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)

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common cancers among women. Recent studies demonstrated that the gene encoding the p110alpha catalytic subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) is frequently amplified in ovarian cancer cells. PI3K is involved in multiple cellular functions, including proliferation, differentiation, antiapoptosis, tumorigenesis, and angiogenesis. In this study, we demonstrate that the inhibition of PI3K activity by LY-294002 inhibited ovarian cancer cell proliferation and induced G(1) cell cycle arrest. This effect was accompanied by the decreased expression of G(1)-associated proteins, including cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4, CDC25A, and retinoblastoma phosphorylation at Ser(780), Ser(795), and Ser(807/811). Expression of CDK6 and beta-actin was not affected by LY-294002. Expression of the cyclin kinase inhibitor p16(INK4a) was induced by the PI3K inhibitor, whereas steady-state levels of p21(CIP1/WAF1) were decreased in the same experiment. The inhibition of PI3K activity also inhibited the phosphorylation of AKT and p70S6K1, but not extracellular regulated kinase 1/2. The G(1) cell cycle arrest induced by LY-294002 was restored by the expression of active forms of AKT and p70S6K1 in the cells. Our study shows that PI3K transmits a mitogenic signal through AKT and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) to p70S6K1. The mTOR inhibitor rapamycin had similar inhibitory effects on G(1) cell cycle progression and on the expression of cyclin D1, CDK4, CDC25A, and retinoblastoma phosphorylation. These results indicate that PI3K mediates G(1) progression and cyclin expression through activation of an AKT/mTOR/p70S6K1 signaling pathway in the ovarian cancer cells.
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PMID:G1 cell cycle progression and the expression of G1 cyclins are regulated by PI3K/AKT/mTOR/p70S6K1 signaling in human ovarian cancer cells. 1502 55

The small molecule UCN-01 is a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) modulator shown to have antiproliferative effects against several in vitro and in vivo cancer models currently being tested in human clinical trials. Although UCN-01 may inhibit several serine-threonine kinases, the exact mechanism by which it promotes cell cycle arrest is still unclear. We have reported previously that UCN-01 promotes G(1)-S cell cycle arrest in a battery of head and neck squamous cancer cell lines. The arrest is accompanied by an increase in both p21(waf1/cip1) and p27(kip1) CDK inhibitors leading to loss in G(1) CDK activity. In this report, we explore the role and the mechanism for the induction of these endogenous CDK inhibitors. We observed that p21 was required for the cell cycle effects of UCN-01, as HCT116 lacking p21 (HCT116 p21(-/-)) was refractory to the cell cycle effects of UCN-01. Moreover, UCN-01 promoted the accumulation of p21 at the mRNA level in the p53-deficient HaCaT cells without increase in the p21 mRNA half-life, suggesting that UCN-01 induced p21 at the transcriptional level. To study UCN-01 transcriptional activation of p21, we used several p21(waf1/cip1) promoter-driven luciferase reporter plasmids and observed that UCN-01 activated the full-length p21(waf1/cip1) promoter and a construct lacking p53 binding sites. The minimal promoter region required for UCN-01 (from -110 bp to the transcription start site) was the same minimal p21(waf1/cip1) promoter region required for Ras enhancement of p21(waf1/cip1) transcription. Neither protein kinase C nor PDK1/AKT pathways were relevant for the induction of p21 by UCN-01. In contrast, the activation of mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways was required for p21 induction as UCN-01 activated this pathway, and genetic or chemical MEK inhibitors blunted p21 accumulation. These results demonstrated for the first time that p21 is required for UCN-01 cell cycle arrest. Moreover, we showed that the accumulation of p21 is transcriptional via activation of the MEK pathway. This novel mechanism, by which UCN-01 exerts its antiproliferative effect, represents a promising strategy to be exploited in future clinical trials.
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PMID:UCN-01-induced cell cycle arrest requires the transcriptional induction of p21(waf1/cip1) by activation of mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway. 1515 Jan 22

