Role of SAPK/ERK kinase-1 in the stress-activated pathway regulating transcription factor c-Jun

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.

Direct activation of the stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) pathways by an inducible mitogen-activated protein Kinase/ERK kinase kinase 3 (MEKK) derivative

The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway, the stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) pathway, and the p38 pathway are three major mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades known to participate in the regulation of cellular responses to a variety of extracellular signals. Upstream regulatory components of these kinase cascades, the MAPK/ERK kinase kinases (MEKK), have been described in several systems. We have isolated a cDNA encoding human MEKK3. Transfected MEKK3 has the ability to activate both SAPK and ERK pathways, but does not induce p38 activity, in agreement with a previous report on murine MEKK3 (Blank, J. L., Gerwins, P., Elliott, E. M., Sather, S., and Johnson, G. L. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 5361-5368). We now demonstrate that MEKK3 activates SEK and MEK, the known kinases targeting SAPK and ERK, respectively. Utilizing an estrogen ligand-activated MEKK3 derivative, we furthermore demonstrate that MEKK3 regulates the SAPK and the ERK pathway directly. Consistent with the fact that several SAPK-inducing agents activate the transcription factor NFkappaB, we now show that MEKK3 also enhances transcription from an NFkappaB-dependent reporter gene in cotransfection assays. The ability of MEKK3 to simultaneously activate the SAPK and ERK pathways is remarkable, given that they have divergent roles in cellular homeostasis.

Activation of the IkappaB alpha kinase complex by MEKK1, a kinase of the JNK pathway

Both NF-kappaB and c-Jun are activated by cytokines such as TNF-alpha and by stresses such as UV irradiation. A key step in the activation of NF-kappaB is the phosphorylation of its inhibitor, IkappaB alpha, by a ubiquitination-inducible multiprotein kinase complex (IkappaB alpha kinase). A central kinase in the c-Jun activation pathway is mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK kinase kinase-1 (MEKK1). Here, we show that MEKK1 induces the site-specific phosphorylation of IkappaB alpha in vivo and, most strikingly, can directly activate the IkappaB alpha kinase complex in vitro. Thus, MEKK1 is a critical component of both the c-Jun and NF-kappaB stress response pathways. Since the IkappaB alpha kinase complex can be independently activated by ubiquitination or MEKK1-dependent phosphorylation, it may be an integrator of multiple signal transduction pathways leading to the activation of NF-kappaB.

Activation of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate response element- and dyad symmetry element-dependent transcription by interleukin-5 is mediated by Jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase kinases

Interleukin-5 (IL-5) is one of the major regulators of eosinophilic granulocytes in vivo. IL-5 exerts its pleiotropic effects by binding to the IL-5 receptor, which is composed of an IL-5-specific alpha chain and a common betac chain shared with the receptors for IL-3 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Previous studies have shown that binding of IL-5 to its receptor triggers the activation of multiple signaling cascades, including the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase, the phosphatidyl -3'-kinase, and the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription pathways. Here we describe that IL-5 activates the serine/threonine protein kinase Jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase (JNK/SAPK) pathway. We show that IL-5 activates TPA response element (TRE)-dependent transcription in transfection experiments. TRE activation by IL-5 is mediated by a region of the betac (577-581) that is also responsible for activation of JNK/SAPK and for activation of dyad symmetry element (DSE)-dependent transcription. Dominant-negative SAPK or ERK kinase-1 was used to demonstrate that JNK/SAPK activation is necessary for induction of DSE- and TRE-dependent transcription by IL-5, whereas extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 was not essential for TRE- and DSE-dependent transcription. By contrast, IL-5-induced activation of the tyrosine kinase Janus kinase 2 seems to be a prerequisite for TRE- and DSE-dependent transcription. Taken together, we show for the first time that IL-5 activates kinases of the JNK/SAPK family, and that this activation is linked to IL-5-induced TRE- and DSE-dependent transcription.

Stress-signalling kinase Sek1 protects thymocytes from apoptosis mediated by CD95 and CD3

Distinct and evolutionarily conserved signal transduction cascades mediate survival or death in response to developmental and environmental cues. The stress-activated protein kinases, or Jun N-terminal kinases (SAPKs/JNKs), are activated in response to a variety of cellular stresses such as changes in osmolarity and metabolism, DNA damage, heat shock, ischaemia, or inflammatory cytokines. Sek1 (JNKK/MKK4) is a direct activator of SAPKs/JNKs in response to environmental stresses or mitogenic factors. Here we investigate the role of Sek1 in development and apoptosis by deleting sek1 in embryonic stem (ES) cells by homologous recombination. We provide genetic evidence that different stresses utilize distinct signalling pathways for SAPK/JNK activation. sek1(-/-) rag2(-/-) chimaeric mice have normal numbers of mature T cells but fewer immature CD4+CD8+ thymocytes. The sek1 mutation did not affect the induction of apoptosis in response to environmental stresses in ES and T cells: instead, sek1 protected thymocytes from CD95 (Fas)- and CD3-mediated apoptosis. These data indicate that SEK1 mediates survival signals in T-cell development.

p120 GAP modulates Ras activation of Jun kinases and transformation

Although recent evidence demonstrates that Ras causes transformation by activation of multiple downstream pathways, the specific role of non-Raf effector pathways is presently unknown. Although Ras causes activation of the Jun NH2-terminal kinases (JNKs) via a Raf-independent pathway, the contribution of JNK activation to Ras transformation and the effector that mediates JNK activation have not been established. We observed that a dominant negative mutant of SEK1/JNKK, an activator of JNKs, selectively inhibited oncogenic Ras activation of JNK and Ras transformation, but not Ras activation of the p42 mitogen-activated protein kinase. In contrast, overexpression of wild type SEK1 enhanced Ras activation of JNK and transforming activity. Thus, JNK activation promotes Ras transformation. Furthermore, a dominant negative mutant of p120 GAP (designated N-GAP), a candidate Ras effector, blocked Ras, but not Raf, transformation and blocked Ras, but not Rac, activation of JNK. Since N-GAP overexpression reduced the association of p190 Rac/Rho GAP with endogenous p120 GAP, N-GAP may form nonproductive complexes with components critical for p120 GAP function. In summary, p120 GAP may function as an effector for Ras activation of JNK and Ras transformation.

Evidence for a role of Rho-like GTPases and stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK) in transforming growth factor beta-mediated signaling

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is a multifunctional factor that induces a wide variety of cellular processes which affect growth and differentiation. TGF-beta exerts its effects through a heteromeric complex between two transmembrane serine/threonine kinase receptors, the type I and type II receptors. However, the intracellular signaling pathways through which TGF-beta receptors act to generate cellular responses remain largely undefined. Here, we report that TGF-beta initiates a signaling cascade leading to stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK) activation. Expression of dominant-interfering forms of various components of the SAPK/JNK signaling pathways including Rho-like GTPases, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase kinase 1 (MEKK1), MAPK kinase 4 (MKK4), SAPK/JNK, and c-Jun abolishes TGF-beta-mediated signaling. Therefore, the SAPK/JNK activation contributes to TGF-beta signaling.

