Role of mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase during the cellular response to genotoxic stress. Inhibition of c-Jun N-terminal kinase activity and AP-1-dependent gene activation

Ras stimulates DNA topoisomerase II alpha through MEK: a link between oncogenic signaling and a therapeutic target

Topoisomerase II alpha (topo II alpha) is a major target of antitumor treatments. In an effort to determine why this protein might be a better target in tumor cells than in normal cells, we attempted to determine if the altered proliferative signaling in a tumor cell might effect the levels of expression of the topo II alpha gene. In support of this idea, it was found that topo II alpha was elevated following microinjection of oncogenic Ras protein. Oncogenic ras was further shown to stimulate the topo II alpha promoter. Stimulation by ras was independent of the normal cell cycle regulation of this promoter. Transactivation of topo II alpha by ras required both the MEK/ERK pathway, and the stress-associated protein kinase (SAPK) signaling pathway. As a direct confirmation that both ERK and SAPK were involved in topo II alpha regulation, a constitutively active MEKK that stimulates these two kinases simultaneously was shown to strongly induce topo II alpha promoter activity. Activation of either pathway alone, on the other hand, only slightly stimulated the topo II alpha promoter. Deletion analyses showed that elements near both the 5' and 3' ends of the promoter were responsible for the ras stimulation. Site-directed mutagenesis further demonstrated that an Ets-like binding site near the 5' end (-480 to -475) was one of the responsive elements. Taken together, these studies demonstrate the direct role of Ras signaling in stimulation of topo II alpha expression, and thereby establish a link between the action of a common tumor mutation and the target of multiple anti-tumor reagents.

Mesangial cell signaling cascades in response to mechanical strain and glucose

BACKGROUND

Elevated glucose levels and glomerular hypertension (Pgc) are considered to contribute to the elaboration of matrix protein by mesangial cells (MCs) in diabetic glomeruli. MCs grown in 30 mM of glucose produce excessive matrix protein, as do MCs exposed to cyclic strain, and the combination of the two exacerbates this. Tight glucose control or reduction in Pgc clinically delays progression of diabetic nephropathy. MC c-fos is induced in response to either application of strain or high ambient glucose, inducing increases in activated protein-1 transactivational activity and extracellular matrix production. Stimuli that lead to c-fos induction pass through the three mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathways: p44/42, SAPK/JNK, and p38/HOG. We studied MAP kinase activation in MCs exposed to mechanical strain and a high glucose.

METHODS

MCs (passage 5 through 10) cultured for 96 hours on type 1 collagen-coated flexible-bottom plates in either 5.6 or 30 mM glucose were exposed to 5, 10, or 30 minutes of cyclic strain (60 cycles per min) by computer-driven generation of vacuums of -14 kPa, inducing 20% elongation in the diameter of the surface. Control MCs were grown on both coated rigid and flexible-bottom plates. Protein levels (by Western blot) and activity assays for all three kinase cascades were performed at baseline and after 5, 10, and 30 minutes. All experiments were performed in triplicate.

RESULTS

MAP kinase signaling was seen in response to stretch, and high ambient glucose affected the pattern of activation. Both p44/42 and p38HOG kinase activities showed small increases to a maximum of 2.5- to 3.5-fold greater than static MCs at 10 minutes. Activity in both kinase cascades was slightly suppressed by 30 mM glucose. In contrast, SAPK/JNK activity was present at a very low level in static MCs and increased markedly by 10 minutes of stretch. Thirty micromolars of glucose augmented this effect by a factor of six over MCs cultured in 5.6 mM glucose after 10 minutes of stretch. Neither glucose concentration nor mechanical strain had any effect on the protein expression of any of the kinases by Western blot.

CONCLUSIONS

MAP kinase cascade signaling is seen when physical force is applied to MCs, and glucose affects the pattern of activity. Thirty micromolars of glucose markedly increase the level of SAPK/JNK activation. This may have implications in diabetic signal transduction and matrix protein production.

gadd45 is not required for activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase or p38 during acute stress

Cells respond to environmental stress with activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38. Recent studies have implicated Gadd45 and two related proteins, MyD118/Gadd45beta and CR6/Gadd45gamma, as initiators of JNK/p38 signaling via their interaction with an upstream kinase MTK1. It was proposed that stress-induced expression of the Gadd45-related proteins leads to MTK1 activation and subsequent JNK/p38 activation. Using embryo fibroblasts from gadd45-null mice, we have addressed the requirement for Gadd45 in mediating JNK/p38 activation during acute stress. Comparison of JNK/p38 activities in response to methyl methanesulfonate, hydrogen peroxide, UVC irradiation, sorbitol, and anisomycin treatment of gadd45(+/+) and gadd45(-/-) fibroblasts revealed no deficiency in JNK/p38 activation in gadd45(-/-) fibroblasts. In addition, in wild type cells, JNK and p38 activation significantly preceded gadd45 induction with all stresses. Examination of myd118/gadd45beta and cr6/gadd45gamma expression in gadd45(+/+) and gadd45(-/-) fibroblasts revealed similar induction patterns in the two cell types, which, like gadd45 expression, was delayed relative to JNK/p38 activation. We conclude that gadd45 expression is not required for activation of JNK/p38 by environmental stresses, nor are stress-induced increases in myd118/gadd45beta and cr6/gadd45gamma expression necessary for kinase activation in response to such insults.

The mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase p38 and its upstream activator MAP kinase kinase 6 are involved in the activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription by hyperosmolarity

Environmental stress (e.g. aniso-osmolarity and UV light), hypoxia/reoxygenation, and reactive oxygen species activate intracellular signaling cascades such as the "stress-responsive" mitogen-activated protein kinases and nuclear factor kappaB. We have recently shown that the Janus tyrosine kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (Jak/STAT) pathway is ligand-independently activated by hyperosmotic shock. In the present study, we show that besides STAT1 also the tyrosine phosphatase SHP2 became tyrosine-phosphorylated upon hyperosmolarity. SB 202190 and SB 203580 (specific inhibitors of p38) inhibited both STAT activation and tyrosine phosphorylation of SHP2 induced by hyperosmotic stress. Overexpression of wild-type p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and its upstream activator mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 6 (MKK6) resulted in an enhanced STAT1 tyrosine phosphorylation upon osmotic shock. Accordingly, overexpression of dominant negative mutants of p38 and MKK6 largely decreased hyperosmotic STAT1 activation and tyrosine phosphorylation of SHP2. Furthermore, we provide evidence that a genistein-sensitive tyrosine kinase different from Jak1 is involved in stress-activation of STAT1 and tyrosine phosphorylation of SHP2. These results strongly suggest that hyperosmotic shock activates STAT1 and SHP2 via p38 and its upstream activator MKK6.

Signaling mechanisms involved in the activation of arachidonic acid metabolism in human astrocytoma cells by tumor necrosis factor-alpha: phosphorylation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 and transactivation of cyclooxygenase-2

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a cytokine that elicits cell responses by activating the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) cascade and transcription factors such as nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). As these elements play a central role in the mechanisms of signaling involved in the activation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), the effect of TNF-alpha on arachidonate (AA) metabolism in 1321N1 astrocytoma cells was assayed. TNF-alpha produced a phosphorylation of cPLA2, which was preceded by an activation of both c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38-MAP kinase, and this was associated with the release of [3H]AA. In contrast, TNF-alpha did not activate the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAP kinase) p42, nor did it elicit a mitogenic response. Analysis of [3H]AA metabolites by reverse-phase HPLC showed that all of the [3H]AA released during the first hour after TNF-alpha addition eluted as authentic AA, whereas in samples obtained at 24 h after addition of TNF-alpha, 25% of the [3H]AA had been converted into COX products as compared with only 9% in control cells. In keeping with these findings, TNF-alpha produced an increase of COX-2 expression, as judged from both RT-PCR studies and immunoblot of COX-2 protein, and a long-lasting activation of NF-kappaB. These data show that TNF-alpha produces in astrocytoma cells an early activation of both p38-MAP kinase and JNK, which is followed by the phosphorylation of cPLA2 and the release of AA. On the other hand, the activation of NF-kappaB may explain the induction of the expression of COX-2 and the delayed generation of prostanoids.

