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

---

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

Interferon (IFN)-alpha affects the growth, differentiation and function of various cell types by transducing regulatory signals through the Janus tyrosine kinase/signal transducers of activation and transcription (Jak/STAT) pathway. The signalling pathways employing the mitogen-activated ERK-activating kinase (MEK) and the extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) are critical in growth factors signalling. Engagement of the receptors, and subsequent stimulation of Ras and Raf, initiates a phosphorylative cascade leading to activation of several proteins among which MEK and ERK play a central role in routing signals critical in controlling cell development, activation and proliferation. We demonstrate here that 24-48 h following treatment of transformed T- and monocytoid cell lines with recombinant human IFN-alpha2b both the phosphorylation and activity of MEK1 and its substrates ERK1/2 were reduced. In contrast, the activities of the upstream molecules Ras and Raf-1 were not affected. No effect on MEK/ERK activity was observed upon short-term exposure (1-30 min) to IFN. The anti-proliferative effect of IFN-alpha was increased by the addition in the culture medium of a specific inhibitor of MEK, namely PD98059. In conclusion, our results indicate that IFN-alpha regulates the activity of the MEK/ERK pathway and consequently modulates cellular proliferation through a Ras/Raf-independent mechanism. Targeting the MEK/ERK pathway may strengthen the IFN-mediated anti-cancer effect.
...
PMID:Interferon-alpha2b reduces phosphorylation and activity of MEK and ERK through a Ras/Raf-independent mechanism. 1094 3

Interaction of GH with the cell-surface GH receptor (GHR) causes activation of the GHR-associated tyrosine kinase, JAK2, and consequent triggering of signaling cascades including the STAT, Ras/Raf/MEK1/MAP kinase, and insulin receptor substrate-1(IRS-1)/PI3kinase pathways. We previously showed that IRS- and GHR-deficient 32D cells that stably express the rabbit GHR and rat IRS-1 (32D-rbGHR-IRS-1) exhibited markedly enhanced GH-induced proliferation and MAP kinase (ERK1 and ERK2) activation compared with cells expressing only the GHR (32D-rbGHR). We now examine biochemical mechanism(s) by which IRS-1 augments GH-induced MAP kinase activation. Time-course experiments revealed a similarly transient (maximal at 15 min) GH-induced ERK1 and ERK2 activation in both 32D-rbGHR and 32D-rbGHR-IRS-1 cells, but, consistent with our prior findings, substantially greater activation was seen in the IRS-1-containing cells. In both cells, GH-induced MAP kinase activation was markedly blunted by the MEK1 inhibitor, PD98059, but not by the PKC inhibitor, GF109203X. Interestingly, pretreatment with the PI3K inhibitor, wortmannin (EC50 approximately 10 nM), significantly reduced GH-induced MAP kinase activation in both 32D-rbGHR and 32D-rbGHR-IRS-1 cells. This same pattern in both cells of IRS-1-dependent augmentation and IRS-1-independent wortmannin sensitivity was also observed for GH-induced activation of Akt and MEK1 (using state-specific antibody blotting for both), despite the lack of difference in GHR, JAK2, SHP-2, p85, Akt, Ras, Raf-1, MEK1, ERK1, or ERK2 abundance between the two cells. A different PI3K inhibitor, LY294002 (50 microM), substantially inhibited (roughly 72%) GH-induced MAP kinase activation in 32D-rbGHR-IRS-1 cells, but only marginally (and statistically insignificantly) inhibited GH-induced MAP kinase activation in 32D-rbGHR cells. Because GH-induced Akt activation was completely inhibited in both cells by the same concentration of LY294002, these findings indicate that the wortmannin sensitivity of both the IRS-1-independent and -dependent GH-induced MAP kinase activation may reflect the activity of another wortmannin-sensitive target(s) in addition to PI3K in mediation of GH-induced MAP kinase activation in these cells. Notably, GH-induced STAT5 tyrosine phosphorylation, unlike Akt or MAPK activation, did not differ between the cells. Finally, while GH promoted accumulation of activated Ras in both cells, both basal and GH-induced activated Ras levels were greater in cells expressing IRS-1 than in 32D-rbGHR cells. These data indicate that while GH induces tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT5 and activation of the Ras/Raf/MEK1/MAPK and PI3K pathways, IRS-1 expression augments the latter two more than the former.
...
PMID:Insulin receptor substrate-1-mediated enhancement of growth hormone-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase activation. 1096 5

