Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P31749 (AKT)
 22,954 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Activation and recruitment of eosinophils in allergic inflammation is in part mediated by chemoattractants and T-helper 2 (Th2)-derived cytokines. However, little is known concerning the signal transduction mechanisms by which this activation occurs. We have investigated tyrosine kinase-mediated activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and compared this with the activation of the p21ras-ERK signaling pathway in human eosinophils. The related cytokines interleukin-3 (IL-3), IL-5, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), all induced PI3K activity detected in antiphosphotyrosine immunoprecipitates. Furthermore, the chemoattractants platelet-activating factor (PAF), RANTES, and C5a were also able to induce phosphotyrosine-associated PI3K activity. Protein kinase B (PKB) is a downstream target of PI3K activation by growth factors. Induction of PKB phosphorylation in human eosinophils was transiently induced on activation with the cytokines IL-4 and IL-5, as well as the chemoattractants PAF, C5a, and RANTES showing a broad activation profile. Surprisingly, analysis of the activation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases p44(ERK1) and p42(ERK2), showed that ERK2, but not ERK1, was transiently activated in human eosinophils after stimulation with IL-5 or PAF. Activation kinetics correlated with activation of p21ras by both cytokines and chemoattractants as measured by a novel assay for guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-loading. Finally, using specific inhibitors of both the p21ras-ERK and PI3K signaling pathways, a role was demonstrated for PI3K, but not p21ras-ERK, in activation of the serum-treated zymosan (STZ)-mediated respiratory burst in IL-5 and PAF-primed eosinophils. In summary, these data show that in human eosinophils, Th2-derived cytokines differentially activate both PI3K and MAP kinase signal transduction pathways with distinct functional consequences showing complex regulation of eosinophil effector functions.
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PMID:Analysis of signal transduction pathways in human eosinophils activated by chemoattractants and the T-helper 2-derived cytokines interleukin-4 and interleukin-5. 951 56

In order to better define the role of HIV-related chemokines in human erythropoiesis we studied: A) the expression of chemokine receptors, both on human CD34(+) cells which include erythroid progenitors and on more mature erythroid cells; B) the functionality of these receptors by calcium flux, chemotaxis assay and phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) p42/44 (ERK1/ERK2) and AKT, and finally C) the influence of chemokines on BFU-E formation. We found that HIV-related chemokine receptor CXCR4, but not CCR5, is detectable on human CD34(+) BFU-E cells. CXCR4 surface expression decreased during erythroid maturation, although CXCR4 mRNA was still present in cells isolated from differentiated erythroid colonies. SDF-1, a CXCR4 ligand, induced calcium flux and phosphorylation of MAPK (p42/44) and AKT in CD34(+)KIT(+) bone marrow mononuclear cells which contain BFU-E, as well as chemotactic activity of both human CD34(+) BFU-E progenitors and erythroid cells isolated from day 2-6 BFU-E colonies. Responsiveness to SDF-1 decreased when the cells differentiated to the point of surface expression of the erythroid-specific marker Glycophorin-A. In contrast, the CCR5 ligands (macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha [MIP-1alpha], MIP-1beta, and RANTES) did not activate calcium flux, MAPK and AKT phosphorylation or chemotaxis of CD34(+)KIT(+) cells or cells isolated from the BFU-E colonies. Interestingly, none of the chemokines tested in this study had any effect on BFU-E colony formation. In conclusion, only CXCR4 is functional, and its specific ligand SDF-1 may therefore play an important role in the homing and/or retention of early erythroid precursors in the bone marrow environment.
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PMID:The role of HIV-related chemokine receptors and chemokines in human erythropoiesis in vitro. 1074 85

