Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UNIPROT:P10721 (c-kit)
 6,575 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Ligation of the high-affinity IgE receptor (FcepsilonRI) or of c-Kit stimulates cytokine production in mast cells. We show that MEK kinase 2 (MEKK2), a MAPK kinase kinase (MAP3K) that regulates the JNK and ERK5 pathways, is required for cytokine production in embryonic stem (ES) cell-derived mast cells (ESMC). Targeted disruption of the MEKK2 or MEKK1 gene was used to abolish expression of the respective kinases in ESMC. Transcription of specific cytokines in response to IgE or c-Kit ligand was markedly reduced in MEKK2(-/-) ESMC relative to wild-type ESMC. Cytokine production in MEKK1(-/-) ESMC was similar to that of wild-type ESMC, demonstrating the specificity of MEKK2 in signaling cytokine gene regulation. MEKK2(-/-) ESMC also lost receptor-mediated stimulation of JNK. In contrast, JNK activation in response to UV irradiation was normal, showing that MEKK2 is required for receptor signaling but not for cellular stress responses. MEKK2 is the first MAP3K shown to be required for mast cell tyrosine kinase receptor signaling controlling cytokine gene expression.
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PMID:MEKK2 gene disruption causes loss of cytokine production in response to IgE and c-Kit ligand stimulation of ES cell-derived mast cells. 1103 6

This study characterizes 3 cases of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma (MC) utilizing a proteomic approach that allows for the detection, visual quantification, cellular compartmentalization, and assessment of the functional state of certain proteins that may promote tumor growth and/or oppose apoptosis. Immunohistochemical procedures were performed to detect the following protein antigens: CD99, interleukin (IL)-1alpha, IL-6, transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha, conventional (c) protein kinase C (cPKC)-alpha, cPKC-betaII, phosphorylated (p)-PKC-alpha/betaII, c-kit (CD117), platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)-alpha, PDGFR-beta, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)-2/neu, cathepsin D, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor, p21ras, the alpha subunit of farnesyl and geranylgeranyl transferase (FTalpha/GGTalpha), phospho (p)-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK), p-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), cyclin D1, c-Jun, Ki-67, bcl-2, TGF-beta1 latency-associated peptide (LAP), TGF-betaRII, and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2. Immunoreactivities were scored from 0 to 3+ positivity using bright-field microscopy. The results showed that malignant mesenchymal chondroblasts exhibit stronger expressions of CD99, IL-1alpha, cPKC-alpha, p-PKC-alpha/betaII, PDGFR-alpha, p-JNK, Ki-67, and bcl-2 antigens than their more mature-appearing chondrocytic counterparts in MC. In conclusion, molecular profiling of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma using a proteomic approach characterized the mesenchymal chondroblasts as possessing pathways that incorporate PKC-alpha and PDGFR-alpha signaling and anti-apoptotic bcl-2 expression. Specific therapies to target the mesenchymal chondroblasts in mesenchymal chondrosarcoma might include interferon-alpha, rapamycin, ciprofloxacin, and STI571.
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PMID:Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma: molecular characterization by a proteomic approach, with morphogenic and therapeutic implications. 1281 16

A critical issue in understanding receptor tyrosine kinase signaling is the individual contribution of diverse signaling pathways in regulating cellular growth, survival, and migration. We generated a functionally and biochemically inert c-Kit receptor that lacked the binding sites for seven early signaling pathways. Restoring the Src family kinase (SFK) binding sites in the mutated c-Kit receptor restored cellular survival and migration but only partially rescued proliferation and was associated with the rescue of the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase, Rac/JNK kinase, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3 kinase)/Akt pathways. In contrast, restoring the PI-3 kinase binding site in the mutated receptor did not affect cellular proliferation but resulted in a modest correction in cell survival and migration, despite a complete rescue in the activation of the PI-3 kinase/Akt pathway. Surprisingly, restoring the binding sites for Grb2, Grb7, or phospholipase C-gamma had no effect on cellular growth or survival, migration, or activation of any of the downstream signaling pathways. These results argue that SFKs play a unique role in the control of multiple cellular functions and in the activation of distinct biochemical pathways via c-Kit.
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PMID:c-Kit-mediated overlapping and unique functional and biochemical outcomes via diverse signaling pathways. 1472 82

