p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinases regulate the myogenic program at multiple steps

Mirk/Dyrk1B mediates survival during the differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts

The kinase Mirk/dyrk1B is essential for the differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts. Mirk reinforces the G0/G1 arrest state in which differentiation occurs by directly phosphorylating and stabilizing p27(Kip1) and destabilizing cyclin D1. We now demonstrate that Mirk is anti-apoptotic in myoblasts. Knockdown of endogenous Mirk by RNA interference activated caspase 3 and decreased myoblast survival by 75%, whereas transient overexpression of Mirk increased cell survival. Mirk exerts its anti-apoptotic effects during muscle differentiation at least in part through effects on the cell cycle inhibitor and pro-survival molecule p21(Cip1). Overexpression and RNA interference experiments demonstrated that Mirk phosphorylates p21 within its nuclear localization domain at Ser-153 causing a portion of the typically nuclear p21 to localize in the cytoplasm. Phosphomimetic GFP-p21-S153D was pancellular in both cycling C2C12 myoblasts and NIH3T3 cells. Endogenous Mirk in myotubes and overexpressed Mirk in NIH3T3 cells were able to cause the pancellular localization of wild-type GFP-p21 but not the nonphosphorylatable mutant GFP-p21-S153A. Translocation to the cytoplasm enables p21 to block apoptosis through inhibitory interaction with pro-apoptotic molecules. Phosphomimetic p21-S153D was more effective than wild-type p21 in blocking the activation of caspase 3. Transient expression of p21-S153D also increased myoblast viability in colony forming assays, whereas the p21-S153A mutant had no effect. This Mirk-dependent change in p21 intracellular localization is a natural part of myoblast differentiation. Endogenous p21 localized exclusively to the nuclei of proliferating myoblasts but was also found in the cytoplasm of post-mitotic multinucleated myotubes and adult human skeletal myofibers.

The p38alpha/beta MAPK functions as a molecular switch to activate the quiescent satellite cell

Somatic stem cells cycle slowly or remain quiescent until required for tissue repair and maintenance. Upon muscle injury, stem cells that lie between the muscle fiber and basal lamina (satellite cells) are activated, proliferate, and eventually differentiate to repair the damaged muscle. Satellite cells in healthy muscle are quiescent, do not express MyoD family transcription factors or cell cycle regulatory genes and are insulated from the surrounding environment. Here, we report that the p38α/β family of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) reversibly regulates the quiescent state of the skeletal muscle satellite cell. Inhibition of p38α/β MAPKs (a) promotes exit from the cell cycle, (b) prevents differentiation, and (c) insulates the cell from most external stimuli allowing the satellite cell to maintain a quiescent state. Activation of satellite cells and p38α/β MAPKs occurs concomitantly, providing further support that these MAPKs function as a molecular switch for satellite cell activation.

Myocyte enhancer factor 2 acetylation by p300 enhances its DNA binding activity, transcriptional activity, and myogenic differentiation

Myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) family proteins are key transcription factors controlling gene expression in myocytes, lymphocytes, and neurons. MEF2 proteins are known to be regulated by phosphorylation. We now provide evidence showing that MEF2C is acetylated by p300 both in vitro and in vivo. In C2C12 myogenic cells, MEF2 is preferentially acetylated in differentiating myocytes but not in undifferentiated myoblasts. Several major acetylation sites are mapped to the transactivation domain of MEF2C, some of which are fully conserved in other MEF2 members from several different species. Mutation of these lysines affects MEF2 DNA binding and transcriptional activity, as well as its synergistic effect with myogenin in myogenic conversion assays. When introduced into C2C12 myoblasts, the nonacetylatable MEF2C inhibits myogenic differentiation. Thus, in addition to phosphorylation, MEF2 activity is also critically regulated by acetylation during myogenesis.

p38 MAP kinase inhibition enables proliferation of adult mammalian cardiomyocytes

Adult mammalian cardiomyocytes are considered terminally differentiated and incapable of proliferation. Consequently, acutely injured mammalian hearts do not regenerate, they scar. Here, we show that adult mammalian cardiomyocytes can divide. One important mechanism used by mammalian cardiomyocytes to control cell cycle is p38 MAP kinase activity. p38 regulates expression of genes required for mitosis in cardiomyocytes, including cyclin A and cyclin B. p38 activity is inversely correlated with cardiac growth during development, and its overexpression blocks fetal cardiomyocyte proliferation. Activation of p38 in vivo by MKK3bE reduces BrdU incorporation in fetal cardiomyocytes by 17.6%. In contrast, cardiac-specific p38alpha knockout mice show a 92.3% increase in neonatal cardiomyocyte mitoses. Furthermore, inhibition of p38 in adult cardiomyocytes promotes cytokinesis. Finally, mitosis in adult cardiomyocytes is associated with transient dedifferentiation of the contractile apparatus. Our findings establish p38 as a key negative regulator of cardiomyocyte proliferation and indicate that adult cardiomyocytes can divide.

Phosphorylation-dependent degradation of p300 by doxorubicin-activated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in cardiac cells

p300 and CBP are general transcriptional coactivators implicated in different cellular processes, including regulation of the cell cycle, differentiation, tumorigenesis, and apoptosis. Posttranslational modifications such as phosphorylation are predicted to select a specific function of p300/CBP in these processes; however, the identification of the kinases that regulate p300/CBP activity in response to individual stimuli and the physiological significance of p300 phosphorylation have not been elucidated. Here we demonstrate that the cardiotoxic anticancer agent doxorubicin (adriamycin) induces the phosphorylation of p300 in primary neonatal cardiomyocytes. Hyperphosphorylation precedes the degradation of p300 and parallels apoptosis in response to doxorubicin. Doxorubicin-activated p38 kinases alpha and beta associate with p300 and are implicated in the phosphorylation-mediated degradation of p300, as pharmacological blockade of p38 prevents p300 degradation. p38 phosphorylates p300 in vitro at both the N and C termini of the protein, and enforced activation of p38 by the constitutively active form of its upstream kinase (MKK6EE) triggers p300 degradation. These data support the conclusion that p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase regulates p300 protein stability and function in cardiomyocytes undergoing apoptosis in response to doxorubicin.

MAPK p38 alpha is dispensable for lymphocyte development and proliferation

Signals mediated by the p38alpha MAPK have been implicated in many processes required for the development and effector functions of innate and adaptive immune responses. As mice deficient in p38alpha exhibit embryonic lethality, most analyses of p38alpha function in lymphocytes have relied on the use of pharmacologic inhibitors and dominant-negative or constitutively active transgenes. In this study, we have generated a panel of low passage p38alpha(+/+), p38alpha(+/-), and p38alpha(-/-) embryonic stem (ES) cells through the intercrossing of p38alpha(+/-) mice. These ES cells were used to generate chimeric mice by RAG-deficient blastocyst complementation, with the lymphocytes in these mice being derived entirely from the ES cells. Surprisingly, B and T cell development were indistinguishable when comparing chimeric mice generated with p38alpha(+/+), p38alpha(+/-), and p38alpha(-/-) ES cell lines. Moreover, proliferation of p38alpha(-/-) B and T cells in response to Ag receptor and non-Ag receptor stimuli was intact. Thus, p38alpha is not an essential component of signaling pathways required for robust B and T lymphocyte developmental, nor is p38alpha essential for the proliferation of mature B and T cells.

Static stretch promotes MEF2A nuclear translocation and expression of neonatal myosin heavy chain in C2C12myocytes in a calcineurin- and p38-dependent manner

Although the effects of mechanical stimuli have been studied extensively in fully differentiated skeletal muscle and have been shown to promote changes in phenotype, including altered myosin heavy chain isoform expression, the effects of a change in mechanical environment have been poorly studied at earlier stages of skeletal muscle differentiation. In particular, the early events elicited by mechanical stimuli upon differentiating myocytes have not been investigated. In the present study, the effect of static stretch on the activation of transcriptional factors MEF2A and NFATc1, which have been shown to be involved in the differentiation and phenotype regulation of skeletal muscle, have been examined. Furthermore, putative second messenger signaling pathways that could be involved in the dephosphorylation and hence activation of these factors were also examined. We have demonstrated that static stretch application produces a robust increase in p38 phosphorylation preceding MEF2A, but not NFATc1, nuclear translocation as well as deactivation of GSK-3β via its phosphorylation. Using SB-203580 and cyclosporine A drugs to inhibit both p38- or/and calcineurin-dependent signals, respectively, we have shown that MEF2A phosphorylation and subsequent nuclear translocation are regulated by p38 and calcineurin in a biphasic, time-dependent manner. Moreover, we also present evidence for another kinase that is involved in the stretch-related signal triggering MEF2A hyperphosphorylation, impairing its nuclear translocation, and that is related to p38. Finally, we have shown that static stretch application overnight promotes neonatal myosin heavy chain expression, which is inhibited by an inactivation of both p38 and calcineurin.

E47 phosphorylation by p38 MAPK promotes MyoD/E47 association and muscle-specific gene transcription

Selective recognition of the E-box sequences on muscle gene promoters by heterodimers of myogenic basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors, such as MyoD, with the ubiquitous bHLH proteins E12 and E47 is a key event in skeletal myogenesis. However, homodimers of MyoD or E47 are unable of binding to and activating muscle chromatin targets, suggesting that formation of functional MyoD/E47 heterodimers is pivotal in controlling muscle transcription. Here we show that p38 MAPK, whose activity is essential for myogenesis, regulates MyoD/E47 heterodimerization. Phosphorylation of E47 at Ser140 by p38 induces MyoD/E47 association and activation of muscle-specific transcription, while the nonphosphorylatable E47 mutant Ser140Ala fails to heterodimerize with MyoD and displays impaired myogenic potential. Moreover, inhibition of p38 activity in myocytes precludes E47 phosphorylation at Ser140, which results in reduced MyoD/E47 heterodimerization and inefficient muscle differentiation, as a consequence of the impaired binding of the transcription factors to the E regulatory regions of muscle genes. These findings identify a novel pro-myogenic role of p38 in regulating the formation of functional MyoD/E47 heterodimers that are essential for myogenesis.

Sequestration of pRb by cyclin D3 causes intranuclear reorganization of lamin A/C during muscle cell differentiation

The A-type lamins that localize in nuclear domains termed lamin speckles are reorganized and antigenically masked specifically during myoblast differentiation. This rearrangement was observed to be linked to the myogenic program as lamin speckles, stained with monoclonal antibody (mAb) LA-2H10, were reorganized in MyoD-transfected fibroblasts induced to transdifferentiate to muscle cells. In C2C12 myoblasts, speckles were reorganized early during differentiation in cyclin D3-expressing cells. Ectopic cyclin D3 induced lamin reorganization in C2C12 myoblasts but not in other cell types. Experiments with adenovirus E1A protein that can bind to and segregate the retinoblastoma protein (pRb) indicated that pRb was essential for the cyclin D3-mediated reorganization of lamin speckles. Cyclin D3-expressing myoblasts displayed site-specific reduction of pRb phosphorylation. Furthermore, disruption of lamin structures by overexpression of lamins inhibited expression of the muscle regulatory factor myogenin. Our results suggest that the reorganization of internal lamins in muscle cells is mediated by key regulators of the muscle differentiation program.

Positive regulation of myogenic bHLH factors and skeletal muscle development by the cell surface receptor CDO

Skeletal myogenesis is controlled by bHLH transcription factors of the MyoD family that, along with MEF-2 factors, comprise a positive feedback network that maintains the myogenic transcriptional program. Cell-cell contact between muscle precursors promotes myogenesis, but little is known of the underlying mechanisms. CDO, an Ig superfamily member, is a component of a cell surface receptor complex found at sites of cell-cell contact that positively regulates myogenesis in vitro. We report here that mice lacking CDO display delayed skeletal muscle development. Additionally, satellite cells from these mice differentiate defectively in vitro. CDO functions to activate myogenic bHLH factors via enhanced heterodimer formation, most likely by inducing hyperphosphorylation of E proteins. The Cdo gene is, in turn, a target of MyoD. The promyogenic effect of cell-cell contact is therefore linked to the activity of myogenic bHLH factors. Furthermore, the myogenic positive feedback network extends from the cell surface to the nucleus.

A common pathway in differentiation and inflammation: p38 mediates expression of the acute phase SIP24 iron binding lipocalin in chondrocytes

SIP24 is an acute phase iron binding lipocalin physiologically expressed in vivo in developing cartilage by prehypertrophic/hypertrophic chondrocytes. Taking advantage of the chondrocytic cell line MC615 and using SIP24 as a marker we investigated the pathways active in cartilage differentiation and inflammation. MC615 cells were cultured as: (i) proliferating prechondrogenic cells expressing type I collagen (ii) differentiated hyperconfluent cells expressing Sox9 and type II collagen. In proliferating cells the pathway PKC/ERK1, ERK2 was activated and SIP24 was not expressed while in differentiated cells the pathway p38/NF-kappaB was activated and SIP24 was expressed. Proliferating cells treated with inflammatory agents expressed a large amount of SIP24 and showed activation of p38/NF-kappaB pathway and inhibition of PKC/ERK1, ERK2 pathway indicating that in inflammation and differentiation the same factors are activated (p38, NF-kappaB) or inactivated (PKC, ERKs). Treatment of proliferating cells with the p38 specific inhibitor SB203580 inhibited the inflammation induced activation of p38 and the synthesis of SIP24. PMA treatment induced activation of PKC, inactivation of p38 and suppression of SIP24 synthesis, suggesting that PKC activation inhibits p38 activation. In differentiated hyperconfluent cells the same factors (p38/NF-kappaB/SIP24) are constitutively activated: treatment with inflammatory agents does not increase synthesis of SIP24 while treatment with SB203580 and with PMA does not repress activation of p38 nor synthesis of SIP24. We propose that the SIP24 stress related protein is expressed via p38 activation/NF-kappaB recruitment both in chondrocyte differentiation and inflammation and that a signaling pathway active in the acute phase response is physiologically activated in differentiation.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate regulates myogenic differentiation: a major role for S1P2 receptor

In this study a novel biological activity of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) in C2C12 myoblasts was identified. In these cells the bioactive lipid profoundly regulated myogenesis exerting an antimitogenic activity, by reducing serum-induced cell proliferation, and acting as powerful prodifferentiating agent by enhancing the expression of myogenic differentiation markers such as myogenin, myosin heavy chain, and caveolin-3. The S1P-dependent diminution of serum-induced labeled thymidine incorporation was abrogated by antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ODN) to S1P2, but not to S1P1 or S1P3 receptor, also expressed in C2C12 cells, implicating S1P2 in the biological response. Using antisense ODN and short interfering RNA treatment, we highlighted the key role played by S1P2 in the S1P-dependent induction of muscle-specific gene products. Notably, S1P2 overexpression increased the content of myogenic markers and hastened the onset of differentiated muscle phenotype in comparison with control cells. Cell treatment with pertussis toxin did not affect the biological responses to S1P, ruling out the involvement of Gi-mediated events in the signaling promoted by the sphingolipid. Among the various signaling pathways activated by S1P, the activation of ERK1/ERK2 and p38 MAPK, both identified as downstream effectors of S1P2, was required for the inhibition of cell proliferation and the stimulation of myogenic differentiation, respectively.

