title: B-Raf-dependent regulation of the MEK-1/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in PC12 cells and regulation by cyclic AMP.
abstract: Growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase regulation of the sequential phosphorylation reactions leading to mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activation in PC12 cells has been investigated. In response to epidermal growth factor, nerve growth factor, and platelet-derived growth factor, B-Raf and Raf-1 are activated, phosphorylate recombinant kinase-inactive MEK-1, and activate wild-type MEK-1. MEK-1 is the dual-specificity protein kinase that selectively phosphorylates MAP kinase on tyrosine and threonine, resulting in MAP kinase activation. B-Raf and Raf-1 are growth factor-regulated Raf family members which regulate MEK-1 and MAP kinase activity in PC12 cells. Protein kinase A activation in response to elevated cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels inhibited B-Raf and Raf-1 stimulation in response to growth factors. Ras.GTP loading in response to epidermal growth factor, nerve growth factor, or platelet-derived growth factor was unaffected by protein kinase A activation. Even though elevated cAMP levels inhibited Raf activation, the growth factor activation of MEK-1 and MAP kinase was unaffected in PC12 cells. The results demonstrate that tyrosine kinase receptor activation of MEK-1 and MAP kinase in PC12 cells is regulated by B-Raf and Raf-1, whose activation is inhibited by protein kinase A, and MEK activators, whose activation is independent of cAMP regulation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Basic Sciences, National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Denver, Colorado 80206.
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Vaillancourt
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Gardner
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000494:pharmacology; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000494:pharmacology; D048369:MAP Kinase Kinase 1; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016716:PC12 Cells; D010766:Phosphorylation; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D019908:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf; D051381:Rats; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D006133:Growth Substances; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D019908:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases; D048369:MAP Kinase Kinase 1; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases