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)

Extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) transduce growth factor signals while c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) delivers stress signals into the nuclei for regulation of gene expression. These signaling pathways were studied by laser-scanning confocal microcopy and Western blot analysis using phospho-specific antibodies on rat brains that were subjected to 15 minutes transient forebrain ischemia followed by varied periods of reperfusion. Extracellular regulated kinase was activated at 30 minutes and 4 hours of reperfusion in the nuclei and dendrites of surviving dentate gyrus (DG) cells, but not in dying CA1 neurons after ischemia. Tyrosine phosphorylation of Trk kinase, an ERK upstream growth factor receptor, was elevated in the DG tissue, and to a lesser extent in the CA1 region. In addition, phosphorylation of activating transcription factor-2 (ATF-2) and c-Jun was selectively increased in CA1 dying neurons during the late period of reperfusion. These findings suggested that the Trk-ERK signaling pathway might be neuroprotective for dentate granule cells. The activation of ATF-2 and c-Jun pathways in the late period of reperfusion in CA1 dying neurons might reflect damage signals in these neurons. These results suggested that the lack of protective signals acting in concert with the presence of damage signals in CA1 neurons after ischemia might contribute to delayed neuronal death after transient forebrain ischemia.
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PMID:Alteration of MAP kinase pathways after transient forebrain ischemia. 1090 42

Microtubule-damaging agents arrest cells at G(2)/M and induce apoptosis in association with phosphorylation of the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-X(L). Because microtubule inhibitors activate JNK, we sought to determine whether JNK was responsible for Bcl-2/Bcl-X(L) phosphorylation in KB-3 cells treated with vinblastine. Two major endogenous forms of JNK, p46(JNK1) and p54(JNK2), were present in KB-3 cells, and both isoforms were activated by vinblastine as determined by Mono Q chromatography. We used antisense oligonucleotides (AS) to specifically inhibit their expression. A combination of AS-JNK1 with AS-JNK2 inhibited by 80% vinblastine-induced phosphorylation of two known JNK substrates, c-Jun and ATF-2. In addition, AS-JNK1/2 inhibited vinblastine-induced phosphorylation of Bcl-2 by 85% and that of Bcl-X(L) by 65%. Stable expression of the JNK scaffold protein JIP-1 blocked vinblastine-induced phosphorylation of c-Jun and ATF-2, but did not affect Bcl-2/Bcl-X(L) phosphorylation, confirming a bifurcation in JNK signaling involving both nuclear and non-nuclear substrates. Vinblastine-induced phosphorylation of Raf-1 was unaffected by AS-JNK1/2 and was associated with loss of activity for MEK substrate in vitro and inactivation of ERK in vivo. These results provide evidence for a direct role of the JNK pathway in apoptotic regulation through Bcl-2/Bcl-X(L) phosphorylation.
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PMID:Vinblastine-induced phosphorylation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL is mediated by JNK and occurs in parallel with inactivation of the Raf-1/MEK/ERK cascade. 1091 35

Global forebrain ischemia of 5-min duration results in delayed neuronal death (DND) of CA1 neurons in the gerbil hippocampus. DND can be prevented by a preconditioning sublethal ischemic stimulus (2. 5 min), a phenomenon, known as ischemic tolerance induction. Striking evidence exists for the involvement of regulatory transcription factors encoded by immediate early genes (IEGs) in the fate of CA1 neurons. Here, we investigated by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) the postischemic changes of the DNA binding activity of the Activator Protein-1 (AP-1) transcription factor complex after preconditioning, lethal ischemia, and after acquisition of an ischemic tolerant state. A short duration peak of AP-1 binding activity at 3 h of reperfusion was a hallmark of ischemic tolerance induction. The kinetics of this activation profile, i.e. the rapid linear increase between 1 and 3 h and a similar rapid decline at 6 or 12 h of reperfusion are prominent within the CA1 and CA3 region of all ischemic groups which are designated for neuronal survival. No changes in the c-Jun and ATF-2 immunoreactivity were observed in the CA1 region, however an increase in only c-Jun immunoreactivity occurred in concordance with the elevation of AP-1 binding in the CA3 region. The results clearly demonstrate a differential regulation of AP-1 binding activity in CA1 during and after acquisition of an ischemic tolerant state in contrast to ischemia leading to neuronal death. The early peak at 3 h of reperfusion in AP-1 binding affinity observed in the single 2.5 min and the ischemic tolerant groups suggests a protective role of early AP-1 activation, whereas failure of this initial activation may contribute to DND. Our data furthermore suggest, that elevation of the AP-1 binding activity in the CA1 and CA3 regions underlies a different regulatory mechanism in the gerbil hippocampus after ischemic stress.
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PMID:Temporary changes of the AP-1 transcription factor binding activity in the gerbil hippocampus after transient global ischemia, and ischemic tolerance induction. 1092 10

