脑缺血Akt和MAPK磷酸酶负性调节c-Jun N端激酶信号通路

目的：探讨脑缺血再灌后Akt和MAPK磷酸酶与JNK活性下调的关系。方法：采用成年清洁级雄性SD大鼠,建立四动脉阻断前脑缺血再灌注模型。缺血10min后再灌注不同时间（15min,1h,4h,24h）。侧脑室分别给予P13K抑制剂LY294002（LY）和MAPK磷酸酶抑制剂放线菌酮（CHO）。免疫印迹观察P-Akt和P-JNK蛋白水平变化。结果：脑缺血再灌注4h,JNK的活性能被Akt抑制剂LY294002增强,表明激活的Akt能够下调JNK信号通路。而MAPK磷酸酶抑制剂放线茵酮能上调缺血后JNK活性,提示MAPK磷酸酶通过去磷酸化参与了JNK的活性抑制。结论：前脑缺血再灌后,激活Akt和MAPK磷酸酶参与了JNK信号通路负性调节,是抑制JNK诱导缺血后中枢神经损伤的重要机制。     

PI3K/Akt 通路在电针预处理诱导脑缺血耐受中的机制研究

目的:通过观察电针预处理对磷脂酰肌醇3激酶/蛋白质丝氨酸苏氨酸激酶(PI3K/Akt)通路的变化以及该通路抑制剂对电针预处理的脑保护的影响,探讨电针预处理诱导脑缺血耐受的可能机制。方法:线栓法单侧阻断大脑中动脉120min,再灌注24h制备大鼠大脑局灶性缺血再灌注(I/R)模型;Western Blot检测Akt磷酸化水平的变化;侧脑室注射PI3K/Akt通路抑制剂LY294002;神经行为学评分(Garcia标准)及TTC染色检测脑梗死体积比评价脑损伤程度。结果:电针预处理使大鼠神经行为学评分增高,脑梗死体积比降低(P<0.05);可上调Akt磷酸化水平,I/R2h达高峰(P<0.05)。侧脑室注射PI3K/Akt抑制剂LY294002,拮抗电针预处理的脑保护作用(P<0.05)。结论:电针预处理增加Ak(tSer473)磷酸化水平,在缺血再灌注早期上调PI3K/Akt通路可能是诱导大鼠脑缺血耐受的产生的主要机制。     

胰岛素保护缺血/再灌注心脏:PI3-K/Akt和JNKs信号通路间的交互作用

我们前期研究表明胰岛素可激活细胞内信号转导机制如磷脂酰肌醇3．激酶．蛋白激酶B．内皮型一氧化氮合酶．一氧化氮（P13-K-Akt-eNOS-NO）信号通路,减轻心肌缺血／再灌注（ischemia／reperfusion,I／R）损伤,改善缺血后心肌功能恢复。然而c-Jun氨基末端激酶（c-JunNH2-terminal kinase,JNK）信号通路在胰岛素保护I／R心肌中的作用尚不清楚,本研究旨在探讨JNK信号通路在胰岛素保护I／R心肌中的作用及其与P13．K／Akt信号通路间的相互关系。离体Sprague-Dawley大鼠心脏缺血30min后施行2h或4h的再灌注,缺血前用LY294002（15mmol／L）和SP600125（10mmol／L）灌注15min,分别阻断P13．K／Akt和磷酸化JNK（phosphorylated．JNK,p-JNK）活化,观测心脏功能、心肌梗死、细胞凋亡和蛋白磷酸化水平。与对照组相比,胰岛素再灌注2h后,心率、左心室发展压和左心室收缩／舒张最大速率均明显增加,梗死面积减少约16．1％[（28．9±2．0）％vs（45．0±4．0）％,n=6,P〈O．01],细胞凋亡指数从（27．6±113）％减少到（16．0±0．7）％（n=6,P〈O．01）,Akt的活性增加1．7倍（n=6,P〈0．05）,同时JNK活性增加1．5倍铆=6,P〈O．05）。用LY294002处理后,胰岛素对I／R心肌的保护作用消失;而用SP600125处理可增强胰岛素的保护作用,且可部分逆转LY294002的抑制作用。进一步观察发现SP600125减弱了Akt的磷酸化m=6,P〈0．05）。上述结果表明,在I／R心肌中,胰岛素可同时激活P13．K／Akt及JNK信号通路,且通过后者进一步增加Akt活化,从而减轻I／R损伤,改善心肌功能。这种P13．K／Akt与JNK信号通路交互机制对胰岛素保护I／R心肌有重要意义。     