Myogenic regulatory factors: Redundant or specific functions? Lessons fromXenopus

The discovery, in the late 1980s, of the MyoD gene family of muscle transcription factors has proved to be a milestone in understanding the molecular events controlling the specification and differentiation of the muscle lineage. From gene knock-out mice experiments progressively emerged the idea that each myogenic regulatory factor (MRF) has evolved a specialized as well as a redundant role in muscle differentiation. To date, MyoD serves as a paradigm for the MRF mode of function. The features of gene regulation by MyoD support a model in which subprograms of gene expression are achieved by the combination of promoter-specific regulation of MyoD binding and MyoD-mediated binding of various ancillary proteins. This binding likely includes site-specific chromatin reorganization by means of direct or indirect interaction with remodeling enzymes. In this cascade of molecular events leading to the proper and reproducible activation of muscle gene expression, the role and mode of function of other MRFs still remains largely unclear. Recent in vivo findings using the Xenopus embryo model strongly support the concept that a single MRF can specifically control a subset of muscle genes and, thus, can be substituted by other MRFs albeit with dramatically lower efficiency. The topic of this review is to summarize the molecular data accounting for a redundant and/or specific involvement of each member of the MyoD family in myogenesis in the light of recent studies on the Xenopus model.

Inhibition of cross-bridge formation has no effect on contraction-associated phosphorylation of p38 MAPK in mouse skeletal muscle

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), in particular p38 MAPK, are phosphorylated in response to contractile activity, yet the mechanism for this is not understood. We tested the hypothesis that the force of contraction is responsible for p38 MAPK phosphorylation in skeletal muscle. Extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles isolated from adult male Swiss Webster mice were stimulated at fixed length at 10 Hz for 15 min and then subjected to Western blot analysis for the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and ERK1/2. Contralateral muscles were fixed at resting length and were not stimulated. Stimulated muscles showed a 2.5-fold increase in phosphorylated p38 MAPK relative to nonstimulated contralateral controls, and there was no change in the phosphorylation of ERK1/2. When contractile activity was inhibited with N-benzyl-p-toluene sulfonamide (BTS), a specific inhibitor of actomyosin ATPase, force production decreased in both a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Preincubation with 25, 75, and 150 microM BTS caused 78+/-4%, 97+/-0.2%, and 99+/-0.2% inhibition in contractile force, respectively, and was stable after 30 min of treatment. Fluorescence measurements demonstrated that Ca2+ cycling was minimally affected by BTS treatment. Surprisingly, BTS did not suppress the level of p38 MAPK phosphorylation in stimulated muscles. These data do not support the view that force generation per se activates p38 MAPK and suggest that other events associated with contraction must be responsible.

A MyoD-generated feed-forward circuit temporally patterns gene expression during skeletal muscle differentiation

The development and differentiation of distinct cell types is achieved through the sequential expression of subsets of genes; yet, the molecular mechanisms that temporally pattern gene expression remain largely unknown. In skeletal myogenesis, gene expression is initiated by MyoD and includes the expression of specific Mef2 isoforms and activation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Here, we show that p38 activity facilitates MyoD and Mef2 binding at a subset of late-activated promoters, and the binding of Mef2D recruits Pol II. Most importantly, expression of late-activated genes can be shifted to the early stages of differentiation by precocious activation of p38 and expression of Mef2D, demonstrating that a MyoD-mediated feed-forward circuit temporally patterns gene expression.

Comparative analysis of phosphoprotein-enriched myocyte proteomes reveals widespread alterations during differentiation

The differentiation of skeletal muscle has been associated with altered phosphorylation status of individual proteins. However, a global analysis of protein phosphorylation during myogenesis has yet to be undertaken. Here, we report the identification of over 130 putative phosphoproteins from murine C2C12 muscle cells. Cell extracts were fractionated on phosphoprotein enrichment columns and the resulting proteins were detected by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and silver stain, and identified by liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. The early differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts was found to be accompanied by changes in the phosphorylation or expression of numerous proteins including cytoskeletal, heat shock and signaling proteins, the pp32 family of nuclear phosphoproteins, several disease-associated gene products and other characterized and uncharacterized proteins.

Induction of fusion-competent myoblast-specific gene expression during myogenic differentiation of Drosophila Schneider cells by DNA double-strand breaks or replication inhibition

Differentiation of Drosophila Schneider cells caused by DNA double-strand break (DSB)-inducing topoisomerase II (topo II) inhibitors were attenuated by ICRF-193, a non-DNA-damaging topo II inhibitor. ICRF-193 did not inhibit differentiation induced by neocarzinostatin (NCS), a drug that causes DNA DSBs independent of topo II. Schneider cells differentiated upon treatment with gamma-ray. These results suggest that DNA DSBs induce myogenic differentiation of Schneider cells. We also found DNA replication inhibitors, hydroxyurea (HU), aphidicolin, and ethylmethanesulfonate (EMS) induced myogenic differentiation of Schneider cells. HU-induced differentiation was inhibited upon pretreatment of cells with chemical inhibitors of PP 1/2A, p38 MAPK, JNK, and proteasome. RT-PCR analysis revealed that the expressions of fusion-competent myoblast-specific genes lmd, sns, and del were induced in Schneider cells upon treatment with NCS or HU, whereas expressions of three founder cell-specific genes, duf, ants, and rols, were undetectable. These results indicate that the expression of fusion competent-myoblast-specific genes is induced during myogenic differentiation of Drosophila Schneider cells by DNA DSBs or replication inhibition.

Overexpression of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 6 in the heart improves functional recovery from ischemia in vitro and protects against myocardial infarction in vivo

The mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) have been the subject of many studies to identify signaling pathways that promote cell survival or death. In cultured cardiac myocytes, p38 MAPK promotes cell survival or death depending on whether it is activated by mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 6 (MKK6) or MKK3, respectively. The objectives of the current study were to examine the effects of MKK6-mediated p38 activation in the heart in vivo. Accordingly, we generated transgenic (TG) mice that overexpress wild type MKK6 in a cardiac-restricted manner. Although p38 was about 17-fold more active in TG than non-transgenic (NTG) mouse hearts, TG mouse hearts were morphologically and functionally similar to those of NTG littermates. However, upon transient ischemia followed by reperfusion, the MKK6 TG mouse hearts exhibited significantly better functional recovery and less injury than NTG mouse hearts. Because MKK6 increases levels of the protective small heat shock protein, alpha B-crystallin (alpha BC), in cultured cardiac myocytes, we examined alpha BC levels in the mouse hearts. The level of alpha BC was 2-fold higher in MKK6 TG than NTG mouse hearts. Moreover, ischemia followed by reperfusion induced a 6.4-fold increase in alpha BC levels in the mitochondrial fractions of TG mouse hearts but no increase in alpha BC levels in any of the other fractions analyzed. These alterations in alpha BC expression and localization suggest possible mechanisms of cardioprotection in MKK6 TG mouse hearts.

