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)

In order to determine the effects of a variety of flavonoids, we applied differing amounts of several flavonoids to human breast cancer cells. Kaempferol treatment resulted in significant reduction of cell viability in the MCF-7 cells, although it exerted only minor effect on the cell viability of MDA-MB-231 or mammary epithelial HC-11 cells. Kaempferol was demonstrated to induce sustained ERK activation concomitantly with MEK1 and ELK1 activation, and this kaempferol-induced apoptosis was suppressed by treatment with PD98059, the overexpression of a kinase-inactive ERK mutant, or ERK siRNA. Kaempferol treatment was shown to profoundly induce the generation of fluorescent DCF in the MCF-7 cells, and treatment with N-acetyl cysteine suppressed kaempferol-induced PARP cleavage. Moreover, because breast cancer is associated with increased collagen synthesis and accumulation, we utilized a collagen-based 3D culture method. Under the 3-dimensional culture condition employed herein, kaempferol treatment was shown to result in a significant reduction in cell viability, an effect which occurred in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with what was observed under conventional 2D culture condition, we observed more evident apoptotic cell death and ERK activation as the result of kaempferol treatment in a collagen-based 3D culture environment. Similar to the case of conventional 2D cultured cells, the addition of PD98059 significantly suppressed intracellular ROS production. Collectively, these results show that the sustained activation of the ERK signaling pathway is markedly involved in kaempferol-induced apoptosis of breast cancer MCF-7 cells, and that this effect is more evident under 3D culture condition.
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PMID:Sustained ERK activation is involved in the kaempferol-induced apoptosis of breast cancer cells and is more evident under 3-D culture condition. 1844 32

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone tumor associated with childhood and adolescence. In the present study, we investigated the anticancer effect of a new isoflavone derivative, 3',4'-dichloro-3-(3,4-dichlorophenylacetyl)-2,4,6-trihydroxydeoxybenzoin (DDTD) in human osteosarcoma cells. DDTD induced cell apoptosis in human osteosarcoma cell lines (including: U2OS, MG-63, Saos2 and ROS 17/2.8). We found that the accumulation of reactive oxygen species is a critical mediator in DDTD-induced cell death. DDTD induced apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) dephosphorylation and its dissociation from 14-3-3. Treatment of osteosarcoma cells with DDTD induced p38 and p53 phosphorylation. Transfection with ASK1, mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase (MKK)3/6, and p38 small interfering RNA (siRNA) antagonized the DDTD-induced cell apoptosis. DDTD also triggered the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, as indicated by a change in Bax/Bcl2 ratio and Caspase-9 activation. Bax knockdown using a Bax siRNA strategy reduced Bax expression and subsequent cell death. In addition, transfection of cells with ASK1, MKK3/6, and p38 siRNA reduced DDTD-induced p38 activation, p53 phosphorylation and Bax expression. These results suggest that DDTD generates reactive oxygen species and activates the ASK1-MKK3/6-p38-p53-Bax pathway to cause osteosarcoma cell death.
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PMID:DDTD, an isoflavone derivative, induces cell apoptosis through the reactive oxygen species/apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 pathway in human osteosarcoma cells. 1882 83

Colchicine and nocodazole, both established microtubule disruptors, are useful tools to investigate cytoskeletal-dependent signaling cascades and the associated downstream transcriptional targets. Since cytoskeletal events impact pathophysiologic consequences in the vascular system, the signaling requirements underlying colchicine-stimulated expression of PAI-1 and CTGF, two prominent cell deformation-sensitive fibrosis-initiating proteins, were evaluated in vascular smooth muscle cells. Microtubule disruption rapidly induced EGFR transactivation (at the src kinase-sensitive EGFR(Y845) site) in a ROS-dependent manner. Genetic deficiency of EGFR, inhibition of EGFR signaling with AG1478 or introduction of a kinase-deficient EGFR construct effectively blocked colchicine-stimulated PAI-1 and CTGF expression. MEK/ERK involvement downstream of ROS generation was critical for PAI-1, but not CTGF, expression following cytoskeletal perturbation suggesting bifurcation of signaling pathways downstream of EGFR activation. Colchicine also stimulated SMAD2/3 phosphorylation by a Rho/ROCK-dependent mechanism independent of TGF-beta1 release or receptor activity. Rho/ROCK signaling initiated by tubulin network collapse was required for both CTGF and PAI-1 induction. Colchicine-initiated SMAD3 phosphorylation, however, was essential for PAI-1, but not CTGF, expression further highlighting divergence of signaling events downstream of Rho/ROCK that mediate microtubule deformation-associated changes in profibrotic gene transcription.
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PMID:Differential requirement for MEK/ERK and SMAD signaling in PAI-1 and CTGF expression in response to microtubule disruption. 1924 54

