Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UNIPROT:P05412 (c-Jun)
 11,453 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The hallmark of tumor metastasis is the dissemination of cells from the primary growth site to distant organs. Autocrine motility factor (AMF), a tumor-associated C-X-X-C cytokine, the ligand for a unique 78 kDa seven transmembrane receptor, is a potent simulator of cell motility, a process that is a prerequisite for tumor progression and metastasis. Because little is known about AMF-dependent signaling, we sought to study whether AMF signaling involves family members of the Rho-like GTPases. AMF stimulation of human melanoma cells resulted in stress-fiber formation, concomitant with up-regulation and activation of both RhoA and Rac1 expression with no apparent changes in the expression level or activation state of Cdc42. Treatment of the cells with C3 exoenzyme before AMF stimulation inhibited both the formation of stress-fiber-like structures and the activation of RhoA. In addition, both c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase 1 and c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase 2 were simultaneously activated by AMF, supporting the notion that they are involved in the signaling pathway of RhoA. We thus conclude that AMF signaling shares a similar pathway to previously established paracrine factors signaling involving cytoskeletal rearrangement and morphological alterations mediated by the small RhoA-like GTPases.
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PMID:Activation of small GTPase Rho is required for autocrine motility factor signaling. 1215 59

The hair cells (HCs) are the most vulnerable elements in the cochlea and damage to them is the most common cause of sensorineural hearing loss. Understanding the intracellular events that lead to the death of HCs is a key to developing protective strategies. Recently, it has been shown that the c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway is activated in HCs in response to aminoglycosides (J. Neurosci. 20 (2000) 43). We have studied the upstream events leading to JNK activation in aminoglycoside toxicity in vitro. The small GTPases Rac and Cdc42 are well known upstream activators of JNK in other cell types. Clostridium difficile toxin B monoglucosylates all members of the Rho GTPase subfamily (Rho, Rac and Cdc42 isoforms) and inhibits GTP binding by steric interference (Nature 341 (1989) 209). Organ of Corti explants from p5 rat basal turns were maintained in tissue culture and treated with C. difficile toxin B for 12 h. They were then treated with toxin B plus gentamicin for 72 h. Significantly less HC death was observed compared to with gentamicin alone. Toxin B alone had no effect on HCs at the highest concentration used. Using antibodies against phospho-c-Jun, we observed background immunoreactivity in control explants, strong staining of outer hair cell nuclei in gentamicin treated explants, and weaker immunostaining in explants treated with gentamicin and C. difficile toxin B. We conclude that Rho family small GTPases play a role in aminoglycoside toxicity signaling as upstream activators of the JNK signaling pathway.
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PMID:Rescue of auditory hair cells from aminoglycoside toxicity by Clostridium difficile toxin B, an inhibitor of the small GTPases Rho/Rac/Cdc42. 1236 69

Rho family GTPases activate intracellular kinase cascades to modulate transcription of multiple genes. Previous studies have examined the roles of the ubiquitously expressed Rho GTPase, Rac1, in regulation of gene expression in cell lines and implicated NF-kappaB, serum response factor, and kinase signaling pathways in this regulation. To understand the role of the closely related but hematopoiesis-specific Rho GTPase, Rac2, in regulation of gene transcription, we compared the gene expression profiles between wild-type and Rac2(-/-) bone marrow-derived mast cells. Our data demonstrate remarkable specificity in the regulation of gene expression by Rac2 versus Rac1. Microarray analysis demonstrated that expression of 38 known genes was significantly altered in Rac2(-/-) mast cells after cytokine stimulation compared with those in wild-type cells. Of these, the expression of the mouse mast cell protease 7 (MMCP-7) gene in wild-type cells was highly induced at the transcriptional level after stimulation with stem cell factor (SCF). In spite of compensatorily increased expression of Rac1 in Rac2-deficient cells, SCF-induced MMCP-7 transcription did not occur. Surprisingly, the loss of MMCP-7 induction was not due to decreased activation of NF-kappaB, a transcription factor postulated to lie downstream of Rac1 and known to play a critical role in hematopoietic cell differentiation and proliferation. However, the activities of c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) were markedly decreased in Rac2(-/-) mast cells. Our results suggest that cytokine-stimulated activation of MMCP-7 gene transcription is selectively regulated by a Rac2-dependent JNK signaling pathway in primary mast cells and imply a remarkable specificity in the regulation of transcriptional activity by these two highly related Rho GTPases.
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PMID:Rac2, a hematopoiesis-specific Rho GTPase, specifically regulates mast cell protease gene expression in bone marrow-derived mast cells. 1237 Mar 11