Activation of stress-activated protein kinase-3 (SAPK3) by cytokines and cellular stresses is mediated via SAPKK3 (MKK6); comparison of the specificities of SAPK3 and SAPK2 (RK/p38)

Stress-activated protein kinase-3 (SAPK3), a recently described MAP kinase family member with a wide-spread tissue distribution, was transfected into several mammalian cell lines and shown to be activated in response to cellular stresses, interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) in a similar manner to SAPK1 (also termed JNK) and SAPK2 (also termed p38, RK, CSBP and Mxi2). SAPK3 and SAPK2 were activated at similar rates in vitro by SAPKK3 (also termed MKK6), and SAPKK3 was the only activator of SAPK3 that was induced when KB or 293 cells were exposed to cellular stresses or stimulated with IL-1 or TNF. Co-transfection with SAPKK3 induced SAPK3 activity and greatly enhanced activation in response to osmotic shock. These experiments indicate that SAPKK3 mediates the activation of SAPK3 in several mammalian cells. SAPK3 and SAPK2 phosphorylated a number of proteins at similar rates, including the transcription factors ATF2, Elk-1 and SAP1, but SAPK3 was far less effective than SAPK2 in activating MAPKAP kinase-2 and MAPKAP kinase-3. Unlike SAPK2, SAPK3 was not inhibited by the drug SB 203580. SAPK3 phosphorylated ATF2 at Thr69, Thr71 and Ser90, the same residues phosphorylated by SAPK1, whereas SAPK2 only phosphorylated Thr69 and Thr71. Our results suggest that cellular functions previously attributed to SAPK1 and/or SAPK2 may be mediated by SAPK3.

Overexpression of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase reversed cAMP inhibition of NF-kappaB in T cells

cAMP inhibits T cell activation by acting as an antagonist for selective kinases and transcriptional factors. We have recently demonstrated that cAMP inhibited c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) but left the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascade almost unaffected in T lymphocytes. In accordance with recent reports, we also observed a selective suppression of nuclear factor NF-kappaB activation by cAMP. The possible link between the JNK cascade and NF-kappaB activation was demonstrated by the fact that the active form of MAP kinase kinase kinase (deltaMEKK), a constitutive activator of JNK, induced NF-kappaB but not AP-1, Oct, and NF-AT in T cells. In contrast, the induction of MAP kinase kinase (MEK)-MAP kinase did not stimulate NF-kappaB activity. The specific activation of NF-kappaB by a single MEKK-JNK cascade was thus unusual, given that the activation of other transcriptional elements in T cells requires at least two signal pathways. This was further confirmed by the fact that cAMP inhibition of NF-kappaB activation was reversed by overexpression of deltaMEKK.

Angiotensin II stimulates c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase in cultured cardiac myocytes of neonatal rats

Many lines of evidence have suggested that angiotensin II (Ang II)plays an important role in cardiac hypertrophy. Ang II not only increases protein synthesis but also induces the reprogramming of gene expression in cultured cardiac myocytes. In the present study, to elucidate the mechanism by which Ang II regulates gene expression in cardiac myocytes, we examined whether Ang II activates c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), which is a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family and activates the transcription factor, activator protein-1 (AP-1). The activity of JNK increased 5 minutes after the addition of Ang II, peaked at 20 minutes, and gradually decreased thereafter. Examination of the Ang II dose-response relation revealed detectable JNK activation at 10(-9) mol/L and maximal activation at 10(-6) mol/L. Ang II activated JNK through the AT1 receptor, and the activation was attenuated by the downregulation of protein kinase C or the chelation of intracellular Ca2+. Although the addition of either Ca2+ ionophore or phorbol ester resulted in little or no activation of JNK, simultaneous addition of both Ca2+ ionophore and phorbol ester markedly activated JNK. Slight expressions of the c-jun gene were observed in unstimulated cardiac myocytes, and Ang II increased expressions of the c-jun gene as well as the c-fos gene. Ang II increased transcription of the endothelin-1 gene through the AP-1 binding site. In conclusion, Ang II may activate JNK in cultured cardiac myocytes through an increase in intracellular Ca2+ and activation of protein kinase C, and the activated JNK may regulate gene expression by activating AP-1 during Ang II-induced cardiac hypertrophy.

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.

Lack of a role for Jun kinase and AP-1 in Fas-induced apoptosis

Cross-linking of Fas (CD95) induces apoptosis, a response that has been reported to depend upon the Ras activation pathway. Since many examples of apoptosis have been reported to involve AP-1 and/or the AP-1-activation pathway. Since many examples of apoptosis have been reported to involve AP-1 and/or the AP-1-activating enzyme Jun kinase (JNK), downstream effectors of Ras or Ras-like small GTP-binding proteins, we evaluated the role of these molecules in Fas-mediated apoptosis. Although cross-linking of Fas on Jurkat T cells did result in JNK activation, increased activity was observed relatively late, being detectable only after 60 min of stimulation. Expression of a dominant negative form of SEK1 that blocked Fas-mediated induction of JNK activity had no effect on Fas-mediated apoptosis. Furthermore, maximally effective concentrations of anti-Fas did not cause JNK activation if apoptosis was blocked by a cysteine protease inhibitor, suggesting that under these conditions, activation of JNK may be secondary to the stress of apoptosis rather than a direct result of Fas engagement. Despite the activation of JNK, there was no induction of AP-1 activity as determined by gel shift assay or induction of an AP-1-responsive reporter. The lack of a requirement for AP-1 induction in Fas-mediated death was further substantiated with Jurkat cells that were stably transfected with a dominant negative cJun, TAM-67. While TAM-67 effectively prevented AP-1-dependent transcription of both the interleukin-2 and cJun genes, it had no effect on Fas-induced cell death, even at limiting levels of Fas signaling. Thus, induction of JNK activity in Jurkat cells by ligation of Fas at levels sufficient to cause cell death is likely a result, rather than a cause, of the apoptotic response, and AP-1 function is not required for Fas-induced apoptosis.

rac1 regulates a cytokine-stimulated, redox-dependent pathway necessary for NF-kappaB activation

The signal transduction pathway leading to the activation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB remains incompletely characterized. We demonstrate that in HeLa cells, transient expression of a constitutively active mutant of the small GTP-binding protein rac1 (V12rac1) leads to a significant increase in NF-kappaB transcriptional activity. In addition, expression of a dominant-negative rac1 mutant (N17rac1) inhibits basal and interleukin 1beta-stimulated NF-kappaB activity. Gel shift analysis using nuclear extract prepared from HeLa cells infected with a recombinant adenovirus encoding N17rac1 (Ad.N17racl) showed reduced levels of cytokine-stimulated DNA binding to a consensus NF-kappaB binding site. We demonstrate that rac proteins function downstream of ras proteins in the activation of NF-kappaB. In addition, V12rac1 stimulation of NF-kappaB activity is shown to be independent of the ability of rac proteins to activate the family of c-jun amino-terminal kinases. In an effort to further explore how rac proteins might regulate NF-kappaB activity, we demonstrate that expression of V12rac1 in HeLa cells or stimulation with cytokine results in a significant increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Treatment of cells with either of two chemically unrelated antioxidants inhibits the rise in ROS that occurs following V12rac1 expression as well as the ability of V12rac1 to stimulate NF-kappaB activity. These results suggest that in HeLa cells, rac1 regulates intracellular ROS production and that rac proteins function as part of a redox-dependent signal transduction pathway leading to NF-kappaB activation.

Alcohol and cytokine-inducible transcription factors

Cytokines, such as TNF alpha, modulate the behavior of many cells by regulating the expression of a wide array of genes. When a cytokine binds to its receptor on the cell surface, the receptor becomes activated and activates signal transduction cascades. These cascades typically involve a series of phosphorylation reactions that lead to sequential activation of various kinases. The targets of these kinases include DNA binding proteins that regulate the transcription of target genes. The activity of DNA binding proteins, such as c-Jun and NF-kappa B, titrates the transcriptional activity of cytokine-regulated genes. Both acute and chronic alcohol consumption of ethanol increase hepatic expression of TNF alpha. After acute ethanol consumption, this is associated with increased induction of several TNF-dependent regenerative events, including the activation of c-Jun and increased binding activity of NF-kappa B. However, chronic consumption of ethanol appears to impede TNF alpha signaling in the liver because it attenuates the increases in c-JUN activity and NF-kappa B binding, which normally follow partial hepatectomy. These results suggest that one mechanism by which ethanol influences liver cell behavior is by influencing local expression of TNF alpha and changing the activity of TNF-regulated transcription factors.

