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

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.
 ...
PMID:Sustained mitogen-activated protein kinase activation is induced by transforming erbB receptor complexes. 1054 32

This study characterizes 3 cases of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma (MC) utilizing a proteomic approach that allows for the detection, visual quantification, cellular compartmentalization, and assessment of the functional state of certain proteins that may promote tumor growth and/or oppose apoptosis. Immunohistochemical procedures were performed to detect the following protein antigens: CD99, interleukin (IL)-1alpha, IL-6, transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha, conventional (c) protein kinase C (cPKC)-alpha, cPKC-betaII, phosphorylated (p)-PKC-alpha/betaII, c-kit (CD117), platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)-alpha, PDGFR-beta, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)-2/neu, cathepsin D, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor, p21ras, the alpha subunit of farnesyl and geranylgeranyl transferase (FTalpha/GGTalpha), phospho (p)-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK), p-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), cyclin D1, c-Jun, Ki-67, bcl-2, TGF-beta1 latency-associated peptide (LAP), TGF-betaRII, and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2. Immunoreactivities were scored from 0 to 3+ positivity using bright-field microscopy. The results showed that malignant mesenchymal chondroblasts exhibit stronger expressions of CD99, IL-1alpha, cPKC-alpha, p-PKC-alpha/betaII, PDGFR-alpha, p-JNK, Ki-67, and bcl-2 antigens than their more mature-appearing chondrocytic counterparts in MC. In conclusion, molecular profiling of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma using a proteomic approach characterized the mesenchymal chondroblasts as possessing pathways that incorporate PKC-alpha and PDGFR-alpha signaling and anti-apoptotic bcl-2 expression. Specific therapies to target the mesenchymal chondroblasts in mesenchymal chondrosarcoma might include interferon-alpha, rapamycin, ciprofloxacin, and STI571.
 ...
PMID:Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma: molecular characterization by a proteomic approach, with morphogenic and therapeutic implications. 1281 16

The HER2/neu oncogene is an important diagnostic and prognostic factor and therapeutic target in breast and other cancers. We developed and characterized a breast cancer cell line (Bam1a) that overexpresses the activated HER2/neu and ErbB-3 and has a gene expression profile consistent with the ErbB-2 genetic signature. We evaluated the effects of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/HER2 inhibitor, gefitinib, on this breast tumor line in vitro and in vivo. We characterized the effects of gefitinib on EGFR, HER2, and ErbB-3 phosphorylation by Western blot and determined the effects on downstream signaling through growth, survival, and stress pathways and the effect on proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis. Gefitinib treatment diminished phosphorylation of the ErbB-3 > EGFR > HER2/neu and signal transducers and activators of transcriptions in a dose-dependent fashion. Downstream mitogenic signaling through mitogen-activated protein (MAP)/extracellular signal regulated kinase kinase, p44/42 MAP kinase (MAPK) and stress signaling through c-Jun-NH(2)-kinase (JNK) 1 and c-Jun was impaired (1 micromol/L, 4-24 h), leading to cytostasis and cell cycle arrest within 24 h by decreased cyclin D1, cyclin B1, and p(Ser795)Rb and increased p27. Proliferation and colony formation were inhibited at 0.5 and 1 micromol/L, respectively, and correlated with altered gene expression profiles. Diminished survival signaling through Akt, induction of bim, loss of connexin43, and decreased production of vascular endothelial growth factor-D preceded caspase-3 and poly(ADP)ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage and apoptosis (>50% 2 micromol/L, 48 h). Oral administration of gefitinib was able to prevent the outgrowth of Bam1a tumor cells from palpable lesions, shrink established tumors, eliminate HER2 and HER3 phosphorylation, and decrease MAPK and Akt signaling in vivo. A variant of the Bam1a cell line, IR-5, with acquired ability to grow in 5 micromol/L gefitinib was developed and characterized. IR-5 bears a novel point mutation in the HER2/neu that corresponds to a L726I in the ATP-binding pocket and correlates with a log decrease in sensitivity to gefitinib, increased heterodimerization with EGFR and HER3, and impaired down-regulation. Gene expression profiling of IR-5 showed increased expression of EMP-1, NOTCH-1, FLT-1, PDGFB, and several other genes that may contribute to the resistant phenotype and sustain signaling through MAPK and Akt. This model will be useful in understanding the differences between intrinsic drug sensitivity and acquired resistance in the context of therapeutic strategies that target oncogene addicted diseases.
 ...
PMID:Breast cancer expressing the activated HER2/neu is sensitive to gefitinib in vitro and in vivo and acquires resistance through a novel point mutation in the HER2/neu. 1763 94

LFM-A13 (alpha-cyano-beta-hydroxy-beta-methyl-N-(2,5-dibromophenyl)propenamide) has recently been identified as an inhibitor of Polo-like kinases (Plk). LFM-A13 does not inhibit other serine/threonine kinases including CDK, CHK, RAF, DAPK, IKK, IRAK, JNK, MAPK, PKC and SAPK. LFM-A13-treated human cancer cells develop abnormal mitotic spindles and G(2)/M-arrest during cell cycle progression. LFM-A13 was not toxic to rodents or dogs at daily dose levels as high as 100 mg/kg. Notably, at a low dose level of 10 mg/kg, which does not result in delayed tumor progression in the MMTV/neu transgenic mouse model of HER2 positive breast cancer, LFM-A13 markedly enhanced the anti-cancer activity of the mitotic spindle poison paclitaxel. These results indicate that LFM-A13 may be useful in the treatment of cancer patients.
 ...
PMID:Chemosensitizing anti-cancer activity of LFM-A13, a leflunomide metabolite analog targeting polo-like kinases. 1807 37

Overexpression of the oncogene amplified in breast cancer 1 (AIB1)/steroid receptor coactivator-3 (SRC-3) induces mammary tumorigenesis in mice. In breast cancer, high levels of AIB1/SRC-3 and the growth factor receptor HER2/neu predict resistance to endocrine therapy and poor outcome. However, a mechanistic relationship between AIB1/SRC-3 and HER2/neu in the development of breast cancer has not been shown. Here, we show that deletion of one allele of SRC-3 significantly delays Neu-induced mammary tumor development in mice. Homozygous deletion of SRC-3 in mice completely prevents Neu-induced tumor formation. By ages 3 to 4 months, Neu/SRC-3(+/-) mice exhibit a noticeable reduction in lateral side-bud formation, accompanied by reduced cellular levels of phosphorylated Neu compared with Neu/SRC-3(wt) mice. In Neu-induced tumors, high levels of SRC-3, phosphorylated Neu, cyclin D1, cyclin E, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression are observed, accompanied by activation of the AKT and c-Jun NH(2) kinase (JNK) signaling pathways. In comparison, phosphorylated Neu, cyclin D1, and cyclin E are significantly decreased in Neu/SRC-3(+/-) tumors, proliferation is reduced, and AKT and JNK activation is barely detectable. Our data indicate that AIB1/SRC-3 is required for HER2/neu oncogenic activity and for the phosphorylation and activation of the HER2/neu receptor. We predict that reducing AIB1/SRC-3 levels or activity in the mammary epithelium could potentiate therapies aimed at inhibiting HER2/neu signaling in breast cancer.
 ...
PMID:The nuclear receptor coactivator amplified in breast cancer-1 is required for Neu (ErbB2/HER2) activation, signaling, and mammary tumorigenesis in mice. 1848 52