Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts: Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound   Target Concepts: Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound

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Query: UNIPROT:P05412 (c-Jun)
11,453 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The c-Jun N-terminal protein kinases (JNKs) form one subfamily of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) group of serine/threonine protein kinases. The JNKs were first identified by their activation in response to a variety of extracellular stresses and their ability to phosphorylate the N-terminal transactivation domain of the transcription factor c-Jun. One approach to study the function of the JNKs has included in vivo gene knockouts of each of the three JNK genes. Whilst loss of either JNK1 or JNK2 alone appears to have no serious consequences, their combined knockout is embryonic lethal. In contrast, the loss of JNK3 is not embryonic lethal, but rather protects the adult brain from glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. This latter example has generated considerable enthusiasm with JNK3, considered an appropriate target for the treatment of diseases in which neuronal death should be prevented (e.g. stroke, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases). More recently, these gene knockout animals have been used to demonstrate that JNK could provide a suitable target for the protection against obesity and diabetes and that JNKs may act as tumour suppressors. Considerable effort is being directed to the development of chemical inhibitors of the activators of JNKs (e.g. CEP-1347, an inhibitor of the MLK family of JNK pathway activators) or of the JNKs themselves (e.g. SP600125, a direct inhibitor of JNK activity). These most commonly used inhibitors have demonstrated efficacy for use in vivo, with the successful intervention to decrease brain damage in animal models (CEP-1347) or to ameliorate some of the symptoms of arthritis in other animal models (SP600125). Alternative peptide-based inhibitors of JNKs are now also in development. The possible identification of allosteric modifiers rather than direct ATP competitors could lead to inhibitors of unprecedented specificity and efficacy.
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PMID:Targeting the JNK MAPK cascade for inhibition: basic science and therapeutic potential. 1502 53

Diabetes is characterized by elevated levels of ketone bodies acetoacetate (AA) and 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB). High levels of ketone bodies have been implicated in generation of cellular oxidative stress. Ketone body activation of cellular signaling pathways associated with oxidative stress, however, has not been established. Thus, ketone body effects on kinase activation in primary cultured rat hepatocytes have been examined. Treatment with AA increased the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), maximally by approximately 2.5- and 4-fold, respectively. AA failed to activate c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase. AA-mediated Erk1/2 and p38 MAPK activation was detectable at 3 h post-treatment with maximal activation occurring at 12 h. In contrast, 3HB failed to activate any of these kinases. Elevated phosphorylation of Raf and MKK3/6 also occurred in response to AA. Bisindolylmaleimide, a generalized protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, and B581, a Ras farnesylation inhibitor, inhibited AA-mediated activation of Erk1/2 and p38 MAPK, suggesting a role for PKC and Ras in mediating such activation. Interestingly, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein prevented the AA-mediated phosphorylation of Erk1/2, but not p38 MAPK. AA treatment resulted in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the depletion of cellular glutathione levels, which was ameliorated by the antioxidants N-Acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) and Trolox (6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-chroman-2-carboxylic acid). NAC and Trolox also ameliorated AA-mediated Erk1/2 and p38 MAPK activation, suggesting that this activation is associated with ROS and oxidative stress.
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PMID:Acetoacetate activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in primary cultured rat hepatocytes: role of oxidative stress. 1505 99

Oxidative stress is one of the characteristics of diabetes and is thought to be responsible for many of the pathophysiological changes caused by the disease. We previously identified an insulin response element in the promoter of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) that was activated by an unidentified member of the forkhead/winged helix (Fox) family of transcription factors. This element mediated a 5-7-fold increase in PAI-1 transcription because of insulin. Here we report that oxidative stress also caused a 3-fold increase in PAI-1 transcription and that the effect was additive with that of insulin. Antioxidants prevent this response. Mutational analysis of the PAI-1 promoter revealed that oxidative stress acted at an AP-1 site at -60/52 of the promoter. Gel mobility shift analysis demonstrated that binding to an AP-1 oligonucleotide was increased 4-fold by oxidative stress. Jun levels were increased by oxidants as assessed by reverse transcriptase-PCR. Western blotting demonstrated that a rapid and prolonged nuclear accumulation of phospho-c-Jun followed oxidant stimulation. The nuclear c-Jun phosphorylation was not observed in cells treated with reduced glutathione. Finally, JNK/SAPK activity was found to increase in response to oxidants, and inhibition of JNK/SAP blocked TBHQ-increased PAI-1-luciferase expression. Thus, oxidative stress stimulated AP-1 and activated the PAI-1 promoter.
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PMID:Oxidative stress activates the plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) promoter through an AP-1 response element and cooperates with insulin for additive effects on PAI-1 transcription. 1506 77

