Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UNIPROT:P51812 (mitogen-activated protein)
 10,636 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Beta-adrenergic receptor (beta-AR) blockade is now widely utilized therapeutically for heart failure, but its cellular mechanism of action is not clear. Mice with cardiac-specific overexpressed Gs alpha develop cardiomyopathy with age, which can be prevented by beta-AR blockade, making this model potentially useful for addressing this question. Our hypothesis was that distal mechanisms in beta-AR signaling, i.e. mitogen-activated protein kinases, were a potential mechanism. At 6-9 months, when cardiomyopathy began to develop in Gs alpha mice, there were significant increases in phospho-kinase levels of p38 MAP kinase (p38 MAPK), and p70(S6K) compared to wild type. In contrast, phospho-kinase levels of ERK and Akt were increased at 9-10 months, but phospho-kinase levels of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) increased only at 15-20 months (when cardiomyopathy was fully manifest). Treatment of 9-10 months old Gs alpha mice with propranolol for 5 weeks reverted the phospho-kinase levels of these kinases known to be involved in the growth and death of cardiac myocytes. Another novel observation of this study was that there were also decreases in total protein levels of p38 MAPK, p70(S6K), JNK, and Akt following beta-AR blockade. Thus, chronically enhanced beta-AR signaling elicits a differential pattern of altered mitogen-activated protein kinases, which was reversed with beta-AR blockade, raising the possibility that the beneficial effects of beta-AR blockade therapy in heart failure may be due in part to the inhibition of these pathways.
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PMID:Propranolol prevents enhanced stress signaling in Gs alpha cardiomyopathy: potential mechanism for beta-blockade in heart failure. 1487 58

Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen-presenting cells that play a pivotal role in the initiation of T cell-dependent immune responses. Immature DCs obtained from peripheral blood CD14+ monocytes by culture with granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) differentiate into mature DCs upon stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). At least three families of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), that is, extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) and p38 MAPK, are involved in the DC maturation process. We report investigations of the role of JNK in the maturation of human monocyte-derived DCs. SP600125, a specific inhibitor of JNK, inhibited the LPS-induced up-regulation of CD80, CD83, CD86 and CD54, but augmented the up-regulation of HLA-DR. SP600125 slightly inhibited the down-regulation of FITC-dextran uptake during DC maturation. However, SP600125 did not affect the LPS induced up-regulation of allostimulatory capacity of DCs. SP600125 inhibited the release of IL-12 p70 and TNF-alpha from mature DCs. Although autologous T cells primed by the ovalbumin (OVA)-pulsed mature DCs produced IFN-gamma, but not IL-4, OVA-pulsed SP600125-treated mature DCs could initiate IL-4 production from autologous T cells. In contrast, a p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580, profoundly inhibited the phenotypic and functional maturation of DCs, while an ERK inhibitor, PD98059, had little or no effect. Taken together, the JNK signaling pathway appears to have a role that is distinct from the p38 MAPK and ERK cascades in the maturation process of DCs, and may be involved in the augmentation of Th2-prone T cell responses when it is suppressed.
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PMID:Role of c-Jun N-terminal kinase on lipopolysaccharide induced maturation of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells. 1547 28

