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)

Cripto-1 (CR-1), a recently discovered protein of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family, was found to interact with a high affinity, saturable binding site(s) on HC-11 mouse mammary epithelial cells and on several different human breast cancer cell lines. This receptor exhibits specificity for CR-1, since other EGF-related peptides including EGF, transforming growth factor alpha, heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor, amphiregulin, epiregulin, betacellulin, or heregulin beta1 that bind to either the EGF receptor or to other type 1 receptor tyrosine kinases such as erb B-3 or erb B-4 fail to compete for binding. Conversely, CR-1 was found not to directly bind to or to activate the tyrosine kinases associated with the EGFR, erb B-2, erb B-3, or erb B-4 either alone or in various pairwise combinations which have been ectopically expressed in Ba/F3 mouse pro-B lymphocyte cells. However, exogenous CR-1 could induce an increase in the tyrosine phosphorylation of 185- and 120-kDa proteins and a rapid (within 3-5 min) increase in the tyrosine phosphorylation of the SH2-containing adaptor proteins p66, p52, and p46 Shc in mouse mammary HC-11 epithelial cells and in human MDA-MB-453 and SKBr-3 breast cancer cells. CR-1 was also found to promote an increase in the association of the adaptor Grb2-guanine nucleotide exchange factor-mouse son of sevenless (mSOS) signaling complex with tyrosine-phosphorylated Shc in HC-11 cells. Finally, CR-1 was able to increase p42(erk-2) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity in HC-11 cells within 5-10 min of treatment. These data demonstrate that CR-1 can function through a receptor which activates intracellular components in the ras/raf/MEK/MAPK pathway.
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PMID:Cripto enhances the tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc and activates mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in mammary epithelial cells. 901 73

A pleiotropic cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha), regulates the expression of multiple macrophage gene products and thus contributes a key role in host defense. In this study, we have investigated the specificity and mechanism of activation of members of the c-Jun-NH2-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase (JNK/SAPK) subfamily of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in mouse macrophages in response to stimulation with TNF alpha. Exposure of macrophages to TNF alpha stimulated a preferential increase in catalytic activity of the p46 JNK/SAPK isoform compared with the p54 JNK/SAPK isoform as determined by: (i) separation of p46 and p54 JNK/SAPKs by anion exchange liquid chromatography and (ii) selective immunodepletion of the p46 JNK/SAPK from macrophage lysates. To investigate the level of regulation of p46 JNK/SAPK activation, we determined the ability of MKK4/SEK1/JNKK, an upstream regulator of JNK/SAPKs, to phosphorylate recombinant kinase-inactive p46 and p54 JNK/SAPKs. Endogenous MKK4 was able to transphosphorylate both isoforms. In addition, both the p46 and p54 JNK/SAPK isoforms were phosphorylated on their TPY motif in response to TNF alpha stimulation as reflected by immunoblotting with a phospho-specific antibody that recognizes both kinases. Collectively, these results suggest that the level of control of p46 JNK/SAPK activation is distal not only to MKK4 but also to the p54 JNK/SAPK. Preferential isoform activation within the JNK/SAPK subfamily of MAPKs may be an important mechanism through which TNF alpha regulates macrophage phenotypic heterogeneity and differentiation.
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PMID:Preferential activation of the p46 isoform of JNK/SAPK in mouse macrophages by TNF alpha. 937 18

TNF-alpha regulates the expression of many proinflammatory and profibrogenic gene products in macrophages, and hence plays a vital role in controlling the inflammatory response. We have shown previously that exposure of macrophages to TNF-alpha stimulates the activation of members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family. In this study, we have investigated the mechanism of activation of the p38mapk by TNF-alpha in mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages. Exposure to TNF-alpha resulted in the activation of p38mapk, as measured by 1) the trans-phosphorylation of recombinant activating transcription factor-2 substrate by immunoprecipitated p38mapk and 2) specific tyrosine phosphorylation of immunoprecipitated p38mapk. In addition, selective ligation of the TNF-alpha receptor CD120a (p55) with human TNF-alpha was sufficient to induce p38mapk activation. Using an in vitro kinase assay with recombinant kinase-inactive p38mapk as substrate in the presence of [gamma-32P]ATP, the upstream kinases MKK3 (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 3) and MKK4 were found to be activated in response to TNF-alpha. These findings suggest that TNF-alpha transiently phosphorylates and activates the three members of the MAPK family, namely p42(mapk/erk2), p46 c-Jun amino-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase (JNK/SAPK), and p38mapk following cross-linking of CD120a (p55), and that MKK3 and MKK4 are capable of phosphorylating p38mapk.
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PMID:Activation of p38mapk, MKK3, and MKK4 by TNF-alpha in mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages. 937 49