We have shown that chronic elevated glucose (25 mm) increases monocyte adhesion to human aortic endothelial cells (EC). This increased adhesion is mediated primarily through induction of interleukin (IL)-8 via activation of the transcription factor AP-1 (Srinivasan, S., Yeh, M., Danziger, E. C., Hatley, M. E., Riggan, A. E., Leitinger, N., Berliner, J. A., and Hedrick, C. C. (2003) Circ. Res. 92, 371-377). In the current study, we identified the elements in the AP-1 transcriptional complex that are activated by glucose. These elements include c-Jun, c-Fos, and Fra-1. AP-1 is activated by cellular oxidative stress, and we have reported significant production of ROS by high glucose-cultured cells. We examined signaling pathways upstream of AP-1 in EC that lead to AP-1 activation by HG. EC cultured in 25 mm glucose had a 2-fold increase in p38 phosphorylation compared with control normal glucose-cultured EC. Inhibition of the p38 pathway using 5 microm SB203580 significantly reduced glucose-mediated IL-8 mRNA production by 60%. Furthermore, blocking p38 pathway activation using a dominant-negative p38 construct significantly reduced glucose-mediated monocyte adhesion by 50%. Thus, glucose-stimulated monocyte adhesion is primarily regulated through phosphorylation of p38 with subsequent activation of AP-1, leading to IL-8 production. To study this pathway in the setting of diabetes, we used the db/db mouse. P38 phosphorylation was increased in diabetic db/db mice compared with control mice. We found a dramatic elevation in plasma levels of KC, the mouse ortholog of IL-8 in diabetic db/db mice (1800 +/- 100 pg/ml KC in db/db versus 300 +/- 75 pg/ml in C57BL/6J control mice, p < 0.0001). Inhibition of the p38 pathway in diabetic db/db mice significantly reduced monocyte adhesion by 50%. Taken together, these data indicate that chronic elevated glucose in diabetes activates the p38 MAP kinase pathway to increase inflammatory IL-8 gene induction and monocyte/endothelial adhesion.
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PMID:Glucose regulates interleukin-8 production in aortic endothelial cells through activation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in diabetes. 1514 56

Effects of diverse stimuli, including insulin, muscle contraction, and phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), were determined on phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling modules (c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase [JNK], p38 MAPK, and extracellular signal-related kinase [ERK1/2]) in skeletal muscle from lean and ob/ob mice. Insulin increased phosphorylation of JNK, p38 MAPK, and ERK1/2 in isolated extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus muscle from lean mice in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Muscle contraction and PMA also elicited robust effects on these parallel MAPK modules. Insulin action on JNK, p38 MAPK, and ERK1/2 phosphorylation was significantly impaired in EDL and soleus muscle from ob/ob mice. In contrast, muscle contraction-mediated JNK, p38 MAPK, and ERK1/2 phosphorylation was preserved. PMA effects on phosphorylation of JNK and ERK1/2 were normal in ob/ob mice, whereas effects on p38 MAPK were abolished. In conclusion, insulin, contraction, and PMA activate MAPK signaling in skeletal muscle. Insulin-mediated responses on MAPK signaling are impaired in skeletal muscle from ob/ob mice, whereas the effect of contraction is generally well preserved. In addition, PMA-induced phosphorylation of JNK and ERK1/2 are preserved, whereas p38 MAPK pathways are impaired in skeletal muscle from ob/ob mice. Thus, appropriate MAPK responses can be elicited in insulin-resistant skeletal muscle via an insulin-independent mechanism.
Diabetes 2004 Jun
PMID:Effects of insulin, contraction, and phorbol esters on mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling in skeletal muscle from lean and ob/ob mice. 1516 46

