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)

Neurotensin (NT) is a neuropeptide that is important in a variety of biological processes such as signal transduction and cell growth. NT effects are mediated by a single class of cell-surface receptors, known as neurotensin receptors (NTRs), which exhibit structural features of the G-protein-coupled receptors superfamily. We investigated NTR signalling properties with Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells stably transformed with human NTR (hNTR). First, we showed that NTR stimulation by NT induced the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in time- and dose-dependent manners. Both p42 and p44 MAPK isoforms were retarded in gel-shift assays, which was consistent with their activation by phosphorylation. In addition we showed that NT caused a prolonged activation of MAPK as measured by in-gel kinase assay. Secondly, we demonstrated that NT induced the expression of the growth-related gene Krox-24 at the protein level, as assessed by Western-blot analysis, and at the transcriptional level, as demonstrated in CHO cells transfected with hNTR and a reporter gene for Krox-24. Activation of MAPK and induction of Krox-24 were both prevented by the NTR antagonist SR 48692, confirming the specific action on NTR. Furthermore we observed coupling of NTR to a mitogenic pathway and Krox-24 induction in the human adenocarcinoma cell line HT29, which naturally expresses NTRs. Considering coupling pathways between NTR stimulation and MAPK activation, we observed a partial inhibition by pertussis toxin (PTX) and a complete blockade by the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor GF 109203X. Taken together, these results suggest that (1) stimulation of NTR activates the MAPK pathway by mechanisms involving dual coupling to both PTX-sensitive and PTX-insensitive G-proteins as well as PKC activation, and (2) these effects are associated with the induction of Krox-24, which might be a target of MAPK effector.
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PMID:Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase couples neurotensin receptor stimulation to induction of the primary response gene Krox-24. 894 79

The pancreatic gland has an enormous potential for growth and regeneration, mainly in rodents. These processes remain mostly under the control of the GI hormone cholecystokinin (CCK). The human pancreas however does not show proliferative properties after partial pancreatectomy, but research in this field has been scarce. Recent studies indicate that CCK might not be the expected trophic agent since its two receptors CCK(A) and CCK(B) were not found on human exocrine pancreas. Therefore, if human pancreas grows and regenerates, it has to be under the influence of some unknown trophic factors. Neuropeptides receiving much attention lately as regulators of pancreatic functions could be among the searched trophic agents. This presentation focus on neuropeptides growth potential: GRP-Bombesin, GABA, PP, PYY, Neurotensin, SP, VIP, PACAP, CGRP and galanin. Some neuropeptides have moderate effects on pancreatic enzymes and electrolytes secretion: SP, VIP, PACAP. However, their trophic effects remain unexplored except for GRP-bombesin and PACAP. PACAP preferentially exhibits its mitogenic and proliferative effects on the pancreatic acinar cells AR4-2J via tyrosine kinase, phospholipase D and ornithine decarboxylase activation but not through adenylate cyclase. The growth promoting action of GRP-bombesin is well documented on rodent's pancreas. However, recent studies indicate that this neuropeptide is potentially trophic for larger mammals' pancreas. Indeed, investigators recently documented that bombesin induced pancreatic regeneration in the pig after partial pancreatectomy through mitogen-activated protein kinases activation as do CCK-8 and caerulein on rat pancreas. Have we found the magic pancreatic trophic factor in large mammals? Further investigations will tell.
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PMID:Intervention of GI neuropeptides in pancreatic growth and regeneration: comparison with cholecystokinin. 1507 55

Neurotensin (NTS) has long been recognized as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator in the central nervous system and as an endocrine agent in the periphery via actions mediated through neurotensin receptors (NTSRs). Many studies support a role for NTS in the endocrine, autocrine and paracrine growth stimulation of cancer, with oncogenic actions described for NTS in different types of cancers and cancer cell lines at each step of cancer progression, ranging from tumour growth and survival to metastatic spread. The mechanisms underlying the effects of the NTS/NTSR system in cell proliferation, migration and invasion, as well as the anti-apoptotic effects of this system, have been elucidated in different types of cancers, and include mitogen-activated protein kinases, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and RhoGTPases. The present mini review summarizes recent findings relating to the oncogenic function of the NTS/NTSR system.
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PMID:Oncogenic role of neurotensin and neurotensin receptors in various cancers. 2855 74