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)

Mitogen activated protein kinases (MAP) or extracellular signal regulated protein kinases (ERK) are a family of protein serine/threonine kinases that are activated very rapidly in response to many extracellular stimuli. elk-1, an ets related gene codes for two transcriptional factors elk-1, which regulates c-fos transcription and delta elk-1, both of which are substrates for MAP kinases. A part of the C-terminal transcriptional activation domain (ETA-2) which is common to both the proteins was previously shown to function as an activator of MAP kinases. In this report, in an attempt to investigate the mechanism of activation of MAP kinases, purified preparations of recombinant elk-1 and P44mpk/ERK-1/ERK-2 proteins were used to show the association of elk-1 proteins with MAP kinases. The specific interactions of elk-1 proteins with MAP kinases were confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation studies. Thus elk-1 proteins appear to regulate the activity of MAP kinases by interacting with them ensuring a conformational change and stimulating their autophosphorylation and activation property. The activation was dependent on the presence of ATP and Mg2+. In vitro phosphorylation of elk-1 protein was not regulatory for autonomous DNA binding activity of elk-1 protein. Cells which were exposed to EGF showed a rapid stimulation of an elk-1 specific kinase activity, probably MAP kinase which phosphorylated MBP and was found to be associated with immobilized GST-elk-1. Furthermore, dephosphorylation studies indicate that elk-1 proteins can activate only tyrosine phosphorylated MAP kinase. These results demonstrate the presence of an alternative pathway/mechanism (other than MAP kinase kinase, MAPKK/Mek) for the activation of MAP kinases with tyrosine phosphorylation occurring before serine/threonine autophosphorylation and activation by elk-1 proteins.
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PMID:elk-1 proteins interact with MAP kinases. 820 31

Endothelin (ET)-1 is an endothelium-derived vasoconstrictor as well as a mitogen. We have recently described a novel role of ET-1 as a survival factor for rat endothelial cells from serum deprivation-induced apoptosis. The present study was designed to determine which receptor subtype (ETA or ETB) is responsible for and what intracellular mediators are involved in endothelial apoptosis. Apoptotic cell death was evaluated by nucleosomal ladders on agarose gel electrophoresis and immunohistochemical study using anti-single-stranded DNA antiserum. ET-1 and an ETB receptor agonist suppressed endothelial apoptosis, whose effects were abrogated by an ETB receptor antagonist but not by an ETA receptor antagonist. Addition of an ETB receptor antagonist or nonselective ETA/B receptor antagonists, but not an ETA receptor antagonist, enhanced the apoptotic events caused by serum deprivation, suggesting an autocrine/paracrine role of endogenous ET-1 in protecting against endothelial apoptosis. The effect of ET-1 in suppressing apoptosis was unaffected by any of the following reagents: a phospholipase C inhibitor (U73122), a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (ST638), an MEK inhibitor (PD98059), a phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase inhibitors (wortmannin, LY294002). Taken together, these results confirm a role for ET-1 as an autocrine/paracrine survival factor for rat endothelial cells, in which neither phospholipase C, tyrosine kinase, MAP kinase, nor phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase is involved in mediating the antiapoptotic effect of ET-1.
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PMID:Endothelin-B receptor-mediated suppression of endothelial apoptosis. 959 22

Endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent endothelium-derived vasoconstrictor peptide, exerts a growth-promoting effect on vascular smooth muscle cells, implicating its pathogenic role in vascular remodeling. To gain insight into the cellular and molecular mechanism whereby ET-1 induces vascular growth, we studied whether transactivation of receptor tyrosine kinases, such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor, are required for activation of p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and p70 S6 kinase (p70S6K), and subsequent growth-promotion by ET-1 in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells. Immunoblotting with antiphosphotyrosine antibody revealed that ET-1 rapidly (within 2 min) and transiently induced tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins, among which 180-kDa protein was shown to be EGFR. ET-1 rapidly increased association of EGFR and Shc with glutathione-S-transferase-Grb2 fusion protein. The ET-1-induced activation of MAP kinase was reduced by an EGFR kinase inhibitor (AG1478) but not by a platelet-derived growth factor receptor kinase inhibitor (AG1296). AG1478 dose-dependently decreased ET-1-stimulated MAP kinase activity as well as [3H]leucine and [3H]thymidine uptake. The ET-1-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of EGFR, as well as MAP kinase activation, was inhibited by an ETA receptor antagonist and intracellular Ca2+ antagonists but not by an ETB receptor antagonist, pertussis toxin, or protein kinase C inhibitors. In addition, dominant negative mutant of H-Ras and a MAP kinase kinase (MEK-1) inhibitor (PD98059) completely blocked ET-1-induced MAP kinase activation as well as [3H]leucine and [3H]thymidine uptake. Both AG1478 and PD98059 inhibited ET-1-induced phosphorylation and activation of p70S6K. Furthermore, rapamycin, a selective inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin, completely blocked ET-1-stimulated [3H]leucine and [3H]thymidine uptake. These results suggest that ETA receptor-mediated vascular growth by ET-1 requires both MAP kinase and p70S6K cascades mediated partly via Ca2+-dependent EGFR transactivation.
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PMID:Endothelin-mediated vascular growth requires p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase and p70 S6 kinase cascades via transactivation of epidermal growth factor receptor. 1049 23

We have recently shown that pretreatment with endothelin-1 (ET-1) for 20 min stimulates GLUT4 translocation in a PI3-kinase-dependent manner in 3T3-L1 adipocytes (Imamura, T. et al., J Biol Chem 274:33691-33695). This study presents another pathway by which ET-1 potentiates glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. ET-1 treatment (10 nM) leads to approximately 2.5-fold stimulation of 2-deoxyglucose (2-DOG) uptake within 20 min, reaching a maximal effect of approximately 4-fold at approximately 6 h, and recovering almost to basal levels after 24 h. Insulin treatment (3 ng/ml) results in an approximately 5-fold increase in 2-DOG uptake at 1 h, and recovering to basal levels after 24 h. The ETA receptor antagonist, BQ 610, inhibited ET-1 induced glucose uptake both at 20 min and 6 h, whereas the ETB receptor antagonist, BQ 788, was without effect. Interestingly, ET-1 stimulated 2-DOG uptake at 6 h, not at 20 min, was almost completely blocked by the protein-synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide and the RNA-synthesis inhibitor, actinomycin D, suggesting that the short-term (20 min) and long-term (6 h) effects of ET-1 involve distinct mechanisms. GLUT4 translocation assay showed that 20 min, but not 6 h, exposure to ET-1 led to GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane. In contrast, 6 h, but not 20 min, exposure to ET-1 increased expression of the GLUT1 protein, without affecting expression of GLUT4 protein. ET-1 induced 2-DOG uptake and GLUT1 expression at 6 h were completely inhibited by the MEK inhibitor, PD 98059, and partially inhibited by the PI3-kinase inhibitor, LY 294002, and the G alpha i inhibitor, pertussis toxin. The PLC inhibitor, U 73122, was without effect. These findings suggest that ET-1 induced GLUT1 protein expression is primarily mediated via MAPK, and partially via PI3K in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.
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PMID:The acute and chronic stimulatory effects of endothelin-1 on glucose transport are mediated by distinct pathways in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. 1110 76

We recently reported that matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2, gelatinase A) cleaves big endothelin 1 (ET-1), yielding the vasoactive peptide ET-1[1-32]. We tested whether ET-1[1-32] could affect the adhesion of human neutrophils to coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC). ET-1[1-32] rapidly down-regulated the expression of L-selectin and up-regulated expression of CD11b/CD18 on the neutrophil surface, with EC50 values of 1-3 nM. These actions of ET-1[1-32] were mediated via ETA receptors and did not require conversion of ET-1[1-32] into ET-1 by neutrophil proteases, as revealed by liquid chromatography and mass spectroscopy. Moreover, ET-1[1-32] evoked release of neutrophil gelatinase B, which cleaved big ET-1 to yield ET-1[1-32], thus revealing a positive feedback loop for ET-1[1-32] generation. Up-regulation of CD11b/CD18 expression and gelatinase release was tightly associated with activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk). Stimulation of Erk activity was due to activation of Ras, Raf-1, and MEK (MAPK kinase). ET-1[1-32] also produced slight increases in the expression of ICAM-1 and E-selectin on HCAEC, and markedly enhanced beta2 integrin-dependent adhesion of neutrophils to activated HCAEC. These results are the first indication that gelatinolytic MMPs via cleavage of big ET-1 to yield ET-1[1-32] activate neutrophils and promote leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesion and, consequently, neutrophil trafficking into inflamed tissues.
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PMID:Matrix metalloproteinases regulate neutrophil-endothelial cell adhesion through generation of endothelin-1[1-32]. 1164 Dec 50

