Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: EC:3.4.11.18 (MAP)
 7,412 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Steroid hormones regulate target cells through traditional nuclear mechanisms as well as by membrane mechanisms. 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 and 24R,25(OH)2D3 bind membrane receptors (mVDR) and mediate their effects on the physiological responses of musculoskeletal cells via protein kinase C (PKC). In cultures of costochondral growth plate chondrocytes, 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 binds the 1,25-mVDR in growth zone cells, activating phospholipase C (PLC), leading to diacylglycerol (DAG) production and PKC translocation to the plasma membrane. It also activates PLA2, increasing arachidonic acid release and prostaglandin synthesis. 24R,25(OH)2D3 binds its membrane receptor in resting zone chondrocytes, activating phospholipase D (PLD), and increasing DAG and PKC activity, but translocation does not occur. PLA2 activity is decreased, reducing arachidonic acid and prostaglandin production. 17Beta-estradiol (E2) activates PKC in both cartilage cells, but DAG is not involved. 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 and 24R,25(OH)2D3 also increase PKC in osteoblasts in a cell-specific manner. Antibodies to the 1,25-mVDR block PKC activation. Membrane-mediated events influence gene expression via signaling cascades, including the ERK1/2 MAP kinases. The ability of steroid hormones to initiate events nongenomically is important for regulation of matrix vesicle (MV) function in the extracellular matrix. MVs have mVDRs, but ligand binding inhibits PKC-zeta (PKCzeta) via a mechanism that differs from PKCalpha activation in the plasma membranes. Treatment of MVs from growth zone chondrocyte cultures with 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 releases stromelysin-1 (MMP-3) and increases TGF-beta activation. MMP-3 is also involved in proteoglycan degradation, facilitating calcification. 24R,25(OH)2D3 inhibits PKCzeta in MV from resting zone cell cultures and inhibits MMP-3 release. Chondrocytes and osteoblasts produce 1,25(OH)2D3, 24,25(OH)2D3, and E2; thus, locally produced steroids may function as autocrine regulators of matrix events, including matrix vesicle enzyme activity and matrix protein remodelling during longitudinal growth, calcification, and growth factor activation.
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PMID:Steroid hormone action in musculoskeletal cells involves membrane receptor and nuclear receptor mechanisms. 1295 86

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a major agent in choroidal and retinal neovascularization, events associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy. Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), strategically located between retina and choroid, plays a critical role in retinal disorders. We have examined the effects of various growth factors on the expression and secretion of VEGF by human retinal pigment epithelial cell cultures (HRPE). RT-PCR analyses revealed the presence of three isoforms of mRNA corresponding to VEGF 121, 165, and 189 that were up regulated by TGF-beta1. TGF-beta1, beta2, and beta3 were the potent inducers of VEGF secretion by HRPE cells whereas bFGF, PDGF, TGF-alpha, and GM-CSF had no effects. TGF-beta receptor type II antibody significantly reversed induction of VEGF secretion by TGF-beta. In contrast activin, inhibin and BMP, members of TGF-beta super family, had no effects on VEGF expression in HRPE. VEGF mRNA levels and protein secretion induced by TGF-beta were significantly inhibited by SB203580 and U0126, inhibitors of MAP kinases, but not by staurosporine and PDTC, protein kinase C and NF-kappaB pathway inhibitors, respectively. TGF-beta also induced VEGF expression by fibroblasts derived from human choroid of eye. TGF-beta induction of VEGF secretion by RPE and choroid cells may play a significant role in choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in AMD. Since the secretion of VEGF by HRPE is regulated by MAP kinase pathways, MAP kinase inhibitors may have potential use as therapeutic agents for CNV in AMD.
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PMID:Transforming growth factor-beta induces expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in human retinal pigment epithelial cells: involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinases. 1456 75