Cyclic strain stress-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphatase 1 expression in vascular smooth muscle cells is regulated by Ras/Rac-MAPK pathways

Recently, we demonstrated that mechanical stress results in rapid phosphorylation or activation of platelet-derived growth factor receptors in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) followed by activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and AP-1 transcription factors (Hu, Y., Bock, G., Wick, G., and Xu, Q. (1998) FASEB J. 12, 1135-1142). Herein, we provide evidence that VSMC responses to mechanical stress also include induction of MAPK phosphatase-1 (MKP-1), which may serve as a negative regulator of MAPK signaling pathways. When rat VSMCs cultivated on a flexible membrane were subjected to cyclic strain stress (60 cycles/min, 5-30% elongation), induction of MKP-1 proteins and mRNA was observed in time- and strength-dependent manners. Concomitantly, mechanical forces evoked rapid and transient activation of all three members of MAPKs, i.e. extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), c-Jun NH(2)-terminal protein kinases (JNKs), or stress-activated protein kinases (SAPKs), and p38 MAPKs. Suramin, a growth factor receptor antagonist, completely abolished ERK activation, significantly blocked MKP-1 expression, but not JNK/SAPK and p38 MAPK activation, in response to mechanical stress. Interestingly, VSMC lines stably expressing dominant negative Ras (Ras N17) or Rac (Rac N17) exhibited a marked decrease in MKP-1 expression; the inhibition of ERK kinases (MEK1/2) by PD 98059 or of p38 MAPKs by SB 202190 resulted in a down-regulation of MKP-1 induction. Furthermore, overexpressing MKP-1 in VSMCs led to the dephosphorylation and inactivation of ERKs, JNKs/SAPKs, and p38 MAPKs and inhibition of DNA synthesis. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that mechanical stress induces MKP-1 expression regulated by two signal pathways, including growth factor receptor-Ras-ERK and Rac-JNK/SAPK or p38 MAPK, and that MKP-1 inhibits VSMC proliferation via MAPK inactivation. These results suggest that MKP-1 plays a crucial role in mechanical stress-stimulated signaling leading to VSMC growth and differentiation.

Estrogen decreases TNF gene expression by blocking JNK activity and the resulting production of c-Jun and JunD

Central to the bone-sparing effect of estrogen (E(2)) is its ability to block the monocytic production of the osteoclastogenic cytokine TNF-alpha (TNF). However, the mechanism by which E(2) downregulates TNF production is presently unknown. Transient transfection studies in HeLa cells, an E(2) receptor-negative line, suggest that E(2) inhibits TNF gene expression through an effect mediated by estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta). We also report that in RAW 264.7 cells, an E(2) receptor-positive murine monocytic line, E(2) downregulates cytokine-induced TNF gene expression by decreasing the activity of the Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK). The resulting diminished phosphorylation of c-Jun and JunD at their NH(2)-termini decreases the ability of these nuclear proteins to autostimulate the expression of the c-Jun and JunD genes, thus leading to lower production of c-Jun and JunD. The consequent decrease in the nuclear levels of c-Jun and JunD leads to diminished binding of c-Jun/c-Fos and JunD/c-Fos heterodimers to the AP-1 consensus sequence in the TNF promoter and, thus, to decreased transactivation of the TNF gene.

Requirement of Activation of JNK and p38 for Environmental Stress-Induced Erythroid Differentiation and Apoptosis and of Inhibition of ERK for Apoptosis

C-Jun amino terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinases (JNK/SAPK) and p38 subgroups of mitogen-activated protein kinases have been suggested to play a critical role in apoptosis, cell growth, and/or differentiation. We found that a short exposure of SKT6 cells, which respond to erythropoietin (Epo) and induce erythroid differentiation, to osmotic or heat shock induced transient activation of JNK/SAPK and p38 and inactivation of ERK and resulted in erythroid differentiation without Epo, whereas long exposure of the cells to these stresses induced prolonged activation/inactivation of the same kinases and caused apoptosis. Inhibition of JNK/SAPK and p38 resulted in inhibition of stress-induced erythroid differentiation and apoptosis. Inhibition of ERK had no effect on stress-induced erythroid differentiation, but stimulated apoptosis. Activation of p38 and/or JNK/SAPK for a short time caused erythroid differentiation without Epo, although its prolonged activation induced apoptosis. Activation of ERK suppressed stress-induced apoptosis. These results indicate that short cellular stresses, inducing transient activation of JNK/SAPK and p38, lead to cell differentiation rather than apoptosis. Furthermore, activation of JNK/SAPK and p38 is required for both cell differentiation and apoptosis, and the duration of their activation may determine the cell fate, cell differentiation, and apoptosis. In contrast, inactivation of ERK is required for stress-induced apoptosis but not cell differentiation.

LDL stimulates mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 expression, independent of LDL receptors, in vascular smooth muscle cells

Low density lipoprotein (LDL) is a well-established risk factor for atherosclerosis, stimulating vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) differentiation and proliferation, but the signal transduction pathways between LDL stimulation and cell proliferation are poorly understood. Because mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) play a crucial role in mediating cell growth, we studied the effect of LDL on the induction of MAPK phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) in human SMCs and found that LDL stimulated induction of MKP-1 mRNA and proteins in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Heparin, inhibiting LDL-receptor binding, did not influence LDL-stimulated MKP-1 mRNA expression, and human LDL also induced MKP-1 expression in rat SMCs and fibroblasts derived from LDL receptor-deficient mice, indicating an LDL receptor-independent process. Pretreatment of SMCs with pertussis toxin markedly inhibited LDL-induced MKP-1 expression. Depletion of protein kinase C (PKC) by phorbol 12-myristate 13 acetate or inhibition of PKC by calphostin C blocked MKP-1 induction, but the phospholipase C inhibitor U73122 had no effect. Pretreatment of SMCs with genistein or herbimycin A abrogated LDL-stimulated MKP-1 induction. The MAPK kinase inhibitor PD98059 abolished LDL-stimulated activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERKs) but not MKP-1 induction. Furthermore, constitutive expression of MKP-1 in vivo reduced LDL-induced expression of Elk-1-dependent reporter genes, and SMC lines overexpressing recombinant MKP-1 exhibited decreased ERK activities and retarded proliferation in response to LDL. Our findings demonstrate that LDL induces MKP-1 expression in SMCs via activation of PKC and tyrosine kinases, independent of LDL receptors and ERK-MAPKs, and that MKP-1 plays an important role in the regulation of LDL-initiated signal transductions leading to SMC proliferation.

Bcl-2 and Bcl-X(L) block thapsigargin-induced nitric oxide generation, c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase activity, and apoptosis

The proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-X(L) prevent apoptosis, but their mechanism of action is unclear. We examined the role of Bcl-2 and Bcl-X(L) in the regulation of cytosolic Ca(2+), nitric oxide production (NO), c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) activation, and apoptosis in Jurkat T cells. Thapsigargin (TG), an inhibitor of the endoplasmic reticulum-associated Ca(2+) ATPase, was used to disrupt Ca(2+) homeostasis. TG acutely elevated intracellular free Ca(2+) and mitochondrial Ca(2+) levels and induced NO production and apoptosis in Jurkat cells transfected with vector (JT/Neo). Buffering of this Ca(2+) response with 1, 2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid tetra(acetoxymethyl) ester (BAPTA-AM) or inhibiting NO synthase activity with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME) blocked TG-induced NO production and apoptosis in JT/Neo cells. By contrast, while TG produced comparable early changes in the Ca(2+) level (i.e., within 3 h) in Jurkat cells overexpressing Bcl-2 and Bcl-X(L) (JT/Bcl-2 or JT/Bcl-X(L)), NO production, late (36-h) Ca(2+) accumulation, and apoptosis were dramatically reduced compared to those in JT/Neo cells. Exposure of JT/Bcl-2 and JT/Bcl-X(L) cells to the NO donor, S-nitroso-N-acetylpenacillamine (SNAP) resulted in apoptosis comparable to that seen in JT/Neo cells. TG also activated the JNK pathway, which was blocked by L-NAME. Transient expression of a dominant negative mutant SEK1 (Lys-->Arg), an upstream kinase of JNK, prevented both TG-induced JNK activation and apoptosis. A dominant negative c-Jun mutant also reduced TG-induced apoptosis. Overexpression of Bcl-2 or Bcl-X(L) inhibited TG-induced loss in mitochondrial membrane potential, release of cytochrome c, and activation of caspase-3 and JNK. Inhibition of caspase-3 activation blocked TG-induced JNK activation, suggesting that JNK activation occurred downstream of caspase-3. Thus, TG-induced Ca(2+) release leads to NO generation followed by mitochondrial changes including cytochrome c release and caspase-3 activation. Caspase-3 activation leads to activation of the JNK pathway and apoptosis. In summary, Ca(2+)-dependent activation of NO production mediates apoptosis after TG exposure in JT/Neo cells. JT/Bcl-2 and JT/Bcl-X(L) cells are susceptible to NO-mediated apoptosis, but Bcl-2 and Bcl-X(L) protect the cells against TG-induced apoptosis by negatively regulating Ca(2+)-sensitive NO synthase activity or expression.

