Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P04626 (erbB-2)
 5,251 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Heregulin (HRG) is one of the groups of polypeptide growth factors that activate the erbB-2 receptor via induction of heterodimerization with erbB-3 and erbB-4 receptors. The biological effects of HRG have been extensively studied. The vast majority of the reports indicate that HRG induces cell growth in breast cancer cells expressing normal levels of erbB-2 and growth inhibition and apoptosis in cells over-expressing erbB-2. However, the mechanism by which HRG promotes cell growth inhibition and apoptosis is still unknown. Previously we reported that constitutive expression of HRG in an erbB-2-overexpressing cell line (SKBr-3) induced growth arrest and apoptosis. We also demonstrated that constitutive expression of HRG promoted a marked morphological change, G2/M delay of the cell cycle, and DNA fragmentation. In this study, we demonstrate the mechanism by which HRG induces these cellular effects. The doubling time of the SK/HRG cells increased in relation to the level of HRG expression, and the level of HRG expression dictates the morphological change of the cells as well as their ability to grow or not grow in an anchorage-independent manner. We demonstrate that these effects are accompanied by downregulation of both erbB-2 and erbB-3 receptors at the transcriptional and translational levels and that down-regulation of the erbB-receptors results in reduced receptor tyrosine phosphorylation. The decrease in erbB-receptor phosphorylation in turn results in a marked reduction of ERK activity and a significant increase in JNK activity. Consequently, overexpression of HRG promoted the expression of PEA3, an Ets nuclear transcription factor. Taken together, our data demonstrate that the cellular effects induced by constitutive expression of HRG in SKBr-3 cells are correlated with the level of HRG expression. This is a first report demonstrating that HRG induction of apoptosis is directly correlated with decreased MAPK activity, increased JNK activity resulting in upregulation of PEA3 and down-regulation of the erbB-2 receptor. Overall, these data provide important clues regarding the mechanism and downstream molecules involved in HRG induction of apoptosis that can be used as targets for therapeutic prevention.
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PMID:Signaling molecules implicated in heregulin induction of growth arrest and apoptosis. 1160 34

Previous attempts to delineate the consequences of Galpha (q) activation in cardiomyocytes relied largely on molecular strategies in cultures or transgenic mice. Modest levels of wild-type Galpha(q) overexpression induce stable cardiac hypertrophy, whereas intense Galpha(q) stimulation induces cardiomyocyte apoptosis. The precise mechanism(s) whereby traditional targets of Galpha (q) subunits that induce hypertrophy also trigger cardiomyocyte apoptosis is not obvious and is explored with recombinant Pasteurella multocida toxin (rPMT, a Galpha(q) agonist). Cells cultured with rPMT display cardiomyocyte enlargement, sarcomeric organization, and increased atrial natriuretic factor expression in association with activation of phospholipase C, novel protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms, extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK), and (to a lesser extent) JNK/p38-MAPK. rPMT stimulates the ERK cascade via epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor transactivation in cardiac fibroblasts, but EGF receptor transactivation plays no role in ERK activation in cardiomyocytes. Surprisingly, rPMT (or novel PKC isoform activation by PMA) decreases basal Akt phosphorylation; rPMT prevents Akt phosphorylation by EGF or IGF-1 and functionally augments cardiomyocyte apoptosis in response to H2O2. These results identify a Galpha(q)-PKC pathway that represses basal Akt phosphorylation and impairs Akt stimulation by survival factors. Because inhibition of Akt enhances cardiomyocyte susceptibility to apoptosis, this pathway is predicted to contribute to the transition from hypertrophy to cardiac decompensation and could be targeted for therapy in heart failure.
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PMID:Dual actions of the Galpha(q) agonist Pasteurella multocida toxin to promote cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and enhance apoptosis susceptibility. 1198 85

