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)

Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) has been recognized as a potent stimulus for the synthesis of prostaglandin (PG), which has been implicated in inflammatory responses of the airways. However, the mechanisms underlying IL-1beta-induced cyclooxygenase (COX) expression and PGE(2) synthesis via activation of p42/p44 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in human tracheal smooth muscle cells (HTSMCs) are not completely understood. We found that IL-1beta increased COX-2 expression and PGE(2) synthesis in time- and concentration-dependent manners. Both specific phosphatidylcholine-phospholipase C inhibitor (D609) and protein kinase C inhibitor (GF109203X) attenuated IL-1beta-induced responses in HTSMCs. IL-1beta-induced COX-2 expression and PGE(2) synthesis were also inhibited by an inhibitor of MEK1/2 (PD98059) and inhibitors of p38 MAPK (SB203580 and SB202190), respectively, suggesting the involvement of p42/p44 and p38 MAPKs in these responses. This hypothesis was further supported by the transient activation of p42/p44 and p38 MAPKs induced by IL-1beta. Furthermore, IL-1beta-induced activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) was inversely correlated with the degradation of IkappaB-alpha in HTSMCs. IL-1beta-induced COX-2 expression and PGE(2) synthesis were inhibited by the NF-kappaB inhibitor pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate. These findings suggest that the expression of COX-2 is correlated with the release of PGE(2) from IL-1beta-challenged HTSMCs, which is mediated, at least in part, through p42/p44 and p38 MAPKs and NF-kappaB signaling pathways in HTSMCs.
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PMID:Induction of cyclooxygenase-2 expression in human tracheal smooth muscle cells by interleukin-1beta: involvement of p42/p44 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases and nuclear factor-kappaB. 1506 22

Early studies revealed that cigarette smoke promotes gastric cancer growth through the induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Nicotine, one of the active ingredients in cigarette smoke, has detrimental effects in the stomach. To date, there is no direct evidence to validate the effect of nicotine on gastric tumor growth and its carcinogenic mechanism(s). We therefore investigated whether nicotine could promote tumor growth and neovascularization in vivo, and the biological mechanism(s) in connection with the signaling cascade involving COX-2 and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK). Athymic nude mice, with gastric cancer cells (AGS) orthotopically implanted into the gastric wall, treated with nicotine (50 or 200 microg/ml) in their drinking water for 3 months developed larger tumor areas than mice in the control group. Nicotine further increased proliferating cellular nuclear antigen (PCNA) staining and microvessel density by 70 and 30%, respectively, with concomitant activation of ERK phosphorylation, COX-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in the tumors. Intraperitoneal administration of a selective COX-2 inhibitor (SC-236, 2 mg/kg) prevented the nicotine-induced tumor growth and neovascularization dose-dependently. Consistent with our animal model, an in vitro study also demonstrated that incubation with nicotine (50-200 microg/ml) for 5 h stimulated cell proliferation dose-dependently and increased COX-2 expression, prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) and VEGF release, as well as activation of ERK phosphorylation. Pre-treatment with specific mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitors (U0126 or PD98059) attenuated COX-2 expression and subsequent PGE(2) release by nicotine. Furthermore, the stimulatory action of nicotine on cancer cell growth and angiogenic factor VEGF production was suppressed by inhibitors of MEK (U0126) and COX-2 (SC-236). These findings reveal a direct promoting action of nicotine on the growth of gastric tumor and neovascularization through sequential activation of the ERK/COX-2/VEGF signaling pathway, which can be targeted for chemoprevention of gastric cancer, particularly in cigarette smokers.
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PMID:Nicotine promotes gastric tumor growth and neovascularization by activating extracellular signal-regulated kinase and cyclooxygenase-2. 1531 99

