Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:O76050 (neu)
 3,969 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Recently, constitutively active mutants of MEK (MAP/ERK kinase) were shown to be capable of transforming cells to tumorigenicity suggesting that MEK can function as a dominant oncogene and potentially play a role in human carcinogenesis. Human lung cancer cells exhibit mutations in other components of the MAP kinase signaling pathway such as the Her-2/neu and ras oncogenes. Thus, the coding sequences of both MEK-1 and MEK-2 cDNAs from human lung cancer cell lines were screened by single strand conformation polymorphism analysis and DNA sequencing for alterations in these two genes. In 37 lung cancer cell lines we found: an allelic variant in MEK-1 cDNA, nt 783 G-->A, (no amino acid change); a MEK-2 cDNA change (nt 977 C-->T mutation leading to 298 Pro-->Leu change); a MEK-2 cDNA change nt 537 C-->T (no amino acid change); and a frequent MEK-2 cDNA germline polymorphism nt 744, A-->C (no amino acid change) with an allele frequency of 0.5 for each form. These results suggest that mutations in the MEK-1 and MEK-2 gene occur at a very low frequency in human lung cancer.
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PMID:Mutation analysis of the coding sequences of MEK-1 and MEK-2 genes in human lung cancer cell lines. 912 73

We used a genetic approach to characterize features of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation occurring as a consequence of expression of distinct erbB receptor combinations in transformed human cells. Kinase-deficient erbB proteins reduced epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of endogenous Shc proteins and also reduced immediate and sustained EGF-induced ERK MAPK activities in human glioblastoma cells, although basal ERK MAPK activities were unaffected. Basal and EGF-induced JNK and p38 MAPK kinase activities were equivalent in parental cancer cells and EGFR-inhibited subclones. When ectopically overexpressed in murine fibroblasts and human glioblastoma cells, a constitutively activated human EGF receptor oncoprotein (deltaEGFR) induced EGF-independent elevation of basal ERK MAPK activity. Basal JNK MAPK kinase activity was also specifically induced by deltaEGFR, which correlated with increased phosphorylation of a 54-kDa JNK2 protein observed in deltaEGFR-containing cells. The JNK activities in response to DNA damage were comparably increased in cells containing wildtype EGFR or deltaEGFR. Consistent with the notion that transforming erbB complexes induce sustained and unregulated MAPK activities, coexpression of p185(neu) and EGFR proteins to levels sufficient to transform murine fibroblasts also resulted in prolonged EGF-induced ERK in vitro kinase activation. Transforming erbB complexes, including EGFR homodimers, deltaEGFR homodimers, and p185(neu)/EGFR heterodimers, appear to induce sustained, unattenuated activation of MAPK activities that may contribute to increased transformation and resistance to apoptosis in primary human glioblastoma cells.
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PMID:Sustained mitogen-activated protein kinase activation is induced by transforming erbB receptor complexes. 1054 32

Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) is usually maintained in an inactive form in the cytoplasm through its association with inhibitor of kappaB (IkappaB) proteins, and is activated upon stimulation of cells with a variety of signals. However, constitutive activation of NF-kappaB is observed in a number of cancers including breast cancer. The signaling pathways that are involved in constitutive NF-kappaB activation remain largely unknown. Using breast cancer cell lines derived from transgenic mice that overexpress specific oncogene/growth factors in the mammary gland, we show that heregulin but not her2/neu, c-Myc or v-Ha-ras plays a major role in constitutive NF-kappaB activation. Her2/neu potentiated tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha)-inducible NF-kappaB activation whereas c-Myc potentiated 12-o-tetracecanyolphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced NF-kappaB activation. Heregulin-mediated NF-kappaB activation correlated with phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and ErbB3 but not her2/neu. Tryphostin AG1517, which inhibits heregulin-mediated phosphorylation of EGFR, her2/neu and ErbB3 reduced NF-kappaB activation. In contrast, emodin, which blocks phosphorylation of her2/neu by heregulin, failed to reduce NF-kappaB activation. These results suggest that heregulin induces NF-kappaB independent of her2/neu. PI3 kinase/AKT, protein kinase A (PKA) and IkappaB kinase appear to be downstream signaling molecules involved in NF-kappaB activation as specific inhibitors of these kinases but not inhibitors of ERK/MAP kinase or protein kinase C reduced heregulin-mediated NF-kappaB activation. Based on these results, we propose that heregulin increases the expression of pro-invasive, pro-metastatic and anti-apoptotic genes in cancer cells through autocrine activation of NF-kappaB, which leads to invasive and drug-resistant growth of breast cancer.
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PMID:Identification of signal transduction pathways involved in constitutive NF-kappaB activation in breast cancer cells. 1196 Mar 79

