c-Jun氨基末端激酶

c-Jun氨基末端激酶(c-Jun N-terminal kinase,JNK)是进化保守的丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(mitogen activated-protein kinase,MAPK)超家族的主要成员之一,广泛存在于许多哺乳动物中,参与调节细胞增殖、分化、存活以及凋亡等多种细胞功能。本文主要就JNK的结构特点、生物学功能和作用机制及其在医学研究中的应用进行综述。     

SUMO化信号途径对JNK信号通路活性的调控

c-Jun氨基末端激酶(the c-Jun N-terminal kinase,JNK)家族是促分裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPK)超家族成员之一.JNK信号通路对细胞生长、分化和凋亡等生物学活动都有重要作用.而SUMO化是一种重要的生物学修饰,可以调节多种细胞生理活动.最近,黄海等在Development发表文章首次将SUMO化途径与JNK信号通路通过Hipk激酶联系起来,为进一步研究SUMO化的功能及其对JNK通路的调节建立了一个新的模型.     

凋亡信号调节激酶1信号通路在肾脏疾病中的作用

凋亡信号调节激酶1(apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1, ASK1)是丝裂原激活蛋白激酶激酶激酶(mitogen-activated proteinkinase kinases kinase, MAP3K)的家族成员之一,可以响应氧化应激、内质网(endoplasmic reticulum, ER)应激等多种应激刺激,从而激活下游丝裂原激活蛋白激酶(mitogen-activated protein kinase, MAPK)中的c-Jun N末端激酶(c-Jun N-terminal kinase, JNK)和p38丝裂原激活蛋白激酶(p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, p38 MAPK)信号通路,调节细胞凋亡、炎症和纤维化,介导急性肾损伤(acute kidney injury, AKI)、糖尿病肾病(diabetic kidney disease, DKD)、心肾综合征(cardiorenal syndrome, CRS)等多种肾脏疾病的进展。本文讨论了ASK1主要的激活和失活机制及其在多种肾脏疾病进展...     

PKCδ与JNK共同调控喜树碱诱导的白血病细胞凋亡

采用流式细胞术、蛋白质免疫印迹法检测了喜树碱诱导白血病细胞凋亡过程中蛋白激酶Cδ(protein kinase Cδ,PKCδ)与c-Jun氨基末端激酶(c-Jun N-termital kinase,JNK)的作用。结果发现,50 nmol/L喜树碱诱导处理U937细胞24、36或48 h后,细胞发生明显凋亡,并且PKCδ和JNK均被激活。用化学抑制剂rottlerin抑制PKCδ的活化可以降低喜树碱诱导细胞凋亡过程中JNK的磷酸化,进而抑制细胞凋亡;而用化学抑制剂SP600125抑制JNK的磷酸化也会降低PKCδ的剪切活化,进而一定程度地阻断细胞凋亡;同时,JNK抑制剂SP600125也可以阻断过表达PKCδ活性片段诱导的细胞凋亡。这些结果提示,PKCδ和JNK介导的信号通路可以相互调控,共同促进细胞凋亡。该研究对理解细胞凋亡的精细调控机制以及肿瘤的治疗都有一定的借鉴意义。     

JNK信号传导通路在胆汁淤积性肝损伤机制中的作用

胆汁淤积性肝损伤是严重影响人类肝脏健康的慢性疾病,病因复杂。JNK信号通路在细胞分化、细胞凋亡、应激反应及多种疾病的发生与发展中起到重要的作用。近些年来发现c-Jun氨基末端激酶(c-Jun N-terminal kinase,JNK)在各种肝损伤的分子机制中均起到重要作用,且在胆汁淤积导致的肝损伤机制中也有参与。本文简述了JNK通路结构及功能,并对JNK通路在胆汁淤积性肝损伤中的作用、影响因素及研究进展进行了总结与分析。     

JNK 信号转导通路与神经迁移

c-Jun氨基末端激酶(c-Jun N-terminal kinases,JNK)是一类在中枢神经系统和周边神经系统中发挥重要作用的调节蛋白。此前研究表明,当神经细胞遭遇外界凋亡刺激时,JNK被激活并介导细胞死亡过程,然而,最近几年来的研究显示,JNK信号转导通路在神经迁移过程中也同样发挥着重要的作用。本综述主要对JNK信号转导通路与神经迁移方面的研究进展进行探讨。     

ASK1激活的分子机制与相关疾病

凋亡信号调节激酶1(Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1,ASK1)是细胞丝裂原活化蛋白激酶激酶激酶(mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase,MAP3Ks)家族成员之一,在调节细胞凋亡过程中起到非常重要的作用.在正常细胞中,ASK1的活化受到严格的控制,如苏氨酸/丝氨酸磷酸化和去磷酸化、蛋白-蛋白相互作用等.多种应激和促炎因子能激活ASK1,因此在多种生理和病理过程中都有活化的ASK1的参与.     