Heat-shock-induced activation of stress MAP kinase is regulated by threonine- and tyrosine-specific phosphatases

In eukaryotic species from yeast to human, stress-activated protein kinases (SAPKs), members of a MAP kinase (MAPK) subfamily, regulate the transcriptional response to various environmental stress. It is poorly understood how diverse forms of stress are sensed and transmitted to SAPKs. Here, we report the heat shock regulation of the fission yeast Spc1 SAPK, a homolog of human p38 and budding yeast Hog1p. Although osmostress and oxidative stress induce strong activation of the Wis1 MAPK kinase (MEK), which activates Spc1 through Thr-171/Tyr-173 phosphorylation, activation of Wis1 upon heat shock is relatively weak and transient. However, in heat-shocked cells, Pyp1, the major tyrosine phosphatase that dephosphorylates and inactivates Spc1, is inhibited for its interaction with Spc1, which leads to strong activation of Spc1. Subsequently, Spc1 activity is rapidly attenuated by Thr-171 dephosphorylation, whereas Tyr-173 remains phosphorylated. Thr-171 dephosphorylation is compromised in a strain lacking functional type 2C serine/threonine phosphatases (PP2C), Ptc1 and Ptc3. Moreover, Ptc1 and Ptc3 can dephosphorylate Thr-171 of Spc1 both in vivo and in vitro. These observations strongly suggest that PP2C enzymes play an important role in the attenuation of Spc1 activity in heat-shocked cells. Thus, transient activation of Spc1 upon heat shock is ensured by differential regulation of threonine and tyrosine phosphorylation.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) expression is induced by low oxygen conditions found in solid tumor microenvironments. A candidate MKP for the inactivation of hypoxia-inducible stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase activity

Pathophysiological hypoxia is an important modulator of gene expression in solid tumors and other pathologic conditions. We observed that transcriptional activation of the c-jun proto-oncogene in hypoxic tumor cells correlates with phosphorylation of the ATF2 transcription factor. This finding suggested that hypoxic signals transmitted to c-jun involve protein kinases that target AP-1 complexes (c-Jun and ATF2) that bind to its promoter region. Stress-inducible protein kinases capable of activating c-jun expression include stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (SAPK/JNK) and p38 members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) superfamily of signaling molecules. To investigate the potential role of MAPKs in the regulation of c-jun by tumor hypoxia, we focused on the activation SAPK/JNKs in SiHa human squamous carcinoma cells. Here, we describe the transient activation of SAPK/JNKs by tumor-like hypoxia, and the concurrent transcriptional activation of MKP-1, a stress-inducible member of the MAPK phosphatase (MKP) family of dual specificity protein-tyrosine phosphatases. MKP-1 antagonizes SAPK/JNK activation in response to diverse environmental stresses. Together, these findings identify MKP-1 as a hypoxia-responsive gene and suggest a critical role in the regulation of SAPK/JNK activity in the tumor microenvironment.

Deletion of the loop region of Bcl-2 completely blocks paclitaxel-induced apoptosis

At high concentrations, the tubule poison paclitaxel is able to kill cancer cells that express Bcl-2; it inhibits the antiapoptotic activity of Bcl-2 by inducing its phosphorylation. To localize the site on Bcl-2 regulated by phosphorylation, mutant forms of Bcl-2 were constructed. Mutant forms of Bcl-2 with an alteration in serine at amino acid 70 (S70A) or with deletion of a 60-aa loop region between the alpha1 and alpha2 helices (Deltaloop Bcl-2, which also deletes amino acid 70) were unable to be phosphorylated by paclitaxel treatment of MDA-MB-231 cells into which the genes for the mutant proteins were transfected. The Deltaloop mutant completely inhibited paclitaxel-induced apoptosis. In cells expressing the S70A mutant, paclitaxel induced about one-third the level of apoptosis seen with wild-type Bcl-2. To evaluate the role of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in Bcl-2 phosphorylation, the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and p38 was examined. Paclitaxel-induced apoptosis was associated with phosphorylation of Bcl-2 and activation of ERK and JNK MAPKs. If JNK activation was blocked by transfections with either a stress-activated protein kinase kinase dominant-negative (K-->R) gene (which prevents the activation of a kinase upstream of JNK) or MAPK phosphatase-1 gene (which dephosphorylates and inactivates JNK), Bcl-2 phosphorylation did not occur, and the cells were not killed by paclitaxel. By contrast, neither an ERK inhibitor (PD098059) nor p38 inhibitors (SB203580 and SB202190) had an effect on Bcl-2 phosphorylation. Thus, our data show that the antiapoptotic effects of Bcl-2 can be overcome by phosphorylation of Ser-70; forms of Bcl-2 lacking the loop region are much more effective at preventing apoptosis than wild-type Bcl-2 because they cannot be phosphorylated. JNK, but not ERK or p38 MAPK, appear to be involved in the phosphorylation of Bcl-2 induced by paclitaxel.

Activation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway by gonadotropin-releasing hormone

Previous studies have shown that interaction of GnRH with its serpentine, G protein-coupled receptor results in activation of the extracellular signal regulated protein kinase (ERK) and the Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) pathways in pituitary gonadotropes. In the present study, we examined GnRH-stimulated activation of an additional member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) superfamily, p38 MAPK GnRH treatment of alphaT3-1 cells resulted in tyrosine phosphorylation of several intracellular proteins. Separation of phosphorylated proteins by ion exchange chromatography suggested that GnRH receptor stimulation can activate the p38 MAPK pathway. Immunoprecipitation studies using a phospho-tyrosine antibody resulted in increased amounts of immunoprecipitable p38 MAPK from alphaT3-1 cells treated with GnRH. Immunoblot analysis of whole cell lysates using a phospho-specific antibody directed against dual phosphorylated p38 kinase revealed that GnRH-induced phosphorylation of p38 kinase was dose and time dependent and was correlated with increased p38 kinase activity in vitro. Activation of p38 kinase was blocked by chronic phorbol ester treatment, which depletes protein kinase C isozymes alpha and epsilon. Overexpression of p38 MAPK and an activated form of MAPK kinase 6 resulted in activation of c-jun and c-fos reporter genes, but did not alter the expression of the glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit reporter. Inhibition of p38 activity with SB203580 resulted in attenuation of GnRH-induced c-fos reporter gene expression, but was not sufficient to reduce GnRH-induced c-jun or glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit promoter activity. These studies provide evidence that the GnRH signaling pathway in alphaT3-1 cells includes protein kinase C-dependent activation of the p38 MAPK pathway. GnRH integration of c-fos promoter activity may include regulation by p38 MAPK.

Resistance to TNF-alpha cytotoxicity can be achieved through different signaling pathways in rat mesangial cells

We reported previously that Ro-318220 blocked expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and subsequently caused apopotosis in mesangial cells (Y.-L. Guo, B. Kang, and J. R. Williamson. J. Biol. Chem. 273: 10362-10366, 1998). These data support our hypothesis that a TNF-alpha-inducible phosphatase may be responsible for preventing sustained activation of c-Jun NH2-terminal protein kinase (JNK) and consequent cell death in these cells (Y.-L. Guo, K. Baysal, B. Kang, L.-J. Yang, and J. R. Williamson. J. Biol. Chem. 273: 4027-4034, 1998). In this study, we investigated the involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) in regulation of MKP-1 expression in mesangial cells together with effects on viability. Although originally characterized as a PKC inhibitor, Ro-318220 inhibited TNF-alpha-induced MKP-1 expression through a mechanism other than blocking the PKC pathway. Furthermore, inhibition of the PKC pathway neither significantly affected TNF-alpha-induced MKP-1 expression nor made cells susceptible to toxic effect of TNF-alpha. Thus PKC activation is not essential for cells to achieve the resistance to TNF-alpha cytotoxicity displayed by normal mesangial cells. However, activation of PKC by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) dramatically increased cellular resistance to the apoptotic effect of TNF-alpha. Coincidentally, PMA stimulated MKP-1 expression and suppressed JNK activation. Therefore, PMA-induced MKP-1 expression may contribute to the protective effect of PMA. These results provide a mechanistic explanation for previous documentation that PKC activation can rescue some cells from apopotosis.

Glucose or diabetes activates p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase via different pathways

Hyperglycemia can cause vascular dysfunctions by multiple factors including hyperosmolarity, oxidant formation, and protein kinase C (PKC) activation. We have characterized the effect of hyperglycemia on p38 mitogen-activated protein (p38) kinase activation, which can be induced by oxidants, hyperosmolarity, and proinflammatory cytokines, leading to apoptosis, cell growth, and gene regulation. Glucose at 16.5 mM increased p38 kinase activity in a time-dependent manner compared with 5.5 mM in rat aortic smooth muscle cells (SMC). Mannitol activated p38 kinase only at or greater than 22 mM. High glucose levels and a PKC agonist activated p38 kinase, and a PKC inhibitor, GF109203X, prevented its activation. However, p38 kinase activation by mannitol or tumor necrosis factor-alpha was not inhibited by GF109203X. Changes in PKC isoform distribution after exposure to 16.5 mM glucose in SMC suggested that both PKC-beta2 and PKC-delta isoforms were increased. Activities of p38 kinase in PKC-delta- but not PKC-beta1-overexpressed SMC were increased compared with control cells. Activation of p38 kinase was also observed and characterized in various vascular cells in culture and aorta from diabetic rats. Thus, moderate hyperglycemia can activate p38 kinase by a PKC-delta isoform-dependent pathway, but glucose at extremely elevated levels can also activate p38 kinase by hyperosmolarity via a PKC-independent pathway.

