Selective activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase isoforms by the MAP kinase kinases MKK3 and MKK6

The cellular response to treatment with proinflammatory cytokines or exposure to environmental stress is mediated, in part, by the p38 group of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases. We report the molecular cloning of a novel isoform of p38 MAP kinase, p38 beta 2. This p38 MAP kinase, like p38 alpha, is inhibited by the pyridinyl imidazole drug SB203580. The p38 MAP kinase kinase MKK6 is identified as a common activator of p38 alpha, p38 beta 2, and p38 gamma MAP kinase isoforms, while MKK3 activates only p38 alpha and p38 gamma MAP kinase isoforms. The MKK3 and MKK6 signal transduction pathways are therefore coupled to distinct, but overlapping, groups of p38 MAP kinases.

An apparently new virus (family Paramyxoviridae) infectious for pigs, humans, and fruit bats

We isolated an apparently new virus in the family Paramyxoviridae from stillborn piglets with deformities at a piggery in New South Wales, Australia. In 1997, the pregnancy rate and litter size at the piggery decreased markedly, while the proportion of mummified fetuses increased. We found serologic evidence of infection in pigs at the affected piggery and two associated piggeries, in humans exposed to infected pigs, and in fruit bats. Menangle virus is proposed as a common name for this agent, should further studies confirm that it is a newly recognized virus.

c-Jun NH2-terminal kinases target the ubiquitination of their associated transcription factors

Regulatory proteins are often ubiquitinated, depending on their phosphorylation status as well as on their association with ancillary proteins that serve as adapters of the ubiquitination machinery. We previously demonstrated that c-Jun is targeted for ubiquitination by its association with inactive c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK). Phosphorylation by activated JNK protects c-Jun from ubiquitination, thus by prolonging its half-life. In the study reported here, we determined the ability of JNK to target ubiquitination of its other substrates (Elk1 and activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2)) and associated proteins (ATF2 and JunB). We demonstrate that phosphorylation by JNK protects ATF2, but not Elk1, from JNK-targeted ubiquitination. We also show that association of inactive JNK with JunB or ATF2 is necessary to target them for ubiquitination. Unlike its targeting of c-Jun, JNK requires additional cellular components, yet to be identified, to target the ubiquitination of ATF2. Elk1 is phosphorylated by JNK, but JNK neither associates with nor targets Elk1 for ubiquitination. The implications for the dual role of JNK in the regulation of ubiquitination and stability of c-Jun, ATF2, and JunB in normally growing versus stressed cells are discussed.

Privatizing maternal and child health services in Texas: reinventing Title V programs

In November 1994, the Texas Department of Health embarked upon a major initiative to "reinvent" maternal and child health services funded through the Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grant and related state general revenue. This article describes the rationale, planning process, and implementation issues associated with the initiative to redefine the fundamental roles and priorities of the department and traditional public health entities in the delivery of maternal and child health services.

Involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways in the nuclear responses and cytokine production induced by Salmonella typhimurium in cultured intestinal epithelial cells

Central to the pathogenesis of Salmonella typhimurium is its ability to engage the host cell in a two-way biochemical interaction. As a consequence of this interaction, a dedicated protein secretion system, termed type III, is activated in these bacteria and directs the translocation of signaling proteins into the host cell. Secretion of these proteins stimulates host cell signal transduction pathways that lead to a variety of cellular responses. An important feature of S. typhimurium pathogenesis is the induction of a profound inflammatory response in the intestinal epithelium. In this report, we show that S. typhimurium induces host cell signal transduction pathways that lead to the activation of the transcription factors NF-kappaB and AP-1, resulting in the production of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-8. We also show that S. typhimurium infection of cultured intestinal epithelial cells results in the activation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases ERK, JNK, and p38. Induction of these signaling pathways and the synthesis of IL-8 was strictly dependent on the function of the invasion-associated type III protein secretion system encoded by S. typhimurium. Pretreatment of cells with the highly specific p38 MAP kinase inhibitor SB 203580 prevented S. typhimurium-induced IL-8 production. These results indicate that the inflammatory response induced by S. typhimurium may be due to the specific stimulation of MAP kinase signaling pathways leading to nuclear responses.

Involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways in the nuclear responses and cytokine production induced by Salmonella typhimurium in cultured intestinal epithelial cells

Central to the pathogenesis of Salmonella typhimurium is its ability to engage the host cell in a two-way biochemical interaction. As a consequence of this interaction, a dedicated protein secretion system, termed type III, is activated in these bacteria and directs the translocation of signaling proteins into the host cell. Secretion of these proteins stimulates host cell signal transduction pathways that lead to a variety of cellular responses. An important feature of S. typhimurium pathogenesis is the induction of a profound inflammatory response in the intestinal epithelium. In this report, we show that S. typhimurium induces host cell signal transduction pathways that lead to the activation of the transcription factors NF-kappaB and AP-1, resulting in the production of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-8. We also show that S. typhimurium infection of cultured intestinal epithelial cells results in the activation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases ERK, JNK, and p38. Induction of these signaling pathways and the synthesis of IL-8 was strictly dependent on the function of the invasion-associated type III protein secretion system encoded by S. typhimurium. Pretreatment of cells with the highly specific p38 MAP kinase inhibitor SB 203580 prevented S. typhimurium-induced IL-8 production. These results indicate that the inflammatory response induced by S. typhimurium may be due to the specific stimulation of MAP kinase signaling pathways leading to nuclear responses.

Nuclear accumulation of NFAT4 opposed by the JNK signal transduction pathway

The nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) group of transcription factors is retained in the cytoplasm of quiescent cells. NFAT activation is mediated in part by induced nuclear import. This process requires calcium-dependent dephosphorylation of NFAT caused by the phosphatase calcineurin. The c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylates NFAT4 on two sites. Mutational removal of the JNK phosphorylation sites caused constitutive nuclear localization of NFAT4. In contrast, JNK activation in calcineurin-stimulated cells caused nuclear exclusion of NFAT4. These findings show that the nuclear accumulation of NFAT4 promoted by calcineurin is opposed by the JNK signal transduction pathway.

Absence of excitotoxicity-induced apoptosis in the hippocampus of mice lacking the Jnk3 gene

Excitatory amino acids induce both acute membrane depolarization and latent cellular toxicity, which often leads to apoptosis in many neurological disorders. Recent studies indicate that glutamate toxicity may involve the c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) group of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases. One member of the JNK family, Jnk3, may be required for stress-induced neuronal apoptosis, as it is selectively expressed in the nervous system. Here we report that disruption of the gene encoding Jnk3 in mice caused the mice to be resistant to the excitotoxic glutamate-receptor agonist kainic acid: they showed a reduction in seizure activity and hippocampal neuron apoptosis was prevented. Although application of kainic acid imposed the same level of noxious stress, the phosphorylation of c-Jun and the transcriptional activity of the AP-1 transcription factor complex were markedly reduced in the mutant mice. These data indicate that the observed neuroprotection is due to the extinction of a Jnk3-mediated signalling pathway, which is an important component in the pathogenesis of glutamate neurotoxicity.

Embryonic morphogenesis signaling pathway mediated by JNK targets the transcription factor JUN and the TGF-beta homologue decapentaplegic

The dorsal surface of the Drosophila embryo is formed by the migration of the lateral epithelial cells to cover the amnioserosa. The Drosophila cJun-N-terminal kinase (DJNK) is essential for this process. Mutations in DJNK or the DJNK activator hemipterous (HEP) lead to incomplete dorsal closure, resulting in a hole in the dorsal cuticle. The molecules downstream of DJNK in this signaling pathway have not been established. Here we demonstrate that the basket1 (bsk1) mutation of DJNK causes decreased interaction with DJUN. Expression of decapentaplegic (DPP), a TGF-beta homologue, in the leading edge of the dorsal epithelium, is identified as a genetic target of the JNK pathway. A constitutive allele of JUN is able to rescue the dorsal closure defect of bsk1 and restores DPP expression. Furthermore, ectopic DPP rescues the defects in dorsal closure caused by bsk1. These data indicate that the interaction of DJNK with DJUN contributes to the dorsal closure signaling pathway and targets DPP expression.

c-Jun amino-terminal kinase is regulated by Galpha12/Galpha13 and obligate for differentiation of P19 embryonal carcinoma cells by retinoic acid

Retinoic acid induces P19 mouse embryonal carcinoma cells to differentiate to endoderm and increases expression of the heterotrimeric G-protein subunits Galpha12 and Galpha13. Retinoic acid was found to induce differentiation and sustained activation of c-Jun amino-terminal kinase, but not of ERK1,2 or of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases. Much like retinoic acid, expression of constitutively active forms of Galpha12 and Galpha13 induced differentiation and constitutive activation of c-Jun amino-terminal kinase. Expression of the dominant negative form of c-Jun amino-terminal kinase 1 blocked both the activation of c-Jun amino-terminal kinase and the induction of endodermal differentiation in the presence of retinoic acid. These data implicate c-Jun amino-terminal kinase as a downstream element of activation of Galpha12 or Galpha13 obligate for retinoic acid-induced differentiation.

