Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Key pathway”

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 1,783 records · Page 99Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

C-type lectins and galectins mediate innate and adaptive immune functions: their roles in the complement activation pathway.

In recent years, a 'new' pathway for complement activation mediated by the mannose-binding lectin (MBL) has been described as a key mechanism for the mammalian acute phase response to infection. This complement activation pathway is initiated by a non-self recognition step: the binding of a humoral C-type lectin [mannose-binding lectin (MBL)] to microbial surfaces bearing 'foreign' carbohydrate determinants. The recognition factor, MBL, is associated with a serine protease [MBL-associated serine protease (MASP)] which, upon MBL binding to the microbial ligand, activates the complement component C3, leading to either (a) phagocytosis of the opsonized target via the complement receptor, or (b) humoral cell killing via assembly of the membrane attack complex. Galectins (formerly known as S-type lectins) modulate activity of the complement receptor 3 (CR3), the macrophage membrane receptor for complement components C3b and iC3b, downstream products of the MBL pathway which are covalently bound to 'target cells. Galectins also mediate macrophage- and dendrocyte-adhesion to lymphocytes activated by signaling through another C-type lectin, the L-selectin, leading to immunoglobulin-mediated responses. Thus, the functional interplay of MBL, galectins and L-selectin in the acute phase response neutralizes the microbial challenge, and lead to further adaptive immunity. Although the observation of various components of the lectin pathway in different invertebrate species demonstrates the high conservation and ancient roots of the components of innate immunity, there has previously been no evidence supporting the possibility that the integral lectin-mediated complement activation pathway is present in invertebrates. We now have evidence for the coexistence of homologs of all the pathway's key components (MBL, MASP, C3, and galectin) in the protochordate Clavelina picta, suggesting the lectin-mediated pathway of complement activation preceded the immunoglobulin pathway in evolution. Therefore, despite being 'new' to the textbooks, experimental evidence indicates that this pathway is ancient, and has been conserved intact throughout its evolution.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1988

[Possible significance of the lipoxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism for the pathogenesis of constrictive reactions of lung blood vessels].

Recent studies suggest a key role of lipoxygenase (LOX) pathway of arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism in the regulation of pulmonary artery tone. We investigated the influence of specific inhibition of leucotriene biosynthesis on constrictory reactions of isolated rabbit pulmonary arteries in the organ bath. The substance FLM 5,011 selectively inhibiting the LOX pathway leads at a bath concentration of 5 X 10(-5) M to an inhibition in the order of 75% of AA- and phospholipase (PLP) A2-induced contraction (cumulative measurement, 37 degrees C, pH 7.4, isotonic contraction). The inhibitory effect on calciumionophore A 53,712-induced contraction was only 31.4%. We compared these findings with actions of nordihydroguiaretic acid and PAMBA. Our findings suggest that in rabbit lung arteries receptors for AA-products must exist and that the activation of AA depends on calcium. The present investigations underline the relevance of LOX products to genesis of pulmonary hypertension in man.

Arachidonic Acid↗
PubMed1996

Lipid mediator networks in cell signaling: update and impact of cytokines.

Biomembranes serve barrier functions and serve as a store for precursors of rapidly generated, structurally diverse intracellular and extracellular lipid-derived mediators (LM). Cell activation is accompanied by remodeling of membrane components that appear to be essential in signal transduction. Phospholipases (PLA2, PLC, PLD, sphingomyelinase) are pivotal in the generation of these LM including eicosanoids, platelet activating factor (PAF), diacylglycerides, ceramide, and other newly discovered bioactive autacoids. Cytokines exert a dramatic multilevel impact both in regulating enzymes in individual LM pathways and in generating LM central to their action. Here, we provide an overview and update of recent progress in this area with emphasis on the effect of cytokines on LM networks. The generation of eicosanoids (prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and lipoxins), oxygenated lipids, and PAF remain the focus of rational drug design targets given their established roles in cell-cell communication and as mediators in inflammation and pathophysiologic events. Key enzymes in these pathways are cloned, sequenced, and their subcellular organization is investigated with surprising findings implicating involvement of the nuclear membrane at the functional level. Several LM receptors are identified and cloned, and results from transgenic animals have emerged for several key enzymes. Novel bioactive eicosanoids were discovered, including 15-epi-lipoxins, isoprostanes, and isoleukotrienes, that offered new concepts to consider in formation of LM and the actions of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Together, these findings indicate that LM play critical and essential roles in both signal transduction and cell-cell communication and will continue to be important pathways to be considered in novel therapeutic approaches.-Serhan, C. N., Haeggström, J. Z., Leslie, C. C. Lipid mediator networks in cell signaling: update and impact of cytokines.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Simple approach to measure metabolic pathways of steroids in living cells.