We investigated the effects of bradykinin (BK) on the production of interleukin (IL)-6 and prostaglandin PGE(2), whose molecules are capable of stimulating the development of osteoclasts from their hematopoietic precursors as well as the signal transduction systems involved, in human osteoblasts (SaM-1 cells). BK receptors B1 (B1R) and B2 (B2R) were expressed in SaM-1 and osteosarcoma (SaOS-2, HOS, and MG-63) cells. Treatment of SaM-1 cells with BK increased the synthesis of both IL-6 and PGE(2) and the increase in both was blocked by HOE140 (B2R antagonist), but not by Des-Arg(9)-[Leu(8)]-BK (B1R antagonist). U-73122, a phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor, suppressed BK-induced IL-6 and PGE(2) synthesis in SaM-1 cells. In addition, BK caused an increase in the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]i), which was inhibited by pretreatment with HOE140 or 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB), an inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)) receptor (IP(3)R) blocker. Furthermore, both SB203580 (an inhibitor of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase [MAPK]) and PD98059 (an inhibitor of MEK, upstream of ERK) attenuated the BK-induced IL-6 and PGE(2) synthesis. BK treatment resulted in the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2, and 2-APB could suppress BK-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2. These findings suggest that BK increased both IL-6 and PGE(2) synthesis in osteoblastic cells via B2R and that PLC, IP(3)-induced [Ca(2+)]i, MEK, and MAPKs were involved in the signal transduction in these cells.
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PMID:Activation of osteoblastic functions by a mediator of pain, bradykinin. 1534 32

Accumulating evidence suggests an important role for cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the pathogenesis of a wide range of malignancies. Here we tested the hypothesis that the COX-2 product prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) increases cellular invasive potential by inducing matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) expression and activity through an extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/Ets-1-dependent mechanism in pancreatic cancer. PANC-1 and MIAPaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cells were treated with PGE(2) or rofecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor. MMP-2 expression and activity were assayed using Western blot analysis and zymography, respectively. MMP-2 promoter activity was analyzed with a luciferase-based assay. Ets-1 activity was analyzed using gel shift assay. Ets-1 expression was specifically silenced using RNA interference. Cellular invasive and migratory potentials were determined using a Boyden chamber assay with or without Matrigel, respectively. Exogenous PGE(2) induced MMP-2 expression and activity and increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation, Ets-1 binding activity, and MMP-2 promoter activity. PGE(2) also increased cellular migratory and invasive potentials. The mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitor PD98059 and Ets-1 silencing each abolished PGE(2)-induced increases in MMP-2 expression. PD98059 and Ets-1 silencing each abrogated the effect of PGE(2) on cellular invasive potential but not on cellular migratory potential. Rofecoxib suppressed MMP-2 expression and activity, Ets-1 binding activity, MMP-2 promoter activity, and cellular migratory and invasive potentials. These results suggest that PGE(2) mediates pancreatic cancer cellular invasiveness through an ERK/Ets-1-dependent induction of MMP-2 expression and activity. They also suggest that COX-2 inhibition may represent a strategy to inhibit invasive potential in pancreatic cancer.
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PMID:Prostaglandin E2 enhances pancreatic cancer invasiveness through an Ets-1-dependent induction of matrix metalloproteinase-2. 1549 68

Isoprostanes are prostaglandin (PG)-like compounds produced nonenzymatically by free radical-catalyzed peroxidation of arachidonic acid. Isoprostanes evoke potent vascular effects but their actions in the neonatal vasculature are poorly known. We aimed to study the effects of 8-iso-PGE(1), 8-iso-PGE(2), 8-iso-PGF(1alpha), 8-iso-PGF(1beta), 8-iso-PGF(2alpha), and 8-iso-PGF(2beta) in pulmonary arteries (PA), pulmonary veins (PV), and mesenteric arteries (MA) from newborn and 2-wk-old piglets. Isoprostanes produced concentration-dependent contractions of PA, PV, and MA (magnitudes up to 1.5- to 2-fold greater than the responses to 62.5 mM KCl) but they were markedly less potent vasoconstrictors than the thromboxane A(2) (TXA(2)) mimetic U46619. Neonatal PA were more sensitive to 8-iso-PGF(1alpha), 8-iso-PGF(1beta), and 8-iso-PGF(2beta) than 2-wk-old PA. Neonatal PV were more sensitive to 8-iso-PGE(2) and 8-iso-PGF(1alpha), and neonatal MA were more sensitive to 8-iso-PGE(2), 8-iso-PGF(1alpha), 8-iso-PGF(1beta), 8-iso-PGF(2alpha), and 8-iso-PGF(2beta) than the corresponding 2-wk-old vessels. The sensitivity to U46619 decreased with postnatal age in MA but did not change in PA and PV. The contractile responses to all the isoprostanes and to U46619 were reverted by the TXA(2) receptor (TP) antagonist SQ 29,548. Moreover, isoprostane-evoked contractions in 2-wk-old PA were reduced by inhibitors of tyrosine kinase (genistein) and Rho kinase (Y 27632 and hydroxyfasudil) but not by inhibitors of protein kinase C (chelerythrine), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (PD 98059) or p38-kinase (SB 203580). In conclusion, isoprostanes produced compound-, tissue-, and age-dependent constriction of neonatal porcine pulmonary and mesenteric vascular smooth muscle. Isoprostane-evoked PA vasoconstriction involved TP receptors and activation of tyrosine kinases and Rho kinases.
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PMID:Age-related differences in vasoconstrictor responses to isoprostanes in piglet pulmonary and mesenteric vascular smooth muscle. 1584 38