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta)-mediated apoptosis is one of the major death processes in the liver. We have previously shown that epidermal growth factor (EGF) is an important survival signal for TGF-beta-induced apoptosis in fetal hepatocytes (Fabregat et al., FEBS Lett 1996;384:14-18). In this work we have studied the intracellular signaling implicated in the protective effect of EGF. We show here that EGF activates p42 and p44 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). However, mitogen extracellular kinase (MEK) inhibitors do not block the survival effect of EGF. EGF also activates phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) and protein kinase B (PKB/AKT) in these cells. The presence of PI 3-kinase inhibitors blocks the protective effect of EGF on cell viability, DNA fragmentation, and caspase-3 activity. We have found that TGF-beta disrupts the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (DeltaPsi(m))( )and activates the release of cytochrome c, this effect being blocked by EGF, via a PI 3-kinase-dependent pathway. A detailed study on bcl-2 superfamily gene expression shows that TGF-beta produces a decrease in the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels of bcl-x(L), an antiapoptotic member of this family, capable of preventing cytochrome c release. EGF is able to maintain bcl-x(L) levels even in the presence of TGF-beta. PI 3-kinase inhibitors completely block the protective effect of EGF on TGF-beta-induced bcl-x(L )down-regulation. We conclude that PI 3-kinase mediates the survival effect of EGF on TGF-beta-induced death by acting upstream from the mitochondrial changes, i.e., preventing bcl-x(L) down-regulation, cytochrome c release, and activation of caspase-3.
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PMID:Epidermal growth factor impairs the cytochrome C/caspase-3 apoptotic pathway induced by transforming growth factor beta in rat fetal hepatocytes via a phosphoinositide 3-kinase-dependent pathway. 1096 Apr 45

The aim of this study was to identify pathways which are involved in signal transduction from the CXCR4 receptor stimulated by stromal derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha) in human malignant hematopoietic cells and normal megakaryoblasts. First, we found that activation of CXCR4 in human T cell lines (Jurkat and ATL-2) rapidly induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) (p44 ERK-1 and p42 ERK-2). Next, we became interested in CXCR4-mediated signaling in normal hematopoietic cells, and employed human megakaryoblasts, which highly express CXCR4 as a model. We found that stimulation of these cells with SDF-1alpha led to the phosphorylation of MAPK and serine/threonine kinase AKT as well. Activation of MAPK further led to the phosphorylation of the nuclear transcription factor ELK-1. Phosphorylation of ELK-1 in megakaryoblasts implies that phosphorylated MAPK translocate from cytoplasm into the nucleus where they may phosphorylate some nuclear proteins. Note that neither MAPK nor AKT was phosphorylated in normal human platelets after stimulation by SDF-1. We conclude that both MAPK and AKT are involved in signal transduction pathways from the CXCR4 receptor in malignant and normal human hematopoietic cells. The biological consequences of MAPK, ELK-1 and AKT phosphorylation in megakaryoblasts after stimulation with SDF-1alpha require further studies.
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PMID:Binding of stromal derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha) to CXCR4 chemokine receptor in normal human megakaryoblasts but not in platelets induces phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase p42/44 (MAPK), ELK-1 transcription factor and serine/threonine kinase AKT. 1099 82

The role of the chemokine binding stromal-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) in normal human megakaryopoiesis at the cellular and molecular levels and its comparison with that of thrombopoietin (TPO) have not been determined. In this study it was found that SDF-1, unlike TPO, does not stimulate alpha(IIb)beta(3)(+) cell proliferation or differentiation or have an antiapoptotic effect. However, it does induce chemotaxis, trans-Matrigel migration, and secretion of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by these cells, and both SDF-1 and TPO increase the adhesion of alpha(IIb)beta(3)(+) cells to fibrinogen and vitronectin. Investigating the intracellular signaling pathways induced by SDF-1 and TPO revealed some overlapping patterns of protein phosphorylation/activation (mitogen-activated protein kinase [MAPK] p42/44, MAPK p38, and AKT [protein kinase B]) and some that were distinct for TPO (eg, JAK-STAT) and for SDF-1 (eg, NF-kappa B). It was also found that though inhibition of phosphatidyl-inositol 3-kinase (PI-3K) by LY294002 in alpha(IIb)beta(3)(+) cells induced apoptosis and inhibited chemotaxis adhesion and the secretion of MMP-9 and VEGF, the inhibition of MAPK p42/44 (by the MEK inhibitor U0126) had no effect on the survival, proliferation, and migration of these cells. Hence, it is suggested that the proliferative effect of TPO is more related to activation of the JAK-STAT pathway (unique to TPO), and the PI-3K-AKT axis is differentially involved in TPO- and SDF-1-dependent signaling. Accordingly, PI-3K is involved in TPO-mediated inhibition of apoptosis, TPO- and SDF-1-regulated adhesion to fibrinogen and vitronectin, and SDF-1-mediated migration. This study expands the understanding of the role of SDF-1 and TPO in normal human megakaryopoiesis and indicates the molecular basis of the observed differences in cellular responses. (Blood. 2000;96:4142-4151)
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PMID:Stromal-derived factor 1 and thrombopoietin regulate distinct aspects of human megakaryopoiesis. 1111 Jun 85