谷胱甘肽S-转移酶Pi在MAPK途径中的调节作用

谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(glutathione S-transferases,GSTs)是细胞内降解生物异源物质(xenbiotics)的一类酶,GSTπ／GSTpi／GSTp是人体内的一种重要活性亚型;有丝分裂原激活的蛋白激酶(mitogen—activated protein kinase,MAPK)途径能够调节真核细胞凋亡、增殖、分化和应激。1999年国际上首次报道GSTpi能够在MAPK信号途径中起调节作用,其作用机制如下：在正常生长条件下,GSTpi以单体形式与JNK(c—Jun N—terminal kinase)形成复合物,抑制JNK活性;UV照射或H2O2处理细胞后,GSTpi自身形成二聚体／多聚体,导致GSTpi—JNK复合物解离,JNK的抑制被解除,JNK被磷酸化激活后激活转录因子c—Jun,c—Jun的激活能进一步促进GSTpi基因的转录,进而合成新的GSTpi蛋白单体,该单体又能反馈抑制JNK。后续研究发现GSTpi也能够抑制JNK激酶的上游激酶ASK1的活性。上述研究揭示GSTpi酶在细胞内除能通过降低异源物质而改变细胞的ROS平衡外,其蛋白本身还具有特异性地抑制MAPK信号转导途径中JNK激酶和JNK上游激酶的新功能。     

ROS介导JNK信号通路的研究进展

c-JunN端激酶(JNK)通路是细胞感受外界环境变化的重要途径,与细胞增殖、分化、凋亡等生命过程息息相关.活性氧(ROS)具有很高的生物学活性,可作为第二信使参与到JNK信号通之中.ROS可通过ASK1、Src激酶、GSTπ、MLK3、RIP-TRAF2复合体、MKPs等信号蛋白活化JNK,也可以充当IKK/NF-κ B、ERK等信号通路与JNK信号通路交叉时话的桥梁.另外JNK有时可出现在ROS上游,可通过促进ROS产生或聚集而发挥生物学作用.本文将对近年来ROS介导JNK信号通路网络调控的研究进展作一综述.     

JNK信号通路研究进展

c-Jun氨基末端激酶(JNK)家族是促分裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPK)超家族成员之一,以JNK为中心的JNK信号通路可被细胞因子、生长因子、应激等多种因素激活,大量实验提示JNK信号通路在细胞分化、细胞凋亡、应激反应以及多种人类疾病的发生与发展中起着至关重要的作用。现对JNK信号通路的基本构成、调节方式及其与胞内其他信号通路间相互作用进行综述。     

Differential activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases in AGS gastric epithelial cells by cag+ and cag- Helicobacter pylori.

The aim of this study was to determine whether Helicobacter pylori activates mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases in gastric epithelial cells. Infection of AGS cells with an H. pylori cag+ strain rapidly (5 min) induced a dose-dependent activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) MAP kinases, as determined by Western blot analysis and in vitro kinase assay. Compared with cag+ strains, cag- clinical isolates were less potent in inducing MAP kinase, particularly JNK and p38, activation. Isogenic inactivation of the picB region of the cag pathogenicity island resulted in a similar loss of JNK and p38 MAP kinase activation. The specific MAP kinase inhibitors, PD98059 (25 microM; MAP kinase kinase (MEK-1) inhibitor) and SB203580 (10 microM; p38 inhibitor), reduced H. pylori-induced IL-8 production in AGS cells by 78 and 82%, respectively (p < 0.01 for each). Both inhibitors together completely blocked IL-8 production (p < 0.001). However, the MAP kinase inhibitors did not prevent H. pylori-induced IkappaBalpha degradation or NF-kappaB activation. Thus, H. pylori rapidly activates ERK, p38, and JNK MAP kinases in gastric epithelial cells; cag+ isolates are more potent than cag- strains in inducing MAP kinase phosphorylation and gene products of the cag pathogenicity island are required for maximal MAP kinase activation. p38 and MEK-1 activity are required for H. pylori-induced IL-8 production, but do not appear to be essential for H. pylori-induced NF-kappaB activation. Since MAP kinases regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, programmed death, stress, and inflammatory responses, activation of gastric epithelial cell MAP kinases by H. pylori cag+ strains may be instrumental in inducing gastroduodenal inflammation, ulceration, and neoplasia.     

Conference highlight: do T cells care about the mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling pathways?

Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, which include the extracellular response kinases, p38 and c-Jun amino terminal kinases (JNK), play a significant role in mediating signals triggered by cytokines, growth factors and environmental stress. The JNK and p38 MAP kinases have been involved in growth, differentiation and cell death in different cell types. In the present paper, we describe how the JNK and p38 MAP kinase signalling pathways are regulated and their role during thymocyte development and the activation and differentiation of T cells in the peripheral immune system. The results from these studies demonstrate that the JNK and p38 MAP kinase signalling pathways regulate different aspects of T-cell mediated immune responses.     

Stimulus-specific requirements for MAP3 kinases in activating the JNK pathway

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are activated by numerous ligands typically through a protein kinase cascade minimally composed of the MAPK in series with a MAP2 kinase (MAP2K) and a MAP3K. This arrangement is thought to confer specificity and appropriate kinetic properties on the activation of MAPKs in response to physiological stimuli. Surprisingly, more than a dozen MAP3Ks have been identified that activate the c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) when overexpressed, but there is no clear understanding of which kinases actually mediate JNK activation by ligands. Here, we use double-stranded RNA-mediated interference of gene expression to reveal the explicit participation of discrete MAP3Ks in controlling JNK activity by multiple stimuli. Maximal activation of JNK by lipopolysaccharide requires the MAP3K TAK1. On the other hand, sorbitol requires expression of four MAP3Ks to cause maximal JNK activation. Thus, we demonstrate that specific stimuli use different mechanisms to recruit distinct MAP3Ks to regulate the JNK pathway.     

SAPKs regulation of ischemic preconditioning

The role of stress-activated protein kinases (SAPKs), c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, in preconditioning (PC) was examined with the use of isolated rat hearts subjected to four cyclic episodes of 5-min ischemia and 10-min reperfusion followed by 30-min ischemia and 2-h reperfusion (I/R). A group of hearts was preperfused with 100 microM curcumin, a c-Jun and JNK1 inhibitor, or 5 microM SB 203580, a p38 MAP kinase inhibitor. Another group of hearts was preperfused with 20 microM anisomycin, a stimulator for both JNK and p38 MAP kinases. I/R increased the protein levels of JNK1, c-Jun, and p38 MAP kinase. PC also enhanced the induction of these kinases, but subsequent I/R-mediated increase was blocked by PC. Curcumin blocked I/R- and PC-mediated increase in JNK1 and c-Jun protein levels, whereas it had no effects on p38 MAP kinase. SB 203580, on the other hand, was equally effective in reducing the p38 MAP kinase activation but exerted no effects on JNK1 and c-Jun induction. I/R-mediated increased myocardial infarction was reduced by any of the following compounds: anisomycin, curcumin, and SB 203580. The cardioprotective effects of PC were abolished by either curcumin or SB 203580. The results demonstrate that PC is mediated by a signal-transduction pathway involving both JNK1 and p38 MAP kinase. Activation of SAPKs, although transient, is obligatory for PC.     

The crystal structure of JNK2 reveals conformational flexibility in the MAP kinase insert and indicates its involvement in the regulation of catalytic activity

c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) 2 is a member of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase group of signaling proteins. MAP kinases share a common sequence insertion called “MAP kinase insert”, which, for ERK2, has been shown to interact with regulatory proteins and, for p38α, has been proposed to be involved in the regulation of catalytic activity. We have determined the crystal structure of human JNK2 complexed with an indazole inhibitor by applying a high-throughput protein engineering and surface-site mutagenesis approach. A novel conformation of the activation loop is observed, which is not compatible with its phosphorylation by upstream kinases. This activation inhibitory conformation of JNK2 is stabilized by the MAP kinase insert that interacts with the activation loop in an induced-fit manner. We therefore suggest that the MAP kinase insert of JNK2 plays a role in the regulation of JNK2 activation, possibly by interacting with intracellular binding partners.     

The JNK and P38 MAP kinase signaling pathways in T cell-mediated immune responses

The mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase family members, which include the extracellular response kinases (ERK), p38, and c-Jun amino terminal kinases (JNK), play a role in mediating signals triggered by cytokines, growth factors, and environmental stress. JNK and p38 MAP kinases have been involved in inflammatory processes induced by a variety of stimuli, such as oxidative stress. Here, we describe the role of the JNK and p38 MAP kinase signaling pathways in the development of T cells in the thymus, and activation and differentiation of T cells in the peripheral immune system.     

