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)

In addition to their inhibitory effects, cannabinoids also exert stimulatory activity which can be detected at the cellular level. In a previous study, we demonstrated a stimulatory effect of the synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist desacetyllevonantradol (DALN) on Ca(2+) flux into N18TG2 neuroblastoma cells, and suggested a dual mechanism: one pathway mediated by PKA and the other one by protein kinase C (PKC). Here we studied the PKC-mediated effect of DALN on Ca(2+) influx. The stimulatory effect of DALN on Ca(2+) influx was partially blocked by the PKC inhibitor chelerythrine, by the metalloprotease inhibitor o-phenanthroline and by the MEK (mitogen-activated protein-kinase kinase, MAPK kinase) inhibitor PD98059. Immunobloting of ERK1/2 MAPK demonstrated phosphorylation by DALN, and indicated the involvement of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor tyrosin kinases (RTKs) in MAPK activation as it was blocked by oxindole-1. Transactivation of the VEGFR-MAPK cascade by DALN involved CB1 cannabinoid receptors coupled to Gi/Go GTP-binding proteins as it was blocked by SR141716A and by pertussis toxin (PTX). The pharmacological implications of this novel mechanism of cannabinoid activity are discussed.
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PMID:The involvement of VEGF receptors and MAPK in the cannabinoid potentiation of Ca2+ flux into N18TG2 neuroblastoma cells. 1474 3

The ability of cancer cells to proliferate abnormally and invade surrounding tissue is among the most important features of the malignant phenotype. The mechanisms by which the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade regulates these phenotypes have been investigated for many years. Activated GTP bound Ras binds the upstream protein kinases Raf-1 and B-Raf. The MAPK kinases 1 and 2, known as MKK or MEK, are phosphorylated and activated by Raf. MEKs phosphorylate the extracellular signal regulated kinases ERK1 and ERK2. A unique member of the MAPK family is p97MAPK, the human homolog of rat ERK3. p97MAPK is ubiquitously expressed but whether its cellular functions are different from ERK1 and ERK2 is unknown. p97MAPK is highly expressed in human cancer cell lines. In the present study, expression of p97MAPK was unique among the ERK family in that its expression was induced when human carcinoma cell lines are plated on type IV collagen. This increased expression correlated with slower cancer cell proliferation on collagen compared to plastic tissue culture dishes. Overexpression of p97MAPK was sufficient to inhibit cellular proliferation with concomitant changes in cell cycle regulatory protein expression. p97MAPK also inhibited cancer cell migration and invasion by decreasing Rac1 expression but not that of matrix metalloproteinase 9 which is regulated by other ERKs. These data represent the first reported function of p97MAPK in human cancer cells.
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PMID:Induction of p97MAPK expression regulates collagen mediated inhibition of proliferation and migration in human squamous cell carcinoma lines. 1506 37

Signals from several receptor tyrosine kinases are transduced by activation of the Ras family of GTP-binding proteins. Activation of Ras initiates a kinase cascade that culminates in activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). The MAPKs include the c-jun NH(2)-terminal protein kinases (JNKs) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), both of which phosphorylate Elk-1/TCF, a factor that activates transcription of the c-fos gene. In this report, we identify a novel 19 kDa gene product as a negative regulator of signaling through the ERK1/2 pathway. While these studies were in progress, the human homologue of this gene was characterized as diphosphoinositol polyphosphate phosphohydrolase (DIPP1) [EMBO J. 17 (1998) 6599], a phosphohydrolase that converts diphosphate groups on diphosphoinositol polyphosphates to monophosphates. Ectopic expression of murine DIPP1 (muDIPP1) blocked activation of the c-fos promoter by the ERK1/2 pathway. Inhibition of signal transduction through the ERK1/2 pathway by muDIPP1 occurs at or downstream from activation of MEK. In vitro kinase studies suggest that muDIPP1 is not a direct inhibitor of MEK or ERK activity, although, ectopic expression at near physiological levels results in attenuation of ERK phosphorylation in vivo. Interestingly, a site mutant of muDIPP1 lacking phosphohydrolase activity blocked signaling through the ERK1/2 pathway with greater efficiency than wild-type muDIPP1. This result suggests that inhibition of signaling through the ERK1/2 pathway is a distinct function of muDIPP1 that is not dependent on, but may be regulated by, its activity as a phosphohydrolase.
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PMID:Ectopic expression of murine diphosphoinositol polyphosphate phosphohydrolase 1 attenuates signaling through the ERK1/2 pathway. 1521 65