A simple, rapid approach to the study of conversion rates and metabolic patterns of the steroids testosterone and estradiol is presented. It includes an optimized isocratic high-performance liquid chromatographic procedure in the reversed-phase mode and radioactive on-line detection. The purpose was to estimate the activity of key enzymes of steroid pathways, such as 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 5 alpha-reductase, in in vivo conditions. Using this system, we obtained good efficiency and linearity of radio detection, under continuous flow conditions. Sensitivity limits were of the order of 50 and 70 cpm for [3H]estradiol and [14C]estrone, respectively, even though the efficiency was quite dissimilar (17.3% versus 56.2%). The applicability of this approach to studies of steroid metabolic pathways in growing cancer cells in culture is illustrated with examples of the conversion rates of both testosterone and estradiol. The high reproducibility (coefficients of variation of 2.7 and 5.1% for 3H and 14C, respectively) and good extraction efficiency (ranging from 86 to 94%) indicate the feasibility and reliability of this approach.

17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed2000

The mitogen-activated protein kinase p38 pathway is conserved in metazoans: cloning and activation of p38 of the SAPK2 subfamily from the sponge Suberites domuncula.

Our recent data suggest that during auto- and allograft recognition in sponges (Porifera), cytokines are differentially expressed. Since the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal transduction modulates the synthesis and release of cytokines, we intended to identify one key molecule of this pathway. Therefore, a cDNA from the marine sponge Suberites domuncula encoding the MAPK was isolated and analyzed. Its encoded protein is 366 amino acids long (calculated Mr 42 209), has a TGY dual phosphorylation motif in protein kinase subdomain VIII and displays highest overall similarity to the mammalian p38 stress activated protein kinase (SAPK2), one subfamily of MAPKs. The sponge protein was therefore termed p38_SD. The overall homology (identity and similarity) between p38_SD and human p38alpha (CSBP2) kinase is 82%. One feature of the sponge kinase is the absence of threonine at position 106. In human p38alpha MAPK this residue is involved in the interaction with the specific pyridinyl-imidazole inhibitor; T106 is replaced in p38_SD by methionine. Inhibition studies with the respective inhibitor SB 203580 showed that it had no effect on the phosphorylation of the p38 substrate myelin basic protein. A stress responsive kinase Krs_SD similar to mammalian Ste20 kinases, upstream regulators of p38, had already previously been found in S. domuncula. The S. domuncula p38 MAPK is phosphorylated after treatment of the animal in hypertonic medium. In contrast, exposure of cells to hydrogen peroxide, heat shock and ultraviolet light does not cause any phosphorylation of p38. It is concluded that sponges, the oldest and most simple multicellular animals, utilize the conserved p38 MAPK signaling pathway, known to be involved in stress and immune (inflammatory) responses in higher animals.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation in Xenopus laevis eggs and embryos. A possible non-genomic role for the JNK signaling pathway.