We have recently shown that insulin induced myogenesis in the mouse C2C12 skeletal muscle cell line by activation of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase/p70S6-kinase and p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and downregulation of p42/p44-MAPK. This study investigated the insulin-signaling pathways involved in mitogenesis, survival, and membrane ruffling in C2C12 myoblasts, a cellular system that besides IGF-I receptors, expressed a high number of functional insulin receptors. Insulin (10 nM) rapidly stimulated beta-chain insulin receptor and IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation, IRS-2 being poorly and SHC not phosphorylated at all. However, an association of SHC with IRS-1 was found under insulin stimulation. Insulin stimulated IRS-1 association with p85alpha leading to the activation of PI3-kinase, and, subsequently AKT and p70S6-kinases. Moreover, both p42/p44- and p38-MAPKs resulted in phosphorylation after insulin stimulation. Insulin treatment for 24 h produced mitogenesis, as demonstrated by the increase in ((3)H)-thymidine incorporation, DNA content, the expression of PCNA and cyclin D1 proteins, and the proportion of cells in S + G2/M phases of the cell cycle. This mitogenic effect of insulin was precluded by inhibition of p70S6-kinase (either by rapamycin or by the PI3-kinase inhibitor LY294002) as well as by inhibition of p44/p42-MAPK with PD098059, but was not affected by inhibition of p38-MAPK. Serum deprivation of C2C12 myoblasts resulted in growth arrest at the GO/G1 phases of the cell cycle and apoptosis, as detected either by DNA laddering or by increase in the percentage of hypodiploid cells. Insulin rescued serum-deprived cells from apoptosis in an AKT-dependent manner, as demonstrated by the inhibition of AKT-activity by the use of LY294002 and ML-9, meanwhile neither inhibition of p70S6-kinase, nor MAPK affected insulin-induced survival. Finally, we evaluated the capacity of insulin to modulate actin cytoskeleton rearrangement. Insulin stimulation of myoblasts produced membrane ruffling and decreased actin stress fibers; this biological response being dependent of p38-MAPK, as demonstrated by the use of the p38-MAPK inhibitors SB203580 or PD169316, but independent of PI3-kinase and p42/p44-MAPK.
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PMID:Insulin signaling leading to proliferation, survival, and membrane ruffling in C2C12 myoblasts. 1124 54

The study of intracellular signaling pathways has been aided by the use of sodium orthovanadate, a cell-permeable inhibitor of tyrosine phosphatases. However, long-term addition of sodium orthovanadate is often cytotoxic. In this study we demonstrate that the growth factor-mediated increase in the rate of protein synthesis was inhibited by sodium orthovanadate. This effect of sodium orthovanadate was dose-dependent, with an IC50 of 40 microM and maximal inhibition obtained at 100 microM. As a consequence, the fetal bovine serum-mediated induction of the immediate-early genes, c-Fos and MKP-1, at the protein level was inhibited by orthovanadate. Orthovanadate's ability to attenuate protein synthesis was partially reversible, and was no longer evident when the agent was added 6 h after addition of growth factor to cells. Analysis of several elements of signaling pathways which are known to regulate protein synthesis in a positive manner (p42/p44 MAPK, AKT and p70 S6K stimulation, and hyperphosphorylation of PHAS-I) were not inhibited but rather were stimulated by orthovanadate. Thus, sodium orthovanadate is a potent inhibitor of growth factor-stimulated protein synthesis independent of p42/p44 MAPK or PI3K-p70 S6K activation.
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PMID:Growth factor-stimulated protein synthesis is inhibited by sodium orthovanadate. 1129 48

