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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)
The presence of
GABA
and its receptors early in rodent nervous system development has lead to speculation on the role of this transmitter system in neuroblast proliferation, migration and differentiation. We studied the effect of
GABA
and
GABA
agonists on immature cerebellar granule cell proliferation and survival. Cerebellar granule cell suspensions were obtained from 6-8-day-old rats and grown in culture for up to 7 days in serum-containing or serum-free medium. The addition of
GABA
(0.1-100 microM) or muscimol (0.01-10 microM) 2 h after inoculation and harvested 22 h later, lead to an increase in 3H-thymidine incorporation over control samples with the correspondent increase in granule cells number assayed 48 h later. The effect on cell proliferation exerted by GABAA agonists was blocked by MgCl2 and nifedipine, as well as by the chloride channel blocker, picrotoxin (50 microM), and the GABAA receptor specific blocker, bicuculline (50 microM). The increase on cell proliferation induced by
GABA
also was blocked by PD98059 (75 microM), a specific inhibitor of the
mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase
(
MAPKK
). GABAA receptor-mediated proliferation was consistently seen in cells inoculated in serum-containing medium supplemented with 25 mM KCl but not seen in serum-free medium, with 5 mM or 25 mM KCl. The presence of serum did not enhance the survival of cerebellar granule cells grown for 7 days in either 5 mM or 25 mM KCl. Additionally, neither
GABA
nor muscimol applied from day 2 to day 7 in vitro affected cell survival in any culture condition. We conclude that
GABA
and GABAA receptor agonists influence granule cell proliferation but not survival and that this effect is mediated by a calcium influx via voltage-dependent calcium channel activation, with a subsequent activation of the MAPK cascade.
...
PMID:GABA induces proliferation of immature cerebellar granule cells grown in vitro. 1036 96
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) can regulate the maturation of developing cerebellar granule neurons. Within 1-2 days of culture, BDNF induces the expression of granule neuron terminal differentiation markers, particularly GABA(A) receptor alpha6 subunit (
GABA
(A)alpha6) mRNA. Other trophic factors including insulin-like growth factor, the neurotrophin NT-3, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), and fetal bovine serum failed to induce this early expression. The expression of other GABA(A) receptor subunits, including alpha1 and gamma2, was also enhanced by exposure of developing granule neurons to BDNF. This BDNF-dependent expression of GABA(A) receptor subunit mRNAs could be effectively blocked by treatment with the
mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase
(
MEK
) inhibitors, PD98059 or U0126. In the absence of BDNF,
GABA
(A)alpha6 expression occurs but not until 3-4 days of culture. This BDNF-independent expression of
GABA
(A)alpha6 was also inhibited by PD98059. Further studies showed that the BDNF-dependent expression
GABA
(A)alpha6 could also be reduced by LY294002, an inhibitor of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, or depolarizing concentrations of KCl. These results thus suggest that both BDNF-dependent and -independent expressions of GABA(A) receptor subunits require the activation of
MEK
and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. However, it is also likely that other signaling pathways modulate this maturation process.
...
PMID:MEK inhibitors block BDNF-dependent and -independent expression of GABA(A) receptor subunit mRNAs in cultured mouse cerebellar granule neurons. 1064 67
As one of the most extensively studied protein hormones, insulin and its receptor have been known to play key roles in a variety of important biological functions. Until recent years, the functions of insulin and insulin receptor (IR) in the central nervous system (CNS) have largely remained unclear. IR is abundantly expressed in several specific brain regions that govern fundamental behaviors such as food intake, reproduction and high cognition. The IR from the periphery and CNS exhibit differences in both structure and function. In addition to that from the peripheral system, locally synthesized insulin in the brain has also been identified. Accumulated evidence has demonstrated that insulin/IR plays important roles in associative learning, as suggested by results from both interventive and correlative studies. Interruption of insulin production and IR activity causes deficits in learning and memory formation. Abnormal insulin/IR levels and activities are seen in Alzheimer's dementia, whereas administration of insulin significantly improves the cognitive performance of these patients. The synaptic bases for the action of insulin/IR include modifying neurotransmitter release processes at various types of presynaptic terminals and modulating the activities of both excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic receptors such as NMDA and
GABA
receptors, respectively. At the molecular level, insulin/IR participates in regulation of learning and memory via activation of specific signaling pathways, one of which is shown to be associated with the formation of long-term memory and is composed of intracellular molecules including the shc, Grb-r/SOS, Ras/Raf, and
MEK
/MAP kinases. Cross-talk with another IR pathway involving IRS1, PI3 kinase, and protein kinase C, as well as with the non-receptor tyrosine kinase pp60c-src, may also be associated with memory processing.