PI3K/Akt信号通路在白藜芦醇抗大鼠缺血/再灌注性心律失常中的作用及机制

目的：探讨磷脂酰肌醇-3-激酶/蛋白激酶B（PI3K/Akt）信号通路在白藜芦醇抗缺血/再灌注性心律失常中的作用及机制。方法：48只健康雄性SD大鼠,取心电图正常者随机分为4组（n=10）：假手术（SC组）组、缺血/再灌注（I/R组）组、白藜芦醇处理（Res处理组）组、PI3K抑制剂LY294002（LY294002组）组。建立大鼠在体心肌缺血/再灌注模型,观察各组心律失常的发生情况及左室血流动力学变化,Western blot法测定心肌组织中蛋白激酶B（Akt）、磷酸化蛋白激酶B（p-Akt）、缝隙连接蛋白43（Cx43）蛋白表达水平,以RT-PCR法从转录水平检测Cx43的表达水平。结果：与I/R组相比,Res处理组心律失常的发生率（心律失常评分）明显降低、左室舒缩功能明显升高,同时心肌Akt、Cx43蛋白表达及Cx43mRNA水平也明显升高;使用PI3K抑制剂LY294002后,心肌Akt、Cx43蛋白表达及Cx43mRNA水平下降的同时心律失常的发生率明显升高、左室舒缩功能明显降低。结论：白藜芦醇的抗再灌注性心律失常作用可能是通过激活PI3K/Akt信号通路,改变Cx43活性及分布实现的。     

姜黄素后处理通过SIRT1/FOXO1信号通路拮抗小鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤

目的:探究姜黄素后处理是否通过激活SIRT1/FOXO1信号通路抵抗小鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤。方法:小鼠脑缺血30 min,再灌注24 h建立脑缺血再灌注模型。手术前脑室内注射SIRT1特异性抑制剂EX527。再灌注后腹腔注射姜黄素。小鼠随机分为以下6组:假手术组;单纯姜黄素后处理组;缺血再灌注组;缺血再灌注+姜黄素后处理组;EX527预处理+缺血再灌注+姜黄素后处理组;EX527预处理+脑缺血再灌注组。再灌注24 h检测脑梗体积、Complex I活性、ROS含量以及SIRT1、Ac-FOXO1、Bax、Bcl-2、Caspase-3蛋白表达情况。结果:与手术组相比,姜黄素后处理组梗死区脑组织SIRT1的表达量及活性明显增加,脑梗体积降低,ROS含量降低而Complex I活性增高,Bcl-2的表达增高而Bax和Caspase-3的表达量降低(均P0.05)。阻断SIRT1信号通路后上述姜黄素脑保护作用均减弱(P0.05)。结论:我们的研究首次证实姜黄素后处理通过激活SIRT1/FOXO1信号通路,进而降低氧化应激与凋亡,最终减轻脑缺血再灌注损伤。     

UCF-101对大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注后JNK和ERK活性的影响

目的:探讨UCF-101对局灶性脑缺血再灌注大鼠脑内c-Jun氨基末端激酶(JNK)和胞外信号调节酶(ERK)活性的影响,进一步探讨UCF-101对局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤脑保护作用的机制。方法:采用大脑中动脉线栓法(MCAO)建立大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注模型,随机分为假手术组,缺血再灌注组,UCF组,应用TTC检测大鼠脑梗死体积,TUNEL法检测神经元凋亡,Western blot检测ERK和JNK的活性。结果:UCF-101可下调脑缺血再灌注大鼠脑组织JNK蛋白的活性,上调ERK蛋白的活性,并降低梗死体积、坏死和凋亡细胞数。结论:UCF-101对大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注损伤有保护作用,抑制JNK凋亡通路、促进ERK生存通路,从而减轻细胞凋亡是其脑保护机制之一。     

