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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)

MEK, a dual specificity threonine/tyrosine kinase, has been postulated to be a convergent point for signaling from receptor protein tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and G-protein-coupled receptors. In contrast to yeast and mammalian cells where several MEKs have been isolated, only one Drosophila MEK (D-Mek) has been characterized to date. Previous studies have shown that D-Mek acts in the Torso RTK signaling pathway. To demonstrate that D-Mek also operates downstream of other RTKs, we generated a temperature-sensitive allele of D-mek (D-mekts) by site-directed mutagenesis based on the amino acid change of a yeast cdc2ts mutation. Using D-mekts, we show that in addition to its role in Torso signaling, D-Mek operates in the Sevenless and in the Drosophila epidermal growth factor RTK pathways. Because loss-of-function mutations in D-mek and the upstream receptors give rise to similar phenotypes, it suggests that D-mek is the only MEK activated by Drosophila RTKs. In addition, we demonstrate that different RTK pathways respond differently to alteration in D-Mek activity.
Genes Dev 1994 Sep 15
PMID:A temperature-sensitive MEK mutation demonstrates the conservation of the signaling pathways activated by receptor tyrosine kinases. 795 87

The simian virus 40 small tumor antigen (small t) specifically interacts with protein phosphatase type 2A (PP2A) in vivo and alters its catalytic activity in vitro. Among the substrates for PP2A in vitro are the activated forms of MEK and ERK kinases. Dephosphorylation of the activating phosphorylation sites on MEK and ERKs by PP2A in vitro results in a decrease in their respective kinase activities. Recently, it has been shown that overexpression of small t in CV-1 cells results in an inhibition of PP2A activity toward MEK and ERK2 and a constitutive upregulation of MEK and ERK2 activity. Previously, we have observed that overexpression of either ERK1, MEK1, or a constitutively active truncated form of c-Raf-1 (BXB) is insufficient to activate AP-1 in REF52 fibroblasts. We therefore examined whether overexpression of small t either alone or in conjunction with ERK1, MEK1, or BXB could activate AP-1. We found that coexpression of small t and either ERK1, MEK1, or BXB resulted in an increase in AP-1 activity, whereas expression of either small t or any of the kinases alone did not have any effect. Similarly, coexpression of small t and ERK1 activated serum response element-regulated promoters. Coexpression of kinase-deficient mutants of ERK1 and ERK2 inhibited the activation of AP-1 caused by expression of small t and either MEK1 or BXB. Coexpression of an interfering MEK, which inhibited AP-1 activation by small t and BXB, did not inhibit the activation of AP-1 caused by small t and ERK1. In contrast to REF52 cells, we observed that overexpression of either small or ERK1 alone in CV-1 cells was sufficient to stimulate AP-1 activity and that this stimulation was not enhanced by expression of small t and ERK1 together. These results show that the effects of small t on immediate-early gene expression depend on the cell type examined and suggest that the mitogen-activated protein kinase activation pathway is distinctly regulated in different cell types.
Mol Cell Biol 1994 Sep
PMID:Simian virus 40 small t antigen cooperates with mitogen-activated kinases to stimulate AP-1 activity. 806 56

The platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor couples with multiple signaling pathways such as activation of phospholipase C, phospholipase A2, and mitogen-activated protein kinase and the inhibition of adenylate cyclase. The PAF-induced signals are attenuated by repetitive or long standing applications of the agonist (homologous desensitization). To investigate mechanisms underlying the agonist-induced desensitization, we constructed mutant forms of the cloned guinea pig PAF receptor and stably expressed them in Chinese hamster ovary cells. The cells expressing the wild type receptor transiently activated phospholipase C in response to PAF. Intracellular inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate level and intracellular Ca2+ concentration reached the maximal levels within 20 s and returned to the basal levels in several minutes, even in the continuous presence of the ligand. In contrast, a truncated PAF receptor lacking the carboxyl-terminal cytoplasmic tail induced sustained elevations of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and intracellular Ca2+ concentrations. Similar findings were noted in another mutant, in which the Ser/Thr residues in the carboxyl-terminal tail were substituted with Ala. Both mutant PAF receptors more potently activated the other signals (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase, arachidonate release, and inhibition of adenylate cyclase) than did the wild type receptor. Thus, while the carboxyl-terminal cytoplasmic tail of the PAF receptor is not required for the forward activation of multiple signals, it does have a critical role for signal attenuation induced by the agonist through phosphate accepters. We also noted that the synthetic peptide of the PAF receptor carboxyl-terminal tail was strongly phosphorylated by the recombinant beta-adrenergic receptor kinase 1, suggesting that it or its relatives might be involved in PAF receptor phosphorylation and homologous desensitization.
J Biol Chem 1994 Sep 02
PMID:Role of cytoplasmic tail phosphorylation sites of platelet-activating factor receptor in agonist-induced desensitization. 807 75

