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Query: UNIPROT:P06889 (Mol)
 630,302 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Homologous regulation of GnRH receptor (GnRHR) gene expression is an established mechanism for controlling the sensitivity of gonadotropes to GnRH. We have found that expression of the GnRHR gene in the gonadotrope-derived alpha T3-1 cell line is mediated by a tripartite enhancer that includes a consensus activator protein-1 (AP-1) element, a binding site for SF-1 (steroidogenic factor-1), and an element we have termed GRAS (GnRHR-activating sequence). Further, in transgenic mice, approximately 1900 b.p. of the murine GnRHR gene promoter are sufficient for tissue-specific expression and GnRH responsiveness. The present studies were designed to further delineate the molecular mechanisms underlying GnRH regulation of GnRHR gene expression. Vectors containing 600 bp of the murine GnRHR gene promoter linked to luciferase (LUC) were transiently transfected into alpha T3-1 cells and exposed to treatments for 4 or 6 h. A GnRH-induced, dose-dependent increase in LUC expression of the -600 promoter was observed with maximal induction of LUC noted at 100 nM GnRH. We next tested the ability of GnRH to stimulate expression of vectors containing mutations in each of the components of the tripartite enhancer. GnRH responsiveness was lost in vectors containing mutations in AP-1. Gel mobility shift data revealed binding of fos/jun family members to the AP-1 element of the murine GnRHR promoter. Treatment with GnRH or phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) (100 nM), but not forskolin (10 microM), increased LUC expression, which was blocked by the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, GF109203X (100 nM), and PKC down-regulation (10 nM PMA for 20 h). In addition, a specific MEK1/MEK2 inhibitor, PD98059 (60 microM), reduced the GnRH and PMA responses whereas the L-type voltage-gated calcium channel agonist, +/- BayK 8644 (5 microM), and antagonist, nimodipine (250 nM), had no effect on GnRH responsiveness. Furthermore, treatment of alpha T3-1 cells with 100 nM GnRH stimulated phosphorylation of both p42 and p44 forms of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), which was completely blocked with 60 microM PD98059. We suggest that GnRH regulation of the GnRHR gene is partially mediated by an ERK-dependent activation of a canonical AP-1 site located in the proximal promoter of the GnRHR gene.
Mol Endocrinol 1999 Apr
PMID:Homologous regulation of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor gene is partially mediated by protein kinase C activation of an activator protein-1 element. 1019 63

Enhanced activity of receptor tyrosine kinases such as the PDGF beta-receptor and EGF receptor has been implicated as a contributing factor in the development of malignant and nonmalignant proliferative diseases such as cancer and atherosclerosis. Several epidemiological studies suggest that green tea may prevent the development of cancer and atherosclerosis. One of the major constituents of green tea is the polyphenol epigallocathechin-3 gallate (EGCG). In an attempt to offer a possible explanation for the anti-cancer and anti-atherosclerotic activity of EGCG, we examined the effect of EGCG on the PDGF-BB-, EGF-, angiotensin II-, and FCS-induced activation of the 44 kDa and 42 kDa mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase isoforms (p44(mapk)/p42(mapk)) in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from rat aorta. VSMCs were treated with EGCG (1-100 microM) for 24 h and stimulated with the above mentioned agonists for different time periods. Stimulation of the p44(mapk)/p42(mapk) was detected by the enhanced Western blotting method using phospho-specific MAP kinase antibodies that recognized the Tyr204-phosphorylated (active) isoforms. Treatment of VSMCs with 10 and 50 microM EGCG resulted in an 80% and a complete inhibition of the PDGF-BB-induced activation of MAP kinase isoforms, respectively. In striking contrast, EGCG (1-100 microM) did not influence MAP kinase activation by EGF, angiotensin II, and FCS. Similarly, the maximal effect of PDGF-BB on the c-fos and egr-1 mRNA expression as well as on intracellular free Ca2+ concentration was completely inhibited in EGCG-treated VSMCs, whereas the effect of EGF was not affected. Quantification of the immunoprecipitated tyrosine-phosphorylated PDGF-Rbeta, phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase, and phospholipase C-gamma1 by the enhanced Western blotting method revealed that EGCG treatment effectively inhibits tyrosine phosphorylation of these kinases in VSMCs. Furthermore, we show that spheroid formation of human glioblastoma cells (A172) and colony formation of sis-transfected NIH 3T3 cells in semisolid agar are completely inhibited by 20-50 microM EGCG. Our findings demonstrate that EGCG is a selective inhibitor of the tyrosine phosphorylation of PDGF-Rbeta and its downstream signaling pathway. The present findings may partly explain the anti-cancer and anti-atherosclerotic activity of green tea.
Mol Biol Cell 1999 Apr
PMID:Epigallocathechin-3 gallate selectively inhibits the PDGF-BB-induced intracellular signaling transduction pathway in vascular smooth muscle cells and inhibits transformation of sis-transfected NIH 3T3 fibroblasts and human glioblastoma cells (A172). 1019 59