Induction of mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 by arachidonic acid in vascular smooth muscle cells

Arachidonic acid (AA) and its metabolites play important roles in a variety of biological processes, such as signal transduction, contraction, chemotaxis, and cell proliferation and differentiation. It was demonstrated recently that AA can activate mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), which are crucial for transducing signals initiating cell growth and apoptosis. Here we studied the effect of AA on the induction of MAPK phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and found that AA stimulated induction of MKP-1 mRNA and proteins in VSMCs in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Specific inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-, lipoxygenase-, and cytochrome P450-dependent metabolism did not affect AA-induced MKP-1 expression, indicating that eicosanoid biosynthesis was not involved in this process. The glutathione precursor N-acetylcysteine, an antioxidant, abolished AA-stimulated MKP-1 gene expression, whereas inhibition of protein kinase C by calphostin C had no influence on MKP-1 induction. VSMC pretreatment with genistein, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, completely blocked AA-stimulated MKP-1 induction. MAPK kinase inhibitor PD 98059 did abolish AA-stimulated activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases but not MKP-1 induction. Furthermore, agonists that increase AA release stimulated MKP-1 induction and activation of MAPKs, including extracellular signal-regulated kinases and c-Jun NH2-terminal protein kinases or stress-activated protein kinases. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that AA induced MKP-1 expression in VSMCs via activation of tyrosine kinases involving AA-induced free radical generation, suggesting an important role for MKP-1 in the regulation of AA-initiated signal transduction in VSMCs.

Regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 in vascular smooth muscle cells

Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascades are major signaling systems by which cells transduce extracellular cues into intracellular responses. In general, MAP kinases are activated by phosphorylation on tyrosine and threonine residues and inactivated by dephosphorylation. Therefore, MAP kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1), a dual-specificity protein tyrosine phosphatase that exhibits catalytic activity toward both regulatory sites on MAP kinases, is suggested to be responsible for the downregulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK), and p38 MAP kinase. In the present study, we examined the role of these MAP kinases in the induction of MKP-1 in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Extracellular stimuli such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), and angiotensin II, which activated ERK but not SAPK/p38 MAP kinase, induced a transient induction of MKP-1 mRNA and its intracellular protein. In addition, PD 098059, an antagonist of MEK (MAP kinase/ERK kinase), the upstream kinase of ERK, significantly reduced the PDGF-induced activation of ERK and potently inhibited the expression of MKP-1 after stimulation with PDGF, thereby demonstrating the induction of MKP-1 in response to activation of the ERK signaling cascade. Furthermore, anisomycin, a potent stimulus of SAPK and p38 MAP kinase, also induced MKP-1 mRNA expression. This effect of anisomycin was significantly inhibited in the presence of the p38 MAP kinase antagonist SB 203580. These data suggest the induction of MKP-1, not only after stimulation of the cell growth promoting ERK pathway but also in response to activation of stress-responsive MAP kinase signaling cascades. We suggest that this pattern of MKP-1 induction may be a negative feedback mechanism in the control of MAP kinase activity in VSMCs.

Regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 induction by insulin in vascular smooth muscle cells. Evaluation of the role of the nitric oxide signaling pathway and potential defects in hypertension

In this study, we examined the regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase (MKP-1) expression by insulin in primary vascular smooth muscle cell cultures. Insulin caused a rapid time- and dose-dependent induction of MKP-1 mRNA and protein expression. Blockade of nitric-oxide synthase (NOS) with NG-monomethyl-L-arginine acetate, and cGMP with RpcGMP, completely inhibited MKP-1 expression. Insulin-mediated MKP-1 expression was preceded by inducible NOS (iNOS) induction and cGMP production. Blockade of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) signaling with wortmannin inhibited insulin-mediated iNOS protein induction, cGMP production, and MKP-1 expression. To evaluate potential interactions between NOS and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways, we employed PD98059 and SB203580, two specific inhibitors of ERKs and p38 MAPK. These inhibitors abolished the effect of insulin on MKP-1 expression. Only PD98059 inhibited insulin-mediated iNOS protein induction. Vascular smooth muscle cells from spontaneous hypertensive rats exhibited a marked decrease in MKP-1 induction due to defects in insulin-induced iNOS expression because of reductions in PI3-kinase activity. Treatment with sodium nitroprusside and 8-bromo-cGMP restored MKP-1 mRNA expression to levels comparable with controls. We conclude that insulin-induced MKP-1 expression is mediated by PI3-kinase-initiated signals, leading to the induction of iNOS and elevated cGMP levels that stimulates MKP-1 expression.

Tumor promoter arsenite activates extracellular signal-regulated kinase through a signaling pathway mediated by epidermal growth factor receptor and Shc

Although arsenite is an established carcinogen, the mechanisms underlying its tumor-promoting properties are poorly understood. Previously, we reported that arsenite treatment leads to the activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in rat PC12 cells through a Ras-dependent pathway. To identify potential mediators of the upstream signaling cascade, we examined the tyrosine phosphorylation profile in cells exposed to arsenite. Arsenite treatment rapidly stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins in a Ras-independent manner, with a pattern similar to that seen in response to epidermal growth factor (EGF) treatment. Among these phosphorylated proteins were three isoforms of the proto-oncoprotein Shc as well as the EGF receptor (EGFR). Tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc allowed for enhanced interactions between Shc and Grb2 as identified by coimmunoprecipitation experiments. The arsenite-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc, enhancement of Shc and Grb2 interactions, and activation of ERK were all drastically reduced by treatment of cells with either the general growth factor receptor poison suramin or the EGFR-selective inhibitor tyrphostin AG1478. Down-regulation of EGFR expression through pretreatment of cells with EGF also attenuated ERK activation and Shc tyrosine phosphorylation in response to arsenite treatment. These results demonstrate that the EGFR and Shc are critical mediators in the activation of the Ras/ERK signaling cascade by arsenite and suggest that arsenite acts as a tumor promoter largely by usurping this growth factor signaling pathway.

MAP kinase phosphatase 1 is expressed and enhanced by FK506 in surviving mamillary, but not degenerating nigral neurons following axotomy

The MAP kinase phosphatase 1 (MKP-1), a dual serine-threonine phosphatase, inactivates the MAP kinases ERK and JNK/SAPK which are involved in neuronal survival and neuronal cell death following injury and degenerative stimuli. We have studied by immunocytochemistry whether regulation of MKP-1 is part of the cell-body response following nerve fiber transection. The expression of MKP-1 was investigated in axotomized neurons of the corpus mamillaris (CMm) and substantia nigra pars compacta (SNC) following transection of the mamillo-thalamic tract (MT) and the medial forebrain bundle (MFB), respectively. In contrast to the surviving CMm neurons, the vast majority of SNC neurons undergoes cell death following axotomy. MKP-1 immunoreactivity which is absent in untreated adult rats, appeared in CMm neurons 24 h following MT transection, reached a maximum after 2 days and persisted in a substantial proportion of CMm neurons until 20 days, the end of observation period. In contradistinction, MKP-1 could not be detected in the SNC neurons. MKP-1 immunoreactivity was virtually restricted to the nuclei of neurons. Subcutaneous injection of the immunosuppressant FK506 that protects axotomized SNC neurons against neuronal cell death, enhanced the expression of MKP-1 in CMm, but failed to do so in SNC neurons. The selective expression of MKP-1 in CMm is the first finding on a different regulation of components in the stress kinase signal pathway in surviving vs. degenerating axotomized neurons.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades as regulators of stress responses

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades play an important role in transducting environmental stimuli to the transcriptional machinery in the nucleus by virtue of their ability to phosphorylate and regulate the activity of various transcription factors. Originally found to be activated in response to occupancy of cell surface receptors for polypeptide hormones, cytokines, and growth factors, MAPK cascades were recently found to be activated by a variety of stresses including ischemia reperfusion, neuronal injury, osmotic shock, and exposure to UV irradiation. Therefore, MAPK cascades are likely to be important regulatory elements in a variety of stress responses.

Inhibition of the expression of mitogen-activated protein phosphatase-1 potentiates apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha in rat mesangial cells

Previously we showed that rat mesangial cells are normally resistant to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced apoptosis. They are made susceptible to the apoptotic effect of TNF-alpha when pretreated with actinomycin D, cycloheximide or vanadate. A sustained c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) activation was closely correlated with the initiation of apoptosis under these conditions. We proposed that a TNF-alpha-inducible phosphatase was responsible for preventing a sustained activation of JNK and consequent apoptosis in these cells (Guo, Y.-L., Baysal, K., Kang, B. , Yang, L.-J., and Williamson, J. R. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 4027-4034). In the present study we provide further evidence to support this hypothesis. Ro318220, although originally identified as a specific inhibitor of protein kinase C, was subsequently found to be a strong inhibitor of MKP-1 expression. In rat mesangial cells, pretreatment of the cells with Ro318220 blocked expression of MKP-1 induced by TNF-alpha. This treatment also prolonged JNK activation and caused apoptosis. Taken together, our results support the currently controversial hypothesis that the JNK pathway is involved in TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis. In addition, we provide a mechanistic explanation for how mesangial cells in primary culture achieve resistance to TNF-alpha cytotoxicity. Specifically, induction of MKP-1 by TNF-alpha appears to be responsible for protection of the cells from apoptosis by preventing a prolonged activation of JNK.