In an attempt to identify phytochemicals contributing to the well-documented preventive effect of plant-based diets on cancer incidence and mortality, we have previously shown that certain flavonoids inhibit in vitro angiogenesis. Here, we show that the flavonoid luteolin inhibited tumor growth and angiogenesis in a murine xenograft model. Furthermore, luteolin inhibited vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced in vivo angiogenesis in the rabbit corneal assay. In agreement, luteolin inhibited both VEGF-induced survival and proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with an IC(50) of about 5 mumol/L. Luteolin inhibited VEGF-induced phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI3K) activity in HUVECs, and this inhibition was critical for both the antisurvival and antimitotic affects of the compound. Indeed, luteolin abolished VEGF-induced activation of Akt, a downstream target of PI3K conveying both survival and mitotic downstream signals. Because overexpression of a constitutively active form of Akt rescued HUVECs only from the antisurvival effects of luteolin, the result indicated that luteolin targeted mainly the survival signals of the PI3K/Akt pathway. With regard to its antimitotic activity, luteolin inhibited VEGF-induced phosphorylation of p70 S6 kinase (S6K), a downstream effector of PI3K responsible for G(1) progression. Indeed, VEGF-induced proliferation of HUVECs was sensitive to rapamycin, an inhibitor of p70 S6K activation. Surprisingly, luteolin did not affect VEGF-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinases, a pathway that is considered important for the mitotic effects of VEGF. Thus, blockade of PI3K by luteolin was responsible for the inhibitory effects of the compound on VEGF-induced survival and proliferation of HUVECs. The antisurvival effects of luteolin were mediated via blockage of PI3K/Akt-dependent pathways, whereas inhibition of the PI3K/p70 S6K pathway mediated the antimitotic effects of the compound.
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PMID:Luteolin inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor-induced angiogenesis; inhibition of endothelial cell survival and proliferation by targeting phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase activity. 1552 Feb

Differences in components of innate anti-viral immune responses may account for the contrast in susceptibility to Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) between SJL/J and B10.S mice. Herein, the expression of IL-12, interferon (IFN)-beta, Toll-like receptors 3 (TLR3), TLR7, and mitogen-activated protein (MAP)-kinases was evaluated in SJL/J and B10.S macrophages infected with TMEV. Twenty-four hours after infection, SJL/J macrophages exhibited higher levels of TMEV RNA, IL-12 p40, and TLR3 but lower levels of IL-12 p70 and the IL-12 p35 subunit compared with B10.S macrophages. Addition of exogenous IL-12 p70 or IFN-beta increased the resistance of SJL/J macrophages to TMEV infection. To assess MAP-kinases, macrophages were pretreated with the p38 MAP-kinase inhibitor SB203580 or extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) MAP-kinase inhibitor U0126 before TMEV infection. U0126 reduced SJL/J but increased B10.S macrophage expression of IL-12 p40 and p70 in response to TMEV. U0126 decreased the IL-12 p35 response of SJL/J macrophages. To assess TLR7, SJL/J and B10.S macrophages were stimulated with loxoribine, a TLR7 ligand. Loxoribine induced more IL-12 p70 production and p35 expression in B10.S than SJL/J macrophages. U0126 increased loxoribine-induced expression of IL-12 p40 and IL-12 p70 in B10.S but not SJL/J macrophages. Thus, differences in production of IL-12 p70 due to expression of the p35 subunit and in activity of TLR7, as well as activation of factors downstream of ERK MAP-kinases likely underlie the disparity in innate immunity between SJL/J and B10.S macrophages to TMEV.
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PMID:Disparate expression of IL-12 by SJL/J and B10.S macrophages during Theiler's virus infection is associated with activity of TLR7 and mitogen-activated protein kinases. 1577 34

Alpha7beta1-integrin links laminin in the extracellular matrix with the cell cytoskeleton and therein mediates transduction of mechanical forces into chemical signals. Muscle contraction and stretching ex vivo result in activation of intracellular signaling molecules that are integral to postexercise injury responses. Because alpha7beta1-integrin stabilizes muscle and provides communication between the matrix and cytoskeleton, the role of this integrin in exercise-induced cell signaling and skeletal muscle damage was assessed in wild-type and transgenic mice overexpressing the alpha7BX2 chain. We report here that increasing alpha7beta1-integrin inhibits phosphorylation of molecules associated with muscle damage, including the mitogen-activated protein kinases (JNK, p38, and ERK), following downhill running. Likewise, activation of molecules associated with hypertrophy (AKT, mTOR, and p70(S6k)) was diminished in mice overexpressing integrin. While exercise resulted in Evans blue dye-positive fibers, an index of muscle damage, increased integrin protected mice from injury. Moreover, exercise leads to an increase in alpha7beta1 protein. These experiments provide the first evidence that alpha7beta1-integrin is a negative regulator of mechanotransduction in vivo and provides resistance to exercise-induced muscle damage.
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PMID:Alpha7beta1-integrin regulates mechanotransduction and prevents skeletal muscle injury. 1642 Dec 7