FHL5, a novel actin-binding protein, is highly expressed in eel gill pillar cells and responds to wall tension

Supporting evidence for the contractile nature of fish branchial pillar cells was provided by demonstrating the presence of actin fibers and a novel four-and-a-half LIM (FHL) protein in which expression is specific for contractile tissues and sensitive to the tension applied to the pillar cell. When eel gill sections were stained with rhodamine-phalloidin, a selective fluorescent probe for fibrous actin, a strong bundle-like staining was observed around collagen columns in pillar cells, suggesting the presence of abundant actin fibers. A cDNA clone encoding a novel member of the actin-binding FHL family, FHL5, was isolated from a subtracted cDNA library of eel gill. Northern analysis revealed that FHL5 mRNA is highly expressed only in gills, heart, and skeletal muscle. In gills, FHL5 was found to be confined to pillar cells by immunohistochemistry. Confocal fluorescence microscopy showed that FHL5 is present in both cytosol and nucleus; within the cytosol, a large portion of FHL5 is colocalized with the phalloidin-positive actin bundles. Furthermore, transfection of myogenic C2C12 cells with FHL5 cDNA demonstrated, in addition to its interaction with actin stress fibers, a nuclear shuttling activity of FHL5. The mRNA and protein levels were found to be elevated on 1) transfer of eels from seawater to freshwater, 2) volume expansion by infusion of isotonic dextran-saline, and 3) constriction of gill vasculature by bolus injection of endothelin-1. These results suggest contractile nature of pillar cells and a role of FHL5 in maintaining the integrity and regulating the dynamics of pillar cells.

Amphoterin stimulates myogenesis and counteracts the antimyogenic factors basic fibroblast growth factor and S100B via RAGE binding

The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), a multiligand receptor of the immunoglobulin superfamily, has been implicated in the inflammatory response, diabetic angiopathy and neuropathy, neurodegeneration, cell migration, tumor growth, neuroprotection, and neuronal differentiation. We show here that (i) RAGE is expressed in skeletal muscle tissue and its expression is developmentally regulated and (ii) RAGE engagement by amphoterin (HMGB1), a RAGE ligand, in rat L6 myoblasts results in stimulation of myogenic differentiation via activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), up-regulation of myogenin and myosin heavy chain expression, and induction of muscle creatine kinase. No such effects were detected in myoblasts transfected with a RAGE mutant lacking the transducing domain or myoblasts transfected with a constitutively inactive form of the p38 MAPK upstream kinase, MAPK kinase 6, Cdc42, or Rac-1. Moreover, amphoterin counteracted the antimyogenic activity of the Ca(2+)-modulated protein S100B, which was reported to inhibit myogenic differentiation via inactivation of p38 MAPK, and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), a known inhibitor of myogenic differentiation, in a manner that was inversely related to the S100B or bFGF concentration and directly related to the extent of RAGE expression. These data suggest that RAGE and amphoterin might play an important role in myogenesis, accelerating myogenic differentiation via Cdc42-Rac-1-MAPK kinase 6-p38 MAPK.

p38 pathway targets SWI-SNF chromatin-remodeling complex to muscle-specific loci

During skeletal myogenesis, genomic reprogramming toward terminal differentiation is achieved by recruiting chromatin-modifying enzymes to muscle-specific loci. The relative contribution of extracellular signaling cascades in targeting these enzymes to individual genes is unknown. Here we show that the differentiation-activated p38 pathway targets the SWI-SNF chromatin-remodeling complex to myogenic loci. Upon differentiation, p38 kinases were recruited to the chromatin of muscle-regulatory elements. Blockade of p38 alpha/beta repressed the transcription of muscle genes by preventing recruitment of the SWI-SNF complex at these elements without affecting chromatin binding of muscle-regulatory factors and acetyltransferases. The SWI-SNF subunit BAF60 could be phosphorylated by p38 alpha-beta in vitro, and forced activation of p38 alpha/beta in myoblasts by expression of a constitutively active MKK6 (refs. 5,6,7) promoted unscheduled SWI-SNF recruitment to the myogenin promoter. Conversely, inactivation of SWI-SNF enzymatic subunits abrogated MKK6-dependent induction of muscle gene expression. These results identify an unexpected function of differentiation-activated p38 in converting external cues into chromatin modifications at discrete loci, by selectively targeting SWI-SNF to muscle-regulatory elements.

Akt2, a novel functional link between p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathways in myogenesis

Activation of either the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase)/Akt or the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways accelerates myogenesis but only when the reciprocal pathway is functional. We therefore examined the hypothesis that cross-activation between these signaling cascades occurs to orchestrate myogenesis. We reveal a novel and reciprocal cross-talk and activation between the PI 3-kinase/Akt and p38 MAPK pathways that is essential for efficient myoblast differentiation. During myoblast differentiation, Akt kinase activity correlated with S473 but not T308 phosphorylation and occurred 24 h after p38 activation. Inhibition or activation of p38 with SB203580, dominant-negative p38, or MKK6EE regulated Akt kinase activity. Analysis of Akt isoforms revealed a specific increase in Akt2 protein levels that coincided with AktS473 phosphorylation during myogenesis and an enrichment of S473-phosphorylated Akt2. Akt2 promoter activity and protein levels were regulated by p38 activation, thus providing a mechanism for communication. Subsequent Akt activation by S473 phosphorylation was PI 3-kinase dependent and specific for Akt2 rather than Akt1. Complementary to p38-mediated transactivation of Akt, activation or inhibition of PI 3-kinase regulated p38 activity upstream of MKK6, demonstrating reciprocal communication and positive feedback characteristic of myogenic regulation. Our findings have identified novel communication between p38 MAPK and PI 3-kinase/Akt via Akt2.

p38 MAPK-induced nuclear factor-kappaB activity is required for skeletal muscle differentiation: role of interleukin-6

p38 MAPK and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) signaling pathways have been implicated in the control of skeletal myogenesis. However, although p38 is recognized as a potent activator of myoblast differentiation, the role of NF-kappaB remains controversial. Here, we show that p38 is activated only in differentiating myocytes, whereas NF-kappaB activity is present both in proliferation and differentiation stages. NF-kappaB activation was found to be dependent on p38 activity during differentiation, being NF-kappaB an effector of p38, thus providing a novel mechanism for the promyogenic effect of p38. Activation of p38 in C2C12 cells induced the activity of NF-kappaB, in a dual way: first, by reducing IkappaBalpha levels and inducing NF-kappaB-DNA binding activity and, second, by potentiating the transactivating activity of p65-NF-kappaB. Finally, we show that interleukin (IL)-6 expression is induced in C2C12 differentiating myoblasts, in a p38- and NF-kappaB-dependent manner. Interference of IL-6 mRNA reduced, whereas its overexpression increased, the extent of myogenic differentiation; moreover, addition of IL-6 was able to rescue significantly the negative effect of NF-kappaB inhibition on this process. This study provides the first evidence of a crosstalk between p38 MAPK and NF-kappaB signaling pathways during myogenesis, with IL-6 being one of the effectors of this promyogenic mechanism.

Phosphorylation of MRF4 transactivation domain by p38 mediates repression of specific myogenic genes

Skeletal myogenesis is associated with the activation of four muscle regulatory factors (MRFs): Myf5, MyoD, Myogenin and MRF4. Here we report that p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase represses the transcriptional activity of MRF4 (involved in late stages of myogenesis), resulting in downregulation of specific muscle genes. MRF4 is phosphorylated in vitro and in vivo by p38 on two serines (Ser31 and Ser42) located in the N-terminal transactivation domain, resulting in reduced MRF4-mediated transcriptional activity. In contrast, nonphosphorylatable MRF4 mutants display increased transcriptional activity and are able to advance both myoblast fusion and differentiation. We also show that expression of desmin and alpha-actin, but not muscle creatin kinase, decreased at late stages of muscle differentiation, correlating with the induction of MRF4 and p38 activation. Accordingly, inhibition of p38 during late myogenesis results in the upregulation of both desmin and alpha-actin. We propose that repression of MRF4 activity by p38 phosphorylation may represent a new mechanism for the silencing of specific muscle genes at the terminal stages of muscle differentiation.