The Kasumi-1 cell line is an intensively investigated model system of Acute Myeloid Leukemia with t(8;21) translocation, that represents 1 of the 2 main subtypes of Core Binding Factor Leukemia (CBFL). Since establishment in 1991 the Kasumi-1 cell line has provided the tool to study the peculiar molecular, morphologic, immunophenotypic findings of AML with t(8;21) and the functional consequences of the AML1-ETO fusion oncogene on myeloid differentiation. Leukemogenesis involves multiple genetic changes and, as suggested by murine experiments and other findings in humans, AML1-ETO expression may not be sufficient for full blown leukemia. In agreement with the "two hits" model of leukemogenesis, based on the cooperation between 1 class of mutations that impair hematopoietic differentiation and a second class of mutations that confer a proliferative and/or survival advantage to hematopoietic progenitors an activating mutation in the tyrosine kinase domain of the c-kit gene was identified in the AML1/ETO expressing Kasumi-1 cell line. The dosage of the Asn822Lys mutated allele was shown to be about 5-fold compared to the normal allele and c-kit amplification was found to map to minute 4cen-q11 marker chromosomes, likely derived from the extra chromosome 4 recorded in the newly established cell line. The combination of t(8;21) and trisomy 4 leading to enhanced dosage of a mutated kit allele is a feature of a few CBFL patients reproduced by the Kasumi-1 cell model. The Kasumi-1 cell line, paralleling the commitment stage of CBF leukemia also provides a valuable resource to investigate the effect of tyrosine kinase kit mutant on the main KIT-regulated signal transduction pathways, i.e. MAPK, PI3K/AKT and STAT3 and the diverse inhibitory effect exerted by STI 571 on these KIT mutant activated pathways. PI3K-dependent activation of AKT and STAT activation was observed in Kasumi-1 cells. Contrary to the expectations for an amplified tyrosine kinase kit mutant, we found that STI 571 inhibited KIT Asn822Lys tyrosine phosphorylation and downstream JNK and STAT3 effectors in Kasumi-1 cells, but had no effect on constitutive activation of AKT, suggesting that signaling by tyrosine kinases other than KIT may be responsible for its activation in Kasumi-1 cells. Independent findings on the same model system provide complementary insights into designing strategies for treatment of CBF leukemia associated with mutations in the KIT catalytic domain.
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PMID:The Kasumi-1 cell line: a t(8;21)-kit mutant model for acute myeloid leukemia. 1562 9

The development of in vitro models for testicular toxicity may provide important tools for investigating specific mechanisms of toxicity in the testis. Although various systems have been reported, their application in toxicological studies has been limited by the poor ability to replicate the complex biochemical, molecular, and functional interactions observed in the testis. In the present study, we evaluated a significantly improved Sertoli cell/gonocyte co-culture (SGC) system that employs a 3-dimensional extracellular matrix Matrigel (ECM) applied as an overlay instead of a substratum. We explored the dose- and time-dependent effects of the addition of such an ECM overlay on cytoskeletal and morphological changes in the SGC system, and the resulting effects on cellular integrity. Furthermore, we correlated the latter effects with the ECM-dependent modulation of stress and survival signaling pathways and, most critically, the expression levels of the spermatogonia-specific protein, c-Kit. Finally, we applied this co-culture system to investigate the dose- and time-dependent effects on the morphology and induction of apoptosis of cadmium. We observed that the dose-dependent addition of an ECM overlay led to an enhanced attachment of Sertoli cells and facilitated the establishment of SGC communication and cytoskeletal structure, with a dramatic improvement in cell viability. The latter was consistent with the observed dose- and time-dependent modulation of both stress signaling pathways (SAPK/JNK) and survival signaling pathways (ERK and AKT) in the presence of the ECM overlay. Furthermore, the dose-dependent stabilization of c-Kit protein expression confirmed the functional integrity of this co-culture system. We conclude that this modified SGC system will provide investigators with a simple, efficient, and highly reproducible alternative in the screen for testicular cell-specific cytotoxicity and the assessment of molecular mechanisms associated with both normal development and reproductive toxicity induced by environmental toxicants.
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PMID:Essential role of extracellular matrix (ECM) overlay in establishing the functional integrity of primary neonatal rat Sertoli cell/gonocyte co-cultures: an improved in vitro model for assessment of male reproductive toxicity. 1565 72