Low power laser irradiation (LPLI) promotes proliferation of multiple cells, which (especially red and near infrared light) is mainly through the activation of mitochondrial respiratory chain and the initiation of cellular signaling. Recently, the signaling proteins involved in LPLI-induced proliferation merit special attention, some of which are regulated by mitochondrial signaling. Hepatocyte growth factor receptor (c-Met), a member of tyrosine protein kinase receptors (TPKR), is phosphorylated during LPLI-induced proliferation, but tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) receptor has not been affected. Activated TPKR could activate its downstream signaling elements, like Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK, PI3K/Akt/eIF4E, PI3K/Akt/eNOS and PLC-gamma/PKC pathways. Other two pathways, DeltaPsim/ATP/cAMP/JNK/AP-1 and ROS/Src, are also involved in LPLI-induced proliferation. LPLI-induced cell cycle progression can be regulated by the activation or elevated expressions of cell cycle-specific proteins. Furthermore, LPLI induces the synthesis or release of many molecules, like growth factors, interleukins, inflammatory cytokines and others, which are related to promotive effects of LPLI.
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PMID:Molecular mechanisms of cell proliferation induced by low power laser irradiation. 1927 68

After operative restoration, some monomers released from dentin bonding agents or composite resin may induce tissue inflammation and affect the vitality of dental pulp. Whether BisGMA, a major monomer of composite resin, may induce prostaglandin release and cytotoxicity to pulp cells and their mechanisms awaits investigation. We found that BisGMA induced cytotoxicity to human dental pulp cells at concentrations higher than 0.075 mm as analyzed by 3-(4,5-dimethyldiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. BisGMA (0.1 mm) also stimulated ERK phosphorylation, PGE(2) production, COX-2 mRNA and protein expression as well as ROS production (as indicated by an increase in cellular DCF fluorescence) in dental pulp cells. Catalase (500 and 1000 U/ml) and U0126 (10 and 20 microm, a MEK inhibitor) effectively prevented the BisGMA-induced ERK activation, PGE(2) production and COX-2 expression. Moreover, catalase can protect the pulp cells from BisGMA cytotoxicity, whereas aspirin and U0126 lacked of this protective activity. These results suggest that BisGMA released from composite resin may potentially affect the vitality of dental pulp and induce pulpal inflammation via stimulation of ROS production, MEK/ERK1/2 activation and subsequent COX-2 gene expression and PGE(2) production. Cytotoxicity of BisGMA to dental pulp cells is related to ROS production, but not directly mediated by MEK activation and PGE(2) production.
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PMID:The effect of BisGMA on cyclooxygenase-2 expression, PGE2 production and cytotoxicity via reactive oxygen species- and MEK/ERK-dependent and -independent pathways. 1946 1

We have previously reported that addition of prefibrillar aggregates (PFAs) derived from W7FW14F apomyoglobin mutant to NIH-3T3 cells affects their viability. In this article, we have found that cytotoxicity induced by PFAs in NIH 3T3 and SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells was due to early activation of apoptotic cell death dependent from a caspase-3- and -9-mediated mitochondrial pathway. A time-dependent increase of intracellular ROS and an about twofold decrease of mitochondrial localization of scavenger protein MnSOD was found. The use of the anti-oxidant agent N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) antagonized both the increase of intracellular ROS and apoptosis induced by PFAs. PFAs caused an about 60% increase of the activity of both Ras and Erk-1/2 at 30 and 45 min while they were restored to basal levels at later time points. This effect was paralleled by a time-dependent decrease of the activity of the survival enzyme Akt. Effects similar to those on Ras activity were also recorded on the activity of the stress involved small GTP binding protein Rac that was about 75% increased after 30 min but resumed to basal levels at later time points. This effect was paralleled by a time-dependent activation of p38 kinase activity and HSP-70 expression. The use of both the ras farnesyltransferase inhibitor tipifarnib and the Rac geranyl-geranyltransferase GGTI-298, but not of the MEK-1 inhibitor U0126 partially antagonized the effects of PFAs on apoptosis occurrence. On the other hand, the PI3K/Akt inhibitor LY 294002 potentiated apoptosis induced by PFAs. Our results indicate a role for Ras and Rac in the induction of both intracellular ROS increased levels and apoptosis mediated by PFAs and disclose a new scenario of intervention in neurodegenerative diseases.
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PMID:W7FW14F apomyoglobin amyloid aggregates-mediated apoptosis is due to oxidative stress and AKT inactivation caused by Ras and Rac. 1958 24

Arachidonic acid (AA)-induced apoptotic death of human leukemia U937 cells was characteristic of increase in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]i), ROS generation, ERK inactivation, p38 MPAK activation, degradation of procaspase-8 and production of truncated Bid (tBid). Moreover, AA treatment upregulated Fas/FasL protein expression and transcription of Fas/FasL mRNA. Downregulation of FADD blocked AA-induced procaspase-8 degradation and rescued viability of AA-treated cells. BAPTA-AM (Ca(2+) chelator) pretreatment abolished AA-induced ROS generation, while N-acetylcysteine (NAC, ROS scavenger) was unable to alter AA-elicited [Ca(2+)]i increase. Pretreatment with BAPTA-AM or NAC abrogated p38 MAPK activation and restored ERK activation. Suppression of p38 MAPK or transfection of constitutively active MEK1 abolished AA-induced Fas and FasL upregulation. AA treatment repressed ERK-mediated c-Fos phosphorylation but evoked p38 MAPK-mediated ATF-2 phosphorylation. Knockdown of c-Fos and ATF-2 by siRNA reflected that c-Fos counteracted the effect of ATF-2 on Fas/FasL upregulation. Taken together, our data indicate that Fas/FasL upregulation in AA-treated U937 cells is elicited by Ca(2+)/ROS-mediated suppression of ERK/c-Fos pathway and activation of p38 MAPK/ATF-2, and suggest that autocrine Fas-mediated apoptotoic mechanism is involved in AA-induced cell death.
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PMID:Arachidonic acid induces Fas and FasL upregulation in human leukemia U937 cells via Ca2+/ROS-mediated suppression of ERK/c-Fos pathway and activation of p38 MAPK/ATF-2 pathway. 1972 Jan 22