S100B causes apoptosis in a myoblast cell line in a RAGE-independent manner

S100B, a Ca(2+)-modulated protein with both intracellular and extracellular regulatory roles, is most abundant in astrocytes, is expressed in various amounts in several non-nervous cells and is also found in normal serum. Astrocytes secrete S100B, and extracellular S100B exerts trophic and toxic effects on neurons depending on its concentration, in part by interacting with the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE). The presence of S100B in normal serum and elevation of its serum concentration in several non-nervous pathological conditions suggest that S100B-expressing cells outside the brain might release the protein and S100B might affect non-nervous cells. Recently we reported that at picomolar to nanomolar doses S100B inhibits rat L6 myoblast differentiation via inactivation of p38 kinase in a RAGE-independent manner. We show here that at >or=5 nM in the absence of and at >100 nM in the presence of serum S100B causes myoblast apoptosis via stimulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and inhibition of the pro-survival kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2, again in a RAGE-independent manner. Together with our previous data, the present results suggest that S100B might participate in the regulation of muscle development and regeneration by two independent mechanism, i.e., by inhibiting crucial steps of the myogenic program at the physiological levels found in serum and by causing elevation of ROS production and myoblast apoptosis following accumulation in serum and/or muscle extracellular space. Our data also suggest that RAGE has no role in the transduction of S100B effects on myoblasts, implying that S100B can interact with more than one receptor to affect its target cells.

Reciprocal inhibition between MyoD and STAT3 in the regulation of growth and differentiation of myoblasts

The development of myoblasts is regulated by various growth factors as well as by intrinsic muscle-specific transcriptional factors. In this study, we analyzed the roles for STAT3 in the growth and differentiation of myoblasts in terms of cell cycle regulation and interaction with MyoD using C2C12 cells. Here we found that STAT3 inhibited myogenic differentiation induced by low serum or MyoD as efficiently as the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade. As for this mechanism, we found that STAT3 not only promoted cell cycle progression through the induction of c-myc but also inhibited MyoD activities through direct interaction. STAT3 inhibited not only DNA binding activities of MyoD but also its transcriptional activities. However, the inhibited transcriptional activities were restored by the supplement of p300/CBP and PCAF, suggesting that STAT3 might deprive MyoD of these transcriptional cofactors. In addition, we found that MyoD inhibited DNA binding activities of STAT3, thereby inhibiting STAT3-dependent cell growth and survival of Ba/F3 cells. These results suggest that the development of muscle cells is regulated by the coordination of cytokine signals and intrinsic transcription factors.

Permissive roles of phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase and Akt in skeletal myocyte maturation

Skeletal muscle differentiation, maturation, and regeneration are regulated by interactions between signaling pathways activated by hormones and growth factors, and intrinsic genetic programs controlled by myogenic transcription factors, including members of the MyoD and myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) families. Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) play key roles in muscle development in the embryo, and in the maintenance and hypertrophy of mature muscle in the adult, but the precise signaling pathways responsible for these effects remain incompletely defined. To study mechanisms of IGF action in muscle, we have developed a mouse myoblast cell line termed C2BP5 that is dependent on activation of the IGF-I receptor and the phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase)-Akt pathway for initiation of differentiation. Here, we show that differentiation of C2BP5 myoblasts could be induced in the absence of IGF action by recombinant adenoviruses expressing MyoD or myogenin, but it was reversibly impaired by the PI3-kinase inhibitor LY294002. Similar results were observed using a dominant-negative version of Akt, a key downstream component of PI3-kinase signaling, and also were seen in C3H 10T1/2 fibroblasts. Inhibition of PI3-kinase did not prevent accumulation of muscle differentiation-specific proteins (myogenin, troponin T, or myosin heavy chain), did not block transcriptional activation of E-box containing muscle reporter genes by MyoD or myogenin, and did not inhibit the expression or function of endogenous MEF2C or MEF2D. An adenovirus encoding active Akt could partially restore terminal differentiation of MyoD-expressing and LY294002-treated myoblasts, but the resultant myofibers contained fewer nuclei and were smaller and thinner than normal, indicating that another PI3-kinase-stimulated pathway in addition to Akt is required for full myocyte maturation. Our results support the idea that an IGF-regulated PI3-kinase pathway functions downstream of or in parallel with MyoD, myogenin, and MEF2 in muscle development to govern the late steps of differentiation that lead to multinucleated myotubes.

Muscle regulatory factor MRF4 activates differentiation in rhabdomyosarcoma RD cells through a positive-acting C-terminal protein domain

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) has deregulated proliferation and is blocked in the differentiation program despite Myf-5, MyoD and myogenin expression. Here we show that ectopic expression of MRF4, which is not subject to an autoregulatory pathway but regulated by the other MRFs protein family, induces growth arrest and terminal differentiation in RD cells. Deletion mapping identified a positive-acting C-terminal domain in MRF4 as the mediator of transcriptional activity, revealing a conserved motif with helix III in MyoD previously found to initiate expression of endogenous skeletal muscle genes. By using chimeric MyoD/MRF4 proteins, we observe that the C-terminal motif of MRF4 rescues MyoD activity in RD cells. Moreover, comparative induction of muscle-specific genes following activation of MyoD, through the expression of a constitutively activated MKK6 either in the absence or presence of MRF4, shows that MyoD and MRF4 can differently regulate muscle genes expression. Together, these results demonstrate that the MRF4 C-terminus functions as specification as well as activation domain in tumor cells. They provide a basis to identify gene products necessary for b-HLH-mediated differentiation versus tumor progression.

TNFα suppresses link protein and type II collagen expression in chondrocytes: Role of MEK1/2 and NF-κB signaling pathways

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) inhibits matrix synthesis by chondrocytes in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis; however, the underlying signaling pathways are poorly characterized. This study investigated the TNFalpha-activated pathways regulating expression of two key components of the cartilage matrix-link protein and type II collagen. In rat articular chondrocytes, TNFalpha decreased link protein and type II collagen mRNA to undetectable levels within 48 h. Levels of link protein mRNA recovered more readily than type II collagen mRNA following removal of the cytokine. TNFalpha-mediated reduction in mRNA of both matrix molecules occurred at the level of transcription and, for link protein, mRNA stability. Turnover of type II collagen and link protein mRNA was dependent on new protein synthesis. In both prechondrocytes and articular chondrocytes, TNFalpha induced concentration-dependent activation of MEK1/2 and NF-kappaB, but not p38 or JNK. Sustained activation of NF-kappaB was observed for up to 72 h following continuous or transient exposure to TNFalpha. Using pharmacological and molecular approaches, the MEK1/2 and NF-kappaB pathways were found to mediate inhibition of type II collagen and link protein gene expression by TNFalpha. Both prechondrocytes and articular chondrocytes are targets of TNFalpha. This study identifies pathways through which TNFalpha perturbs the synthesis and organization of articular cartilage matrix during inflammation.

Inhibition of p38 MAPK signaling promotes late stages of myogenesis

Signaling through the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) is essential for cartilage formation in primary cultures of limb mesenchyme. Here we show that, concurrent with a decrease in chondrogenesis, inhibition of p38 in limb bud cultures dramatically promotes muscle development. Specifically, treatment of primary limb bud cultures with p38 inhibitors increases the expression of myogenic markers and causes a striking increase in formation of myotubes, which were detected using antibodies specific for myosin heavy chain. These results are surprising in that they contrast with several previous reports describing a requirement for p38 during myogenesis. Nonetheless, the enhanced myogenesis leads to the formation of an extensive network of contractile myofibers, and this enhanced myogenesis can be conferred upon myogenic cells from clonal populations, such as G8 or C2C12 cells, if they are co-cultured with the limb mesenchymal cells. We provide evidence for the maintenance and rapid organization of existing, somitic-derived limb myoblasts in response to p38 inhibitors. These findings imply a novel and unexpected role for p38 MAPK inhibition in myogenesis and highlight the importance of the limb bud microenvironment in promoting the progression of limb myoblasts.

