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)

During wound healing, dermal fibroblasts switch from a migratory, repopulating phenotype to a contractile, matrix-reassembling phenotype. The mechanisms controlling this switch are unknown. A possible explanation is suggested by the finding that chemokines that appear late in wound repair prevent growth factor-induced cell-substratum de-adhesion by blocking calpain activation. In this study, we tested the specific hypothesis that fibroblast contraction of the matrix is promoted by a pro-repair growth factor, epidermal growth factor, and is modulated by calpain-mediated release of adhesions. We employed an isometric force transduction system designed to measure the contraction of a collagen matrix under tension by a population of NR6 fibroblasts transfected with the human epidermal growth factor receptor. By maintaining a fixed level of strain, we could monitor both the initial contraction and subsequent relaxation of the matrix. Epidermal growth factor stimulated a transient, dose-dependent increase in matrix contraction that peaked within 60 minutes and then decayed over the ensuing 3 to 6 hours. Calpain inhibitor I (ALLN) prevented epidermal growth factor-stimulated cell de-adhesion and resulted in a significantly slower decay of matrix contraction, with only a slight decrease of the peak magnitude of contraction. The mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase-1-selective inhibitor PD 98059 that blocks signaling through the extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, required for epidermal growth factor receptor-mediated activation of calpain and de-adhesion, does not significantly affect the magnitude of matrix contraction within minutes of epidermal growth factor addition, but slows the decay similarly to calpain inhibition. Epidermal growth factor receptor signaling thus stimulates the complementary mechanisms of intracellular contractile force generation and calpain-mediated de-adhesion, which are known to coordinately facilitate cell migration. These findings suggest that calpain can act as a functional switch for transmission of intracellular contractile force to the surrounding matrix, with calpain-mediated de-adhesion reducing this transmission and corresponding matrix contraction. Countervailing processes that down-regulate calpain activation can, accordingly, direct the transition of cell function from locomotion to matrix contraction.
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PMID:Epidermal growth factor induces acute matrix contraction and subsequent calpain-modulated relaxation. 1198 8

To discover and study intracellular signals that regulate proteolysis in muscle, we have employed transgenic strains of Caenorhabditis elegans that produce a soluble LacZ reporter protein limited to body-wall and vulval muscles. This reporter protein is stable in well-fed wild-type animals, but its degradation is triggered upon a shift to 25 degrees C in a strain carrying a temperature-sensitive activating mutation in the Ras oncogene homologue let-60. These mutants are not physiologically starved, inasmuch as growth rates are normal at 25 degrees C. Ras-induced degradation is not prevented by the presence of cycloheximide added at or before the temperature shift and thus uses preexisting proteolytic systems and signaling components. Furthermore, degradation is triggered when adult animals are shifted to conditions of 25 degrees C, confirming that Ras acutely promotes protein degradation in muscles whose developmental history is normal. Reduction-of-function mutations in the downstream protein kinase Raf (lin-45), MEK (mek-2), or mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) (mpk-1) prevent Ras-induced protein degradation, whereas activated MPK-1 is sufficient to trigger degradation, indicating that this kinase cascade is the principal route by which Ras signaling triggers protein degradation in muscle. This pathway is activated in hypodermal cells by the LET-23 epidermal growth factor receptor homologue, but an activating mutation in let-23 does not promote proteolysis in muscle. Starvation-induced LacZ reporter degradation is unaffected by reduction-of-function mutations in Ras, Raf, MEK, or MAPK, implying that Ras activation and starvation trigger proteolysis by mechanisms that are at least partially independent. This is the first evidence that Ras-Raf-MEK-MAPK signaling activates protein degradation in differentiated muscle.
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PMID:Activation of Ras and the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway promotes protein degradation in muscle cells of Caenorhabditis elegans. 1202 31