磷脂酰肌醇3激酶抑制剂LY294002对缺血缺氧心肌细胞的作用研究

目的:明确P13K/Akt信号通路在缺血缺氧心肌细胞损害中的作用。方法:建立心肌细胞缺血缺氧模型,施加磷脂酰肌醇3激酶抑制剂LY294002干预,观察心肌细胞活力、培养液中乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)含量及碘化丙啶(PI)染色阳性细胞比例的变化。结果:模拟缺血缺氧后细胞活力下降,LDH及PI染色阳性细胞比例显著增加。LY294002干预复合缺血缺氧后,细胞活力急剧下降,LDH含量及PI染色阳性细胞比例进一步显著增加(P<0.01)。结论:应用LY294002加重了缺血缺氧对心肌细胞的损伤效应,提示PI3K/Akt通路参与了缺血缺氧心肌细胞的内源性保护反应,减轻了缺血缺氧损害。     

体外缺血缺氧条件下大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞凋亡发生的机制研究

目的:研究体外大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞(Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells,BMSCs)在缺血缺氧条件下发生凋亡的作用机制。方法:采取大鼠骨髓,以密度梯度离心分离出单个核细胞(MNCs),于体外培养并由牛垂体提取物(PEX)诱导扩增传代培养出骨髓间充质干细胞(MSCs)。经形态学和流式细胞仪检测MSCs表面标志物鉴定后,骨髓间充质干细胞(BMSCs)在缺血缺氧条件下培养,通过Annexin V/PI双染细胞凋亡检测比较不同组别细胞的凋亡率和蛋白印迹法(western blot)来观察细胞中蛋白的变化。结果:①经形态学观察和流式细胞仪检测MSCs表面标志物鉴定,提示骨髓间充质干细胞培养成功。②对照组(无缺血缺氧)与缺血缺氧组比较,缺血缺氧组的凋亡率显著性增加,而通过磷酸化Akt的表达量显著性增加提示PI3K(Phosphoinosi-tide-3kinase)/Akt(ProteinkinaseB,PKB)信号通路被激活(P<0.05);同时缺血缺氧组与缺血缺氧+PI3K/Akt抑制剂(LY294002)组比较,缺血缺氧+PI3K/Akt抑制剂(LY294002)组的凋亡率显著降低,而通过磷酸化Akt的表达量显著减少提示PI3K/Akt信号通路被抑制(P<0.05)。结论:PI3K/Akt信号通路对体外缺血缺氧条件下培养的骨髓间充质干细胞凋亡发生有关键性作用。     

TrkA介导电针抑制局灶性脑缺血再灌注大鼠模型神经元Src磷酸化的作用

目的探讨电针通过TrkA通路对脑缺血再灌注损伤诱导的Src磷酸化的影响。方法采用改良的血管内线栓技术制备大鼠局灶性脑缺血再灌注模型,电针大鼠"水沟"、"承浆"穴,侧脑室注射TrkA受体及下游信号通路的拮抗剂,K252a拮抗TrkA的作用、Wortmannin拮抗PI-3K的作用、U0126拮抗MEK的作用;免疫组织化学技术检测缺血侧大脑皮层、海马Src磷酸化。结果脑缺血再灌注损伤诱导大鼠皮层和海马神经元Src磷酸化水平异常增加,与对照组相比,差异显著(P0.05);电针抑制脑缺血再灌注损伤引起的Src磷酸化异常增加水平,与缺血再灌注组相比电针能明显减少Src磷酸化水平(P0.05);分别脑室注射TrkA抑制剂、PI-3K抑制和MEK抑制剂预处理后,能有效翻转电针对皮层神经元Src磷酸化异常增加的抑制作用,统计学处理有显著性差异(P0.05)。结论电针减少缺血再灌注导致的Src磷酸化,通过激活TrkA/PI-3K和TrkA/MAPK通路抑制Src的活性,发挥神经保护作用。     

脑缺血激活N-SMase诱导IL-1β释放的相关研究

目的:探讨脑缺血再灌中性鞘磷脂酶(N-SMase)活性变化及其对IL-1β的调节作用.方法:采用成年清洁级雄性SD大鼠,建立四动脉阻断前脑缺血模型,缺血再灌注不同时间(0.5,1,6,12,24 h).观察N-SMase和A-SMase活性变化.侧脑室给予N-SMase活性抑制剂GW4869(10,20μM),实时定量PCR (Real-time PCR)检测IL-1β的mRNA水平变化.结果:(1)缺血再灌注30 min,N-SMase活性开始升高(P＜0.05),而A-SMase活性没有明显变化(P＞0.05);(2)缺血再灌注30 min,给予GW4869能够显著抑制IL-1β的mRNA水平(P＜0.05).结论:缺血再灌注能诱导N-SMase而不是A-SMase活性升高,通过生成神经酰胺刺激IL-1β的转录合成,参与了缺血后神经细胞损伤调控.     