S100B inhibits myogenic differentiation and myotube formation in a RAGE-independent manner

S100B is a Ca(2+)-modulated protein of the EF-hand type with both intracellular and extracellular roles. S100B, which is most abundant in the brain, has been shown to exert trophic and toxic effects on neurons depending on the concentration attained in the extracellular space. S100B is also found in normal serum, and its serum concentration increases in several nervous and nonnervous pathological conditions, suggesting that S100B-expressing cells outside the brain might release the protein and S100B might exert effects on nonnervous cells. We show here that at picomolar to nanomolar levels, S100B inhibits myogenic differentiation of rat L6 myoblasts via inactivation of p38 kinase with resulting decrease in the expression of the myogenic differentiation markers, myogenin, muscle creatine kinase, and myosin heavy chain, and reduction of myotube formation. Although myoblasts express the multiligand receptor RAGE, which has been shown to transduce S100B effects on neurons, S100B produces identical effects on myoblasts overexpressing either full-length RAGE or RAGE lacking the transducing domain. This suggests that S100B affects myoblasts by interacting with another receptor and that RAGE is not the only receptor for S100B. Our data suggest that S100B might participate in the regulation of muscle development and regeneration by inhibiting crucial steps of the myogenic program in a RAGE-independent manner.

ERK6 is expressed in a developmentally regulated manner in rodent skeletal muscle

Rat ERK6, also known as SAPK3 and p38gamma, exhibits a distinct pattern of expression during muscle development in vitro and in vivo. Levels of mRNA transcript and protein abundance for ERK6 are increased during the differentiation of 2 rodent myoblast cell lines in culture. This is in contrast to the expression of other MAP kinase family members, namely p42/p44 MAPK and p38 MAPK, whose expression does not change during myogenesis. Similar results are observed in vivo where ERK6 mRNA levels increase with post-natal development in rat hindlimb mixed muscle samples. These results delineate a distinct pattern of ERK6 expression in mature skeletal muscle cells and suggest a specific role for ERK6 in muscle development or muscle function.

The mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade promotes myoblast cell survival by stabilizing the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, p21WAF1 protein

During myogenesis, proliferating myoblasts withdraw from the cell cycle and are either eliminated by programmed cell death or differentiate into mature myotubes. Previous studies indicate that mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity is significantly induced with the onset of terminal differentiation of C2 myoblasts. We have investigated the part played by the MAPK pathway in the differentiation of C2 myoblasts. Specific activation of MAPK by expression of an active Raf1-estrogen receptor chimera protein reduced significantly the number of myoblasts undergoing programmed cell death in the differentiation medium. Activation of Raf1 prevented the proteolytic activation of the proapoptotic caspase 9-protein during differentiation. The antiapoptotic function of Raf1 correlated with accumulation of the p21WAF1 protein resulting from its increased stability. Antisense expression of p21 was used to determine whether the p21WAF1 protein mediated the antiapoptotic activity of Raf1. Reduction of p21WAF1 protein in muscle cells abolished the antiapoptotic activity of the MAPK pathway. We conclude that MAPK contributes to muscle differentiation by preventing apoptotic cell death of differentiating myoblasts and that this activity is mediated by stabilization of the p21WAF1 protein.

Myogenic differentiation of Drosophila Schneider cells by DNA double-strand break-inducing drugs

Drosophila melanogaster has been widely used as a model organism to study various aspects of development. Apart from the whole Drosophila embryo, there are a number of cultured cell lines derived from Drosophila embryo that have also been used for elucidating various aspects of development. Drosophila Schneider line 2 cells were derived from the late stages of the embryo (Schneider, 1972). We found that the Schneider cells undergo myogenic differentiation upon treatment with neocarzinostatin (NCS), DNA double-strand break (DSB)-inducing drug, as indicated by elongated morphology, myosin heavy chain protein expression, multinucleation and exit from the cell cycle. No induction of differentiation was observed when cell proliferation was inhibited with drugs that do not cause DNA DSBs. Pre-treatment of Schneider cells with inhibitors of PKC, PP 1/2A, p38 MAPK, JNK and proteasomes resulted in the inhibition of morphological differentiation induced by NCS. These results indicate that DNA DSBs can turn on the myogenic program in Drosophila Schneider cells and the process is dependent on PK C-, PP 1/2A-, p38 MAPK-, and JNK- mediated signaling and proteasomal activity. The molting hormone, 20-hydroxyecdysone (20-HE), also showed an anti-myogenic effect on the process. This is the first report of insect cells undergoing differentiation by DNA DSB-inducing drugs as far as we know, and it provides a very useful and convenient in vitro system to study various aspects of Drosophila myogenesis.

Activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase is required for osteoblast differentiation

p38 MAPK is a conserved subfamily of MAPKs involved in inflammatory response, stress response, cell growth and survival, as well as differentiation of a variety of cell types. In this report we demonstrated that p38 MAPK played an important role in osteoblast differentiation using primary calvarial osteoblast, bone marrow osteoprecursor culture, and a murine cell line, MC3T3-E1. We found that p38 MAPK was activated as calvarial osteoblast differentiates along with extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs). When p38 MAPK is inhibited with a specific inhibitor, the expression of differentiation markers, such as alkaline phosphatase and mineral deposition, were significantly reduced. MC3T3-E1 cells expressing dominant negative p38 MAPK also displayed signs of delay in ALP and mineral deposition. Differentiation of the bone marrow osteoprecursors was also impeded by the p38 MAPK inhibitor, justified by the same markers. Yet the inhibitory effects observed in calvarial osteoblasts and bone marrow osteoprogenitor cells could be partially prevailed by bone morphogenetic protein-2. Inhibition of ERKs with a specific drug did not significantly affect osteoblast differentiation even though ERK1/2 were also activated during osteoblast differentiation. These results taken together indicate that p38 MAPK, but not ERKs, is necessary for osteoblast differentiation.

Phosphorylation motifs regulating the stability and function of myocyte enhancer factor 2A

The phosphorylation status of the myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) transcriptional regulator is a critical determinant of its tissue-specific functions. However, due to the complexity of its phosphorylation pattern in vivo, a systematic inventory of MEF2A phosphorylation sites in mammalian cells has been difficult to obtain. We employed modern affinity purification techniques, combined with mass spectrometry, to identify several novel MEF2 phosphoacceptor sites. These include an evolutionarily conserved KSP motif, which we show is important in regulating the stability and function of MEF2A. Also, an indirect pathway in which a protein kinase casein kinase 2 phosphoacceptor site is phosphorylated by activation of p38 MAPK signaling was documented. Together, these findings identify several novel aspects of MEF2 regulation that may prove important in the control of gene expression in neuronal and muscle cells.

Regulation of C2C12 myogenic terminal differentiation by MKK3/p38alpha pathway

The signal transduction pathways connecting cell surface receptors to the activation of muscle-specific promoters and leading to myogenesis are still largely unknown. Recently, a contribution of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway to this process was evoked through the use of pharmacological inhibitors. We used several mutants of the kinases composing this pathway to modulate the activity of the muscle-specific myosin light chain and myogenin promoters in C2C12 cells by transient transfections. In addition, we show for the first time, using a stable C2C12 cell line expressing a dominant-negative form of the p38 activator MAPK kinase (MKK)3, that a functional p38 MAPK pathway is indeed required for terminal muscle cell differentiation. The most obvious phenotype of this cell line, besides the inhibition of the activation of p38, is its inability to undergo terminal differentiation. This phenotype is accompanied by a drastic inhibition of cell cycle and myogenesis markers such as p21, p27, MyoD, and troponin T, as well as a profound disorganization of the cytoskeleton.