The aim of this study was to learn more on the role of chemokines in the regulation of human megakryopoiesis. Normal human megakaryoblasts were expanded in serum-free liquid cultures and subsequently (1) phenotyped for expression of various chemokine receptors, (2) evaluated if chemokine receptors which they express are functional after stimulation by chemokines (calcium flux assay, chemotaxis, phosphorylation of MAPK-p42/44 and AKT proteins), and (3) investigated for expression and secretion of selected chemokines by employing RT-PCR and ELISA assays, respectively. In addition we also phenotyped peripheral blood platelets for expression of chemokine receptors and chemokines. We found that while human megakaryoblasts express several chemokine receptors (CXCR4, CCR6, CCR8, CCR5, CCR2 and CXCR3), CXCR4 was the only receptor detectable by FACS on human platelets. Moreover, among various chemokines tested, only SDF-1 (CXCR4 ligand) stimulated calcium flux and chemotaxis in normal human megakaryoblasts and phosphorylated MAPK-p42/44 and AKT in these cells. Although mRNAs for several chemokines were detectable by RT-PCR in normal human megakaryoblasts, only RANTES, IL-8, MCP-1 and PF-4 were found to be secreted by these cells. Finally we noticed that no chemokine tested in this study affected CFU-Meg colony formation by human CD34+ cells in serum-free cultures. We conclude that from all the chemokine receptor-chemokine axes tested, only SDF-1-CXCR4 axis was functional in assays employed in our studies, which further support the view that this axis plays a privileged role in regulating normal human megakaryopoiesis.
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PMID:Biological significance of chemokine receptor expression by normal human megakaryoblasts. 1153 79

To better define the role HIV-related chemokine receptor-chemokine axes play in human hematopoiesis, we investigated the function of the CXCR4 and CCR5 receptors in human myeloid, T- and B-lymphoid cell lines selected for the expression of these receptors (CXCR4(+), CXCR4(+) CCR5(+), and CCR5(+) cell lines). We evaluated the phosphorylation of MAPK p42/44, AKT, and STAT proteins and examined the ability of the ligands for these receptors (stromal-derived factor-1 [SDF-1] and macrophage inflammatory protein-1beta [MIP-1beta]) to influence cell growth, apoptosis, adhesion, and production of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) in these cell lines. We found that A) SDF-1, after binding to CXCR4, activates multiple signaling pathways and that in comparison with the MIP-1beta-CCR5 axis, plays a privileged role in hematopoiesis; B) SDF-1 activation of the MAPK p42/44 pathway and the PI-3K-AKT axis does not affect proliferation and apoptosis but modulates integrin-mediated adhesion to fibronectin, and C) SDF-1 induces secretion of VEGF, but not of MMPs or TIMPs. Thus the role of SDF-1 relates primarily to the interaction of lymphohematopoietic cells with their microenvironment and does not directly influence their proliferation or survival. We conclude that perturbation of the SDF-1-CXCR4 axis during HIV infection may affect interactions of hematopoietic cells with the hematopoietic microenvironment.
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PMID:The SDF-1-CXCR4 axis stimulates VEGF secretion and activates integrins but does not affect proliferation and survival in lymphohematopoietic cells. 1155 54

The aim of this study was to identify signal transduction pathways activated by erythropoietin (EpO) and erythropoietin co-stimulatory factors (kit ligand), insulin-like growth factor, thrombopoietin, interleukin 3 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor) in normal human bone marrow CD34(+) cells and d 11 erythroid burst forming unit derived glycophorin+ cells. The activation of these signal transduction pathways was further correlated with various biological effects such as (i) cell proliferation, (ii) inhibition of apoptosis, (iii) activation of adhesion and (iv) secretion of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) MMP-9 and MMP-2, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We found that in human CD34(+) cells and erythroblasts erythropoietic factors may activate similar but different signalling pathways, and that activation of each of the JAK-STAT, MAPK p42/44 or PI-3K-AKT axes alone is not sufficient either to stimulate cell proliferation or inhibit apoptosis, suggesting that these processes are regulated by orchestrated activation of multiple signalling cascades. Accordingly, we found that although cell proliferation was more related to simultaneous activation of JAK-STAT and MAPK p42/44, the effect on cell survival correlated with activation of PI-3K-AKT, MAPK p42/44 and JAK-STAT proteins. We also demonstrated that differentiating normal human erythroid cells lose their adhesive properties and secrete angiopoietic factors such as MMP-9, MMP-2 and VEGF, and we postulate that this secretion by early erythroid cells may play a role in their maturation and egress from the haematopoietic niches of the bone marrow.
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PMID:Biological significance of MAPK, AKT and JAK-STAT protein activation by various erythropoietic factors in normal human early erythroid cells. 1172 33


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