Pyrogallol (PG) as a polyphenol compound induces apoptosis in several types of cells. Here, we investigated the effects of MAPK inhibitors on PG-treated calf pulmonary artery endothelial cells (CPAEC) in relation to cell death, ROS and GSH. PG inhibited the growth of CPAEC and also induced cell death, which was accompanied by the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP; DeltaPsi(m)). PG decreased the ROS level and increased the GSH depleted cell number in CPAEC. JNK inhibitor intensified the growth inhibition by PG whereas p38 inhibitor attenuated the growth inhibition. While MEK and p38 inhibitors decreased CPAEC death by PG, JNK inhibitor increased. None of the MAPK inhibitors significantly increased ROS level in PG-treated CPAEC. JNK inhibitor increased GSH depleted cell number in PG-treated CPAEC whereas p38 inhibitor decreased the number. MAPK inhibitors differently affected cell growth, death, ROS and GSH levels in control CPACE. In conclusion, PG induced apoptosis via the loss of MMP (DeltaPsi(m)) in CPAEC, which is accompanied by GSH depletion. JNK and p38 inhibitors increased and decreased apoptosis in PG-treated CPAEC, respectively, which were correlated with GSH depletion.
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PMID:JNK and p38 inhibitors increase and decrease apoptosis, respectively, in pyrogallol-treated calf pulmonary arterial endothelial cells. 1978 7

In Arabidopsis thaliana, ozone-induced signaling has been shown to involve the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) MPK3 and MPK6. To identify a possible ozone-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK) involved in the activation of these specific MAPKs, we employed RNA interference-(RNAi)-based suppression of MKK5, a known cognate MAPKK to both MPK3 and MPK6. When exposed to ozone, activation of both MPK3 and MPK6 was markedly reduced in the MKK5-suppressed plants compared to WT. Additionally, the MKK5-suppressed plants were found to be highly sensitive to ozone as determined by visible leaf damage concomitant with elevated levels of leaf-localised H(2)O(2). Taken together, our data suggest MKK5 functions both in ozone-induced activation of MPK3 and MPK6 and in integrating ROS homeostasis during ozone stress.
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PMID:Suppression of MKK5 reduces ozone-induced signal transmission to both MPK3 and MPK6 and confers increased ozone sensitivity in Arabidopsis thaliana. 1982 Mar 29

Exposure to cigarette smoke extract (CSE) leads to airway and lung inflammation through an oxidant-antioxidant imbalance. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) have been shown to play critical roles in respiratory inflammation. Here, we show that COX-2/PGE(2)/IL-6 induction is dependent on Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/NADPH oxidase signaling in human tracheal smooth muscle cells (HTSMCs). CSE induced COX-2 expression in vitro in HTSMCs and in vivo in the airways of mice. CSE also directly caused an increase in TLR4. Moreover, CSE-regulated COX-2, PGE(2), and IL-6 generation was inhibited by pretreatment with TLR4 Ab; inhibitors of c-Src (PP1), NADPH oxidase (diphenylene iodonium chloride and apocynin), p38 MAPK (SB202190), MEK1/2 (U0126), JNK1/2 (SP600125), and NF-kappaB (helenalin); a ROS scavenger (N-acetyl-l-cysteine); and transfection with siRNA of TLR4, MyD88, TRAF6, Src, p47(phox), p38, p42, JNK2, or p65. CSE-induced leukocyte numbers in BAL fluid were also reduced by pretreatment with these inhibitors. Furthermore, CSE induced p47(phox) translocation and TLR4/MyD88/TRAF6 and c-Src/p47(phox) complex formation. We found that PGE(2) enhanced IL-6 production in HTSMCs and leukocyte count in BAL fluid. In addition, treatment with nicotine could induce COX-2, PGE(2), and IL-6 generation in in vivo and in vitro studies. These results demonstrate that CSE-induced ROS generation was mediated through the TLR4/MyD88/TRAF6/c-Src/NADPH oxidase pathway, in turn initiated the activation of MAPKs and NF-kappaB, and ultimately induced COX-2/PGE(2)/IL-6-dependent airway inflammation.
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PMID:Induction of COX-2/PGE(2)/IL-6 is crucial for cigarette smoke extract-induced airway inflammation: Role of TLR4-dependent NADPH oxidase activation. 1989 12


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