Prostaglandins play regulatory roles in a variety of physiological and pathological processes in immune response and inflammation. MG132, proteasome inhibitor, is known to anti-tumor agent activity and anti-inflammation with inhibitory property of NF-kappaB. We investigated the effect of MG132 on the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of PGE(2), using macrophage cell line, Raw264.7. Our results showed that COX-2 expression is up-regulated by MG132 treatment and that this induction of COX-2 is regulated in part at the transcriptional level. In addition, we demonstrated the signal transduction pathway of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) in MG132-induced COX-2 expression. The p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB 203580) prevented MG132-induced COX-2 expression, whereas c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor (SP 600125) and MAPK kinase 4 (MKK4)-DN (dominant negative mutant) and MKK7-DN significantly enhanced COX-2 expression. These results suggest that MG132-induced COX-2 expression is associated with the activation of p38 MAPK and the inhibition of JNK signaling pathways.
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PMID:Proteasome inhibitor-induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression in Raw264.7 cells is potentiated by inhibition of c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation. 1651 46

We have examined whether toll-like receptor (TLR)2-mediated stimulation by macrophage-activating lipopeptide-2 (MALP-2), originally purified from Mycoplasma fermentans, induces cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and prostaglandin (PG)E(2) in human placental trophoblast cells. The signaling mechanism by which MALP-2 exerts its effect has also been examined. Human placental trophoblast cells isolated from term placenta were used. TLR expression in trophoblast cells was confirmed by multiplex PCR and immunocytochemistry, and examined whether MALP-2 induces COX-2 and PGE(2) by Northern blotting, RT-PCR, Western blotting and ELISA, respectively. The activation of NF-kappaB and MAP kinases (ERK1/2 and p38) was examined by Western blotting. The effects of inhibitors of NF-kappaB, MEK1/2 and p38 on MALP-2-induced PGE(2) production were also evaluated. TLR2, TLR6 and TLR4 were expressed in human placental trophoblast cells. MALP-2 significantly induced COX-2 expression and enhanced PGE(2) production in a dose-dependent manner. MALP-2 induced the activation of NF-kappaB, ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK. Inhibitors of NF-kappaB, MEK1/2 and p38 blocked MALP-2-inducible PGE(2) production. TLR2-mediated stimulation by MALP-2 induces COX-2 and PGE(2) in human placental trophoblast cells via NF-kappaB and MAP kinases pathways.
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PMID:Macrophage-activating lipopeptide-2 induces cyclooxygenase-2 and prostaglandin E(2) via toll-like receptor 2 in human placental trophoblast cells. 1660 Mar 83

In a cat model of acute experimental esophagitis, resting in vivo lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure and in vitro tone are lower than in normal LES, and the LES circular smooth muscle layer contains elevated levels of IL-1beta that decrease the LES tone of normal cats. We now examined the mechanisms of IL-1beta-induced reduction in LES tone. IL-1beta significantly reduced acetylcholine-induced Ca(2+) release in Ca(2+)-free medium, and this effect was partially reversed by catalase, demonstrating a role of H(2)O(2) in these changes. IL-1beta significantly increased the production of H(2)O(2), and the increase was blocked by the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB-203580, by the cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)) inhibitor AACOCF3, and by the NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin, but not by the MEK1 inhibitor PD-98059. IL-1beta significantly increased the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and cPLA(2). IL-1beta-induced cPLA(2) phosphorylation was blocked by SB-203580 but not by AACOCF3, suggesting sequential activation of p38 MAPK-phosphorylating cPLA(2). The IL-1beta-induced reduction in LES tone was partially reversed by AACOCF3 and by the Ca(2+)-insensitive PLA(2) inhibitor bromoenol lactone (BEL). IL-1beta significantly increased cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and PGE(2) levels. The increase in PGE(2) was blocked by SB-203580, AACOCF3, BEL, and the COX-2 inhibitor NS-398 but not by PD-98059 or the COX-1 inhibitor valeryl salicylate. The data suggested that IL-1beta reduces LES tone by producing H(2)O(2), which may affect Ca(2+)-release mechanisms and increase the synthesis of COX-2 and PGE(2). Both H(2)O(2) and PGE(2) production depend on sequential activation of p38 MAPK and cPLA(2). cPLA(2) activates NADPH oxidases, producing H(2)O(2), and may produce arachidonic acid, converted to PGE(2) via COX-2.
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PMID:IL-1beta signaling in cat lower esophageal sphincter circular muscle. 1664 61