Serum response factor plays an important role in the mechanically overloaded plantaris muscle of rats

Molecular signaling pathways linking the hypertrophy after mechanical overloading in vivo have not been identified. Using western blot analysis, immunoprecipitation, and immunohistochemistry, we investigated the effect of the mechanical overloading state on RhoA, serum response factor (SRF), and MyoD in the rat plantaris muscle. Adult male rats (10 weeks of age) were used in this experiment. Compensatory enlargement of the plantaris muscle was induced in one leg of each rat by surgical removal of the ipsilateral soleus and gastrocnemius muscles. In the normal plantaris muscle of rats, slight expression of RhoA and SRF was observed in the quiescent satellite cells possessing CD34 and c-Met. Western blotting using the homogenate of whole muscle clearly showed that mechanical overloading of the plantaris muscle significantly increased the amount of RhoA during 3-6 days postsurgery. Threonine phosphorylation of SRF occurred at 2-4 h after mechanical overloading. The most marked increase in SRF protein was observed in the hypertrophied muscle at 6 days postsurgery. At 2 days postoperation, SRF immunoreactivity was not detected in the proliferating satellite cells possessing bromodeoxyuridine and in the infiltrating macrophages expressing ED1 in the overloaded muscle by surgical removal. The SRF protein was colocalized with RhoA, FAK, and myogenin but not Myf-5 in many mononuclear cells at 6 days of functional overload. At this time, MyoD immunoreactivity was detected in the cytoplasm of mononuclear cells (possibly satellite cell-derived myoblasts) possessing SRF protein at the nucleus. These results suggest that the signaling pathway through RhoA-FAK-SRF is important to the differentiation of satellite cells by interacting MyoD and myogenin in the hypertrophied muscle of rats.

Stretch enhances contraction of bovine coronary arteries via an NAD(P)H oxidase-mediated activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade

This study examines the effects of an increase in passive stretch in endothelium-removed bovine coronary artery on oxidant-induced changes in force generation. Increasing passive stretch on the arterial segments from 5 to 20 g for 20 minutes caused a subsequent increase (P<0.05) in force generation to 30 mmol/L KCl or 0.1 micromol/L serotonin compared with the prestretch control response. Also associated with the passive stretch were increases in superoxide detection by lucigenin and a selective increase in extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase phosphorylation measured by Western analysis. The stretch-induced increase in force generation was eliminated by inhibition of the ERK pathway by the MEK inhibitor PD98059 but not by inhibitors of the p38 MAP kinase pathway (SB202190) or c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase pathway (SP200169). Additionally, stretch-induced increases in both ERK phosphorylation and force generation were attenuated by inhibition of tyrosine kinases (genistein), src (PP2), and specific sites on the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) (AG1478). Probes for oxidant signaling, including NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitors (diphenyliodonium and apocynin) or enhancement of peroxide consumption (ebselen) but not inhibition of xanthine oxidase (allopurinol), attenuated the effects of stretch on both ERK phosphorylation and force generation. Furthermore, stretch caused an increase in EGFR phosphorylation and cytosolic to membrane translocation of the p47phox NAD(P)H oxidase subunit. Hydrogen peroxide also elicited contraction through EGFR phosphorylation and ERK. In summary, stretch seems to enhance force generation via ERK signaling through an EGFR/src-dependent mechanism activated by peroxide derived from a stretch-mediated activation of the NAD(P)H oxidase, a response that may contribute to hypertensive alterations in vascular reactivity.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase in Pfiesteria piscicida and its growth rate-related expression

A full-length cDNA (1,434 bp) of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), a key molecule of a signal transduction cascade, was isolated from the estuarine heterotrophic dinoflagellate Pfiesteria piscicida. This cDNA (Ppmapk1) encoded a protein (PpMAPK1) of 428 amino acid residues that shared about 30 to 40% amino acid similarity with MAPKs in other organisms. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that PpMAPK1 was tightly clustered with MAPK3 in protozoans. Using reverse transcription-PCR, expression of this gene was evaluated for P. piscicida cultures grown under different conditions. While salinity shock, heat shock, starvation, and a subsequent encounter with prey did not appear to affect expression of this gene, Ppmapk1 expression level was correlated with growth rate, suggesting involvement of this gene in the regulation of cell proliferation in the organism.

Intracellular calcium and myosin isoform transitions. Calcineurin and calcium-calmodulin kinase pathways regulate preferential activation of the IIa myosin heavy chain promoter

Intracellular calcium levels can have profound effects on muscle biology via alterations in gene expression. In particular, intracellular calcium levels increase during muscle activation and are thought to underlie fast-to-slow shifts in muscle gene expression. In the present work, we determined that increased intracellular calcium has a significant effect on the activity of the adult fast myosin heavy chain (MyHC) promoters in the order of MyHC IIa>> IId/x > IIb. We have identified the pathways by which the calcium signal mediates increased activation of the MyHC IIa promoter. Inhibition of calcineurin or calcium-calmodulin kinase greatly attenuates ionophore-induced activation of the MyHC IIa promoter, whereas protein kinase C inhibitors have no effect. Inhibition and overexpression studies with members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family reveal roles for MEK1/MEK2 and MEKK1, but not p38 or phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Downstream mediators of these effects are the activities of the MEF-2 and NFAT transcription factors, whose binding sites in the MyHC IIa promoter are required for calcium-induced activation of the MyHC IIa promoter.

Activation of p38 MAPK induces cell cycle arrest via inhibition of Raf/ERK pathway during muscle differentiation

Cell cycle arrest is essential for initiation of muscle differentiation in myoblasts. Given the previously described essential role for p38 MAPK in myogenesis, we undertook the present study to investigate the role of p38 MAPK in the cell cycle arrest that initiates muscle differentiation. p38 MAPK activity increased during, and was required for, muscle differentiation. Inhibition of p38 MAPK stimulated Raf and ERK activities, and induced cell proliferation in differentiation medium. The concomitant inhibition of p38 MAPK and ERK, however, failed to induce differentiation or proliferation. In conclusion, inhibition of the Raf/ERK pathway and the consequent cell cycle arrest is one of the major functions of p38 MAPK during muscle differentiation.

Induction of terminal differentiation by the c-Jun dimerization protein JDP2 in C2 myoblasts and rhabdomyosarcoma cells

Muscle cell differentiation is a result of a complex interplay between transcription factors and cell signaling proteins. Proliferating myoblasts must exit from the cell cycle prior to their differentiation. The muscle regulatory factor and myocyte enhancer factor-2 protein families play a major role in promoting muscle cell differentiation. Conversely, members of the AP-1 family of transcription factors that promote cell proliferation antagonize muscle cell differentiation. Here we tested the role of the c-Jun dimerization protein JDP2 in muscle cell differentiation. Endogenous expression of JDP2 was induced in both C2C12 myoblast and rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells programmed to differentiate. Ectopic expression of JDP2 in C2C12 myoblast cells inhibited cell cycle progression and induced spontaneous muscle cell differentiation. Likewise, constitutive expression of JDP2 in RD cells reduced their tumorigenic characteristics and restored their ability to differentiate into myotubes. JDP2 potentiated and synergized with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate to induce muscle cell differentiation of RD cells. In addition, JDP2 induced p38 activity in both C2 and RD cells programmed to differentiate. This is the first demonstration of a single transcription factor that rescues the myogenic program in an otherwise non-differentiating cancer cell line. Our results indicate that the JDP2 protein plays a major role in promoting skeletal muscle differentiation via its involvement in cell cycle arrest and activation of the myogenic program.