Anisomycin selectively desensitizes signalling components involved in stress kinase activation and fos and jun induction

Anisomycin, a translational inhibitor secreted by Streptomyces spp., strongly activates the stress-activated mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases JNK/SAPK (c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase) and p38/RK in mammalian cells, resulting in rapid induction of immediate-early (IE) genes in the nucleus. Here, we have characterized this response further with respect to homologous and heterologous desensitization of IE gene induction and stress kinase activation. We show that anisomycin acts exactly like a signalling agonist in eliciting highly specific and virtually complete homologous desensitization. Anisomycin desensitization of a panel of IE genes (c-fos, fosB, c-jun, junB, and junD), using epidermal growth factor (EGF), basic fibroblast growth factor, (bFGF), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), anisomycin, tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA), and UV radiation as secondary stimuli, was found to be extremely specific both with respect to the secondary stimuli and at the level of individual genes. Further, we show that anisomycin-induced homologous desensitization is caused by the fact that anisomycin no longer activates the JNK/SAPK and p38/RK MAP kinase cascades in desensitized cells. In anisomycin-desensitized cells, activation of JNK/SAPKs by UV radiation and hyperosmolarity is almost completely lost, and that of the p38/RK cascade is reduced to about 50% of the normal response. However, all other stimuli produced normal or augmented activation of these two kinase cascades in anisomycin-desensitized cells. These data show that anisomycin behaves like a true signalling agonist and suggest that the anisomycin-desensitized signalling component(s) is not involved in JNK/SAPK or p38/RK activation by EGF, bFGF, TNF-alpha, or TPA but may play a significant role in UV- and hyperosmolarity-stimulated responses.

Conditional expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1, MKP-1, is cytoprotective against UV-induced apoptosis

UV irradiation induces apoptosis in U937 human leukemic cells that is accompanied by the activation of both the stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal transduction pathways. The MAPK phosphatase, MKP-1, is capable of inactivating both SAPK and p38 MAPK in vivo. To determine whether MKP-1-mediated inhibition of SAPK and/or p38 MAPK activity provided cytoprotection against UV-induced apoptosis, a U937 cell line conditionally expressing MKP-1 from the human metallothionein IIa promoter was established. Conditional expression of MKP-1 was found to abolish UV-induced SAPK and p38 MAPK activity, and inhibit UV-induced apoptosis as judged by both morphological criteria and DNA fragmentation. MKP-1 was also found to inhibit other biochemical events associated with apoptosis, including activation of caspase-3 and the proteolytic cleavage of the caspase-3 substrate, poly(ADP ribose) polymerase. These findings demonstrate that MKP-1 acts at a site upstream of caspase activation within the apoptotic program. The cytoprotective properties of MKP-1 do not appear to be mediated by its ability to inhibit p38 MAPK because the p38 MAPK specific inhibitor SB203580 had no effect on UV-induced apoptosis in U937 cells. Furthermore, by titrating the level of MKP-1 expression it was found that MKP-1 inhibited UV-induced SAPK activity, DNA fragmentation, and caspase-3 activation in a similar dose-dependent manner. The dual-specificity phosphatase, PAC1, which does not inhibit UV-induced activation of SAPK, did not provide a similar cytoprotection against UV-induced apoptosis. These results are consistent with a model whereby MKP-1 provides cytoprotection against UV-induced apoptosis by inhibiting UV-induced SAPK activity.

A splicing variant of a death domain protein that is regulated by a mitogen-activated kinase is a substrate for c-Jun N-terminal kinase in the human central nervous system

The mitogen-activated kinase activating death domain protein (MADD) that is differentially expressed in neoplastic vs. normal cells (DENN) was identified as a substrate for c-Jun N-terminal kinase 3, the first demonstration of such an activity for this stress-activated kinase that is predominantly expressed in the brain. A splice isoform was identified that is a variant of MADD. A protein identical to MADD has been reported to be expressed differentially in neoplastic vs. normal cells and is termed "DENN." We demonstrated differential effects on DENN/MADD in a stressed vs. basal environment. Using in situ hybridization, we localized both the substrate and the kinase to large pyramidal neurons in the human hippocampus. It was interesting that, in four of four patients with neuropathologically confirmed acute hypoxic changes, we detected a unique translocation of DENN/MADD to the nucleolus. These changes were apparent only in neurons sensitive to hypoxia. Moreover, in those cells, translocation of the substrate was accompanied by nuclear translocation of JNK3. These findings place DENN/MADD and JNK in important hypoxia insult-induced intracellular signaling pathways. Our conclusions are important for future studies for understanding these stress-activated mechanisms.

Enhancement of fibroblast collagenase (matrix metalloproteinase-1) gene expression by ceramide is mediated by extracellular signal-regulated and stress-activated protein kinase pathways

Inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 trigger the ceramide signaling pathway, initiated by neutral sphingomyelinase-elicited hydrolysis of cell membrane phospholipid sphingomyelin to ceramide, a new lipid second messenger. Here, we show that triggering the ceramide pathway by sphingomyelinase or C2- and C6-ceramide enhances collagenase-1 (matrix metalloproteinase-1; MMP-1) gene expression by fibroblasts. C2-ceramide activates three distinct mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in dermal fibroblasts, i.e. extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), stress-activated protein kinase/Jun N-terminal-kinase (SAPK/JNK), and p38. Stimulation of MMP-1 promoter activity by C2-ceramide is dependent on the presence of a functional AP-1 cis-element and is entirely inhibited by overexpression of MAPK inhibitor, dual specificity phosphatase CL100 (MAPK phosphatase-1). Activation of MMP-1 promoter by C2-ceramide is also effectively inhibited by kinase-deficient forms of ERK1/2 kinase (MEK1/2) activator Raf-1, ERK1 and ERK2, SAPK/JNK activator SEK1, or SAPKbeta. In addition, ceramide-dependent induction of MMP-1 expression is potently prevented by PD 98059, a selective inhibitor of MEK1 activation, and by specific p38 inhibitor SB 203580. These results show that triggering the ceramide signaling pathway activates MMP-1 gene expression via three distinct MAPK pathways, i.e. ERK1/2, SAPK/JNK, and p38, and suggest that targeted modulation of the ceramide signaling pathway may offer a novel therapeutic approach for inhibiting collagenolytic activity, e.g. in inflammatory disorders.

Correlation between sustained c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase activation and apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha in rat mesangial cells

Rat mesangial cells are normally resistant to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced apoptosis. In this report we show that the cells can be made susceptible to the apoptotic effect of TNF-alpha when pretreated with actinomycin D, cycloheximide, or vanadate. c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) has been thought to mediate apoptotic processes elicited by some stimuli, but its involvement in TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis has been controversial. JNK activation was investigated under conditions where the mesangial cells were either resistant or susceptible to TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis. TNF-alpha alone stimulated a single transient JNK activity peak. However, when the cells were pretreated with actinomycin D or cycloheximide, TNF-alpha stimulated a second sustained JNK activity peak. When the cells were pretreated with the phosphatase inhibitor vanadate, TNF-alpha-induced JNK activation was greatly prolonged. In all three cases, a sustained JNK activation was associated with the initiation of apoptosis. Our data suggest that a sustained activation of JNK induced by these reagents may be associated with blocking the expression of a phosphatase that inactivates JNK. Further studies reveal that the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) was induced by TNF-alpha, indicating that MKP-1 may be involved in protecting the cells from apoptosis by preventing a prolonged activation of JNK under normal conditions. Additional studies showed that extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase activation stimulated by TNF-alpha was unlikely to contribute to the resistance of mesangial cells to TNF-alpha cytotoxicity.

Dopamine induces apoptosis through an oxidation-involved SAPK/JNK activation pathway

Dopamine (DA) is a neurotransmitter, but it also exerts a neurotoxic effect under certain pathological conditions, including age-related neurodegeneration such as Parkinson's disease. By using both the 293 cell line and primary neonatal rat postmitotic striatal neuron cultures, we show here that DA induces apoptosis in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Concomitant with the apoptosis, DA activates the JNK pathway, including increases in JNK activity, phosphorylation of c-Jun, and subsequent increase in c-Jun protein. This DA-induced JNK activation precedes apoptosis and is persistently sustained during the process of apoptosis. Transient expression of a dominant negative mutant SEK1(Lys --> Arg), an upstream kinase of JNK, prevents both DA-induced JNK activation and apoptosis. A dominant negative c-Jun mutant FLAGDelta169 also reduces DA-induced apoptotic cell death. Anti-oxidants N-acetylcysteine and catalase, which serve as scavengers of reactive oxygen species generated by metabolic DA oxidation, effectively block DA-induced JNK activation and subsequent apoptosis. Thus, our data suggest that DA triggers an apoptotic death program through an oxidative stress-involved JNK activation signaling pathway. Given the fact that the anti-oxidative defense system declines during aging, this molecular event may be implicated in the age-related striatal neuronal cell loss and age-related dopaminergic neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases.

