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

Heme oxygenase (HO) is responsible for the physiological breakdown of heme into equimolar amounts of biliverdin, carbon monoxide, and iron. Three isoforms (HO-1, HO-2, and HO-3) have been identified. HO-1 is ubiquitous and its mRNA and activity can be increased several-fold by heme, other metalloporphyrins, transition metals, and stimuli that induce cellular stress. HO-1 is recognized as a major heat shock/stress response protein. Recent work from our laboratory has demonstrated several potential consensus regulatory elements in the 5'-untranslated region (UTR) of HO-1, including activator protein 1 (AP-1), metal responsive element (MRE), oncogene c-myc/max heterodimer binding site (Myc/Max), antioxidant response element (ARE), and GC box binding (Sp1) sites. Using deletion-reporter gene constructs, we have mapped sites that mediate the arsenite-dependent induction of HO-1, and we have shown that components of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 (a homologue of the yeast HOG1 kinase), but not c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathways are involved in arsenite-dependent upregulation. In contrast, HO-2 is present chiefly in the brain and testes and is virtually uninducible. HO-3 has very low activity; its physiological function probably involves heme binding. Products of the HO reaction have important effects: carbon monoxide is a potent vasodilator, which is thought to play a key role in the modulation of vascular tone, especially in the liver under physiological conditions, and in many organs under "stressful" conditions associated with HO-1 induction. Biliverdin and its product bilirubin, formed in most mammals, are potent antioxidants. In contrast, "free" iron increases oxidative stress and regulates the expression of many mRNAs (e.g., DCT-1, ferritin, and transferrin receptor) by affecting the conformation of iron regulatory protein (IRP)-1 and its binding to iron regulatory elements (IREs) in the 5'- or 3'-UTRs of the mRNAs.
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PMID:Heme oxygenase: recent advances in understanding its regulation and role. 1051 65

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have emerged as important signaling molecules in the regulation of various cellular processes. In our study, we investigated the effect of a wide range of ROS on Chinese hamster lung fibroblast (V79) cell proliferation. Treatment with H2O2 (100 microM), superoxide anion (generated by 1 mM xanthine and 1 mU/ml xanthine oxidase), menadione, and phenazine methosulfate increased the cell proliferation by approximately 50%. Moreover, a similar result was observed after partial inhibition of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase. This upregulation of cell proliferation was suppressed by pretreatment with hydroxyl radical scavengers and iron chelating agents. In addition to ROS, treatment with exogenous catalase and SOD mimic (MnTMPyP) suppressed the normal cell proliferation. Short-term exposure of the cells to 100 microM H2O2 was sufficient to induce proliferation, which indicated that activation of the signaling pathway is important as an early event. Accordingly, we assessed the ability of H2O2 to activate mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAPK were both rapidly and transiently activated by 100 microM H2O2, with maximal activation 30 min after treatment. However, the activity of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) was not changed. Pretreatment with SB203580 and SB202190, specific inhibitors of p38 MAPK, reduced the cell proliferation induced by H2O2. The activation of both JNK and p38 MAPK was also suppressed by pretreatment with hydroxyl radical scavenger and iron chelating agents. Our results suggest that the trace metal-driven Fenton reaction is a central mechanism that underlies cell proliferation and MAPK activation.
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PMID:Effects of reactive oxygen species on proliferation of Chinese hamster lung fibroblast (V79) cells. 1129 67

Disturbances of intracellular redox equilibrium may alter eukaryotic gene expression patterns in the manifestation of an adaptive stress response. The inducible heme oxygenase-1 gene, ho-1, responds dramatically to changes in cellular redox potential provoked by multiple agents (oxidants, xenobiotics, reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, and ultraviolet-A radiation) as well as deviations in oxygen tension in excess or deficit of normal physiological levels. This dual response to hyperoxic and hypoxic states renders ho-1 an intriguing model system for studying oxygen-regulated gene expression. The complexation or depletion of reduced glutathione apparently represents an underlying mechanism by which oxidants trigger the response. Chelatable iron levels also influence the induction of ho-1 as evidenced by the inhibitory effects of iron-chelating compounds. Redox-sensitive protein kinase cascades (e.g., mitogen-activated protein kinases) participate in ho-1 regulation. Recent progress in understanding ho-1 transcription has identified two distal enhancer regions (E1, E2) in the mouse ho-1 gene that mediate the response to many inducing conditions. This review will examine the potential roles of iron, glutathione, and reactive oxygen species in the upstream events leading to ho-1 activation following oxygen related stress.
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PMID:Heme oxygenase-1: molecular mechanisms of gene expression in oxygen-related stress. 1223 Aug 74