The aim of this study was to clarify the role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) on the production of interleukine-10 (IL-10) and IL-12 in mouse peritoneal macrophages stimulated with CpG-ODN. CpG-ODN-induced IL-10 mRNA expression and protein production decreased following the treatment of macrophages with wortmannin and LY294002, specific inhibitors for PI3K. In contrast, IL-12 p40 mRNA expression and p70 protein production increased. Neutralizing anti-IL-10 monoclonal antibody (anti-IL-10 mAb) exactly mimicked the effects of PI3K inhibitors to enhance IL-12 p70 production. The enhancement effect of PI3K inhibitors on IL-12 p70 production almost completely disappeared by the treatment with anti-IL-10 mAb. PI3K inhibitors suppressed the activation of extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK), a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinases, by CpG-ODN. A specific ERK inhibitor, U0126, as well as PI3K inhibitors, differentially regulated IL-10 and IL-12 p70 productions. These results suggest that PI3K positively and negatively regulates the production of CpG-ODN-induced IL-10 and IL-12 p70, respectively, and negatively regulates IL-12 p70 production in macrophages through ERK-mediated IL-10 induction.
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PMID:Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-mediated regulation of IL-10 and IL-12 production in macrophages stimulated with CpG oligodeoxynucleotide. 1682 2

Inactivation of tumor suppressors is among the rate-limiting steps in carcinogenesis that occur during the tumor promotion stage. The translation inhibitor programmed cell death 4 (Pdcd4) suppresses tumorigenesis and invasion. Although Pdcd4 is not mutationally inactivated in human cancer, the mechanisms controlling Pdcd4 inactivation during tumorigenesis remain elusive. We report that tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate exposure decreases protein levels of Pdcd4 in mouse skin papillomas and keratinocytes as well as in human HEK293 cells. This decrease is attributable to increased proteasomal degradation of Pdcd4 and is mediated by protein kinase C-dependent activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt-mammalian target of rapamycin-p70(S6K) and mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) kinase (MEK)-ERK signaling. Both Akt and p70(S6K) phosphorylate Pdcd4, allowing for binding of the E3-ubiquitin ligase beta-TrCP and consequently ubiquitylation. MEK-ERK signaling on the other hand facilitates the subsequent proteasomal degradation. We further show that Pdcd4 protein levels in vivo are limiting for tumor formation, establishing Pdcd4 as a haploinsufficient tumor suppressor in Pdcd4-deficient mice. Thus, because endogenous Pdcd4 levels are limiting for tumorigenesis, inhibiting signaling to Pdcd4 degradation may prove a valid strategy for cancer prevention and intervention.
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PMID:Translation inhibitor Pdcd4 is targeted for degradation during tumor promotion. 1829 47

Immune complexes (ICs) improve the capacity of priming specific CD8(+) cytotoxic T cell responses of dendritic cells (DCs). ICs induce phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and calcium influx, although the precise regulating mechanism still remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effect of a Ca2(+) channel blocker on the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in immature monocyte-derived DCs stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or LPS-ICs, and the production of interleukin (IL)-12 family members (p40, p70, IL-23), T helper type 17 (Th17) cytokines (IL-6 and IL-23), tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and IL-10 were also investigated. In comparison with LPS stimulation, LPS-ICs stimulation enhanced p38 MAPK phosphorylation significantly, which was associated with an increase in IL-12 p40 monomer/homodimer secretion. LPS-ICs also enhanced TNF-alpha and IL-6 secretion, but suppressed IL-23 secretion. The use of azelnidipine (Aze), a long-acting L-type Ca2(+) channel blocker with a high lipid solubility, suppressed p38 MAPK phosphorylation stimulated with LPS or LPS-ICs, but surprisingly enhanced IL-12 p40 monomer/homodimer secretion stimulated with LPS-ICs. This IL-12 p40 secretion-enhancing effect was not accompanied by IL-10 or IL-23 production, but was associated with ERK phosphorylation. The use of Aze did not affect IL-12 p70 production. These results suggest that the use of Aze enhances ICs-mediated IL-12 p40 secretion without additional IL-23 secretion. Therefore, the use of Aze and ICs could be a new therapeutic approach to immunomolecular therapy, as it does not cause Th17 differentiation which induces autoimmunity or reduces anti-tumour immunity.
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PMID:Combination use of immune complexes and a Ca2(+) channel blocker azelnidipine enhances interleukin-12 p40 secretion without T helper type 17 cytokine secretion in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells. 1943 91