Although transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) acts via the Smad signaling pathway to initiate de novo gene transcription, the TGF-beta1-induced MAPK kinase activation that is involved in the regulation of apoptosis is less well understood. Even though the p38 MAP kinase and c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinases (JNKs) are involved in TGF-beta1-induced cell death in hepatoma cells, the upstream mediators of these kinases remain to be defined. We show here that the members of the mixed lineage kinase (MLK) family (including MLK1, MLK2, MLK3, and dual leucine zipper-bearing kinase (DLK)) are expressed in FaO rat hepatoma cells and are likely to act between p38 and TGF-beta receptor kinase in death signaling. TGF-beta1 treatment leads to an increase in MLK3 activity. Overexpression of MLK3 enhances TGF-beta1-induced apoptotic death in FaO cells and Hep3B human hepatoma cells, whereas expression of the dominant-negative forms of MLK3 suppresses cell death induced by TGF-beta1. The dominant-negative forms of MLK1 and -2 also suppress TGF-beta1-induced cell death. In MLK3-overexpressing cells, ERK, JNKs, and p38 MAP kinases were further activated in response to TGF-beta1 compared with the control cells. In contrast, overexpression of the dominant-negative MLK3 resulted in suppression of TGF-beta1-induced MAP kinase activation and TGF-beta1-induced caspase-3 activation. We also show that only the inhibition of the p38 pathway suppressed TGF-beta1-induced apoptosis. These observations support a role for MLKs in the TGF-beta1-induced cell death mechanism.
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PMID:Mixed lineage kinase 3 (MLK3)-activated p38 MAP kinase mediates transforming growth factor-beta-induced apoptosis in hepatoma cells. 1506 87

We have already reported that TGF-beta could be involved in the inhibitory effects of negatively charged liposomes composed of phosphatidylserine (PS-liposome) on the production of nitric oxide (NO) by mouse peritoneal macrophages stimulated with LPS [Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 281 (2001) 614]. In this paper, we explored the mechanism by which PS-liposomes promote the production of TGF-beta and the involvement of MAP kinases. When macrophages were treated with PS-liposomes, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), a member of MAP kinase superfamily, was activated quickly and potently. However, no activation was observed with p38 MAP kinase. TGF-beta production was completely inhibited by U0126, a specific inhibitor for ERK. Furthermore, TGF-beta neutralizing antibody and U0126 decreased the inhibitory effect of PS-liposomes on NO production by macrophages. These findings suggested that TGF-beta is the factor produced by PS-liposomes that suppresses production of NO, and the ERK signaling pathway is intimately involved in TGF-beta production by macrophages following treatment with PS-liposomes.
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PMID:Involvement of ERK, a MAP kinase, in the production of TGF-beta by macrophages treated with liposomes composed of phosphatidylserine. 1550 69

Both alpha-adrenoceptor- and beta-adrenoceptor-stimulation lead to hypertrophic growth of the myocardium. But only beta-adrenoceptor-stimulation requires the pre-cultivation of cells with active TGF-beta. In order to define signalling molecules that are specifically involved in beta-adrenoceptor-dependent hypertrophy, changes in expression and hypertrophic responsiveness during pre-cultivation with TGF-beta were investigated. Isolated adult ventricular cardiomyocytes from rats were either cultured in 20% (v/v) foetal calf serum (FCS) to activate autocrine released TGF-beta or used without pre-treatment. Protein synthesis was analysed by (14)C-phenylalanine incorporation. Expression of signalling molecules was determined by immunoblotting. During cultivation of cardiomyocytes with active TGF-beta only the expression of p38 MAP-kinase increased. Subsequent stimulation of beta-adrenoceptors induced protein synthesis in a p38 MAP-kinase-dependent way. However, stimulation of beta-adrenoceptors activated p38 MAP-kinase irrespective of pre-treatment with TGF-beta. In the absence of this cytokine, hyperosmolarity or reconstitution of mechanical activity increased protein synthesis via p38 MAP-kinase activation in freshly isolated cells. In conclusion, activation of p38 MAP-kinase is a newly identified necessary signalling step required for beta-adrenoceptor induced hypertrophic growth. Like activation of adenyl cyclase, activation of p38 MAP-kinase is up-stream of the TGF-beta-induced coupling to the regulation of protein synthesis. Reconstitution of mechanical activity mimics the co-activation required and induced by TGF-beta.
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PMID:p38 MAP-kinase in cultured adult rat ventricular cardiomyocytes: expression and involvement in hypertrophic signalling. 1592 79