Because selective inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) suppressed the induction of skin tumors in mice by UV and as UV has been shown to induce expression of COX-2 in skin and cells, COX-2 may be crucial for photocarcinogenesis of the skin. We studied the mechanism of UVB-induced expression of COX-2 focusing on the signal transduction pathway involved. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) treatment of HaCaT cells induced expression of COX-2 and pretreatment with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) partly inhibited the UVB-induced expression of COX-2 protein in HaCaT cells, suggesting that oxidative stress contributes to COX-2 induction. To examine the signaling pathways involved in the UVB-induced expression of COX-2 in HaCaT cells, we analysed the expression of COX-2 protein after treatment with various inhibitors of signaling molecules. Inhibition of EGFR by a specific inhibitor and by a neutralizing antibody suppressed the induction of COX-2 expression by UV. Although a neutralizing antibody to transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) suppressed COX-2 expression induced by TGF-alpha, it did not suppress COX-2 expression by UV, indicating that a direct activation of EGFR is involved. Treatment of cells at low temperature (4 degrees C) inhibited UVB-induced JNK activation, but it did not inhibit COX-2 expression by UV. Inhibitors of MEK, p38 MAP kinase and PI3-kinase, suppressed the induction of COX-2 expression by UV. In contrast, an erbB-2 inhibitor augmented the UVB-induced increase of COX-2 protein. These data indicate that oxidative stress in association with activation of EGFR, ERK, p38 MAP kinase, and PI3-kinase plays crucial roles in the UVB induction of expression of COX-2.
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PMID:Involvement of EGF receptor activation in the induction of cyclooxygenase-2 in HaCaT keratinocytes after UVB. 1293 Mar 1

Elevated low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (LDL-C) levels represent one of the most important risk factors for atherosclerosis and therefore cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. LDL-C operates at different levels and through various classic and non-classic mechanisms. For example, it has been recently shown that both native and oxidized LDL are potent growth factors for several cell types such as vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) participating in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Moreover, LDL-C modulates the expression of various growth factors and growth factor receptors that are involved in the process of atherosclerosis. More specifically, LDL-C can phosphorylate and therefore activate the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor and enhance the production of platelet derived growth factor (PDGF)-AA and of the PDGF receptors. LDL as well as oxidized LDL (oxLDL) signal transduction pathways involve trimeric G-proteins and cAMP, protein kinase C and ceramide, diacylglycerol and inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate, Ca(+2), Na(+)/H(+) exchange, c-fos and egr-1, phospholipases C, A2 and D, Raf-1, MEK1/2, the ERK1/2 (p42/44), SAP/JNK and p38 isoforms of the mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK) as well as the signal transuding element gp 130. Furthermore, the mitogenic effects of oxLDL may be mediated by its oxidation products such as lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), through LDL-induced lactosylceramide (LacCer) synthesis, and, as our group has recently shown, through LDL-adherent factors such as sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC). We review the various LDL-mediated signal transduction pathways implicated with the development and progression of atherosclerosis.
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PMID:Possible non-classic intracellular and molecular mechanisms of LDL cholesterol action contributing to the development and progression of atherosclerosis. 1532 Aug 16

rViscumin is a recombinant mistletoe lectin under clinical investigation as new anti-cancer drug. The relationship between oncogene, e.g., HER-2/neu (c-erbB2) receptor activation and tumor cell chemosensitivity, is of considerable importance to better predict the response to chemotherapy. Here, we analyze the cellular and molecular effects of HER-2 expression on rViscumin chemotoxicity in SKOV-3 cells. We show that selective depletion of HER-2 by ribozyme-targeting markedly decreases cellular sensitivity towards rViscumin. These findings are confirmed by treatment with the well-established inhibitory HER-2 antibody trastuzumab (Herceptin). Using clonal ribozyme-transfected cell lines, we establish a 'HER-2 gene dose' dependence of rViscumin cytotoxicity, which is due to differential induction of apoptosis and is not mediated by cell cycle alterations or altered cellular rViscumin binding/internalization. We further demonstrate an rViscumin-mediated, HER-2-dependent down-regulation of bcl-2 and the dose-dependent activation of members of the MAPK family, p42/44, SAPK/JNK, and p38, but not of caspases-3 and -7.
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PMID:Cytotoxicity of the novel anti-cancer drug rViscumin depends on HER-2 levels in SKOV-3 cells. 1535 91