Intestinal cell kinase (ICK), originally cloned from the intestine and expressed in the intestinal crypt epithelium, is a highly conserved serine/threonine protein kinase that is similar to mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in the catalytic domain and requires dual phosphorylation within a MAPK-like TDY motif for full activation. Despite these similarities to MAPKs, the biological functions of ICK remain unknown. In this study, we report that suppression of ICK expression in cultured intestinal epithelial cells by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) interference significantly impaired cellular proliferation and induced features of gene expression characteristic of colonic or enterocytic differentiation. Downregulation of ICK altered expression of cell cycle regulators (cyclin D1, c-Myc, and p21(Cip1/WAF1)) of G(1)-S transition, consistent with the G(1) cell cycle delay induced by ICK shRNA. ICK deficiency also led to a significant decrease in the expression and/or activity of p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase (S6K1) and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E), concomitant with reduced expression of their upstream regulators, the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and the regulatory associated protein of mTOR (Raptor). Furthermore, ICK interacts with the mTOR/Raptor complex in vivo and phosphorylates Raptor in vitro. These results suggest that disrupting ICK function may downregulate protein translation of specific downstream targets of eIF4E and S6K1 such as cyclin D1 and c-Myc through the mTOR/Raptor signaling pathway. Taken together, our findings demonstrate an important role for ICK in proliferation and differentiation of intestinal epithelial cells.
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PMID:Intestinal cell kinase, a MAP kinase-related kinase, regulates proliferation and G1 cell cycle progression of intestinal epithelial cells. 1969 44

Human group IIA secreted phospholipase A(2) (sPLA(2)-IIA) has been characterized in numerous inflammatory and neoplastic conditions. sPLA(2)-IIA can either promote or inhibit cell growth depending on the cellular type and the specific injury. We have previously demonstrated that exogenous sPLA(2)-IIA, by engagement to a membrane structure, induces proliferation and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases cascade in human astrocytoma cells. In this study, we used human astrocytoma 1321N1 cells to investigate the key molecules mediating sPLA(2)-IIA-induced cell proliferation. We found that sPLA(2)-IIA promoted reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, which was abrogated in the presence of allopurinol and DPI, but not by rotenone, discarding mitochondria as a ROS source. In addition, sPLA(2)-IIA triggered Ras and Raf-1 activation, with kinetics that paralleled ERK phosphorylation, and co-immunoprecipitation assays indicated an association between Ras, Raf-1 and ERK. Additionally, Akt, p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase, and S6 ribosomal protein were also phosphorylated upon sPLA(2)-IIA treatment, effect that was abrogated by N-acetylcysteine or LY294002 treatment indicating that ROS and phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase are upstream signaling regulators. As the inhibitors N-acetylcysteine, PD98059, LY294002 or rapamycin blocked sPLA(2)-IIA-induced proliferation without activation of the apoptotic program, we suggest that inhibition of these intracellular signal transduction elements may represent a mechanism of growth arrest. Our results reveal new potential targets for therapeutic intervention in neuroinflammatory disorders and brain cancer in particular.
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PMID:Secreted phospholipase A2-IIA modulates key regulators of proliferation on astrocytoma cells. 1973 48


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