Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: EC:3.4.21.5 (thrombin)
33,306 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

1. Thrombin is a vasoactive protease that elicits the contraction of the rabbit aorta by activating a G-protein coupled receptor through cleavage of its N-terminal extracellular domain. Synthetic peptides corresponding to the newly exposed N-terminus, following thrombin cleavage, have been shown to reproduce some of the activities of thrombin in the rabbit aorta. 2. Intracellular pathways involved in the contractile response of the rabbit aorta to thrombin and synthetic peptides were examined by use of a series of inhibitors. A similar method was applied to characterize the mitogenic effect of thrombin on cultured smooth muscle cells (SMCs) derived from the same tissue. 3. Results from this study indicate that the contractile response of the rabbit aorta to thrombin is dependent on the activation of protein kinase C (PKC) and independent of extracellular calcium. The contractile response to thrombin can be fully reproduced by peptide agonists related to the N-terminal receptor sequence. However, subtle differences seem to exist between the mechanism of the contractile effect of thrombin and of the synthetic peptides, as both PKC activation and extracellular calcium were found to participate in the contractile effect of the synthetic peptides. 4. In cultured SMCs, both thrombin and the synthetic peptides increased inositol phosphate turnover; however, only thrombin elicited a mitogenic effect, which occurs at thrombin concentrations well below those needed to increase inositol phosphate turnover significantly. Activation of a tyrosine kinase pathway is involved in the mitogenic effect of thrombin on aortic SMCs. 5. Altogether these results suggest the existence of subtle differences between the mode of action of thrombin and of synthetic peptides related to the N-terminal thrombin receptor sequence, in the rabbit aorta.
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PMID:Mode of action of thrombin in the rabbit aorta. 758 18

The thrombin receptor, a member of the seven membrane-spanning superfamily of G-protein coupled receptors, is activated by an irreversible proteolytic mechanism, but signaling by activated thrombin receptors shuts off soon after receptor activation. This shut-off mechanism is thought to be required for concentration-dependent responses to thrombin and an important determinant of the cell's sensitivity to thrombin. We report that the thrombin receptor is rapidly phosphorylated upon activation, consistent with the action of a G-protein-coupled receptor kinase. Moreover, the G-protein coupled receptor kinase BARK2 (beta-adrenergic receptor kinase 2) blocked signaling by thrombin receptors coexpressed in Xenopus oocytes. In this system, rhodopsin kinase was inactive and BARK1 was markedly less effective than BARK2. Thrombin receptor mutants which lacked potential serine and threonine phosphorylation sites in the receptor's cytoplasmic tail were insensitive to inhibition by exogenous BARK2 but did confer concentration-dependent responses to thrombin. Our studies demonstrate that a G-protein coupled receptor kinase can shut off thrombin receptor signaling but that additional mechanism(s) for terminating signaling exist. These studies also reveal functional specificity among G-protein coupled receptor kinases in a novel in vivo reconstitution system and show that heterologous expression of these kinases can be used to manipulate cellular responsiveness.
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PMID:Inhibition of thrombin receptor signaling by a G-protein coupled receptor kinase. Functional specificity among G-protein coupled receptor kinases. 828 70

IGF I is an ubiquitous peptide that activates a membrane tyrosine kinase receptor and has autocrine/paracrine effects on vascular smooth muscle cells. Thrombin activates a G-protein coupled receptor and is also a mitogen for vascular smooth muscle cells. To assess the potential role of IGF I as a mediator of thrombin's effects, we characterized expression of IGF I and of its receptor on vascular smooth muscle cells exposed to thrombin. Thrombin dose-dependently decreased IGF I mRNA levels and caused a delayed decrease in IGF I secretion from vascular smooth muscle cells. This effect was mimicked by the hexapeptide SF-FLRN (that functions as a tethered ligand) and was inhibited by hirudin. In contrast, thrombin doubled IGF I receptor density on vascular smooth muscle cells, without altering binding affinity (Kd). An anti-IGF I antiserum markedly reduced thrombin-induced DNA synthesis, whereas nonimmune serum and an anti-fibroblast growth factor antibody were without effect. Cell counts confirmed these results. Downregulation of IGF I receptors by antisense phosphorothioate oligonucleotides likewise markedly inhibited thrombin-induced DNA synthesis. These data demonstrate that a functional IGF I-IGF I receptor pathway is essential for thrombin-induced mitogenic signaling and support the concept of cross talk between G-protein coupled and tyrosine kinase receptors.
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PMID:G-protein coupled and tyrosine kinase receptors: evidence that activation of the insulin-like growth factor I receptor is required for thrombin-induced mitogenesis of rat aortic smooth muscle cells. 855 Aug 25