The present study investigates whether endothelin-1 (ET-1), like noradrenaline (NA), stimulates the release of arachidonic acid (AA) via cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) in rat tail artery. In tail artery segments labelled with [3H]AA, ET-1-induced AA release in a concentration-dependent manner with an EC50 of 1.3 nM. The effect of ET-1 was inhibited by bosentan and was insensitive to BQ788, suggesting the involvement of ETA receptor. The stimulation of AA release induced by ET-1 was prevented by arachydonyl trifluoromethyl ketone (AACOCF3), a selective inhibitor of cPLA2 and not by RHC80267, a diacylglycerol lipase inhibitor. Furthermore, PD98059, inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) cascade and calphostin C, a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, prevented the stimulation of AA release induced by ET-1 and NA. Immunoblotting of the cytosolic fraction of rat tail arteries stimulated with ET-1 or NA showed an increase in extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) phosphorylation and this effect was abolished by calphostin C treatment. These findings show that in rat tail artery ET-1 and NA induce a sequential activation of protein kinase C and extracellular signal-regulated kinases that results in stimulation of AA release via cPLA2 activation. This may represent a general pathway by which G-proteins coupled receptors stimulate AA release and its metabolites in vascular smooth muscle.
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PMID:Endothelin-1-induced arachidonic acid release by cytosolic phospholipase A2 activation in rat vascular smooth muscle via extracellular signal-regulated kinases pathway. 1214 93

This study examines the importance of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in upregulation of endothelin type B (ETB) receptors. Rat middle cerebral arteries (MCAs) were incubated for 24 h with or without kinase inhibitors. Vessel segments were mounted in myographs and the contractile responses to endothelin-1 (ET-1; ETA and ETB receptor agonist) and sarafotoxin 6c (S6c; ETB receptor agonist) were studied. We used real-time PCR to measure the receptor mRNA levels. An ELISA assay showed the activation of ERK1/2 kinases after 3 h. Immunohistochemistry revealed the presence of ETB receptors on the vessels. After organ culture, S6c induced vasoconstriction. Incubation with the MEK/ERK inhibitors U0126 and SB386023 diminished the contractile response to S6c. The p38 MAPK inhibitor SB239063 did not affect the S6c-induced contraction. The ET-1-induced vasoconstriction was increased after incubation with SB386023 or SB239063, while unaffected by U0126. The ETB receptor mRNA levels were diminished by SB386023 and U0126. The ETA receptor mRNA levels were unaffected. The levels of activated ERK1/2 kinases were significantly higher after 3 h of organ culture as compared to fresh vessels. The level of ETB receptor protein on the smooth muscle cells of the MCA, visualised by immunohistochemistry, was somewhat diminished by SB386023. Our results show that the ERK1/2 MAPK is important in the upregulation of contractile ETB receptors in MCA after organ culture. Since there is a similar upregulation in models of focal ischaemia and subarachnoid haemorrhage, this may be an important pathophysiological event.
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PMID:Importance of ERK1/2 in upregulation of endothelin type B receptors in cerebral arteries. 1523 95

We investigated the implication of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) in the proliferation stimulated by angiotensin II (Ang II) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) in cultured rabbit gingival fibroblasts (CRGF). Ang II stimulated activation of ERK1/2 and the activation was inhibited by CV-11974, an AT1 antagonist, and saralasin, an AT1/AT2 antagonist, but not by PD123,319, an AT2 antagonist in the CRGF. Ang II-stimulated proliferation was inhibited by PD98059 or U0126, selective MEK inhibitors. Furthermore, ET-1 stimulated proliferation via G-protein-coupled ETA receptors, which were identified by Western blot analysis of membrane protein from the CRGF. ET-1 also stimulated activation of ERK1/2 and the activation was inhibited by BQ-123, an ETA inhibitor, and TAK044, an ETA/ETB inhibitor, but not by BQ-788, an ETB inhibitor. ET-1-stimulated proliferation was inhibited by PD98059 or U0126. These findings suggest that ERK1/2 play a role in the signaling process leading to proliferation stimulated by Ang II and ET-1 via G-protein-coupled receptors, AT1 and ETA in CRGF.
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PMID:Inhibition of angiotensin II- and endothelin-1-stimulated proliferation by selective MEK inhibitor in cultured rabbit gingival fibroblastsdagger. 1631 80

