Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Protein Kinases”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Ligation of the T cell co-stimulatory receptor CD28 activates the serine-threonine protein kinase protein kinase B.

The intracellular signaling pathways activated upon ligation of the co-stimulatory receptor CD28 remain relatively ill-defined, although CD28 ligation does result in the strong association with, and activation of, phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase. The downstream effector targets of the CD28-activated PI 3-kinase-dependent signaling pathway remain poorly defined, but recent evidence from other systems has shown that Akt/protein kinase B (PKB) is a major target of PI 3-kinase and have indicated that a major function of PKB is the regulation of cell survival events. Given the strong coupling of CD28 to PI 3-kinase and the known protective effects of both CD28 and PI 3-kinase against apoptosis in different cell models, we investigated the effects of CD28 on PKB activation. We demonstrate that ligation of CD28 by either anti-CD28 monoclonal antibodies or the natural ligand B7.1, results in the marked activation of PKB in both the leukemic T cell line Jurkat and freshly isolated human peripheral blood-derived normal T lymphocytes. Our data suggest therefore, that PKB may be an important intracellular signal involved in CD28 signal transduction and demonstrate CD28 coupling to downstream elements of a signaling cascade known to promote cell survival.

Androstadienes↗

Phosphorylation of pp60v-src by the TPA receptor kinase (protein kinase C).

Incubation of pp60v-src with the purified 12-O-tetradecanoyl-13-acetate (TPA) receptor kinase (protein kinase C) resulted in an increase in the phosphorylation of pp60v-src. Two-dimensional tryptic phosphopeptide mapping showed that three major phosphoserine containing peptides were labeled which were localized within the amino terminal 18,000 Da of the src protein. Based on comparative tryptic mapping, one of these major phosphopeptides was identical to the peptide labeled on pp60v-src immunoprecipitated from cells labeled with [32P]orthophosphate and treated with TPA. These data suggest that a direct interaction takes place between protein kinase C and pp60v-src.

Animals↗

Murine TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand) expression induced by T cell activation is blocked by rapamycin, cyclosporin A, and inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, protein kinase C, and protein tyrosine kinases: evidence for TRAIL induction via the T cell receptor signaling pathway.

TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand), like other members of the TNF family of proteins, is able to induce apoptosis in sensitive target cells. Recently, cell-surface TRAIL has been shown to be expressed by activated human and mouse T lymphocytes, raising the possibility that TRAIL might be involved in T cell-mediated cytotoxicity and/or immune regulation. In the present study we show by semiquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis that activated, but not resting, mouse T cells express abundant TRAIL mRNA. TRAIL transcripts were detectable within 4 h of T cell activation. A panel of pharmacologic inhibitors was used to investigate the signal transduction pathways involved in TRAIL gene induction following T lymphocyte activation. TRAIL gene expression was sensitive to the src-like protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitor herbimycin A, as well as the more general PTK inhibitor genistein, suggesting the involvement of a src family PTK. The PKC inhibitors staurosporine and calphostin C, and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) inhibitors wortmannin and LY294002, also prevented TRAIL mRNA transcription by activated T cells, indicating a role for PKC and PI3-K. In addition, TRAIL induction was inhibited by cyclosporin A, implicating the Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase calcineurin. TRAIL expression was also blocked by rapamycin, which inhibits p70 S6 kinase involved in CD28 and interleukin (IL)-2 receptor signaling. However, TRAIL mRNA expression was not induced by IL-2, suggesting that TRAIL gene induction is not coupled to the IL-2 receptor. Data obtained by RT-PCR were confirmed at the protein level by immunoblotting with TRAIL-specific antibody. We conclude that TRAIL gene induction is initiated through a T cell receptor-associated signaling pathway similar to that responsible for the expression of cytokine genes such as IL-2.

Animals↗

Interactive role of tyrosine kinase, protein kinase C, and Rho/Rho kinase systems in the mechanotransduction of vascular smooth muscles.