3pK, a novel mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase-activated protein kinase, is targeted by three MAP kinase pathways

Recently we have identified a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-activated protein kinase, named 3pK (G. Sithanandam, F. Latif, U. Smola, R. A. Bernal, F.-M. Duh, H. Li, I. Kuzmin, V. Wixler, L. Geil, S. Shresta, P. A. Lloyd, S. Bader, Y. Sekido, K. D. Tartof, V. I. Kashuba, E. R. Zabarovsky, M. Dean, G. Klein, B. Zbar, M. I. Lerman, J. D. Minna, U. R. Rapp, and A. Allikmets, Mol. Cell. Biol. 16:868-876, 1996). In vitro characterization of the kinase revealed that 3pK is activated by ERK. It was further shown that 3pK is phosphorylated in vivo after stimulation of cells with serum. However, the in vivo relevance of this observation in terms of involvement of the Raf/MEK/ERK cascade has not been established. Here we show that 3pK is activated in vivo by the growth inducers serum and tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate in promyelocytic HL60 cells and transiently transfected embryonic kidney 293 cells. Activation of 3pK was Raf dependent and was mediated by the Raf/MEK/ERK kinase cascade. 3pK was also shown to be activated after stress stimulation of cells. In vitro studies with recombinant proteins demonstrate that in addition to ERK, members of other subgroups of the MAPK family, namely, p38RK and Jun-N-terminal kinases/stress-activated protein kinases, were also able to phosphorylate and activate 3pK. Cotransfection experiments as well as the use of a specific inhibitor of p38RK showed that these in vitro upstream activators also function in vivo, identifying 3pK as the first kinase to be activated through all three MAPK cascades. Thus, 3pK is a novel convergence point of different MAPK pathways and could function as an integrative element of signaling in both mitogen and stress responses.

Sequential phosphorylation by mitogen-activated protein kinase and glycogen synthase kinase 3 represses transcriptional activation by heat shock factor-1

Mammalian heat shock genes are regulated at the transcriptional level by heat shock factor-1 (HSF-1), a sequence-specific transcription factor. We have examined the role of serine phosphorylation of HSF-1 in the regulation of heat shock gene transcription. Our experiments show that mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) of the ERK-1 family phosphorylate HSF-1 on serine residues and repress the transcriptional activation of the heat shock protein 70B (HSP70B) promoter by HSF-1 in vivo. These effects of MAPK are transmitted through a specific serine residue (Ser-303) located in a proline-rich sequence within the transcriptional regulatory domain of human HSF-1. However, despite the importance of Ser-303 in transmitting the signal from the MAPK cascade to HSP70 transcription, there was no evidence that Ser-303 could be phosphorylated by MAPK in vitro, although an adjacent residue (Ser-307) was avidly phosphorylated by MAPK. Further studies revealed that Ser-303 is phosphorylated by glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) through a mechanism dependent on primary phosphorylation of Ser-307 by MAPK. Secondary phosphorylation of Ser-303 by GSK3 may thus repress the activity of HSF-1, and its requirement for priming by MAPK phosphorylation of Ser-307 provides a potential link between the MAPK cascade and HSF-1. Our experiments thus indicate that MAPK is a potent inhibitor of HSF-1 function and may be involved in repressing the heat shock response during normal growth and development and deactivating the heat shock response during recovery from stress.

Jun N-terminal kinase mediates activation of skeletal muscle glycogen synthase by insulin in vivo

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) represent a conserved family of Ser/Thr protein kinases with central roles in intracellular signaling. Activation of three prominent members of the MAPK family, i.e. extracellular response kinases (ERK), jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38, was defined in vivo in order to establish their role, if any, in the cardinal response of skeletal muscle to insulin, the activation of glycogen synthesis. Insulin was found to activate ERK, JNK, and p38 in skeletal muscle. The time courses for activation of the three MAPKs by insulin, however, are distinctly different. Activation of JNK occurs most rapidly, within seconds. Activation of p38 by insulin follows that of JNK, within minutes. Activation of ERK occurs last, 4 min after administration of insulin. The temporal relationship between the activation of ERK, JNK, p38 and the downstream elements p90(rsk) and PP-1 in vivo suggest that JNK, but neither ERK nor p38 MAPKs, mediates insulin activation of glycogen synthase in vivo. Activation of JNK by anisomycin in vivo mimics activation of glycogen synthase by insulin. Challenge by anisomycin and insulin, in combination, are not additive, suggesting a common mode of glycogen synthase activation. The p90(rsk) isoform rapidly activated by insulin is identified as RSK3. In addition, RSK3 can be activated by JNK in vitro. Based upon these data a signal linkage map for activation of glycogen synthase in vivo in skeletal muscle can be constructed in which JNK mediates activation of glycogen synthase via RSK3.

Aberrant stress-induced phosphorylation of perikaryal neurofilaments

The aberrant phosphorylation of the neurofilament high molecular weight subunit (NFH) in the neuronal perikaryon is a common feature of several neurological diseases. We demonstrated a strong correlation between hyperphosphorylation of the NFH carboxyl-terminal domain and activation of stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) -gamma in PC12 cells. Agents that activated SAPKgamma in PC12 cells also caused the hyperphosphorylation of perikaryal NFH in cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons. The NFH carboxyl-terminal domain was phosphorylated by SAPKgamma in vitro, and the use of peptide substrates indicated that this event occurred preferentially at KSPXE motifs. We propose that SAPKgamma, perhaps in concert with other SAPKs, is involved in the abnormal phosphorylation of perikaryal NFH. This finding could lead to new insights into the etiology of several neurological diseases.

Regulation and interaction of pp90(rsk) isoforms with mitogen-activated protein kinases

Each of the three known mammalian 90-kDa S6 kinase (pp90(rsk)) isoforms (RSK1, RSK2, and RSK3) was expressed in transfected cells and further characterized. The kinase activity (immunocomplex toward S6 peptide) of each isoform was activated by in vivo growth factor (epidermal growth factor (EGF)) stimulation; RSK1 was more responsive (10-15-fold) versus RSK2 and RSK3 (2-4-fold). Pretreatment with PD98059 (MEK1 inhibitor) partially (80%) blocked EGF-mediated ERK1 activation and had similar effects on EGF stimulation of each ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK). Cotransfection with dominant-negative MEK1 inhibited activation of each RSK; furthermore, the kinase activity of RSK1, RSK2, and RSK3 was markedly increased by cotransfection with constitutively active MEK1. A specific association between mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) (ERK1 and ERK2) and RSK isoforms was tested by MAPK immunoblotting after immunoprecipitation of RSKs. ERK1 and ERK2 were present in RSK3 (and to a lesser extent, RSK2) immunoprecipitates, but were absent in RSK1 immunoprecipitates. Both dephosphorylated (from quiescent cells) and phosphorylated (from stimulated cells) MAPKs were associated with RSK2 and RSK3. Deletion mutants of RSK3 were characterized: the C terminus (33 residues) was shown to be required for association with MAPKs. The kinase activity of RSK1 or RSK2 was enhanced by in vitro incubation with ERK1. In contrast, RSK3 activity was not affected by exposure to ERK1. Furthermore, MAPKs in RSK3 immunoprecipitates were phosphorylated by purified MEK1; however, RSK3 kinase activity was unaffected. We conclude that 1) the MEK1-MAPK signaling pathway is both necessary and sufficient for in vivo growth factor-mediated activation of all three RSK isoforms; 2) RSK isoforms differ with respect to growth factor responsiveness and their physical association with MAPK; and 3) formation of the MAPK.RSK complex is mediated by the RSK C terminus.

