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)

Interleukin-9 (IL-9) stimulates the proliferation of mast cells and lymphocytes. In the present study, we showed that IL-9 induced a transient phosphorylation of MEK, ERK2 and p90/RSK in murine lymphoid and mast cell lines. ERK2 in vitro kinase activity was also increased upon IL-9 stimulation. Similar results were obtained with IL-4, which had not been previously reported to activate these kinases in hematopoietic cells. Analysis of IL-9 receptor mutants showed that activation of the pathway was correlated with proliferation and with phosphorylation of the adaptor protein SHC, but not IRS2 or GAB2. The MEK inhibitor PD98059 reduced the mitogenic response to IL-4 and IL-9. In addition, expression of a dominant-negative RAS variant blocked ERK phosphorylation and significantly decreased Ba/F3 cell growth in the presence of IL-9, but did not affect expression of pim-1, a STAT target gene. In summary, these results indicate that IL-9 can transiently activate the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, which contributes to growth stimulation of hematopoietic cell lines.
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PMID:MAP kinase activation by interleukin-9 in lymphoid and mast cell lines. 1266 Aug 12

The Raf/MEK/ERK kinase cascade is pivotal in transmitting signals from membrane receptors to transcription factors that control gene expression culminating in the regulation of cell cycle progression. This cascade can prevent cell death through ERK2 and p90(Rsk) activation and phosphorylation of apoptotic and cell cycle regulatory proteins. The PI3K/Akt kinase cascade also controls apoptosis and can phosphorylate many apoptotic and cell cycle regulatory proteins. These pathways are interwoven as Akt can phosphorylate Raf and result in its inactivation, and Raf can be required for the antiapoptotic effects of Akt. In this study, the effects of activated Raf (Raf-1, A-Raf and B-Raf) and PI3K/Akt proteins on abrogation of cytokine dependence in FL5.12 hematopoietic cells were examined. Activated Raf, PI3K or Akt expression, by themselves, did not readily relieve cytokine dependence. The presence of activated Raf and PI3K/Akt increased the isolation of factor-independent cells from 400- to 2500-fold depending upon the particular combination examined. The individual effects of activated Raf and Akt on proliferation, apoptosis and autocrine growth factor synthesis were further examined with hormone-inducible constructs (Delta Raf-1:AR and Delta Akt:ER*(Myr(+)). Activation of either Raf or Akt hindered cell death; however, both proliferation and maximal synthesis of autocrine cytokines were dependent upon activation of both signaling pathways. The effects of small molecular weight inhibitors on DNA synthesis and cytokine gene expression were also examined. The PI3K inhibitor, LY294002, inhibited growth and cytokine gene expression. This effect could be synergistically increased by addition of the MEK inhibitor UO126. These cells will be useful in elucidating the interactions between Raf/MEK/ERK and PI3K/Akt cascades in proliferation, apoptosis, and leukemogenesis, as well as evaluating the efficacy of signal transduction inhibitors that target these cascades.
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PMID:Effects of the RAF/MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT signal transduction pathways on the abrogation of cytokine-dependence and prevention of apoptosis in hematopoietic cells. 1271 25