We characterized participation of the stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) cascade in the lethal actions of the cytotoxic lipid messengers ceramide and sphingosine in U937 human monoblastic leukemia cells. Acute exposure of U937 cells to either lipid resulted in loss of proliferative capacity, degradation of genomic DNA, and manifestation of apoptotic cytoarchitecture. Ceramide robustly stimulated p46-JNK1/p54-JNK2 activity and increased expression of c-jun mRNA and c-Jun protein; in contrast, sphingosine moderately stimulated p46-JNK1/p54-JNK2 and failed to modify c-jun/c-Jun expression. Dominant-negative blockade of normal c-Jun activity by transfection with the TAM-67 c-Jun NH2-terminal deletion mutant abolished the lethal actions of ceramide but was without effect on those of sphingosine, indicating that ceramide-related apoptosis is directly dependent on activation of c-Jun, whereas sphingosine-induced cell death proceeds via an unrelated downstream mechanism. Characterization of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade in these responses revealed a further functional disparity between the two lipids: basal p42-ERK1/ p44-ERK2 activity was gradually reduced by ceramide but immediately and completely suppressed by sphingosine. Moreover, blockade of the MAPK cascade by the aminomethoxyflavone MEK1 inhibitor PD-98059 unexpectedly activated p46-JNK1/p54-JNK2 and induced apoptosis in a manner qualitatively resembling that of sphingosine. Both lipids sharply increased p38-RK activity; selective pharmacological inhibition of p38-RK by the pyridinyl imidazole SB-203580 failed to mitigate the cytotoxicity associated with either ceramide or sphingosine, suggesting that p38-RK is not essential for lipid-induced apoptosis. These findings demonstrate that reciprocal alterations in the SAPK and MAPK cascades are associated with the apoptotic influence of either lipid inasmuch as (i) ceramide-mediated lethality is primarily associated with strong stimulation of SAPK and weak inhibition of MAPK, whereas (ii) sphingosine-mediated lethality is primarily associated with weak stimulation of SAPK and strong inhibition of MAPK. We therefore propose that leukemic cell survival depends on the maintenance of an imbalance of the outputs from the MAPK and SAPK systems such that the dominant basal influence of the MAPK cascade allows sustained proliferation, whereas acute redirection of this balance toward the SAPK cascade initiates apoptotic cell death.
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PMID:Coordinate regulation of stress- and mitogen-activated protein kinases in the apoptotic actions of ceramide and sphingosine. 941 3

Little is known about the regulation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signaling cascades by hormonal stimulation in vivo. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and the c-jun kinase (JNK) are two MAP kinase signaling pathways that could play a role in the cellular response to hormones such as insulin and epinephrine. We studied the effects of insulin (20 U/rat) and epinephrine (25 microg/100 g body wt) injected in vivo on ERK and JNK signaling in skeletal muscle from Sprague-Dawley rats. Insulin significantly increased ERK phosphorylation and the activity of its downstream substrate, the p90 ribosomal S6 kinase 2 (RSK2), by 1.4-fold, but it had no effect on JNK activity. In contrast, epinephrine had no effect on ERK phosphorylation or RSK2 activity, but it increased JNK activity by twofold, an effect that was inhibited by the presence of combined alpha and beta blockade. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of both p46 and p55 isoforms of JNK, measured by phosphospecific antibody, was increased severalfold. The activity and phosphorylation of MAP kinase kinase (MKK)-4, an upstream regulator of JNK, was unchanged by epinephrine. Incubation of isolated soleus muscles in vitro with epinephrine (10(-5) mol/l) also increased JNK activity by twofold. These data are the first to demonstrate that epinephrine can increase JNK activity. Insulin and epinephrine have different effects on MAP kinase signaling pathways in skeletal muscle, which may be one of the underlying molecular mechanisms through which these hormones regulate opposing metabolic functions.
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PMID:Epinephrine and insulin stimulate different mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways in rat skeletal muscle. 975 91