This study delineates the antiproliferative activities and in vivo efficacy of YC-1 [3-(5'-hydroxymethyl-2'-furyl)-1-benzyl indazole] in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. YC-1 inhibited the growth of HA22T and Hep3B cells in a concentration-dependent manner without significant cytotoxicity. YC-1 induced G(1) phase arrest in the cell cycle, as detected by an increase in the proportion of cells in the G(1) phase using FAC-Scan flow cytometric analysis. It was further shown that cGMP, p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase, or AKT kinase-mediated signaling pathways did not contribute to the YC-1-induced effect. Of note, YC-1 induced a dramatic increase in the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)-inhibitory protein, p21(CIP1/WAP1), and a modest increase in p27(KIP1). The association of p21(CIP1/WAP1) with CDK2 was markedly increased in cells responsive to YC-1. YC-1 did not modify the expression of cyclin D1, cyclin E, CDK2, or CDK4. In a corollary in vivo study, YC-1 induced dose-dependent inhibition of tumor growth in mice inoculated with HA22T cells. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed an inverse relationship between the staining of p21(CIP1/WAF) and the staining of Ki-67, a cell proliferation marker. Based on the results reported herein, we suggest that YC-1 induces cell cycle arrest and inhibits tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo via the up-regulation of p21(CIP1/WAP1) expression in HA22T cells. Because of this, YC-1 is a potential antitumor agent worthy of further investigation.
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PMID:YC-1 [3-(5'-Hydroxymethyl-2'-furyl)-1-benzyl Indazole] exhibits a novel antiproliferative effect and arrests the cell cycle in G0-G1 in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. 1552 95

Prostate cancer (PCA) is the most common invasive malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the US male population. One approach to control this malignancy is its preventive intervention by dietary agents. Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6), a dietary constituent, has shown promising efficacy against various cancers; however, limited studies have been performed with IP6 against PCA. Here, we investigated the growth-inhibitory effect and associated mechanisms of IP6 in androgen-dependent human prostate carcinoma LNCaP cells. IP6 treatment of cells resulted in a strong growth inhibition and an increase in G1 cell population. In mechanistic studies, IP6 resulted in an increase in cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKIs) Cip1/p21 and Kip1/p27 levels, together with a decrease in cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4 and cyclin D1 protein levels. An increase in CDKI levels by IP6 also led to a concomitant increase in their interactions with CDK2 and CDK4, together with a strong decrease in the kinase activity of both CDKs. Downstream in CDKI-CDK-cyclin cascade, consistent with its inhibitory effect on CDK kinase activity, IP6 treatment of cells increased hypophosphorylated levels of retinoblastoma (Rb) with a decrease in Rb phosphorylation at serine 780, 807, and 811 sites, and caused a moderate to strong decrease in the levels of transcription factors E2F1, E2F4, and E2F5. In other studies, IP6 caused a dose- and a time-dependent apoptotic death of LNCaP cells, and a decrease in Bcl2 levels, causing a strong increase in Bax versus Bcl2 ratio, as well as an inhibition of constitutively active AKT phosphorylation. Taken together, these molecular alterations provide an insight into IP6-caused growth inhibition, G1 arrest, and apoptotic death of human prostate carcinoma LNCaP cells. Because early clinical PCA growth is an androgen-dependent response, the results of the present study employing androgen-dependent LNCaP cells suggest that IP6 has promise and potential to be effective against PCA.
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PMID:Inositol hexaphosphate inhibits growth and induces G1 arrest and apoptotic death of androgen-dependent human prostate carcinoma LNCaP cells. 1554 74

Anti-HER2 antibody trastuzumab is emerging as a frontline therapy for patients with metastatic breast cancers that overexpress HER2. Understanding the molecular mechanisms by which the antibody inhibits tumor growth should permit the design of even more effective trastuzumab-based protocols. Several groups including our own have demonstrated that induction of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p27Kip1 protein is one of the key mechanisms of action of HER2-targeting antibodies. In this review, we discuss currently available data regarding the multiple signaling targets and pathways by which HER2-targeting antibodies upregulate p27Kip1 protein in breast cancer cells that overexpress HER2. Anti-HER2 antibodies inhibit HER2-mediated signaling in cancer cells, ultimately upregulating the levels and activity of p27Kip1 protein. At least six signaling targets and pathways are modulated by trastuzumab. By inhibiting CDK2 and decreasing Thr187 phosphorylation of p27Kip1, trastuzumab abrogates targeting of SCF-ubiquitin E3 ligase and minimizes proteasome degradation of p27Kip1. By inhibiting AKT and human kinase interacting stathmin (hKIS), trastuzumab blocks Thr157-, Thr198- and Ser10-induced p27Kip1 translocation from the nucleus to the cytosol, which increases the inhibitory effect of p27Kip1. By inhibiting Jun activation domain-binding protein 1 (Jab1) trastuzumab increases nuclear retention of p27Kip1. By inhibiting cyclin D and c-Myc, trastuzumab releases the sequestrated p27bKip1 protein from cyclin D-CDK4/6 complexes and increase the effect of p27Kip1 on CDK2-cyclin E complexes. By stimulating minibrain related kinase (MIRK), trastuzumab stabilizes p27Kip1 in the nucleus, which increases inhibitory action of p27Kip1 on CDK2. The targets and pathways affected by trastuzumab work in concert to maximize the expression and inhibitory effect of p27Kip1, which leads to cell cycle G1 arrest and growth inhibition.
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PMID:HER2-targeting antibodies modulate the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27Kip1 via multiple signaling pathways. 1561 42