...
PMID:Role of insulin and insulin receptor in learning and memory. 1137 28
We studied the roles of mGlu2/3 receptors (mGlu2/3) in glutamatergic transmission at corticostriatal synapses in mice brain slices. Perfusion of the selective mGlu2/3 agonists LY354740 and L-CCG1 caused the long term depression (LTD) of evoked synaptic responses. Photonic and electronic microscopy showed mGlu2/3 on axonal fibers and glial processes but not on striatal dendrites. mGlu2/3-LTD was independent of synaptic activity and insensitive to specific antagonists of dopamine D1, D2,
GABA
(B), N-methyl-D-aspartate or adenosine A1 receptors. Manipulation of the cAMP/protein kinase A cascade had no effect on the mGlu2/3-LTD. In contrast,
MEK1
-2 inhibitors reduced both mGlu2/3 initial depression and LTD suggesting the involvement of the mitogen activated kinase pathway in mGlu2/3-LTD.
...
PMID:Group 2 metabotropic glutamate receptors induced long term depression in mouse striatal slices. 1174 31
ATP is an important signaling molecule in the nervous system and it's signaling is mediated through the metabotropic P2Y and ionotropic P2X receptors. ATP is known to stimulate Ca(2+) influx and phospholipase D (PLD) activity in the type-2 astrocyte cell line, RBA-2; in this study, we show that the release of preloaded [(3)H]
GABA
from RBA-2 cells is mediated through the P2X(7) receptors. ATP and the ATP analogue 3'-O-(4-benoylbenoyl)-adenosine-5'-triphosphate (BzATP) both stimulated [(3)H]
GABA
release in a concentration dependent manner, while the nonselective P2 receptor antagonist pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulfonic acid (PPADS), the P2X(7)-sensitive antagonist oxidized ATP (oATP), and high extracellular Mg(2+) all inhibited the ATP-stimulated [(3)H]
GABA
release. The ATP-stimulated [(3)H]
GABA
release was not affected neither by removing extracellular Na(+) nor by changes in the intracellular or extracellular Ca(2+) concentration. The GABA transporter inhibitors nipecotic acid and beta-alanine also had no effect. The ATP-stimulated [(3)H]
GABA
release was blocked, however, when media Cl(-) was replaced with gluconate and when extracellular HCO(3)(-) was removed. The Cl(-) channel/exchanger blockers 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2',2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS) and 4-acetamido-4'- isothiocyanatostilbene-2',2'-disulfonic acids (SITS), but not diphenylamine-2-carboxylic acid (DPC) and furosemide, blocked the ATP-stimulated [(3)H]
GABA
release. The anionic selectivity of the process was F(-) > Cl(-) > Br(-) which is the same as that reported for volume-sensitive Cl(-) conductance. Treating cells with phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), forskolin, dibutyryl-cAMP, PD98059, neomycin, and D609 all inhibited the ATP-stimulated [(3)H]
GABA
release. We concluded that in RBA-2 cells, ATP stimulates [(3)H]
GABA
release through the P2X(7) receptors via a Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-)-dependent mechanism that is regulated by PKC, PKA,
MEK
/ERK, and PLD.
...
