A 45-kDa protein kinase related to mitogen-activated protein kinase is activated in tobacco cells treated with a phorbol ester

Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a potent activator of protein kinases in animals, elicits the transient activation of a 45-kDa protein kinase in tobacco cell-suspension cultures. The 45-kDa protein kinase preferentially phosphorylates myelin basic protein (MBP), a general substrate for MAPK. Studies using cycloheximide indicated that protein synthesis is not required for the activation of the kinase. Treatment of tobacco cell extracts containing the activated kinase with either serine/threonine-specific or tyrosine-specific protein phosphatase abolished the kinase activity, which consequently appears to be regulated by phosphorylation. By using an immune complex kinase assay with antibodies specific for stress-responsive MAPKs, we show that the PMA-activated kinase is immunologically related to the wound-induced protein kinase (WIPK), and not to the salicylic acid-induced protein kinase (SIPK), two representative members of the tobacco MAPK family, known to be activated by extracellular stimuli. Furthermore, the activated kinase was recognized by phospho-specific MAPK antibodies. Collectively, these results indicate that phorbol ester promotes the activation of a 45-kDa protein kinase related to WIPK in tobacco cells. Activation of WIPK in response to PMA is associated with protein phosphorylation but not with an increase in protein level.     

The mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase BcOs4 is required for vegetative differentiation and pathogenicity in Botrytis cinerea

The high-osmolarity glycerol signal pathway plays an important role in the response of fungi to various environmental stresses. In this study, we characterized a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase gene BcOS4 in Botrytis cinerea, which is homologous to Saccharomyces cerevisiae SSK2/SSK22. The BcOS4 deletion mutant was significantly impaired in vegetative growth and conidial formation. The mutant exhibited increased sensitivity to the osmotic, oxidative stresses and to the fungicides iprodione and fludioxonil. Western blot analysis showed that BcSak1, a putative downstream component of BcOs4, was not phosphorylated in the mutant. In addition, the BcOS4 mutant was unable to infect leaves of rapeseed and cucumber, and grape fruits, although it can cause disease on apple fruits. All the defects were restored by genetic complementation of the BcOS4 deletion mutant with the wild-type BcOS4 gene. The data of this study indicate that BcOS4 is involved in vegetative differentiation, virulence, adaption to hyperosmotic and oxidative stresses, and to fungicides in B. cinerea.     

Chondrogenesis induced by actin cytoskeleton disruption is regulated via protein kinase C-dependent p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling

Disruption of the actin cytoskeleton in subconfluent mesenchymal cells induces chondrogenic differentiation via protein kinase C (PKC) alpha signaling. In this study, we investigated the role of p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase in the chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal cells that is induced by depolymerization of the actin cytoskeleton. Treatment of mesenchymal cells derived from chick embryonic limb buds with cytochalasin D (CD) disrupted the actin cytoskeleton with concomitant chondrogenic differentiation. The chondrogenesis was accompanied by an increase in p38 MAP kinase activity and inhibition of p38 MAP kinase with SB203580 blocked chondrogenesis. Together these results suggest an essential role for p38 MAP kinase in chondrogenesis. In addition, inhibition of p38 MAP kinase did not alter CD-induced increased expression and activity of PKC alpha, whereas down-regulation of PKC by prolonged exposure of cells to phorbol ester inhibited CD-induced p38 MAP kinase activation. Our results therefore suggest that PKC is involved in the regulation of chondrogenesis induced by disruption of the actin cytoskeleton via a p38 MAP kinase signaling pathway.     

The Bax N terminus is required for negative regulation by the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase and Akt signaling pathways in T cells