A cytoplasmic inhibitor of the JNK signal transduction pathway

The c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) is a member of the stress-activated group of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases that are implicated in the control of cell growth. A murine cytoplasmic protein that binds specifically to JNK [the JNK interacting protein-1 (JIP-1)] was characterized and cloned. JIP-1 caused cytoplasmic retention of JNK and inhibition of JNK-regulated gene expression. In addition, JIP-1 suppressed the effects of the JNK signaling pathway on cellular proliferation, including transformation by the Bcr-Abl oncogene. This analysis identifies JIP-1 as a specific inhibitor of the JNK signal transduction pathway and establishes protein targeting as a mechanism that regulates signaling by stress-activated MAP kinases.

Phosphorylation of the oncogenic transcription factor interferon regulatory factor 2 (IRF2) in vitro and in vivo

IRF2 is a transcription factor, possessing oncogenic potential, responsible for both the repression of growth-inhibiting genes (interferon) and the activation of cell cycle-regulated genes (histone H4). Surprisingly little is known about the post-translational modification of this factor. In this study, we analyze the phosphorylation of IRF2 both in vivo and in vitro. Immunoprecipitation of HA-tagged IRF2 expressed in 32P-phosphate labelled COS-7 cells demonstrates that IRF2 is phosphorylated in vivo. Amino acid sequence analysis reveals that several potential phosphorylation sites exist for a variety of serine/threonine protein kinases, including those of the mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase family. Using a battery of these protein kinases we show that recombinant IRF2 is a substrate for protein kinase A (PKA), protein kinase C (PKC), and casein kinase II (CK2) in vitro. However, other serine/threonine protein kinases, including the MAP kinases JNK1, p38, and ERK2, do not phosphorylate IRF2. Two-dimensional phosphopeptide mapping of the sites phosphorylated by PKA, PKC, and CKII in vitro demonstrates that these enzymes are capable of phosphorylating IRF2 at multiple distinct sites. Phosphoaminoacid analysis of HA-tagged IRF2 immunoprecipitated from an asynchronous population of proliferating, metabolically phosphate-labelled cells indicates that this protein is phosphorylated exclusively upon serine residues in vivo. These results suggest that the oncogenic protein IRF2 may be regulated via multiple pathways during cellular growth.

Fusion genes resulting from alternative chromosomal translocations are overexpressed by gene-specific mechanisms in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma

Chromosomal translocations identified in hematopoietic and solid tumors result in deregulated expression of protooncogenes or creation of chimeric proteins with tumorigenic potential. In the pediatric solid tumor alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a consistent t(2;13)(q35;q14) or variant t(1;13)(p36;q14) translocation generates PAX3-FKHR or PAX7-FKHR fusion proteins, respectively. In this report, we demonstrate that in addition to functional alterations these translocations are associated with fusion product overexpression. Furthermore, PAX3-FKHR and PAX7-FKHR overexpression occurs by distinct mechanisms. Transcription of PAX3-FKHR is increased relative to wild-type PAX3 by a copy number-independent process. In contrast, PAX7-FKHR overexpression results from fusion gene amplification. Thus, gene-specific mechanisms were selected to overexpress PAX3-FKHR and PAX7-FKHR in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, presumably due to differences in regulation between the wild-type loci. We postulate that these overexpression mechanisms ensure a critical level of gene product for the oncogenic effects of these fusions.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 7 is an activator of the c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase

The c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) group of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases is activated by phosphorylation on Thr and Tyr. Here we report the molecular cloning of a new member of the mammalian MAP kinase kinase group (MKK7) that functions as an activator of JNK. In vitro protein kinase assays demonstrate that MKK7 phosphorylates and activates JNK, but not the p38 or extracellular signal-regulated kinase groups of MAP kinase. Expression of MKK7 in cultured cells causes activation of the JNK signal transduction pathway. MKK7 is therefore established to be a novel component of the JNK signal transduction pathway.