Besides the classical cardiovascular diseases, high levels of blood glucose directly interfere with cardiomyocytes. The mechanisms responsible for this have not yet been explored in detail. This study aims to determine if hyperglycaemia has any impact on prominent signalling molecules and on the contractile function of cardiomyocytes. Freshly isolated cardiomyocytes from adult rats were treated with various concentrations of glucose. Formed free radicals were measured by DCF-fluorescence. TGFbeta expression and p38 MAP-kinase (MAPK) activation were measured by Western blotting. The contractile efficiency was determined by measurement of the maximal amount of cell shortening. Glucose (30 mM) caused an increase in formation of radicals, phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, and TGFbeta expression. Under conditions of low viscosity (1 cp), contractile responses to hyperglycaemia (15 mM) were not altered in contrast to control. However, enhancement of viscosity (400 cp) effected a limitation of contractile function. The responsiveness to beta-adrenoceptor stimulation did not change. Neither inhibition of p38 MAPK with SB 202190 (1 microM) nor inhibition of reactive oxygen species with vitamin C did alter these measured functional parameters. Diabetes mellitus directly influences the activation degree of prominent signalling molecules and the contractile function of adult ventricular cardiomyocytes, which results in facilitating in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy.
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PMID:No correlation between the p38 MAPK pathway and the contractile dysfunction in diabetic cardiomyocytes: hyperglycaemia-induced signalling and contractile function. 1604 1

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a connective tissue disease characterized by destruction of the joint cartilage and subsequently of the underlying bone. Cartilage destruction is due to proteolysis by enzymes called metalloproteinases (MMPs), whose production and expression are regulated by numerous local mediators such as cytokines, growth factors, prostaglandins, oxygen species, and neuropeptides. MMP activation is largely due to a stimulatory effect of cytokines including IL-1beta and TNFalpha. When these cytokines bind to their membrane receptor, they set off signaling cascades, with activation of TGFbeta-activating kinase (TAK-1), of NF-kappaB by Ikappa-B kinase, of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAP kinases), and finally of activator protein-1 (AP-1). Tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs) specifically inhibit MMPs. The interrelations between joint inflammation and joint destruction remain poorly understood. Experimental data suggest that IL-1 may be involved chiefly in joint destruction and TNF in joint inflammation. However, TNF antagonists are potent inhibitors of joint destruction in clinical practice. These results suggest that the mediators function as a network and that inhibition of a single mediator can affect the entire web. Insights gained into the innermost mechanisms of cartilage breakdown in patients with RA have led to major therapeutic breakthroughs. Thus, TNF antagonists have proved highly effective in RA. Future progress will no doubt stem from new knowledge about the extracellular mediators and intracellular signaling pathways that lead to the production and activation of enzymes responsible for cartilage degradation.
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PMID:Cartilage breakdown in rheumatoid arthritis. 1608 81

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), with the potential to destroy tissue, is likely to be tightly regulated. A major regulatory step is the translational repression of TNFalpha. This study evaluates whether endogenous inhibitory cytokines account for this repression. Two cell populations were isolated from peripheral blood using techniques that minimized activation, one composed primarily of monocytes and the other containing T-cells and NK-cells. When cultured without a stimulus in the presence of Abs neutralizing IL-4, IL-10, or TGFbeta, each population released large amounts of TNFalpha, reaching levels induced by PHA or LPS. Their actions were at the post-translational level since the numbers of transcripts did not change, and inhibitors of protein or RNA synthesis had no effects. When inhibitors of 38 MAP kinase and ERK were added, T-cell release of TNFalpha proved to involve both pathways while monocytes were dependent on p38 but not ERK. Changes in soluble TNF receptor levels or cell uptake of TNFalpha were not involved. This study shows that low TNFalpha secretion by resting T-cells and monocytes is maintained by endogenous inhibitors that suppress post-translational processing of TNFalpha by MAP kinases. Keeping TNFalpha levels low is critical to the non-inflammatory steady-state.
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PMID:Endogenous inhibitory cytokines repress TNFalpha secretion. 1638 87