We have identified, in Xenopus oocyte cytosol, a protein kinase named REKS (Ras-dependent extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) stimulator), which phosphorylates and activates recombinant ERK2 through recombinant MEK in a recombinant GTP gamma S (guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate)-Ras-dependent manner. We show here that this REKS activity is synergistically enhanced by a combination of mammalian recombinant GTP gamma S-KiRas and 14-3-3 protein purified from rat brain. 14-3-3 protein is known to activate tyrosine and tryptophan hydroxylases, to modulate the protein kinase C activity, to stimulate secretion, and to show phospholipase A2 activity per se. 14-3-3 protein did not affect the MEK activity. 14-3-3 protein neither interacted with Ki-Ras nor affected the neurofibromin activity to stimulate the GTPase activity of Ki-Ras under the conditions where the recombinant N-terminal fragment of c-Raf-1 inhibited it. These results suggest that 14-3-3 protein has an additional function in the regulation of the Ras-MEK-ERK cascade pathway through the activation of REKS.
J Biol Chem 1994 Sep 16
PMID:Synergistic activation by Ras and 14-3-3 protein of a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase named Ras-dependent extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase stimulator. 808 86

To identify proteins that may participate in the activation of the protein kinase Raf, proteins that interact with Raf were selected in a two-hybrid screen. Two members of the 14-3-3 protein family were isolated that interacted with both the amino terminal regulatory regions of Raf and the kinase domain of Raf, but did not compete with the guanine nucleotide-binding protein Ras for binding to Raf. 14-3-3 proteins associated with Raf in mammalian cells and accompanied Raf to the membrane in the presence of activated Ras. In yeast cells expressing Raf and MEK, mammalian 14-3-3 beta or 14-3-3 zeta activated Raf to a similar extent as did expression of Ras. Therefore, 14-3-3 proteins may participate in or be required for the regulation of Raf function. These findings suggest a role for 14-3-3 proteins in Raf-mediated signal transduction.
Science 1994 Sep 16
PMID:Binding of 14-3-3 proteins to the protein kinase Raf and effects on its activation. 808 58

Intracellular signaling from receptor tyrosine kinases in mammalian cells results in activation of a signal cascade that includes the guanine nucleotide-binding protein Ras and the protein kinases Raf, MEK [mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) or extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) kinase], and MAPK. MAPK activation that is dependent on the coupling of Ras and Raf was reconstituted in yeast. Yeast genes were isolated that, when overexpressed, enhanced the function of Raf. One of them is identical to BMH1, which encodes a protein similar to members of the mammalian 14-3-3 family. Bacterially synthesized mammalian 14-3-3 protein stimulated the activity of Raf prepared from yeast cells expressing c-Raf-1. Thus, the 14-3-3 protein may participate in or be required for activation of Raf.
Science 1994 Sep 16
PMID:Stimulatory effects of yeast and mammalian 14-3-3 proteins on the Raf protein kinase. 808 59

Human neutrophils respond to chemoattractants, resulting in their accumulation at an inflammatory site. Chemoattractants such as the C5a peptide, derived from the C5 complement factor, bind to inhibitory guanine nucleotide binding protein (Gi)-coupled seven membrane-spanning receptors expressed in neutrophils. C5a receptor activation results in the Gi-dependent activation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway in human neutrophils. C5a receptor ligation activates both B-Raf and Raf-1, with B-Raf activation overlapping but temporally distinct from that of Raf-1. B-Raf and Raf-1 both efficiently phosphorylate MAP kinase kinase (MEK-1). C5a also stimulates guanine nucleotide exchange and activation of Ras. Ras and Raf activation in response to C5a involves protein kinase C-dependent and -independent pathways. Activation of both Raf-1 and B-Raf was inhibited by protein kinase A stimulation, consistent with the inhibitory effects of increased cAMP levels on neutrophil function. The findings define a functional signal transduction pathway linking the neutrophil C5a chemoattractant receptor to the regulation of Ras, B-Raf, Raf-1, and MAP kinase.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1994 Sep 13
PMID:Mapping of the C5a receptor signal transduction network in human neutrophils. 809 Jul 90