Mineral nutrient deficiencies constitute major limitations for plant growth on agricultural soils around the world. To identify genes that possibly play roles in plant mineral nutrition, we recently generated a high-density array consisting of 1,280 genes from tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) roots for expression profiling in nitrogen (N) nutrition. In the current study, we used the same array to search for genes induced by phosphorus (P), potassium (K(+)), and iron (Fe) deficiencies. RNA gel-blot analysis was conducted to study the time-dependent kinetics for expression of these genes in response to withholding P, K, or Fe. Genes previously not associated with P, K, and Fe nutrition were identified, such as transcription factor, mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, MAP kinase kinase, and 14-3-3 proteins. Many of these genes were induced within 1 h after withholding the specific nutrient from roots of intact plants; thus, RNA gel-blot analysis was repeated for specific genes (transcription factor and MAP kinase) in roots of decapitated plants to investigate the tissue-specific location of the signal triggering gene induction. Both genes were induced just as rapidly in decapitated plants, suggesting that the rapid response to the absence of P, K, or Fe in the root-bathing medium is triggered either by a root-localized signal or because of root sensing of the mineral environment surrounding the roots. We also show that expression of Pi, K, and Fe transporter genes were up-regulated by all three treatments, suggesting coordination and coregulation of the uptake of these three essential mineral nutrients.
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PMID:Rapid induction of regulatory and transporter genes in response to phosphorus, potassium, and iron deficiencies in tomato roots. Evidence for cross talk and root/rhizosphere-mediated signals. 1242 1

Iron is an essential element for the neoplastic cell growth, and iron chelators have been tested for their potential anti-proliferative and cytotoxic effects. To determine the mechanism of cell death induced by iron chelators, we explored the pathways of the three structurally related mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase subfamilies during apoptosis induced by iron chelators. We report that the chelator deferoxamine (DFO) strongly activates both p38 MAP kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) at an early stage of incubation, but slightly activates c-Jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase (JNK/SAPK) at a late stage of incubation. Among three MAP kinase blockers used, however, the selective p38 MAP kinase inhibitor SB203580 could only protect HL-60 cells from chelator-induced cell death, indicating that p38 MAP kinase serves as a major mediator of apoptosis induced by iron chelator. DFO also caused release of cytochrome c from mitochondria and induced activation of caspase 3 and caspase 8. Interestingly, treatment of HL-60 cells with SB203580 greatly abolished cytochrome c release, and activation of caspase 3 and caspase 8. Collectively, the current study reveals that p38 MAP kinase plays an important role in iron chelator-mediated cell death of HL-60 cells by activating downstream apoptotic cascade that executes cell death pathway.
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PMID:Involvement of p38 MAP kinase during iron chelator-mediated apoptotic cell death. 1265 44

In the present study, we investigated the effects and mechanisms of a novel potent antioxidant, octyl caffeate, on the induction of iNOS expression by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in cultured primary rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs) in vitro and LPS-induced hypotension in vivo. Octyl caffeate (0.1-1.0 microM) exerted a concentration-dependent inhibition of iron-catalyzed lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenates. Furthermore, octyl caffeate (20, 50, and 100 microM) concentration-dependently diminished the initial rate of superoxide-induced NBT reduction and the enzymatic activity of xanthine oxidase. It also concentration-dependently (1-50 microM) inhibited the NO production, iNOS protein and messenger RNA expressions upon stimulation by LPS (100 microg/mL)/IFN-gamma (100U/mL) in RASMCs. In addition, we found that octyl caffeate did not significantly affect IkappaBalpha degradation stimulated by LPS/IFN-gamma in RASMCs. On the other hand, octyl caffeate (10 and 50 microM) significantly suppressed activation of c-Jun-N-terminal kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase. Moreover, octyl caffeate (10mg/kg, i.v.) significantly inhibited the fall in mean arterial pressure stimulated by LPS (7.5mg/kg) in rats. In conclusion, we demonstrate that a novel potent antioxidant, octyl caffeate, significantly ameliorates circulatory failure of endotoxemia in vivo by a mechanism involving suppression of iNOS expression through inactivation of mitogen-activated protein kinases in RASMCs.
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PMID:A novel antioxidant, octyl caffeate, suppression of LPS/IFN-gamma-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase gene expression in rat aortic smooth muscle cells. 1269 79

Carbon monoxide (CO), a product of organic oxidation processes, arises in vivo during cellular metabolism, most notably heme degradation. CO binds to the heme iron of most hemoproteins. Tissue hypoxia following hemoglobin saturation represents a principle cause of CO-induced mortality in higher organisms, though cellular targets cannot be excluded. Despite extreme toxicity at high concentrations, low concentrations of CO can confer cytoprotection during ischemia/reperfusion or inflammation-induced tissue injury. Likewise, heme oxygenase, an enzyme that produces CO, biliverdin and iron, as well as a secondary increase in ferritin synthesis, from the oxidation of heme, can confer protection in vivo and in vitro. CO has been shown to affect several intracellular signaling pathways, including guanylate cyclase, which generates guanosine 3':5' cyclic monophosphate and the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). Such pathways mediate, in part, the known vasoregulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and anti-proliferative effects of this gas. Exogenous CO delivered at low concentrations is showing therapeutic potential as an anti-inflammatory agent and as such can modulate numerous pathophysiological states. This review will delve into the biological significance and medical applications of this gas molecule.
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PMID:Carbon monoxide in biology and medicine. 1498 28