Ionizing radiation (1-5 Gy) activates the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a major effector of the p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. MAPK and its downstream effector, p90 ribosomal S6 kinase (p90RSK), phosphorylate transcription factors involved in cell proliferation. To establish the role of the EGFR/MAPK pathway in radiation-induced transcription factor activation, MDA-MB-231 human breast carcinoma cells were examined using specific inhibitors of signaling pathways. Gel-shift analysis revealed three different profile groups: 1) transcription factors that responded to both radiation (2 Gy) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) (CREB, Egr, Ets, and Stat3); 2) factors that responded to radiation, but not EGF (C/EBP and Stat1); and 3) those that did not respond significantly to either radiation or EGF (AP-1 and Myc). Within groups 1 and 2, a two- to fivefold maximum stimulation of binding activity was observed at 30-60 min after irradiation. Interestingly, only transcription factors that responded to EGF had radiation responses significantly inhibited by the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, AG1478; these responses were also abrogated by farnesyltransferase inhibitor (FTI) or PD98059, inhibitors of Ras and MEK1/2, respectively. Moreover, radiation-induced increases in CREB and p90RSK phosphorylation and activation of Stat3 and Egr-1 reporter constructs by radiation were all abolished by AG1478. These data demonstrate a distinct radiation response profile at the transcriptional level that is dependent on enhanced EGFR/Ras/MAPK signaling.
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PMID:Epidermal growth factor receptor dependence of radiation-induced transcription factor activation in human breast carcinoma cells. 1213 64

Cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)) is an enzyme involved in the formation of proinflammatory mediators by catalyzing the release of arachidonic acid, thereby mediating eicosanoid biosynthesis. Using HaCaT keratinocytes as a model system, we present experimental evidence that in these cells, cPLA(2) is constitutively phosphorylated and that the degree of phosphorylation dramatically increases in cells under hyperosmotic stress induced by sorbitol. In parallel, a rapid release of arachidonic acid followed by prostaglandin E(2) formation was detected. Elucidating the mechanism of cPLA(2) upregulation, we observed that it is mediated via epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation, since tyrphostin AG1478, a selective inhibitor of EGFR tyrosine kinase, completely inhibited cPLA(2) phosphorylation. Furthermore, addition of PD98059, which is an inhibitor of MEK1 activation, but not of SB203580, which is an inhibitor of p38 stress kinase, inhibited cPLA(2) phosphorylation, indicating that the ras-raf-MEK cascade is the major signalling pathway involved in cPLA(2) phosphorylation. In addition, depletion of the cells from intracellular calcium does not prevent sorbitol-elicited cPLA(2) phosphorylation, suggesting that this process is independent of the presence of calcium. Together, our results demonstrate that hyperosmotic stress phosphorylates cPLA(2) in human keratinocytes by an EGFR-mediated process.
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PMID:Hyperosmotic stress induces phosphorylation of cytosolic phospholipase A(2) in HaCaT cells by an epidermal growth factor receptor-mediated process. 1213 5

The first potent selective small molecule inhibitor of a protein kinase was reported in 1994 by Parke-Davis. PD-153035, 4-(3-bromoanilino)-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline, is an ATP competitive inhibitor of the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase (EGFr), with no appreciable inhibitory activity against several other kinases. Subsequent structural elaboration of PD-153035 led to several 4-anilinoquinazolines that are currently in various stages of clinical trials for the treatment of kinase-mediated diseases. A homology model of EGFr with PD-153035 suggested that the 3-nitrogen atom of the quinazoline ring binds a water molecule. It was envisioned that this nitrogen atom could be replaced by a carbon atom containing an electron-withdrawing group. This critical observation by a group at Wyeth led to the identification of 4-(3-bromoanilino)-6,7-dimethoxy-3-quinolinecarbonitrile as an EGFr inhibitor. It was subsequently established that variation of the substituents on the 4-anilino group of the 6,7-dimethoxy-3-quinolinecarbonitrile changed the kinase specificity from EGFr to other kinases including Src and MEK. The 3-quinolinecarbonitrile template was also utilized to develop an irreversible inhibitor of EGFr, EKB-569, currently in clinical trials for the treatment of cancer. Further manipulation of the 3-quinolinecarbonitrile core provided tricyclic analogs, with the most potent kinase inhibitory activity observed with a benzo[g]quinoline-3-carbonitrile ring system. It was also found that 3-quinolinecarbonitriles with a 7-thiophene or phenyl substituent were potent Src kinase inhibitors.
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PMID:4-anilino-3-quinolinecarbonitriles: an emerging class of kinase inhibitors. 1217 71