The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27Kip1 plays an important role in cell cycle regulation. The cyclin-dependent kinase-inhibitory activity of p27Kip1 is regulated by changes in its concentration and its subcellular localization. Several reports suggest that phosphorylation of p27Kip1 at serine 10, threonine 157, and threonine 187 regulate its localization. We have previously identified that carboxyl-terminal threonine 198 (Thr198) in p27Kip1 is a novel phosphorylation site and that Akt is associated with the phosphorylation at the site (Fujita, N., Sato, S., Katayama, K., and Tsuruo, T. (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 277, 28706-28713). We show herein that activation of the Ras/Raf/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPK kinase/MEK) pathway also regulates phosphorylation of p27Kip1 at Thr198. MAPKs were not directly associated with p27Kip1 phosphorylation at Thr198, but the p90 ribosomal protein S6 kinases (RSKs) could bind to and directly phosphorylate p27Kip1 at Thr198 in a Ras/Raf/MEK-dependent manner. RSK-dependent phosphorylation promoted the p27Kip1 binding to 14-3-3 and its cytoplasmic localization. To prove the direct relationship between 14-3-3 binding and cytoplasmic localization, we constructed a p27Kip1-R18 fusion protein in which the R18 peptide was fused to the carboxyl-terminal region of p27Kip1. The R18 peptide is known to interact with 14-3-3 independent of phosphorylation. The p27Kip1-R18 distributed mainly in the cytosol, whereas mutant p27Kip1-R18 (p27Kip1-R18-K2) that had no 14-3-3 binding capability existed mainly in the nucleus. These results indicate that RSKs play a crucial role in cell cycle progression through translocation of p27Kip1, in addition to Akt, to the cytoplasm in a phosphorylation and 14-3-3 binding-dependent manner.
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PMID:Phosphorylation of p27Kip1 at threonine 198 by p90 ribosomal protein S6 kinases promotes its binding to 14-3-3 and cytoplasmic localization. 1450 89

Anthracyclines are commonly used chemotherapeutics, and in some models enhance p44/42-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway signaling by effects on upstream kinases. To evaluate the impact of anthracyclines on p44/42-MAPK in breast cancer, A1N4-myc human mammary and BT-474 and MDA-MB-231 breast carcinoma cells were studied. Treatment with doxorubicin or epirubicin resulted in increased phospho-p44/42-MAPK levels in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. This was associated with p44/42 activation, as reflected by increased p90 ribosomal protein S6 kinase and Bad phosphorylation. Activation of p44/42 appeared to be antiapoptotic, since MAPK stimulation with epidermal growth factor or a dominant-positive p42 construct inhibited apoptosis. Modest activation of the upstream MAPK kinase MEK was noted under some conditions, but inhibition of MEK did not abolish p44/42 activation, suggesting a contribution from another mechanism. Anthracyclines were found to decrease expression of MAPK phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) both in vitro and in vivo. MKP-1 mRNA levels were decreased in anthracycline-treated cells, and transcription from the MKP-1 promoter was repressed. Inhibition of MKP-1 expression through the use of small interfering RNAs decreased the ability of anthracyclines to induce phospho-p44/42. Wild-type mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) treated with doxorubicin showed increased phospho-p44/42-MAPK levels, but MEFs from MKP-1 heterozygous and homozygous knockout mice had blunted p44/42 activation. These studies support the ability of anthracyclines to activate antiapoptotic p44/42-MAPK phosphorylation in breast cancer, and indicate that this occurs in part through the novel mechanism of repression of MKP-1 transcription.
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PMID:Repression of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphatase-1 by anthracyclines contributes to their antiapoptotic activation of p44/42-MAPK. 1455 75

Undersulfation of the basement membrane matrix of alveolar type II (AT2) cells compared with that of neighboring type I cells is believed to account for some of the known morphological and functional differences between these pneumocytes. Heparin, a model for sulfated components of basement membrane matrices, is known to inhibit fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2-stimulated DNA synthesis as well as gene expression of FGF-2 and its receptor in AT2 cells. To determine whether these end points result from specific effects of heparin on FGF-related signaling pathways, isolated rat AT2 cells were treated with 100 ng/ml FGF-1 or FGF-2 in the presence of up to 500 microg/ml heparin. In addition, experiments were done on cells grown in the presence of 20 mM sodium chlorate (sulfation inhibitor). High-dose heparin reduced FGF-1- or FGF-2-stimulated phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases (MEK1/2), p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK/ERK1/2), stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase, Akt/protein kinase B, and p90(RSK). FGF-2-stimulated signaling was more sensitive to heparin's effects than was signaling stimulated by FGF-1. Heparin had an additive effect on the reduced [(3)H]thymidine incorporation in FGF-2-treated AT2 cells caused by inhibition of the MEK/ERK pathway by the MEK inhibitor PD-98059. The data suggest that heparin's known capacity to alter DNA synthesis and, possibly, other biological end points is realized via cross talk between multiple signaling pathways.
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PMID:Heparin affects signaling pathways stimulated by fibroblast growth factor-1 and -2 in type II cells. 1496 81

