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)

Cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) plays a pivotal role in mediating agonist-induced arachidonic acid (AA) release for prostaglandins (PG) synthesis induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cytokines. However, the intracellular signaling pathways mediating LPS-induced cPLA2 expression and PGE2 synthesis in canine tracheal smooth muscle cells (TSMCs) remains unknown. LPS-induced expression of cPLA2 and release of PGE2 was attenuated by inhibitors of tyrosine kinase (genistein), phosphatidylcholine-phospholipase C (D609), phosphatidylinositol-phospholipase C (U73122), PKC (GF109203X and staurosporine), removal of Ca2+ by BAPTA/AM plus EDTA, MEK1/2 (PD98059), p38 (SB202190), JNK (SP600125), and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K; LY294002 and wortmannin). The involvement of MPAKs in LPS-induced responses was further confirmed by transfection of TSMCs with dominant negative mutants of ERK2 and p38. LPS-induced cPLA2 expression and PGE2 synthesis was inhibited by a selective NF-kappaB inhibitor (helenalin) and transfection with dominant negative mutants of NF-kappaB inducing kinase (NIK), IkappaB kinase (IKK)-alpha, and IKK-beta, consistent with that LPS-stimulated both IkappaB-alpha degradation and NF-kappaB translocation into nucleus in these cells. LPS-stimulated cPLA2 phosphorylation was inhibited by PD98059, GF109203X, and staurosporine, indicating the regulation by p42/p44 MAPK and PKC. Moreover, LPS-induced up-regulation of cPLA2 and COX-2 linked to PGE2 synthesis was inhibited by AACOCF3 (a selective cPLA2 inhibitor), implying the involvement of cPLA2 in these responses. These findings suggest that phosphorylation and expression of cPLA2 correlates with the release of PGE2 from LPS-challenged TSMCs, at least in part, mediated through MAPKs and NF-kappaB signaling pathways. LPS-mediated responses were modulated by PLC, Ca2+, PKC, tyrosine kinase, and PI3-K in TSMCs.
...
PMID:Induction of cytosolic phospholipase A2 by lipopolysaccharide in canine tracheal smooth muscle cells: involvement of MAPKs and NF-kappaB pathways. 1627 65

The molecular bridges that link the LH surge with functional changes in cumulus cells that possess few LH receptors are being unraveled. Herein we document that epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like factors amphiregulin (Areg), epiregulin (Ereg), and betacellulin (Btc) are induced in cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) by autocrine and paracrine mechanisms that involve the actions of prostaglandins (PGs) and progesterone receptor (PGR). Areg and Ereg mRNA and protein levels were reduced significantly in COCs and ovaries collected from prostaglandin synthase 2 (Ptgs2) null mice and Pgr null (PRKO) mice at 4 h and 8 h after human chorionic gonadotropin, respectively. In cultured COCs, FSH/forskolin induced Areg mRNA within 0.5 h that peaked at 4 h, a process blocked by inhibitors of p38MAPK (SB203580), MAPK kinase (MEK) 1 (PD98059), and PTGS2 (NS398) but not protein kinase A (PKA) (KT5720). Conversely, AREG but not FSH induced Ptsg2 mRNA at 0.5 h with peak expression of Ptgs2 and Areg mRNAs at 4 h, processes blocked by the EGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor AG1478 (AG), PD98059, and NS398. PGE2 reversed the inhibitory effects of AG on AREG-induced expression of Areg but not Ptgs2, placing Ptgs2 downstream of EGF-R signaling. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and adenovirally expressed PGRA synergistically induced Areg mRNA in granulosa cells. In COCs, AREG not only induced genes that impact matrix formation but also genes involved in steroidogenesis (StAR, Cyp11a1) and immune cell-like functions (Pdcd1, Runx1, Cd52). Collectively, FSH-mediated induction of Areg mRNA via p38MAPK precedes AREG induction of Ptgs2 mRNA via ERK1/2. PGs acting via PTGER2 in cumulus cells provide a secondary, autocrine pathway to regulate expression of Areg in COCs showing critical functional links between G protein-coupled receptor and growth factor receptor pathways in ovulating follicles.
...
PMID:Paracrine and autocrine regulation of epidermal growth factor-like factors in cumulus oocyte complexes and granulosa cells: key roles for prostaglandin synthase 2 and progesterone receptor. 1654 7