Ethanol rapidly causes activation of JNK associated with ER stress under inhibition of ADH

Acute ethanol loading causes oxidative stress to activate cell-death signaling via c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) in livers. JNK are stimulated under conditions of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress which causes programmed cell death. However, no remarked cell death was observed in acute ethanol intoxication. Akt, one of the cell survival protein kinases, may be activated under ethanol loading. The aim of this study was to estimate activation of JNK and ER stress, role of ethanol metabolism on the activation, and association of JNK with Akt under acute ethanol loading using the perfused rat liver system. Activation of JNK or Akt and association of JNK and Akt with JNK interacting protein 1 were estimated by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting. Expression of 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) mRNA, a biomarker of ER stress, was detected by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Activations of JNK and Akt were enhanced by co-treatment with ethanol and a classical inhibitor of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). Addition of an antioxidant reduced the activation of JNK. Ethanol loading with ADH inhibition causes down-regulation of GRP78 mRNA levels. Therefore, these findings suggest first revelation that inhibition of ethanol metabolism complicates oxidative and ER stresses produced by ethanol.     

Distinctive regulation and function of PI 3K/Akt and MAPKs in doxorubicin-induced apoptosis of human lung adenocarcinoma cells

Regulation and function of PI 3K/Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in doxorubicin-induced cell death were investigated in human lung adenocarcinoma cells. Doxorubicin induced dose-dependent apoptosis of human lung adenocarcinoma NCI-H522 cells. Prior to cell death, both Akt and the MAPK family members (MAPKs: ERK1/2, JNK, and p38) were activated in response to the drug treatment. The kinetics of the inductions for Akt and MAPKs are, however, distinct. The activation of Akt was rapid and transient, activated within 30 min of drug addition, then declined after 3 h, whereas the activations of three MAPKs occurred later, 4 h after addition of the drug and sustained until cell death occurred. Inhibition of PI 3K/Akt activation had no effect on MAPKs' activation, suggesting that the two pathways are independently activated in response to the drug treatment. Inhibition of PI 3K/Akt and p38 accelerated and enhanced doxorubicin-induced cell death. On the contrary, inhibition of ERK1/2 or JNK had no apparent effect on the cell death. Taken together, these results suggest that PI 3K/Akt and MAPKs signaling pathways are all activated, but with distinct mechanisms, in response to doxorubicin treatment. Activation of PI 3K/Akt and p38 modulates apoptotic signal pathways and inhibits doxorubicin-induced cell death. These responses of tumor cells to cancer drug treatment may contribute to their drug resistance. Understanding of the mechanism and function of the responses will be beneficial for the development of novel therapeutic approaches for improvement of drug efficacy and circumvention of drug resistance.     

Differential effects of Akt pathway inhibitors on IL-1β-induced protein phosphorylation in human fibroblast-like synoviocytes

Context: Interleukin (IL)-1β activates various signal transduction pathways including p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and Akt in human fibroblast-like synoviocytes (HFLS).

Objective: We investigated the effects of an Akt inhibitor, a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, and Akt RNAi knockdown on IL-1β-induced protein phosphorylation in HFLS to clarify the role of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in the phosphorylation of the inhibitor of κB (IκB)α and heat shock protein 27 (HSP27).

Materials and methods: A multiplex suspension array system was used for the detection of phosphorylated proteins.

Results: IL-1β induced biphasic phosphorylation of IκBα, with the first phase occurring 10?min after IL-1β stimulation, and this was augmented by treatment with Akt inhibitor IV. However, this phenomenon was not observed after treatment with LY-294002, a PI3K inhibitor. Furthermore, Akt inhibitor IV suppressed ERK2 phosphorylation, whereas LY-294002 and Akt RNAi had no effect. In contrast, Akt inhibitor IV, LY-294002, and Akt RNAi augmented HSP27 phosphorylation.

