Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:3.1.3.16 (calcineurin)
 17,112 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The effect of double-stranded RNA on the dephosphorylation of purified, 32P-labeled eIF-2 was examined in cell-free extracts prepared from interferon-treated mouse L929 cells. Dephosphorylation of the alpha subunit of eIF-2 occurred at comparable rates in the presence and in the absence of reovirus dsRNA. By contrast, the beta subunit of eIF-2 was not dephosphorylated to any significant extent in either the presence or the absence of dsRNA. These results indicate that the enhanced phosphorylation of eIF-2 alpha observed in IFN-treated systems in the presence of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is indeed caused by an activation of a protein kinase rather than to an inhibition of a phosphoprotein phosphatase by the dsRNA.
 ...
PMID:Mechanism of interferon action: eIF-2 alpha phosphatase in interferon-treated mouse fibroblasts is double-stranded RNA independent. 629 May 78

Milk protein gene expression in mammary epithelial cells is regulated by the action of the lactogenic hormones insulin, glucocorticoids and prolactin. The mammary gland factor, MGF, has been shown to be a central mediator in the lactogenic hormone response. The DNA binding activity of MGF is hormonally regulated and essential for beta-casein promoter activity. We have used Red A Sepharose- and sequence-specific DNA affinity chromatography to purify MGF from mammary gland tissue of lactating sheep. Proteins of 84 and 92 kDa were obtained, proteolytically digested and the resulting peptides separated by reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography. The 84 and 92 kDa proteins yielded very similar peptide patterns. The amino acid sequence of two peptides was determined. The sequence information was used to derive oligonucleotide probes. A cDNA library from the mRNA of mammary gland tissue of lactating sheep was screened and a molecular clone encoding MGF was isolated. MGF consists of 734 amino acids and has sequence homology with the 113 (Stat113) and 91 kDa (Stat91) components of ISGF3, transcription factors which are signal transducers of IFN-alpha/beta and IFN-gamma. Two species of MGF mRNA of 6.5 and 4.5 kb were detected in mammary gland tissue of lactating sheep. Lower mRNA expression was found in ovary, thymus, spleen, kidney, lung, muscle and the adrenal gland. MGF cDNA was incorporated into a eukaryotic expression vector and cotransfected with a vector encoding the long form of the prolactin receptor into COS cells. A strong MGF-specific bandshift was obtained with nuclear extracts of COS cells induced with prolactin. Treatment of activated MGF with a tyrosine-specific protein phosphatase resulted in the loss of DNA binding activity. Prolactin-dependent transactivation of a beta-casein promoter-luciferase reporter gene construct was observed in transfected cells.
 ...
PMID:Mammary gland factor (MGF) is a novel member of the cytokine regulated transcription factor gene family and confers the prolactin response. 788 87

Gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) activates the formation of a DNA-binding protein complex (FcRF gamma) that recognizes the gamma response region (GRR) of the promoter for the human high-affinity Fc gamma receptor. In a membrane-enriched fraction prepared from human peripheral blood monocytes, IFN-gamma activation of FcRF gamma occurred within 1 min and was ATP dependent. Activation of FcRF gamma required a tyrosine kinase activity, and recognition of the GRR sequence by FcRF gamma could be abrogated by treatment with a tyrosine-specific protein phosphatase. Treatment of cells with vanadate alone resulted in the formation of FcRF gamma without the need for IFN-gamma. UV cross-linking and antibody competition experiments demonstrated that the FcRF gamma complex was composed of at least two components: the 91-kDa protein of the IFN-alpha-induced transcription complex ISGF3 and a 43-kDa component that bound directly to the GRR. Therefore, specificity for IFN-induced transcriptional activation of early response genes requires at least two events: (i) ligand-induced activation of membrane-associated protein by tyrosine phosphorylation and (ii) formation of a complex composed of an activated membrane protein(s) and a sequence-specific DNA-binding component.
 ...
PMID:In vitro activation of a transcription factor by gamma interferon requires a membrane-associated tyrosine kinase and is mimicked by vanadate. 832 Dec 5