Cellular production of prostaglandins (PGs) is controlled by the concerted actions of cyclooxygenases (COX) and terminal PG synthases on arachidonic acid in response to agonist stimulation. Recently, we showed in an ileal epithelial cell line (IEC-18), angiotensin II-induced COX-2-dependent PGI2 production through p38MAPK, and calcium mobilization (J. Biol. Chem. 280: 1582-1593, 2005). Agonist binding to the AT1 receptor results in activation of PKC activity and Ca2+ signaling but it is unclear how each pathway contributes to PG production. IEC-18 cells were stimulated with either phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDB), thapsigargin (TG), or in combination. The PG production and COX-2 and PG synthase expression were measured. Surprisingly, PDB and TG produced PGE2 but not PGI2. This corresponded to induction of COX-2 and mPGES-1 mRNA and protein. PGIS mRNA and protein levels did not change. Activation of PKC by PDB resulted in the activation of ERK1/2, JNK, and CREB whereas activation of Ca2+ signaling by TG resulted in the delayed activation of ERK1/2. The combined effect of PKC and Ca2+ signaling were prolonged COX-2 and mPGES-1 mRNA and protein expression. Inhibition of PKC activity, MEK activity, or Ca2+ signaling blocked agonist induction of COX-2 and mPGES-1. Expression of a dominant negative CREB (S133A) blocked PDB/TG-dependent induction of both COX-2 and mPGES-1 promoters. Decreased CREB expression by siRNA blocked PDB/TG-dependent expression of COX-2 and mPGES-1 mRNA. These findings demonstrate a coordinated induction of COX-2 and mPGES-1 by PDB/TG that proceeds through PKC/ERK and Ca2+ signaling cascades, resulting in increased PGE2 production.
...
PMID:CREB-dependent cyclooxygenase-2 and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 expression is mediated by protein kinase C and calcium. 1659 55

In the present study, we investigated the signalling pathways involved in diosgenin-induced apoptosis in human rheumatoid arthritis (RA) fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) in vitro with particular interest on Akt and MAPKs activation in relation to arachidonic acid metabolism via COX-2 pathway. MAPK activation was measured by ELISA quantification in diosgenin-treated human RA FLS. Expression of Akt and phospho-Akt was analyzed by Western blot analysis. Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) translocation was evaluated by electromobility shift assay. The prostanoid production (COX-2 activity) was measured by quantitative ELISA. Diosgenin-induced apoptosis in the presence of MAPK or Akt inhibitors was detected by a quantitative determination of DNA fragmentation. Treatment of human RA FLS with 40 microM diosgenin caused an activation of p38 and JNK and an inhibition of ERK phosphorylation. Akt and NF-kappaB are potentially required for diosgenin-induced apoptosis in human RA FLS because 40 microM diosgenin abrogated Akt phosphorylation which correlated with an inhibition of NF-kappaB nuclear translocation. SB203580 and SP600125 (p38 and JNK inhibitors) reduced diosgenin-induced DNA fragmentation whereas U0126 and LY294002 (MEK and PI3 kinase/Akt inhibitors) caused an amplification of proapoptotic effect of diosgenin. Diosgenin increased COX-2 activity resulting in PGE2 and 6-keto-PGF1alpha overproduction in human RA FLS. All MAPK inhibitors markedly reduced diosgenin-induced PGE2 and 6-keto-PGF1alpha synthesis except for SP600125 on 6-keto-PGF1alpha production. These results provide, for the first time, strong evidence that a combined association implicating a MEK inhibitor (U0126) and diosgenin is the most effective in inducing very strong apoptosis with down-regulation of COX-2 expression and activity in human RA FLS.
...
PMID:MAP kinase subtypes and Akt regulate diosgenin-induced apoptosis of rheumatoid synovial cells in association with COX-2 expression and prostanoid production. 1714 55