Discussion and conclusions: Modulation of different stages of the PI3K/Akt pathway may differentially affect the phosphorylation of IκBα and HSP27 in HFLS.     

EV71 induces VCAM-1 expression via PDGF receptor, PI3-K/Akt, p38 MAPK, JNK and NF-kappaB in vascular smooth muscle cells

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is a widespread virus that causes severe and fatal diseases in patients, including circulation failure. The mechanisms underlying EV71-initiated intracellular signaling pathways to influence host cell functions remain unknown. In this study, we identified a requirement for PDGFR, PI3-K/Akt, p38 MAPK, JNK, and NF-kappaB in the regulation of VCAM-1 expression by rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in response to viral infection. EV71 induced VCAM-1 expression in a time- and viral concentration-dependent manner. Infection of VSMCs with EV71 stimulated VCAM-1 expression and phosphorylation of PDGFR, Akt, and p38 MAPK which were attenuated by AG1296, wortmannin, and SB202190, respectively. The phosphorylation of JNK stimulated by EV71 was not detected under present conditions. In contrast, JNK inhibitor SP600125 inhibited EV71-induced VCAM-1 expression. Furthermore, VCAM-1 expression induced by EV71 was significantly attenuated by a selective NF-kappaB inhibitor (helenalin). Consistently, EV71-stimulated translocation of NF-kappaB into the nucleus and degradation of IkappaB-alpha as well as VCAM-1 mRNA expression was blocked by helenalin, AG1296, SB202190, SP600125, wortmannin, and LY294002. Moreover, the involvement of p38 MAPK, PI3-K/Akt, and NF-kappaB in EV71-induced VCAM-1 expression was reveled by that transfection with dominant negative plasmids of p38 MAPK, p85, Akt, NIK, IKK-alpha, and IKK-beta attenuated these responses. These findings suggest that in VSMCs, EV71-induced VCAM-1 expression was mediated through activation of PDGFR, PI3-K/Akt, p38 MAPK, JNK, and NF-kappaB pathways.     

L-threonine regulates G1/S phase transition of mouse embryonic stem cells via PI3K/Akt, MAPKs, and mTORC pathways

Although amino acids can function as signaling molecules in the regulation of many cellular processes, mechanisms surrounding L-threonine involvement in embryonic stem cell (ESC) functions have not been explored. Thus, we investigated the effect of L-threonine on regulation of mouse (m)ESC self-renewal and related signaling pathways. In L-threonine-depleted mESC culture media mRNA of self-renewal marker genes, [(3)H]thymidine incorporation, expression of c-Myc, Oct4, and cyclins protein was attenuated. In addition, resupplying L-threonine (500 μM) after depletion restores/maintains the mESC proliferation. Disruption of the lipid raft/caveolae microdomain through treatment with methyl-β-cyclodextrin or transfection with caveolin-1 specific small interfering RNA blocked L-threonine-induced proliferation of mESCs. Addition of L-threonine induced phosphorylation of Akt, ERK, p38, JNK/SAPK, and mTOR in a time-dependent manner. This activity was blocked by LY 294002 (PI3K inhibitor), wortmannin (PI3K inhibitor), or an Akt inhibitor. L-threonine-induced activation of mTOR, p70S6K, and 4E-BP1 as well as cyclins and Oct4 were blocked by PD 98059 (ERK inhibitor), SB 203580 (p38 inhibitor) or SP 600125 (JNK inhibitor). Furthermore, L-threonine induced phosphorylation of raptor and rictor binding to mTOR was completely inhibited by 24 h treatment with rapamycin (mTOR inhibitor); however, a 10 min treatment with rapamycin only partially inhibited rictor phosphorylation. L-threonine induced translocation of rictor from the membrane to the cytosol/nuclear, which blocked by pretreatment with rapamycin. In addition, rapamycin blocked L-threonine-induced increases in mRNA expressions of trophoectoderm and mesoderm marker genes and mESC proliferation. In conclusion, L-threonine stimulated ESC G(1)/S transition through lipid raft/caveolae-dependent PI3K/Akt, MAPKs, mTOR, p70S6K, and 4E-BP1 signaling pathways.     

