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Dahm K, Vijayarangakannan P, Wollscheid HP, Schild H, Rajalingam K. Atypical MAPKs in cancer. FEBS J 2024. [PMID: 39348153 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 09/10/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024]
Abstract
Impaired kinase signalling leads to various diseases, including cancer. At the same time, kinases make up the majority of the druggable genome and targeting kinase activity has proven to be a successful first-line therapy for many cancers. Among the best-studied kinases are the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), which regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, motility, and survival. However, the MAPK family also contains the atypical members ERK3 (MAPK6), ERK4 (MAPK4), ERK7/ERK8 (MAPK15), and NLK that are functionally and structurally different from their conventional family members and have long been neglected. Nevertheless, in recent years, important roles in carcinogenesis, actin cytoskeleton regulation and the immune system have been discovered, underlining the physiological importance of atypical MAPKs and the need to better understand their functions. This review highlights the distinctive features of the atypical MAPKs and summarizes the evidence on their regulation, physiological roles, and potential targeting strategies for cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Dahm
- Cell Biology Unit, University Medical Center Mainz, JGU-Mainz, Germany
| | | | | | - Hansjörg Schild
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Mainz, JGU-Mainz, Germany
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Franci L, Vallini G, Bertolino FM, Cicaloni V, Inzalaco G, Cicogni M, Tinti L, Calabrese L, Barone V, Salvini L, Rubegni P, Galvagni F, Chiariello M. MAPK15 controls cellular responses to oxidative stress by regulating NRF2 activity and expression of its downstream target genes. Redox Biol 2024; 72:103131. [PMID: 38555711 PMCID: PMC10998232 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2024.103131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Oxidation processes in mitochondria and different environmental insults contribute to unwarranted accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These, in turn, rapidly damage intracellular lipids, proteins, and DNA, ultimately causing aging and several human diseases. Cells have developed different and very effective systems to control ROS levels. Among these, removal of excessive amounts is guaranteed by upregulated expression of various antioxidant enzymes, through activation of the NF-E2-Related Factor 2 (NRF2) protein. Here, we show that Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase 15 (MAPK15) controls the transactivating potential of NRF2 and, in turn, the expression of its downstream target genes. Specifically, upon oxidative stress, MAPK15 is necessary to increase NRF2 expression and nuclear translocation, by inducing its activating phosphorylation, ultimately supporting transactivation of cytoprotective antioxidant genes. Lungs are continuously exposed to oxidative damages induced by environmental insults such as air pollutants and cigarette smoke. Interestingly, we demonstrate that MAPK15 is very effective in supporting NRF2-dependent antioxidant transcriptional response to cigarette smoke of epithelial lung cells. Oxidative damage induced by cigarette smoke indeed represents a leading cause of disability and death worldwide by contributing to the pathogenesis of different chronic respiratory diseases and lung cancer. Therefore, the development of novel therapeutic strategies able to modulate cellular responses to oxidative stress would be highly beneficial. Our data contribute to the necessary understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind such responses and identify new potentially actionable targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Franci
- Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica (IFC), Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (CNR), Siena, Italy; Core Research Laboratory (CRL), Istituto per lo Studio, la Prevenzione e la Rete Oncologica (ISPRO), Siena, Italy.
| | - Giulia Vallini
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; Section of Dermatology, Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurological Science, University of Siena, Italy.
| | - Franca Maria Bertolino
- Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica (IFC), Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (CNR), Siena, Italy; Core Research Laboratory (CRL), Istituto per lo Studio, la Prevenzione e la Rete Oncologica (ISPRO), Siena, Italy; Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
| | | | - Giovanni Inzalaco
- Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica (IFC), Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (CNR), Siena, Italy; Core Research Laboratory (CRL), Istituto per lo Studio, la Prevenzione e la Rete Oncologica (ISPRO), Siena, Italy; Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
| | | | - Laura Tinti
- Toscana Life Sciences Foundation, Siena, Italy.
| | - Laura Calabrese
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurological Science, University of Siena, Italy.
| | - Virginia Barone
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
| | | | - Pietro Rubegni
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurological Science, University of Siena, Italy.
| | - Federico Galvagni
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Italy.
| | - Mario Chiariello
- Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica (IFC), Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (CNR), Siena, Italy; Core Research Laboratory (CRL), Istituto per lo Studio, la Prevenzione e la Rete Oncologica (ISPRO), Siena, Italy.