PMID:Activation of P2X(7) receptors induced [(3)H]GABA release from the RBA-2 type-2 astrocyte cell line through a Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-)-dependent mechanism. 1174 79
During neuronal development, GABAA-mediated responses are depolarizing and induce an increase in the intracellular calcium concentration. Since calcium oscillations can modulate neurite outgrowth, we explored the capability of
GABA
to induce changes in cerebellar granule cell morphology. We find that treatment with
GABA
(1-1000 microm) induces an increase in the intracellular calcium concentration through the activation of
GABA
(A) receptors and voltage-gated calcium channels of the L-subtype. Perforated patch-clamp recordings reveal that this depolarizing response is due to a chloride reversal potential close to - 35 mV. When cells are grown in depolarizing potassium chloride concentrations, a shift in reversal potential (Erev) for
GABA
is observed, and only 20% of the cells are depolarized by the neurotransmitter at day 5 in vitro. On the contrary, cells grown under resting conditions are depolarized after
GABA
application even at day 8.
GABA
increases the complexity of the dendritic arbors of cerebellar granule neurons via a calcium-dependent mechanism triggered by voltage-gated calcium channel activation. Specific blockers of calcium-calmodulin kinase II and
mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase
(KN93 and PD098059) implicate these kinases in the intracellular pathways involved in the neuritogenic effect of
GABA
. These data demonstrate that
GABA
exerts a stimulatory role on cerebellar granule cell neuritogenesis through calcium influx and activation of calcium-dependent kinases.
...
PMID:GABA-induced neurite outgrowth of cerebellar granule cells is mediated by GABA(A) receptor activation, calcium influx and CaMKII and erk1/2 pathways. 1261 41
We investigated whether
GABA
activates phospholipase A2 (PLA2) during acrosomal exocytosis, and if the
MEK
-ERK1/2 pathway modulates PLA2 activation initiated by
GABA
, progesterone or zona pellucida (ZP). In guinea pig spermatozoa prelabelled with [14C]arachidonic acid or [14C]choline chloride,
GABA
stimulated a decrease in phosphatidylcholine (PC), and release of arachidonic acid and lysoPC, during exocytosis. These lipid changes are indicative of PLA2 activation and appear essential for exocytosis since inclusion of aristolochic acid (a PLA2 inhibitor) abrogated them, along with exocytosis.
GABA
activation of PLA2 seems to be mediated, at least in part, by diacylglycerol (DAG) and protein kinase C since inclusion of the DAG kinase inhibitor R59022 enhanced PLA2 activity and exocytosis stimulated by
GABA
, whereas exposure to staurosporine decreased both.
GABA
-, progesterone- and ZP-induced release of arachidonic acid and exocytosis were prevented by U0126 and PD98059 (
MEK
inhibitors). Taken together, our results suggest that PLA2 plays a fundamental role in agonist-stimulated exocytosis and that
MEK
-ERK1/2 are involved in PLA2 regulation during this process.
...
PMID:GABA, progesterone and zona pellucida activation of PLA2 and regulation by MEK-ERK1/2 during acrosomal exocytosis in guinea pig spermatozoa. 1609 15
The hippocampus produces growth hormone (GH) and contains GH receptors, suggesting a potential role for GH signaling in the regulation of hippocampal function. In agreement with this possibility, previous investigations have found altered hippocampal function and hippocampal-dependent learning and memory after chronic GH administration or deficiency. In this study we applied GH to in vitro rat hippocampal brain slices, to determine whether GH has short-term effects on hippocampal function in addition to previously documented chronic effects. We found that GH enhanced both AMPA- and NMDA-receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in hippocampal area CA1, but did not alter
GABA
(A)-receptor-mediated inhibitory synaptic transmission. GH enhancement of excitatory synaptic transmission was gradual, requiring 60-70 min to reach maximum, and occurred without any change in paired-pulse facilitation, suggesting a possible postsynaptic site of action. In CA1 pyramidal neurons, GH enhancement of EPSPs was correlated with significant hyperpolarization and decreased input resistance. GH enhancement of EPSPs required Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), phosphatidylinositol-3 (PI3) kinase, mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase kinase (
MEK
), and synthesis of new proteins. Although PI3 kinase and
MEK
were required for initiation of GH effects on excitatory synaptic transmission, they were not required for maintained enhancement of EPSPs. GH treatment and tetanus-induced long-term potentiation were mutually occluding, suggesting a common mechanism or mechanisms in both forms of synaptic enhancement. Our results demonstrate that GH has powerful short-term effects on hippocampal function, and extend the timescale for potential roles of GH in regulating hippocampal function and hippocampal-dependent behaviors.