The mammalian cell cycle is regulated by the cyclin/cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma (pRB) family of proteins. Cyclin D1 with its CDK4/6 partners initiates the cell cycle and acts as the link between extracellular signals and the cell cycle machinery. Estradiol-17beta (E2) stimulates uterine epithelial cell proliferation, a process that is completely inhibited by pretreatment with progesterone (P4). Previously, we identified cyclin D1 localization as a key point of regulation in these cells with E2 causing its nuclear accumulation and P4 retaining it in the cytoplasm with the resultant inhibition of pRB phosphorylation. Here we show that E2 stimulates phosphoinositide 3-kinase to activate phosphokinase B/AKT to effect an inhibitory phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK-3beta). This pathway is suppressed by P4. Inhibition of the GSK-3beta activity in P4-treated uteri by the specific inhibitor, LiCl, reversed the nuclear accumulation of cyclin D1 and in doing so, caused pRB phosphorylation and the induction of downstream genes, proliferating cell nuclear antigen and Ki67. Conversely, inhibition of phosphoinositide 3 kinase by LY294002 or Wortmanin reversed the E2-induced GSK-3beta Ser9 inhibitory phosphorylation and blocked nuclear accumulation of cyclin D1. These data show the reciprocal actions of E2 and P4 on the phosphoinositide 3-kinase through to the GSK-3beta pathway that in turn regulates cyclin D1 localization and cell cycle progression. These data reveal a novel signaling pathway that links E2 and P4 action to growth factor-mediated signaling in the uterus.
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PMID:Progesterone inhibits the estrogen-induced phosphoinositide 3-kinase-->AKT-->GSK-3beta-->cyclin D1-->pRB pathway to block uterine epithelial cell proliferation. 1584 46

The simple ganglioside GM3 has been shown to have anti-proliferative effects in several in vitro and in vivo cancer models. Although the exogenous ganglioside GM3 has an inhibitory effect on cancer cell proliferation, the exact mechanism by which it prevents cell proliferation remains unclear. Previous studies showed that MDM2 is an oncoprotein that controls tumorigenesis through both p53-dependent and p53-independent mechanisms, and tumor suppressor phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN), a dual-specificity phosphatase that antagonizes phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K)/AKT signaling, is capable of blocking MDM2 nuclear translocation and destabilizing the MDM2 protein. Results from our current study show that GM3 treatment dramatically increases cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor (CKI) p21(WAF1) expression through the accumulation of p53 protein by the PTEN-mediated inhibition of the PI-3K/AKT/MDM2 survival signaling in HCT116 colon cancer cells. Moreover, the data herein clearly show that ganglioside GM3 induces p53-dependent transcriptional activity of p21(WAF1), as evidenced by the p21(WAF1) promoter-driven luciferase reporter plasmid (full-length p21(WAF1) promoter and a construct lacking the p53-binding sites). Additionally, ganglioside GM3 enhances expression of CKI p27(kip1) through the PTEN-mediated inhibition of the PI-3K/AKT signaling. Furthermore, the down-regulation of the cyclin E and CDK2 was clearly observed in GM3-treated HCT116 cells, but the down-regulation of cyclin D1 and CDK4 was not. On the contrary, suppression of PTEN levels by RNA interference restores the enhanced expression of p53-dependent p21(WAF1) and p53-independent p27(kip1) through inactivating the effect of PTEN on PI-3K/AKT signaling modulated by ganglioside GM3. These results suggest that ganglioside GM3-stimulated PTEN expression modulates cell cycle regulatory proteins, thus inhibiting cell growth. We conclude that ganglioside GM3 represents a modulator of cancer cell proliferation and may have potential for use in colorectal cancer therapy.
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PMID:Ganglioside GM3 modulates tumor suppressor PTEN-mediated cell cycle progression--transcriptional induction of p21(WAF1) and p27(kip1) by inhibition of PI-3K/AKT pathway. 1657 13