Tissue factor is critically important for initiating the activation of coagulation zymogens leading to the generation of thrombin. Quiescent endothelial cells do not express tissue factor on their surface, but many stimuli including cytokines and coagulation proteases can elicit tissue factor synthesis. We challenged human endothelial cells simultaneously with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) and thrombin because many pathophysiological conditions, such as sepsis, diabetes, and coronary artery disease, result in the concurrent presence of circulating inflammatory mediators and activated thrombin. We observed a remarkable synergy in the expression of tissue factor by thrombin plus TNFalpha. This was due to altered regulation of the transcription factors c-Jun and c-Fos. The activation of c-Jun was greater and more sustained than that obtained with either thrombin or TNFalpha alone. Thrombin-stimulated expression of c-Fos was both enhanced and prolonged by the concurrent presence of TNFalpha. These changes support the increased availability of c-Jun/c-Fos AP-1 complexes for mediating transcription at the tissue factor promoter. Transcription factors downstream of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases as well as changes in NFkappaB regulation were not involved in the synergistic increase in tissue factor expression by thrombin and TNFalpha. Thus, concurrent exposure of vascular endothelial cells to cytokines and procoagulant proteases such as thrombin can result in greatly enhanced tissue factor expression on the endothelium, thereby perpetuating the prothrombotic phenotype of the endothelium.
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PMID:Thrombin and tumor necrosis factor alpha synergistically stimulate tissue factor expression in human endothelial cells: regulation through c-Fos and c-Jun. 1520 Dec 77

Obesity and insulin resistance confer increased risk for accelerated coronary disease and cardiomyopathic phenomena. We have previously shown that inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) prevents coronary perimicrovascular fibrosis in genetically obese mice that develop insulin resistance. This study was performed to elucidate mechanism(s) implicated and to determine the effects of attenuation of angiotensin II (Ang) II. Genetically obese ob/ob mice were given ACE inhibitor (temocapril) or Ang II type 1 (AT(1)) receptor blocker (olmesartan) from 10 to 20 weeks. Cardiac expressions of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1, the major physiologic inhibitor of fibrinolysis, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta(1), a prototypic profibrotic molecule, were determined and extent of perivascular coronary fibrosis was measured. Twenty-week-old obese mice exhibited increased plasma levels of PAI-1 and TGF-beta(1) compared with the values in lean counterpart. Perivascular coronary fibrosis in arterioles and small arteries was evident in obese mice that also showed increased left ventricular collagen as measured by hydroxyproline assay. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the deposition of perivascular type 1 collagen. Markedly increased PAI-1 and TGF-beta were seen immunohistochemically in coronary vascular wall and confirmed by western blotting. When obese mice were treated with temocapril or olmesartan from 10 to 20 weeks, both were equally effective and prevented increases in perivascular fibrosis, plasma PAI-1 and TGF-beta(1), left ventricular collagen and mural immunoreactivity for PAI-1, TGF-beta and collagen type 1. The c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) activity was elevated in the left ventricle of obese mice (western) and blocked by temocapril and olmesartan. Ang II-mediated upregulation of PAI-1 and TGF-beta(1) with collagen deposition may explain the mechanism of perivascular fibrosis in obese mice. ACE inhibition and blockade of AT(1) receptor may prevent coronary perivascular fibrosis and collagen deposition even before development of overt diabetes. JNK activation may be a mediator of obesity-related cardiac dysfunction and a potential therapeutic target.
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PMID:Salutary effects of attenuation of angiotensin II on coronary perivascular fibrosis associated with insulin resistance and obesity. 1527 22

Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness in the Western world. Aberrant intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression and leukocyte adhesion have been implicated in its pathogenesis, raising the possibility of an underlying chronic inflammatory mechanism. In the current study, the role of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I in these processes was investigated. We found that systemic inhibition of IGF-I signaling with a receptor-neutralizing antibody, or with inhibitors of PI-3 kinase (PI-3K), c-Jun kinase (JNK), or Akt, suppressed retinal Akt, JNK, HIF-1alpha, nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB, and AP-1 activity, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, as well as intercellular adhesion molecule-1 levels, leukostasis, and blood-retinal barrier breakdown, in a relevant animal model. Intravitreous administration of IGF-I increased retinal Akt, JNK, HIF-1alpha, NF-kappaB, and AP-1 activity, and VEGF levels. IGF-I stimulated VEGF promoter activity in vitro, mainly via HIF-1alpha, and secondarily via NF-kappaB and AP-1. In conclusion, IGF-I participates in the pathophysiology of diabetic retinopathy by inducing retinal VEGF expression via PI-3K/Akt, HIF-1alpha, NF-kappaB, and secondarily, JNK/AP-1 activation. Taken together, these in vitro and in vivo signaling studies thus identify potential targets for pharmacological intervention to preserve vision in patients with diabetes.
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PMID:Insulin-like growth factor-I plays a pathogenetic role in diabetic retinopathy. 1527 20

Metformin reduces the incidence of progression to type 2 diabetes in humans with obesity or impaired glucose tolerance. We used an animal model to investigate whether metformin could prevent acute lipid-induced insulin resistance and the mechanisms involved. Metformin or vehicle was administered to rats daily for 1 week. Rats were studied basally, after 3.75 h of intralipid-heparin or glycerol infusion, or after 5 h of infusion with a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp between 3 and 5 h. Metformin had no effect on plasma triacylglycerol or nonesterified fatty acid concentrations and did not alter glucose turnover or gluconeogenic enzyme mRNA after lipid infusion. However, metformin normalized hepatic glucose output and increased liver glycogen during lipid infusion and clamp. Basal liver (but not muscle or fat) AMP-activated protein kinase activity was increased by metformin (by 310%; P < 0.01), associated with increased phosphorylation of acetyl CoA carboxylase. Postclamp liver but not muscle phosphorylated/total Akt protein was increased, whereas basal c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase-1 and -2 protein expression were reduced (by 39 and 53%, respectively; P < 0.05). Metformin also increased hepatic basal IkappaBalpha levels (by 260%; P < 0.001) but had no effect on tyrosine phosphorylation or expression of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1). In summary, metformin opposes the development of acute lipid-induced insulin resistance in the liver through alterations in multiple signaling pathways.
Diabetes 2004 Dec
PMID:Metformin prevents the development of acute lipid-induced insulin resistance in the rat through altered hepatic signaling mechanisms. 1556 58

In diabetes, peripheral nerves suffer deficient neurotrophic support-a situation which resembles axotomy. This raises the question: does inappropriate establishment of an axotomised neuronal phenotype contribute to diabetic neuropathy, and in extremis, does this provoke apoptosis? We hybridized reverse-transcribed RNA, from the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of 8-week streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats, to Affymetrix Rat Genome U34A chips and scanned the array for expression of (a) genes that are upregulated by axotomy, (b) proapoptotic and (c) anti-apoptotic genes. Expression of the axotomy-responsive genes coding for growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43), galanin, neuropeptide Y (NPY), pre-pro-vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (pre-pro-VIP), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), protease nexin 1, heat-shock protein 27 (HSP 27) and myosin light chain kinase II (MLCK II) was unaffected in ganglia from diabetic rats compared to controls; thus, no axotomised phenotype was established. The expression of the majority of proapoptotic genes in the DRG was also unaltered (bax, bad, bid, bok, c-Jun, p38, TNFR1, caspase 3 and NOS2). Similarly there was no change in expression of the majority of antiapoptotic genes (bcl2, bcl-xL, bcl-w, NfkappaB). These alterations in gene expression make it clear that neither axotomy nor apoptotic phenotypes are established in neurones in this model of diabetes.
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PMID:Expression of axotomy-inducible and apoptosis-related genes in sensory nerves of rats with experimental diabetes. 1558 61


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