Blood vessels are always subjected to hemodynamic stresses including blood pressure and blood flow. The cerebral artery is particularly sensitive to hemodynamic stresses such as pressure and stretch, and shows contractions that are myogenic in nature; i.e., the mechanical response is generated by the vascular smooth muscle itself. The artery constricts in response to an increase in intraluminal pressure, and dilates in response to a decrease in the intraluminal pressure. We provide herein some insights into the mechanotransduction of vascular tissue; i.e., we discuss how the tissue is receptive to mechanical force and how the latter induces the specific signals leading to myogenic contraction in terms of mechanosensor action and subsequent intracellular signaling. The interactive role of tyrosine kinase, protein kinase C, and Rho/Rho-kinase systems in the mechanotransduction process is discussed, which systems also seem to play an important role in the development of experimental cerebral vasospasm. The study of the mechanotransduction in vascular tissue may aid in clarifying the mechanisms underlying vasospastic episodes and pathologic remodeling in cardiovascular diseases, and may potentially have therapeutic consequences.

Cerebral Arteries↗

Activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, protein kinase B, and p70 S6 kinases in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells: differential effects of rapamycin, Ly294002, and wortmannin on nitric oxide production.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) and protein kinase B are critical players in cell proliferation and survival. Their downstream effector protein kinase, p70 S6 kinase, has an established role in protein translation. The mechanism by which bacterial LPS induces production of nitric oxide (NO) in murine macrophages is incompletely understood, and a role for PI 3-kinase/p70 S6 kinase pathway had not been previously investigated. In this study we demonstrate that LPS induced a fivefold activation of p70 S6 kinase and a twofold stimulation of PI 3-kinase. Pretreatment of Raw 264.7 cells with either rapamycin or Ly290042 completely blocked LPS-induced activation of p70 S6 kinase. Protein kinase B was also activated (twofold) by LPS and was only minimally affected by these inhibitors. PI 3-kinase activity was inhibited by both Ly294002 and wortmannin. The effects on NO production by these agents were strikingly different. While both rapamycin and Ly294002 resulted in almost complete inhibition of NO production, wortmannin was ineffective. Surprisingly, none of the inhibitors reduced the production of the inducible nitric oxide synthase protein (iNOS) as determined by immunoprecipitation. In vivo labeling studies revealed that the iNOS protein was phosphorylated in concordance with the production of NO. We conclude that LPS-mediated NO production occurs via a PI 3-kinase-independent, but FKBP12-rapamycin-associated protein-dependent, pathway in RAW cells by a mechanism probably involving phosphorylation of iNOS.

Androstadienes↗

Cross-talk between Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase, protein kinase C and telomerase-a potential reason for resistance to Glivec in chronic myelogenous leukaemia.

To prevent the resistance to Glivec in patients with chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML), it is necessary to get a good understanding of its potential mechanisms. The present hypothesis accents on the mechanisms whereby Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase remains inhibited by Glivec, but alternative signalling pathways become activated-the potential reason associates with activation of telomerase after long-term treatment with Glivec and recovery of cell proliferation and immortality. The hypothesis is based on the observations about differences in telomere dynamics and telomerase activity between chronic and blast phases of CML patients, as well as about the potential effect of Glivec on the cross-talk between telomerase, Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase and protein kinase C family-key enzymes in CML. It proceeds from recently published data, demonstrating that protein kinase C activates and c-Abl tyrosine kinase inhibits telomerase. During optimization of chemical structure, Glivec loose its effect on protein kinase C and enhances the effect on Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase, resulting in a high potential to activate telomerase indirectly through its effect on both kinases. Experimental preclinical data are given in confirmation of this hypothesis.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Multiple signaling pathways for the activation of JNK in mast cells: involvement of Bruton's tyrosine kinase, protein kinase C, and JNK kinases, SEK1 and MKK7.