The c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) are members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family that play critical roles in stress responses and apoptosis. We have discovered that JNK is present in Xenopus oocytes, an experimental system that offers a variety of powerful experimental approaches to questions of protein function and regulation. Like ERK2/p42 MAPK, JNK is activated just prior to germinal vesicle breakdown during Xenopus oocyte maturation and remains active throughout meiosis I and II. However, unlike p42 MAPK, which is inactivated about 30 min after eggs are fertilized or parthenogenetically activated, JNK stays constitutively active until the early gastrula stage of embryogenesis. These findings suggest that the JNK pathway may play a role in oocyte maturation and embryogenesis. JNK was activated by microinjection of Mos, by activation of an estrogen-inducible form of Raf, and by a constitutively active MEK-1 (MEK R4F), indicating that the p42 MAPK cascade can trigger JNK activation. However, the MEK inhibitor U0126 blocked progesterone-induced p42 MAPK activation but not progesterone-induced JNK activation. Thus, progesterone can stimulate JNK activation both through the MEK/p42 MAPK pathway and through MEK/p42 MAPK-independent pathways. Many of the key substrates of JNKs identified to date are transcriptional regulators. However, since transcription is not required for germinal vesicle breakdown in progesterone-treated oocytes or for the early embryonic cell cycles, our findings suggest that in these contexts the JNK pathway exerts nongenomic effects.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

The immunohistochemical localization of signal-transduction pathway components Jak1, Jak2, Jak3, Tyk2 and STAT-1 during early enamel and dentine formation in rat molars.

This study sought to localize immunohistochemically Janus kinase (Jak) and Tyk isoforms and STAT-1 in association with events involved in early dentine and enamel formation in the rat molar. The Jaks and STATs (signal transducers and activators of transcription) are key signal-transduction pathway components in the cytokine receptor-linked pathway. The histological sections were not demineralized or fixed, providing optimum conditions for immunohistochemical localization. It appears that all of the Jak isoforms and STAT-1 are involved in enamel formation. Jak2 and STAT-1 colocalized in the proximal ends of presecretory and secretory-stage ameloblasts, supporting work by others that growth hormone receptor is located at that site. The colocalization of Jak1, Jak2 and STAT-1 along the proximal ends of presecretory and secretory ameloblasts suggests that the interferon receptor is up-regulated in these cells as well. Also, colocalization of Jak3 and STAT-1 in the proximal ends of the ameloblasts and the cells of the stratum intermedium predicts the location of the interleukin-7 receptor in those locations. Jak1, Tyk2 and STAT-1, but not Jak2 or Jak3, stain was seen in the odontoblasts.

Ameloblasts↗
PubMed2001

Invited review: focal adhesion and small heat shock proteins in the regulation of actin remodeling and contractility in smooth muscle.

Smooth muscle cells are able to adapt rapidly to chemical and mechanical signals impinging on the cell surface. It has been suggested that dynamic changes in the actin cytoskeleton contribute to the processes of contractile activation and mechanical adaptation in smooth muscle. In this review, evidence for functionally important changes in actin polymerization during smooth muscle contraction is summarized. The functions and regulation of proteins associated with "focal adhesion complexes" (membrane-associated dense plaques) in differentiated smooth muscle, including integrins, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), c-Src, paxillin, and the 27-kDa small heat shock protein (HSP27) are described. Integrins in smooth muscles are key elements of mechanotransduction pathways that communicate with and are regulated by focal adhesion proteins that include FAK, c-Src, and paxillin as well as proteins known to mediate cytoskeletal remodeling. Evidence that functions of FAK and c-Src protein kinases are closely intertwined is discussed as well as evidence that focal adhesion proteins mediate key signal transduction events that regulate actin remodeling and contraction. HSP27 is reviewed as a potentially significant effector protein that may regulate actin dynamics and cross-bridge function in response to activation of p21-activated kinase and the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway by signaling pathways linked to integrin proteins. These signaling pathways are only part of a large number of yet to be defined pathways that mediate acute adaptive responses of the cytoskeleton in smooth muscle to environmental stimuli.