Competition for cellular iron (Fe) is a vital component of the interaction between host and pathogen. Most bacteria have an obligate requirement for Fe to sustain infection, growth, and survival in host. To obtain iron required for growth, many bacteria secrete iron chelators (siderophores). This study was undertaken to test whether a bacterial siderophore, deferoxamine (DFO), could trigger inflammatory signals in human intestinal epithelial cells as a single stimulus. Incubation of human intestinal epithelial HT-29 cells with DFO increased the expression of IL-8 mRNA, as well as the release of IL-8 protein. The signal transduction study revealed that both p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 were significantly activated in response to DFO. Accordingly, the selective inhibitors for both kinases, either alone or in combination, completely abolished DFO-induced IL-8 secretion, indicating an importance of mitogen-activated protein kinases pathway. These proinflammatory effects of DFO were, in large part, mediated by activation of Na(+)/H(+) exchangers, because selective blockade of Na(+)/H(+) exchangers prevented the DFO-induced IL-8 production. Interestingly, however, DFO neither induced NF-kappaB activation by itself nor affected IL-1beta- or TNF-alpha-mediated NF-kappaB activation, suggesting a NF-kappaB-independent mechanism in DFO-induced IL-8 production. Global gene expression profiling revealed that DFO significantly up-regulates inflammation-related genes including proinflammatory genes, and that many of those genes are down-modulated by the selective mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitors. Collectively, these results demonstrate that, in addition to bacterial products or cell wall components, direct chelation of host Fe by infected bacteria may also contribute to the evocation of host inflammatory responses.
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PMID:Iron chelator triggers inflammatory signals in human intestinal epithelial cells: involvement of p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling pathways. 1515 29

The p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase has been implicated in the proinflammatory cytokine signal pathway, and its inhibitors are potentially useful for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and inflammatory bowel disease. To develop a new drug for RA, we synthesized a novel series of 4-phenyl-5-pyridyl-1,3-thiazoles and evaluated their inhibition of p38 MAP kinase, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) from human monocytic THP-1 cells in vitro, and LPS-induced TNF-alpha production in vivo in mice. During the course of the study, we found that these compounds risk the inhibition of cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms by coordination of the 4-pyridyl nitrogen with heme iron. We therefore investigated the effects of substitution at the 2-position of the pyridyl ring on the inhibitory activity of p38 MAP kinase and CYPs in more detail. As a result, N-[4-[2-ethyl-4-(3-methylphenyl)-1,3-thiazol-5-yl]-2-pyridyl]benzamide (8h, TAK-715) exhibited potent inhibitory activity in these assays (inhibition of p38alpha, IC50 = 7.1 nM; LPS-stimulated release of TNF-alpha from THP-1, IC50 = 48 nM; LPS-induced TNF-alpha production in mice, 87.6% inhibition at 10 mg/kg, po) and no inhibitory activity for major CYPs, including CYP3A4. This compound also showed good bioavailability in mice and rats and significant efficacy in a rat adjuvant-induced arthritis model. Compound 8h was selected as a clinical candidate and is now under clinical investigation for the treatment of RA.
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PMID:Novel inhibitor of p38 MAP kinase as an anti-TNF-alpha drug: discovery of N-[4-[2-ethyl-4-(3-methylphenyl)-1,3-thiazol-5-yl]-2-pyridyl]benzamide (TAK-715) as a potent and orally active anti-rheumatoid arthritis agent. 1616

Signaling mechanisms in aniline-induced fibrogenic and/or tumorigenic response in the spleen are not known. Previous studies have shown that aniline exposure leads to iron accumulation and oxidative stress in the spleen, which may cause activation of redox-sensitive transcription factors and regulate the transcription of genes involved in fibrosis and/or tumorigenesis. To test this, male SD rats were treated with 0.5 mmol/kg/day aniline via drinking water for 30 days, and activation of transcription factor AP-1 was determined in the splenocyte nuclear extracts (NEs). AP-1 DNA-binding activity in the NEs of freshly isolated splenocytes from aniline-treated rats increased in comparison to the controls, as determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). AP-1 binding was also determined in the NEs of cultured splenocytes (2 h and 24 h), which showed even a greater increase in binding activity at 2 h. The specificity of AP-1 binding for relevant DNA motifs was confirmed by competition EMSA and by supershift EMSA using antibodies specific to c-Jun and c-Fos. To further explore the signaling mechanisms in the AP-1 activation, phosphorylation patterns of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) were pursued. Aniline exposure induced increases in the phosphorylation of the three classes of MAPKs: extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK 1/2), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK 1/2), and p38 MAPKs. Furthermore, TGF-beta1 mRNA expression showed a 3-fold increase in the spleens of aniline-treated rats. These observations suggest a strong association among MAPK phosphorylation, AP-1 activation, and enhanced TGF-beta1 gene expression. The observed sequence of events subsequent to aniline exposure could regulate genes that lead to fibrogenic and/or tumorigenic response in the spleen.
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PMID:Activation of transcription factor AP-1 and mitogen-activated protein kinases in aniline-induced splenic toxicity. 1616 68


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