Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:2.7.12.2 (MEK)
18,161 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor(HB-EGF), which belongs to the EGF family, is a critical growth factor for a number of physiological and pathological processes, such as wound healing and cardiac hypertrophy. HB-EGF is synthesized as a membrane-anchored form(pro-HB-EGF), and pro-HB-EGF is cleaved at the cell surface to yield soluble HB-EGF by a mechanism called "ectodomain shedding". Soluble HB-EGF has mitogenic activity. Ectodomain shedding of proHB-EGF is induced by stimuli, including 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate(TPA), a ligand for seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors(GPCR), stress and inflammatory cytokine. Lysophosphatidic acid(LPA), a ligand for GPCR, stimulates the shedding of proHB-EGF, which constitutes a GPCR-mediated transactivation of the EGF receptor. Ras-Raf-MEK signal and the small GTPase Rac are essential for the LPA-induced shedding. On the other hand, protein kinase C and ADAM 9 protease are essential for the TPA-induced shedding. Furthermore, p38 MAPK is essential for the stress- and IL-1 beta-induced shedding. Finally there is a mechanism for activation of HB-EGF regulated by the environment in the living body.
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PMID:[Mechanism for activation of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor induced by stimuli]. 1503 74

Cb2, the gene encoding the peripheral cannabinoid receptor, is located in a common virus integration site and is overex-pressed in retrovirally induced murine myeloid leukemias. Here we show that this G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) is also aberrantly expressed in a high percentage of human acute myeloid leukemias. We investigated the mechanism of transformation by Cb2 and demonstrate that aberrant expression of this receptor on hematopoietic precursor cells results in distinct effects depending on the ligand used. Cb2-expressing myeloid precursors migrate upon stimulation by the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol and are blocked in neutrophilic differentiation upon exposure to another ligand, CP55940. Both effects depend on the activation of G(alphai) proteins and require the mitogen-induced extracellular kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK/ERK) pathway. Down-regulation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels upon G(alphai) activation is important for migration induction but is irrelevant for the maturation arrest. Moreover, the highly conserved G protein-interacting DRY motif, present in the second intracellular loop of GPCRs, is critical for migration but unimportant for the differentiation block. This suggests that the Cb2-mediated differentiation block requires interaction of G(alphai) proteins with other currently unknown motifs. This indicates a unique mechanism by which a transforming GPCR, in a ligand-dependent manner, causes 2 distinct oncogenic effects: altered migration and block of neutrophilic development.
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PMID:The peripheral cannabinoid receptor Cb2, frequently expressed on AML blasts, either induces a neutrophilic differentiation block or confers abnormal migration properties in a ligand-dependent manner. 1503 79

High density lipoproteins (HDL) induce prostacyclin (PGI(2)) release in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) by up-regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2). Our goal was to analyse the mechanisms underlying this effect, and its potential modulation by HMG-CoA reductase inhibition in human VSMC. The contribution of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathways was assessed by Western blot analysis and using specific inhibitors [PD098059 for p42/44 MAPK kinase (MEK); SB203580 for p38 MAPK or L-JNKI1 for c-Jun N-terminal kinase-1 (JNK-1)]. HDL-induced PGI(2) release was inhibited by rofecoxib (a specific Cox-2 inhibitor, 5 microM). HDL induced the early activation of p42 MAPK, p38 MAPK and JNK-1. p42/44 MAPK was the major pathway involved in both Cox-2 up-regulation and PGI(2) synthesis; p38 MAPK was also involved in both processes while JNK inhibition only affected PGI(2) synthesis. Pertussis toxin (an inhibitor of Galphai/Galphao proteins) prevented MAPK activation and inhibited both Cox-2 up-regulation and PGI(2) release. Genistein (a tyrosine kinase inhibitor) inhibited PGI(2) release without affecting MAPK activation or Cox-2 up-regulation. Simvastatin (0.1-1 microM) increased HDL-induced PGI(2) release ( approximately 45% at 1 microM) but did not significantly modify early MAPK activation or Cox-2 expression. Simvastatin alone did not significantly affect PGI(2) release. Our results suggest that mechanisms associated with G protein-coupled receptor activation, trigger Cox-2 up-regulation and PGI(2) release via multiple MAPK signalling pathways in VSMC. The mechanism is independent of tyrosine kinase receptors, although cytosolic tyrosine kinases could activate Cox-2 post-translationally. The potential contribution of HDL to vascular homeostasis, via increases in PGI(2) synthesis, could be enhanced by HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.
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PMID:Simvastatin potenciates PGI(2) release induced by HDL in human VSMC: effect on Cox-2 up-regulation and MAPK signalling pathways activated by HDL. 1513 60