Actins↗
PubMed2026

An integrated proteomics and transcriptomics analysis highlights concordance between protein turnover and carbohydrate transport and metabolism as key functional categories during the growth of Trichophyton rubrum.

Dermatophytes are a class of keratinophilic skin fungi that invade host skin, hair, and nails to acquire nutrients. An integrated multi-omics approach utilizing liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and RNA-seq after growth in a protein-rich soy medium was employed to capture the major subset of secreted protein families of Trichophyton rubrum. The secretome consisted mainly of proteases and cell wall-degrading enzymes, with subtilisins (Sub6 and Sub7), metallopeptidase (LAP2), and chitinase having the most abundant peptides. Transcriptional profiling indicated fungal adaptation in protein-rich media to process the protein nutrients through modulation of metabolism and general cellular function pathways. Correlation analysis between proteomics and transcriptomics data using functional KOG categories shows high concordance of KOG categories O (posttranslational modification, protein turnover, and chaperones), P (inorganic ion transport and metabolism), and G (carbohydrate transport and metabolism), as per cosine similarity analysis.IMPORTANCEDermatophytes are keratinophilic skin fungal pathogens that invade host skin, hair, and nails to acquire nutrients. There is an epidemic-like increase in infections, as well as an increase in antimicrobial resistance among dermatophytes, as witnessed over the last decade. There is hence a need to understand the key pathways and virulence factors required during growth and infection. We present an integrated multi-omics analysis (proteomics and transcriptomics data) using a vector-based similarity approach to show high concordance of KOG functional categories belonging to posttranslational modification, protein turnover, carbohydrate transport, and metabolism.

Proteomics↗
PubMed2004

Trafficking the NGF signal: implications for normal and degenerating neurons.

Nerve growth factor (NGF) activates TrkA to trigger signaling events that promote the survival, differentiation and maintenance of neurons. The mechanism(s) that controls the retrograde transport of the NGF signal from axon terminals to neuron cell bodies is not known. The 'signaling endosome' hypothesis stipulates that NGF, TrkA and signaling proteins are retrogradely transported on endocytic vesicles. Here, we provide evidence for the existence of signaling endosomes. Following NGF treatment, clathrin-coated vesicles (CCVs) contain NGF bound to TrkA together with activated signaling proteins of the Ras/pErk1/2 pathway. NGF signals from isolated CCVs through the Erk1/2 pathway. Early endosomes appear to represent a second type of signaling endosomes. We found that NGF induced a sustained activation of Rap1, a small monomeric GTP-binding protein of the Ras family, and that this activation occurred in early endosomes that contain key elements of Rap1/pErk1/2 pathway. We discuss the possibility that the failure of retrograde NGF signaling in a mouse model of Down syndrome (Ts65Dn) may be due to the failure to retrograde transport signaling endosomes. It is important to define further the significance of signaling endosomes in the biology of both normal and degenerating neurons.

Adaptor Protein Complex 2↗
PubMed1998

Expression of glutamine:fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase in human tissues: evidence for high variability and distinct regulation in diabetes.

Recent in vitro and in vivo studies suggested that the increased flux of glucose through the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway may contribute to glucose-induced insulin resistance and to the induction of the synthesis of growth factors. Because glutamine:fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase (GFAT) catalyzes the first and rate-limiting step in the formation of hexosamine products, this enzyme is the key regulator in this pathway and is therefore possibly also involved in the alterations occurring in preclinical or manifest diabetic patients. To study the expression of GFAT in human tissues, we produced and characterized a peptic antiserum specifically recognizing GFAT protein and a riboprobe for the detection of GFAT mRNA. Immunohistochemical and nonradioactive in situ hybridization analysis revealed high levels of expression of GFAT protein and mRNA in adipocytes and skeletal muscle. Furthermore, a marked GFAT expression was found in vascular smooth muscle cells with unexpectedly high variability and lower levels in other cells, e.g., peripheral nerve sheath cells or endocrine-active cells, including the pancreatic islet cell. GFAT protein expression was below detection level in endothelium, osteocytes, lymphocytes, granulocytes, and in most quiescent fibroblasts. In renal tissue, GFAT was expressed in tubular epithelial cells, while glomerular cells remained essentially unstained. Renal sections obtained from patients with diabetic nephropathy showed significant GFAT expression in some glomerular epithelial and mesangial cells, indicating that GFAT expression may be induced by manifest diabetes. Our data indicate that GFAT is expressed in most tissues involved in the development of diabetic late complications. Furthermore, the results suggest that GFAT gene expression is highly regulated.