In the breast, data from numerous laboratories suggest that cross-talk exists between PR and growth factor and cytokine signaling pathways at multiple levels (Fig. 4). At the cell surface (level 1), progestins up-regulate growth factor and cytokine receptors. We have expanded this observation by examining the effects of progestins in the cytoplasm (level 2) where progestins regulate several intracellular effectors by increasing the levels and altering the subcellular compartmentalization of Stat5, increasing the association of Stat5 with phosphotyrosine-containing proteins and tyrosine phosphorylation of JAK2, Cbl, and Shc, and potentiating EGF-stimulated p42/p44 MAPKs, p38 MAP kinase, and JNK activities. Together, these events lead to sensitization of downstream signaling pathways to the actions of locally acting secondary factors. Finally, inside the nucleus (level 3), agonist-occupied PR synergize with nuclear transcription factors that are growth-factor regulated, to control the activity of key genes involved in breast cell fate (Figs. 1 and 4). We speculate that after progesterone treatment, orchestrated combinations of steroid hormones and growth factors or cytokines can fine tune the timing and degree of expression of a subset of genes that determine whether progestin-primed cells undergo proliferation, differentiation, or programmed cell death. The paradoxical effects of progesterone have presented a longstanding conundrum to the scientist and clinician. Why are physiological levels of progesterone proliferative in the breast but antiproliferative and protective in the uterus? If progesterone is proliferative in the breast, why is high-dose progestin therapy successful in treating breast cancer? Our intent here has been to open a dialogue addressing these questions. Our data and that of others are beginning to show that one cannot approach the question of progestin actions in isolation. Other important regulatory proteins, whose expression may vary in tissue-specific ways, work in concert with progesterone to decide cell fate. The timing and dose of progesterone may also influence the biological response. Since progestins are widely used in oral contraception, in hormone replacement therapy, and in cancer treatments, it is becoming critically important that the subtleties of their mechanisms of action be clearly understood.
Mol Endocrinol 1999 Jun
PMID:Hypothesis: Progesterone primes breast cancer cells for cross-talk with proliferative or antiproliferative signals. 1037 82

Late-phase and sustained activation of p44/42(MAPK) has been reported to be a critical factor in cell mitogenesis. We therefore hypothesized that p44/42(MAPK) is involved in mannosyl-rich glycoprotein-induced mitogenesis in bovine airway smooth-muscle cells (ASMC). Treatment of adherent ASMC with beta-hexosaminidase A (Hex A, 50 nM), an endogenous mannosyl-rich glycoprotein, resulted in a late-onset (30-min) activation of p44/42(MAPK) that lasted for 4 h. Activation of p44/42(MAPK) induced by Hex A was inhibited by an 18-mer phosphorothioate-derivatized antisense oligonucleotide (1-5 microM) directed to human p44(MAPK); the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK1) inhibitor PD98059 (5 microM); the p42(MAPK) inhibitor Tyrphostin AG-126 (0.2 microM); the farnesyl transferase inhibitors SCH-56582 (10 microM) and FPT III (10 miroM), which inhibit p21Ras activation; and Calphostin C (0.2 microM), an inhibitor of protein kinase C. These agents also inhibited Hex A-induced cell proliferation in bovine ASMC. These data suggest that Hex A activates p44/42(MAPK) in a p21Ras- and PKC-dependent manner and that this activation mediates Hex A- induced mitogenesis in bovine ASMC.
Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 1999 Jul
PMID:beta-hexosaminidase-induced activation of p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase is dependent on p21Ras and protein kinase C and mediates bovine airway smooth-muscle proliferation. 1038 99