Keratin K17, the myoepithelial keratin, is expressed in psoriasis but is not present in healthy skin. Psoriasis is associated with production of gamma interferon (IFN gamma), which induces the expression of keratin K17 by activating transcription factor STAT1. Our hypothesis states that the induction of K17 is specific for the inflammatory reactions associated with high levels of IFN gamma and activation of STAT1. One of the corollaries of the hypothesis is that the STAT1-activating cytokines should induce the expression of keratin K17, whereas those cytokines that work through other mechanisms should not. Furthermore, because the STAT activation pathway is dependent upon protein phosphorylation events, phosphorylation inhibitors should attenuate the induction of keratin K17, whereas protein phosphatase inhibitors should augment it. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed lesional samples of inflammatory diseases using immunofluorescence, transfected keratinocytes with K17 gene promoter DNAs in the presence of various cytokines, and followed nuclear translocation of STAT1 in keratinocytes using specific antibodies. Confirming the hypothesis, we found that K17 is induced in psoriasis and dermatitis caused by delayed type hypersensitivity, which are associated with high levels of IFN gamma, but not in samples of atopic dermatitis, which is not. Two cytokines, interleukin-6 and leukemia inhibitory factor, which can induce phosphorylation of STAT1, can also induce K17 expression, whereas interleukin-3, interleukin-4, interleukin-10, and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor have no effect on K17 expression. As expected, staurosporine and genistein inhibited, whereas okadaic acid augmented, the induction of K17 by IFN gamma. Our data indicate that in inflammatory skin diseases, lymphocytes, through the cytokines they produce, differently regulate not only each other, but also keratin gene expression in epidermis one of their target tissues.
 ...
PMID:Regulation of epidermal expression of keratin K17 in inflammatory skin diseases. 882 63

1. Microglial cells represent the first line of defence in the brain against infection and damage. However, under conditions of chronic inflammation and neurodegeneration, excessive activation of microglia can contribute to the neurodegenerative process by releasing a cornucopia of potentially cytotoxic substances including the cytotoxic free radical nitric oxide (NO). Although the cell signalling events implicated in NO formation in peripheral macrophages are well defined, events occurring in the phenotypically homologous cerebral microglial cell are not yet fully characterized. 2. In the present study, a cloned murine microglial cell line (N9), stimulated with combined lipopolysaccharide/interferon-gamma (LPS/IFN) incubation, was shown to produce a significant increase in NO formation, as measured by medium nitrite levels, during 8-72 h exposure. 3. LPS/IFN-stimulated NO production was partially inhibited with the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) competitive antagonists; N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine. The ability of the selective inducible (iNOS) inhibitor, aminoguanidine, but not the selective 'neuronal-type' constitutive (cNOS) inhibitor 7-nitroindazole, to inhibit NO production suggested a primary role of iNOS in this response and was confirmed by immunolabelling of activated cells with a specific iNOS antibody. 4. A series of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, herbimycin A, genestein, tyrphostins, AG-126, AG-556 and the tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors, sodium orthovanadate and phenylarsine oxide, significantly attenuated LPS/IFN-mediated NO production. The serine/threonine kinase inhibitors, staursporine (protein kinase C), H-9 (cyclic GMP/cyclic AMP-dependent kinase) or serine/threonine phosphatase inhibitors, cyclosporin A (phosphatase 2B) and okadaic acid (phosphatase 1/2A), reduced NO formation by an apparent cytostatic mechanism, as determined by cellular reduction of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yi)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT). 5. The present results suggest that the co-ordinated activation of protein tyrosine kinases/phosphatases, and proximal signalling events implicating the interplay between serine-threonine kinases/phosphatases, is intricately linked with inflammatory mediated mechanisms of iNOS activation in microglial cells by regulating the activation of the transcription factor NFkappaB.
 ...
PMID:Suppression of nitric oxide formation by tyrosine kinase inhibitors in murine N9 microglia. 953 16

Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-induced, indoleamine dioxygenase-catalyzed tryptophan catabolism was studied in cultured human foreskin fibroblasts using the increase in cellular kynurenine synthesis as an index of gene expression. The time courses of the inhibition of IFN-gamma-induced kynurenine synthesis by actinomycin D and cycloheximide showed that the indoleamine dioxygenase gene was transcribed as early as 2 h and translated as early as 5 h after initiation of IFN treatment. Expression was completely inhibited by the Ser/Thr kinase inhibitor, H-7 (66 microM), during the first 2 h after IFN-gamma treatment. Prolonged pretreatment of cells with high concentrations of staurosporine (380 nM) or genestein (610 microM) inhibited expression by 38% and 53%, respectively. Genestein also inhibited expression when it was added to cultures between 8 and 24 h after IFN-gamma treatment. The expression of kynurenine synthesis was inhibited by A23817 during the first 4 h after IFN treatment by mechanisms that were independent of cyclooxygenase, calmodulin, and calcineurin. Exogenous gangliosides (bovine brain gangliosides and purified GM1) inhibited IDO expression throughout the first 24 h after IFN-gamma treatment by mechanisms that did not involve effects on Ca2+ channels. Other biologic response modifiers, including phorbol myristic acetate, arachidonic acid, lipopolysaccharide, analogs of cAMP and cGMP, W-7, and sphingosine, did not induce IDO in the absence of IFN-gamma, nor did they modulate IFN-gamma-induced expression. These results indicate that the expression of kynurenine synthesis is modulated at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels by protein tyrosine kinase and by a Ser/Thr kinase with properties distinctly different from those of conventional protein kinase C. The capacity for attenuation of this IFN-gamma-induced response over its entire time course by many effectors and through multiple cellular signaling pathways may represent a mechanism for fine-tuning the level of oxidative tryptophan metabolism to meet the needs of a particular cytostatic or antiproliferative response.
 ...
PMID:Expression and regulation of interferon-gamma-induced tryptophan catabolism in cultured skin fibroblasts. 971 67

The presence of protein kinase activity and its phosphorylated products has been demonstrated on the outer surface of the plasma membrane of endothelial cells. Extracellular phosphorylation was detected by incubation of primary endothelial cells (HUVEC's) and endothelial cell line EA.hy 926 with [gamma-32P]ATP. The reaction products were subjected to SDS/PAGE, autoradiography and scanning densitometry. Under the experimental conditions, five proteins with apparent molecular masses of 19, 23, 55, 88, and 110 kDa were prominently phosphorylated in both types of cells. Phosphorylation of the 19 kDa protein was the most rapid reaching maximum after 60 s and then the protein became dephosphorylated. Ecto-protein kinases responsible for the surface labeling of membrane proteins were characterized by using (a) protein kinase C inhibitors: K-252b, chelerythrine chloride, and [Ala113] myelin basic protein (104-118), (b) protein kinase A inhibitor Kemptide 8334, and (c) casein kinase II inhibitor 5,6-dichloro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl benzimidazole (DRB). Stimulation of endothelial cells with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and interferon gamma (IFN gamma) is associated with 20-80% reduction of extracellular phosphorylation of all membrane proteins. IFN gamma bound to membrane receptors becomes rapidly phosphorylated. Only in the case of IFN gamma it was associated with the appearance of a strongly phosphorylated band of 17 kDa corresponding to IFN gamma itself. Phosphorylation of this 17 kDa exogenous substrate was prevented by an ecto-kinase inhibitor K-252b. The existence of ecto-phosphoprotein phosphatase activity in endothelial cells was evidenced by testing the effect of microcystin LR--a membrane impermeable reagent that inhibits both PP-1 and PP-2a phosphoprotein phosphatases. The extent of phosphorylation of 19 kDa and 110 kDa phosphoproteins significantly increased in the presence of microcystin. Our results suggest the presence of at least two ecto-kinase activities on endothelial cells that may play a significant role(s) in the regulation of cytokines function.
 ...
PMID:Interferon gamma bound to endothelial cells is phosphorylated by ecto-protein kinases. 1069 77