Diastolic hibernation masquerading as constrictive pericarditis

BACKGROUND

Hibernating myocardium has traditionally been characterized in terms of systolic dysfunction.

METHODS

We describe a case in which a 75-year-old patient with significant coronary artery disease was operated upon for classic constrictive pericarditis.

RESULTS

At sternotomy, there was no evidence of pericarditis, but marked diastolic without systolic dysfunction remained. After successful coronary revascularization, the patient immediately exhibited dramatic improvement of diastolic performance. Ex vivo evaluation of myocardial contractile function revealed normal myocardial adrenergic responsiveness, indicating a reversible impairment of contractility.

CONCLUSION

Diastolic hibernation may therefore represent a unique form of surgically correctable restrictive cardiomyopathy.

Role of p38 and JNK mitogen-activated protein kinases in the activation of ternary complex factors

The transcription factors Elk-1 and SAP-1 bind together with serum response factor to the serum response element present in the c-fos promoter and mediate increased gene expression. The ERK, JNK, and p38 groups of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases phosphorylate and activate Elk-1 in response to a variety of extracellular stimuli. In contrast, SAP-1 is activated by ERK and p38 MAP kinases but not by JNK. The proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1) activates JNK and p38 MAP kinases and induces the transcriptional activity of Elk-1 and SAP-1. These effects of IL-1 appear to be mediated by Rho family GTPases. To examine the relative roles of the JNK and p38 MAP kinase pathways, we examined the effects of IL-1 on CHO and NIH 3T3 cells. Studies of NIH 3T3 cells demonstrated that both the JNK and p38 MAP kinases are required for IL-1-stimulated Elk-1 transcriptional activity, while only p38 MAP kinase contributes to IL-1-induced activation of SAP-1. In contrast, studies of CHO cells demonstrated that JNK (but not the p38 MAP kinase) is required for IL-1-stimulated Elk-1-dependent gene expression and that neither JNK nor p38 MAP kinase is required for IL-1 signaling to SAP-1. We conclude that (i) distinct MAP kinase signal transduction pathways mediate IL-1 signaling to ternary complex transcription factors (TCFs) in different cell types and (ii) individual TCFs show different responses to the JNK and p38 signaling pathways. The differential utilization of TCF proteins and MAP kinase signaling pathways represents a potential mechanism for the determination of cell-type-specific responses to extracellular stimuli.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase-mediated Fas apoptotic signaling pathway

Ligation of the cell surface receptor Fas/APO-1 (CD95) by its specific ligand or by anti-Fas antibodies rapidly induces apoptosis in susceptible cells. To characterize the molecular events involved in Fas-induced apoptosis, we examined the contribution of two subgroups of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase family, the Jun kinases or stress-activated protein kinases (JNKs/SAPKs) and the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), in a Fas-sensitive neuroblastoma cell line. Here we show that both JNK and ERK protein kinases were activated upon Fas crosslinking through a Ras-dependent mechanism. Interference with either the JNK or ERK pathway by ectopic expression of dominant-interfering mutant proteins blocked Fas-mediated apoptosis. ERK activation was transient and associated with induced expression of the Fas receptor. In contrast, JNK activation was sustained and correlated with the onset of apoptosis. These data indicate that the ERK and the JNK groups of MAP kinases cooperate in the induction of cell death by Fas. Inhibition of Fas killing by an interleukin 1beta-converting enzyme (ICE)-like protease inhibitor peptide did not modify Fas-induced JNK activation upon Fas ligation. In contrast, changes in Bcl-2 level due to expression of sense and antisense vectors influenced the sensitivity to Fas killing and Fas-induced JNK activation.

