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

VASP (vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein) is an actin- and profilin-binding protein that is expressed in platelets at high levels and plays a major role in negatively regulating secretory and adhesive events in these cells. VASP is a major substrate for cAMP- and cGMP-regulated protein kinases and it has been shown to be directly phosphorylated on Ser157 by PKC (protein kinase C). In the present paper, we show that, in human platelets, VASP is phosphorylated by PKC on Ser157, but not Ser239, in response to phorbol ester stimulation, in a manner blocked by the PKC inhibitor BIM I (bisindolylmaleimide I). In response to thrombin, VASP was also phosphorylated on Ser157, but this response was only partially inhibited by BIM I, indicating PKC-dependent and -independent pathways to VASP phosphorylation by thrombin. Using inhibitors, we have ruled out the possibility that the PKC-independent pathway acts through guanylate cyclase generation of cGMP, or through a phosphoinositide 3-kinase-dependent kinase. Inhibition of Rho kinase, however, substantially reduced Ser157 VASP phosphorylation, and its effects were additive with BIM I. This implicates Rho kinase and PKC as the major kinases that phosphorylate VASP Ser157 in response to thrombin in platelets.
...
PMID:Vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) is phosphorylated on Ser157 by protein kinase C-dependent and -independent mechanisms in thrombin-stimulated human platelets. 1619 68

Cofilin is a regulator of actin filament dynamics. We studied whether during platelet activation Rho kinase stimulates LIM kinase (LIMK) leading to subsequent phosphorylation and inactivation of cofilin. Platelet shape change and aggregation/secretion were induced by low and high concentrations of thrombin, respectively. We found that during these platelet responses Rho kinase activation was responsible for mediating rapid Thr508 phosphorylation and activation of LIMK-1 and for the F-actin increase during shape change and, in part, during secretion. Surprisingly, during shape change cofilin phosphorylation was unaltered, and during aggregation/secretion cofilin was first rapidly dephosphorylated by an okadaic acid-insensitive phosphatase and then slowly rephosphorylated by LIMK-1. LIMK-1 phosphorylation and cofilin dephosphorylation and rephosphorylation during aggregation were independent of integrin alpha(IIb)beta(3) engagement. Cofilin phosphorylation did not regulate cofilin association with F-actin and was unrelated to the F-actin increase in thrombin-activated platelets. Our study identifies LIMK-1 as being activated by Rho kinase in thrombin-stimulated platelets. Two counteracting pathways, a cofilin phosphatase and LIMK-1, are activated during platelet aggregation/secretion regulating cofilin phosphorylation sequentially and independently of integrin alpha(IIb)beta(3) engagement. Rho kinase-mediated F-actin increase during platelet shape change and secretion involves a mechanism other than LIMK-1-mediated cofilin phosphorylation, raising the possibility of another LIMK substrate regulating platelet actin assembly.
...
PMID:Regulation of LIM-kinase 1 and cofilin in thrombin-stimulated platelets. 1621 3

Protease-activated receptors (PARs) activate Gq and G(12/13) pathways, as well as Akt (protein kinase B [PKB/Akt]) in platelets. However, the relative contribution of different G-protein pathways to Akt phosphorylation has not been elucidated. We investigated the contribution of Gq and G(12/13) to Gi/Gz-mediated Akt phosphorylation downstream of PAR activation. Selective G(12/13) activation failed to cause Akt phosphorylation in human and Galpha q-deficient mouse platelets. However, supplementing Gi/Gz signaling to G(12/13) caused significant increase in Akt phosphorylation, confirming that G(12/13) potentiates Akt phosphorylation. Inhibition of PAR-mediated Akt phosphorylation in the presence of the Gq-selective inhibitor YM-254890 was restored to the normal extent achieved by PAR agonists if supplemented with Gi signaling, indicating that Gq does not have any direct effect on Akt phosphorylation. Selective G(12/13) activation resulted in Src kinase activation, and Akt phosphorylation induced by costimulation of G(12/13) and Gi/Gz was inhibited by a Src kinase inhibitor but not by a Rho kinase inhibitor. These data demonstrate that G(12/13), but not Gq, is essential for thrombin-induced Akt phosphorylation in platelets, whereas Gq indirectly contributes to Akt phosphorylation through Gi stimulation by secreted ADP. G(12/13) activation might mediate its potentiating effect through Src activation, and Src kinases play an important role in thrombin-mediated Akt phosphorylation.
...
PMID:Relative contribution of G-protein-coupled pathways to protease-activated receptor-mediated Akt phosphorylation in platelets. 1622 79