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (p42mapk and p44mapk) are serine/threonine kinases that are activated rapidly in cells stimulated with various extracellular signals. This activation is mediated via MAP kinase kinase (p45mapkk), a dual specificity kinase which phosphorylates two key regulatory threonine and tyrosine residues of MAP kinases. We reported previously that the persistent phase of MAP kinase activation is essential for mitogenically stimulated cells to pass the "restriction point" of the cell cycle. Here, using specific polyclonal antibodies and transfection of epitope-tagged recombinant MAP kinases we demonstrate that these signaling protein kinases undergo distinct spatio-temporal localization in growth factor-stimulated cells. In G0-arrested hamster fibroblasts the activator p45mapkk and MAP kinases (p42mapk, p44mapk) are mainly cytoplasmic. Subsequent to mitogenic stimulation by serum or alpha-thrombin both MAP kinase isoforms translocate into the nucleus. This translocation is rapid (seen in 15 min), persistent (at least during the entire G1 period up to 6 h), reversible (by removal of the mitogenic stimulus) and apparently 'coupled' to the mitogenic potential; it does not occur in response to nonmitogenic agents such as alpha-thrombin-receptor synthetic peptides and phorbol esters that fail to activate MAP kinases persistently. When p42mapk and p44mapk are expressed stably at high levels, they are found in the nucleus of resting cells; this nuclear localization is also apparent with kinase-deficient mutants (p44mapk T192A or Y194F). In marked contrast the p45mapkk activator remains cytoplasmic even during prolonged growth factor stimulation and even after high expression levels achieved by transfection. We propose that the rapid and persistent nuclear transfer of p42mapk and p44mapk during the entire G0-G1 period is crucial for the function of these kinases in mediating the growth response.
J Cell Biol 1993 Sep
PMID:Growth factors induce nuclear translocation of MAP kinases (p42mapk and p44mapk) but not of their activator MAP kinase kinase (p45mapkk) in fibroblasts. 839 45

Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases comprise an evolutionarily conserved family of proteins that includes at least three vertebrate protein kinases (p42, p44, and p55 MAPK) and five yeast protein kinases (SPK1, MPK1, HOG1, FUS3, and KSS1). Members of this family are activated by a variety of extracellular agents that influence cellular proliferation and differentiation. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, there are multiple physiologically distinct MAP kinase activation pathways composed of structurally related kinases. The recently cloned vertebrate MAP kinase activators are structurally related to MAP kinase activators in these yeast pathways. These similarities suggest that homologous kinase cascades are utilized for signal transduction in many, if not all, eukaryotes. We have identified additional members of the MAP kinase activator family in Xenopus laevis by a polymerase chain reaction-based analysis of embryonic cDNAs. One of the clones identified (XMEK2) encodes a unique predicted protein kinase that is similar to the previously reported activator (MAPKK) in X. laevis. XMEK2, a highly expressed maternal mRNA, is developmentally regulated during embryogenesis and expressed in brain and muscle. Expression of XMEK2 in yeast cells suppressed the growth defect associated with loss of the yeast MAP kinase activator homologs, MKK1 and MKK2. Partial sequence of a second cDNA clone (XMEK3) identified yet another potential MAP kinase activator. The pattern of expression of XMEK3 is distinct from that of p42 MAPK and XMEK2. The high degree of amino acid sequence similarity of XMEK2, XMEK3, and MAPKK suggests that these three are related members of an amphibian family of protein kinases involved in the activation of MAP kinase. Discovery of this family suggests that multiple MAP kinase activation pathways similar to those in yeast cells exist in vertebrates.
Mol Cell Biol 1993 Sep
PMID:Novel members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase activator family in Xenopus laevis. 839 11

Stimulation of the acetylcholine muscarinic m2 receptor (m2R) expressed in Rat 1a fibroblasts results in the activation of the cytoplasmic mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Concomitant with carbachol stimulation of the m2R was the activation of MEK (MAPK kinase) and Raf. MEK is the dual function kinase that phosphorylates and activates MAPK. Raf is a serine/threonine kinase capable of phosphorylating and activating MEK. Carbachol stimulation of the m2R also activated Ras. Pertussis toxin treatment of Rat 1a cells inhibited the m2R-mediated activation of Ras, Raf, MEK and MAPK. In contrast, epidermal growth factor receptor-mediated activation of Ras, Raf, MEK and MAPK was pertussis toxin-insensitive. m2R activation of Ras, Raf, and MAPK was insensitive to inhibition by genistein, while the epidermal growth factor receptor-induced responses were inhibited by genistein. The findings demonstrate that both Ras and Raf can be regulated by seven-membrane-spanning receptors that selectively couple to Gi proteins.
J Biol Chem 1993 Sep 15
PMID:Involvement of Ras and Raf in the Gi-coupled acetylcholine muscarinic m2 receptor activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase kinase and MAP kinase. 839 28


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