The Bcl-2 family proapoptotic protein, Bax, redistributes to the mitochondrion in response to varied stimuli, triggering loss of mitochondrial integrity and apoptosis. Suppression of MAPK kinase (MEK1) by the reagent UO126 in activated T cells maintained in the cytokine IL-2 disrupts cytoplasmic localization of Bax and cell survival. UO126 triggers mitochondrial translocation of ectopically expressed Bax-GFP, and both UO126 and dominant negative MEK-1 (DN-MEK1) trigger increased apoptosis in Bax-GFP-expressing T cell lines. Because inhibition of PI3K or its target Akt also triggers mitochondrial translocation of Bax in T cells and apoptosis in Bax-transfected cell lines, we generated Bax deletion mutants to identify the region(s) that confers sensitivity to regulation by MEK1 and Akt. A deletion mutant (Bax(1-171)) without the C terminus mitochondrial targeting sequence or an Akt target site (Ser(184)) localizes to the cytoplasm and triggers low level apoptosis that is enhanced by DN-Akt or DN-MEK1. A construct that lacks the first 29 aa (Bax-delta29) largely localizes to mitochondria, is highly apoptogenic, and is not inhibited by Akt or MEK1. Furthermore, Bax-delta29 overcomes IL-2-dependent survival in a T cell line, whereas Bax triggers comparatively low levels of apoptosis in these cells. Cytoplasmic localization and regulation by MEK1 and Akt are restored in a mutant deleted of the first 13 aa (Bax-delta13). Taken together, our results identify a region in the Bax N terminus that determines cellular localization regulated by MEK- and Akt-dependent signaling in T cells.     

p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase is activated and linked to TNF-alpha signaling in inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)--Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis--are relapsing chronic inflammatory disorders which involve genetic, immunological, and environmental factors. The regulation of TNF-alpha, a key mediator in the inflammatory process in IBD, is interconnected with mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. The aim of this study was to characterize the activity and expression of the four p38 subtypes (p38alpha-delta), c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs), and the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)1/2 in the inflamed intestinal mucosa. Western blot analysis revealed that p38alpha, JNKs, and ERK1/2 were significantly activated in IBD, with p38alpha showing the most pronounced increase in kinase activity. Protein expression of p38 and JNK was only moderately altered in IBD patients compared with normal controls, whereas ERK1/2 protein was significantly down-regulated. Immunohistochemical analysis of inflamed mucosal biopsies localized the main expression of p38alpha to lamina propria macrophages and neutrophils. ELISA screening of the supernatants of Crohn's disease mucosal biopsy cultures showed that incubation with the p38 inhibitor SB 203580 significantly reduced secretion of TNF-alpha. In vivo inhibition of TNF-alpha by a single infusion of anti-TNF-alpha Ab (infliximab) resulted in a highly significant transient increase of p38alpha activity during the first 48 h after infusion. A significant infliximab-dependent p38alpha activation was also observed in THP-1 myelomonocytic cells. In human monocytes, infliximab enhanced TNF-alpha gene expression, which could be inhibited by SB 203580. In conclusion, p38alpha signaling is involved in the pathophysiology of IBD.     

Dynamin is required for the activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase by MAP kinase kinase

Internalization of activated receptors from the plasma membrane has been implicated in the activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. However, the mechanism whereby membrane trafficking may regulate mitogenic signaling remains unclear. Here we report that dominant-negative dynamin (K44A), an inhibitor of endocytic vesicle formation, abrogates MAP kinase activation in response to epidermal growth factor, lysophosphatidic acid, and protein kinase C-activating phorbol ester. In contrast, dynamin-K44A does not affect the activation of Ras, Raf, and MAP kinase kinase (MEK) by either agonist. Through immunofluorescence and subcellular fractionation studies, we find that activated MEK is present both at the plasma membrane and in intracellular vesicles but not in the cytosol. Our findings suggest that dynamin-regulated endocytosis of activated MEK, rather than activated receptors, is a critical event in the MAP kinase activation cascade.     

TAK1 mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase is activated by autophosphorylation within its activation loop

TAK1, a member of the mitogen-activated kinase kinase kinase family, is activated in vivo by various cytokines, including interleukin-1 (IL-1), or when ectopically expressed together with the TAK1-binding protein TAB1. However, this molecular mechanism of activation is not yet understood. We show here that endogenous TAK1 is constitutively associated with TAB1 and phosphorylated following IL-1 stimulation. Furthermore, TAK1 is constitutively phosphorylated when ectopically overexpressed with TAB1. In both cases, dephosphorylation of TAK1 renders it inactive, but it can be reactivated by preincubation with ATP. A mutant of TAK1 that lacks kinase activity is not phosphorylated either following IL-1 treatment or when coexpressed with TAB1, indicating that TAK1 phosphorylation is due to autophosphorylation. Furthermore, mutation to alanine of a conserved serine residue (Ser-192) in the activation loop between kinase domains VII and VIII abolishes both phosphorylation and activation of TAK1. These results suggest that IL-1 and ectopic expression of TAB1 both activate TAK1 via autophosphorylation of Ser-192.     

p38 alpha mitogen-activated protein kinase is activated by CD28-mediated signaling and is required for IL-4 production by human CD4+CD45RO+ T cells and Th2 effector cells.