We present the cloning and sequencing of the human gene for a novel G-protein coupled receptor (GPR4), from the critical myotonic dystrophy (DM) region on chromosome 19q13.3. The homologous porcine gene was isolated and sequenced as well. The genes of both species are intronless and contain an open reading frame encoding a protein of 362 amino acids. In human, two isoforms of GPR4 are expressed, differing in their 3' untranslated region due to the use of alternate polyadenylation signals and measuring approximately 2.8 and 1.8 kb, respectively. Northern blot analysis showed that GPR4 is widely expressed, with higher levels in kidney, heart, and especially lung, where it is at least fivefold greater than in other tissues. Sequence analysis suggests that GPR4 is a peptide receptor and shares strongest homologies with purinergic receptors and receptors for angiotensin II, platelet activating factor, thrombin, and bradykinin.
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PMID:Isolation of a novel G protein-coupled receptor (GPR4) localized to chromosome 19q13.3. 859 9

Fps/Fes and Fer proto-oncoproteins are structurally related non-receptor protein-tyrosine kinases implicated in signaling downstream from cytokines, growth factors and immune receptors. We show that Fps/Fes and Fer are expressed in human and mouse platelets, and are activated following stimulation with collagen and collagen-related peptide (CRP), suggesting a role in GPVI receptor signaling. Fer was also activated following stimulation with thrombin and a protease-activated receptor4 (PAR4)-activating peptide, suggesting a role in signaling downstream from the G protein-coupled PAR4. There were no detectable perturbations in CRP-induced activation of Syk, PLCgamma2, cortactin, Erk, Jnk, Akt or p38 in platelets from mice lacking Fps/Fes, Fer, or both kinases. Platelets lacking Fps/Fes, from a targeted fps/fes null strain of mice, showed increased rates and amplitudes of collagen-induced aggregation, relative to wild-type platelets. P-Selectin expression was also elevated on the surface of Fps/Fes-null platelets in response to CRP. Fer-deficient platelets, from mice targeted with a kinase-inactivating mutation, disaggregated more rapidly than wild-type platelets in response to ADP. This report provides the first evidence that Fps/Fes and Fer are expressed in platelets and become activated downstream from the GPVI collagen receptor, and that Fer is activated downstream from a G-protein coupled receptor. Furthermore, using targeted mouse models we show that deficiency in Fps/Fes or Fer resulted in disregulated platelet aggregation and disaggregation, demonstrating a role for these kinases in regulating platelet functions.
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PMID:Fps/Fes and Fer non-receptor protein-tyrosine kinases regulate collagen- and ADP-induced platelet aggregation. 1287 78

Expression of osteopontin (OPN) by activated T-cells and macrophages is required for the development of cell-mediated inflammatory responses. Acting through integrin alpha(v)beta(3) and CD44 receptors, OPN can promote chemoattraction and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression by macrophages. In this study, we have used peritoneal macrophages from OPN-/, CD44-/-, and WT mice to study the relationship between OPN and CD44 in macrophage migration. Using confocal microscopy, we show that OPN co-distributes with CD44 inside macrophages at cell edges and in cell processes in a mutually dependent manner. The existence of an intracellular form of OPN is supported by pulse-chase studies in which a thrombin-sensitive, phosphorylated protein immunoprecipitated with OPN antibodies is retained inside macrophages. In OPN-/- and CD44-/- macrophages, the absence of CD44 and OPN, respectively, is associated with the formation of fewer cell processes, reduced cell fusion required to form functional multinucleated osteoclasts in the presence of CSF-1 and RANKL, and impaired chemotaxis. Whereas the chemotaxis of CD44-/- cells to various chemoattractants is almost completely abrogated, a differential effect is seen with the OPN-/- cells. Thus, OPN-/- cells migrate normally towards CSF-1 but not towards fMLP and MCP-1, which signal through G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). That the GPCR-mediated migration is dependent upon the level of cell-surface CD44 is indicated by the reduced cell-surface expression of CD44 in OPN-/- cells and a comparable impairment in the chemotaxis of CD44+/- cells. Although chemotaxis of OPN-/- cells could be rescued by an OPN substratum, or by addition of high levels of OPN in solution, no response is evident with physiological levels of OPN, indicating a requirement for the CD44-associated intracellular OPN in CD44 cell-surface expression. These studies indicate, therefore, that the level of cell surface CD44 is critical for GPCR-mediated chemotaxis by peritoneal macrophages and suggest that a novel intracellular form of OPN may modulate CD44 activities involved in these processes.
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PMID:Osteopontin modulates CD44-dependent chemotaxis of peritoneal macrophages through G-protein-coupled receptors: evidence of a role for an intracellular form of osteopontin. 1458 55