Adipocytes↗
PubMed2004

Signal transduction inhibitors in cellular function.

Signal transduction pathways mediate cell-cell interactions and integrate signals from the extracellular environment through specific receptors at the cell membrane. They play a pivotal role in regulating cellular growth and differentiation and in mediating many physiological and pathological processes, such as apoptosis, inflammation, and tumor development. The mitogen- activated protein kinases (MAPKs) constitute a cascade of phosphorylation events that transmit extracellular growth signals through membrane-bound Ras to the nucleus of the cell. In this chapter, detailed protocols for analyzing the kinase activities of the key components of the MAPKs pathway MEK1, ERK1, JNK, and p38 MAPK are described. A brief introduction to the chemical inhibitors to the MAPKs pathway is provided in the method section of each kinase assay. Inhibitors of other signaling pathways are summarized in Table 1. The reporter assay of cyclin D1, a key downstream target gene of MAPKs pathway, is also described in detail.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

TCDD-mediated alterations in the AhR-dependent pathway in Seveso, Italy, 20 years after the accident.

Approximately 20 years after the Seveso, Italy, accident we conducted a population-based study to evaluate the impact of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) exposure on cancer using mechanistically based biomarkers of dioxin response in humans. TCDD toxic effects are mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). We studied the AhR-dependent pathway in lymphocytes from 62 subjects randomly sampled from the highest exposed zones and 59 subjects from the surrounding non-contaminated area, frequency matched for age, gender and smoking. To our knowledge, this is the most comprehensive investigation to date designed to evaluate the key genes in the pathway, including AhR, aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator, CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 transcripts and CYP1A1-associated 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity in a population heavily exposed to dioxin. Current lipid-adjusted plasma TCDD concentrations in these subjects ranged from 3.5 to 90 ng/kg (or p.p.t.) and were negatively associated with AhR mRNA in unstimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (P = 0.03). When mitogen-induced lymphocytes were cultured with 10 nM TCDD, all AhR-dependent genes were induced 1.2- to 13-fold. In these cells, plasma TCDD was associated with decreased EROD activity. In addition, there was a strong positive correlation between AhR and CYP1A1 expression (P = 0.001) and between AhR and CYP1B1 expression (P = 0.006). CYP1A1 expression was also strongly correlated with EROD activity (P = 0.001). The analysis of the expression of dioxin-inducible genes involved in carcinogenesis may help in determining dose-response relationships for human exposure to dioxin in vivo and in assessing the variability of human response, which may indicate the presence of subjects more susceptible to disease as a result of such exposures.

Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases↗
PubMed1995

Novel pathways involved in recovery of guanine nucleotides in reperfused ischaemic rat hearts and reoxygenated myocytes.

During global ischaemia for various lengths of time followed by reperfusion, the adenine and guanine nucleotide concentrations altered in parallel. Measurements of purine precursors and breakdown products suggested that GTP was resynthesised from inosine, adenosine or the adenine nucleotides in reversible ischaemia: however, the use of three different inhibitors of the key enzyme in this pathway. IMP-dehydrogenase, was entirely without effect. To eliminate the endothelial cell barrier, the experiments were repeated with anoxic/reoxygenated cardiac myocytes. The lower rate of recovery of purine nucleotide triphosphates in myocytes compared with perfused hearts would tend to confirm the important role suggested for endothelial cells in nucleoside salvage. GTP resynthesis took place after reoxygenation by some unknown pathway unaffected by the presence of large concentrations of an IMP-dehydrogenase inhibitor. The possible relationship of these findings to purinogen, the recently discovered major source of adenine nucleotides in heart, is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Assimilation, dissimilation, and detoxification of formaldehyde, a central metabolic intermediate of methylotrophic metabolism.