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Flax RG, Rosston P, Rocha C, Anderson B, Capener JL, Durcan TM, Drewry DH, Prinos P, Axtman AD. Illumination of understudied ciliary kinases. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1352781. [PMID: 38523660 PMCID: PMC10958382 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1352781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Cilia are cellular signaling hubs. Given that human kinases are central regulators of signaling, it is not surprising that kinases are key players in cilia biology. In fact, many kinases modulate ciliogenesis, which is the generation of cilia, and distinct ciliary pathways. Several of these kinases are understudied with few publications dedicated to the interrogation of their function. Recent efforts to develop chemical probes for members of the cyclin-dependent kinase like (CDKL), never in mitosis gene A (NIMA) related kinase (NEK), and tau tubulin kinase (TTBK) families either have delivered or are working toward delivery of high-quality chemical tools to characterize the roles that specific kinases play in ciliary processes. A better understanding of ciliary kinases may shed light on whether modulation of these targets will slow or halt disease onset or progression. For example, both understudied human kinases and some that are more well-studied play important ciliary roles in neurons and have been implicated in neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative, and other neurological diseases. Similarly, subsets of human ciliary kinases are associated with cancer and oncological pathways. Finally, a group of genetic disorders characterized by defects in cilia called ciliopathies have associated gene mutations that impact kinase activity and function. This review highlights both progress related to the understanding of ciliary kinases as well as in chemical inhibitor development for a subset of these kinases. We emphasize known roles of ciliary kinases in diseases of the brain and malignancies and focus on a subset of poorly characterized kinases that regulate ciliary biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond G. Flax
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Peter Rosston
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Cecilia Rocha
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Brian Anderson
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Jacob L. Capener
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Thomas M. Durcan
- The Neuro’s Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - David H. Drewry
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Panagiotis Prinos
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Alison D. Axtman
- Structural Genomics Consortium, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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Hadwiger JA, Aranda RG, Fatima S. Atypical MAP kinases - new insights and directions from amoeba. J Cell Sci 2023; 136:jcs261447. [PMID: 37850857 PMCID: PMC10617611 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.261447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) have been the focus of many studies over the past several decades, but the understanding of one subgroup of MAPKs, orthologs of MAPK15, known as atypical MAPKs, has lagged behind others. In most organisms, specific activating signals or downstream responses of atypical MAPK signaling pathways have not yet been identified even though these MAPKs are associated with many eukaryotic processes, including cancer and embryonic development. In this Review, we discuss recent studies that are shedding new light on both the regulation and function of atypical MAPKs in different organisms. In particular, the analysis of the atypical MAPK in the amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum has revealed important roles in chemotactic responses and gene regulation. The rapid and transient phosphorylation of the atypical MAPK in these responses suggest a highly regulated activation mechanism in vivo despite the ability of atypical MAPKs to autophosphorylate in vitro. Atypical MAPK function can also impact the activation of other MAPKs in amoeba. These advances are providing new perspectives on possible MAPK roles in animals that have not been previously considered, and this might lead to the identification of potential targets for regulating cell movement in the treatment of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey A. Hadwiger
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078-3020, USA
| | - Ramee G. Aranda
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078-3020, USA
| | - Saher Fatima
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078-3020, USA
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Deniz O, Hasygar K, Hietakangas V. Cellular and physiological roles of the conserved atypical MAP kinase ERK7. FEBS Lett 2023; 597:601-607. [PMID: 36266944 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 7 (ERK7), also known as ERK8 and MAPK15, is an atypical member of the MAP kinase family. Compared with other MAP kinases, the biological roles of ERK7 remain poorly understood. Recent work, however, has revealed several novel functions for ERK7. These include a highly conserved essential role in ciliogenesis, the ability to control cell growth, metabolism and autophagy, as well as the maintenance of genomic integrity. ERK7 functions through phosphorylation-dependent and -independent mechanisms and it is activated by cellular stressors, including DNA-damaging agents, and nutrient deprivation. Here, we summarize recent developments in understanding ERK7 function, emphasizing its conserved roles in cellular and physiological regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onur Deniz
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland
- Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kiran Hasygar
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland
- Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ville Hietakangas
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland
- Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Finland
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Gómez AE, Christman AK, Van De Weghe JC, Finn M, Doherty D. Systematic analysis of cilia characteristics and Hedgehog signaling in five immortal cell lines. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0266433. [PMID: 36580465 PMCID: PMC9799305 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysfunction of the primary cilium, a microtubule-based signaling organelle, leads to genetic conditions called ciliopathies. Hedgehog (Hh) signaling is mediated by the primary cilium in vertebrates and is therefore implicated in ciliopathies; however, it is not clear which immortal cell lines are the most appropriate for modeling pathway response in human disease; therefore, we systematically evaluated Hh in five commercially available, immortal mammalian cell lines: ARPE-19, HEK293T, hTERT RPE-1, NIH/3T3, and SH-SY5Y. Under proper conditions, all of the cell lines ciliated adequately for our subsequent experiments, except for SH-SY5Y which were excluded from further analysis. hTERT RPE-1 and NIH/3T3 cells relocalized Hh pathway components Smoothened (SMO) and GPR161 and upregulated Hh target genes in response to pathway stimulation. In contrast, pathway stimulation did not induce target gene expression in ARPE-19 and HEK293T cells, despite SMO and GPR161 relocalization. These data indicate that human hTERT RPE-1 cells and murine NIH/3T3 cells, but not ARPE-19 and HEK293T cells, are suitable for modeling the role of Hh signaling in ciliopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Ericka Gómez
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Molecular Medicine and Mechanisms of Disease PhD Program, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Angela K. Christman
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Julie Craft Van De Weghe
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Malaney Finn
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Dan Doherty
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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