When cultured cerebellar granule neurones are transferred from a medium containing high extracellular potassium concentration ([K+]e) (25 mm) to one with lower [K+]e (5 mm), caspase-3 activity is induced and cells die apoptotically. In contrast, if cells in non-depolarizing conditions are treated with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), caspase-3 activity, chromatin condensation and cell death are markedly diminished. In this study, we show that the C-terminal domain of the tetanus toxin heavy-chain (Hc-TeTx) is able to produce the same neuroprotective effect, as assessed by reduction of tetrazolium salts and by chromatin condensation. Hc-TeTx-conferred neuroprotection appears to depend on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase, as is demonstrated by the selective inhibitors Wortmannin and PD98059, respectively. Hc-TeTx also induces phosphorylation of the tyrosine kinase BDNF receptor, activation of p21Ras in its GTP-bound form, and phosphorylation of the cascade including extracellular-signal-regulated kinases-1/2 (ERK-1/2), p90 ribosomal S6 kinase (p90rsk) and CREB (cAMP-response-element-binding protein). On the other hand, activation of the Akt pathway is also detected, as well as inhibition of the active form of caspase-3. These results point to an implication of both PI3K- and ERK-dependent pathways in the promotion of cerebellar granule cell survival by Hc-TeTx.
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PMID:The C-terminal domain of the heavy chain of tetanus toxin rescues cerebellar granule neurones from apoptotic death: involvement of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. 1531 77

In this study we have investigated the effects of the small GTP-binding-protein Ras on the redox signalling of the human neuroblastoma cell line, SK-N-BE stably transfected with HaRas(Val12). The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and superoxide anions were significantly higher in HaRas(Val12) expressing (SK-HaRas) cells than in control cells. The treatment of cells with 4-(2-aminoethyl) benzenesulfonylfluoride, a specific inhibitor of the membrane superoxide generating system NADPH oxidase, suppressed the rise in ROS and significantly reduced superoxide levels produced by SK-HaRas cells. Moreover, HaRas(Val12) induced the translocation of the cytosolic components of the NADPH oxidase complex p67(phox) and Rac to the plasma membrane. These effects depended on the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK/ERK1/2) pathway, as the specific MEK inhibitor, PD98059, prevented HaRas-mediated increase in ROS and superoxide anions. In contrast, the specific phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors LY294002 and wortmannin were unable to reverse the effects of HaRas(Val12). Moreover, cholinergic stimulation of neuroblastoma cells by carbachol, which activated endogenous Ras/ERK1/2, induced a significant increase in ROS levels and elicited membrane translocation of p67(phox) and Rac. ROS generation induced by carbachol required the activation of ERK1/2 and PI3K. Hence, these data indicate that HaRas-induced ERK1/2 signalling selectively activates NADPH oxidase system in neuroblastoma cells.
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PMID:HaRas activates the NADPH oxidase complex in human neuroblastoma cells via extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 pathway. 1548 92