Endothelial cell (EC) barrier dysfunction is associated with many types of vascular diseases. Investigators have hypothesized that altered EC contraction in conjunction with morphological changes may lead to EC dysfunction. However, the nature of EC contraction and its regulatory mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study we measured thrombin-induced force in bovine arterial EC force using EC fibers that were grown in a collagen matrix. Contraction, which occurred in time- and dose-dependent fashion, was elicited by thrombin. The thrombin-enhanced EC layer permeability was correlated with EC fiber contraction. These results suggest that EC contractile response is involved in alteration of EC barrier function. During the initial period of thrombin stimulation, cadherin complexes were disrupted and cell-to-cell connections were reduced. This was dependent on the transient increase in intracellular calcium concentration and myosin phosphorylation. Rho kinase activation led to rearrangement of actin stress fibers (ASF). Paracellular holes were created in the EC layer in parallel to EC morphological change. Our findings suggest that EC layer permeability is regulated by two distinguishable steps. In the initial period, the cell-to-cell connection was reduced in a calcium-dependent fashion. Subsequently, Rho kinase and ASF-mediated force development increased EC layer permeability via morphological change of EC.
...
PMID:Thrombin-induced force development in vascular endothelial cells: contribution to alteration of permeability mediated by calcium-dependent and -independent pathways. 1627 88

1.--Thrombin is activated during gingival tissue injury and inflammation. Thrombin (platelet)-rich plasma has been used for periodontal regeneration with success. Thrombin and other bacterial proteases also affect the functions of adjacent periodontal cells via stimulation of protease-activated receptors (PARs). 2.--We noted that thrombin (0.1-2 U ml(-1)), human, and frog PAR-1 agonist peptide (20-240 microM) induced the gingival fibroblast (GF)-populated collagen gel contraction within 2 h of exposure. However, PAR-2, PAR-3, and PAR-4 agonist peptide (20-240 microM) showed little effect on collagen gel contraction. U73122 (phospholipase C inhibitor) and 2-APB (IP3 antagonist) were effective in inhibition of GF contraction. 3.--Thrombin-induced GF contraction was inhibited by 5 mM EGTA (an extracellular calcium chelator) and verapamil (an L-type calcium channel blocker). In addition, W7 (10 and 25 microM, a calcium/calmodulin (CaM) inhibitor), ML-7 (50 microM, myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) inhibitor), and HA1077 (100 microM, Rho kinase inhibitor) completely inhibited the thrombin-induced collagen gel contraction. Thrombin also induced the phosphorylation of ERK1/ERK2 and elevated the Rho-GTP levels in GF. 4.--However, U0126 only partially inhibited the thrombin-induced GF contraction. Similarly, wortmannin (100 nM), LY294002 (20 microM) (two PI3K inhibitor) and genistein also showed partial inhibition. Moreover, NAC was not able to suppress the GF contraction, as supported by the slight decrease in reactive oxygen species production in GF by thrombin. 5.--Thrombin also stimulated metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-3 production in GF. But addition of GM6001 or 1,10-phenanthroline, two MMP inhibitors, could not inhibit the thrombin-induced GF contraction. 6.--These results indicate that thrombin is crucial in the periodontal inflammation and wound healing by promoting GF contraction. This event is mainly mediated via PAR-1 activation, PLC activation, extracellular calcium influx via L-type calcium channel, and the calcium/CaM-MLCK and Rho kinase activation pathway.
...
PMID:Signaling mechanism of thrombin-induced gingival fibroblast-populated collagen gel contraction. 1629 51

Contractile tension of alveolar epithelial cells plays a major role in the force balance that regulates the structural integrity of the alveolar barrier. The aim of this work was to study thrombin-induced contractile forces of alveolar epithelial cells. A549 alveolar epithelial cells were challenged with thrombin, and time course of contractile forces was measured by traction microscopy. The cells exhibited basal contraction with total force magnitude 55.0 +/- 12.0 nN (mean +/- SE, n = 12). Traction forces were exerted predominantly at the cell periphery and pointed to the cell center. Thrombin (1 U/ml) induced a fast and sustained 2.5-fold increase in traction forces, which maintained peripheral and centripetal distribution. Actin fluorescent staining revealed F-actin polymerization and enhancement of peripheral actin rim. Disruption of actin cytoskeleton with cytochalasin D (5 microM, 30 min) and inhibition of myosin light chain kinase with ML-7 (10 microM, 30 min) and Rho kinase with Y-27632 (10 microM, 30 min) markedly depressed basal contractile tone and abolished thrombin-induced cell contraction. Therefore, the contractile response of alveolar epithelial cells to the inflammatory agonist thrombin was mediated by actin cytoskeleton remodeling and actomyosin activation through myosin light chain kinase and Rho kinase signaling pathways. Thrombin-induced contractile tension might further impair alveolar epithelial barrier integrity in the injured lung.
...
PMID:Thrombin-induced contraction in alveolar epithelial cells probed by traction microscopy. 1667 16

Activation of latent TGF-beta by the alpha(v)beta6 integrin is a critical step in the development of acute lung injury. However, the mechanism by which alpha(v)beta6-mediated TGF-beta activation is regulated has not been identified. We show that thrombin, and other agonists of protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1), activate TGF-beta in an alpha(v)beta6 integrin-specific manner. This effect is PAR1 specific and is mediated by RhoA and Rho kinase. Intratracheal instillation of the PAR1-specific peptide TFLLRN increases lung edema during high-tidal-volume ventilation, and this effect is completely inhibited by a blocking antibody against the alpha(v)beta6 integrin. Instillation of TFLLRN during high-tidal-volume ventilation is associated with increased pulmonary TGF-beta activation; however, this is not observed in Itgb6-/- mice. Furthermore, Itgb6-/- mice are also protected from ventilator-induced lung edema. We also demonstrate that pulmonary edema and TGF-beta activity are similarly reduced in Par1-/- mice following bleomycin-induced lung injury. These results suggest that PAR1-mediated enhancement of alpha(v)beta6-dependent TGF-beta activation could be one mechanism by which activation of the coagulation cascade contributes to the development of acute lung injury, and they identify PAR1 and the alpha(v)beta6 integrin as potential therapeutic targets in this condition.
...
PMID:Ligation of protease-activated receptor 1 enhances alpha(v)beta6 integrin-dependent TGF-beta activation and promotes acute lung injury. 1671 Apr 77