Cerebral ischaemia is associated with elevated levels of endothelin B (ETB) receptors in the ipsilateral middle cerebral artery (MCA). This up-regulation of ET receptors occurs via de novo transcription involving mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). The aim of this study was to examine the effect of inhibition of the MAP kinase/ERK kinase (MEK)1/2 on ET receptor alteration, brain damage, and neurology in experimental cerebral ischaemia. Transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was induced in male Wistar rats by the intraluminal filament technique. The animals received 100 mg/kg intraperitoneally of the MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126 or vehicle in conjunction with the occlusion. After 24 h, the rats were decapitated and the brains removed. The middle cerebral arteries were dissected out and examined with myographs or immunohistochemistry. The ischaemic areas of the brains were compared. After the MCAO, the contractile responses of the ETA and ETB receptors were augmented in the ipsilateral MCA. U0126 decreased this alteration in ET receptor response. Furthermore, treatment with U0126 significantly decreased the brain damage and improved neurological scores. Immunohistochemistry showed that there were lower protein levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)1/2 and phosphorylated transcription factor Elk-1 in the U0126-treated rats compared to control. The results show that treatment with the MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126 in ischaemic stroke decreases brain damage, neurological symptoms, and ET receptor alteration. The vascular effects of U0126 provide new perspective on possible mechanisms of actions of MAPK inhibition in cerebral ischaemia.
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PMID:MEK1/2 inhibition attenuates vascular ETA and ETB receptor alterations after cerebral ischaemia. 1709 Dec 94

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) regulates contractility and growth of the mammalian heart by binding endothelin receptor type A (ET(A)) and endothelin receptor type B (ET(B)) G-protein-coupled receptors. To identify growth signaling pathways associated with ET-1 receptors in adult myocardium, a combined immunoprecipitation/proteomic analysis was performed. Signaling proteins believed to function downstream of ET(A) such as Galpha(q), phospholipase C-beta1, protein kinase C (PKC) epsilon, and PKCdelta were identified in immunoprecipitates of ET(A) by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization/time of flight mass spectrometry. Also prominent were the growth factor receptor tyrosine kinases erbB2 and erbB4 and their downstream growth signaling effectors phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3 kinase), Akt, Raf-1, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk). Western blot analysis confirmed coimmunoprecipitation of erbB2/4, PI3 kinase, and Akt with ET(A), and confocal microscopy revealed their colocalization in cardiac transverse tubules (T-tubules). The erbB4 receptor ligand neuregulin-1beta (NRG1beta) promoted erbB2/4 tryosine phosphorylation and Akt serine phosphorylation in ventricular myocytes, whereas treatment with ET-1 did not. This observation argues against ET-1 growth signaling occurring via erbB2/4 transactivation in adult myocardium. ET-1 did, however, stimulate Erk1/2 phosphorylation and substantially blunted several NRG1beta-mediated actions, including erbB2/4 phosphorylation, serine phosphorylation of Akt, and negative inotropy. This inhibitory cross-talk between ET(A) and erbB2/4-Akt pathways was mimicked by a phorbol ester and blocked by pharmacological inhibition of PKC or MEK/Erk. The proteomic analysis and subsequent investigation of receptor cross-talk indicate that growth signaling between ET(A) and erbB pathways is fundamentally different in adult versus neonatal cardiac myocytes. The results may be relevant to cardiomyopathies associated with 1) prolonged exposure to ET-1; 2) degeneration of T-tubules; and 3) therapies targeted at erbB2 inhibition.
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PMID:Interaction and inhibitory cross-talk between endothelin and ErbB receptors in the adult heart. 1733 41


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