Signaling in new directions

A novel view on the mechanisms of action of insulin and other insulin superfamily peptides: involvement of adenylyl cyclase signaling system

A new signaling mechanism common to mammalian insulin, insulin-like growth factor I, relaxin and mollusc insulin-like peptide, and involving receptor-tyrosine kinase==>G(i) protein (betagamma)==>phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase==>protein kinase Czeta==>adenylyl cyclase==>protein kinase A was discovered in the muscles and some other tissues of vertebrates and invertebrates. The authors' data were used to reconsider the problem of participation of the adenylyl cyclase-cAMP system in the regulatory effects of insulin superfamily peptides. A hypothesis has been put forward according to which the adenylyl cyclase signaling mechanism producing cAMP has a triple co-ordinating role in the regulatory action of insulin superfamily peptides on the main cell processes, inducing the mitogenic and antiapoptotic effects and inhibitory influence on some metabolic effects of the peptides. It is suggested that cAMP is a key regulator responsible for choosing the transduction pathway by concerted launching of one (proliferative) program and switching off (suppression) of two others, which lead to cell death and to the predomination of anabolic processes in a cell. The original data obtained give grounds to conclude that the adenylyl cyclase signaling system is a mechanism of signal transduction not only of hormones with serpentine receptors, but also of those with receptors of the tyrosine kinase type (insulin superfamily peptides and some growth factors).

Differential activation by cytokines of mitogen-activated protein kinases in bovine temporomandibular-joint disc cells

Temporomandibular disorders affect a significant proportion of the population. While their aetiology is not well defined, recent histological studies suggest that the majority are similar to the osteoarthritis seen in other joints. Inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha appear to be important in the cascade of events leading to joint destruction in osteoarthritis. Here, cells from the disc of bovine temporomandibular joint were used to examine the response to various cytokines in vitro. Disc cells were stimulated with interleukin-1alpha, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, transforming growth factor-beta, platelet-derived growth factor, and basic fibroblast growth factor. Their effects were monitored by assessing the phosphorylation of selected signal-transduction intermediates using western blot. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (Erk 1, Erk 2) were rapidly phosphorylated by exposure to basic fibroblast growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, and tumour necrosis factor-alpha, while interleukin-1alpha showed a weak response. Transforming growth factor-beta failed to activate these kinases. Examination of the effect of these cytokines on p38 (an intermediate in the stress-activated protein-kinase pathway) showed an increase in phosphorylated p38 when stimulated with tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1alpha. The amounts of phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 did not significantly increase when the cells were exposed to any of the cytokines.