ACTH is the hormone known to control adrenal cortex function and maintenance in the intact animal but, in culture, it inhibits proliferation of adrenocortical cells from different mammalian species, a puzzle that has remained unsolved for nearly 30 years. In this paper we compare ACTH and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) antagonistic effects on the cell cycle in the Y1 cell line, a functional lineage of mouse adreno-cortical tumor cells. This cell line displays chronic high levels of c-Ki-Ras-GTP, high active constitutive levels of phosphatidylinositol 3-OH kinase/Protein Kinase B (PI3K/AKT) and low constitutive basal expression of c-Myc, which accounts for a minor deregulation of the cell cycle. In G0/G1-arrested Y1 cells, over-expression of the dominant negative mutant HaRasN17 drastically reduces c-Ki-Ras-GTP levels, eliminating basal c-Myc expression and basal S phase entry. PI3K/Akt seems to be the downstream pathway from c-Ki-ras for deregulation of c-Myc basal expression, since wortmannin abolishes c-Myc expression in serum-starved, G0/G1-arrested Y1 cells. FGF2 is a strong mitogen for Y1 cells, promoting -- in a manner dependent on the MEK/ERK pathway -- c-myc transcription induction, c-Myc protein stabilization and S phase entry in G0/G1-arrested Y1 cells. On the other hand, ACTH causes c-Myc protein destabilization, partially blocking S phase entry induced by FGF2, by a process dependent on the cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) pathway. The whole pathway activated by ACTH to destabilize c-Myc protein in Y1 cells might comprise the following steps: ACTH receptor -->cAMP/PKA --> Akt deactivation -->GSK3 activity liberation --> c-Myc Thr58 phosphorylation. We demonstrate that c-Myc regulation is a central key in the cell cycle control by these factors, since enforced expression of c-Myc through the MycER chimera abrogates the ACTH inhibitory effect over FGF2-induced S phase entry.
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PMID:c-Myc protein is stabilized by fibroblast growth factor 2 and destabilized by ACTH to control cell cycle in mouse Y1 adrenocortical cells. 1559 Oct 23

The YadA protein of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis promotes tight adhesion and invasion into mammalian cells through beta(1)-integrins. In this work, we demonstrate that YadA also triggers the production of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in host cells and we identify intracellular signal transduction mechanisms involved in YadA-initiated cell invasion and/or IL-8 synthesis. Tyrosine protein kinases, including the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and c-Src, as well as the small GTPase Ras, were shown to play a significant role in both YadA-promoted cell processes. YadA-mediated cell contact led to autophosphorylation of FAK at position Tyr397 and induced GTP-loading of Ras. Furthermore, IL-8 production and invasion induced by YadA were strongly reduced in FAK- and c-Src-deficient cells and in cells overexpressing dominant interfering forms of FAK, c-Src or Ras. We also demonstrate that YadA activates the Ras-dependent Raf-MEK1/2-ERK1/2 pathway and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) p38 and JNK. Moreover, inhibition of ERK1/2 by pharmacological agents or overexpression of dominant negative FAK, c-Src or Ras abrogated IL-8 release, whereas invasion remained unaffected. In contrast, actin polymerization and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) activity is essential for YadA-promoted cell entry, but not for cytokine secretion. We conclude that YadA triggers FAK-Src complex formation and subsequent Ras activation, which leads to the stimulation of MAPKs-dependent IL-8 production or to PI3K-dependent invasion.
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PMID:Cell invasion and IL-8 production pathways initiated by YadA of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis require common signalling molecules (FAK, c-Src, Ras) and distinct cell factors. 1561 24

Evidence from epidemiological studies and animal models suggests a link between high levels of dietary fat intake and risk of breast cancer. In addition, obesity, in which circulating lipids are elevated, is associated with increased risk of various cancers. Relative to this point, we previously showed that oleate stimulates the proliferation of breast cancer cells and that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase plays a role in this process. Nonetheless, questions remain regarding the precise mechanism(s) by which oleate promotes breast cancer cell growth. Pharmacological inhibitors of the GTP-binding proteins G(i)/G(o), phospholipase C, Src, and mitogenic-extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (MEK 1/2) decreased oleate-induced [3H]thymidine incorporation in the breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. In addition, oleate caused a rapid and transient rise in cytosolic Ca2+ and an increase in protein kinase B phosphorylation. Overexpressing in these cells the G protein-coupled receptor GPR40, a fatty acid receptor, amplified oleate-induced proliferation, whereas silencing the GPR40 gene using RNA interference decreased it. Overexpressing GPR40 in T47D and MCF-7 breast cancer cells that are poorly responsive to oleate allowed a robust proliferative action of oleate. The data indicate that the phospholipase C, MEK 1/2, Src, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathways are implicated in the proliferative signal induced by oleate and that these effects are mediated at least in part via the G protein-coupled receptor GPR40. The results suggest that GPR40 is implicated in the control of breast cancer cell growth by fatty acids and that GPR40 may provide a link between fat and cancer.
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PMID:Oleate promotes the proliferation of breast cancer cells via the G protein-coupled receptor GPR40. 1569 16