In neonatal cardiomyocytes, activation of the G(q)-coupled alpha(1)-adrenergic receptor (alpha(1)AR) induces hypertrophy by activating mitogen-activated protein kinases, including c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK). Here, we show that JNK activation is essential for alpha(1)AR-induced hypertrophy, in that alpha(1)AR-induced hypertrophic responses, such as reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton and increased protein synthesis, could be blocked by expressing the JNK-binding domain of JNK-interacting protein-1, a specific inhibitor of JNK. We also identified the classes and subunits of G proteins that mediate alpha(1)AR-induced JNK activation and hypertrophic responses by generating several recombinant adenoviruses that express polypeptides capable of inhibiting the function of specific G-protein subunits. alpha(1)AR-induced JNK activation was inhibited by the expression of carboxyl terminal regions of Galpha(q), Galpha(12), and Galpha(13). JNK activation was also inhibited by the Galpha(q/11)- or Galpha(12/13)-specific regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS) domains and by C3 toxin but was not affected by treatment with pertussis toxin or by expression of the carboxyl terminal region of G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2, a polypeptide that sequesters Gbetagamma. alpha(1)AR-induced hypertrophic responses were inhibited by Galpha(q/11)- and Galpha(12/13)-specific RGS domains, C3 toxin, and the carboxyl terminal region of G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 but not by pertussis toxin. Activation of Rho was inhibited by carboxyl terminal regions of Galpha(12) and Galpha(13) but not by Galpha(q). Our findings suggest that alpha(1)AR-induced hypertrophic responses are mediated in part by a Galpha(12/13)-Rho-JNK pathway, in part by a G(q/11)-JNK pathway that is Rho independent, and in part by a Gbetagamma pathway that is JNK independent.
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PMID:Galpha(12/13) mediates alpha(1)-adrenergic receptor-induced cardiac hypertrophy. 1243 42

Heptahelical opioid receptors utilize Gi proteins to regulate a multitude of effectors including the classical adenylyl cyclases and the more recently discovered mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). The c-Jun NH2-terminal kinases (JNKs) belong to one of three subgroups of MAPKs. In NG108-15 neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells that endogenously express delta-opioid receptors, delta-agonist dose-dependently stimulated JNK activity in a pertussis toxin-sensitive manner. By using COS-7 cells transiently transfected with the cDNAs of delta-opioid receptor and hemagglutinin (HA)-tagged JNK, we delineated the signaling components involved in this pathway. Sequestration of Gbetagamma subunits by transducin suppressed the opioid-induced JNK activity. The possible involvement of the small GTPases was also examined. Expression of dominant negative mutants of Rac and Cdc42 blocked the opioid-induced JNK activation, and a partial inhibition was observed in the presence of the dominant negative mutant of Ras. In contrast, the dominant negative mutant of Rho did not affect the opioid-induced JNK activation. In addition, the receptor-mediated JNK activation was dependent on Src family tyrosine kinases, but independent of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase and EGF receptor tyrosine kinases. Collectively, these results demonstrate functional regulation of JNK by the delta-opioid receptor, and this pathway requires Gbetagamma, Src kinases and the small GTPases Rac and Cdc42.
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PMID:Rac and Cdc42-dependent regulation of c-Jun N-terminal kinases by the delta-opioid receptor. 1255 70

In the present study, we examined the roles of G(12), G(13), G(q), and G(i) in endothelin-1-induced hypertrophic responses. Endothelin-1 stimulation activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) in cultured rat neonatal myocytes. The activation of JNK, but not ERK, was inhibited by the expression of carboxyl terminal regions of G alpha(12) and G alpha(13). JNK activation was also inhibited by expression of the G alpha(12)/G alpha(13)-specific inhibitor regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) domain of p115RhoGEF and the G alpha(q)-specific inhibitor RGS domain of the G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2-RGS). JNK activation was not, however, inhibited by expression of the carboxyl terminal region of G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2-ct), which is a G beta gamma-sequestering polypeptide. Additionally, JNK activation but not ERK activation was inhibited by the expression of C3 exoenzyme that inactivates small GTPase Rho. These results suggest that JNK activation by G alpha(12), G alpha(13), and G alpha(q) is involved in Rho. On the other hand, ERK activation was inhibited by pertussis toxin treatment, the receptor-G(i) uncoupler, and GRK2-ct. Thus, ERK was activated by G alpha(i)- and G beta gamma-dependent pathways. These results clearly demonstrate that differential pathways activate JNK and ERK.
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PMID:Differential requirement of G alpha12, G alpha13, G alphaq, and G beta gamma for endothelin-1-induced c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation. 1260 54