Stimulation of the high affinity IgE receptor (FC epsilonRI) as well as a variety of stresses induce activation of c-Jun N-terminal protein kinases (JNKs) stress-activated protein kinases in mast cells. At least three distinct signaling pathways leading to JNK activation have been delineated based on the involvements of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk), protein kinase C (PKC), and the JNK-activating cascades composed of multiple protein kinases. The PKC-dependent pathway, which is inhibited by a PKC inhibitor Ro31-8425 and can be activated by PMA, functions as a major route in FC epsilon RI-stimulated mast cells derived from btk gene knockout mice. On the other hand, wild-type mouse-derived mast cells use both PKC-dependent and PKC-independent pathways for JNK activation. A PKC-independent pathway is regulated by Btk and SEK1 via the PAK-->MEKK1-->SEK1-->JNK cascade, and is sensitive to phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitors, wortmannin and LY-294002, while the PKC-dependent pathway is affected to a lesser extent by both wortmannin treatment and overexpression of wild-type and dominant negative mutant SEK1 proteins. Another PKC-independent pathway involves Btk and MKK7, a recently cloned direct activator of JNK. Among the stresses tested, UV irradiation seems to activate Btk and JNK via the PKC-independent pathways.

Agammaglobulinaemia Tyrosine Kinase↗

Identification of a putative target for Rho as the serine-threonine kinase protein kinase N.

Rho, a Ras-like small guanosine triphosphatase, has been implicated in cytoskeletal responses to extracellular signals such as lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) to form stress fibers and focal contacts. The form of RhoA bound to guanosine triphosphate directly bound to and activated a serine-threonine kinase, protein kinase N (PKN). Activated RhoA formed a complex with PKN and activated it in COS-7 cells. PKN was phosphorylated in Swiss 3T3 cells stimulated with LPA, and this phosphorylation was blocked by treatment of cells with botulinum C3 exoenzyme. Activation of Rho may be linked directly to a serine-threonine kinase pathway.

3T3 Cells↗

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone induces apoptosis of prostate cancer cells: role of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase, protein kinase B, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathways.

A standard therapy used today for prostate cancer is androgen ablation by gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs (GnRH-a). Although most patients respond to androgen ablation as an initial systemic therapy, nearly all cases will develop androgen resistance, the management of which is still a major challenge. Here, we report that GnRH-a can directly induce apoptosis of the androgen-independent prostate cancer-derived DU145 and PC3 cell lines. Using specific inhibitors, we found that the apoptotic effect of GnRH-a is mediated by c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and inhibited by the phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (PKB) pathway. Indeed, in DU145 cells, GnRH-a activates the JNK cascade in a c-Src- and MLK3-dependent manner but does not involve protein kinase C and epidermal growth factor receptor. Concomitantly, GnRH-a reduces the activity of the PI3K-PKB pathway, which results in the dephosphorylation of PKB mainly in the nucleus. The reduction of PKB activity releases PKB-induced inhibition of MLK3 and thus further stimulates JNK activity and accelerates the apoptotic effect of GnRH-a. Interestingly, extracellular signal-regulated kinase is also activated by GnRH-a, and this occurs via a pathway that involves matrix metalloproteinases and epidermal growth factor receptor, but its activation does not affect JNK activation and the GnRH-a-induced apoptosis. Our results support a potential use of GnRH-a for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer and suggest that the outcome of this treatment can be amplified by using PI3K-PKB inhibitors.

Apoptosis↗

Identification of elements critical for phosphorylation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase by adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase: protein engineering of the naturally nonphosphorylatable 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase from Pseudomonas mevalonii.