In the cellular garden of forking paths: how p38 MAPKs signal for downstream assistance

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are evolutionarily conserved enzymes which connect cell-surface receptors to regulatory targets within cells and convert receptor signals into various outputs. In mammalian cells, four distinct MAPKs have been identified: the extracellular signal-related kinases (ERK)-1/2, the c-jun N-terminal kinases or stress-activated protein kinases 1 (JNK1/2/3, or SAPK1s), the p38 MAPKs (p38 alpha/beta/gamma/delta, or SAPK2s), and the ERK5 or big MAP kinase 1 (BMK1). The p38 MAPK cascade is activated by stress or cytokines and leads to phosphorylation of its central elements, the p38 MAPKs. Downstream of p38 MAPKs there is a diversification and extensive branching of signalling pathways. For that reason, we will focus in this review on the different signalling events that are triggered by p38 activity, and analyse how these events contribute to specific gene expression and cellular responses.

Cell condition-dependent regulation of ERK5 by cAMP

ERK5 activity is increased by agents known to activate receptor tyrosine kinases, G-protein coupled receptors, and stress response pathways. We now find a role for cAMP in the regulation of ERK5. ERK5 is activated by forskolin, isoproterenol, and epinephrine in NIH3T3 cells and C2C12 myoblasts. ERK1/2 are also activated by cAMP in NIH3T3 cells, but not in C2C12 myoblasts, demonstrating differential regulation of ERK5 and ERK1/2 by cAMP. We examined the effect of cell context on activation of ERK5 and discovered ERK5 activity is inhibited, rather than activated, by cAMP in confluent, serum-deprived NIH3T3 cells and C2C12 myoblasts. Our results suggest that regulation of MAP kinase pathways by cAMP is not only dictated by cell type, but also by cell context.

PKCalpha-mediated ERK, JNK and p38 activation regulates the myogenic program in human rhabdomyosarcoma cells

We have previously suggested that PKCalpha has a role in 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-mediated growth arrest and myogenic differentiation in human embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma cells (RD). Here, by monitoring the signalling pathways triggered by TPA, we demonstrate that PKCalpha mediates these effects by inducing transient activation of c-Jun N-terminal protein kinases (JNKs) and sustained activation of both p38 kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) (all referred to as MAPKs). Activation of MAPKs following ectopic expression of constitutively active PKCalpha, but not its dominant-negative form, is also demonstrated. We investigated the selective contribution of MAPKs to growth arrest and myogenic differentiation by monitoring the activation of MAPK pathways, as well as by dissecting MAPK pathways using MEK1/2 inhibitor (UO126), p38 inhibitor (SB203580) and JNK and p38 agonist (anisomycin) treatments. Growth-arresting signals are triggered either by transient and sustained JNK activation (by TPA and anisomycin, respectively) or by preventing both ERK and JNK activation (UO126) and are maintained, rather than induced, by p38. We therefore suggest a key role for JNK in controlling ERK-mediated mitogenic activity. Notably, sarcomeric myosin expression is induced by both TPA and UO126 but is abrogated by the p38 inhibitor. This finding indicates a pivotal role for p38 in controlling the myogenic program. Anisomycin persistently activates p38 and JNKs but prevents myosin expression induced by TPA. In accordance with this negative role, reactivation of JNKs by anisomycin, in UO126-pre-treated cells, also prevents myosin expression. This indicates that, unlike the transient JNK activation that occurs in the TPA-mediated myogenic process, long-lasting JNK activation supports the growth-arrest state but antagonises p38-mediated myosin expression. Lastly, our results with the MEK inhibitor suggest a key role of the ERK pathway in regulating myogenic-related morphology in differentiated RD cells.

N-cadherin-dependent cell-cell contact regulates Rho GTPases and beta-catenin localization in mouse C2C12 myoblasts

N-cadherin, a member of the Ca(2+)-dependent cell-cell adhesion molecule family, plays an essential role in skeletal muscle cell differentiation. We show that inhibition of N-cadherin-dependent adhesion impairs the upregulation of the two cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p21 and p27, the expression of the muscle-specific genes myogenin and troponin T, and C2C12 myoblast fusion. To determine the nature of N-cadherin-mediated signals involved in myogenesis, we investigated whether N-cadherin-dependent adhesion regulates the activity of Rac1, Cdc42Hs, and RhoA. N-cadherin-dependent adhesion decreases Rac1 and Cdc42Hs activity, and as a consequence, c-jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) MAPK activity but not that of the p38 MAPK pathway. On the other hand, N-cadherin-mediated adhesion increases RhoA activity and activates three skeletal muscle-specific promoters. Furthermore, RhoA activity is required for beta-catenin accumulation at cell-cell contact sites. We propose that cell-cell contacts formed via N-cadherin trigger signaling events that promote the commitment to myogenesis through the positive regulation of RhoA and negative regulation of Rac1, Cdc42Hs, and JNK activities.

Subtype specific roles of mitogen activated protein kinases in L6E9 skeletal muscle cell differentiation

Role of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK) in skeletal muscle differentiation is not fully understood. We investigated subtype-specific functions and their interactions, if any, in the regulation of myogenic differentiation in L6E9 skeletal muscle cells. We show inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1 and -2 (ERK-1/-2) and activation of p38 MAP kinase during the differentiation of L6E9 rat skeletal muscle cells under low serum condition. Inhibition of ERK-1/-2 activity dramatically enhanced differentiation as was evident from cellular morphology, expression of muscle differentiation specific marker proteins, suggesting that ERK-1/-2 activation may be inhibitory to initiation and progression of differentiation. In contrast, inhibition of p38 MAP kinase completely prevented differentiation; meaning p38 activation is required from the initiation till terminal differentiation of L6E9 cells. Moreover, inhibition of ERK-1/-2 activities enhanced the activation of p38 MAP kinase that resulted in enhancement of differentiation; whereas inhibition of p38 MAP kinase activity enhanced the ERK-1/-2 activities culminating in abrogation of differentiation. We conclude that ERK-1/-2 andp38 MAPkinase cascades oppositelyregulate each other's function(s) thereby regulating L6E9 skeletal muscle differentiation.

Caspase 3 activity is required for skeletal muscle differentiation

The cellular alterations associated with skeletal muscle differentiation share a high degree of similarity with key phenotypic changes usually ascribed to apoptosis. For example, actin fiber disassembly/reorganization is a conserved feature of both apoptosis and differentiating myoblasts and the conserved muscle contractile protein, myosin light chain kinase, is required for the apoptotic feature of membrane blebbing. As such, these observations suggest that the induction of differentiation and apoptosis in the myogenic lineage may use overlapping cellular mechanisms. Here, we report that skeletal muscle differentiation depends on the activity of the key apoptotic protease, caspase 3. Peptide inhibition of caspase 3 activity or homologous deletion of caspase 3 leads to dramatic reduction in both myotube/myofiber formation and expression of muscle-specific proteins. Subsequently, we have identified Mammalian Sterile Twenty-like kinase as a crucial caspase 3 effector in this cellular process. Mammalian Sterile Twenty-like kinase is cleavage-activated by caspase 3, and restoration of this truncated kinase in caspase 3 null myoblasts restores the differentiation phenotype. Taken together, these results confirm a unique and unanticipated role for a caspase 3-mediated signal cascade in the promotion of myogenesis.