PGE2 plays a critical role in colorectal carcinogenesis. We have previously shown that COX-2 expression and PGE2 synthesis are mediated by IGF-II/IGF-I receptor signaling in the Caco-2 cell line and that the pathway of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt protects the cell from apoptosis. In the present study, we demonstrate that PGE2 has the ability to increase Ras and PI3K association and decrease the level of apoptosis in the same experimental system. The effect of PGE2 on PI3K/Ras association is dependent on the activation of EP4 receptor, the increase of cAMP levels, and the activation of PKA. In fact, treatment of cells with the PKA inhibitor H89 decreases the association of Ras and PI3K and Ras-associated PI3K activity. PKA inhibitor H89 is able to decrease threonine phosphorylation of Akt and to increase serine phosphorylation of Akt by p38 MAPK and counteracts the cytoprotective effect induced by PGE2. In addition, PGE2 is able to activate p38 MAPK and the inhibition of p38 MAPK, with SB203580 specific inhibitor or with dominant negative MKK6 kinase, is able to revert the apoptotic effect of H89 and serine phosphorylation of Akt. The effect of PGE2 on Caco-2 cell survival through PKA activation is mediated and regulated by the balance of threonine/serine phosphorylation of Akt by p38 kinase and PI3K. In conclusion, our data elucidate a novel mechanism for regulation of colon cancer cell survival and provide evidences for new combinatory treatments of colon cancer.
...
PMID:PGE2 inhibits apoptosis in human adenocarcinoma Caco-2 cell line through Ras-PI3K association and cAMP-dependent kinase A activation. 1764 Sep 74

Adenylate cyclase toxin (CyaA) of Bordetella pertussis binds to CD11b/CD18 on macrophages and dendritic cells (DC) and confers virulence to the bacteria by subverting innate immune responses of the host. We have previously demonstrated that CyaA promotes the induction of IL-10-secreting regulatory T cells in vivo by modulating DC activation. Here, we examine the mechanism of immune subversion, specifically, the modulation of TLR signaling pathways in DC. We found that CyaA synergized with LPS to induce IL-10 mRNA and protein expression in DC but significantly inhibited IL-12p70 production. CyaA enhanced LPS-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and ERK in DC, and inhibitors of p38 MAPK, MEK, or NF-kappaB suppressed IL-10 production in response to LPS and CyaA. However, inhibition of p38 MAPK, MEK, and NF-kappaB did not reverse the inhibitory effect of CyaA on TLR agonist-induced IL-12 production. Furthermore, CyaA suppression of IL-12 was independent of IL-10. In contrast, CyaA suppressed LPS- and IFN-gamma-induced IFN-regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) and IRF-8 expression in DC. The modulatory effects of CyaA were dependent on adenylate cyclase activity and induction of intracellular cAMP, as an enzyme-inactive mutant of CyaA failed to modulate TLR-induced signaling in DC, whereas the effects of the wild-type toxin were mimicked by stimulation of the DC with PGE2. Our findings demonstrate that CyaA modulates TLR agonist-induced IL-10 and IL-12p70 production in DC by, respectively, enhancing MAPK phosphorylation and inhibiting IRF-1 and IRF-8 expression and that this is mediated by elevation of intercellular cAMP concentrations.
...
PMID:Adenylate cycalse toxin of Bordetella pertussis inhibits TLR-induced IRF-1 and IRF-8 activation and IL-12 production and enhances IL-10 through MAPK activation in dendritic cells. 1840 Oct 6

Cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) plays a pivotal role in mediating agonist-induced arachidonic acid release for prostaglandin (PG) synthesis during stimulation with interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta). However, the mechanisms underlying IL-1beta-induced cPLA2 expression and PGE2 synthesis by canine tracheal smooth muscle cells (CTSMCs) have not been defined. IL-1beta induced cPLA2 protein and mRNA expression, PGE2 production, and phosphorylation of p42/p44 MAPK, p38 MAPK (ATF2), and JNK (c-Jun) in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, determined by Western blotting, RT-PCR, and ELISA, which was attenuated by the inhibitors of MEK1/2 (U0126), p38 MAPK (SB202190), and JNK (SP600125), or transfection with dominant negative mutants of MEK1/2, p38, and JNK, respectively. Furthermore, IL-1beta-induced cPLA2 expression and PGE2 synthesis was inhibited by a selective NF-kappaB inhibitor (helenalin) or transfection with dominant negative mutants of NF-kappaB inducing kinase (NIK), IkappaB kinase (IKK)-alpha, and IKK-beta. Consistently, IL-1beta stimulated both IkappaB-alpha degradation and NF-kappaB translocation into nucleus in these cells. NF-kappaB translocation was blocked by helenalin, but not by U0126, SB202190, and SP600125. MAPKs together with NF-kappaB-activated p300 recruited to cPLA2 promoter thus facilitating the binding of NF-kappaB to cPLA2 promoter region and expression of cPLA2 mRNA. IL-1beta-induced cPLA2 expression and PGE2 production was inhibited by actinomycin D and cycloheximide, indicating the involvement of transcriptional and translational events in these responses. These results suggest that in CTSMCs, IL-1beta-induced cPLA2 expression and PGE2 synthesis was independently mediated through activation of MAPKs and NF-kappaB pathways and was connected to p300 recruitment and activation.
...
PMID:Involvement of MAPKs, NF-kappaB and p300 co-activator in IL-1beta-induced cytosolic phospholipase A2 expression in canine tracheal smooth muscle cells. 1870 82