Background: Spinal muscular atrophies (SMAs) are a group of autosomal recessive disorders of anterior horn cell degeneration. Three genes-survival motor neuron (SMN), neuronal apoptosis inhibitory protein (NAIP), and, more recently, p44 (subunit of basal transcription factor II)-have been considered as candidate genes. The region spanning these genes has a complex organization, which makes molecular analysis difficult. Methods and Results: Molecular genetic testing of deletions of exons 7 and 8 of the SMN(T) (telomeric copy) gene and exon 5 of the NAIP(T) (telomeric copy) gene was performed in 39 diagnosed SMA patients, 31 cases referred as possible SMA, and 24 cases of prenatal diagnosis of SMA. Linkage analysis using markers flanking the SMA region was also performed. In general, the findings of involvement of SMN and NAIP gene deletions in patients diagnosed with SMA are in agreement with those previously published. One possible SMA case was found to be homozygously deleted only for exon 7 of SMN(T) and one deleted only for exon 5 of the NAIP(T) gene. Conclusions: SMAs exemplify human inherited disorders in which application of a variety of different techniques and a search for mutations in multiple genes are involved. Deletion testing of candidate genes (SMN, NAIP) is a powerful approach in patients affected or suspected of being affected with SMA. It is proposed that the direct SMN gene deletion test can be offered as the only test for prenatal diagnosis of SMA in families in which the clinically affected sibling has also been shown to have the homozygous deletion.
Mol Diagn 1997 Dec
PMID:Spinal Muscular Atrophies: An Ongoing Diagnostic Dilemma? 1046 16

Control of cell proliferation depends on intracellular mediators that determine the cellular response to external cues. In neuroendocrine cells, the dopamine D2 receptor short form (D2S receptor) inhibits cell proliferation, whereas in mesenchymal cells the same receptor enhances cell proliferation. Nontransformed BALB/c 3T3 fibroblast cells were stably transfected with the D2S receptor cDNA to study the G proteins that direct D2S signaling to stimulate cell proliferation. Pertussis toxin inactivates G(i) and G(o) proteins and blocks signaling of the D2S receptor in these cells. D2S receptor signaling was reconstituted by individually transfecting pertussis toxin-resistant Galpha(i/o) subunit mutants and measuring D2-induced responses in pertussis toxin-treated cells. This approach identified Galpha(i)2 and Galpha(i)3 as mediators of the D2S receptor-mediated inhibition of forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity; Galpha(i)2-mediated D2S-induced stimulation of p42 and p44 mitogen-activated kinase (MAPK) and DNA synthesis, whereas Galpha(i)3 was required for formation of transformed foci. Transfection of toxin-resistant Galpha(i)1 cDNA induced abnormal cell growth independent of D2S receptor activation, while Galpha(o) inhibited dopamine-induced transformation. The role of Gbetagamma subunits was assessed by ectopic expression of the carboxyl-terminal domain of G protein receptor kinase to selectively antagonize Gbetagamma activity. Mobilization of Gbetagamma subunits was required for D2S-induced calcium mobilization, MAPK activation, and DNA synthesis. These findings reveal a remarkable and distinct G protein specificity for D2S receptor-mediated signaling to initiate DNA synthesis (Galpha(i)2 and Gbetagamma) and oncogenic transformation (Galpha(i)3), and they indicate that acute activation of MAPK correlates with enhanced DNA synthesis but not with transformation.
Mol Cell Biol 2000 Mar
PMID:Distinct roles for Galpha(i)2 and Gbetagamma in signaling to DNA synthesis and Galpha(i)3 in cellular transformation by dopamine D2S receptor activation in BALB/c 3T3 cells. 1066 27

Anchorage removal like growth factor removal induces apoptosis. In the present study we have characterized signaling pathways that can prevent this cell death using a highly growth factor- and anchorage-dependent line of lung fibroblasts (CCL39). After anchorage removal from exponentially growing cells, annexin V-FITC labeling can be detected after 8 h. Apoptosis was confirmed by analysis of sub-G1 DNA content and Western blotting of the caspase substrate poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. Growth factor withdrawal accelerates and potentiates suspension-induced cell death. Activation of Raf-1 kinase in suspension cultures of CCL39 or Madin-Darby canine kidney cells stably expressing an estrogen-inducible activated-Raf-1 construct (DeltaRaf-1:ER) suppresses apoptosis induced by growth factor and/or anchorage removal. This protective effect appears to be mediated by the Raf, mitogen- or extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase (MEK), and mitogen-activated protein kinase module because it is sensitive to pharmacological inhibition of MEK-1 and it can be mimicked by expression of constitutively active MEK-1 in CCL39 cells. Finally, apoptosis induced by disruption of the actin cytoskeleton with the Rho-directed toxin B (Clostridium difficile) is prevented by activation of the DeltaRaf-1:ER chimeric construct. These findings highlight the ability of p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase to generate survival signals that counteract cell death induced by loss of matrix contact, cytoskeletal integrity, and extracellular mitogenic factors.
Mol Biol Cell 2000 Mar
PMID:The p42/p44 MAP kinase pathway prevents apoptosis induced by anchorage and serum removal. 1071 23