T cell proliferation and cytokine production usually require stimulation via both the TCR/CD3 complex and the CD28 costimulatory receptor. Using purified human CD4+ peripheral blood T cells, we show that CD28 stimulation alone activates p38 alpha mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 alpha). Cell proliferation induced by CD28 stimulation alone, a response attributed to CD4+CD45RO+ memory T cells, was blocked by the highly specific p38 inhibitors SB 203580 (IC50 = 10-80 nM) and RWJ 67657 (IC50 = 0.5-4 nM). In contrast, proliferation induced by anti-CD3 plus anti-CD28 mAbs was not blocked. Inhibitors of p38 also blocked CD4+ T cell production of IL-4 (SB 203580 IC50 = 20-100 nM), but not IL-2, in response to CD3 and CD28 stimulation. IL-5, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma production were also inhibited, but to a lesser degree than IL-4. IL-4 production was attributed to CD4+CD45RO+ T cells, and its induction was suppressed by p38 inhibitors at the mRNA level. In polarized Th1 and Th2 cell lines, SB 203580 strongly inhibited IL-4 production by Th2 cells (IC50 = 10-80 nM), but only partially inhibited IFN-gamma and IL-2 production by Th1 cells (<50% inhibition at 1 microM). In both Th1 and Th2 cells, CD28 signaling activated p38 alpha and was required for cytokine production. These results show that p38 alpha plays an important role in some, but not all, CD28-dependent cellular responses. Its preferential involvement in IL-4 production by CD4+CD45RO+ T cells and Th2 effector cells suggests that p38 alpha may be important in the generation of Th2-type responses in humans.     

E-selectin-dependent signaling via the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in vascular endothelial cells

E-selectin, a cytokine-inducible adhesion molecule, supports rolling and stable arrest of leukocytes on activated vascular endothelium. Previous studies have suggested that this transmembrane protein can also transduce signals into the endothelial cell. We now demonstrate activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade in cultured HUVEC in response to E-selectin-dependent leukocyte adhesion and Ab-mediated cross-linking of cell surface E-selectin. Adhesion of increasing numbers of HL60 cells to IL-1beta-activated HUVEC stimulated robust increases in MAPK activity that were abrogated by an E-selectin blocking Ab. Cross-linking of cell surface E-selectin with Abs, as a mimic of multivalent ligand engagement, strongly stimulated MAPK/extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) kinase (MEK)-dependent MAPK activation and concomitant up-regulation of mRNA for c-fos, an immediate early response gene, whereas Ab cross-linking of HLA class I molecules (present at comparable density) failed to do so. Coimmunoprecipitation documented Ras, Raf-1 and, phospho-MEK complex formation. Unactivated HUVEC transduced with a full-length adenoviral E-selectin construct also exhibited cross-link-induced MAPK activation, macromolecular complex formation, and c-fos up-regulation, whereas HUVEC transduced with a cytoplasmic domain deletion mutant failed to respond. These observations indicate that E-selectin can transduce an activating stimulus via the MAPK cascade into the endothelial cell during leukocyte adhesion.     

Interleukin-4 reversibly inhibits osteoclastogenesis via inhibition of NF-kappa B and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling.

To define the molecular mechanism(s) by which interleukin (IL)-4 reversibly inhibits formation of osteoclasts (OCs) from bone marrow macrophages (BMMs), we examined the capacity of this T cell-derived cytokine to impact signals known to modulate osteoclastogenesis, which include those initiated by macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), receptor for activation of NF-kappa B ligand (RANKL), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and IL-1. We find that although pretreatment of BMMs with IL-4 does not alter M-CSF signaling, it reversibly blocks RANKL-dependent activation of the NF-kappa B, JNK, p38, and ERK signals. IL-4 also selectively inhibits TNF signaling, while enhancing that of IL-1. Contrary to previous reports, we find that MEK inhibitors dose-dependently inhibit OC differentiation. To identify more proximal signals mediating inhibition of OC formation by IL-4, we used mice lacking STAT6 or SHIP1, two adapter proteins that bind the IL-4 receptor. IL-4 fails to inhibit RANKL/M-CSF-induced osteoclastogenesis by BMMs derived from STAT6-, but not SHIP1-, knockout mice. Consistent with this observation, the inhibitory effects of IL-4 on RANKL-induced NF-kappa B and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation are STAT6-dependent. We conclude that IL-4 reversibly arrests osteoclastogenesis in a STAT6-dependent manner by 1) preventing I kappa B phosphorylation and thus NF-kappa B activation, and 2) blockade of the JNK, p38, and ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways.     

