Parallel regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 3 (MKK3) and MKK6 in Gq-signaling cascade

Heterotrimeric G protein G(q) stimulates the activity of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in mammalian cells. To investigate the signaling mechanism whereby alpha and betagamma subunits of G(q) activate p38 MAPK, we introduced kinase-deficient mutants of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 3 (MKK3), MKK4, and MKK6 into human embryonal kidney 293 cells. The activation of p38 MAPK by Galpha(q) and Gbetagamma was blocked by kinase-deficient MKK3 and MKK6 but not by kinase-deficient MKK4. In addition, Galpha(q) and Gbetagamma stimulated MKK3 and MKK6 activities. The MKK3 and MKK6 activations by Galpha(q), but not by Gbetagamma, were dependent on phospholipase C and c-Src. Galpha(q) stimulated MKK3 in a Rac- and Cdc42-dependent manner and MKK6 in a Rho-dependent manner. On the other hand, Gbetagamma activated MKK3 in a Rac- and Cdc42-dependent manner and MKK6 in a Rho-, Rac-, and Cdc42-dependent manner. Gbetagamma-induced MKK3 and MKK6 activations were dependent on a tyrosine kinase other than c-Src. These results suggest that Galpha(q) and Gbetagamma stimulate the activity of p38 MAPK by regulating MKK3 and MKK6 through parallel signaling pathways.     

Constitutively active mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 6 (MKK6) or salicylate induces spontaneous 3T3-L1 adipogenesis

Although much has been learned regarding the importance of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in inflammatory and stress responses, relatively little is known concerning its role in differentiation processes. Recently, we demonstrated that p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activity is necessary for the differentiation of 3T3-L1 fibroblasts into adipocytes (Engelman, J. A., Lisanti, M. P., and Scherer, P. E. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 32111-32120). p38 activity is high during the initial stages of differentiation but decreases drastically as the fibroblasts undergo terminal differentiation into adipocytes. However, it remains unknown whether activation of p38 is sufficient to stimulate adipogenesis and whether the down-regulation of p38 activity in mature adipocytes is critical for maintaining adipocyte homeostasis. In this report, we have directly addressed these questions by analyzing 3T3-L1 cell lines harboring a specific upstream activator of p38 (a constitutively active mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 6 (MKK6) mutant, MKK6(Glu)) under the control of an inducible promoter. Induction of MKK6(Glu) in 3T3-L1 fibroblasts spurs adipocyte conversion in the absence of the hormonal mixture normally required for efficient differentiation of wild-type cells. However, activation of p38 in adipocytes leads to cell death. Furthermore, treatment of 3T3-L1 fibroblasts with salicylate, a potent stimulator of p38, produces adipocyte-specific changes consistent with those observed with induction of MKK6(Glu). Expression of MKK6(Glu) in NIH-3T3 fibroblasts (cells that do not differentiate into adipocytes under normal conditions) is capable of converting these fibroblasts into lipid-laden fat cells following hormonal stimulation. Thus, p38 activation has pro-adipogenic effects in multiple fibroblast cell lines.     

Differential involvement of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases MKK3 and MKK6 in T-cell apoptosis

The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) is activated in response to various stimuli, including cellular stress, inflammatory cytokines and cell surface receptors. The activation of p38MAPK is predominantly mediated by the two upstream MAPK kinases MKK3 and MKK6. To study the role of the p38MAPK pathway in vivo, we generated Mkk6^–/– mice. We examined whether T-cell apoptosis is affected in these mice and in our previously reported Mkk3^–/– mice. Strikingly, in vivo deletion of double positive thymocytes in Mkk6^–/– mice was impaired, whereas Mkk3^–/– mice showed no apparent abnormality. Conversely, CD4⁺T cells from Mkk3^–/– but not from Mkk6^–/– mice were resistant to activation-induced cell death and cytokine-withdrawal-induced apoptosis. In peripheral CD4⁺T cells, MKK3 is induced upon stimulation, whereas MKK6 is downregulated. These results suggest a novel mechanism regulating T-cell apoptosis differentially through the p38MAPK pathway by MKK3 and MKK6.     