The initially nonphosphorylatable 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase of Pseudomonas mevalonii (E.C. 1.1.1.88) was engineered to phosphorylatable forms in order to identify elements critical for phosphorylation of HMG-CoA reductase by AMP-activated protein kinase. P. mevalonii, mutant enzymes phosphorylatable by AMP-activated protein kinase were engineered by substituting cognate residues from the kinase recognition sequence of Syrian hamster HMG-CoA reductase (E.C. 1.1.1.34). Various combinations of residues 381-391, which correspond to the kinase recognition sequence of the hamster enzyme, were mutated. P. mevalonii mutant enzyme R387S, in which a serine had been inserted at position P, which corresponds to that of the regulatory serine of the hamster enzyme, was only weakly phosphorylated. Genes that encoded thirty-six additional mutant enzymes containing various portions of the hamster kinase recognition sequence were constructed. Following expression, purified mutant enzymes were assayed as substrates for AMP-activated protein kinase. Identified as critical for phosphorylation was the simultaneous presence of aspartate or asparagine at position P+3 and of leucine at position P+4, three and four residues on the C-terminal side of the phosphorylatable serine, respectively. Two basic residues at positions P-1, P-2, or P-3 also appeared to be critical for phosphorylation when present in combination with aspartate or asparagine at P+3 and leucine at P+4.

AMP-Activated Protein Kinases↗

Mechanical stimuli regulate rapamycin-sensitive signalling by a phosphoinositide 3-kinase-, protein kinase B- and growth factor-independent mechanism.

In response to growth factors, mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) has been identified as a central component of the signalling pathways that control the translational machinery and cell growth. Signalling through mTOR has also been shown to be necessary for the mechanical load-induced growth of cardiac and skeletal muscles. Although the mechanisms involved for mechanically induced activation of mTOR are not known, it has been suggested that activation of PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) and protein kinase B (Akt), via the release of locally acting growth factors, underlies this process. In the present study, we show that mechanically stimulating (passive stretch) the skeletal muscle ex vivo results in the activation of mTOR-dependent signalling events. The activation of mTOR-dependent signalling events was necessary for an increase in translational efficiency, demonstrating the physiological significance of this pathway. Using pharmacological inhibitors, we show that activation of mTOR-dependent signalling occurs through a PI3K-independent pathway. Consistent with these results, mechanically induced signalling through mTOR was not disrupted in muscles from Akt1-/- mice. In addition, ex vivo co-incubation experiments, along with in vitro conditioned-media experiments, demonstrate that a mechanically induced release of locally acting autocrine/paracrine growth factors was not sufficient for the activation of the mTOR pathway. Taken together, our results demonstrate that mechanical stimuli can activate the mTOR pathway independent of PI3K/Akt1 and locally acting growth factors. Thus mechanical stimuli and growth factors provide distinct inputs through which mTOR co-ordinates an increase in the translational efficiency.

Animals↗

Inhibition of neutrophil apoptosis by type 1 IFN depends on cross-talk between phosphoinositol 3-kinase, protein kinase C-delta, and NF-kappa B signaling pathways.

Neutrophils are abundant, short-lived leukocytes with a key role in the defense against rapidly dividing bacteria. They enter apoptosis spontaneously within 24-48 h of leaving the bone marrow. However, their life span can be extended during inflammatory responses by several proinflammatory cytokines. Inappropriate survival of neutrophils contributes to chronic inflammation and tissue damage associated with diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. We have previously reported that type I IFNs can inhibit both cytokine deprivation and Fas-induced apoptosis in activated T cells. IFN-beta locally produced by hyperplastic fibroblasts within the pannus tissue of patients with rheumatoid arthritis contributes to the inappropriately extended life span of infiltrating T cells. Type I IFNs are equally effective at delaying spontaneous apoptosis in human neutrophils. In the work presented here we investigated the signaling pathways involved in mediating this effect. The antiapoptotic actions of IFN-beta were targeted at an early stage of neutrophil apoptosis, occurring upstream of mitochondrial permeability transition, and were phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) dependent, as they were blocked by the PI3K inhibitor LY294002. Analysis of signaling pathways downstream of PI3K revealed that the antiapoptotic effect of type 1 IFN was inhibited by rottlerin, SN50, and cycloheximide, indicating requirements for activation of protein kinase C-delta, NF-kappaB, and de novo protein synthesis, respectively. Moreover, EMSA was used to show that the activation of NF-kappaB occurred downstream of PI3K and protein kinase C-delta activation. We conclude that type I IFNs inhibit neutrophil apoptosis in a PI3K-dependent manner, which requires activation of protein kinase C-delta and induction of NF-kappaB-regulated genes.

