However, little effect on strain inducibility was observed in ECs transfected with a dominant negative mutant of Rac (RacN17) or a catalytically inactive mutant of JNK (JNK[K-R]). Consistently, strain-induced Egr-1 expression was inhibited after ECs were treated with a specific inhibitor (PD98059) to mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase. Moreover, strain to ECs induced mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK activity. The activation of the ERK pathway was further substantiated by an increase of strain-induced transcriptional activity of Elk1, an ERK substrate. This strain-induced ERK activity was attenuated after ECs were treated with N-acetylcysteine or catalase. Consequently, this Egr-1 gene induction was abolished after ECs were treated with N-acetylcysteine or catalase. Deletion analyses of the promoter region (-698 bp) indicated that cyclic strain and H2O2 shared a common serum response element. Our data clearly indicate that cyclic strain-induced Egr-1 expression is mediated mainly via the Ras/Raf-1/ERK pathway and that strain-induced reactive oxygen species can modulate Egr-1 expression at least partially via this signaling pathway.
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PMID:Modulation of Ras/Raf/extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway by reactive oxygen species is involved in cyclic strain-induced early growth response-1 gene expression in endothelial cells. 1020 48


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