A diet high in soy is associated with many health benefits, including reduced incidence of breast cancer. The soy phytoestrogen, genistein, is hypothesized to contribute to mammary chemoprevention via interaction with estrogen receptors (ERs) alpha and/or beta. These steroid signaling pathways are believed to exert control over proliferation and differentiation of the mammary gland by a complex bidirectional interaction with the epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling pathway. The current work was designed to study the role of these two pathways in prepubertal mammary gland growth. Female Sprague-Dawley CD rats were injected with genistein (500 micro g/g body wt) or estradiol benzoate (EB) (500 ng/g body wt) on days 16, 18 and 20. Whole mount analysis of mammary glands from 21-day-old rats showed that both treatments resulted in significantly increased terminal end buds (TEBs), and increased ductal branching, compared with animals given the vehicle, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). Both effects were inhibited by blockage of ER function by pre-treating with 2 mg ICI 182,780/kg body wt, a steroidal anti-estrogen. Immunoblotting analyis of mammary gland extracts demonstrated increased epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and progesterone receptor (PR) expression following treatment with EB or genistein. Tyrosine-phosphorylated EGFR, as measured by immunoprecipitation/immunoblotting was also increased, but when normalized to total receptors, there was no net effect. The expression and phosphorylation of downstream targets of the EGFR, mitogen activating kinase kinase (MEK 1 and 2) and extracellular signal regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK 1 and 2) were not significantly affected. Anti-estrogen pre-treatment prevented the increase in EGFR, phospho-EGFR and PR. The data indicate an ER-based mechanism of action for genistein in mammary gland proliferation and differentiation, which can lead to protection against mammary cancer.
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PMID:Genistein action in the prepubertal mammary gland in a chemoprevention model. 1218 89

The cytotoxics developed for the treatment of patients with advanced colorectal cancer have yielded diminishing returns. Agents aimed at novel molecular targets are required to improve the prognosis of this disease. This review describes the most recent advances in the clinical development of therapies designed to block the function of several important signalling cellular proteins. Therapies discussed include agents targeting: (i) the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family; (ii) Ras via the inhibition of farnesyltransferase; (iii) Raf kinase; (iv) the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway (MAPK, MEK, Erk); (v) Akt; and (vi) the apoptosis signalling pathways including NF-kappaB, Bcl-2 and the TRAIL receptor. The results of clinical trials of the first generation of such therapeutics to enter clinical evaluation in malignant diseases are presented. Potential advantages and disadvantages of these different therapeutic modalities are discussed and future challenges for the evaluation of these targeted agents in the clinic is presented.
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PMID:Therapeutics targeting signal transduction for patients with colorectal carcinoma. 1242 35

In a recent study on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells we found that epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a major biologically active component of green tea, inhibited activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and related signaling pathways. Since activation of EGFR signaling pathways is associated with angiogenesis, we examined the effects of EGCG on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production by YCU-H891 HNSCC and MDA-MB-231 breast carcinoma cell lines, because we found that both of these cell lines display autocrine activation of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha)/EGFR signaling and produce high levels of VEGF. Treatment with EGCG inhibited the constitutive activation of the EGFR, Stat3, and Akt in both cell lines. These changes were associated with inhibition of VEGF promoter activity and cellular production of VEGF. Mechanistic studies indicated that inhibition of Stat3, but not mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)1 or phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI3K), significantly decreased VEGF promoter activity. However, the inhibitory effects of a dominant negative Stat3 on VEGF expression was not as strong as that produced by EGCG. An analysis of alternative pathways indicated that EGCG strongly inhibited the constitutive activation of NF-kappa B in both cell lines, and an NF-kappa B inhibitor strongly inhibited VEGF production. These results suggest that EGCG inhibits VEGF production by inhibiting both the constitutive activation of Stat3 and NF-kappa B, but not extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) or Akt, in these cells. Therefore, EGCG may be useful in treating HNSCC and breast carcinoma because it can exert both antiproliferative and antiangiogenic activities.
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PMID:Epigallocatechin-3-gallate decreases VEGF production in head and neck and breast carcinoma cells by inhibiting EGFR-related pathways of signal transduction. 1244 Feb 26