Apoptosis↗

Analysis of the T-cell activation signaling pathway mediated by tyrosine kinases, protein kinase C, and Ras protein, which is modulated by intracellular cyclic AMP.

T-cell receptor (TCR) triggering by an anti-CD3 antibody or phytohemagglutinin (PHA) as well as the treatment with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), a direct activator of protein kinase C (PKC), induces activation of Ras in T-lymphocytes (Downward, J. et al. (1990)) Nature 364, 719-723). In this paper, we studied the role of Ras in the process of TCR-mediated T-cell activation using a human lymphomic Jurkat cell line. The stimulatory effect of TCR cross-linking on Ras activation was inhibited by herbimycin A, a specific inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs), whereas PMA-induced Ras activation was not affected. On the other hand, calphostin C, a specific inhibitor of PKC, blocked not only PMA-induced, but also TCR-mediated formation of Ras.GTP. Furthermore, down-regulation of PMA-sensitive PKC severely impaired the activation of Ras in response to TCR-stimulation. Tyrosine-phosphorylation and translocation to the particulate fraction of phospholipase C-gamma 1 (PLC-gamma 1) were observed upon T-cell activation. Subcellular localization of PKC was also changed when the cells were stimulated with an anti-CD3 antibody or PMA. While TCR-stimulated translocation of PKC was observed only transiently, PMA-induced translocation of PKC was more sustained. These results suggest that the activation of PLC-gamma 1 by PTK and subsequent activation of PKC are important for TCR-mediated Ras activation in Jurkat cells. An activated form of Ras enhanced the activation of interleukin 2 (IL-2) promoter by TCR stimulation or PMA treatment, although the activated Ras by itself was insufficient for IL-2 promoter activation. On the other hand, a dominant-inhibitory Ras diminished almost completely the activation of IL-2 promoter induced by PMA plus calcium ionophore, indicating that Ras is essential for transduction of T-cell activation signals. Cholera toxin (CTX), which directly activates Gs alpha, is shown to inhibit the activation of IL-2 promoter. TCR-mediated Ras activation, tyrosine phosphorylation and translocation of cellular proteins including ZAP-70, PLC-gamma 1 , and PKC. An activated Gs alpha mutant as well as dibutylyl cAMP (dBcAMP) also showed similar inhibitory effects.

Cell Compartmentation↗

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, protein kinase C, and MEK1/2 kinase regulation of dopamine transporters (DAT) require N-terminal DAT phosphoacceptor sites.

The dopamine transporter (DAT) modulates dopamine neurotransmission and is a primary target for psychostimulant influences on locomotion and reward. Selective DAT expression by dopaminergic neurons has led to use of cocaine analog DAT radioligands to assess rates of progression of dopamine neuronal degeneration in Parkinson's disease. We have documented that DAT is a phosphoprotein that is regulated by phosphorylation through pathways that include protein kinase C cascades. We now extend this work using drugs selective for phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase C, MEK1/2, p38 kinase, and Ca2+/calmodulin kinase II. We compare the drug effects on wild type DAT to the effects on 20 DAT mutants and a DAT deletion. PI3K and MEK1/2 modulators exert strong effects on DAT expression patterns and dopamine uptake Vmax. PKC principally modulates Vmax. Neither p38 nor Ca2+/calmodulin kinase II agents exert significant influences on wild type DAT. Several mutants and a DAT with an N-terminal deletion display alterations that interact with the effects of kinase modulators, especially S7A for PKC effects; T62A, S581A, and T612A for PI3K effects; and S12A and T595A mutants for MEK1/2 effects. 32P-Labeling studies confirm several of these effects of kinase pathway modulators on DAT phosphorylation. DAT expression and activities can be regulated by kinase cascades that require phosphoacceptor sites most concentrated in its N terminus. These results have a number of implications for DAT regulation and mandate caution in using DAT radioligand binding to infer changes in dopaminergic neuronal integrity after treatments that alter activities of these kinase pathways.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Adenomatous polyposis coli, protein kinases, protein tyrosine phosphatase: the effect of sulindac.