To delineate the functional role of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) activator protein-1 (AP-1)/cAMP-responsive element (CRE)-like binding element (TAC), we transfected the TNF-alpha promoter lacking TAC into THP-1 monocytic cells and stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) activity was reduced by 22-fold, suggesting that TAC plays a role in LPS induction of the TNF-alpha promoter. Exposure to LPS resulted in the maximum release of soluble TNF-alpha by 2 h. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) using the TAC element as a probe showed a unique pattern for LPS-activated cells: the disappearance of the upper band of a doublet seen in untreated and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)-treated cells. Supershift analysis identified c-Jun and activating transcription factor-2 (ATF-2) as components of the LPS-stimulated binding complex. Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), a known phosphorylator of c-Jun and ATF-2, increased in activity in LPS-stimulated monocytes. ATRA, on the contrary, did not activate JNK activity up to 72 h. Nuclear extracts from LPS-stimulated cells showed an increase in phosphorylated c-Jun by immunoblotting. Likewise, phosphorylated c-Jun bound to the TAC element, suggesting that c-Jun is activated by JNK to transactivate the TNF-alpha promoter in LPS-treated monocytes. Thus, phosphorylated c-Jun and ATF-2 play a role in activating the TAC element of the TNF-alpha promoter.
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PMID:A distinct element involved in lipopolysaccharide activation of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha promoter in monocytes. 1095 18

Analysis of the functions of AP-1 transcription factor in cellular systems has shown its key role as a mediator of oncogenic signals. The employment of suitable animal model systems greatly facilitates the study of changes in the composition and activity of the AP-1 complex. Here, we have analysed the quantitative and qualitative changes of AP-1 at different stages of carcinogenesis in mouse skin cell lines, derived from tumours induced by chemical mutagens. The findings of this study suggest that elevated AP-1 DNA binding and transactivation activity characterize the carcinoma cell lines, most notably the highly malignant spindle carcinomas. In addition, increased amounts and post-translational modifications of c-Jun, Fra-1, Fra-2 and ATF-2 proteins account for a high percentage of the increased AP-1 activity. Remarkably, high levels of phosphorylated ATF-2 protein were detected in malignant cell lines, indicating a novel role of ATF-2 in tumour progression. c-Jun and ATF-2 proteins are phosphorylated by highly active JNK kinases present in tumour cells. Finally, our results indicate distinct functions for different AP-1 components in the promotion and progression of mouse skin tumours. Oncogene (2000) 19, 4011 - 4021.
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PMID:High levels of phosphorylated c-Jun, Fra-1, Fra-2 and ATF-2 proteins correlate with malignant phenotypes in the multistage mouse skin carcinogenesis model. 1096 57