The c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) group of mitogen-activated protein kinases is activated in response to a wide array of cellular stresses and proinflammatory cytokines. Roles for JNK in the developing nervous system and T-cell-mediated immunity have been established by detailed studies of mice with compound mutations in the Jnk genes. However, little is known concerning the roles of JNK in other mammalian tissues. Mice lacking both of the ubiquitously expressed isoforms (JNK1 and -2) die during midgestation with neural tube closure defects and brain abnormalities. Here we show that JNK-deficient mice exhibit delayed epithelial development in the epidermis, intestines, and lungs. In addition, JNK-deficient mice exhibit an eyelid closure defect associated with markedly reduced epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor function, and loss of expression of the ligand EGF. We further demonstrate that adult mice lacking either JNK1 or -2 display striking differences in epidermal proliferation and differentiation, indicative of distinct roles for these kinases in the skin. We conclude that JNK is necessary for epithelial morphogenesis and is an essential regulator of signal transduction by the EGF receptor in the epidermis.
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PMID:The c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase is essential for epidermal growth factor expression during epidermal morphogenesis. 1537 16

Mutational inactivation or deletion of the phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN)/MMAC1/TEP gene in human cancer cells leads to a constitutively active status of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway in the cells and has been linked to the lack of responses of the cells to the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor-targeted therapeutics. Akt is strongly inhibited by perifosine, an orally active alkyl-lysophospholipid currently being evaluated as an anti-cancer agent in phase 1 and 2 clinical trials. To determine whether perifosine may enhance the antitumor activity of the anti-EGF receptor monoclonal antibody cetuximab/C225 in PTEN-deficient cancer cells, we exposed MDA468 breast cancer cells (which contain mutated PTEN gene) and PC3 prostate cancer cells (in which the PTEN gene is deleted) to perifosine and cetuximab, alone and in combination. Treatment of the cells with perifosine reduced baseline levels of phosphorylated Akt, phosphorylated p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and p38MAPK, and increased baseline levels of phosphorylated stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK)/c-jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK). A 72-h exposure of the MDA468 and PC3 cells to perifosine alone resulted in cell death in a dose-dependent manner, which was enhanced by cetuximab. Addition of subtoxic doses of perifosine to cetuximab treatment also enhanced the cetuximab-induced growth inhibition. The combination treatment enhanced the inhibition of phosphorylation of Akt, p44/42MAPK and p38MAPK, but offset the phosphorylation of SAPK/JNK that was activated by perifosine treatment alone. Taken together, the data showed that perifosine enhances the antitumor activity of cetuximab in PTEN-deficient cancer cells. Further evaluation of the combination treatment in preclinical and clinical studies is warranted.
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PMID:Enhancement of antitumor activity of the anti-EGF receptor monoclonal antibody cetuximab/C225 by perifosine in PTEN-deficient cancer cells. 1617 Mar 46

We previously showed that ANG II induces mesangial cell (MC) proliferation via the JNK-activator protein-1 pathway. The present study attempted to determine the upstream mediators of JNK activation, with emphasis on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR). In cultured human MCs (HMCs), as early as 3 min, ANG II time dependently increased intracellular ROS production, which was sensitive to 10 microM diphenyleneiodonium sulfate and 500 microM apocynin, two structurally distinct NADPH oxidase inhibitors. In contrast, inhibitors of other oxidant-producing enzymes, including the mitochondrial complex I inhibitor rotenone, the xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol, the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin, the lipoxygenase inhibitor nordihydroguiaretic acid, the cytochrome P-450 oxygenase inhibitor ketoconazole, and the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, were without effect. ANG II-induced ROS generation was inhibited by the angiotensin type 1 receptor antagonist losartan (10 muM) but not the angiotensin type 2 receptor antagonist PD-123319 (10 microM). ANG II induced translocation of p47(phox) and p67(phox) from the cytosol to the membrane. The antioxidants almost abolished the ANG II mitogenic response, as assessed by [(3)H]thymidine incorporation and cell number, associated with a remarkable blockade of the activation of EGFR (90% inhibition) and JNK (83% inhibition). The EGFR inhibitor AG-1478 was able to mimic the effect of antioxidants, in that it inhibited the mitogenic response and the JNK activation following ANG II treatment. Together, these data suggest that the ROS-EGFR-JNK pathway is involved in transducing the proliferative effect of ANG II in cultured HMCs.
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PMID:ANG II induces c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase activation and proliferation of human mesangial cells via redox-sensitive transactivation of the EGFR. 1788 65