Activation of a novel calcium-dependent protein-tyrosine kinase. Correlation with c-Jun N-terminal kinase but not mitogen-activated protein kinase activation

Many G protein-coupled receptors (e.g. that of angiotensin II) activate phospholipase Cbeta, initially increasing intracellular calcium and activating protein kinase C. In the WB and GN4 rat liver epithelial cell lines, agonist-induced calcium signals also stimulate tyrosine phosphorylation and subsequently increase the activity of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). We have now purified the major calcium-dependent tyrosine kinase (CADTK), and by peptide and nucleic acid sequencing identified it as a rat homologue of human PYK2. CADTK/PYK2 is most closely related to p125(FAK) and both enzymes are expressed in WB and GN4 cells. Angiotensin II, which only slightly increases p125(FAK) tyrosine phosphorylation in GN4 cells, substantially increased CADTK tyrosine autophosphorylation and kinase activity. Agonists for other G protein-coupled receptors (e.g. LPA), or those increasing intracellular calcium (thapsigargin), also stimulated CADTK. In comparing the two rat liver cell lines, GN4 cells exhibited approximately 5-fold greater angiotensin II- and thapsigargin-dependent CADTK activation than WB cells. Although maximal JNK activation by stress-dependent pathways (e.g. UV and anisomycin) was equivalent in the two cell lines, calcium-dependent JNK activation was 5-fold greater in GN4, correlating with CADTK activation. In contrast to JNK, the thapsigargin-dependent calcium signal did not activate mitogen-activated protein kinase and Ang II-dependent mitogen-activated protein kinase activation was not correlated with CADTK activation. Finally, while some stress-dependent activators of the JNK pathway (NaCl and sorbitol) stimulated CADTK, others (anisomycin, UV, and TNFalpha) did not. In summary, cells expressing CADTK/PYK2 appear to have two alternative JNK activation pathways: one stress-activated and the other calcium-dependent.

Mammalian mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways are regulated through formation of specific kinase-activator complexes

Mammalian cells contain at least three signaling systems which are structurally related to the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Growth factors acting through Ras primarily stimulate the Raf/MEK/MAPK cascade of protein kinases. In contrast, many stress-related signals such as heat shock, inflammatory cytokines, and hyperosmolarity induce the MEKK/SEK(MKK4)/SAPK(JNK) and/or the MKK3 or MKK6/p38(hog) pathways. Physiological agonists of these pathway types are either qualitatively or quantitatively distinct, suggesting few common proximal signaling elements, although past studies performed in vitro, or in cells using transient over-expression, reveal interaction between the components of all three pathways. These studies suggest a high degree of cross-talk apparently not seen in vivo. We have examined the possible molecular basis of the differing agonist profiles of these three MAPK pathways. We report preferential association between MAP kinases and their activators in eukaryotic cells. Furthermore, using the yeast 2-hybrid system, we show that association between these components can occur independent of additional eukaryotic proteins. We show that SAPK(JNK) or p38(hog) activation is specifically impaired by co-expression of cognate dominant negative MAP kinase kinase mutants, demonstrating functional specificity at this level. Further divergence and insulation of the stress pathways occurs proximal to the MAPK kinases since activation of the MAPK kinase kinase MEKK results in SAPK(JNK) activation but does not cause p38(hog) phosphorylation. Therefore, in intact cells, the three MAPK pathways may be independently regulated and their components show specificity in their interaction with cognate cascade members. The degree of intermolecular specificity suggests that mammalian MAPK signaling pathways may remain distinct without the need for specific scaffolding proteins to sequester components of individual pathways.

Ultraviolet light and osmotic stress: activation of the JNK cascade through multiple growth factor and cytokine receptors

Exposure of mammalian cells to ultraviolet (UV) light or high osmolarity strongly activates the c-Jun amino-terminal protein kinase (JNK) cascade, causing induction of many target genes. Exposure to UV light or osmotic shock induced clustering and internalization of cell surface receptors for epidermal growth factor (EGF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interleukin-1 (IL-1). Activation of the EGF and TNF receptors was also detected biochemically. Whereas activation of each receptor alone resulted in modest activation of JNK, coadministration of EGF, IL-1, and TNF resulted in a strong synergistic response equal to that caused by exposure to osmotic shock or UV light. Inhibition of clustering or receptor down-regulation attenuated both the osmotic shock and UV responses. Physical stresses may perturb the cell surface or alter receptor conformation, thereby subverting signaling pathways normally used by growth factors and cytokines.

Independent regulation of JNK/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases by metabolic oxidative stress in the liver

The stress-activated protein kinases JNK and p38 mediate increased gene expression and are activated by environmental stresses and proinflammatory cytokines. Using an in vivo model in which oxidative stress is generated in the liver by intracellular metabolism, rapid protein-DNA complex formation on stress-activated AP-1 target genes was observed. Analysis of the induced binding complexes indicates that c-fos, c-jun, and ATF-2 were present, but also two additional jun family members, JunB and JunD. Activation of JNK precedes increased AP-1 DNA binding. Furthermore, JunB was shown to be a substrate for JNK, and phosphorylation requires the N-terminal activation domain. Unexpectedly, p38 activity was found to be constitutively active in the liver and was down-regulated through selective dephosphorylation following oxidative stress. One potential mechanism for p38 dephosphorylation is the rapid stress-induced activation of the phosphatase MKP-1, which has high affinity for phosphorylated p38 as a substrate. These data demonstrate that there are mechanisms for independent regulation of the JNK and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signal transduction pathways after metabolic oxidative stress in the liver.

A JNK signal transduction pathway that mediates morphogenesis and an immune response in Drosophila

The Drosophila MAP kinase DJNK is a homolog of the mammalian c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK). Mutations in the DJNK gene correspond to the complementation group basket. DJNK is phosphorylated and activated by the Drosophila MAP kinase kinase HEP. Substrates of DJNK include the transcription factor DJun. DJNK participates in multiple physiological processes. Exposure to endotoxic lipopolysaccharide initiates an insect immune response and leads to DJNK activation. In addition, embryos lacking DJNK are defective in dorsal closure, a process in which the lateral epithelial cells migrate over the embryo and join at the dorsal midline. These data demonstrate that the DJNK signal transduction pathway mediates an immune response and morphogenesis in vivo.

Repression of human heat shock factor 1 activity at control temperature by phosphorylation

Human heat shock transcription factor 1 (HSF1) is responsible for stress-induced transcription of heat shock protein genes. The activity of the HSF1 transcriptional activation domains is modulated by a separate regulatory domain, which confers repression at control temperature and heat inducibility. We show here that two specific proline-directed serine motifs are important for function of the regulatory domain: Mutation of these serines to alanine derepresses HSF1 activity at control temperature, and mutation to glutamic acid, mimicking a phosphorylated serine, results in normal repression at control temperature and normal heat shock inducibility. Tryptic mapping shows that these serines are the major phosphorylation sites of HSF1 at control temperature in vivo. Stimulation of the Raf/ERK pathway in vivo results in an increased level of phosphorylation of these major sites and the regulatory domain is an excellent substrate in vitro for the mitogen-activated MAPK/ERK. We conclude that phosphorylation of the regulatory domain of HSF1 decreases the activity of HSF1 at control temperature, and propose a mechanism for modification of HSF1 activity by growth control signals.