Differential regulation of urokinase-type plasminogen activator expression by basic fibroblast growth factor and serum in myogenesis. Requirement of a common mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway

The broad spectrum protease urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) has been implicated in muscle regeneration in vivo as well as in myogenic proliferation and differentiation in vitro. These processes are known to be modulated by basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) and serum. We therefore investigated the mechanism(s) underlying the regulation of uPA expression by these two stimuli in proliferating and differentiating myoblasts. The expression of uPA mRNA and the activity of the uPA gene product were induced by FGF-2 and serum in proliferating myoblasts. uPA induction occurred at the level of transcription and required the uPA-PEA3/AP1 enhancer element, since deletion of this site in the full promoter abrogated induction by FGF-2 and serum. Using L6E9 skeletal myoblasts, devoid of endogenous FGF receptors, which have been engineered to express either FGF receptor-1 (FGFR1) or FGF receptor-4 (FGFR4), we have demonstrated that both receptors, known to be expressed in skeletal muscle cell precursors, were able to mediate uPA induction by FGF-2, whereas serum stimulation was FGF receptor-independent. The induction of uPA by FGF-2 and serum in FGFR1- and in FGFR4-expressing myoblasts required the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, since treatment of cells with a specific inhibitor of the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase-2 kinase, PD98059, blocked uPA promoter induction. Although FGF-2 and serum induced uPA in proliferating myoblasts, their actions on cell-cell contact-induced differentiating myoblasts differed dramatically. FGF-2, but not serum, repressed uPA expression in differentiation-committed myoblasts, and these effects were also shown to occur at the level of uPA transcription. Altogether, these results indicate a dual regulation of the uPA gene by FGF-2 and serum, which ensures uPA expression throughout the whole myogenic process in different myoblastic lineages. The effects of FGF-2 and serum on uPA expression may contribute to the proteolytic activity required during myoblast migration and fusion, as well as in muscle regeneration.

The stress inducer arsenite activates mitogen-activated protein kinases extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 via a MAPK kinase 6/p38-dependent pathway

Cell response to a wide variety of extracellular signals is mediated by either mitogenic activation of the Raf/MEK/ERK kinase cascade or stress-induced activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family members c-Jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase (JNK/SAPK) or p38. We have examined communications between these stress- and mitogen-induced signaling pathways. We show here that the stress cascade activator arsenite activates extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in addition to p38 albeit with different kinetics. Whereas p38 is an early response kinase, ERK activation occurs with delayed time kinetics at 2-4 h. We observed activation of ERK upon arsenite treatment in many different cell lines. ERK activation is strongly enhanced by overexpression of p38 and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 6 (MKK6) but is blocked by dominant negative kinase versions of p38 and MKK6 or the specific p38 inhibitor SB203580. Arsenite-induced ERK activation is mediated by Ras, Raf, and MEK but appears to be independent of de novo protein synthesis. These data provide the first evidence for a p38 dependent activation of the mitogenic kinase cascade in stress-stimulated cells.

Feedback regulation of Raf-1 and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP) kinase kinases 1 and 2 by MAP kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1)

Inactivation of growth factor-regulated mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases (ERK1 and ERK2) has been proposed to occur in part through dephosphorylation by the dual specificity MAP kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1), an immediate early gene that is induced by mitogenic signaling. In this study, we examined the effect of MKP-1 on signaling components upstream of ERK1 and ERK2. Coexpression of MKK1 or MKK2 with MKP-1 resulted in 7-10-fold activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MKK), which required the presence of regulatory serine phosphorylation sites. Endogenous MKK1 and MKK2 were also activated upon MKP-1 expression. Raf-1, a direct regulator of MKK1 and MKK2, was activated under these conditions, and a synergistic activation of MKK was observed upon coexpression of Raf-1 and MKP-1. This effect did not appear to involve synthesis of autocrine growth factors or the inhibition of basal extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activity but was inhibited by a dominant negative Ras mutant, indicating that MKP-1 enhances Ras-dependent activation of Raf-1 in a cell autonomous manner. This study demonstrates positive feedback regulation of Raf-1 and MKK by the MKP-1 immediate early gene and a potential mechanism for activating Raf-1/MKK signaling pathways alternative to those involving ERK.

The JUN kinase/stress-activated protein kinase pathway is required for epidermal growth factor stimulation of growth of human A549 lung carcinoma cells

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) plays a major role in non-small cell lung cancer cell autocrine growth and has been reported to activate the JUN kinase/stress-activated protein kinase (JNK/SAPK) pathway in model cells. Activation of JNK/SAPK leads to the phosphorylation of c-JUN protooncogene on serines 63 and 73. This mechanism is required for and cooperates in the transformation of rat embryo fibroblasts by Ha-RAS. However, the function of JNK/SAPK in human tumor growth is unknown. We have tested several lung carcinoma cell lines. All exhibited UV-C-inducible JNK/SAPK activity; two exhibited constitutive activity in low serum, and two (M103 and A549) exhibited EGF-inducible JNK/SAPK activity. In A549 cells, EGF induced a rapid and prolonged (up to 24 h) activation of the JNK/SAPK pathway that correlated with a 150-190% growth stimulation. Stably transfected clones of A549 cells expressing c-JUN(S63A,S73A), a transdominant inhibitor of c-JUN, completely blocked the EGF-stimulated proliferation effect but did not alter the basal proliferation rate. Consistent with these results JNK antisense oligonucleotides targeted to JNK1 and JNK2 entirely eliminated the EGF-stimulated JNK/SAPK activity and blocked EGF-stimulated growth but not basal growth. In contrast, specific inhibition of the RAF/ERK pathway by PD98059 (MEK1 inhibitor) completely blocked ERK activation by EGF and basal cell growth but not EGF-stimulated growth, thereby dissociating the growth-promoting roles of each pathway. Our observations indicate, for the first time, that JNK/SAPK may be a preferential effector pathway for the growth properties of EGF in A549 cells.

Nuclear hormone receptor antagonism with AP-1 by inhibition of the JNK pathway

The activity of c-Jun, the major component of the transcription factor AP-1, is potentiated by amino-terminal phosphorylation on serines 63 and 73 (Ser-63/73). This phosphorylation is mediated by the Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) and required to recruit the transcriptional coactivator CREB-binding protein (CBP). AP-1 function is antagonized by activated members of the steroid/thyroid hormone receptor superfamily. Recently, a competition for CBP has been proposed as a mechanism for this antagonism. Here we present evidence that hormone-activated nuclear receptors prevent c-Jun phosphorylation on Ser-63/73 and, consequently, AP-1 activation, by blocking the induction of the JNK signaling cascade. Consistently, nuclear receptors also antagonize other JNK-activated transcription factors such as Elk-1 and ATF-2. Interference with the JNK signaling pathway represents a novel mechanism by which nuclear hormone receptors antagonize AP-1. This mechanism is based on the blockade of the AP-1 activation step, which is a requisite to interact with CBP. In addition to acting directly on gene transcription, regulation of the JNK cascade activity constitutes an alternative mode whereby steroids and retinoids may control cell fate and conduct their pharmacological actions as immunosupressive, anti-inflammatory, and antineoplastic agents.

Activation and signal transduction via mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases in T lymphocytes

The various mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases have central roles in the signalling pathways of T lymphocytes. Their activation is uniquely dependent on dual phosphorylation of a serine/threonine and a tyrosine residue and is regulated by several levels of kinases in parallel cascades. In addition, both the MAP kinases and their upstream, activating kinases are regulated by several phosphatases. Although each of the MAP kinases have many cytoplasmic substrates, their ability to translocate to the nucleus means that they can transmit signals from the cytoplasm directly to transcription factors, which are sometimes nuclear bound. The MAP kinase cascades are activated in T lymphocytes by a variety of different external stimuli. They play an important role in transducing both the signal from T cell receptor and costimulatory molecules, on the T cell surface, and are able to regulate several of the transcription factors controlling the expression of critical genes, including that for IL-2. This review examines how the activation of several MAP kinases is regulated, their role in signal transduction initiated by a variety of stimuli, and how this may lead to different cellular responses.