...
PMID:Growth hormone enhances excitatory synaptic transmission in area CA1 of rat hippocampus. 1648 59
The GABAA receptor is a ligand-gated ion channel whose function and activity can be regulated by ligand binding or alternatively may be influenced indirectly through the phosphorylation of specific subunits that comprise the GABAA receptor pentamer. With respect to phosphorylation, most studies have focused on either beta or gamma subunits, whereas the role of the alpha subunit as a relevant target of signaling kinases is largely unknown. Interestingly, we found a putative phosphorylation site for extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK), a key effector of the MAPK pathway, in almost all known alpha subunits of the GABAA receptor, including the ubiquitously expressed alpha1 subunit. To determine whether this putative ERK phosphorylation site was functionally relevant, we evaluated if ERK inhibition (through pharmacological inhibition of its upstream kinase,
MEK
) altered
GABA
-gated currents. Using HEK293 cells stably transfected with the alpha1beta2gamma2 form of the GABAA receptor, we found that UO126 reduced basal ERK phosphorylation and resulted in an enhancement of
GABA
-induced peak current amplitudes. Further, the enhancement of
GABA
-gated currents required an intact intracellular environment as it was robust in perforated patch recordings (which preserves the intracellular milieu), but absent in conventional whole-cell recordings (which dialyzes the cytosolic contents), supporting the involvement of an intracellular signaling pathway. Finally, mutation of the ERK phosphorylation site (T375-->A) prevented the UO126-induced enhancement of
GABA
-gated currents. Collectively, our results implicate the MAPK pathway as a negative modulator of GABAA receptor function, whose influence on
GABA
-gated currents may be mediated by phosphorylation of the alpha subunit.
...
PMID:ERK/MAPK pathway regulates GABAA receptors. 1701 30
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) effects on the establishment of glycinergic and GABAergic transmissions in mouse spinal neurons were examined using combined electrophysiological and calcium imaging techniques. BDNF (10 ng/ml) caused a significant acceleration in the onset of synaptogenesis without large effects on the survival of these neurons. Amplitude and frequency of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) and miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) associated to activation of glycine and
GABA
(A) receptors were augmented in neurons cultured with BDNF. The neurotrophin effect was blocked by long term tetrodotoxin (TTX) addition suggesting a dependence on neuronal activity. In addition, BDNF caused a significant increase in glycine- and
GABA
-evoked current densities that partly explains the increase in synaptic transmission. Presynaptic mechanisms were also involved in BDNF effects since triethylammonium(propyl)-4-(2-(4-dibutylamino-phenyl)vinyl)pyridinium (FM1-43) destaining with high K(+) was augmented in neurons incubated with the neurotrophin. The effects of BDNF were mediated by receptor tyrosine kinase B (TrkB) and
mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase
(
MEK
) activation since culturing neurons with either (9S,10R,12R)-2,3,9,10,11,12-hexahydro-10-hydroxy-9-methyl-1-oxo-9,12-epoxy-1H-diindolo[1,2,3-fg:3',2',1'- kl]pyrrolo[3,4-i][1,6]benzodiazocine-10-carboxylic acid methyl ester (K252a) or 2-(2-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one (PD98059) blocked the augmentation in synaptic activity induced by the neurotrophin.
...
PMID:Regulation of glycinergic and GABAergic synaptogenesis by brain-derived neurotrophic factor in developing spinal neurons. 1730 67
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