Regulation of interleukin-2 transcription by inducible stable expression of dominant negative and dominant active mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase in jurkat T cells. Evidence for the importance of Ras in a pathway that is controlled by dual receptor stimulation

Engagement of the T cell receptor induces the activation of several mitogen-activated protein kinase modules, including the extracellular signal-regulated kinase and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) cascades. Whereas extracellular signal-regulated kinase is activated by T cell receptor/CD3 ligation alone, activation of JNK requires co-stimulation by the CD28 receptor. Activation of MEKK-1, which acts as a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase in the JNK pathway, was also induced by CD3 plus CD28 (CD3/CD28) ligation in Jurkat cells. To study the significance of the JNK cascade in T lymphocytes, we established stable Jurkat cell lines that inducibly express dominant active (DA) or dominant negative (DN) MEKK-1. Whereas expression of DA-MEKK-1 resulted in the constitutive activation of JNK along with the transcriptional activation of the minimal interleukin-2 (IL-2) promoter, DN-MEKK-1 inhibited JNK responsiveness during CD3/CD28 co-stimulation. In addition to inhibiting CD3/CD28-induced IL-2 mRNA expression, DN-MEKK-1 abrogated the transcriptional activation of the IL-2 promoter and the distal nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT)-activating protein 1 (AP-1) response element in that promoter. A c-Jun mutant lacking activation sites for JNK also interfered with the activation of the distal NFAT/AP-1 complex, suggesting that the JNK pathway functions by controlling AP-1 response elements in the IL-2 promoter. Using inducible stable expression of DA- and DN-Ras in Jurkat cells, we found that Ras regulates JNK activation in these cells. Our results suggest that the dual ligation of CD3 and CD28 in T cells triggers a cascade of events that involve Ras, the JNK cascade, and one or more AP-1 response elements in the IL-2 promoter.

Signaling from the small GTP-binding proteins Rac1 and Cdc42 to the c-Jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase pathway. A role for mixed lineage kinase 3/protein-tyrosine kinase 1, a novel member of the mixed lineage kinase family

Certain small GTP-binding proteins control the enzymatic activity of a family of closely related serine-threonine kinases known as mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). In turn, these MAPKs, such as p44(mapk) and p42(mapk), referred to herein as MAPKs, and stress-activated protein kinases, also termed c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs), phosphorylate and regulate the activity of key molecules that ultimately control the expression of genes essential for many cellular processes. Whereas Ras controls the activation of MAPK, we and others have recently observed that two members of the Rho family of small GTP-binding proteins, Rac1 and Cdc42, regulate the activity of JNKs. The identity of molecules communicating Rac1 and Cdc42 to JNK is still poorly understood. It has been suggested that Pak1 is the most upstream kinase connecting these GTPases to JNK; however, we have observed that coexpression of Pak1 with activated forms of Cdc42 or Rac1 diminishes rather than enhances JNK activation. This prompted us to explore the possibility that kinases other than Pak might participate in signaling from GTP-binding proteins to JNK. In this regard, a computer-assisted search for proteins containing areas of homology to that in Pak1 that is involved in binding to Rac1 and Cdc42 led to the identification of mixed lineage kinase 3 (MLK3), also known as protein-tyrosine kinase 1, as a potential candidate for this function. In this study, we found that MLK3 overexpression is sufficient to activate JNK potently without affecting the phosphorylating activity of MAPK or p38. Furthermore, we present evidence that MLK3 binds the GTP-binding proteins Cdc42 and Rac1 in vivo and that MLK3 mediates activation of MEKK-SEK-JNK kinase cascade by Rac1 and Cdc42. Taken together, these findings strongly suggest that members of the novel MLK family of highly related kinases link small GTP-binding proteins to the JNK signaling pathway.

Stimulation of stress-activated protein kinase and p38 HOG1 kinase in murine keratinocytes following photodynamic therapy with benzoporphyrin derivative

The activation state of the members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family following photodynamic therapy (PDT) with benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid ring A was investigated using a naturally transformed murine keratinocyte cell line, Pam 212. PDT involves the use of photosensitizer molecules and a specific wavelength of visible light. The process of PDT generates singlet oxygen and other reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs), and the cytotoxic effect of these ROIs is the basis for the use of PDT to treat cancer and psoriasis. PDT caused a strong dose- and time-dependent activation of both stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) and p38 HOG1. The maximum activation of SAPK and p38 HOG1 occurred between 20 and 30 min following PDT treatment with 200 ng/ml benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid ring A and 2 J/cm2 of red light at 690 nm. In our system, PDT did not cause significant activation of extracellularly regulated kinase (ERK) 1 and ERK2. Under the same experimental conditions, ultraviolet light irradiation caused strong activation of SAPK and p38 HOG1 and minimum activation of ERK1 and ERK2 in Pam212 cells. A number of ROI scavengers were tested for their effect on PDT-induced SAPK and p38 HOG1 activation. Both L-histidine and N-acetyl-L-cysteine showed a significant inhibitory effect on PDT-induced SAPK and p38 HOG1 activation. This indicated that PDT-induced SAPK and p38 HOG1 activation may be partially mediated by ROI.

Purification and identification of a major activator for p38 from osmotically shocked cells. Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 6 by osmotic shock, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and H2O2

A stress-activated, serine/threonine kinase, p38 (also known as HOG1 or MPK2) belongs to a subgroup of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) superfamily molecules. An activity to activate p38 (p38 activator activity) as well as p38 activity itself were greatly stimulated by hyperosmolar media in mouse lymphoma L5178Y cells. The activator activity has been purified by sequential chromatography. A 36-kDa polypeptide that was coeluted with the activity in the final chromatography step was identified as MAPK kinase 6 (MAPKK6) by protein microsequencing analysis. Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies raised against recombinant MAPKK6 recognized specifically the 36-kDa MAPKK6 protein but did not cross-react with MKK3 proteins. The use of these anti-MAPKK6 antibodies revealed that two major peaks of the p38 activator activity in the first chromatography step reside in the activated MAPKK6. Using a genetic screen in yeast, we isolated MKK3b, an alternatively spliced form of MKK3. Like MKK3 and MAPKK6, MKK3b was shown to be a specific activator for p38 and was activated by osmotic shock when expressed in COS7 cells. Immunoblotting analysis revealed that MAPKK6 is expressed highly in HeLa and KB cells and scarcely in PC12 cells, whereas MKK3 and MKK3b are expressed in all cells examined. Immunodepletion of MAPKK6 from the extracts obtained from L5178Y cells and KB cells exposed to hyperosmolar media depleted them of almost all of the p38 activator activity, indicating that MAPKK6 is a major activator for p38 in an osmosensing pathway in these cells. In addition, MAPKK6 was activated strongly by tumor necrosis factor-alpha, H2O2, and okadaic acid and moderately by cycloheximide in KB cells. Thus, there are at least three members of p38 activator, MKK3, MKK3b, and MAPKK6, and MAPKK6 may function as a major activator for p38 when expressed.

The small GTP-binding protein rho activates c-Jun N-terminal kinases/stress-activated protein kinases in human kidney 293T cells. Evidence for a Pak-independent signaling pathway

Work from a number of laboratories has established a role for certain small GTP-binding proteins in controlling the enzymatic activity of a family of serine-threonine kinases known as mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). MAPKs have been classified into three subfamilies: extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), also known as MAPKs; c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs); and p38 kinase. Whereas Ras controls the activation of MAPKs, we and others have recently observed that in certain cells, the small GTP-binding proteins Rac1 and Cdc42 but not Rho regulate the activity of JNKs. Furthermore, because Rac1 and Cdc42 but not Rho bind and activate a kinase known as Pak1, it has been suggested that Pak1 is the most upstream component of the pathway linking these GTPases to JNK. However, in both yeast and mammalian cells, Rho1p, a Rho homologue, and RhoA, respectively, directly interact with a number of proteins, including kinases related to protein kinase C. In addition, in yeast, Rho1p controls the activity of a MAPK cascade involved in bud formation. Considering this diversity of target molecules for small GTP-binding proteins, their likely tissue specific distribution, and the potential role for Rho in signaling to a kinase cascade, we decided to extend our initial analysis, exploring the ability of Ras and Rho-related GTP-binding proteins to activate MAPK or JNK in a variety of cell lines. We found that in the human kidney epithelial cell line, 293T, Cdc42 and all Rho proteins, RhoA, RhoB, and RhoC, but not Rac or Ras can induce activation of JNK. Furthermore, we provide evidence that signaling from Rho proteins to JNK in 293T cells does not involve Pak1. Taken together these findings demonstrate that Rho signals to JNK in a cell type-specific manner and suggest the existence of a novel, Pak1-independent signaling route communicating the Rho family of small GTP-binding proteins to the JNK pathway.