Dynamic regulation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase activity in mouse brain by environmental stimuli

Activation of the recently identified c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) typically results in programmed cell death (apoptosis) in neurons and other cell types grown in culture. However, the effects of JNK activation in the central nervous system in vivo are unknown. At baseline, JNK activity in mice was on average 17-fold higher in brain than in peripheral organs, whereas JNK protein levels were similar. In brain, JNK was expressed primarily in neurons. Restraining mice or allowing them to explore a novel environment rapidly increased JNK activity 3- to 15-fold in various brain regions, but these manipulations did not increase brain activity of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase. Because noninvasive environmental stimuli that do not induce neurodegeneration elicited prominent increases in JNK activity in the brain, we conclude that acute activation of the JNK cascade in central nervous system neurons does not induce neuronal apoptosis in vivo. In contrast, the high baseline activity of JNK in the brain and the activation of the JNK cascade by environmental stimuli suggest that this kinase may play an important physiological role in neuronal function.

Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (ERK/JNK) and AP-1 transcription factor in rat carotid arteries after balloon injury

Smooth muscle cell proliferation is a key event in neointimal formation after balloon angioplasty. The molecular signals that mediate this process have yet to be identified. Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases are thought to play a pivotal role in transmitting transmembrane signals required for cell proliferation in vitro. The present studies were designed to investigate whether the signal transduction pathways of MAP kinases were involved in the development of restenosis in the injured arteries. Rat carotid arteries were isolated at various time points after balloon injury, and activities of MAP kinases, including extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), and stress activated protein kinases (SAPK)/c-Jun N-terminal protein kinases (JNK), were determined in protein extracts of the vasculature using protein kinase assay and Western blot analysis. After balloon angioplasty, ERK2 and JNK1 activities in the vessel wall increased rapidly, reached a high level in 5 minutes and maintained for 1 hour. A sustained increase in ERK2 kinase activity was observed over the next 7 days in the arterial wall and 14 days in neointima after injury. In contrast, opposite and uninjured arteries did not show significant changes in these kinase activities. Concomitantly, Western blot analysis confirmed that the ERK2 kinase in the injured vessels was indeed activated or phosphorylated, showing a slowly migrating species of a 42-kDa protein containing phosphorylated tyrosine. Kinase activation is followed by an increase in c-fos and c-jun gene expression and enhanced activator protein 1 (AP-1) DNA-binding activity. Thus, balloon injury rapidly activates the MAP kinases in rat carotid arteries. These kinase activations may be crucial in mediating smooth muscle cell proliferation in response to vascular angioplasty.

The characteristic gene expressions of MAPK phosphatases 1 and 2 in hepatocarcinogenesis, rat ascites hepatoma cells, and regenerating rat liver

mRNA levels of mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatases, MKP-1 and MKP-2, were determined during chemical hepatocarcinogenesis and during regeneration of rat liver. In chemical hepatocarcinogenesis, the mRNA levels of MKP-1 were increased in primary hepatomas but decreased in rat ascites hepatomas as compared with normal liver. MKP-2 was undetectable in normal liver but strongly expressed in hepatomas. The MKP-2 mRNA level was increased with expression of malignant phenotypes in hepatomas. In regenerating liver, the mRNA level of MKP-1 increased immediately but transiently after partial hepatectomy, and peaked again on day 10, the time when hepatocytes cease proliferation. The elevated expression of MKP-1 on day 10 suggests some roles of MKP-1 as a negative regulator in hepatocyte proliferation.

Ultraviolet light attenuates heat-inducible gene expression

Ultraviolet light (UV) induces a stress response mediated through transcription factors such as NF-kB and AP-1, yet little is known about its effect on other transactivators of stress gene expression such as heat shock factor (HSF1). Analysis of UV-treated HeLa cells unexpectedly revealed uncoupling of the heat shock response. UV weakly induced HSF1 into its DNA bound state and markedly attenuated heat-inducible gene expression. HSF1 was further analyzed as a potential target for the uncharacteristic uncoupling of the thermal stress response by another type of stress. Heat-inducible multimerization and nuclear translocation of HSF1 were found to be intact in UV-treated cells; however, the monomeric rather than the multimeric form of HSF1 become hyperphosphorylated by UV. This effect could be partially abolished by the antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine with partial reconstitution of hs gene expression. The reported role of a MAP kinase blockade of HSF1 transactivating properties could not be confirmed by an inhibitor of the MAP kinase pathway. Fibroblasts defective in SAP kinase activity also did not exhibit resistance to UV-inducible phosphorylation of HSF1. Two-dimensional phosphopeptide mapping of HSF1 revealed a single tryptic peptide to be affected by UV, but no new pattern of phosphorylation was evident relative to tryptic phosphopeptide profile observed in control cells. These data suggest that UV uncoupling of the hs response possibly involves steps in addition to those associated with phosphorylation the monomeric form of HSF1.

Conditional expression of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphatase MKP-1 preferentially inhibits p38 MAPK and stress-activated protein kinase in U937 cells

Phorbol ester tumor promoters, such as phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), are potent activators of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2), stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in U937 human leukemic cells. These kinases are regulated by the reversible dual phosphorylation of conserved threonine and tyrosine residues. The dual specificity protein phosphatase MAPK phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) has been shown to dephosphorylate and inactivate ERK2, SAPK, and p38 MAPK in transient transfection studies. Here we demonstrate that PMA treatment induces MKP-1 protein expression in U937 cells, which is detectable within 30 min with maximal levels attained after 4 h. This time course coincides with the rapid inactivation of PMA-induced SAPK activity, but not ERK2 phosphorylation, which remains elevated for up to 6 h. To examine directly the role of MKP-1 in the regulation of these protein kinases in vivo, we established a U937 cell line that conditionally expresses MKP-1 from the human metallothionein IIa promoter. Conditional expression of MKP-1 inhibited PMA-induced ERK2, SAPK, and p38 MAPK activity. By titrating the levels of MKP-1 expression from the human metallothionein IIa promoter, however, it was found that p38 MAPK and SAPK were much more sensitive to inhibition by MKP-1 than ERK2. This differential substrate specificity of MKP-1 can be functionally extended to nuclear transcriptional events in that PMA-induced c-Jun transcriptional activity was more sensitive to inhibition by MKP-1 than either Elk-1 or c-Myc. Conditional expression of MKP-1 also abolished the induction of endogenous MKP-1 protein expression in response to PMA treatment. This negative feedback regulatory mechanism is likely due to MKP-1-mediated inhibition of ERK2, as studies utilizing the MEK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 suggest that ERK2 activation is required for PMA-induced MKP-1 expression. These findings suggest that ERK2-mediated induction of MKP-1 may play an important role in preferentially attenuating signaling through the p38 MAPK and SAPK signal transduction pathways.

Induction of mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 during acute hypertension

Recently, we demonstrated that elevated blood pressure activates mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases in rat aorta. Here we provide evidence that the vascular response to acute hypertension also includes induction of MAP kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1), which has been shown to function in the dephosphorylation and inactivation of MAP kinases. Restraint or immobilization stress, which leads to a rapid rise in blood pressure, resulted in a rapid and transient induction of MKP-1 mRNA followed by elevated MKP-1 protein expression in rat aorta. That the induction of MKP-1 by restraint was due to the rise in blood pressure was supported by the finding that several different hypertensive agents (phenylephrine, vasopressin, and angiotensin II) were likewise capable of eliciting the response, and sodium nitroprusside, a nonspecific vasodilator agent that prevented the acute rise in blood pressure in response to the hypertensive agents, abrogated MKP-1 mRNA induction. The in vivo effects could not be mimicked by treatment of cultured aortic smooth muscle cells with similar doses of the hypertensive agents. These findings support a role for MKP-1 in the in vivo regulation of MAP kinase activity during hemodynamic stress.

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 phosphatase 1 inhibits the stimulation of gene expression by hypertrophic agonists in cardiac myocytes

The effect of constitutive expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphatase 1 (MKP-1) on gene expression in response to hypertrophic agonists was examined in cultured neonatal rat ventricular myocytes. Luciferase (LUX) reporter genes linked to promoters for atrial natriuretic factor, ventricular myosin light chain 2, beta-myosin heavy chain, skeletal muscle alpha-actin (SkM alpha-actin) and serum response element-regulated c-fos (c-fos-SRE) were transfected into cardiomyocytes. Phenylephrine (PE; 10 microM), phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (1 microM) and endothelin 1 (10 nM) stimulated the expression of these various reporter genes by 2. 5-20-fold. MKP-1 inhibited these effects by 60-85%. In contrast, MKP-1 had no effect on the expression of a constitutively active Rous sarcoma virus-LUX reporter gene. A catalytically inactive mutant MKP-1CS (cysteine-->serine mutation) and the broad-specificity protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP-1B) had no significant effect on any reporter gene tested. MKP-1 had much less effect on the morphological features accompanying agonist-induced cardiac hypertrophy. PE (10 microM) increased myocyte area by 59% but this effect was only decreased by one-third by MKP-1 and was also partly decreased (by 25%) by expression of PTP-1B. PE also altered cell shape but this was unaffected by MKP-1. There was also no clear effect of MKP-1 on the organization of the contractile apparatus into sarcomeric structures in the presence of 10 microM PE. We conclude that the transcriptional responses accompanying cardiac myocyte hypertrophy are dependent on an MKP-1-sensitive step, presumably the activation of one or members of the MAPK family, but that cell size, shape and myofibrillar organization are much less sensitive to inhibition by MKP-1.

