* Pb2+ induces gastrin gene expression by extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 and transcription factor activator protein 1 in human gastric carcinoma cells.
- Divalent lead ions (Pb(2+) ) are toxic environmental pollutants known to cause serious health problems in humans and animals. Absorption of Pb(2+) from air, water, and food takes place in the respiratory and digestive tracts. The ways in which absorbed Pb(2+) affects cell physiology are just beginning to be understood at the molecular level. Here, we used reverse transcription PCR and Western blotting to analyze cultures of human gastric carcinoma cells exposed to 10 μM lead nitrate. We found that Pb(2+) induces gastrin hormone gene transcription and translation in a time-dependent manner. Promoter deletion analysis revealed that activator protein 1 (AP1) was necessary for gastrin gene transcription in cells exposed to Pb(2+) . MitogIen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/ERK kinase inhibitor PD98059 suppressed the Pb(2+) -induced increase in messenger RNA. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors AG1478 and PD153035 reduced both transcription and phosphorylation by extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2). Cells exposed to Pb(2+) also increased production of c-Jun protein, a component of AP1, and over-expression of c-Jun enhanced activation of the gastrin promoter. In sum, the findings suggest the EGFR-ERK1/2-AP1 pathway mediates the effects of Pb(2+) on gastrin gene activity in cell culture.
=>活動, 活躍, 働き, 動き, 活気
Overview of noun activity
The noun activity has 6 senses (first 3 from tagged texts)
1. (43) activity -- (any specific behavior; "they avoided all recreational activity")
2. (36) action, activity, activeness -- (the state of being active; "his sphere of activity"; "he is
out of action")
3. (13) bodily process, body process, bodily function, activity -- (an organic process that takes
place in the body; "respiratory activity")
4. activity -- ((chemistry) the capacity of a substance to take part in a chemical reaction;
"catalytic activity")
5. natural process, natural action, action, activity -- (a process existing in or produced by nature
(rather than by the intent of human beings); "the action of natural forces"; "volcanic activity")
6. activeness, activity -- (the trait of being active; moving or acting rapidly and energetically;
"the level of activity declines with age")
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