Methanol is a valuable raw material used in the manufacture of useful chemicals as well as a potential source of energy to replace coal and petroleum. Biotechnological interest in the microbial utilization of methanol has increased because it is an ideal carbon source and can be produced from renewable biomass. Formaldehyde, a cytotoxic compound, is a central metabolic intermediate in methanol metabolism. Therefore, microorganisms utilizing methanol have adopted several metabolic strategies to cope with the toxicity of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is initially detoxified through trapping by some cofactors, such as glutathione, mycothiol, tetrahydrofolate, and tetrahydromethanopterin, before being oxidized to CO2. Alternatively, free formaldehyde can be trapped by sugar phosphates as the first reaction in the C1 assimilation pathways: the xylulose monophosphate pathway for yeasts and the ribulose monophosphate (RuMP) pathway for bacteria. In yeasts, although formaldehyde generation and consumption takes place in the peroxisome, the cytosolic formaldehyde oxidation pathway also plays a role in formaldehyde detoxification as well as energy formation. The key enzymes of the RuMP pathway are found in a variety of microorganisms including bacteria and archaea. Regulation of the genes encoding these enzymes and their catalytic mechanisms depend on the physiological traits of these organisms during evolution.

Archaea↗
PubMed1997

The dorsoventral signal transduction pathway and the Rel-like transcription factors in Drosophila.

Embryonic dorsoventral polarity in Drosophila melanogaster is determined by a maternally-encoded signal transduction pathway whose effector molecule is the Rel transcription factor, Dorsal. The activity of this signal transduction pathway gives rise to a ventral-to-dorsal nuclear gradient of Dorsal, which then activates and represses several zygotic target genes in distinct domains. The dorsoventral system represents the best characterized of the Rel pathways. Its components have now been ordered and their biochemical roles are becoming clearer. Key components of the dorsoventral pathway show striking similarity to those involved with the regulation of vertebrate Rel family members. Additional Drosophila Rel family members have been identified and implicated in the innate immune response. The dorsoventral pathway is also remarkably conserved in this response. This conservation underscores the relevance of the dorsoventral system for our understanding of the entire Rel family.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Effect of undernutrition on some enzymes involved in the salvage pathway of purine nucleotides in different regions of developing rat brain.

The effect of undernutrition on the activity of two key enzymes of purine salvage pathway, namely hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRTase) and adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRTase), in cerebral hemispheres, cerebellum and brain stem of rats at different days of postnatal development was studied. The activity of HGPRTase and of APRTase is significantly lower in all brain regions of undernourished animals at 5 days after birth; between 10 and 15 days of age there is a recovery of the enzymatic activity which is particularly evident in the cerebellum. Successively both enzymatic activities decrease reaching at 30 days of age values quite similar to those of controls. These results indicate that undernutrition during fetal and postnatal development, impairs and delays the activity of the enzymes of purine salvage pathway.

Adenine Phosphoribosyltransferase↗
PubMed2003

On and off: proteasome and TGF-beta signaling.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling mainly relies on the TGF-beta receptor-Smad pathway. Meanwhile, TGF-beta binding to its receptors initiates the degradation of several key components of its signaling pathway. The degradation of these components, including both positive and negative transducers, is mediated by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Inhibition of the proteasome activity causes accumulation of these components in the cells and modulates TGF-beta signaling in a time-dependent and gene-specific manner. The accelerated degradation of TGF-beta signaling components via the proteasome system has been found in a number of tumors, indicating that dysregulated proteasomal degradation is a novel pathway how tumor cells silence TGF-beta signaling.

Animals↗