There is always a second infection with HCV during the post-transplant period. Recurrence of the disease is one of the main present therapeutic challenges because there are still many questions to answer. Some transplant groups suggest that recurrence is earlier in certain circumstances, especially in face of repetitive episodes of acute rejection in the early post-transplant period. Different transplant centers have various approaches to minimize the risk of recurrence secondary to excessive immunosuppression. They go from absolute avoidance of steroids to single therapy with inhibitors of calcineurin. Some investigators advocate for a fast reduction in the dose of corticosteroids (in less than 3 months), elimination of steroids from the therapy or administration of a single steroid dose in the immediate post-transplant period. Some are trying to establish a regime based on a single inhibitor of calcineurin and supported with mofetil micofenolate if it's effective. There are other inhibitors being studied, like anti-CD25 antibodies. The goals of the treatment for HCV recurrence must be aimed at obtaining an effective therapy that may be able to prevent the damage and to inhibit the viral replication and subsequent inflammation on long term basis. Recently there have been reports about different schemes with IFN and ribavirin, either as single therapy or in combination, that showed modest advances in early viral elimination and delaying the recurrence of the disease. One of the risks of therapy with interferon that has immunomodulation properties, is organ rejection. Ribavirin administration as single therapy is contraindicated. There are still some unanswered questions, since nobody knows for sure how long therapy for HCV should be continued.
 ...
PMID:[Post-transplant hepatitis C. Immunosuppression and antiviral treatment]. 1271 58

Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha)-2b is known to have antiproliferative effects on hematological malignant cells, especially chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML). However, it can induce cytogenetical remissions in a very small percentage of the patients. Also during interferon therapy, resistance can emerge in the CML clones. K562 is an in vitro model cell line transformed from a Ph positive CML patient. It can be induced to differentiate to granulocytic and/or monocytic lineages with certain molecules. IFN-alpha-2b generally exerts its effects on CML cells by Janus family kinases (Jak/Stat) pathway, mostly through tyrosine kinase system. However, there is almost no data on the relevance of serine/threonine (Ser/Thr) protein phosphatase (PP) system in the interferon induced signal transduction pathways. In this study, we investigated serine/threonine protein phosphatases in the IFN-alpha-2b induced K562 cytotoxicity. Trypan blue dye exclusion test and MTT assay were utilised for determining cytotoxicity. IC(50) of IFN-alpha-2b on K562 cells was found to be 600IU/ml. However, no differentiation was determined by analysis of cell surface antigen expressions. Serine/threonine protein phosphatase inhibitors calyculin A (Cal A) and okadaic acid (OKA) augmented the IFN-alpha-2b induced cytotoxicity. Apoptosis assay by the mono-oligonucleosome detection and acridine orange/propidium iodide dye revealed marked apoptosis underlying cytotoxicity. Phosphatase enzyme assay revealed a gradual increase in protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity during interferon induced cytotoxicity. Conversely, immunoblots showed no change in the expression of PP2A catalytic and regulatory subunits. In conclusion, PP2A plays a role in IFN-alpha-2b induced apoptosis of K562 cells and should be investigated as a new window furthermore.
 ...
PMID:Involvement of protein phosphatase 2A in interferon-alpha-2b-induced apoptosis in K562 human chronic myelogenous leukaemia cells. 1280 29

Different intrinsic alterations of skeletal muscle metabolism and gene expression have been described in chronic heart failure (CHF). As proposed skeletal muscle alterations in CHF may contribute to exercise intolerance and early muscular fatigue. However the exact molecular changes occurring in the skeletal muscle are still unclear. The aim of this study was to characterize the pattern of differential gene expression in an animal model of CHF and to study the regulation of one selected gene. Rats were subjected to LAD ligation or sham operation. mRNA was isolated from musculus quadriceps of both groups and differential gene expression was determined by subtractive hybridization. Quantitative RT-PCR and cell culture experiments were performed to further characterize the changed expression of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) in human skeletal muscle biopsies as well as the cytokine dependent regulation of PP2A expression. Out of 800 picked clones differential expression of 24 distinct genes could be identified by sequencing and reverse Northern blotting. PP2A expression demonstrated a significant upregulation in skeletal muscle biopsies from patients with CHF as compared to healthy controls (9.7 +/- 1.9 vs. 4.2 +/- 0.7 arbitrary units; p<0.05). Incubation of rat skeletal muscle myoblasts with a combination of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and gamma-IFN caused a 3-fold upregulation of PP2A expression vs. untreated cells. These results suggest that CHF is accompanied by changes in expression of genes involved in energy metabolism, contractility, and apoptosis in the skeletal muscle. The upregulation of PP2A, an important regulator in intracellular signaling and apoptosis, may be due to an increase of inflammatory cytokines.
 ...
PMID:Differential gene expression in skeletal muscle after induction of heart failure: impact of cytokines on protein phosphatase 2A expression. 1456 76


1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next >>