The mammalian Rit and Rin proteins, along with the Drosophila homologue RIC, comprise a distinct and evolutionarily conserved subfamily of Ras-related small GTP-binding proteins. Unlike other Ras superfamily members, these proteins lack a signal for prenylation, contain a conserved but distinct effector domain, and, in the case of Rin and RIC, contain calmodulin-binding domains. To address the physiological role of this Ras subfamily in vivo, activated forms of the Drosophila Ric gene were introduced into flies. Expression of activated RIC proteins altered the development of well-characterized adult structures, including wing veins and photoreceptors of the compound eye. The effects of activated RIC could be mitigated by a reduction in dosage of several genes in the Drosophila Ras cascade, including Son of sevenless (Sos), Dsor (MEK), rolled (MAPK), and Ras itself. On the other hand, reduction of calmodulin exacerbated the defects caused by activated RIC, thus providing the first functional evidence for interaction of these molecules. We conclude that the activation of the Ras cascade may be an important in vivo requisite to the transduction of signals through RIC and that the binding of calmodulin to RIC may negatively regulate this small GTPase.
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PMID:Activated RIC, a small GTPase, genetically interacts with the Ras pathway and calmodulin during Drosophila development. 1571 77

The c-Jun/AP-1 transcription complex is associated with diverse cellular processes such as differentiation, proliferation, transformation, and apoptosis. These different biological endpoints are likely achieved by the regulation of specific target gene expression. We describe the identification of Ras guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1, Ras-GRF1, by microarray analysis as a c-Jun/AP-1 regulated gene essential for anchorage-independent growth of immortalized rat fibroblasts. Increased Ras-GRF1 expression, in response to inducible c-Jun expression in Rat1a fibroblasts, was confirmed by both real-time PCR and Northern blot analysis. We show that c-Jun/AP-1 can bind and activate the Ras-GRF1 promoter in vivo. A 75-kDa c-Jun/AP-1-inducible protein, p75-Ras-GRF1, was detected, and the inhibition of its expression with antisense oligomers significantly blocked c-Jun-regulated anchorage-independent cell growth. p75-Ras-GRF1 expression occurred with a concomitant increase in activated Ras (GTP bound), and the activation of Ras was significantly inhibited by antisense Ras-GRF1 oligomers. Moreover, p75-Ras-GRF1 could be coprecipitated with a Ras dominant-negative glutathione S-transferase (GST) construct, GST-Ras15A, demonstrating an interaction between p75-Ras-GRF1 and Ras. A downstream target of Ras activation, Elk-1, had increased transcriptional activity in c-Jun-expressing cells, and this activation was inhibited by dominant-negative Ras. In addition, c-Jun overexpression resulted in an increase in phospho-AKT while phosphorylation of ERK1/2 remained largely unaffected. The inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT signal transduction by Ly294002 and wortmannin significantly blocked c-Jun-regulated morphological transformation, while inhibition of basal MEK-ERK activity with PD98059 and U0126 had little effect. We conclude that c-Jun/AP-1 regulates endogenous p75-Ras-GRF1 expression and that c-Jun/AP-1-regulated anchorage-independent cell growth requires activation of Ras-PI3K-AKT signal transduction.
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PMID:p75-Ras-GRF1 is a c-Jun/AP-1 target protein: its up regulation results in increased Ras activity and is necessary for c-Jun-induced nonadherent growth of Rat1a cells. 1579 16


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