We recently reported that cAMP suppresses apoptosis in colon cancer cells and induces cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein-2 (c-IAP2) via a cAMP-responsive element (CRE), suggesting a mechanism for chemoprevention of colon cancer by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In this study, we used T84 human colon cancer cells to define the pathway by which increases in cAMP induce c-IAP2 expression. Treatment with several different cAMP agonists stimulated phosphorylation of CRE-binding protein (CREB) and activated expression of c-IAP2 in a CREB-dependent manner. Studies with pharmacological inhibitors revealed that cAMP-dependent phosphorylation of CREB required activation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK but was largely independent of protein kinase A. Immunoblots and transcriptional reporter assays using specific inhibitors, as well as expression of constitutively active forms of MEK1 and MKK3, showed that c-IAP2 induction by cAMP is regulated predominantly through ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK and suggested involvement of p90 ribosomal protein S6 kinase and mitogen and stress response kinase-1 as well. Consistent with those results, we found that cAMP-dependent suppression of apoptosis was blocked by treatment with inhibitors of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK. We conclude that cAMP can induce c-IAP2 expression in colon cancer cells through CREB phosphorylation and CRE-dependent transcription in a manner that involves activation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK. These results emphasize that activation of kinases other than protein kinase A can mediate the actions of agents that increase cAMP, particularly in the regulation of CREB-dependent events.
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PMID:Cyclic AMP promotes cAMP-responsive element-binding protein-dependent induction of cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein-2 and suppresses apoptosis of colon cancer cells through ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK. 1507 90

Radiation-induced endothelial cell apoptosis is involved in the development of many radiation injuries, including radiation-induced skin ulcers. The proangiogenic growth factor basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF, NUDT6) enhances endothelial cell survival. In the present study, we set up a model of apoptosis in which primary cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were irradiated with (60)Co gamma rays to explore the effects of bFGF on radiation-induced apoptosis of HUVECs and the signaling pathways involved. We found that bFGF inhibited radiation-induced apoptosis of HUVECs, and that the effect was mediated in part by the RAS/MEK/ MAPK/RSK (p90 ribosomal S6 kinase)/BAD pathway. This pathway was activated by exposure of irradiated HUVECs to bFGF, involving phosphorylation of FGFR, MEK and p44/42 MAPK. The survival-enhancing effect of bFGF was partly inhibited by U0126 and PD98059. The fact that the anti-apoptosis effect of bFGF on irradiated HUVECs was not completely abrogated by U0126 and PD98059 suggests that other survival signaling pathways may exist. Transfection of a dominant-negative form of RSK2 (DN RSK2) partly blocked the anti-apoptosis effect of bFGF in irradiated HUVECs. Moreover, we provide evidence for the first time that bFGF induced BAD phosphorylation (at serine 112) and CREB (cAMP response element-binding protein) activation (phosphorylation at serine 133) in gamma-irradiated HUVECs. In our model, inhibition of MAPK signaling-dependent phosphorylation of BAD at serine 112 promoted increased association with BCL-X(L), suggesting that MAPK pathway-dependent serine 112 phosphorylation of BAD is critical for the effect of bFGF on cell survival. These results showed that RAS/MAPK/BAD pathway participated in the bFGF-induced effect on survival of HUVECs exposed to radiation. It is suggested that RAS/ MAPK pathway in tumor vascular endothelium could be a potential therapeutic target to enhance the efficacy of ionizing radiation.
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PMID:Basic fibroblast growth factor inhibits radiation-induced apoptosis of HUVECs. II. The RAS/MAPK pathway and phosphorylation of BAD at serine 112. 1516 49