Discordant activation of stress-activated protein kinases or c-Jun NH2-terminal protein kinases in tissues of heat-stressed mice

Stress-activated protein kinases (SAPK) or c-Jun NH2-terminal protein kinases (JNK) are believed to be crucial signal transducers between stress stimuli and genetic responses in mammalian cells. These kinases are activated in various types of in vitro cultured cells by heat shock, but a similar activation of SAPK/JNK in tissues in vivo has yet to be shown. In the present study, C57BL/6 mice were exposed to elevated ambient temperature for various time periods, and SAPK/JNK activities determined in protein extracts of brain, heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney using protein kinase assay and Western blot analyses. The time course and relative magnitude of the heat-induced SAPK/JNK activity differed among tissues of the same animal. Significant activation of SAPK/JNK was achieved in heart, liver, and kidney at 60 or 90 min of heat stress. This increased activity of SAPK/JNK kinases was demonstrated to result from activation or phosphorylation of existing proteins in tissues. The maximal activation of these kinases showed no direct relationship with the elevation in body temperature (38-40.5 degrees C). Interestingly, SAPK/JNK activation did not occur in lung, brain, or spleen of the same heat-stressed mouse. Although elevated body temperature (40.5 degrees C) did not result in SAPK/JNK activation in spleen and lung tissues, heat stress induced SAPK/JNK activation in cultured organs or fibroblasts derived from spleen or lung of C57BL/6 mice. Furthermore, activity and amount of SAPK/JNK proteins were the most abundant in brain among tissues examined. Thus, our findings demonstrated that heat shock-induced SAPK/JNK activation in vivo lacks much of the characteristic coordinate control of activation of cultured cell lines, and suggests that the mechanisms controlling SAPK/JNK activation are influenced by physiologic factors that cannot be studied in vitro.

MAP kinase is required for the spindle assembly checkpoint but is dispensable for the normal M phase entry and exit in Xenopus egg cell cycle extracts

In Xenopus laevis egg cell cycle extracts that mimic early embryonic cell cycles, activation of MAP kinase and MAP kinase kinase occurs in M phase, slightly behind that of maturation promoting factor. To examine the possible role of MAP kinase in the in vitro cell cycle, we depleted the extracts of MAP kinase by using anti-Xenopus MAP kinase antibody. Like in the mock-treated extracts, the periodic activation and deactivation of MPF occurred normally in the MAP kinase-depleted extracts, suggesting that MAP kinase is dispensable for the normal M phase entry and exit in vitro. It has recently been reported that microtubule depolymerization by nocodazole treatment can block exit from mitosis in the extracts if enough sperm nuclei are present, and that the addition of MAP kinase-specific phosphatase MKP-1 overcomes this spindle assembly checkpoint, suggesting the involvement of MAP kinase in the checkpoint signal transduction. We show here that the spindle assembly checkpoint mechanism cannot operate in the MAP kinase-depleted extracts. But, adding recombinant Xenopus MAP kinase to the MAP kinase-depleted extracts restored the spindle assembly checkpoint. These results indicate unambiguously that classical MAP kinase is required for the spindle assembly checkpoint in the cell cycle extracts. In addition, we show that strong activation of MAP kinase by the addition of a constitutively active MAP kinase kinase kinase in the absence of sperm nuclei and nocodazole, induced mitotic arrest in the extracts. Therefore, activation of MAP kinase alone is sufficient for inducing the mitotic arrest in vitro.

Mediation by arachidonic acid metabolites of the H2O2-induced stimulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase)

Reactive oxygen species modulate major cellular functions by mechanisms which are still poorly understood. Recently, H2O2 has been reported to stimulate the activity of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) ERK and JNK, and the expression of the proto-oncogenes c-fos and c-jun. As their expression is enhanced by H2O2 in astrocytes, we studied whether these MAPKs were stimulated by H2O2 in primary cultured astrocytes. The result was positive, a maximum of stimulation being reached with 200 microM H2O2 (0.3 pmol H2O2/cell) for both ERK and JNK. ERK was previously reported to stimulate cytosolic phospholipase A2 phosphorylation and activity. H2O2 stimulated the release of arachidonic acid in astrocytes, as already reported in other cell types. We found also that cPLA2 phosphorylation was increased by H2O2. Moreover, the stimulation by H2O2 of ERK and JNK was decreased by phospholipase A2 activity inhibitors. When astrocytes were incubated first with eicosatetraynoic acid, a structural analogue competing in arachidonic acid metabolism, the stimulation of JNK by H2O was also inhibited, suggesting the involvement of arachidonic acid metabolites. Cyclooxygenase or cytochrome P450 monooxygenase inhibitors failed in decreasing the MAPK stimulation by H2O2, whereas lipoxygenase inhibitors completely abolished that of JNK. Mitogenicity has been reported to be stimulated by H2O2 in other cell types. Although ERK was strongly and durably stimulated by 200 microM H2O2 in astrocytes, at the same extent as by mitogenic growth factors, basal thymidine incorporation rate was decreased by more than 80% after 12-15 h. Moreover, the stimulation of thymidine incorporation induced by basic fibroblast growth factor was transiently abolished by H2O2. Furthermore, H2O2 likely induced the expression of CL100/PAC1/MKP-1, a dual specificity phosphatase which has been implicated in ERK and JNK inactivation in the nucleus. Finally, the prior treatment of astrocytes with MK886, a 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein inhibitor, prevented JNK from stimulation, but did not prevent thymidine incorporation from inhibition, both induced by H2O2. These results strongly suggest an involvement of arachidonic acid and/or its metabolites in the stimulation of both ERK and JNK following the oxidative stress evoked by H2O2, which induced a cell cycle arrest probably independent of the stimulation of JNK.

c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase-mediated activation of interleukin-1beta converting enzyme/CED-3-like protease during anticancer drug-induced apoptosis

Upon treatment with various anticancer drugs, myeloid leukemia U937 cells undergo apoptosis. In this study, we found that either etoposide (VP-16) or camptothecin (CPT) activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1/stress-activated protein kinase (JNK1/SAPK), transient c-jun expression, and ICE (interleukin-1beta converting enzyme)/CED-3-like proteases in U937 cells. Phorbol ester-resistant U937 variant, UT16 cells, displayed a decreased susceptibility to apoptosis induced by these drugs. The drugs did not cause JNK1 activation, c-jun expression, nor activation of ICE/CED-3-like proteases in UT16 cells. As reported previously, benzyloxycarbonyl-Asp-CH2OC(O)-2,6-dichlorobenzene (Z-Asp), a preferential inhibitor of ICE/CED-3-like proteases, blocked the apoptosis of U937 cells. Interestingly, however, Z-Asp did not inhibit JNK1 activation in either VP-16- or CPT-treated U937 cells. The JNK1 antisense oligonucleotides diminished protein expression of JNK1 and inhibited drug-induced apoptosis of U937 cells, whereas sense control oligonucleotides did not. Consistent with this observation, the antisense oligonucleotide-treated cells did not respond to VP-16 or CPT with Z-Asp-sensitive proteases. These results indicate that JNK1 triggers the DNA damaging drug-induced apoptosis of U937 cells by activating Z-Asp-sensitive ICE/CED-3-like proteases.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatases inactivate stress-activated protein kinase pathways in vivo

The c-Jun N-terminal protein kinases (JNKs), also called stress-activated protein kinases, are members of the growing family of serine/threonine kinases in the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase superfamily. Like other MAP kinases, JNKs are activated via phosphorylation on adjacent threonine and tyrosine residues and can be inactivated by a unique family of dual specificity phosphatases, called MAP kinase phosphatases (MKPs). MKPs are encoded by immediate early genes and induced in response to environmental stressors and growth factor stimulation. Two prevalent isoforms of MKP, MKP1 and MKP2, are co-expressed in a wide variety of cell types. In this study, we examined the actions of MKP1 and MKP2 on JNK1 and JNK2. JNK1 phosphorylation and activation was inhibited by expression of both MKP1 and MKP2, although MKP1 selectivity toward JNK1 appeared significantly higher than that of MKP2. In contrast, JNK2 activity was inhibited by either phosphatase to similar degrees. Both MKP1 and MKP2 were highly effective at blocking the activation of the physiological target of JNK activation, the transcription factor c-Jun. In PC12 cells, MKP1 and MKP2 are transcriptionally induced following stimulation by nerve growth factor. In these cells, UV light-evoked JNK activation was reduced by pretreatment with nerve growth factor. Therefore, JNKs may be selective targets of MKP action in certain cells.