The ErbB family of receptor kinases is composed of four members: epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR/ErbB1), ErbB2/neu, ErbB3, and ErbB4. Amplification of the ErbB2/neu is found in about 30% of breast cancer patients and is associated with a poor prognosis. Heregulin (HRG) activates the ErbB2 via induction of heterodimerization with ErbB3 and ErbB4 receptors. With suppression subtractive hybridization, we demonstrated that the expression of cytochrome c oxidase subunit II (COXII) is HRG-responsive. Two nontransformed human mammary epithelial cell lines, the HB2 and the HB2(ErbB2) (the HB2 engineered to overexpress ErbB2), displayed an opposite response to HRG-mediated regulation. HRG upregulated mRNA expression of COXII in the HB2 cells, but suppressed COXII expression in the HB2(ErbB2) cells. A human breast cancer cell line (T47D), which expresses ErbB2 at a level similar to that of the HB2 cells, also responded to HRG by increasing COXII mRNA levels. Therefore, HRG regulation of COXII expression depends on the levels of ErbB2 expression. Furthermore, the expression of COXII was inversely correlated to the levels of ErbB2, i.e., the cells overexpressing ErbB2 exhibited lower COXII levels. HRG-evoked signal transduction differed between the cells with normal ErbB expression and the cells overexpressing ErbB2. The activation of both ERK and PI3-K was essential for HRG regulation of COXII, i.e., blockage of either pathway eliminated HRG-mediated alteration. This is the first report demonstrating that the expression of mitochondria-encoded COXII is HRG-responsive. The levels of ErbB2 expression are decisive for the diverse biological activities of HRG.
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PMID:Induction or suppression of expression of cytochrome C oxidase subunit II by heregulin beta 1 in human mammary epithelial cells is dependent on the levels of ErbB2 expression. 1211 29

Overexpression of the growth factor receptor subunit c-erbB2, leading to its ligand-independent homodimerization and activation, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of mammary carcinoma. Here, we have examined the effects of c-erbB2 on the adhesive properties of a mammary epithelial cell line, HB2/tnz34, in which c-erbB2 homodimerization can be induced by means of a transfected hybrid "trk-neu" construct. trk-neu consists of the extracellular domain of the trkA nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor fused to the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of c-erbB2, allowing NGF-induced c-erbB2 homodimer signaling. Both spreading and adhesion on collagen surfaces were impaired on c-erbB2 activation in HB2/tnz34 cells. Antibody-mediated stimulation of alpha(2)beta(1) integrin function restored adhesion, suggesting a direct role for c-erbB2 in integrin inactivation. Using pharmacological inhibitors and transient transfections, we identified signaling pathways required for suppression of integrin function by c-erbB2. Among these was the MEK-ERK pathway, previously implicated in integrin inactivation. However, we could also show that downstream of phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (PKB) acted as a previously unknown, potent inhibitor of integrin function and mediator of the disruptive effects of c-erbB2 on adhesion and morphogenesis. The integrin-linked kinase, previously identified as a PKB coactivator, was also found to be required for integrin inactivation by c-erbB2. In addition, the PI3K-dependent mTOR/S6 kinase pathway was shown to mediate c-erbB2-induced inhibition of adhesion (but not spreading) independently of PKB. Overexpression of MEK1 or PKB suppressed adhesion without requirement for c-erbB2 activation, suggesting that these two pathways partake in integrin inhibition by targeting common downstream effectors. These results demonstrate a major novel role for PI3K and PKB in regulation of integrin function.
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PMID:c-erbB2-induced disruption of matrix adhesion and morphogenesis reveals a novel role for protein kinase B as a negative regulator of alpha(2)beta(1) integrin function. 1218 54

Transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) represents the paradigm for cross-talk between G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and receptor tyrosine kinase signaling pathways. In a variety of squamous cell carcinoma cell lines of the head and neck (HNSCCs), we found that treatment with the GPCR agonists lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), bradykinin, thrombin, and carbachol results in rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of the EGFR. In these tumor cells, signal transactivation of the EGFR and the oncoprotein HER2/neu is critically dependent on metalloprotease activity. Using the metalloprotease inhibitor batimastat, the EGFR-specific tyrphostin AG1478, and a dominant-negative EGFR mutant, we show that in HNSCC cell lines, EGFR tyrosine phosphorylation, recruitment of the adaptor proteins SHC and Gab1, and activation of the ERK/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in response to LPA depend both on metalloprotease function and EGFR tyrosine kinase activity. Most importantly, critical characteristics of HNSCC cell lines such as DNA synthesis, cell cycle progression and tumor cell migration are stimulated by LPA and can be abrogated by interfering with EGFR signal transmission. Together, our results demonstrate the importance of a mechanism that promotes head and neck cancer cell proliferation and motility by GPCR ligands involving EGFR transactivation. Our findings suggest that highly abundant GPCR ligands such as LPA may function as tumor promoters and determinants of HNSCC progression.
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PMID:Lysophosphatidic acid-induced squamous cell carcinoma cell proliferation and motility involves epidermal growth factor receptor signal transactivation. 1241 65

Prolactin (PRL) is a polypeptide hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland and other sites that acts both systemically and locally to cause lactation and other biological effects by interacting with the PRL receptor, a Janus kinase (JAK)2-coupled cytokine receptor family member, and activating downstream signal pathways. Recent evidence suggests PRL is a player in the pathogenesis and progression of breast cancer. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) also has effects on breast tissue, working through its receptors, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and ErbB-2 (c-neu, HER2), both intrinsic tyrosine kinase growth factor receptors. EGFR promotes pubertal breast ductal morphogenesis in mice, and both EGFR and ErbB-2 are relevant in pathogenesis and behavior of breast and other human cancers. Previous studies showed that PRL and EGF synergize to enhance motility in the human breast cancer cell line, T47D. In this study, we explored crosstalk between the PRL and EGF signaling pathways in T47D cells, with an ultimate aim of understanding how these two important factors might work together in vivo to affect breast cancer behavior. Both PRL and EGF caused robust signaling in T47D cells; PRL acutely activated JAK2, signal transducer and activator of transcription-5 (STAT5), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1 and -2 (ERK1 and ERK2), whereas EGF caused EGFR activation and consequent src homology collagen (SHC) activation and ERK activation. Notably, PRL also caused phosphorylation of the EGFR and ErbB-2 at sites detected by PTP101, an antibody that recognizes threonine phosphorylation at consensus motifs for ERK-induced phosphorylation. PRL-induced PTP101-reactive phosphorylation was prevented by pretreatment with PD98059, an ERK pathway inhibitor. Furthermore, PRL synergized with EGF in activating SHC and ERK and transactivating a luciferase reporter driven by c-fos gene enhancer elements, suggesting that PRL allowed markedly enhanced EGF signaling. This was accompanied by substantial inhibition of EGF-induced EGFR downregulation when PRL and EGF cotreatment was compared to EGF treatment alone. This effect of PRL was abrogated by ERK pathway inhibitor pretreatment. Our data suggest that PRL synergistically augments EGF signaling in T47D breast cancer cells at least in part by lessening EGF-induced EGFR downregulation and that this effect requires PRL-induced ERK activity and threonine phosphorylation of EGFR.
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PMID:Prolactin modulates phosphorylation, signaling and trafficking of epidermal growth factor receptor in human T47D breast cancer cells. 1678 91

Ovarian cancer is the most frequent cause of death from gynaecological cancer in the Western world. Current prognostic factors do not allow reliable prediction of response to chemotherapy and survival for individual ovarian cancer patients. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and HER-2/neu are frequently expressed in ovarian cancer but their prognostic value remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the expression and prognostic value of EGFR, EGFR variant III (EGFRvIII), HER-2/neu and important downstream signalling components in a large series of epithelial ovarian cancer patients. Immunohistochemical staining of EGFR, pEGFR, EGFRvIII, Her-2/neu, PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10), total and phosphorylated AKT (pAKT) and phosphorylated ERK (pERK) was performed in 232 primary tumours using the tissue microarray platform and related to clinicopathological characteristics and survival. In addition, EGFRvIII expression was determined in 45 tumours by RT-PCR. Our results show that negative PTEN immunostaining was associated with stage I/II disease (P=0.006), non-serous tumour type (P=0.042) and in multivariate analysis with a longer progression-free survival (P=0.015). Negative PTEN staining also predicted improved progression-free survival in patients with grade III or undifferentiated serous carcinomas (P=0.011). Positive pAKT staining was associated with advanced-stage disease (P=0.006). Other proteins were expressed only at low levels, and were not associated with any clinicopathological parameter or survival. None of the tumours were positive for EGFRvIII. In conclusion, our results indicate that tumours showing negative PTEN staining could represent a subgroup of ovarian carcinomas with a relatively favourable prognosis.
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PMID:The ErbB signalling pathway: protein expression and prognostic value in epithelial ovarian cancer. 1862 64