Galectin-3 is a member of the beta-galactoside-binding animal lectin family expressed in various cell types, including mast cells. To determine the role of galectin-3 in the function of mast cells, we studied bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC) from wild-type (gal3(+/+)) and galectin-3-deficient (gal3(-/-)) mice. Cells from the two genotypes showed comparable expression of IgE receptor and c-Kit. However, upon activation by FcepsilonRI cross-linkage, gal3(-/-) BMMC secreted a significantly lower amount of histamine as well as the cytokine IL-4, compared with gal3(+/+) BMMC. In addition, we found significantly reduced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reactions in gal3(-/-) mice compared with gal3(+/+) mice. These results indicate that there is a defect in the response of mast cells in gal3(-/-) mice. Unexpectedly, we found that gal3(-/-) BMMC contained a dramatically lower basal level of JNK1 protein compared with gal3(+/+) BMMC, which is probably responsible for the lower IL-4 production. The decreased JNK1 level in gal3(-/-) BMMC is accompanied by a lower JNK1 mRNA level, suggesting that galectin-3 regulates the transcription of the JNK gene or processing of its RNA. All together, these results point to an important role of galectin-3 in mast cell biology.
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PMID:Role of galectin-3 in mast cell functions: galectin-3-deficient mast cells exhibit impaired mediator release and defective JNK expression. 1701 81

Thyroid neoplasia is frequently associated with rearranged during transfection (RET) proto-oncogene mutations that cause hyperactivation of RET kinase activity. Selective inhibition of RET-mediated signaling should lead to an efficacious therapy. SU5416 is a potent inhibitor of vascular endothelial cell growth factor receptor, c-Kit, and FLT-3 receptor tyrosine kinases presently used in clinical trials. We found that SU5416 inhibits RET with similar potency, both in cell-free assays and in cells, thus causing proliferation arrest in oncogenic RET-transfected cells and in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) cells expressing the RET/PTC1 oncogene, but not in RET-negative control cells. SU5416 inhibited RET-mediated signaling through the extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) and JNK pathways. In addition, we show that a naturally occurring MEN2 mutation at codon 804 confers resistance to SU5416, but not to the related compound SU4984. We provide a possible explanation to these results by using molecular docking. Finally, SU5416 was also assessed against an array of 52 tyrosine and serine/threonine kinases.
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PMID:Inhibition of RET tyrosine kinase by SU5416. 1703 39

Targeting kinases is central to drug-based cancer therapy but remains challenging because the drugs often lack specificity, which may cause toxic side effects. Modulating side effects is difficult because kinases are evolutionarily and hence structurally related. The lack of specificity of the anticancer drug imatinib enables it to be used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia, where its target is the Bcr-Abl kinase, as well as a proportion of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), where its target is the C-Kit kinase. However, imatinib also has cardiotoxic effects traceable to its impact on the C-Abl kinase. Motivated by this finding, we made a modification to imatinib that hampers Bcr-Abl inhibition; refocuses the impact on the C-Kit kinase; and promotes inhibition of an additional target, JNK, a change that is required to reinforce prevention of cardiotoxicity. We established the molecular blueprint for target discrimination in vitro using spectrophotometric and colorimetric assays and through a phage-displayed kinase screening library. We demonstrated controlled inhibitory impact on C-Kit kinase in human cell lines and established the therapeutic impact of the engineered compound in a novel GIST mouse model, revealing a marked reduction of cardiotoxicity. These findings identify the reengineered imatinib as an agent to treat GISTs with curbed side effects and reveal a bottom-up approach to control drug specificity.
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PMID:An anticancer C-Kit kinase inhibitor is reengineered to make it more active and less cardiotoxic. 1806 25