We have recently demonstrated that tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP-3) decreases neonatal cardiomyocyte proliferation (Hammoud L, Xiang F, Lu X, Brunner F, Leco K, Feng Q. Cardiovasc Res 75: 359-368, 2007). The aim of the present study was to delineate a pathway through which TIMP-3 exerts its antiproliferative effect. Experiments were conducted on neonatal cardiomyocyte cultures and heart tissues isolated from wild-type (WT) and TIMP-3(-/-) mice. Deficiency in TIMP-3 decreased p27 expression and increased cardiomyocyte proliferation in cardiomyocytes and neonatal hearts. A TIMP-3/epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR)/c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK)/SP-1/p27 pathway was investigated. JNK phosphorylation and EGFR protein levels were increased in TIMP-3(-/-) cardiomyocytes and heart tissues. Treatment with recombinant TIMP-3 decreased JNK phosphorylation and EGFR expression/phosphorylation. Inhibition of JNK activity using SP-600125 decreased SP-1 phosphorylation, increased p27 expression, and decreased cardiomyocyte proliferation. Furthermore, treatment with the EGFR specific inhibitor PD-168393 or the EGF-neutralizing antibody decreased cardiomyocyte proliferation as well as phosphorylation of JNK and SP-1 in both WT and TIMP-3(-/-) cardiomyocytes. We conclude that TIMP-3 inhibits neonatal mouse cardiomyocyte proliferation by upregulating p27 expression. The effects of TIMP-3 are mediated via inhibition of EGFR expression/phosphorylation, and decreases in JNK and SP-1 signaling.
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PMID:Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 inhibits neonatal mouse cardiomyocyte proliferation via EGFR/JNK/SP-1 signaling. 1921 17

Proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR2) triggers upregulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) formation in human alveolar epithelial A549 cells. This COX-2 upregulation appears to involve the Src / epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor / p38 MAP kinase (p38MAPK) pathway and also the cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) pathway. Here, we investigated the roles of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB)-related signals in the PAR2-triggered PGE(2) release / COX-2 upregulation in A549 cells. The PAR2-triggered PGE(2) release was clearly blocked by an inhibitor of the NF-kappaB pathway. Stimulation of PAR2 actually caused phosphorylation of inhibitor-kappaB, an indicator of NF-kappaB activation, an effect being blocked by inhibitors of MEK, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase), and Akt, but little or not by inhibitors of p38MAPK and JNK. Stimulation of PAR2 also caused phosphorylation of Akt, an effect suppressed by inhibitors of PI3-kinase and MEK. Nonetheless, the PAR2-triggered upregulation of COX-2 was resistant to inhibitors of NF-kappaB, PI3-kinase, and Akt, but was attenuated by inhibitors of MEK and JNK. Stimulation of PAR2 induced phosphorylation of CREB, an effect abolished by an inhibitor of MEK but not inhibitors of p38MAPK and EGF receptor. These findings demonstrate that the MEK / ERK / PI3-kinase / Akt / NF-kappaB pathway is involved in PAR2-triggered PGE(2) formation, but not upregulation of COX-2 that is dependent on activation of ERK/CREB and JNK in addition to p38MAPK.
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PMID:Proteinase-activated receptor-2-triggered prostaglandin E(2) release, but not cyclooxygenase-2 upregulation, requires activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt / nuclear factor-kappaB pathway in human alveolar epithelial cells. 1988 Dec 25


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