Kinases of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades, including extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK), represent likely targets for pharmacological intervention in proliferative diseases. Here, we report that FR148083 inhibits ERK2 enzyme activity and TGFbeta-induced AP-1-dependent luciferase expression with respective IC50 values of 0.08 and 0.05 microM. FR265083 (1'-2' dihydro form) and FR263574 (1'-2' and 7'-8' tetrahydro form) exhibited 5.5-fold less and no activity, respectively, indicating that both the alpha,beta-unsaturated ketone and the conformation of the lactone ring contribute to this inhibitory activity. The X-ray crystal structure of the ERK2/FR148083 complex revealed that the compound binds to the ATP binding site of ERK2, involving a covalent bond to Sgamma of ERK2 Cys166, hydrogen bonds with the backbone NH of Met108, Nzeta of Lys114, backbone C=O of Ser153, Ndelta2 of Asn154, and hydrophobic interactions with the side chains of Ile31, Val39, Ala52, and Leu156. The covalent bond motif in the ERK2/FR148083 complex assures that the inhibitor has high activity for ERK2 and no activity for other MAPKs such as JNK1 and p38MAPKalpha/beta/gamma/delta which have leucine residues at the site corresponding to Cys166 in ERK2. On the other hand, MEK1 and MKK7, kinases of the MAPKK family which also can be inhibited by FR148083, contain a cysteine residue corresponding to Cys166 of ERK2. The covalent binding to the common cysteine residue in the ATP-binding site is therefore likely to play a crucial role in the inhibitory activity for these MAP kinases. These findings on the molecular recognition mechanisms of FR148083 for kinases with Cys166 should provide a novel strategy for the pharmacological intervention of MAPK cascades.
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PMID:Role of a cysteine residue in the active site of ERK and the MAPKK family. 1719 51

Biglycan, a small leucine rich proteoglycan, is expressed in almost every tissue of the body, mainly in the extracellular matrix of connective tissues. Although there is an increasing amount of data on the biological role of biglycan protein, its function is still poorly understood. We aimed to gather more information about the biological function of biglycan protein in the cardiac tissues, and its role in signal transduction. Therefore, we generated transgenic mice overexpressing the human biglycan protein and analyzed the cardiac protein profile of transgenic offsprings using quantitative real-time (QRT)-PCR and proteomics. QRT-PCR results showed that most members of extracellular matrix were downregulated whereas cadherins, TGF-beta1, and TGF-beta2 were upregulated. Antibody microarrayer experiment revealed that pyk2, RAF-1, Mcl-1, syntrophin, calmodulin, isoforms of NOS protein family (eNOS, nNOS, and iNOS), and synaptotagmin proteins were unambiguously upregulated in the heart of biglycan transgenic mice. In this study we show that biglycan directly or indirectly activates proteins involved in cardiac remodeling (TGF-beta, pyk2), signal transduction (RAF-1, Mcl-1, syntrophin, calmodulin, nNOS p38MAPK and MAP kinases), cardioprotection (NOS family, TGF-beta) and Ca++ signaling (connexin, calmodulin, synaptotagmin). On the basis of the results presented here, we conclude that biglycan is a multifunctional extracellular protein that has a pivotal role in pathological remodeling of cardiac tissue and mediates cardioprotection.
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PMID:Overexpression of biglycan in the heart of transgenic mice: an antibody microarray study. 1726 42


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