Bradykinin (BK) is an inflammatory mediator, elevated levels in the region of several brain injury and inflammatory diseases. It has been shown to induce cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression implicating in inflammatory responses in various cell types. However, the signaling mechanisms underlying BK-induced COX-2 expression in astrocytes remain unclear. First, RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis showed that BK induced the expression of COX-2 mRNA and protein, which was inhibited by B(2) BK receptor antagonist Hoe140, suggesting the involvement of B(2) BK receptors. BK-induced COX-2 expression and translocation of PKC-delta from cytosol to membrane fraction were inhibited by rottlerin, suggesting that PKC-delta might be involved in these responses. This hypothesis was further supported by the transfection with a dominant negative plasmid of PKC-delta significantly blocked BK-induced COX-2 expression. BK-stimulated p42/p44 MAPK phosphorylation, COX-2 mRNA expression, and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) release were attenuated by PD98059, indicating the involvement of MEK/p42/p44 MAPK in this pathway. Accordingly, BK-stimulated phosphorylation of p42/p44 MAPK was attenuated by rottlerin, indicating that PKC-delta might be an upstream component of p42/p44 MAPK. Moreover, BK-induced COX-2 expression might be mediated through the translocation of NF-kappaB into nucleus which was blocked by helenalin, rottlerin and PD98059, implying the involvement of NF-kappaB. These results suggest that in RBA-1 cells, BK-induced COX-2 expression and PGE(2) release was sequentially mediated through PKC-delta-dependent activation of p42/p44 MAPK and NF-kappaB. Understanding the regulation of COX-2 expression and PGE(2) release induced by BK in astrocytes might provide a new therapeutic strategy of brain injury and inflammatory diseases.
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PMID:BK-induced COX-2 expression via PKC-delta-dependent activation of p42/p44 MAPK and NF-kappaB in astrocytes. 1693 68

Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1, collagenase-1) plays a pivotal role in the process of joint destruction in degenerative joint diseases. We have examined the regulation of MMP-1 production in human chondrocytic HCS-2/8 cells stimulated by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). In response to TNF-alpha, MMP-1 is induced and actively released from HCS-2/8 cells. The induction of MMP-1 expression correlates with activation of ERK1/2, MEK, and Raf-1, and is potently prevented by U0126, a selective inhibitor of MEK1/2 activation. In contrast, SB203580, a selective p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) inhibitor, had no effects on TNF-alpha-induced MMP-1 release. A serine/threonine kinase, Akt was not activated in TNF-alpha-stimulated HCS-2/8 cells. TNF-alpha stimulated the production of PGE(2) in addition to MMP-1 in HCS-2/8 cells. Exogenously added PGE(2) potently inhibited TNF-alpha-induced both MMP-1 production and activation of ERK1/2. The effects of PGE(2) were mimicked by ONO-AE1-329, a selective EP4 receptor agonist but not by butaprost, a selective EP2 agonist. In contrast, blockade of endogenously produced PGE(2) signaling by ONO-AE3-208, a selective EP4 receptor antagonist, enhanced TNF-alpha-induced MMP-1 production. Furthermore, the suppression of MMP-1 production by exogenously added PGE(2) was reversed by ONO-AE3-208. Activation of EP4 receptor resulted in cAMP-mediated phosphorylation of Raf-1 on Ser259, a negative regulatory site, and blocked activation of Raf-1/MEK/ERK cascade. Taken together, these findings indicate that Raf-1/MEK/ERK signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the production of MMP-1 in HCS-2/8 cells in response to TNF-alpha, and that the produced PGE(2) downregulates the expression of MMP-1 by blockage of TNF-alpha-induced Raf-1 activation through EP4-PGE(2) receptor activation.
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PMID:Prostaglandin E2 downregulates TNF-alpha-induced production of matrix metalloproteinase-1 in HCS-2/8 chondrocytes by inhibiting Raf-1/MEK/ERK cascade through EP4 prostanoid receptor activation. 1703 53


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