The sodium hydrogen exchanger isoform 1 (NHE1) is present in nearly all cells. Regulation of proton flux via the exchanger is a permissive step in cell growth and tumorgenesis and is vital in control of cell volume. The regulation of NHE1 by growth factors involves the Ras-extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) pathway, however, the mechanism for G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) activation of NHE1 is not well established. In this report, the relationship between GPCRs, ERK, and NHE1 in CCL39 cells is investigated. We give evidence that two agonists, the specific alpha(1)-adrenergic agonist, phenylephrine and the water-soluble lipid mitogen, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) activate NHE1 in CCL39 cells. Activation of ERK by phenylephrine and LPA occurs in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Optimal ERK activation was observed at 10 min and displayed a maximum stimulation at 100 microM phenylephrine and 10 microM LPA. alpha(1)-Adrenergic stimulation also led to a rise in steady-state pH(i) of 0.16+/-0.02 pH units, and incubation with LPA induced a 0.43+/-0.06 pH unit increase in pH(i). Phenylephrine-induced activation of NHE1 transport and ERK activity was inhibited by pretreating the cells with the MEK inhibitor PD98059. While only half of the LPA activatable exchange activity was abolished by PD98059 and U0126. To further demonstrate the specificity of the phenylephrine and LPA regulation of NHE1 and ERK, CCL39 cells were transfected with a kinase inactive MEK. The data indicate that ERK activation is essential for phenylephrine stimulation of NHE1, and that ERK and RhoA are involved in LPA stimulation of NHE1 by more than one mechanism. In addition, evidence of the convergence of these two pathways is shown by the loss of NHE1 activity when both pathways are inhibited and by the partial additivity of the two agonists on ERK and NHE1 activity. These studies indicate a direct involvement of ERK in the alpha(1)-adrenergic activation of NHE1 and a significant role for both ERK and RhoA in LPA stimulation of NHE1 in CCL39 fibroblasts.
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PMID:Two G protein-coupled receptors activate Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 1 in Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts through an ERK-dependent pathway. 1549 14

Beta-arrestin1 is an adapter/scaffold for many G protein-coupled receptors during mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling. Phosphorylation of beta-arrestin1 at position Ser-412 is a regulator of beta-arrestin1 function, and in the present study, we showed that insulin led to a time- and dose-dependent increase in beta-arrestin1 Ser-412 phosphorylation, which blocked isoproterenol- and lysophosphatidic acid-induced Ser-412 dephosphorylation and impaired ERK signaling by these G protein-coupled receptor ligands. Insulin treatment also led to accumulation of Ser-412-phosphorylated beta-arrestin1 at the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor and prevented insulin-like growth factor 1/Src association. Insulin-induced Ser-412 phosphorylation was partially dependent on ERK as treatment with the MEK inhibitor PD98059 inhibited the insulin effect (62% reduction, p = 0.03). Inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase by wortmannin did not have a significant effect (9% reduction, p = 0.41). We also found that the protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) was in a molecular complex with beta-arrestin1 and that the PP2A inhibitor okadaic acid increased Ser-412 phosphorylation. Concomitant addition of insulin and okadaic acid did not produce an additive effect on Ser-412 phosphorylation, suggesting a common mechanism. Small t antigen specifically inhibited PP2A, and in HIRcB cells expressing small t antigen, beta-arrestin1 Ser-412 phosphorylation was increased, and insulin had no further effect. Insulin treatment caused increased beta-arrestin1 Ser-412 phosphorylation, which blocked mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling and internalization by beta-arrestin1-dependent receptors with no effect on beta-adrenergic receptor Gs-mediated cAMP production. These findings provide a new mechanism for insulin-induced desensitization of ERK activation by Galphai-coupled receptors.
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PMID:Insulin-induced beta-arrestin1 Ser-412 phosphorylation is a mechanism for desensitization of ERK activation by Galphai-coupled receptors. 1552 10