A putative explanation of the effect of sulindac on adenomatous colon and duodenal polyps from clinical observations and related in vitro experiments is presented. In cells with mutant APC genes, persistent high prostaglandin content of polyps leads to desensitization, downregulation of adenylate cyclase, uncoupling of cAMP synthesis from prostaglandin, and inactivation of protein kinase A (PKA). It is suggested that in normal cells, (APC) protein binds to catenins and microtubules to maintain structure and contribute to cell-cell communication, adherence, and the dephosphorylated state, a necessary condition for such functions. Cells with mutant APC product become isolated, deprived of communication and adhesion to other epithelial cells, overphosphorylated, and without corrective capability. The latter is largely due to downregulation of cAMP synthesis and protein kinase A activity secondary to high prostaglandin. Three main biochemical defects ensue: (1) the restrictive influence of PKA catalyzed phosphorylation of Raf-1 kinase and resultant effects on the MAP kinase cascade and transcription is lost, (2) the transcription of immediate early genes, including cyclooxygenase is stimulated, and (3) the stimulation of protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) by PKA is in abeyance. These putative abnormalities are reversed by inhibition of cyclooxygenase-1 by sulindac. cAMP synthesis and PKA activity return to normal. PKA catalyzed phosphorylations block Raf-1 kinase at the confluence of the Ras and protein kinase C pathways. The MAP kinase cascade is inhibited as is transcription of immediate early genes. At the same time PKA stimulates PTPase, which dephosphorylates the cytoskeleton and restores cell-cell communication, adherence, and structure. The transformed phenotype is circumvented by adjustment of the phosphorylation state and mutant cells rejoin the epithelial community. The redox state of cytoplasm in mutant cells may be shifted toward reduction.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗

[Activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K-PKB) induced by 17beta-estradiol in endometrial carcinoma cell (Ishikawa)].

OBJECTIVE: Cellular response to estradiol is mediated both by estrogen receptor (ER) binding to estrogen response element (ERE) and by non-nuclear actions like activation of signal transduction pathways such as mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. However, the signal transduction of estrogen involving phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K-PKB) is not clear in endometrial carcinoma. Our purpose was to study if PI3K-PKB signaling pathway could be activated rapidly by 17beta-E(2) through non-nuclear action and also, whether PI3K inhibitor, LY294002, could inhibit such non-nuclear action of 17beta-E(2) in endometrial carcinoma cell line Ishikawa. METHODS: Levels of phosphorylated PKB (Ser473 site, p-PKB) and total PKB were examined by western blotting in Ishikawa cells after stimulation with 17beta-E(2) at 1 x 10(-6) mol/L for different time periods and at varied doses for 30 min. Optimal time and appropriate dose for 17beta-E(2) to activate PKB in Ishikawa cells were observed. Inhibitory effect of LY294002 on activation of PKB induced by 17beta-E(2) was also studied. p-PKB/PKB ratio was used to indicate levels of activation of PKB. RESULTS: p-PKB/PKB at 15 min (0.533 +/- 0.029) was significantly higher than the control (0.361 +/- 0.029, P < 0.05). Maximal activation of PKB (maximal levels of p-PKB/PKB) took place at 30 min (0.666 +/- 0.021, P < 0.001) and the activation persisted at least 2 h after stimulation with 1 x 10(-6) mol/L 17beta-E(2) in Ishikawa cells. With increased doses of 17beta-E(2) (vehicle, 1 x 10(-10), 1 x 10(-8), 1 x 10(-6), 1 x 10(-4) mol/L), the activation of PKB (p-PKB/PKB was 0.300 +/- 0.098, 0.312 +/- 0.081, 0.625 +/- 0.100, 0.771 +/- 0.041, 0.902 +/- 0.043 accordingly) increased gradually (in comparison with vehicle, P > 0.05, < 0.05, < 0.05, < 0.001 accordingly). PI3K inhibitor, LY294002 could inhibit the activation of PKB induced by 17beta-E(2) in Ishikawa cells. Levels of PKB (p-PKB/PKB) decreased (0.443 +/- 0.032, 0.415 +/- 0.032, 0.111 +/- 0.035, 0, 0) gradually with increased concentrations (vehicle, 0.1, 10, 50, 100 micro mol/L) of LY294002 (compared with vehicle, P > 0.05, < 0.05, < 0.001, < 0.001) and 50 micro mol/L LY294002 completely blocked the activation of PKB induced by 17beta-E(2). CONCLUSIONS: 17beta-estradiol, by non-nuclear action, can activate promptly PI3K-PKB signaling pathway in endometrial carcinoma cell line, Ishikawa. This action of 17beta-E(2) is PI3K dependent and can be inhibited or blocked by LY294002.

