Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0027651 (tumor)
 685,946 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) regulates gene expression in response to various extracellular stimuli. JNK can be activated by the tumor promoting agent, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in normal human oral keratinocytes but not in human keratinocytes that have been immortalized (HOK-16B and HaCaT) or transformed (HOK-16B-Bap-T) nor in a cervical carcinoma cell line (HeLa). The refractory JNK activation response to TPA is not due a defect in the JNK pathway, because JNK can be activated by other stimuli, e.g. UV irradiation and an alkylating agent N-methyl-N'-nitrosoguanidine in these immortalized or transformed cells. More importantly, the refractory JNK and JNKK activation response to TPA can be restored by treatment of the cells with a combination of TPA and a protein-tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, sodium orthovanadate. Furthermore, pretreatment of cells with TPA partially inhibited UV- or N-methyl-N'-nitrosoguanidine-induced JNK activity. These results suggest that a TPA-inducible, orthovanadate-sensitive protein-tyrosine phosphatase may specifically down-regulate JNK signaling pathway in these immortalized/transformed epithelial cells. In contrast, ERK and p38/Mpk2 are not regulated by this TPA-induced phosphatase. This putative protein-tyrosine phosphatase appears to be JNK pathway-specific.
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PMID:12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphatase renders immortalized or transformed epithelial cells refractory to TPA-inducible JNK activity. 1080 30

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) using the silicon phthalocyanine photosensitizer Pc 4 [HOSiPcOSi(CH3)2(CH2)3N-(CH3)2] is an oxidative stress associated with induction of apoptosis in various cell types. We assessed the effectiveness of Pc 4-PDT on SW480 colon cancer xenografts grown in athymic nude mice. Animals bearing xenografts were treated with 1 mg/kg body weight Pc 4 and 48 h later were irradiated with 150 J/cm2 672-nm light from a diode laser delivered at 150 mW/cm2. Biochemical studies were performed in xenografts resected at various time points up to 26 h after Pc 4-PDT treatment, whereas tumor size was evaluated over a 4-week period in parallel experiments. In the tumors resected for biochemical studies, apoptosis was visualized by activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3 and a gradual increase in the cleavage of the nuclear enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) to a maximum of approximately 60% of the total PARP present at approximately 26 h. At that time all Pc 4-PDT-treated tumors had regressed significantly. Two signaling responses that have previously been shown to be associated with Pc 4-PDT-induced apoptosis in cultured cells, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and p21/WAF1/Cip1, were examined. A marked increase in phosphorylation of p38 was observed within 1 h after Pc 4-PDT without changes in levels of the p38 protein. Levels of p21 were not altered in the xenografts in correspondence with the presence of mutant p53 in SW480 cells. Evaluation of tumor size showed that tumor growth resumed after a delay of 9-15 days. Our results suggest that: (a) Pc 4-PDT is effective in the treatment of SW480 human colon cancer xenografts independent of p53 status; (b) PARP cleavage may be mediated by caspase-9 and caspase-3 activation in the Pc 4-PDT-treated tumors; and (c) p38 phosphorylation may be a trigger of apoptosis in response to PDT in vivo in this tumor model.
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PMID:Photodynamic therapy with the phthalocyanine photosensitizer Pc 4 of SW480 human colon cancer xenografts in athymic mice. 1081 28