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (i.e., statins) attenuate C-terminal isoprenylation of Rho GTPases, thereby inhibiting UV-C-induced activation of c-Jun-N-terminal kinases/stress-activated protein kinases (JNKs/SAPKs). Inhibition of UV-C-triggered JNK/SAPK activation by lovastatin is due to inhibition of Rac-SEK1/MKK4-mediated phosphorylation of JNKs/SAPKs at Thr183/Tyr185. UV-C-stimulated phosphorylation of p38 kinase (Thr180/Tyr182) is also impaired by lovastatin. Cell killing provoked by UV-C irradiation was significantly inhibited by lovastatin. This was paralleled by a reduced frequency of chromosomal aberrations, accelerated recovery from UV-C-induced transient replication blockage, inhibition of Chk1 kinase activation and impaired cyclinB1 expression. Furthermore, UV-C-induced activation of caspases and apoptotic death was largely reduced by lovastatin. Inhibition of JNK/SAPK by transient overexpression of dominant-negative JNK1/SAPK1 also conferred resistance to UV-C light and attenuated activation of caspase 3. Based on the data, we suggest that lovastatin-provoked resistance to UV-C light is due to the inhibition of UV-C-inducible Rac-SEK1/MKK4-JNK/SAPK-dependent signal mechanisms regulating cell cycle progression and activation of caspases and apoptotic death.
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PMID:Ultraviolet light-induced apoptotic death is impaired by the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor lovastatin. 1285 71

Alphavbeta3-integrin antagonists reduced neointimal formation following vascular injury in eight different animal models. Because alpha-thrombin contributes to neointimal formation, we examined the hypothesis that alphavbeta3-integrins influence alpha-thrombin-induced signaling. Cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMC) expressed alphavbeta3-integrins as demonstrated by immunofluorescence microscopy and fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis. Proliferative responses to alpha-thrombin were partially inhibited by anti-beta3-integrin monoclonal antibody F11 and by cyclic RGD peptides. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed that alpha-thrombin stimulated a rapid increase in the formation of focal adhesions as identified by vinculin staining and that this effect was partially inhibited by alphavbeta3 antagonists. Beta3-integrin staining was diffuse in quiescent RASMC and did not concentrate at sites of focal adhesions following thrombin treatment. Alpha-thrombin elicited a time-dependent increase in activation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase-1 (JNK1) and in tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK). Alphavbeta3-integrin antagonists partially inhibited increases in JNK1 activity but had no effect on FAK phosphorylation. In SMC isolated from beta3-integrin-deficient mice, focal adhesion formation was impaired in response to thrombin but not sphingosine-1-phosphate, a potent activator of Rho. In summary, alphavbeta3-integrins play an important role in alpha-thrombin-induced proliferation and focal adhesion formation in RASMC.
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PMID:Alphavbeta3-integrin antagonists inhibit thrombin-induced proliferation and focal adhesion formation in smooth muscle cells. 1287 90

Eosinophilic influx is characteristic of numerous inflammatory conditions. Eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) is a major enzyme present in eosinophils and upon degranulation, becomes released into the airways of asthmatics. As a result of its cationic nature and its ability to catalyze the formation of highly toxic oxidants, EPO has significant potential to induce cellular injury. The focus of the present study was to determine the cell-signaling events important in EPO-induced death of lung epithelial cells. In the presence of hydrogen peroxide and nitrite (NO2-; hereafter called EPO with substrates), EPO catalyzes the formation of nitrogen dioxide. EPO with substrates induced rapid and sustained activation of c-Jun-NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and led to cell death, as was evidenced by enhanced mitochondrial depolarization, cytochrome c release, cleavage of caspases 9 and 3, poly-adenosine 5'-diphosphate ribosylation of proteins, the formation of single-stranded DNA, and membrane permeability. Moreover, EPO with substrates caused Rho-associated coiled coil-containing kinase-1-dependent dynamic membrane blebbing. Inhibition of JNK activity in cells expressing a dominant-negative JNK-1 construct (JNK-APF) prevented mitochondrial membrane depolarization and substantially decreased the number of cells blebbing compared with vector controls. The cellular responses to EPO with substrates were independent of whether NO2-, bromide, or thiocyanide was used as substrates. Our findings demonstrate that catalytically active EPO is capable of causing significant damage to lung epithelial cells in vitro and that this involves the activation of JNK.
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PMID:Eosinophil peroxidase catalyzes JNK-mediated membrane blebbing in a Rho kinase-dependent manner. 1296 Feb 69

MEKK1 is a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAP3K) that can regulate the c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) MAP kinase cascade. MEKK1 is comprised of a kinase domain and a long amino-terminal regulatory domain. This amino-terminal domain has a scaffold function in that it can assemble modules of the JNK and ERK MAP kinase cascades. Recently, we have demonstrated that MEKK1 binds to p115 Rho GTPase-activating protein, which has GTPase-activating protein activity toward RhoA. Thus, we tested whether Rho GTPases interact with the regulatory domain of MEKK1. RhoA, but not Rac or Cdc42, binds to a site in the aminoterminal one-third of MEKK1, which includes its PHD domain. The interaction is prevented by mutation of the essential cysteine in the MEKK1 PHD domain. Rho-GTP stimulates the kinase activity of full-length MEKK1 as much as 10-fold toward MEK4 but does not appear to be ubiquitinated by MEKK1 under conditions that result in modification of ERK2. In summary, we have characterized a novel point at which Rho GTPases impinge upon the regulation and function of MEKK1.
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PMID:RhoA binds to the amino terminus of MEKK1 and regulates its kinase activity. 1458 71


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