Ras-dependent and Ras-independent activation pathways for the stress-activated-protein-kinase cascade

We have previously shown that osmotic stress activates both the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade and the stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK, also known as JNK) cascade in rat fibroblastic 3Y1 cells and rat PC12 cells. Here, we show that treatment of these cells with sodium arsenite, a chemical compound that mimics the effects of heat shock, or anisomycin, a protein synthesis inhibitor, induces activation of SAPKs potently. These chemical compounds also stimulated the activity of SEK1/MKK4/JNKK, SAPK activator, and the activity of MEKK, SEK1 activator. Expression of a dominant negative mutant of Ras blocked the anisomycin-induced activation of SAPK and SEK1, but did not affect markedly the arsenite-induced or heat shock-induced activation in PC12 cells. The osmotic-stress-induced activation of SAPK was insensitive to the expression of a dominant negative Ras, but was partly sensitive to down-regulation of protein kinase C. These results suggest the existence of Ras-dependent and Ras-independent activation pathways for the SAPK cascade triggered by environmental stresses including chemical stress in PC12 cells. Cell staining with a specific anti-SAPK serum showed that SAPKs were present in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus under normal conditions, and became located mainly in the nucleus after osmotic stress or ultraviolet treatment, suggesting the nuclear translocation of SAPKs.

Selective response of ternary complex factor Sap1a to different mitogen-activated protein kinase subgroups

Mitogenic and stres signals results in the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) and stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinases (SAPK/JNKs), respectively, which are two subgroups of the mitogen-activated protein kinases. A nuclear target of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases is the ternary complex factor Elk-1, which underlies its involvement in the regulation of c-fos gene expression by mitogenic and stress signals. A second ternary complex factor, Sap1a, is coexpressed with Elk-1 in several cell types and shares attributes of Elk-1, the significance of which is not clear. Here we show that Sap1a is phosphorylated efficiently by ERKs but not by SAPK/JNKs. Serum response factor-dependent ternary complex formation by Sap1a is stimulated by ERK phosphorylation but not by SAPK/JNKs. Moreover, Sap1a-mediated transcription is activated by mitogenic signals but not by cell stress. These results suggest that Sap1a and Elk-1 have distinct physiological functions.

Regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases by a calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase cascade

Membrane depolarization of NG108 cells gives rapid (< 5 min) activation of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV (CaM-KIV), as well as activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). To investigate whether the Ca2+-dependent activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (ERK, JNK, and p38) might be mediated by the CaM kinase cascade, we have transfected PC12 cells, which lack CaM-KIV, with constitutively active mutants of CaM kinase kinase and/or CaM-KIV (CaM-KKc and CaM-KIVc, respectively). In the absence of depolarization, CaM-KKc transfection had no effect on Elk-dependent transcription of a luciferase reporter gene, whereas CaM-KIVc alone or in combination with CaM-KKc gave 7- to 10-fold and 60- to 80-fold stimulations, respectively, which were blocked by mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase phosphatase cotransfection. When epitope-tagged constructs of MAP kinases were co-transfected with CaM-KKc plus CaM-KIVc, the immunoprecipitated MAP kinases were activated 2-fold (ERK-2) and 7- to 10-fold (JNK-1 and p38). The JNK and p38 pathways were further investigated using specific c-Jun or ATF2-dependent transcriptional assays. We found that c-Jun/ATF2-dependent transcriptions were enhanced 7- to 10-fold by CaM-KIVc and 20- to 30-fold by CaM-KKc plus CaM-KIVc. In the case of the Jun-dependent transcription, this effect was not due to direct phosphorylation of c-Jun by activated CaM-KIV, since transcription was blocked by a dominant-negative JNK and by two MAP kinase phosphatases. Mutation of the phosphorylation site (Thr196) in CaM-KIV, which mediates its activation by CaM-KIV kinase, prevented activation of Elk-1, c-Jun, and ATF2 by the CaM kinase cascade. These results establish a new Ca2+-dependent mechanism for regulating MAP kinase pathways and resultant transcription.

TNF-alpha-induced regulation and signalling in macrophages

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is a pleiotropic cytokine produced predominantly by macrophages. In addition, macrophages respond to TNF-alpha by differentiating to express different groups of gene products. Our laboratory recently showed that the context in which TNF-alpha is recognized by macrophages dramatically impacts the pattern of gene expression and hence investigating the mechanism of TNF-alpha signal transduction will be important in understanding how this molecule regulates macrophage differentiation. TNF-alpha is recognized by two cell surface receptors, CD120a (p55) and CD120b (p75) that belong to the TNF/NGF receptor family. Signalling is initiated by receptor multimerization in the plane of the plasma membrane. The initial signalling events activated by receptor cross-linking are unknown although activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade occurs shortly after ligand binding to CD120a (p55). We have investigated the upstream kinases that mediate the activation of p42mapk/erk2 following cross-linking of CD120a (p55) in mouse macrophages. Exposure of mouse macrophages to TNF-alpha stimulated a time-dependent increase in the activity of MEK1, that temporally preceded peak activation of p42mapk/erk2. MEKs, dual specificity T/Y kinases, act as a convergence point for several signalling pathways including Ras/Raf, MEKK and Mos. Incubation of macrophages with TNF-alpha was found to transiently stimulate an MEKK that peaked in activity within 30 sec of exposure and progressively declined towards basal levels by 5 min. By contrast, under these conditions, activation of either c-Raf-1 or Raf-B was not detected. These data suggest that the activation of the MAPK cascade in response to TNF-alpha is mediated by the sequential activation of an MEKK and MEK1 in a c-Raf-1 and Raf-B-independent fashion. The implications of these findings will be discussed in the context of the regulation of macrophage gene expression.

Activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase by c-Abl-dependent and -independent mechanisms

The p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase defines a subgroup of the mammalian MAP kinases that are induced in response to lipopolysaccharide, hyperosmolarity, and interleukin 1. p38 MAP kinase appears to play a role in regulating inflammatory responses, including cytokine secretion and apoptosis. Here we show that diverse classes of DNA-damaging agents such as cisplatinum, 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine, UV light, ionizing radiation, and methyl methanesulfonate activate p38 MAP kinase. We also demonstrate that cells deficient in c-Abl fail to activate p38 MAP kinase after treatment with cisplatinum and 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine but not after exposure to UV and methyl methanesulfonate. Reconstitution of c-Abl in the Abl-/- cells restores that response. Similar results were obtained for induction of the Jun-NH2-kinase/stress-activated protein kinase. These findings indicate that p38 MAP and Jun-NH2-kinase/stress-activated protein kinases are differentially regulated in response to different classes of DNA-damaging agents.