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) regulates pituitary development, hormone synthesis, and cell proliferation. Although ErbB receptor family members are expressed in pituitary tumors, the effects of EGF signaling on pituitary tumors are not known. Immunoprecipitation and Western blot confirmed EGF receptor (EGFR) and p185(c-neu) protein expression in GH3 lacto-somatotroph but not in adrenocorticotropic hormone-secreting AtT20 pituitary tumor cells. EGF (5 nmol/L) selectively enhanced baseline ( approximately 4-fold) and serum-induced (>6-fold) prolactin (PRL) mRNA levels, whereas gefitinib, an EGFR antagonist, suppressed serum-induced cell proliferation and Pttg1 expression, blocked PRL gene expression, and reversed EGF-mediated somatotroph-lactotroph phenotype switching. Downstream EGFR signaling by ERK, but not phosphoinositide-3-kinase or protein kinase C, mediated the gefitinib response. Tumors in athymic mice implanted s.c. with GH3 cells resulted in weight gain accompanied by increased serum PRL, growth hormone, and insulin growth factor 1. Gefitinib decreased tumor volumes and peripheral hormone levels by approximately 30% and restored normal mouse body weight patterns. Mice treated with gefitinib exhibited decreased tumor tissue ERK1/2 phosphorylation and down-regulated tumor PRL and Pttg1 mRNA abundance. These results show that EGFR inhibition controls tumor growth and PRL secretion in experimental lacto-somatotroph tumors. EGFR inhibitors could therefore be useful for the control of PRL secretion and tumor load in prolactinomas resistant to dopaminergic treatment, or for those prolactinomas undergoing rare malignant transformation.
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PMID:Rat prolactinoma cell growth regulation by epidermal growth factor receptor ligands. 1867 63

To investigate the role of p185(her2/neu)/ErbB3 signaling in pituitary tumor function, we examined these receptors in human prolactinomas. Immunofluorescent p185(her2/neu) was detected in almost all (seven of eight), and ErbB3 expression in a subset (four of eight) of tumors (seven adenomas and one carcinoma). Quantitative PCR also showed abundant ErbB3 mRNA in tumor specimens derived from a rarely encountered prolactin-cell carcinoma. Activation of p185(c-neu)/ErbB3 signaling with heregulin, the ErbB3 ligand, in rat lacto-somatotroph (GH4C1) tumor cells specifically induced prolactin (PRL) mRNA expression approximately 5-fold and PRL secretion approximately 4-fold, whereas growth hormone expression was unchanged. Heregulin (6 nmol/L) induced tyrosine phosphorylation and ErbB3 and p185(c-neu) heterodimerization, with subsequent activation of intracellular ERK and Akt. The Akt signal was specific to ErbB3 activation by heregulin, and was not observed in response to epidermal growth factor activation of epidermal growth factor receptor. Gefitinib, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, suppressed heregulin-mediated p185(c-neu)/ErbB3 signaling to PRL. Heregulin induction of PRL was also abrogated by transfecting cells with short interfering RNA directed against ErbB3. Pharmacologic inhibition of heregulin-induced phosphoinositide-3-kinase/Akt (with LY294002) and ERK (with U0126) signaling, as well as short interfering RNA-mediated mitogen-activated protein kinase-1 down-regulation, showed ERK signaling as the primary transducer of heregulin signaling to PRL. These results show ErbB3 expression in human prolactinomas and a novel ErbB3-mediated mechanism for PRL regulation in experimental lactotroph tumors. Targeted inhibition of up-regulated p185(c-neu)/ErbB3 activity could be useful for the treatment of aggressive prolactinomas resistant to conventional therapy.
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PMID:Heregulin regulates prolactinoma gene expression. 1940 48


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