Identifying mechanisms that underlie the resistance of human melanoma to radiation and chemotherapy is expected to assist in developing new strategies for the treatment of this tumor type. We recently demonstrated that through up-regulation of TNFalpha, ATF2 increases the resistance of late stage melanoma cells to apoptosis induced by UV-irradiation. In elucidating the role of ATF2 kinases, we now demonstrate that ASK1/MKK6/p38 elicits suppression of Fas expression. ASK1/p38 downregulates the expression of a Fas via NF-kappaB/SP1 site on the Fas promoter. Deletion or mutation of NF-kappaB/SP1 within the Fas promoter abrogates p38 effect. ASK1/p38 silences the Fas promoter by inhibition of IkappaBalpha phosphorylation - thereby limiting NF-kappaB activity. Forced expression of a dominant negative form of p38 (p38-ASP) or treatment with p38 pharmacological inhibitor, SB203580, increases NF-kappaB activity, Fas expression and the levels of UVC-induced apoptosis in late stage melanoma cells. Inhibition of p38 activity also restored NF-kappaB activity and Fas expression in early-phase melanoma cells, suggesting that p38 elicited suppression of Fas expression is not restricted to late phase melanoma. Identifying p38-mediated down-regulation of Fas expression illustrates a novel regulatory pathway by which ASK1/MKK6/p38 alters the degree and nature of the UV-induced apoptosis of melanoma cells. Oncogene (2000).
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PMID:p38 protects human melanoma cells from UV-induced apoptosis through down-regulation of NF-kappaB activity and Fas expression. 1087 52

Activation of alpha1B-adrenergic receptors ((alpha1B)AR) by phenylephrine (PE) induces scattering of HepG2 cells stably transfected with the (alpha1B)AR (TFG2 cells). Scattering was also observed after stimulation of TFG2 cells with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) but not with hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor, epidermal growth factor, or insulin. PMA but not phenylephrine rapidly activated PKCalpha in TFG2 cells, and the highly selective PKC inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide (GFX) completely abolished PMA-induced but not PE-induced scattering. PE rapidly activated p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), p38 MAPK, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and AP1 (c-fos/c-jun). Selective blockade of p42/44 MAPK activity by PD98059 or by transfection of a MEK1 dominant negative adenovirus significantly inhibited the PE-induced scattering of TFG2 cells. Selective inhibition of p38 MAPK by SB203850 or SB202190 also blocked PE-induced scattering, whereas treatment of TFG2 cells with the PI3 kinase inhibitors LY294002 or wortmannin did not inhibit PE-induced scattering. Blocking JNK activation with a dominant negative mutant of JNK or blocking AP1 activation with a dominant negative mutant of c-jun (TAM67) significantly inhibited PE-induced cell scattering. These data indicate that PE-induced scattering of TFG2 cells is mediated by complex mechanisms, including activation of p42/44 MAPK, p38 MAPK, and JNK. Cell spreading has been reported to play important roles in wound repair, tumor invasion, and metastasis. Therefore, catecholamines acting via the (alpha1)AR may modulate these physiological and pathological processes.
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PMID:Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases is required for alpha1-adrenergic agonist-induced cell scattering in transfected HepG2 cells. 1091 93

The opposing effects on proliferation mediated by G-protein-coupled receptor isoforms differing in their COOH termini could be correlated with the abilities of the receptors to differentially activate p38, implicated in apoptotic events, or phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-K), which provides a source of survival signals. These contrasting growth responses of the somatostatin sst(2) receptor isoforms, which couple to identical Galpha subunit pools (Galpha(i3) > Galpha(i2) >> Galpha(0)), were both inhibited following betagamma sequestration. The sst(2(a)) receptor-mediated ATF-2 activation and inhibition of proliferation induced by basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were dependent on prolonged phosphorylation of p38. In contrast, cell proliferation and the associated transient phosphorylation of Akt and p70(rsk) induced by sst(2(b)) receptors were blocked by the PI 3-K inhibitor LY 294002. Stimulation with bFGF alone had no effect on the activity of either p38 or Akt but markedly enhanced p38 phosphorylation mediated by sst(2(a)) receptors, suggesting that a complex interplay exists between the transduction cascades activated by these distinct receptor types. In addition, although all receptors mediated a sustained activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1 and ERK2), induction of the tumor suppressor p21(cip1) was detected only following amplification of ERK and p38 phosphorylation by concomitant bFGF and sst(2(a)) receptor activation. Expression of constitutively active Akt in the presence of a p38 inhibitor enabled a proliferative response to be detected in sst(2(a)) receptor-expressing cells. These findings demonstrate that the duration of activation and a critical balance between the mitogen-activated protein kinase and PI 3-K pathways are important for controlling cell proliferation and that the COOH termini of the sst(2) receptor isoforms may determine the selection of appropriate betagamma-pairings necessary for interaction with distinct kinase cascades.
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PMID:Receptor isoforms mediate opposing proliferative effects through gbetagamma-activated p38 or Akt pathways. 1091 80