Inhibition of JNK activation prolongs survival after smoke inhalation from fires

Initial injury from smoke inhalation is mainly to the trachea and bronchi and is characterized by mucosal hyperemia and increased microvascular permeability, exfoliation of epithelial lining, mucous secretion, mucous plugging, and an acute inflammatory cell influx. In this study, we explore the role of the c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) pathway in smoke inhalation lung injury using a rat model of exposure to smoke from burning cotton. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to smoke from burning cotton for 15 min, and 1 h after injury a JNK inhibitor (SP-600125) or vehicle was injected. We measured neutrophil influx, cytokine release, percent of apoptotic cells, airway plugging, and survival. Administration of a JNK inhibitor 1 h after smoke inhalation decreased airway apoptosis, mucous plugging, influx of inflammatory cells, and the release of cytokines and significantly prolonged animal survival (P < 0.05). These in vivo data show that the JNK pathway plays a critical role in smoke-induced lung injury and offer an attractive therapeutic approach for this injury.     

Differential regulation of CIDEA and CIDEC expression by insulin via Akt1/2- and JNK2-dependent pathways in human adipocytes

Both insulin and the cell death-inducing DNA fragmentation factor-α-like effector (CIDE) family play important roles in apoptosis and lipid droplet formation. Previously, we reported that CIDEA and CIDEC are differentially regulated by insulin and contribute separately to insulin-induced anti-apoptosis and lipid droplet formation in human adipocytes. However, the upstream signals of CIDE proteins remain unclear. Here, we investigated the signaling molecules involved in insulin regulation of CIDEA and CIDEC expression. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors wortmannin and PI-103 blocked both insulin-induced downregulation of CIDEA and upregulation of CIDEC. The Akt inhibitor API-2 and the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor SP600125 selectively inhibited insulin regulation of CIDEA and CIDEC expression, respectively, whereas the MAPK/ERK kinase inhibitor U0126 and the p38 inhibitor SB203580 did not. Small interfering RNA-mediated depletion of Akt1/2 prevented insulin-induced downregulation of CIDEA and inhibition of apoptosis. Depletion of JNK2, but not JNK1, inhibited insulin-induced upregulation of CIDEC and lipid droplet enlargement. Furthermore, insulin increased both Akt and JNK phosphorylation, which was abrogated by the PI3K inhibitors. These results suggest that insulin regulates CIDEA and CIDEC expression via PI3K, and it regulates expression of each protein via Akt1/2- and JNK2-dependent pathways, respectively, in human adipocytes.     

Hydrogen peroxide-mediated phosphorylation of ERK1/2, Akt/PKB and JNK in cortical neurones: dependence on Ca2+ and PI3-kinase

Primary cortical neurones exposed to an oxidative insult in the form of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) for 30 min showed a concentration-dependent increase in oxidative stress followed by a delayed NMDA receptor-dependent cell death measured 24 h later. Extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK1/2), c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and the kinase Akt/PKB may regulate neuronal viability in response to oxidative insults. Using phospho-specific antibodies, a 15-min stimulation of neurones with H(2)O(2) (100 microm - 1 mm) produced a concentration-dependent phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Akt/PKB that was partly dependent on extracellular Ca(2+) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K). Higher concentrations of H(2)O(2) (1 mm) also stimulated a phosphorylation of JNK which was totally dependent on extracellular Ca(2+) but not PI3-K. H(2)O(2)-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2, Akt/PKB or JNK were unaffected by the NMDA channel blocker MK801. Blocking ERK1/2 activation with the upstream inhibitor U0126 (10 microm) enhanced H(2)O(2)-induced (100-300 microm range) neurotoxicity and inhibited H(2)O(2)-mediated phosphorylation of the cyclic AMP regulatory binding protein (CREB), suggesting that ERK1/2 signals to survival under these conditions. At higher concentrations (mm), H(2)O(2)-stimulated a phosphorylation of c-jun. It is likely, therefore, that subjecting neurones to moderate oxidative-stress recruits pro-survival signals to CREB but during severe oxidative stress pro-death signals through JNK and c-jun are dominant.