Transmembrane signaling through G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) controls a remarkably diverse array of cellular processes including metabolism, growth, motility, adhesion, neuronal signaling, and blood coagulation. The large number of GPCRs and their important roles in normal physiology and in disease have made them the target for more than 50% of prescribed drugs. GPCR agonists and antagonists invariably act on the extracellular surface of the receptors, whereas the intracellular surface has not yet been exploited for development of new therapeutic agents. Here, we demonstrate the utility of novel cell-penetrating peptides, termed pepducins, that act as intracellular inhibitors and/or agonists of signal transference from receptor to G protein. The pepducins require the presence of their cognate receptor for activity and are highly selective for receptor type. Mutational analysis of both intact receptor and pepducins demonstrates that the cell-penetrating agonists do not activate G proteins by the same mechanism as the intact receptor i3 loop, but instead require the C-tail of the receptor. Attachment of a palmitate lipid to shorter i3 loop peptides derived from protease-activated receptors PAR1 and PAR4 created potent inhibitors of thrombin-mediated aggregation of human platelets. Infusion of the anti-PAR4 pepducin into mice extended bleeding time and protected against systemic platelet activation, consistent with the phenotype of a mouse with genetic deficiency of PAR4. These data show that pepducins may be used to ascertain the physiological roles of GPCRs and rapidly determine the potential therapeutic value of blockade of a particular signaling pathway.
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PMID:Blocking receptors on the inside: pepducin-based intervention of PAR signaling and thrombosis. 1460 53

Protease activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) is a key mediator of the cellular actions of alpha-thrombin. Thus, antagonism of this unique G-protein coupled receptor with a small molecule represents a means of selectively inhibiting thrombin's cellular actions without inhibiting its proteolytic activity. RWJ-58259 (alphaS)-N-[(1S)-3-amino-1-[[(phenylmethyl)- amino]carbonyl]propyl]-alpha-[[[[[1-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)methyl]-3-(1-pyrrolidinylmethyl)-1H-indazol-6-yl]amino]carbonyl]amino]-3,4-difluorobenzenepropanamide) is a potent and selective inhibitor of PAR-1 identified as part of a synthetic chemistry program based upon a de novo design approach. RWJ-58259 inhibited thrombin-induced platelet aggregation in human platelets with an IC50 of 0.37 microM without inhibiting thrombin's proteolytic activity or aggregation induced by other agonists. RWJ-58259 was not effective in guinea pig models of thrombosis. This reflected the presence of a second thrombin-sensitive receptor system in guinea pigs (PAR-3/4) and the selectivity of RWJ-58259 for PAR-1. However, RWJ-58259 was effective in a non-human primate model of thrombosis. Because human platelets have a PAR expression profile similar to the non-human primate, PAR-1 antagonism has the potential to be antithrombotic in humans. RWJ-58259 also inhibited thrombin-induced intracellular calcium signaling and proliferation in rat vascular smooth muscle cells. Perivascular application of RWJ-58259 in vivo significantly inhibited arterial injury-induced stenosis in a rat model of balloon angioplasty. These preclinical results suggest a potential clinical utility of RWJ-58259 for treatment of thrombotic disorders and vascular injury associated with acute coronary interventions and atherosclerosis. Given the potential role of PAR-1 in thrombin's actions in other cell types and disease states, RWJ-58259 provides a means for assessing additional clinical utilities of PAR-1 antagonism in disease conditions such as inflammation, cancer and neurodegeneration.
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PMID:RWJ-58259: a selective antagonist of protease activated receptor-1. 1464 34

Using a signal sequence trap for selection of differentially expressed secretory and membrane proteins, we identified a novel member of the adhesion family of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), termed vascular inducible GPCR (VIGR). VIGR contains C1r-C1s, Uegf and Bmp1 (CUB) and pentraxin (PTX)-like modules and a mucin-like spacer, followed by seven transmembrane domains. By surface biotinylation as well as by immunofluorescence analysis we demonstrate that endogenous, highly glycosylated VIGR is expressed on the cell surface of endothelial cells (ECs) upon LPS or thrombin treatment, and inducible expression is mediated by MAP kinases, but not NF-kappaB. We show that VIGR is selectively expressed in ECs derived from larger vessels, but not from microvessels. In summary, VIGR represents a novel GPCR of the adhesion family, which is unique in its long extra-cellular domain comprising CUB and PTX-like modules and in its inducibility by LPS and thrombin in a subset of ECs, suggesting an important function in cell-adhesion and potentially links inflammation and coagulation.
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PMID:VIGR--a novel inducible adhesion family G-protein coupled receptor in endothelial cells. 1522 24

Protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) is a G-protein coupled receptor that is cleaved and activated by serine proteases including the coagulation protease factor VIIa (FVIIa). There is evidence that PAR2 function contributes to angiogenesis, but the mechanisms involved are poorly defined. Here we show that PAR2 activation in human breast cancer cells leads to the upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Activation of PAR2 with agonist peptide (AP), trypsin or FVIIa results in a robust increase of VEGF message and protein. Incubation of cells with PAR1-AP, PAR3-AP, PAR4-AP, or thrombin has only a modest effect on VEGF production. Cleavage blocking antibodies show that FVIIa-mediated VEGF production is PAR2 mediated. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway inhibitors U0126 and SB203580 inhibit PAR2-mediated VEGF production. Incubation of cells with PAR2-AP leads to significant extracellular regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2) and p38 MAPK phosphorylation and activation. Collectively, these data suggest that PAR2 signaling through MAPK pathways leads to the production of proangiogenic VEGF in breast cancer cells.
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PMID:Protease-activated receptor-2 regulates vascular endothelial growth factor expression in MDA-MB-231 cells via MAPK pathways. 1665 Aug 17


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