Targeted disruption of the MKK4 gene causes embryonic death, inhibition of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase activation, and defects in AP-1 transcriptional activity

MKK4 is a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase group of dual specificity protein kinases that functions as an activator of the c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) in vitro. To examine the function of MKK4 in vivo, we investigated the effect of targeted disruption of the MKK4 gene. Crosses of heterozygous MKK4 (+/-) mice demonstrated that homozygous knockout (-/-) animals die before embryonic day 14, indicating that the MKK4 gene is required for viability. The role of MKK4 in JNK activation was examined by investigation of cultured MKK4 (+/+) and MKK4 (-/-) cells. Disruption of the MKK4 gene blocked JNK activation caused by: (i) the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase MEKK1, and (ii) treatment with anisomycin or heat shock. In contrast, JNK activation caused by other forms of environmental stress (UV-C radiation and osmotic shock) was partially inhibited in MKK4 (-/-) cells. Regulated AP-1 transcriptional activity, a target of the JNK signal transduction pathway, was also selectively blocked in MKK4 (-/-) cells. Complementation studies demonstrated that the defective AP-1 transcriptional activity was restored by transfection of MKK4 (-/-) cells with an MKK4 expression vector. These data establish that MKK4 is a JNK activator in vivo and demonstrate that MKK4 is an essential component of the JNK signal transduction pathway.

Reprogramming the signalling requirement for AP-1 (activator protein-1) activation during differentiation of precursor CD4+ T-cells into effector Th1 and Th2 cells

Upon antigenic stimulation, precursor CD4+ helper T-cells differentiate into two subsets of effector cells, Th1 and Th2. These two subpopulations are defined by the pattern of cytokine expression that distinguishes these differentiated cells from their precursors. We have used reporter transgenic mice here to show that, during differentiation of precursor T-cells into effector Th1 or Th2 cells, high levels of preformed activator protein (AP)-1 complexes are accumulated. However, upon stimulation, the preformed AP-1 complexes in effector Th2 cells, but not in Th1 cells, are able to induce high levels of AP-1 transcriptional activity. Furthermore, in contrast to precursor T-cells, the induction of AP-1 transcriptional activity is independent of calcium and co-stimulatory signals in effector Th2 cells. This AP-1 transcriptional activity appears to correlate with the presence of JunB complexes, which accumulate differentially in effector Th2 cells, but not in precursor CD4+ T-cells or effector Th1 cells. Unlike precursor cells, the activation of AP-1 does not appear to be mediated by c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in effector Th2 cells. These results indicate that during differentiation of T-cells, and probably other cell types, the signal requirements for the AP-1 transcription machinery are reprogrammed to enable the differentiated cells to perform their specialized functions.

Phosphorylation of protein-tyrosine phosphatase PTP-1B on identical sites suggests activation of a common signaling pathway during mitosis and stress response in mammalian cells

PTP-1B is a widely expressed non-transmembrane tyrosine-specific phosphatase. Previous studies indicated that, at mitosis, PTP-1B undergoes phosphorylation on two sites, 352Ser-Pro-Leu-Asn and 386Ser-Pro-Ala-Lys. Although the Ser-386 site can be phosphorylated by Cyclin B/Cdc2 in vitro, the kinase for the Ser-352 site is unknown. We have found that these phosphorylation events are not unique to normal mitosis. Instead, treatment with many, but not all, stress stimuli, in particular osmotic shock and certain phosphatase and protein synthesis inhibitors, leads to phosphorylation of PTP-1B. Tryptic phosphopeptide and mutant analysis reveals that, as in mitosis, stress-induced PTP-1B phosphorylation involves both Ser-352 and Ser-386. Activation of the proline-directed kinases Erk1/2, JNKs, and p38 was neither necessary nor sufficient for stress-induced PTP-1B phosphorylation. Our data suggest the existence of a novel mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in mammalian cells, which is activated at mitosis and in response to osmotic shock and other stresses and results in PTP-1B phosphorylation. This pathway may be similar to the recently described Spc1/Sty1 pathway in Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced E-selectin expression is activated by the nuclear factor-kappaB and c-JUN N-terminal kinase/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways

E-selectin expression by endothelium is crucial for leukocyte recruitment during inflammatory responses. Transcriptional regulation of the E-selectin promoter by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) requires multiple nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) binding sites and a cAMP-responsive element/activating transcription factor-like binding site designated positive domain II (PDII). Here we characterize the role of the stress-activated family of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases in induced expression of this adhesion molecule. By UV cross-linking and immunoprecipitation, we demonstrated that a heterodimer of transcription factors ATF-2 and c-JUN is constitutively bound to the PDII site. TNFalpha stimulation of endothelial cells induces transient phosphorylation of both ATF-2 and c-JUN and induces marked activation of the c-JUN N-terminal kinase (JNK1) and p38 but not extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1). JNK and p38 are constitutively present in the nucleus, and DNA-bound c-JUN and ATF-2 are stably contacted by JNK and p38, respectively. MAP/ERK kinase kinase 1 (MEKK1), an upstream activator of MAP kinases, increases E-selectin promoter transcription and requires an intact PDII site for maximal induction. MEKK1 can also activate NF-kappaB -dependent gene expression. The effects of dominant interfering forms of the JNK/p38 signaling pathway demonstrate that activation of these kinases is critical for cytokine-induced E-selectin gene expression. Thus, TNFalpha activates two signaling pathways, NF-kappaB and JNK/p38, which are both required for maximal expression of E-selectin.

Central implants of dilute estradiol enhance the satiety effect of CCK-8

The following studies evaluated whether direct placement of estradiol into different brain areas could increase the satiating potency of CCK in female rats. In Experiment 1, estradiol implants in the PVN, but not in the VMN or third ventricle, significantly enhanced the satiety actions of CCK (5.0 micrograms/kg). In Experiment 2, a lower dose of CCK (0.5 micrograms/kg) suppressed food intake in females with estradiol implants in the PVN but not in animals with implants in the VMN or preoptic area. In both experiments, estradiol implants in the PVN significantly lowered food intake and body weight during the 2-day period of hormone treatment. Implants in other areas had no significant effects on feeding or body weight. These data support the hypothesis that the satiety effect of CCK is enhanced by estradiol and suggest that the PVN is involved in the interaction between CCK and estradiol.

Fas activation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling pathway requires ICE/CED-3 family proteases

The Fas receptor mediates a signalling cascade resulting in programmed cell death (apoptosis) within hours of receptor cross-linking. In this study Fas activated the stress-responsive mitogen-activated protein kinases, p38 and JNK, within 2 h in Jurkat T lymphocytes but not the mitogen-responsive kinase ERK1 or pp70S6k. Fas activation of p38 correlated temporally with the onset of apoptosis, and transfection of constitutively active MKK3 (glu), an upstream regulator of p38, potentiated Fas-induced cell death, suggesting a potential involvement of the MKK3/p38 activation pathway in Fas-mediated apoptosis. Fas has been shown to require ICE (interleukin-1 beta-converting enzyme) family proteases to induce apoptosis from studies utilizing the cowpox ICE inhibitor protein CrmA, the synthetic tetrapeptide ICE inhibitor YVAD-CMK, and the tripeptide pan-ICE inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK. In this study, crmA antagonized, and YVAD-CMK and Z-VAD-FMK completely inhibited, Fas activation of p38 kinase activity, demonstrating that Fas-dependent activation of p38 requires ICE/CED-3 family members and conversely that the MKK3/p38 activation cascade represents a downstream target for the ICE/CED-3 family proteases. Intriguingly, p38 activation by sorbitol and etoposide was resistant to YVAD-CMK and Z-VAD-FMK, suggesting the existence of an additional mechanism(s) of p38 regulation. The ICE/CED-3 family-p38 regulatory relationship described in the current work indicates that in addition to the previously described destructive cleavage of substrates such as poly(ADP ribose) polymerase, lamins, and topoisomerase, the apoptotic cysteine proteases also function to regulate stress kinase signalling cascades.

Molecular cloning of the epidermal growth factor-stimulated protein kinase p56 KKIAMRE

A 56 kDa protein kinase was molecularly cloned from human fetal brain. This protein kinase (p56 KKIAMRE) shares homology with p42 KKIALRE (Meyerson et al., 1992) and is related to the proline-directed protein kinase group of signal transducing enzymes. The p56 KKIAMRE and p42 KKIALRE protein kinases exhibit mutually exclusive expression in reproductive tissues; p56 KKIAMRE in testis and p42 KKIALRE in ovary. p56 KKIAMRE and p42 KKIALRE may therefore contribute to signal transduction within these highly differentiated tissues. p56 KKIAMRE and p42 KKIALRE are activated by treatment of cells with epidermal growth factor (EGF). Although p56 KKIAMRE and p42 KKIALRE contain the MAP kinase dual phosphorylation motif Thr-Xaa-Tyr (Thr-Asp-Tyr), phosphorylation on Thr and Tyr within this motif is not required for EGF-stimulated protein kinase activity.