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) frequently carries the t(2;5)(p23;q35) resulting in aberrant expression of chimeric nucleophosmin-ALK. Previously, nucleophosmin-ALK has been shown to activate phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and its downstream effector, the serine/threonine kinase AKT. In this study, we hypothesized that the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, which functions downstream of AKT, mediates the oncogenic effects of activated PI3K/AKT in ALK+ ALCL. Here, we provide evidence that mTOR signaling phosphoproteins, including mTOR, eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein-1, p70S6K, and ribosomal protein S6, are highly phosphorylated in ALK+ ALCL cell lines and tumors. We also show that AKT activation contributes to mTOR phosphorylation, at least in part, as forced expression of constitutively active AKT by myristoylated AKT adenovirus results in increased phosphorylation of mTOR and its downstream effectors. Conversely, inhibition of AKT expression or activity results in decreased mTOR phosphorylation. In addition, pharmacologic inhibition of PI3K/AKT down-regulates the activation of the mTOR signaling pathway. We also show that inhibition of mTOR with rapamycin, as well as silencing mTOR gene product expression using mTOR-specific small interfering RNA, decreased phosphorylation of mTOR signaling proteins and induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in ALK+ ALCL cells. Cell cycle arrest was associated with modulation of G(1)-S-phase regulators, including the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p21(waf1) and p27(kip1). Apoptosis following inhibition of mTOR expression or function was associated with down-regulation of antiapoptotic proteins, including c-FLIP, MCL-1, and BCL-2. These findings suggest that the mTOR pathway contributes to nucleophosmin-ALK/PI3K/AKT-mediated tumorigenesis and that inhibition of mTOR represents a potential therapeutic strategy in ALK+ ALCL.
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PMID:Activation of mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway contributes to tumor cell survival in anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma. 1681 31

Silymarin consists of a family of flavonoids (silybin, isosilybin, silychristin, silydianin and taxifoline) commonly found in the dried fruit of the milk thistle plant Silybum marianum. Although silymarin's role as an antioxidant and hepatoprotective agent is well known, its role as an anticancer agent has begun to emerge. Extensive research within the last decade has shown that silymarin can suppress the proliferation of a variety of tumor cells (e.g., prostate, breast, ovary, colon, lung, bladder); this is accomplished through cell cycle arrest at the G1/S-phase, induction of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (such as p15, p21 and p27), down-regulation of anti-apoptotic gene products (e.g., Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL), inhibition of cell-survival kinases (AKT, PKC and MAPK) and inhibition of inflammatory transcription factors (e.g., NF-kappaB). Silymarin can also down-regulate gene products involved in the proliferation of tumor cells (cyclin D1, EGFR, COX-2, TGF-beta, IGF-IR), invasion (MMP-9), angiogenesis (VEGF) and metastasis (adhesion molecules). The antiinflammatory effects of silymarin are mediated through suppression of NF-kappaB-regulated gene products, including COX-2, LOX, inducible iNOS, TNF and IL-1. Numerous studies have indicated that silymarin is a chemopreventive agent in vivo against a variety of carcinogens/tumor promoters, including UV light, 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA), phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and others. Silymarin has also been shown to sensitize tumors to chemotherapeutic agents through down-regulation of the MDR protein and other mechanisms. It binds to both estrogen and androgen receptors, and down-regulates PSA. In addition to its chemopreventive effects, silymarin exhibits antitumor activity against human tumors (e.g., prostate and ovary) in rodents. Various clinical trials have indicated that silymarin is bioavailable and pharmacologically safe. Studies are now in progress to demonstrate the clinical efficacy of silymarin against various cancers.
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PMID:Anticancer potential of silymarin: from bench to bed side. 1720 Nov 69

TSH-secreting pituitary tumors (TSHomas) are pituitary tumors that constitutively secrete TSH. Molecular mechanisms underlying this abnormality are largely undefined. We recently created a knock-in mutant mouse harboring a mutation (denoted as PV) in the thyroid hormone receptor-beta gene (TRbeta(PV/PV) mouse). As these mice age, they spontaneously develop TSHomas. Using this mouse model, we investigated the role of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of TSHomas. Concurrent with aberrant growth of pituitaries, AKT and its downstream effectors, mammalian target rapamycin and p70(S6K), were activated to contribute to increased cell proliferation and pituitary growth. In addition, activation of AKT led to decreased apoptosis by inhibiting proapoptotic activity of Bcl-2-associated death promoter, further contributing to the aberrant cell proliferation. These results suggest an activated PI3K-AKT pathway could underscore tumorigenesis, raising the possibility that this pathway could be a potential therapeutic target in TSHomas. Indeed, TRbeta(PV/PV) mice treated with a PI3K-specific inhibitor, LY294002, showed a significant decrease in pituitary growth. The progrowth signaling via AKT-mammalian target rapamycin-p70(S6K) and cyclin D1/cyclin-dependent kinase were inhibited, and proapoptotic activity of Bcl-2-associated death promoter was increased by LY294002 treatment. Thus, activation of the PI3K-AKT pathway mediates, at least in part, the aberrant pituitary growth, and the intervention of this signaling pathway presents a novel therapeutic opportunity for TSHomas.
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PMID:Activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling promotes aberrant pituitary growth in a mouse model of thyroid-stimulating hormone-secreting pituitary tumors. 1835 76


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