The role of protein-tyrosine phosphatase alpha (PTPalpha) in mast cell function was investigated in tissues and cells from PTPalpha-deficient mice. Bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) lacking PTPalpha exhibit defective stem cell factor (SCF)-dependent polarization and migration. Investigation of the molecular basis for this reveals that SCF/c-Kit-stimulated activation of the Fyn tyrosine kinase is impaired in PTPalpha(-/-) BMMCs, with a consequent inhibition of site-specific c-Kit phosphorylation at tyrosines 567/569 and 719. Although c-Kit-mediated activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and Akt is unaffected, profound defects occur in the activation of downstream signaling proteins, including mitogen-activated protein kinases and Rho GTPases. Phosphorylation and interaction of Fyn effectors Gab2 and Shp2, which are linked to Rac/JNK activation in mast cells, are impaired in PTPalpha(-/-) BMMCs. Thus, PTPalpha is required for SCF-induced c-Kit and Fyn activation, and in this way regulates a Fyn-based c-Kit signaling axis (Fyn/Gab2/Shp2/Vav/PAK/Rac/JNK) that mediates mast cell migration. These defective signaling events may underlie the altered tissue-resident mast cell populations found in PTPalpha(-/-) mice.
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PMID:Protein-tyrosine phosphatase alpha regulates stem cell factor-dependent c-Kit activation and migration of mast cells. 1872 15

We recently discovered that oncogenic c-kit is highly expressed concomitantly with the development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Since oncogenic c-kit may activate major pathways of protein tyrosine phosphorylation, we decided to investigate this issue in the major protein phosphorylation cascades. In normal pancreas labeling with antiphosphorylated ERK1/2 (pERK1/2) antibody was mainly confined to islets of Langerhans in close overlapping with insulin containing cells. Phosphorylated p38 (pp38) showed a similar pattern of distribution, while only weak labeling was evident for pJNK and no labeling of pMEK was observed. As expected, general ERK1/2 (gERK1/2), general p38 (gp38), general JNK (gJNK) as well as general MEK (gMEK) were all evident in islets of Langerhans and in the exocrine tissue. In early development of PDAC, pERK1/2 and pp38 retained their localization in islets of Langerhans. Intensive staining of pERK1/2 was also evident in the cancerous ducts, while the labeling with antibodies to pp38 was more moderate. While pJNK staining in islets of Langerhans was weak, with no labeling in the cancerous ducts, antibodies to gJNK revealed intensive staining suggesting the weak staining of pJNK is not due to the lack of the enzyme. In a more advanced stage of PDAC the carcinomas were clearly stained with pERK1/2 and pp38, while moderate staining with pJNK was also evident. In liver metastases, the cancer cells were heavily labeled with all three phospho-MAPKs. It should be noted that the localization of all three kinases was mainly in the cell nuclei. In the more advanced stage of PDAC, heavy labeling was evident using antibodies to gERK1/2, gp38, gJNK and gMEK. However, no labeling to pMEK was evident in parallel sections. Our data suggest that both in normal and cancerous pancreas, most of the MAPK activities are located in islets of Langerhans and cancerous ducts. It is suggested that using inhibitors to protein kinases may attenuate the progression of the disease.
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PMID:Dynamic distribution of ERK, p38 and JNK during the development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. 2544 May 31


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