Previously we reported that the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) agonist thrombin potentiated the mitogenic effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on human airway smooth muscle (ASM) by promoting sustained late-phase activation of PI3K and p70S6K via a pathway dependent on Gbetagamma subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins. Here, we provide additional mechanistic insight and reveal the robustness of this phenomenon by demonstrating that H1 histamine and thromboxane receptors utilize the same mechanism to augment ASM growth via specific activation of the heterotrimeric G protein G(q/11). Thrombin, histamine, and U46619 all enhanced EGF-stimulated [3H]-thymidine incorporation as well as late-phase Akt and p70S6K phosphorylation in ASM cultures. Heterologous expression of Gbetagamma sequestrants (GRK2CT-GFP or Galpha(i)G203A), as well as GRK2NT-GFP (an RGS protein for G(q/11)) but neither p115RhoGEFRGS-GFP (an RGS for G(12/13)) nor pertussis toxin pretreatment (inactivating G(i/o)), attenuated the effects on both signaling and growth. Inhibition of Rho, Rho kinase, or Src, or modulation of arrestin expression did not significantly affect the cooperative signaling by EGF and any of the GPCR agonists. Thus, G(q/11)-coupled receptors are the principal GPCR subfamily mediating cooperative mitogenic signaling in ASM, acting through Gbetagamma-dependent, and Src/arrestin-independent activation of PI3K and p70S6K.
...
PMID:Cooperative mitogenic signaling by G protein-coupled receptors and growth factors is dependent on G(q/11). 1672 77

Contraction forces generated by non-muscle cells such as fibroblasts play important roles in determining cell morphology, vasoconstriction, and/or wound healing. However, few factors that induce cell contraction forces are known, such as lysophosphatidic acid and thrombin. Our study analyzed various plant extracts for ingredients that induce generation of cell contraction forces in fibroblasts populating collagen gels. We found that an extract of Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) is able to induce such contraction forces in fibroblasts. The involvement of actin polymerization and stress fiber formation in the force generation was suggested by inhibition of this effect by cytochalasin D and by Rhodamine phalloidin. Rho kinase inhibitors (Y27632 and HA1077) and a Rho inhibitor (exoenzyme C3) significantly inhibited the force generation induced by the Horse chestnut extract. H7, which inhibits Rho kinase as well as other protein kinases, also significantly inhibited induction of force generation. However, inhibitors of other protein kinases such as myosin light chain kinase (ML-9), protein kinase C (Calphostin), protein kinase A (KT5720), and tyrosine kinase (Genistein, Herbimycin A) had no effect on force generation induced by Horse chestnut extract. These results suggest that the Horse chestnut extract induces generation of contraction forces in fibroblasts through stress fiber formation followed by activation of Rho protein and Rho kinase but not myosin light chain kinase or other protein kinases.
...
PMID:Horse chestnut extract induces contraction force generation in fibroblasts through activation of Rho/Rho kinase. 1675 96

The actin-myosin cytoskeleton is generally accepted to produce the contractile forces necessary for cellular processes such as cell rounding and migration. All vertebrates examined to date are known to express at least two isoforms of non-muscle myosin II, referred to as myosin IIA and myosin IIB. Studies of myosin IIA and IIB in cultured cells and null mice suggest that these isoforms perform distinct functions. However, how each myosin II isoform contributes individually to all the cellular functions attributed to "myosin II" has yet to be fully characterized. Using isoform-specific small-interfering RNAs, we found that depletion of either isoform resulted in opposing migration phenotypes, with myosin IIA- and IIB-depleted cells exhibiting higher and lower wound healing migration rates, respectively. In addition, myosin IIA-depleted cells demonstrated impaired thrombin-induced cell rounding and undertook a more motile morphology, exhibiting decreased amounts of stress fibers and focal adhesions, with concomitant increases in cellular protrusions. Cells depleted of myosin IIB, however, were efficient in thrombin-induced cell rounding, displayed a more retractile phenotype, and maintained focal adhesions but only in the periphery. Last, we present evidence that Rho kinase preferentially regulates phosphorylation of the regulatory light chain associated with myosin IIA. Our data suggest that the myosin IIA and IIB isoforms are regulated by different signaling pathways to perform distinct cellular activities and that myosin IIA is preferentially required for Rho-mediated contractile functions.
...
PMID:Rho kinase differentially regulates phosphorylation of nonmuscle myosin II isoforms A and B during cell rounding and migration. 1702 Aug 81


<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Next >>