The role of the chemokine binding stromal-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) in normal human megakaryopoiesis at the cellular and molecular levels and its comparison with that of thrombopoietin (TPO) have not been determined. In this study it was found that SDF-1, unlike TPO, does not stimulate alpha(IIb)beta(3)(+) cell proliferation or differentiation or have an antiapoptotic effect. However, it does induce chemotaxis, trans-Matrigel migration, and secretion of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by these cells, and both SDF-1 and TPO increase the adhesion of alpha(IIb)beta(3)(+) cells to fibrinogen and vitronectin. Investigating the intracellular signaling pathways induced by SDF-1 and TPO revealed some overlapping patterns of protein phosphorylation/activation (mitogen-activated protein kinase [MAPK] p42/44, MAPK p38, and AKT [protein kinase B]) and some that were distinct for TPO (eg, JAK-STAT) and for SDF-1 (eg, NF-kappa B). It was also found that though inhibition of phosphatidyl-inositol 3-kinase (PI-3K) by LY294002 in alpha(IIb)beta(3)(+) cells induced apoptosis and inhibited chemotaxis adhesion and the secretion of MMP-9 and VEGF, the inhibition of MAPK p42/44 (by the MEK inhibitor U0126) had no effect on the survival, proliferation, and migration of these cells. Hence, it is suggested that the proliferative effect of TPO is more related to activation of the JAK-STAT pathway (unique to TPO), and the PI-3K-AKT axis is differentially involved in TPO- and SDF-1-dependent signaling. Accordingly, PI-3K is involved in TPO-mediated inhibition of apoptosis, TPO- and SDF-1-regulated adhesion to fibrinogen and vitronectin, and SDF-1-mediated migration. This study expands the understanding of the role of SDF-1 and TPO in normal human megakaryopoiesis and indicates the molecular basis of the observed differences in cellular responses. (Blood. 2000;96:4142-4151)
...
PMID:Stromal-derived factor 1 and thrombopoietin regulate distinct aspects of human megakaryopoiesis. 1111 Jun 85

Leptin acts as a satiety factor, but there is also evidence that it affects energy expenditure. Leptin's effects are mediated by its receptors, which function as activators of a Janus family of tyrosine kinases-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway. We have previously shown that murine recombinant leptin markedly induces both the release of catecholamine and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) (rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of catecholamine)-messenger RNA (mRNA) levels, probably through Ob-Rb expressed in cultured porcine chromaffin cells. In the present study, we examined the effect of leptin on Ca(2+) mobilization, TH enzyme activity, and signaling. Ca(2+) channel blockers, nicardipine and omega-Conotoxin GVIA, each at 1 microM, were effective in inhibiting leptin-induced catecholamine secretion. When intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](i)) was measured in fura 2-loaded chromaffin cells, leptin was found to cause a sustained increase of Ca(2+) by mobilizing Ca(2+) from both extra- and intracellular pools. Additionally, leptin significantly stimulated inositol 1.4.5-triphosphate IP(3) production in a dose-dependent manner. TH-activity is regulated by both TH enzyme activity and increased TH-mRNA levels accompanied by increased TH protein synthesis. Leptin (>/=1 nM) significantly stimulated TH enzyme activity and increased the TH protein level, indicating that it stimulates catecholamine biosynthesis. In addition, removal of external Ca(2+) completely inhibited leptin (100 nM)-induced TH enzyme activity. Leptin (>/=1 nM) caused an increase in the activity of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) that was accompanied by increased phosphorylation of STAT-3 and -5, but not STAT-1. Moreover, MAPK activity evoked by leptin(100 nM) and TH-mRNA caused by leptin (10 nM) were inhibited by 50 and 30 microM of PD-98059 (the MAP kinase kinase-1 inhibitor), respectively. These findings indicate that leptin activates voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels (VDCC), presumably L-type and N-type Ca(2+) channels, as well as phospholipase C, and suggest that leptin-induced catecholamine secretion is mainly mediated by activation of VDCC. In addition, leptin stimulates the JAK-STAT pathway as well as increasing the levels of TH-mRNA levels through the MAPK pathway in porcine chromaffin cells.
...
PMID:Ca(2+) mobilization, tyrosine hydroxylase activity, and signaling mechanisms in cultured porcine adrenal medullary chromaffin cells: effects of leptin. 1114 92