Increased expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression has been observed in several human tumor types and in selected animal and cell culture models of carcinogenesis, including lung cancer. Increased expression of COX-2 and production of prostaglandins appear to provide a survival advantage to transformed cells through the inhibition of apoptosis, increased attachment to extracellular matrix, increased invasiveness, and the stimulation of angiogenesis. In the present studies, we found that transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) synergistically induced the expression of COX-2 and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in mink lung epithelial (Mv1Lu) cells. EGF, but not PDGF or IGF-1, was able to inhibit TGF-beta1-induced apoptosis in Mv1Lu cells and this effect was blocked by NS-398, a selective inhibitor of COX-2 activity, suggesting a possible role for COX-2 in the anti-apoptotic effect of EGF receptor ligands. The combination of TGF-beta1 and EGF also significantly induced COX-2 expression in rat intestinal epithelial (RIE-1) cells and completely prevented sodium butyrate (NaBu)-induced apoptosis. The synergistic induction of COX-2 by TGF-beta1 and EGF was not observed in R1B-L17 cells, a line derived from Mv1Lu cells that lacks the TGF-beta type-I receptor. AG1478, a selective inhibitor of EGF receptor tyrosine kinase activity, completely suppressed the induction of COX-2 expression by either EGF or TGF-beta1+EGF. Also, PD98059, a specific inhibitor of MEK/ERK pathway, and SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK activity, significantly inhibited the induction of COX-2 in response to combined EGF and TGF-beta1. These results suggest an important collaborative interaction of TGF-beta1 and EGF signaling in the induction of COX-2 and prostaglandin production in Mv1Lu cells.
Neoplasia 1999 Dec
PMID:Synergistic induction of cyclooxygenase-2 by transforming growth factor-beta1 and epidermal growth factor inhibits apoptosis in epithelial cells. 1093 98

Ras activates three mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) including ERK, JNK, and p38. Whereas the essential roles of ERK and JNK in Ras signaling has been established, the contribution of p38 remains unclear. Here we demonstrate that the p38 pathway functions as a negative regulator of Ras proliferative signaling via a feedback mechanism. Oncogenic Ras activated p38 and two p38-activated protein kinases, MAPK-activated protein kinase 2 (MK2) and p38-related/activated protein kinase (PRAK). MK2 and PRAK in turn suppressed Ras-induced gene expression and cell proliferation, whereas two mutant PRAKs, unresponsive to Ras, had little effect. Moreover, the constitutive p38 activator MKK6 also suppressed Ras activity in a p38-dependent manner whereas arsenite, a potent chemical inducer of p38, inhibited proliferation only in a tumor cell line that required Ras activity. MEK was required for Ras stimulation of the p38 pathway. The p38 pathway inhibited Ras activity by blocking activation of JNK, without effect upon ERK, as evidenced by the fact that PRAK-mediated suppression of Ras-induced cell proliferation was reversed by coexpression of JNKK2 or JNK1. These studies thus establish a negative feedback mechanism by which Ras proliferative activity is regulated via signaling integrations of MAPK pathways.
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PMID:The p38 pathway provides negative feedback for Ras proliferative signaling. 1097 13