It is widely accepted that the formation of long-term memory (LTM) requires neuronal gene expression, protein synthesis and the remodeling of synaptic contacts. From mollusk to mammals, the cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling pathway has been shown to play a pivotal role in the establishment of LTM. More recently, the MAPK cascade has been also involved in memory processing. Here, we provide evidence for the participation of hippocampal PKA/CREB and MAPK/Elk-1 pathways, via activation of NMDA receptors, in memory formation of a one-trial avoidance learning in rats. Learning of this task is associated with an activation of p44 and p42 MAPKs, CREB and Elk-1, along with an increase in the levels of the catalytic subunit of PKA and Fos protein in nuclear-enriched hippocampal fractions. These changes were blocked by the immediate posttraining intra-hippocampal infusion of APV, a selective blocker of glutamate NMDA receptors, which renders the animals amnesic for this task. Moreover, no changes were found in control-shocked animals. Thus, inhibitory avoidance training in the rat is associated with an increase in the protein product of an IEG, c-fos, which occurs concomitantly with the activation of nuclear MAPK, CREB and Elk-1. NMDA receptors appear to be a necessary upstream step for the activation of these intracellular cascades during learning.
Brain Res Mol Brain Res 2000 Mar 10
PMID:Learning-associated activation of nuclear MAPK, CREB and Elk-1, along with Fos production, in the rat hippocampus after a one-trial avoidance learning: abolition by NMDA receptor blockade. 1071 13

In this paper we address the linking of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) to intracellular signaling molecules in oligodendrocyte progenitors. It is demonstrated that both growth factors activate downstream targets similar to those shown for protein kinase C (PKC) activation. Yet, neither the arrest of terminal oligodendrocyte differentiation nor the proliferation induced by PDGF or FGF-2 can be antagonized by inhibition of PKC. Rather, p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), p38 MAPK, and pp70 S6 kinase were found to be necessary for the mitogenic activity of PDGF and FGF-2. Paradoxically, these kinases were also necessary for the onset of oligodendrocyte differentiation in control cells. In addition, cAMP-dependent kinase A (PKA) activation inhibited the mitogenic response of oligodendrocyte progenitors to FGF-2. Taken together, the molecular mechanism that controls oligodendrocyte lineage progression is operated by at least two signal pathways, which interfere either with proliferation and/or differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitors.
Mol Cell Neurosci 2000 Mar
PMID:PDGF and FGF-2 signaling in oligodendrocyte progenitor cells: regulation of proliferation and differentiation by multiple intracellular signaling pathways. 1073 7

Using cultured airway smooth muscle cells, we showed previously that the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor uses the G-protein, G(i), to stimulate Grb-2-associated phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) activity. We also showed that this was an intermediate step in the activation of p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p42/p44 MAPK) by PDGF. We now present two lines of evidence that provide further support for this model. First, we report that PDGF stimulates the G(i)-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of the Grb-2 adaptor protein, Gab1. This phosphorylation appears to be necessary for association of PI3K1a with the Gab1-Grb-2 complex. Second, PI3K appears to promote the subsequent association of dynamin II (which is involved in clathrin-mediated endocytic processing) with the complex. Furthermore, inhibitors of PI3K and clathrin-mediated endocytosis reduced the PDGF-dependent activation of p42/p44 MAPK, suggesting a role for PI3K in the endocytic signaling process leading to stimulation of p42/p44 MAPK. Together, these results begin to define a common signaling model for certain growth factor receptors (e.g., PDGF, insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1, and fibroblast growth factor) which use G(i) to transmit signals to p42/p44 MAPK.
Mol Pharmacol 2000 Aug
PMID:The platelet-derived growth factor receptor stimulation of p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase in airway smooth muscle involves a G-protein-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of Gab1. 1090 10


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