The growth-stimulating effects of thrombin are mediated primarily via activation of a G protein-coupled receptor, PAR-1. Because PAR-1 has no intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity, yet requires tyrosine phosphorylation events to induce mitogenesis, we investigated the role of the Janus tyrosine kinases (JAKs) in thrombin-mediated signaling. JAK2 was activated rapidly in rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) treated with thrombin, and signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT1 and STAT3) were phosphorylated and translocated to the nucleus in a JAK2-dependent manner. AG-490, a JAK2-specific inhibitor, and a dominant negative JAK2 mutant inhibited thrombin-induced ERK2 activity and VSMC proliferation suggesting that JAK2 is upstream of the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway. To elucidate the functional significance of JAK-STAT activation, we studied the effect of thrombin on heat shock protein (Hsp) expression, based upon the following: 1) reports that thrombin stimulates reactive oxygen species production in VSMC; 2) the putative role of Hsps in modulating cellular responses to reactive oxygen species; and 3) the presence of functional STAT1/3-binding sites in Hsp70 and Hsp90beta promoters. Indeed, thrombin up-regulated Hsp70 and Hsp90 protein expression via enhanced binding of STATs to cognate binding sites in the Hsp70 and Hsp90 promoters. Together, these results suggest that JAK-STAT pathway activation is necessary for thrombin-induced VSMC growth and Hsp gene expression.
...
PMID:Thrombin regulates vascular smooth muscle cell growth and heat shock proteins via the JAK-STAT pathway. 1127 37

Numerous studies have suggested an important role for the Th2 cytokines interleukin (IL)-13 and IL-4 in the development of allergic asthma. We tested the hypothesis that IL-13 and IL-4 have direct effects on cultured airway smooth muscle cells (HASM). Using RT-PCR, we showed that HASM cells express transcripts for IL-4alpha, IL-13RalphaI, and IL-13RalphaII, but not for the common IL-2Rgamma chain. We then analyzed the capacity of the two cytokines to activate signaling pathways in HASM cells. Both IL-13 and IL-4 caused STAT-6 phosphorylation, but the time course was different between the two cytokines, with peak effects occurring 15 min after addition of IL-4 and 1 h after addition of IL-13. Effects on signaling were observed at cytokine concentrations as low as 0.3 ng/ml. IL-4 and IL-13 also caused phosphorylation of ERK MAP kinase. As suggested by the signaling studies, the biological responses of the two cytokines were also different. We used magnetic twisting cytometry to measure cell stiffness of HASM cells and tested the capacity of IL-4 and IL-13 to interfere with the reductions in cell stiffness induced by the beta-agonist isoproterenol (ISO). IL-13 (50 ng/ml for 24 h), but not IL-4, significantly reduced beta-adrenergic responsiveness of HASM cells, and the MEK inhibitor U0126 significantly reduced the effects of IL-13 on ISO-induced changes in cell stiffness. We propose that these direct effect of IL-13 on HASM cells may contribute at least in part to the airway narrowing observed in patients with asthma.
...
PMID:Direct effects of interleukin-13 on signaling pathways for physiological responses in cultured human airway smooth muscle cells. 1143 52

FGF7/Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) regulates the differentiation and development of the prostate epithelium, while over-expression of FGF8 and FGF1 are implicated in carcinogenesis of the prostate. We tested the hypothesis that different members of the FGF family function through different signalling molecules. In prostate DU145 cells, both FGF1 and FGF2 activated ERK1/2 potently and p38 moderately. KGF was however most efficient in inducing p38 activities but had no effect on ERK1/2 function. JNK and STAT activities were not induced by FGFs in prostate cells. In vitro expression of the transcription factors Elk-1 and MEF2A (substrates for ERK1/2 and p38, respectively) for functional quantification, confirmed the pattern of FGF-induced MAPK activations in COS-7 cells. Furthermore, KGF was more efficient than FGF1 and FGF2 in inducing actin stress fibres, and the specific p38 inhibitor SB202190 completely abolished this in a dose-dependent manner. The MEK1/2 inhibitor, U0126, had no effect on FGF-induced stress fibre formation. This study demonstrates the selective activation of MAPK family members by FGFs resulting in activation of transcription factors and stress fibre formation. As multiple FGFs are over-expressed in human prostate cancer, characterization of the distinct signalling pathway by FGFs may reveal new specific targets for therapy.
...
PMID:Keratinocyte growth factor activates p38 MAPK to induce stress fibre formation in human prostate DU145 cells. 1153 48