Protein kinase R (PKR) interacts with and activates mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 6 (MKK6) in response to double-stranded RNA stimulation

The double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-activated protein kinase R (PKR) has been invoked in different signaling pathways. In cells pre-exposed to the PKR inhibitor 2-aminopurine or in PKR-null cells, the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) following dsRNA stimulation is attenuated. We found that the p38 MAPK activator MKK6, but not its close relatives MKK3 or MKK4, exhibited an increased affinity for PKR following the exposure of cells to poly(rI:rC), a dsRNA analog. In vitro kinase assays revealed that MKK6 was efficiently phosphorylated by PKR, and this could be inhibited by 2-aminopurine. Expression of kinase-inactive PKR (K296R) in cells inhibited the poly(IC)-induced phosphorylation of MKK3/6 detected by phosphospecific antiserum but did not affect the poly(IC)-induced gel migration retardation of MKK3. This suggests that poly(IC)-mediated in vivo activation of MKK6, but not MKK3, is through PKR. Consistent with this observation, PKR was capable of activating MKK6 as assessed in a coupled kinase assay containing the components of the p38 MAPK pathway. Our results indicate that the interaction of MKK6 and PKR provides a mechanism for regulating p38 MAPK activation in response to dsRNA stimulation.     

Negative feedback regulation of MKK6 mRNA stability by p38alpha mitogen-activated protein kinase

p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases play an important role in the regulation of cellular responses to all kinds of stresses. The most abundant and broadly expressed p38 MAP kinase is p38alpha, which can also control the proliferation, differentiation, and survival of several cell types. Here we show that the absence of p38alpha correlates with the up-regulation of one of its upstream activators, the MAP kinase kinase MKK6, in p38alpha(-/-) knockout mice and in cultured cells derived from them. In contrast, the expression levels of the p38 activators MKK3 and MKK4 are not affected in p38alpha-deficient cells. The increase in MKK6 protein concentration correlates with increased amounts of MKK6 mRNA in the p38alpha(-/-) cells. Pharmacological inhibition of p38alpha also up-regulates MKK6 mRNA levels in HEK293 cells. Conversely, reintroduction of p38alpha into p38alpha(-/-) cells reduces the levels of MKK6 protein and mRNA to the normal levels found in wild-type cells. Moreover, we show that the MKK6 mRNA is more stable in p38alpha(-/-) cells and that the 3'untranslated region of this mRNA can differentially regulate the stability of the lacZ reporter gene in a p38alpha-dependent manner. Our data indicate that p38alpha can negatively regulate the stability of the MKK6 mRNA and thus control the steady-state concentration of one of its upstream activators.     

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.     

Activation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase mediates the suppressive effects of type I interferons and transforming growth factor-beta on normal hematopoiesis.

Type I interferons (IFNs) are potent regulators of normal hematopoiesis in vitro and in vivo, but the mechanisms by which they suppress hematopoietic progenitor cell growth and differentiation are not known. In the present study we provide evidence that IFN alpha and IFN beta induce phosphorylation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein (Map) kinase in CD34+-derived primitive human hematopoietic progenitors. Such type I IFN-inducible phosphorylation of p38 results in activation of the catalytic domain of the kinase and sequential activation of the MAPK-activated protein kinase-2 (MapKapK-2 kinase), indicating the existence of a signaling cascade, activated downstream of p38 in hematopoietic progenitors. Our data indicate that activation of this signaling cascade by the type I IFN receptor is essential for the generation of the suppressive effects of type I IFNs on normal hematopoiesis. This is shown by studies demonstrating that pharmacological inhibitors of p38 reverse the growth inhibitory effects of IFN alpha and IFN beta on myeloid (colony-forming granulocytic-macrophage) and erythroid (burst-forming unit-erythroid) progenitor colony formation. In a similar manner, transforming growth factor beta, which also exhibits inhibitory effects on normal hematopoiesis, activates p38 and MapKapK-2 in human hematopoietic progenitors, whereas pharmacological inhibitors of p38 reverse its suppressive activities on both myeloid and erythroid colony formation. In further studies, we demonstrate that the primary mechanism by which the p38 Map kinase pathway mediates hematopoietic suppression is regulation of cell cycle progression and is unrelated to induction of apoptosis. Altogether, these findings establish that the p38 Map kinase pathway is a common effector for type I IFN and transforming growth factor beta signaling in human hematopoietic progenitors and plays a critical role in the induction of the suppressive effects of these cytokines on normal hematopoiesis.     

Activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase by a MAP kinase-kinase.

Previously it has been shown that acute 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate treatment of intact U937 cells results in activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and a MAP kinase activator. MAP kinase activator induces phosphorylation of MAP kinase on tyrosine and threonine residues, thereby activating MAP kinase. Here, experiments with the irreversible kinase inhibitor, 5'-p-fluorosulfonylbenzoyladenosine (FSBA), show that MAP kinase activator is in fact a MAP kinase-kinase. Treatment of MAP kinase activator with FSBA results in complete inactivation. This inactivation is prevented by a 10-fold excess of ATP. Inactivation of MAP kinase by FSBA does not affect the extent of threonine/tyrosine phosphorylation induced by MAP kinase-kinase.     