The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) by macrophages is stimulated by coexposure to IFN-gamma and a number of stimuli, including TNF-alpha. Recent work has shown that TNF-alpha activates members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family that subsequently trans-activate transcription factors implicated in the regulation of iNOS expression. The objective of this study was to systematically evaluate the role of: 1) p42mapk/erk2, 2) p46 c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase (p46 JNK/SAPK), and 3) p38mapk in the induction of iNOS expression during costimulation of mouse macrophages with IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha. All three kinases were activated during costimulation with IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha. However, specific antagonism of the p42mapk/erk2 and p38mapk with PD98059 and SKF86002, respectively, had no effect on the induction of iNOS expression. In contrast, blockade of all three kinases with N-acetylcysteine completely blocked the induction of iNOS expression. In addition, specific antagonism of the JNK/SAPK upstream kinases MEKK (mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase kinase) and MKK4 (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4) with dominant inhibitory mutants blocked transcriptional activation of the iNOS promoter in response to costimulation with IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha. Collectively, these findings support the involvement of p46 JNK/SAPK and its upstream kinases in regulating the induction of iNOS following ligation of the TNF-alpha receptor CD120a (p55) in the presence of IFN-gamma.
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PMID:Evaluation of the role of mitogen-activated protein kinases in the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase by IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha in mouse macrophages. 988 15

The endogenous nucleoside adenosine is thought to play a role in the pathophysiology of asthma by stimulating mast cells. We previously showed that the human mast cell line HMC-1 expresses A2A and A2B receptors, and that both receptors activate adenylate cyclase via Gs-protein but that only A2B receptors are also coupled to phospholipase C via Gq proteins. Stimulation of A2B but not A2A receptors induced production of interleukin-8 (IL-8) from HMC-1 cells. The mechanism by which adenosine promotes IL-8 synthesis has not been defined. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways are involved in this process. Stimulation of HMC-1 with the stable adenosine analog NECA (5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine) activated p21(ras) and both p42 and p44 isoforms of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). NECA (10 microM) induced a 1.9 +/- 0. 06-fold increase in ERK activity, whereas 10 microM of the selective A2A agonist CGS 21680 (4-((N-ethyl-5'-carbamoyladenos-2-yl)-aminoethyl)-phenylpropionic acid) had no effect. NECA, in parallel with the activation of ERK, also stimulated the p46 isoform of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (MEK) and p38 MAPK. Furthermore, the selective MAPK/ERK kinase 1 inhibitor PD 98059 (2'-amino-3'-methoxyflavone), and p38 MAPK inhibitors SB 202190 (4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)1H-imidazole) and SB 203580 (4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfinylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)1H- imidaz ole) blocked A2B receptor-mediated production of IL-8. These results indicate that extracellular adenosine can regulate ERK, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and p38 MAPK signaling cascades and that activation of ERK and p38 MAPK pathways are essential steps in adenosine A2B receptor-dependent stimulation of IL-8 production in HMC-1.
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PMID:Role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase kinase in adenosine A2B receptor-mediated interleukin-8 production in human mast cells. 1010 Oct 31

The protein synthesis inhibitor anisomycin activates stress-related mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), namely, c-jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (p46/54(JNK)) and p38(MAPK) in mammalian cells. In this paper, we show that although exposure to anisomycin resulted in rapid and strong activation of p46/54(JNK) and p38(MAPK), with a delayed low level dual-phosphorylation of mitogen/extracellular protein kinase (p42/44(MAPK)), low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor induction depends solely on the mild activation of p42/44(MAPK) signaling cascade in HepG2 cells. Unlike hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) which caused LDL receptor induction via rapid, strong, and Ras-dependent p42/44(MAPK) activation, anisomycin-induced p42/44(MAPK) activity and increased LDL receptor expression in a Ras-independent manner. Finally, we examined the role of the p42/44(MAPK) signaling cascade in LDL receptor induction by activating this kinase independently of anisomycin or HGF. By using estrogen-dependent human Raf-1 protein kinase in transient transfection assays, we show that the exclusive activation of the Raf-1/MEK-1/p42/44(MAPK) signaling cascade with antiestrogen ICI 182, 780 caused induction of LDL receptor expression to the same level as observed with either HGF or anisomycin. Consistent with the role of p42/44(MAPK), induction was strongly inhibited by pretreatment with the MEK-1/2 inhibitor PD98059. Our observation that anisomycin can use p42/44(MAPK) signaling cascade is a departure from established thinking, and the results presented shows that activation of the p42/44(MAPK) alone is sufficient to fully induce LDL receptor transcription.
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PMID:Critical role of p42/44(MAPK) activation in anisomycin and hepatocyte growth factor-induced LDL receptor expression: activation of Raf-1/Mek-1/p42/44(MAPK) cascade alone is sufficient to induce LDL receptor expression. 1050 11