Regulation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase by MEKK-2 and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinases in rheumatoid arthritis

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) is a critical regulator of collagenase-1 production in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The MAPKs are regulated by upstream kinases, including MAPK kinases (MAPKKs) and MAPK kinase kinases (MAP3Ks). The present study was designed to evaluate the expression and regulation of the JNK pathway by MAP3K in arthritis. RT-PCR studies of MAP3K gene expression in RA and osteoarthritis synovial tissue demonstrated mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK kinase kinase (MEKK) 1, MEKK2, apoptosis-signal regulating kinase-1, TGF-beta activated kinase 1 (TAK1) gene expression while only trace amounts of MEKK3, MEKK4, and MLK3 mRNA were detected. Western blot analysis demonstrated immunoreactive MEKK2, TAK1, and trace amounts of MEKK3 but not MEKK1 or apoptosis-signal regulating kinase-1. Analysis of MAP3K mRNA in cultured fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) showed that all of the MAP3Ks examined were expressed. Western blot analysis of FLS demonstrated that MEKK1, MEKK2, and TAK1 were readily detectable and were subsequently the focus of functional studies. In vitro kinase assays using MEKK2 immunoprecipitates demonstrated that IL-1 increased MEKK2-mediated phosphorylation of the key MAPKKs that activate JNK (MAPK kinase (MKK)4 and MKK7). Furthermore, MEKK2 immunoprecipitates activated c-Jun in an IL-1 dependent manner and this activity was inhibited by the selective JNK inhibitor SP600125. Of interest, MEKK1 immunoprecipitates from IL-1-stimulated FLS appeared to activate c-Jun through the JNK pathway and TAK1 activation of c-Jun was dependent on JNK, ERK, and p38. These data indicate that MEKK2 is a potent activator of the JNK pathway in FLS and that signal complexes including MEKK2, MKK4, MKK7, and/or JNK are potential therapeutic targets in RA.     

Binding of JNK/SAPK to MEKK1 is regulated by phosphorylation

We sought to characterize the role of upstream kinases in the regulation of the MAP3 kinase MEKK1 and the potential impact on signaling to MAP kinase cascades. We find that the MAP4 kinase PAK1 phosphorylates the amino terminus of MEKK1 on serine 67. We show that serine 67 lies in a D domain, which binds to the c-Jun-NH(2)-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinases (JNK/SAPK). Serine 67 is constitutively phosphorylated in resting 293 cells, but is dephosphorylated following exposure to stress stimuli such as anisomycin and UV irradiation. Phosphorylation of this site inhibits binding of JNK/SAPK to MEKK1. Thus, we propose a mechanism by which the MEKK1-dependent JNK/SAPK pathway is negatively regulated by PAK through phosphorylation of serine 67.     

Hyperphosphorylation of JNK-interacting protein 1, a protein associated with Alzheimer disease

The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) group of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases are activated by pleiotropic signals including environmental stresses, growth factors, and hormones. JNK-interacting protein 1 (JIP1) is a scaffold protein that assembles and facilitates the activation of the mixed lineage kinase-dependent JNK module and also establishes an interaction with beta-amyloid precursor protein that has been partially characterized. Here we show that, similarly to other proteins involved in various neurological diseases, JIP1 becomes hyperphosphorylated following activation of stress-activated and MAP kinases. By immobilized metal affinity chromatography and a combined microcapillary LC/MALDI-TOF/ESI-ion trap mass spectrometry approach, we identified 35 sites of mitotic phosphorylation within JIP1, among which eight were present within (Ser/Thr)-Pro sequence. This motif is modified by various kinases in aggregates of the microtubule-associated protein tau, which generates typical intraneuronal lesions occurring in Alzheimer disease. Most of the post-translational modifications found were located within the JNK, MAP kinase kinase, and RAC-alpha Ser/Thr protein kinase binding regions; no modifications occurred in protein Src homology 3 and phosphotyrosine interaction domains, which are essential for binding to kinesin, beta-amyloid precursor protein, and MAP kinase kinase kinase. Protein phosphorylation is known to affect stability and protein-protein interactions. Thus, the findings that JIP1 is extensively phosphorylated after activation of stress-activated and MAP kinases indicate that these signaling pathways might modulate JIP1 signaling by regulating its stability and association with some, but not all, interacting proteins.     

Actions of Rho family small G proteins and p21-activated protein kinases on mitogen-activated protein kinase family members.

The mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases are a family of serine/threonine kinases that are regulated by distinct extracellular stimuli. The currently known members include extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1 (ERK1), ERK2, the c-Jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinases (JNK/SAPKs), and p38 MAP kinases. We find that overexpression of the Ste20-related enzymes p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) and PAK2 in 293 cells is sufficient to activate JNK/SAPK and to a lesser extent p38 MAP kinase but not ERK2. Rat MAP/ERK kinase kinase 1 can stimulate the activity of each of these MAP kinases. Although neither activated Rac nor the PAKs stimulate ERK2 activity, overexpression of either dominant negative Rac2 or the N-terminal regulatory domain of PAK1 inhibits Ras-mediated activation of ERK2, suggesting a permissive role for Rac in the control of the ERK pathway. Furthermore, constitutively active Rac2, Cdc42hs, and RhoA synergize with an activated form of Raf to increase ERK2 activity. These findings reveal a previously unrecognized connection between Rho family small G proteins and the ERK pathway.