Prostaglandin E2 has been implicated in cell growth and metastasis in many types of cancers. However, the effects of PGE2 and its mechanism on cell adhesion, migration, and invasion have not been clarified yet. In this study, we found PGE2 treatment significantly increased the cell adhesion, migration, and invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. In addition, the effects of PGE2 were found to be associated with focal adhesion kinase (FAK). PGE2 treatment increased the phosphorylation and synthesis of FAK in a dose-dependent manner. RNA interference targeting FAK suppressed PGE2-mediated cell adhesion and migration. Furthermore, the downstream proteins of FAK, paxillin and Erk2, were also activated by PGE2. PGE2 treatment increased the phosphorylation and synthesis of paxillin in a dose-dependent manner. PGE2 treatment also induced the phosphorylation of Erk2. PD98059, the specific inhibitor of MEK, suppressed PGE2-mediated cell adhesion and migration. However, it had no effect on PGE2-induced activation and synthesis of FAK. These results demonstrated that PGE2 greatly induced HCC cell adhesion, migration, and invasion by activating FAK/paxillin/Erk pathway.
...
PMID:Focal adhesion kinase: important to prostaglandin E2-mediated adhesion, migration and invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. 1908 53

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is one of pro-inflammatory mediators. PGE2 maintains the homeostasis of many organs including articular cartilage, and a previous report showed that continuous inhibition of PGE2 accelerates the progression of osteoarthritis (OA). While PGE2 inhibits matrix metalloprotease (MMP) expression in several types of cells, little is known on direct effects of PGE2 on MMP expression in articular chondrocytes. The objective of this study was to investigate direct effects of PGE2 on IL-1beta-induced MMP-1 and MMP-13 expression and the intracellular signaling in articular chondrocytes. PGE2 showed inhibitory effects on IL-1beta-induced MMP-1 and MMP-13 expression demonstrated by immunoblotting both in OA and normal chondrocytes, which was further confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemistry of explant cultures of articular cartilages. An EP4 agonist, ONO-AE1-329, mimicked the inhibitory effect of PGE2, while an EP4 antagonist, ONO-AE3-208, blocked the effects. PGE2 suppressed the phosphorylation of JNK and ERK MAP kinases, but only knockdown of JNK by specific siRNA mimicked the effect of PGE2. PGE2 further inhibited the phosphorylation of MKK4 without suppression of MKK7 phosphorylation, and of c-JUN to decrease expression levels of MMP-1 and MMP-13. These results demonstrate that PGE2 inhibits IL-1beta-induced MMP-1 and MMP-13 productions via EP4 by suppressing MKK4-JNK MAP kinase-c-JUN pathway.
...
PMID:PGE2 inhibits MMP expression by suppressing MKK4-JNK MAP kinase-c-JUN pathway via EP4 in human articular chondrocytes. 1999 10

A growing body of evidence suggests that chronic inflammation contributes to cancer development and progression. Tumor-derived immunoinflammatory cytokines help tumor cells escape immune control and limit the success of immunotherapy. Leptin has been proven to promote cancer progression by inducing cancer cell proliferation and invasion. However, the proinflammatory effects of leptin on lung cancer cells have not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we demonstrated that human lung cancer A549 and H157 cells express leptin receptors Ob-Ra and Ob-Rb, and that leptin stimulation increases the production of immunoinflammatory cytokines: vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and prostaglandin (PGE2). Moreover, leptin stimulation activated the JAK/STAT3, PI3K/AKT and MEK1/2 signaling pathways, which contributed to VEGF, IL-6 and PGE2 production. Besides increasing immunoinflammatory cytokines, leptin also protected human lung cancer cells from tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-induced ligand-mediated cytotoxic death. Thus, we conclude that leptin promotes the immune escape of lung cancer by inducing proinflammatory cytokines and resistance to apoptosis.
...
PMID:Leptin promotes the immune escape of lung cancer by inducing proinflammatory cytokines and resistance to apoptosis. 2147 28


<< Previous 1 2 3 4 Next >>