Previous studies demonstrate that interleukin-6 (IL-6) mediates growth and survival in human multiple myeloma (MM) cells via the MEK/MAPK and JAK/STAT signaling pathways, respectively. IL-6 also confers protection against Dexamethasone (Dex)-induced apoptosis via activation of protein tyrosine phosphatase (SHP2). In the current study, we characterized IL-6 triggered phophatidylinositol-3 kinase/Akt kinase (PI3-K/Akt) signaling in MM cells. IL-6 induces Akt/PKB phosphorylation in a time and dose dependent manner in MM.1S MM cells. IL-6 also induced phosphorylation of downstream targets of Akt, including Bad, GSK-3beta, and FKHR, confirming Akt activation. Inhibition of Akt activation by the PI3-K inhibitor LY294002 partially blocked IL-6 triggered MEK/MAPK activation and proliferation in MM.1S cells, suggesting cross-talk between PI3-K and MEK signaling. We demonstrate that Dex-induced apoptosis in MM.1S cells is mediated by downstream activation of caspase-9, with resultant caspase-3 cleavage; and conversely, that IL-6 triggers activation of PI3-K and its association with SHP2, inactivates caspase-9, and protects against Dex-induced apoptosis. LY294002 completely abrogates this signaling cascade, further confirming the importance of PI3-K/Akt signaling in conferring the protective effect of IL-6 against Dex-induced apoptosis. Finally, we show that IL-6 triggered PI3-K/Akt signaling in MM.1S cells inactivates forkhead transcriptional factor (FKHR), with related G1/S phase transition, whereas LY294002 blocks this signaling, resulting in upregulation of p27(KIP1) and G1 growth arrest. Our data therefore suggest that PI3-K/Akt signaling mediates growth, survival, and cell cycle regulatory effects of IL-6 in MM.
...
PMID:Biologic sequelae of interleukin-6 induced PI3-K/Akt signaling in multiple myeloma. 1159 6

The involvement of MAPK pathways in differentiation, proliferation and survival was investigated by comparing Epo and GM-CSF signalling in human factor-dependent myeloerythroid TF-1 cells with abnormal Epo-R. GM-CSF withdrawal induced cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis accompanied by increased caspase-3 activity, DNA degradation and reduced expression of the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl proteins. Readministration of GM-CSF but not Epo reversed these processes and induced proliferation. The GM-CSF promoted cell survival and proliferation correlated with MEK-1 dependent ERK1/2, Elk-1 and CREB phosphorylation and Egr-1, c-Fos expression as well as with increased STAT-5, AP-1, c-Myb and NF-kappaB DNA-binding. In contrast, Epo failed to activate the Raf-1/ERK1/2 MAPK pathway or to induce Egr-1 and/or c-Fos expression, while it induced erythroid differentiation in GM-CSF-deprived cells. In addition, the Epo-induced haemoglobin production was inhibited in the presence of GM-CSF. These results demonstrate that the activation of MAPK cascade is not necessary for Epo-induced haemoglobin production in TF-1 cells and suggest a negative cross-talk between the signalling of GM-CSF-stimulated cell proliferation and Epo-induced erythroid differentiation.
...
PMID:Activation of Raf/ERK1/2 MAP kinase pathway is involved in GM-CSF-induced proliferation and survival but not in erythropoietin-induced differentiation of TF-1 cells. 1160 85

In this study we show that activation of p38MAPK by IL-6 acts as an inhibitory signal on IL-6-mediated activation of STAT and the alpha2-macroglobulin promoter. We analyzed the role of MKK6/p38MAPK for IL-6 signal transduction and transcriptional activation of the suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) 3 promoter. Pretreatment of cells with the p38MAPK-specific inhibitor SB202190 downregulates the induction of SOCS3-mRNA expression by IL-6. Accordingly, overexpression of a constitutively active MKK6 in HepG2 cells enhanced basal activity or IL-6-induced transcriptional activation of a SOCS3 promoter reporter construct, whereas overexpression of a dominant negative mutant of MKK6 downregulated the IL-6-mediated activation of the SOCS3 promoter. These data indicate that p38MAPK-activation is crucial for IL-6-induced SOCS3 expression and downregulation of IL-6-mediated gene induction.
...
PMID:The MKK6/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway is capable of inducing SOCS3 gene expression and inhibits IL-6-induced transcription. 1172 28


<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next >>

---