Evidence from epidemiological studies and animal models suggests a link between high levels of dietary fat intake and risk of breast cancer. In addition, obesity, in which circulating lipids are elevated, is associated with increased risk of various cancers. Relative to this point, we previously showed that oleate stimulates the proliferation of breast cancer cells and that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase plays a role in this process. Nonetheless, questions remain regarding the precise mechanism(s) by which oleate promotes breast cancer cell growth. Pharmacological inhibitors of the GTP-binding proteins G(i)/G(o), phospholipase C, Src, and mitogenic-extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (MEK 1/2) decreased oleate-induced [3H]thymidine incorporation in the breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. In addition, oleate caused a rapid and transient rise in cytosolic Ca2+ and an increase in protein kinase B phosphorylation. Overexpressing in these cells the G protein-coupled receptor GPR40, a fatty acid receptor, amplified oleate-induced proliferation, whereas silencing the GPR40 gene using RNA interference decreased it. Overexpressing GPR40 in T47D and MCF-7 breast cancer cells that are poorly responsive to oleate allowed a robust proliferative action of oleate. The data indicate that the phospholipase C, MEK 1/2, Src, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathways are implicated in the proliferative signal induced by oleate and that these effects are mediated at least in part via the G protein-coupled receptor GPR40. The results suggest that GPR40 is implicated in the control of breast cancer cell growth by fatty acids and that GPR40 may provide a link between fat and cancer.
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PMID:Oleate promotes the proliferation of breast cancer cells via the G protein-coupled receptor GPR40. 1569 16

The mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are activated by extracellular signals, and translocate to the nucleus where they modulate transcription. Integrin-mediated cell adhesion to extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins is required for efficient transmission of MAPK-based signals initiated by growth factors. However, the modulation of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling by adhesion is less well understood. In the present study, we assessed the impact of cell adhesion on MAPK activation by muscarinic M3 receptors. The muscarinic agonist carbachol more efficiently promoted stress fiber formation and tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion-associated proteins in M3 receptor-expressing cells adherent to fibronectin or collagen type I, as compared to polylysine. Overall MAPK activation was robust in cells adherent to all three substrata. However, total levels of MAPK and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) in the nucleus were significantly greater in cells adherent to ECM proteins for 2.5 h, and levels of activated MAPK and MEK in the nuclei of these cells were higher following carbachol stimulation, relative to levels in cells adherent to polylysine. MEK inhibitors did not prevent adhesion-dependent translocation of MAPK and MEK to the nucleus, and increased nuclear phospho-MEK levels in carbachol-stimulated cells. The results suggest that adhesion of cells to ECM triggers the redistribution of MAPK and MEK to the nucleus, possibly as a result of the cytoskeletal rearrangements that accompany cell spreading. This may represent a mechanism for priming the nucleus with MEK and MAPK, leading to more rapid and pronounced increases in intranuclear phospho-MAPK upon GPCR stimulation.
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PMID:Adhesion-dependent redistribution of MAP kinase and MEK promotes muscarinic receptor-mediated signaling to the nucleus. 1577 1