In order to adapt to and to cope with an often hostile host environment, many viruses have evolved to encode products that are homologous to cellular proteins. These proteins exploit the existing host machinery and allow viruses to readily integrate into the host functional network. As a result, viruses are able to maneuver their journey seemingly effortlessly inside the host cell to achieve ultimate survival. Such molecular mimicries sometime go overboard, allowing viruses to overtake the cellular pathways or evade the immune system as do many of the retroviral oncogenes. Retroviral oncogenes are derived directly from host genes, and they are virtually identical to host genes in sequences except those mutations that make them unregulatable by host. Oncogenic herpesviruses also encode oncogenes, or transforming genes, which have independently evolved and are distantly related to host genes. However, these genes do share consensus structural motifs with cellular genes involved in cell growth and apoptosis and are functional analogues to host genes. The Marek's disease virus oncoprotein, MEQ, is one such example. MEQ is a basic region-leucine zipper (bZIP) transactivator which shares extensive homology with the Jun/Fos family of transcription factors within the bZIP domain, but not in other regions. Like all other bZIP proteins, MEQ is capable of dimerizing with itself and with a variety of bZIP partners including c-Jun, B-Jun, c-Fos, CREB, ATF-1, ATF-2, and SNF. MEQ-Jun heterodimers bind to a TRE/CRE-like sequence in the meq promoter region and have been shown to up-regulate MEQ expression in both chicken embryo fibroblasts and F9 cells. In addition, the bZIP and transactivation domains are interchangeable between MEQ and c-Jun in terms of transforming potential; i.e. MEQ can functionally substitute for c-Jun. These properties enable MEQ to engage in host cell processes by disguising itself as c-Jun. On the other hand, there are properties of MEQ notably different from c-Jun, which include its capability to bind RNA, to bind a CACAC-bent DNA structure as a homodimer, to inhibit apoptosis, and to interact with CDK2. MEQ's subcellular localization in the nucleolus and coiled body, is also different from Jun/Fos family of transactivators. These unique features may provide the MEQ with additional facility in regulating MDV replication, establishing latency, and cellular transformation. In this review, we will attempt to summarize the past research progress on MDV meq, with a focused on the similarities and differences between MEQ and cellular proteins, and between MEQ and other viral oncoproteins.
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PMID:Marek's disease herpesvirus transforming protein MEQ: a c-Jun analogue with an alternative life style. 1102 89

To examine the role of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK/SAPK) in the developing nervous system of vertebrates, the localization of an active form of JNK, phosphorylated JNK (p-JNK), was studied in the lumbosacral spinal cord of the chick embryo. We also examined the localization of phosphorylated neurofilaments (NFs, potential targets of p-JNK) and cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5), which is known to phosphorylate cytoskeletal proteins, including NFs, and compared their expression with that of p-JNK. Additionally, the localization of phosphorylated forms of c-Jun and ATF-2 was compared with that of p-JNK. On embryonic day 3 (E3), the expression of p-JNK was observed in regions containing early-projecting axons. Axons in these regions also expressed phosphorylated NFs. Subsequently, on E5 and E8, the expression of both p-JNK and phosphorylated NFs increased concomitantly in the axonal tracts in the spinal white matter. Thus, white matter expressed both p-JNK and phosphorylated NFs, whereas there was only weak expression of Cdk5. By E13, the spinal cord expression pattern of p-JNK and phosphorylated NFs had changed compared to earlier ages. Although phosphorylated NFs were still expressed in the white matter, the expression of p-JNK was decreased in axons in the white matter, whereas strong p-JNK expression appeared in cell nuclei in the gray matter. In summary, the present study revealed that the localization of p-JNK in the spinal cord changes dramatically from axons to cell nuclei during development, suggesting multiple roles of p-JNK, depending on the developmental age.
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PMID:Developmental changes in the localization of activated C-JUN N-terminal kinase (JNK/SAPK) in the chick spinal cord. 1102 3

Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases are important intracellular mediators for proliferation and hypertrophy and therefore may also regulate cardiomyoblast growth in hypertensive heart disease. Thus, the aim of the present study was to examine the activities of MAP kinases, namely extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1,2, c-Jun NH2-terminal kinases (JNK)1,2 and p38 MAP kinase, in myocardial tissue of 12-week-old Prague normotensive (PNR) and hypertensive rats (PHR), a model of genetic hypertension with marked cardiac hypertrophy. Systolic blood pressure was 121 +/- 5 in PNR and 208 +/- 15 mm Hg in PHR (p < 0.01). Total heart weight was 247 +/- 4 in PNR vs. 316 +/- 4 mg/100 g body weight in PHR (p < 0.01). Left and right ventricular weights were 121 +/- 5 and 53 +/- 3 in PNR vs. 168 +/- 4 (p < 0.01) and 57 +/- 2 mg/100 g body weight (n.s.) in PHR. Using anti-ERK2 Western blot analysis as well as immunocomplex ERK activity assay, we found no activation of ERK2 in left or right ventricular tissue of PHR and PNR. Similary, p38 MAP kinase phosphorylation and activity were not detectable. In contrast, Western blot analysis using antiphospho-JNK antibodies revealed in myocardial tissue of right and left ventricles significantly greater phosphorylation of JNK2 in PHR than in PNR. This finding was confirmed by immunocomplex JNK activity assay using ATF-2 as substrate, which demonstrated a significant increase in JNK activity in the left ventricle of PHR as compared to PNR (6.4 +/- 1.5 vs. 2.5 +/- 0.5 OD; each n = 5; p < 0.05). In conclusion, cardiac JNK2 seems to be regulated differently from ERK2 in this rat model. In PHR, as compared to PNR, we found enhanced activity of JNK2 in the left and right ventricles suggesting that JNK2 is involved in hypertensive cardiac disease. The rise in JNK in both ventricles may result indirectly from humoral stimuli, e.g., endothelin-1 and/or angiotensin II, and may contribute to ventricular hypertrophy in this model of spontaneous hypertension.
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PMID:Cardiac hypertrophy in the Prague-hypertensive rat is associated with enhanced JNK2 but not ERK tissue activity. 1117 7

The human tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) gene is regulated in a cell-type dependent manner. The t-PA gene is transcriptionally induced by the phorbol ester PMA in HeLa cells, but suppressed by PMA in HT-1080 cells. A cAMP responsive element (tPACRE) and a Sp-1 site located within the proximal t-PA gene promoter are functionally important in both cell systems. HeLa and HT-1080 cells contain a different repertoire of factors that associate with the tPACRE. In HT-1080 cells, CREB and c-Jun are the two major t-PACRE binding proteins identified, while activating transcription factor 2 (ATF-2) is a predominant t-PACRE binding protein in HeLa cells. To determine whether alteration in the distribution of tPACRE binding proteins would influence the differential regulation of the t-PA gene in these cells, the tPACRE binding profiles in these two cell systems were manipulated by over expressing ATF-2 in HT-1080 cells and CREB in HeLa cells. Supershift experiments confirmed that the overexpression of these factors resulted in binding to the tPACRE site. However, the presence of ATF-2 in HT-1080 cells did not affect either constitutive or PMA-mediated suppression of the endogenous t-PA gene. In contrast, enforced tPACRE-binding activity of CREB in HeLa cells significantly reduced the magnitude of PMA-mediated induction of t-PA mRNA in HeLa cells. These results indicate that the introduction of CREB into HeLa cells disrupts the regulation of the t-PA gene.
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PMID:Ectopic expression of the cAMP-responsive element binding protein inhibits phorbol ester-mediated induction of tissue-type plasminogen activator gene expression. 1117 65

c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) regulate gene expression by phosphorylating transcription factors, such as c-Jun. Studies with JNK: knockout mice suggest that JNK activity may be required for excitotoxin-induced apoptosis in the adult hippocampus and for apoptosis in the developing embryonic neural tube. Here we investigate the role of JNKs in classical neurotrophin-regulated developmental neuronal death by using nerve growth factor (NGF)-dependent sympathetic neurones. In this system, NGF withdrawal leads to an increase in JNK activity, an increase in c-Jun protein levels and c-Jun N-terminal phosphorylation before the cell death commitment point, and c-Jun activity is required for cell death. To inhibit JNK activity in sympathetic neurones we have used two different JNK inhibitors that act by distinct mechanisms: the compound SB 203580 and the JNK binding domain (JBD) of JNK interacting protein 1 (JIP-1). We demonstrate that JNK activity is required for c-Jun phosphorylation, c-jun promoter activation and NGF withdrawal-induced apoptosis. We also show that ATF-2, a c-Jun dimerization partner that can regulate c-jun gene expression, is activated following NGF deprivation. Finally, by co-expressing the JBD and a regulatable c-Jun dominant negative mutant we demonstrate that JNK and AP-1 function in the same pro-apoptotic signalling pathway after NGF withdrawal.
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PMID:Direct inhibition of c-Jun N-terminal kinase in sympathetic neurones prevents c-jun promoter activation and NGF withdrawal-induced death. 1123 29


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