Activation of c-Jun-NH2-kinase by UV irradiation is dependent on p21ras

We have demonstrated previously that Jun-NH2-kinase (JNK) activation in vitro is potentiated by association with the p21(ras) protein. To determine if in vivo activation of JNK also depends on p21(ras), we have used M1311 cells that carry the cDNA for the neutralizing antibody to p21(ras), Y13-259, under a dexamethasone-inducible promoter. The ability of UV to activate JNK gradually decreased over a 4-day period of cell growth in dexamethasone. This decrease coincides with weaker transcriptional activation measured via gel shift and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase assays. Peptides corresponding to amino acids 96-110 on p21(ras), which were shown to block Ras-JNK association, inhibited UV-mediated JNK activation in mouse fibroblast 3T3-4A cells as well as in M1311 cells, further supporting the role of p21(ras) in UV-mediated JNK activation. Overall, the present studies provide in vivo confirmation of the role p21(ras) plays in JNK activation by UV irradiation.

Newly identified stress-responsive protein kinases, Krs-1 and Krs-2

The activation of protein kinases is a frequent response of cells to treatment with growth factors, chemicals, heat shock, or apoptosis-inducing agents. However, when several agents result in the activation of the same enzymes, it is unclear how specific biological responses are generated. We describe here two protein kinases that are activated by a subset of stress conditions or apoptotic agents but are not activated by commonly used mitogenic stimuli. Purification and cloning demonstrate that these protein kinases are members of a subfamily of kinases related to Ste20p, a serine/threonine kinase that functions early in a pheromone responsive signal transduction cascade in yeast. The specificity of Krs-1 and Krs-2 activation and their similarity to Ste20p suggest that they may function at an early step in phosphorylation events that are specific responses to some forms of chemical stress or extreme heat shock.

Signal-transducing protein phosphorylation cascades mediated by Ras/Rho proteins in the mammalian cell: the potential for multiplex signalling

The features of three distinct protein phosphorylation cascades in mammalian cells are becoming clear. These signalling pathways link receptor-mediated events at the cell surface or intracellular perturbations such as DNA damage to changes in cytoskeletal structure, vesicle transport and altered transcription factor activity. The best known pathway, the Ras-->Raf-->MEK-->ERK cascade [where ERK is extracellular-signal-regulated kinase and MEK is mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase/ERK kinase], is typically stimulated strongly by mitogens and growth factors. The other two pathways, stimulated primarily by assorted cytokines, hormones and various forms of stress, predominantly utilize p21 proteins of the Rho family (Rho, Rac and CDC42), although Ras can also participate. Diagnostic of each pathway is the MAP kinase component, which is phosphorylated by a unique dual-specificity kinase on both tyrosine and threonine in one of three motifs (Thr-Glu-Tyr, Thr-Phe-Tyr or Thr-Gly-Tyr), depending upon the pathway. In addition to activating one or more protein phosphorylation cascades, the initiating stimulus may also mobilize a variety of other signalling molecules (e.g. protein kinase C isoforms, phospholipid kinases, G-protein alpha and beta gamma subunits, phospholipases, intracellular Ca2+). These various signals impact to a greater or lesser extent on multiple downstream effectors. Important concepts are that signal transmission often entails the targeted relocation of specific proteins in the cell, and the reversible formation of protein complexes by means of regulated protein phosphorylation. The signalling circuits may be completed by the phosphorylation of upstream effectors by downstream kinases, resulting in a modulation of the signal. Signalling is terminated and the components returned to the ground state largely by dephosphorylation. There is an indeterminant amount of cross-talk among the pathways, and many of the proteins in the pathways belong to families of closely related proteins. The potential for more than one signal to be conveyed down a pathway simultaneously (multiplex signalling) is discussed. The net effect of a given stimulus on the cell is the result of a complex intracellular integration of the intensity and duration of activation of the individual pathways. The specific outcome depends on the particular signalling molecules expressed by the target cells and on the dynamic balance among the pathways.

Human HPK1, a novel human hematopoietic progenitor kinase that activates the JNK/SAPK kinase cascade

The c-Jun amino-terminal kinases (JNKs)/stress-activated protein kinases (SAPKs) play a crucial role in stress responses in mammalian cells. The mechanism underlying this pathway in the hematopoietic system is unclear, but it is a key in understanding the molecular basis of blood cell differentiation. We have cloned a novel protein kinase, termed hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1 (HPK1), that is expressed predominantly in hematopoietic cells, including early progenitor cells. HPK1 is related distantly to the p21(Cdc42/Rac1)-activated kinase (PAK) and yeast STE20 implicated in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade. Expression of HPK1 activates JNK1 specifically, and it elevates strongly AP-1-mediated transcriptional activity in vivo. HPK1 binds and phosphorylates MEKK1 directly, whereas JNK1 activation by HPK1 is inhibited by a dominant-negative MEKK1 or MKK4/SEK mutant. Interestingly, unlike PAK65, HPK1 does not contain the small GTPase Rac1/Cdc42-binding domain and does not bind to either Rac1 or Cdc42, suggesting that HPK1. activation is Rac1/Cdc42-independent. These results indicate that HPK1 is a novel functional activator of the JNK/SAPK signaling pathway.

Multiple signaling pathways control the activation of the CEF-4/9E3 cytokine gene by pp60v-src

The CEF-4/9E3 cytokine gene is expressed aberrantly in chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF) transformed by the Rous sarcoma virus. The expression of CEF-4 is dependent on both transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms of regulation. The characterization of the promoter region indicated that three distinct regulatory elements corresponding to an AP-1 binding site (or TRE), a PRDII/kappaB domain, and a CAAT box are involved in the activation by pp60(v-)src. In this report we investigate the signaling pathways controlling the expression of the TRE and PRDII domain. The expression of a dominant negative mutant of p21(ras) reduced the activity of both elements. In contrast a similar mutant of c-Raf-1 affected modestly the activation dependent on the TRE but not PRDII. The stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK)/Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway was important for the activity of PRDII and the TRE but was not markedly stimulated by pp60(v-)src. The addition of calphostin C and the inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) diminished the accumulation of the CEF-4 mRNA and reduced the activity of a TRE-controlled promoter. Likewise, the depletion of PKC by chronic treatment with phorbol esters inhibited the activation of the TRE. Rous sarcoma virus-transformed CEF treated with calphostin C were also flatter, did not display a high degree of criss-crossing, and appeared morphologically normal. Hence PKC was important for the activation of AP-1 and the morphological transformation of CEF. The constitutive expression of CEF-4 was correlated with transformation only when dependent on the TRE. This was not true for PRDII, which was the only element required for the constitutive activation to the CEF-4 promoter in nontransformed cells treated chronically with phorbol esters.

Cyclic AMP inhibition of thrombin-induced growth in vascular smooth muscle cells correlates with decreased JNK1 activity and c-Jun expression

Thrombin is a potent modulator of vascular tone and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) mitogenesis. Early studies from other laboratories demonstrated that cyclic AMP (cAMP) antagonizes the mitogenic effects of platelet-derived growth factor and epidermal growth factor by inhibiting the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERKs; p42, p44) group of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in several cell types. This report examines the role of ERKs and Jun N-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1) groups of mitogen-activated protein kinases in thrombin-induced DNA synthesis in VSMCs using agents such as forskolin and dibutyrylcyclic AMP that increase intracellular cAMP levels. Both agents significantly inhibited thrombin-stimulated DNA synthesis in VSMCs. These agents, however, had no effect on thrombin induction of ERKs activation and c-Fos expression, suggesting divergence of the latter two events from the growth-signaling events of thrombin that are sensitive to inhibition by cAMP. Thrombin activated JNK1 and induced c-Jun expression in VSMCs in a time-dependent manner. In contrast to ERKs and c-Fos, thrombin-induced JNK1 activation and c-Jun expression were sensitive to inhibition by forskolin, suggesting an association of these events with thrombin-stimulated growth in these cells. Thrombin also increased AP-1 activity, and this response was significantly blunted by forskolin. Together, these results demonstrate a correlation between JNK1 activation and c-Jun expression by thrombin and their association with the mitogenic signaling events of thrombin in VSMCs.