This study examines the effects of an increase in passive stretch in endothelium-removed bovine coronary artery on oxidant-induced changes in force generation. Increasing passive stretch on the arterial segments from 5 to 20 g for 20 minutes caused a subsequent increase (P<0.05) in force generation to 30 mmol/L KCl or 0.1 micromol/L serotonin compared with the prestretch control response. Also associated with the passive stretch were increases in superoxide detection by lucigenin and a selective increase in extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase phosphorylation measured by Western analysis. The stretch-induced increase in force generation was eliminated by inhibition of the ERK pathway by the MEK inhibitor PD98059 but not by inhibitors of the p38 MAP kinase pathway (SB202190) or c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase pathway (SP200169). Additionally, stretch-induced increases in both ERK phosphorylation and force generation were attenuated by inhibition of tyrosine kinases (genistein), src (PP2), and specific sites on the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) (AG1478). Probes for oxidant signaling, including NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitors (diphenyliodonium and apocynin) or enhancement of peroxide consumption (ebselen) but not inhibition of xanthine oxidase (allopurinol), attenuated the effects of stretch on both ERK phosphorylation and force generation. Furthermore, stretch caused an increase in EGFR phosphorylation and cytosolic to membrane translocation of the p47phox NAD(P)H oxidase subunit. Hydrogen peroxide also elicited contraction through EGFR phosphorylation and ERK. In summary, stretch seems to enhance force generation via ERK signaling through an EGFR/src-dependent mechanism activated by peroxide derived from a stretch-mediated activation of the NAD(P)H oxidase, a response that may contribute to hypertensive alterations in vascular reactivity.
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PMID:Stretch enhances contraction of bovine coronary arteries via an NAD(P)H oxidase-mediated activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade. 1252 17

Increased expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is common in cancer and correlates with neoplastic progression. Although the biology of this receptor has been the subject of intense investigation, surprisingly little is known about how increased expression of the wild-type EGFR affects downstream signal transduction in cells. We show that increasing the expression of the receptor results in dramatic shifts in signaling with attenuation of EGF-induced Ras, extracellular signal-related kinases (ERKs), and Akt activation, as well as amplification of STAT1 and STAT3 signaling. In this study, we focus on the mechanism of attenuated ERK signaling and present evidence suggesting that the mechanism of attenuated ERK signaling in EGFR-overexpressing cells is a sequestration of ERKs at the cell membrane in EGFR-containing complexes. Increased expression of the EGFR results in an aberrant localization of ERKs to the cell membrane. Furthermore, ERKs become associated with the EGFR in a physical complex in EGFR-overexpressing cells but not in control cells. The EGFR-ERK association is detected in unstimulated cells or on exposure to a low concentration of EGF; under these conditions, ERK activation is minimal. Exposure of these cells to saturating concentrations of EGF results in a decreased membrane localization of ERKs, a concomitant dissociation of ERKs from the EGFR, and restores ERK activation. A similar association can be detected between the EGFR and MEK1 in receptor-overexpressing cells, suggesting that multiple components of the ERK signaling pathway may become trapped in complexes with the EGFR. These findings can be demonstrated in cells transfected to express high levels of the EGFR as well as in cancer cells which naturally overexpress the EGFR and, thus, may be representative of altered EGFR signaling in human cancer.
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PMID:Increased expression of epidermal growth factor receptor induces sequestration of extracellular signal-related kinases and selective attenuation of specific epidermal growth factor-mediated signal transduction pathways. 1255 61


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