Chromones↗

Activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase, protein kinase C, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase is required for oridonin-enhanced phagocytosis of apoptotic bodies in human macrophage-like U937 cells.

Our previous study showed that oridonin isolated from Rabdosia rubescens enhanced phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by macrophage-like U937 cells through tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha and interleukin (IL)-1beta release. In this study, we further investigated signaling events involved in oridonin-augmented phagocytosis. Phagocytic stimulation was significantly suppressed by inhibitors, including a phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K) inhibitor (wortmannin), a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor (stauroporine), and a phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor (U73122). Exposure of U937 cells to oridonin caused an increase in PKC activity time- dependently, which was prevented by pretreatment with inhibitors of PI3K and PLC. Simultaneously, the activation of protein kinase B (PKB/Akt) and the increased expression of PLCgamma2 were also blocked by wortmannin. In addition, an extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) MAPK inhibitor, PD98059, suppressed oridonin-augmented phagocytosis, whereas the p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB203580) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) MAPK inhibitor (SP98059) had no inhibitory effect. Furthermore, pretreatment of U937 cells with anti-TNFalpha and anti-IL-1beta antibodies blocked oridonin-induced phagocytic stimulation as well as phosphorylation of ERK, but did not block the activation of PKC, indicating that these signaling events are triggered by oridonin, whereas secreted TNFalpha or IL-1beta only activate the ERK-dependent pathway. Taken together, oridonin is suggested to enhance phagocytosis of apoptotic bodies by activating PI3K, PKC, and ERK-dependent pathways.

Androstadienes↗

The icfG gene cluster of Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803 encodes an Rsb/Spo-like protein kinase, protein phosphatase, and two phosphoproteins.

A set of open reading frames (ORFs) potentially encoding signal transduction proteins are clustered around icfG, a gene implicated in the regulation of carbon metabolism, in the genome of Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803. slr1860 is the ORF for icfG, whose predicted product resembles the protein phosphatases SpoIIE, RsbU, and RsbX from Bacillus subtilis. Bracketing slr1860/icfG are (i) ORF slr1861, whose predicted product resembles the SpoIIAB, RsbT, and RsbW protein kinases from B. subtilis, and (ii) ORFs slr1856 and slr1859, whose predicted products resemble the respective phosphoprotein substrates for the B. subtilis protein kinases: SpoIIAA, RsbS, and RsbV. In order to determine whether the protein products encoded by these ORFs possessed the functional capabilities suggested by sequence comparisons, each was expressed in Escherichia coli as a histidine-tagged fusion protein and analyzed for its ability to participate in protein phosphorylation-dephosphorylation processes in vitro. It was observed that ORF slr1861 encoded an ATP-dependent protein kinase capable of phosphorylating Slr1856 and, albeit with noticeably lower efficiency, Slr1859. Site-directed mutagenesis suggests that Slr1861 phosphorylated these proteins on Ser-54 and Ser-57, respectively. Slr1860 exhibited divalent metal ion-dependent protein-serine phosphatase activity. It catalyzed the dephosphorylation of Slr1856, but not Slr1859, in vitro.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