Neurotrophic growth factors are involved in cell survival. However, natural growth factors have a very limited therapeutic use because of their short half-life. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism of action of a non-peptidic neurotrophic drug, Xaliproden, a potential molecule for the treatment of motoneuron diseases, since the transduction pathways of this synthetic 5-HT1A agonist are very poorly understood. Xaliproden does not activate the Trk receptor but causes a rapid increase in the activities of the ERK1 and ERK2 isoforms of MAP kinase, which then rapidly decrease to the basal level. We demonstrate that isoforms of the SHC adapter protein are phosphorylated independently of each other and are probably not the source of the Xaliproden-induced MAP kinases activation. The inhibitor of Ras farnesylation, FPT-1, and the protein kinase C inhibitors, GF 109203X and chelerythrine, inhibited the Xaliproden-induced MAP kinase activation, suggesting p21Ras and PKC involvement. Moreover, the observations that the 5-HT1A antagonist, pindobind, and pertussis toxin abolished the Xaliproden-induced ERK stimulation suggested that Xaliproden activates the MAP kinase pathways by stimulating the G protein-coupled receptor, 5-HT1A. These results demonstrate clearly that the non-peptidic compound, Xaliproden, exerts its neurotrophic effects through a mechanism of action differing from that of neurotrophins. These findings suggest that this compound does not involve MAPK activation by TrkA receptor stimulation but acts by MAP kinase pathway by a pertussis toxin-sensitive mechanism involving 5-HT1A receptors, p21 Ras and MEK-1 and by PKC and Akt pathways.
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PMID:Xaliproden (SR57746A) induces 5-HT1A receptor-mediated MAP kinase activation in PC12 cells. 1588 46

JNK scaffold proteins bind JNK and upstream kinases to activate subsets of JNK and localize activated JNK to specific subcellular sites. We previously demonstrated that the dual specificity phosphatases (DSPs) MKP7 and M3/6 bind the scaffold JNK-interacting protein-1 (JIP-1) and inactivate the bound subset of JNK (1). The G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) adaptor beta-arrestin 2 is also a JNK3 scaffold. It binds the upstream kinases ASK1 and MKK4 and couples stimulation of the angiotensin II receptor AT1aR to activation of a cytoplasmic pool of JNK3. Here we report that MKP7 also binds beta-arrestin 2 via amino acids 394-443 of MKP7, the same region that interacts with JIP-1. This region of MKP7 interacts with beta-arrestin 2 at a central region near the JNK binding domain. MKP7 dephosphorylates JNK3 bound to beta-arrestin 2, either following activation by ASK1 overexpression or following AT1aR stimulation. Initial AT1aR stimulation causes a rapid (within 5 min) dissociation of MKP7 from beta-arrestin 2. MKP7 then reassociates with beta-arrestin 2 on endocytic vesicles 30-60 min after initial receptor stimulation. This dynamic interaction between phosphatase and scaffold permits signal transduction through a module that binds both positive and negative regulators.
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PMID:Dynamic interaction between the dual specificity phosphatase MKP7 and the JNK3 scaffold protein beta-arrestin 2. 1588 37

The BCR-ABL oncogene is the hallmark of chronic myeloid leukemia, a clonal hematopoietic stem cell disorder. BCR-ABL displays constitutive tyrosine kinase activity, required for its transformation ability. Although the molecular mechanisms behind this malignancy are not fully understood, a role for phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase has been repeatedly described. Here we report the specific up-regulation of the class I(B) catalytic subunit of PI 3-kinase (p110gamma) in response to BCR-ABL expression. We demonstrate that this upregulation is due to increased transcription and is dependent on both PI 3-kinase and MEK activity. We performed in vitro kinase activity assays and show that BCR-ABL also leads to increased p110gamma activity and that this activation requires both G protein-coupled receptor and Ras signaling. In addition, by transfection of cells with dominant negative p110gamma, we determined that this specific PI 3-kinase isoform is involved in both proliferation and the apoptosis resistance associated with chronic myeloid leukemia. The data presented here define for the first time the ability of BCR-ABL to alter the expression levels of PI 3-kinase isoforms and also demonstrate a previously unreported link between BCR-ABL and p110gamma.
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PMID:BCR-ABL regulates phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-p110gamma transcription and activation and is required for proliferation and drug resistance. 1629 47


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