Differential activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases by nitric oxide-related species

Many studies have identified nitric oxide (NO) and related chemical species (NOx) as having critical roles in neurotransmission, vasoregulation, and cellular signaling. Previous work in this laboratory has focused on elucidating the mechanism of NOx signaling in cells. We have demonstrated that NOx-induced activation of the guanine nucleotide-binding protein p21(ras) leads to nuclear translocation of the transcription factor NFkappaB. Here, we investigated whether intermediary signaling elements, namely the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, are involved in mediating NOx signaling. We found that NOx activates the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38, and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) subgroups of MAP kinases in human Jurkat T cells. JNK was found to be 100-fold more sensitive to NOx stimulation than p38 and ERK. In addition, the activation of JNK and p38 by NOx was more rapid than ERK activation. Depletion of intracellular glutathione augmented the NOx-induced increase in kinase activity. Furthermore, endogenous NO, generated from NO synthase, activated ERK, and NOx-induced MAP kinase activation was effectively blocked by the farnesyl transferase inhibitor alpha-hydroxyfarnesylphosphonic acid. These data support the hypothesis that critical signaling kinases, such as ERK, p38, and JNK, are activated by NO-related species and thus participate in NO signal transduction. These findings establish a role for multiple MAP kinase signaling pathways in the cellular response to NOx.

The mixed lineage kinase SPRK phosphorylates and activates the stress-activated protein kinase activator, SEK-1

SPRK (also called PTK-1 and MLK-3), a member of the mixed lineage kinase subfamily of (Ser/Thr) protein kinases, encodes an amino-terminal SH3 domain followed by a kinase catalytic domain, two leucine zippers interrupted by a short spacer, a Rac/Cdc42 binding domain, and a long carboxyl-terminal proline-rich region. We report herein that SPRK activates the stress-activated protein kinases (SAPKs) but not ERK-1 during transient expression in COS cells; the p38 kinase is activated modestly (1.3-2 fold) but consistently. SPRK also activates cotransfected SEK-1/MKK-4, a dual specificity kinase which phosphorylates and activates SAPK. Reciprocally, expression of mutant, inactive SEK-1 inhibits completely the basal and SPRK-activated SAPK activity. Immunoprecipitated recombinant SPRK is able to phosphorylate and activate recombinant SEK-1 in vitro to an extent comparable to that achieved by MEK kinase-1. These results identify SPRK as a candidate upstream activator of the stress-activated protein kinases, acting through the phosphorylation and activation of SEK-1.

Effects of exercise and insulin on mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways in rat skeletal muscle

Studies in mammalian cells have established the existence of at least three distinct mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) signaling pathways that are activated by a variety of growth factors and/or environmental stressors. We determined whether physical exercise, a physiological stressor, and insulin, a metabolic stimulator and growth factor, activate the c-jun NH2-terminus kinase (JNK), the p38 kinase, and/or the extracellular regulatory kinases (ERK; p42MAPK and p44MAPK) signaling pathways in rat skeletal muscle. Animals were studied immediately after running on a motorized treadmill for 10-60 min (20 m/min, 10% grade) or 5-30 min after an intraperitoneal injection of insulin (20 U/rat). Exercise increased skeletal muscle JNK activity by two- to threefold throughout the time course studied, whereas insulin did not significantly increase JNK activity. The p38 activity was slightly stimulated by exercise and not by insulin. The ERK kinase pathway, as assessed by ribosomal S6 kinase-2 activity assays and phosphospecific p42MAPK/p4NAPK immunoblotting, was stimulated by both exercise and insulin. These data are the first demonstration of exercise stimulating multiple intracellular signaling pathways in skeletal muscle. Activation of these MAP kinase signaling pathways may mediate changes in skeletal muscle growth and metabolism that occur in response to exercise.

Role of zinc-finger proteins Sp1 and zif268/egr-1 in transcriptional regulation of the human synaptobrevin II gene

Synaptobrevin II is a small integral membrane protein of synaptic vesicles that plays a key role in exocytosis. The 5'-flanking region of the human synaptobrevin II gene is very (G+C)-rich and contains a 13-bp motif that includes overlapping binding sites for the zinc finger transcription factors Sp1 and zif268/egr-1. To test whether Sp1 and zif268/egr-1 interact with this motif, gel retardation assays were performed. These assays revealed that both transcription factors bind to the (G+C)-rich motif of the synaptobrevin II gene in vitro. The binding of Sp1 was additionally confirmed by supershift analysis with antibodies specific for Sp1. To determine whether zif268/egr-1 plays a role in controlling synaptobrevin II gene expression, a plasmid was constructed containing the (G+C)-rich motif of the synaptobrevin II gene upstream of a minimal promoter and the Escherichia coli chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene as a reporter. This plasmid was transfected into CHO-K1 cells together with an expression vector encoding zif268/egr-1. Zif268/egr-1 failed to activate transcription from this reporter gene, although it transactivated a reporter gene containing an identical (G+C)-rich motif derived from the human synapsin I promoter. Overexpression of Sp1, however, clearly activated transcription of a reporter gene under the control of the synaptobrevin II promoter (G+C)-rich sequence in Drosophila SL2 cells, which provided an Sp1-deficient background. Furthermore, a glutathione S-transferase protein containing the DNA-binding domain of Sp1 was shown to function as a dominant negative form of Sp1, reducing transcription of the synaptobrevin II promoter-CAT reporter gene in mammalian cells to basal levels. From these data, we conclude that the zif268/egr-1-binding site in the synaptobrevin II promoter is not functionally active. Instead, an overlapping Sp1-binding site in this (G+C)-rich region clearly mediates constitutive transcriptional activation.

The harmony of the spheres: inducible nitric oxide synthase and related genes in pancreatic beta cells

The radical nitric oxide (NO) is a possible mediator of pancreatic beta-cell damage in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). NO is produced by the enzyme nitric oxide synthase (NOS), in a reaction where arginine is the main substrate. There are different isoforms of NOS, but in the context of immune mediated beta-cell damage the inducible form of NOS (iNOS) is the most relevant. The beta-cell iNOS is similar and encoded by the same gene on chromosome 17 as the iNOS expressed in macrophages and other nucleated cells. iNOS activation depends on gene transcription and de novo enzyme synthesis, and NO seems to induce a negative feedback on iNOS expression. While iNOS mRNA is induced by interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) alone in rodent insulin-producing cells, a combination of two (IL-1 beta + interferon gamma) (IFN-gamma) or three (IL-1 beta + IFN gamma + tumour necrosis factor alpha) cytokines is required for iNOS activation in human pancreatic islets. The promoter region of the murine iNOS gene has at least 25 binding sites for different transcription factors, and the nuclear transcription factor kappa B is necessary for cytokine-induced iNOS transcription in both rodent and human pancreatic islets. The nature of other transcription factors relevant for iNOS regulation in these cells remains to be determined. Induction of iNOS is paralleled by induction of several other cytokine-dependent genes in beta cells, including argininosuccinate synthetase, cyclooxygenase and manganese superoxide dismutase. Some of these genes may contribute to beta-cell damage, while others are probably involved in beta-cell defence and/or repair. Regulation of iNOS and other related genes in beta cells is complex, and differs in several aspects from that observed in macrophages. There are also important differences in iNOS regulation between rodent and human pancreatic islets. A detailed knowledge of the molecular regulation of these genes in beta cells may be instrumental in the development of new approaches to prevent beta-cell destruction in early IDDM.