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

Interactions between the Chk1 inhibitor UCN-01 and the farnesyltransferase inhibitor L744832 were examined in human leukemia cells. Combined exposure of U937 cells to subtoxic concentrations of UCN-01 and L744832 resulted in a dramatic increase in mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, and loss of clonogenicity. Similar interactions were noted in other leukemia cells (HL-60, Raji, Jurkat) and primary acute myeloid leukemia (AML) blasts. Coadministration of L744832 blocked UCN-01-mediated phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK/ERK), leading to down-regulation of phospho-cyclic adenosine monophosphate responsive element-binding protein (phospho-CREB) and -p90(RSK) and activation of p34(cdc2) and stress-activated protein kinase/ERK kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SEK/JNK). Combined treatment also resulted in pronounced reductions in levels of phospho-Akt, -glycogen synthase kinase-3 (-GSK-3), -p70(S6K), -mammalian target of rapamycin (-mTOR), -forkhead transcription factor (-FKHR), -caspase-9, and -Bad. Ectopic expression of Bcl-2 or Bcl-xL but not dominant-negative caspase-8 blocked UCN-01/L744832-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis but did not prevent activation of p34(cdc2) and JNK or inactivation of MEK/ERK and Akt. Enforced expression of myristoylated Akt but not constitutively active MEK significantly attenuated UCN-01/L744832-induced apoptosis. However, dual transfection with Akt and MEK resulted in further protection from UCN-01/L744832-mediated lethality. Finally, down-regulation of JNK1 by siRNA significantly reduced the lethality of the UCN-01/L744832 regimen. Together, these findings suggest that farnesyltransferase inhibitors interrupt the cytoprotective Akt and MAPK pathways while reciprocally activating SAPK/JNK in leukemia cells exposed to UCN-01 and, in so doing, dramatically increase mitochondria-dependent apoptosis.
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PMID:Farnesyltransferase inhibitors interact synergistically with the Chk1 inhibitor UCN-01 to induce apoptosis in human leukemia cells through interruption of both Akt and MEK/ERK pathways and activation of SEK1/JNK. 1549 23

Malignant growth of small-cell lung carcinoma is promoted by various neuroendocrine autocrine/paracrine loops. Therefore, to interfere with this mitogenic process, it is crucial to elucidate the mechanisms involved. It is known that the oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (VP) genes, normally transcriptionally restricted in their expression, are activated in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), concomitantly with expression of their receptors (OTR, V1aR, V1bR/V3R and V2R). The aim of the present study was to characterize, in concentrations close to physiological and pharmacological conditions, intracellular signalling events triggered by OT and VP binding to their specific receptors in SCLC cells and to identify factors mediating OT- and VP-induced mitogenic effects on SCLC. Known agonists for OTR ([Thr4,Gly7]OT) and V1aR (F180), in addition to OT and VP, were able to elicit increases in cytosolic Ca2+ levels and this effect could be blocked using an OTR antagonist (OVTA) or a V1aR antagonist (SR49059) respectively. There was no activation of the cAMP pathway detected after VP, dDAVP (a V2R agonist), or OT treatment. Stimulation of SCLC cells with OT and VP led to an increase of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 phosphorylation, maximal at 5 min, and the subsequent phosphorylation of its downstream target p90 ribosomal S6 kinase (p90RSK). Pre-incubation with OVTA and SR49059, and with inhibitors of phospholipase C (PLC), protein kinase C (PKC), mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK kinase (MEK) 1/2 and a Ca2+ chelator significantly reduced OT- and VP-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylations. OVTA, SR49059 as well as MEK1/2 and PKC inhibitors also downregulated OT- and VP-induced p90RSK phosphorylation. In [3H]thymidine-uptake experiments, we subsequently observed that PLC, Ca2+, PKC and ERK1/2 are absolutely required for the OT- and VP-stimulated SCLC cellular growth process. In conclusion, the results presented here indicate that OT- and VP-induced mitogenic effects on SCLC are respectively mediated by OTR and V1aR signalling and that this mitogenic signalling passes through the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p90RSK in a PLC-, Ca2+-, PKC- and MEK1/2-dependent pathway.
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PMID:Oxytocin- and vasopressin-induced growth of human small-cell lung cancer is mediated by the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. 1561 60


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