The Arabidopsis mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase MKK3 is upstream of group C mitogen-activated protein kinases and participates in pathogen signaling

Although the Arabidopsis thaliana genome contains genes encoding 20 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and 10 MAPK kinases (MAPKKs), most of them are still functionally uncharacterized. In this work, we analyzed the function of the group B MAPK kinase, MKK3. Transgenic ProMKK3:GUS lines showed basal expression in vascular tissues that was strongly induced by Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato strain DC3000 (Pst DC3000) infection but not by abiotic stresses. The growth of virulent Pst DC3000 was increased in mkk3 knockout plants and decreased in MKK3-overexpressing plants. Moreover, MKK3 overexpression lines showed increased expression of several PR genes. By yeast two-hybrid analysis, coimmunoprecipitation, and protein kinase assays, MKK3 was revealed to be an upstream activator of the group C MAPKs MPK1, MPK2, MPK7, and MPK14. Flagellin-derived flg22 peptide strongly activated MPK6 but resulted in poor activation of MPK7. By contrast, MPK6 and MPK7 were both activated by H(2)O(2), but only MPK7 activation was enhanced by MKK3. In agreement with the notion that MKK3 regulates the expression of PR genes, ProPR1:GUS expression was strongly enhanced by coexpression of MKK3-MPK7. Our results reveal that the MKK3 pathway plays a role in pathogen defense and further underscore the importance and complexity of MAPK signaling in plant stress responses.     

HISTONE DEACETYLASE19 is involved in jasmonic acid and ethylene signaling of pathogen response in Arabidopsis

Histone acetylation is modulated through the action of histone acetyltransferases and deacetylases, which play key roles in the regulation of eukaryotic gene expression. Previously, we have identified a yeast histone deacetylase REDUCED POTASSIUM DEPENDENCY3 (RPD3) homolog, HISTONE DEACETYLASE19 (HDA19) (AtRPD3A), in Arabidopsis thaliana. Here, we report further study of the expression and function of HDA19. Analysis of Arabidopsis plants containing the HDA19:beta-glucuronidase fusion gene revealed that HDA19 was expressed throughout the life of the plant and in most plant organs examined. In addition, the expression of HDA19 was induced by wounding, the pathogen Alternaria brassicicola, and the plant hormones jasmonic acid and ethylene. Using green fluorescent protein fusion, we demonstrated that HDA19 accumulated in the nuclei of Arabidopsis cells. Overexpression of HDA19 in 35S:HDA19 plants decreased histone acetylation levels, whereas downregulation of HDA19 in HDA19-RNA interference (RNAi) plants increased histone acetylation levels. In comparison with wild-type plants, 35S:HDA19 transgenic plants had increased expression of ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR1 and were more resistant to the pathogen A. brassicicola. The expression of jasmonic acid and ethylene regulated PATHOGENESIS-RELATED genes, Basic Chitinase and beta-1,3-Glucanase, was upregulated in 35S:HDA19 plants but downregulated in HDA19-RNAi plants. Our studies provide evidence that HDA19 may regulate gene expression involved in jasmonic acid and ethylene signaling of pathogen response in Arabidopsis.     

A novel role for copper in Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling

Copper (Cu) is essential for development and proliferation, yet the cellular requirements for Cu in these processes are not well defined. We report that Cu plays an unanticipated role in the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway. Ablation of the Ctr1 high-affinity Cu transporter in flies and mouse cells, mutation of Ctr1, and Cu chelators all reduce the ability of the MAP kinase kinase Mek1 to phosphorylate the MAP kinase Erk. Moreover, mice bearing a cardiac-tissue-specific knockout of Ctr1 are deficient in Erk phosphorylation in cardiac tissue. in vitro investigations reveal that recombinant Mek1 binds two Cu atoms with high affinity and that Cu enhances Mek1 phosphorylation of Erk in a dose-dependent fashion. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments suggest that Cu is important for promoting the Mek1-Erk physical interaction that precedes the phosphorylation of Erk by Mek1. These results demonstrate a role for Ctr1 and Cu in activating a pathway well known to play a key role in normal physiology and in cancer.