Interleukin 1-beta (IL-1beta) induces apoptosis in a glioblastoma-derived human cell line, exhibiting a poorly differentiated astrocytic phenotype. The apoptotic effect was demonstrated by analyzing nuclear morphology, in situ DNA fragmentation, and by ELISA detection of cytoplasmatic nucleosomes. We correlated the degree of differentiation of GL15 cells with the apoptotic response: 1) 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining, combined with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunofluorescence, showed that the cells with apoptotic nuclei express low levels of GFAP; and 2) at 13 days of subculture, in a more differentiated state, GL15 cells did not respond with apoptosis to IL-1beta. In this cell line, nonrandom chromosome changes and the expression of SV40 early region have been previously shown. The involvement of p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in the induction of apoptosis by IL-1beta was hypothesized. Previous studies have shown that SV40 small T antigen partially inhibits phosphatase 2A, leading to an enhancement of the steady-state activity of p42/p44 MAPK pathway. PD-098059, specific inhibitor of p42/p44 MAPK pathway, counteracts the apoptotic effect of IL-1beta, whereas SB-203580, specific inhibitor of p38 stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) pathway, is ineffective. The imbalance between MAPK and SAPK pathways has been proposed as a key factor in determination of cell fate. Our results demonstrate that a further stimulation of p42/p44 MAPK pathway can constitute a death signal in tumor cells in which genomic damage and MAPK pathway control alterations occur.
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PMID:Interleukin-1beta induces apoptosis in GL15 glioblastoma-derived human cell line. 1107 22

In the present study, we investigated the effects of geranylgeraniol (GGO), a potent inducer of apoptosis in various lines of human tumor cells, on signal transduction cascades involved in apoptosis in human leukemia cells. GGO strongly induced the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK/SAPK) within 2 h in U937 and K562 cells, while neither ERK nor p38 was activated to any considerable extent during GGO-induced apoptosis. Transient expression of a constitutively active mutant form of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MEKK1), deltaMEKK1, or of deltaMEKK1-green fluorescent protein (GFP) in K562 cells activated JNK, but not a caspase-3-like protease, and was insufficient to induce cell death but rendered cells susceptible to GGO-induced cell death. Stable expressions of deltaMEKK1-GFP in U937 cells gave similar results. In contrast to VP-16-induced apoptosis, GGO-induced activation of JNK was almost completely inhibited by benzyloxycarbonyl-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-fluoromethylketone (Z-DEVD) and by benzyloxycarbonyl-Asp-CH2OC[O]-2,6,-dichlorobenzene (Z-Asp), indicating that the JNK-activation step is located downstream of the caspase signaling pathway in GGO-induced apoptosis. Moreover, apoptosis induced by GGO was significantly inhibited in two lines of cells with a dominant-negative deletion mutation in c-Jun, indicating a requirement for JNK signaling. In addition, unlike the effects on other inducers of apoptosis, the activation of JNK and of the caspase-3-like protease by GGO was significantly delayed by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), suggesting that the site of inhibition by TPA might be located upstream of the protease and JNK in the GGO-induced apoptotic signaling pathway.
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PMID:The mechanism of geranylgeraniol-induced apoptosis involves activation, by a caspase-3-like protease, of a c-jun N-terminal kinase signaling cascade and differs from mechanisms of apoptosis induced by conventional chemotherapeutic drugs. 1108 77

Collagenase-1 [matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1] is expressed by stromal fibroblasts of various invasive malignant tumors. Here, we have examined the molecular mechanisms of tumor-induced expression of MMP-1 by stromal fibroblasts. Treatment of fibroblasts with conditioned media of tumor cells derived from squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of the oral cavity and larynx resulted in activation of fibroblast MMP-1 expression at the transcriptional level. The induction of MMP-1 expression correlates with activation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphorylation of c-Jun and activating transcription factor-2 (ATF-2) and is dependent on the activity of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. Furthermore, using fibroblasts derived from JNK2-/- mice, we show that JNK2 is required for induction of fibroblast collagenase-3 expression in response to conditioned SCC tumor cell medium. Together, these results provide evidence that stress-activated p38 and JNK pathways play a crucial role in paracrine regulation of collagenolytic capacity of stromal fibroblasts in SCCs and suggest JNK2 as a novel target for inhibition of MMP-1 expression and tumor invasion.
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PMID:Activation of fibroblast collagenase-1 expression by tumor cells of squamous cell carcinomas is mediated by p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase-2. 1115 25


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