Photodynamic therapy (PDT), a cancer treatment that employs a photosensitizer and visible light, induces apoptosis in murine LY-R leukemic lymphoblasts and in CHO cells, but the rate and extent of apoptosis are much greater in LY-R cells. Three MAPK family members, ERK1/ERK2, SAPK/JNK, and p38/HOG, are important intermediates in signal transduction pathways. To ascertain whether activation of one or more MAPKs could mediate PDT-induced apoptosis, Western blot analysis has been performed on the proteins of LY-R and CHO cells at various times following lethal (90 - 99% cell kill) doses of PDT photosensitized by the phthalocyanine Pc 4. The blots were probed with antibodies to each of the proteins as well as antibodies specific for the activated (phosphorylated) forms of each kinase. Of the three MAPK types, only the p46 and p54 SAPK/JNKs were found to be activated by PDT in LY-R cells, with a maximum approximately threefold increase in the content of the phosphorylated forms reached in 30 - 60 min. An even larger relative activation was observed in CHO cells. PDT did not affect ERK and p38/HOG activation in LY-R cells. In the case of CHO cells, however, ERK2 was slightly activated at 5 min post-PDT, then declined, and p38/HOG was strongly activated from 5 to 60 min post-PDT. A specific inhibitor (PD98059) of MEK1, the kinase that activates ERK, had little or no effect on PDT-induced apoptosis in either LY-R or CHO cells. In contrast, a specific inhibitor of p38/HOG (SB202190) blocked PDT-induced apoptosis in LY-R cells with a lesser effect in CHO cells. The results suggest that both the SAPK and p38/HOG cascades can be stimulated by PDT and that the latter participates in both rapid and slow PDT-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, the high level of constitutively active p38/HOG in LY-R cells may poise those cells for rapid activation of apoptosis following PDT.
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PMID:Promotion of photodynamic therapy-induced apoptosis by stress kinases. 1051 Apr 67

Microtubule-damaging agents arrest cells at G(2)/M and induce apoptosis in association with phosphorylation of the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-X(L). Because microtubule inhibitors activate JNK, we sought to determine whether JNK was responsible for Bcl-2/Bcl-X(L) phosphorylation in KB-3 cells treated with vinblastine. Two major endogenous forms of JNK, p46(JNK1) and p54(JNK2), were present in KB-3 cells, and both isoforms were activated by vinblastine as determined by Mono Q chromatography. We used antisense oligonucleotides (AS) to specifically inhibit their expression. A combination of AS-JNK1 with AS-JNK2 inhibited by 80% vinblastine-induced phosphorylation of two known JNK substrates, c-Jun and ATF-2. In addition, AS-JNK1/2 inhibited vinblastine-induced phosphorylation of Bcl-2 by 85% and that of Bcl-X(L) by 65%. Stable expression of the JNK scaffold protein JIP-1 blocked vinblastine-induced phosphorylation of c-Jun and ATF-2, but did not affect Bcl-2/Bcl-X(L) phosphorylation, confirming a bifurcation in JNK signaling involving both nuclear and non-nuclear substrates. Vinblastine-induced phosphorylation of Raf-1 was unaffected by AS-JNK1/2 and was associated with loss of activity for MEK substrate in vitro and inactivation of ERK in vivo. These results provide evidence for a direct role of the JNK pathway in apoptotic regulation through Bcl-2/Bcl-X(L) phosphorylation.
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PMID:Vinblastine-induced phosphorylation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL is mediated by JNK and occurs in parallel with inactivation of the Raf-1/MEK/ERK cascade. 1091 35


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