Distinct signaling properties of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases 4 (MKK4) and 7 (MKK7) in embryonic stem cell (ESC) differentiation

Signal transduction pathways are integral components of the developmental regulatory network that guides progressive cell fate determination. MKK4 and MKK7 are upstream kinases of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), responsible for channeling physiological and environmental signals to their cellular responses. Both kinases are essential for survival of mouse embryos, but because of embryonic lethality, their precise developmental roles remain largely unknown. Using gene knock-out mouse ESCs, we studied the roles of MKK4 and MKK7 in differentiation in vitro. While MKK4 and MKK7 were dispensable for ESC self-renewal and pluripotency maintenance, they exhibited unique signaling and functional properties in differentiation. MKK4 and MKK7 complemented each other in activation of the JNK-c-Jun cascades and loss of both led to senescence upon cell differentiation. On the other hand, MKK4 and MKK7 had opposite effects on activation of the p38 cascades during differentiation. Specifically, MKK7 reduced p38 activation, while Mkk7(-/-) ESCs had elevated phosphorylation of MKK4, p38, and ATF2, and increased MEF2C expression. Consequently, Mkk7(-/-) ESCs had higher expression of MHC and MLC and enhanced formation of contractile cardiomyocytes. In contrast, MKK4 was required for p38 activation and Mkk4(-/-) ESCs exhibited diminished p-ATF2 and MEF2C expression, resulting in impaired MHC induction and defective cardiomyocyte differentiation. Exogenous MKK4 expression partially restored the ability of Mkk4(-/-) ESCs to differentiate into cardiomyocytes. Our results uncover complementary and interdependent roles of MKK4 and MKK7 in development, and identify the essential requirement for MKK4 in p38 activation and cardiomyocyte differentiation.     

Sequential activation of the MEK-extracellular signal-regulated kinase and MKK3/6-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways mediates oncogenic ras-induced premature senescence

In primary mammalian cells, oncogenic ras induces premature senescence, depending on an active MEK-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. It has been unclear how activation of the mitogenic MEK-ERK pathway by ras can confer growth inhibition. In this study, we have found that the stress-activated MAPK, p38, is also activated during the onset of ras-induced senescence in primary human fibroblasts. Constitutive activation of p38 by active MKK3 or MKK6 induces senescence. Oncogenic ras fails to provoke senescence when p38 activity is inhibited, suggesting that p38 activation is essential for ras-induced senescence. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that p38 activity is stimulated by ras as a result of an activated MEK-ERK pathway. Following activation of MEK and ERK, expression of oncogenic ras leads to the accumulation of active MKK3/6 and p38 activation in a MEK-dependent fashion and subsequently induces senescence. Active MEK1 induces the same set of changes and provokes senescence relying on active p38. Therefore, oncogenic ras provokes premature senescence by sequentially activating the MEK-ERK and MKK3/6-p38 pathways in normal, primary cells. These studies have defined the molecular events within the ras signaling cascade that lead to premature senescence and, thus, have provided new insights into how ras confers oncogenic transformation in primary cells.     

Identification and characterization of a new mammalian mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase, MKK2.

Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases are serine/threonine protein kinases activated by dual phosphorylation on threonine and tyrosine residues. A MAP kinase kinase (MKK1 or MEK1) has been identified as a dual-specificity protein kinase that is sufficient to phosphorylate MAP kinases p42mapk and p44mapk on the regulatory threonine and tyrosine residues. Because of the multiplicity of MAP kinase isoforms and the diverse circumstances and agonists leading to their activation, we thought it unlikely that a single MKK could accommodate this complexity. Indeed, two protein bands with MKK activity have previously been identified after renaturation following sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. We now report the molecular cloning and characterization of a second rat MAP kinase kinase cDNA, MKK2. MKK2 cDNA contains an open reading frame encoding a protein of 400 amino acids, 7 residues longer than MKK1 (MEK1). The amino acid sequence of MKK2 is 81% identical to that of MKK1, but nucleotide sequence differences occur throughout the aligned MKK2 and MKK1 cDNAs, indicating that MKK2 is the product of a distinct gene. MKK1 and MKK2 mRNAs are expressed differently in rat tissues. Both cDNAs when expressed in COS cells displayed the ability to phosphorylate and activate p42mapk and p44mapk, both MKK1 and MKK2 were activated in vivo in response to serum, and both could be phosphorylated and activated by the v-Raf protein in vitro. However, differences between MKK1 and MKK2 in sites of phosphorylation by proline-directed protein kinases predict differences in feedback regulation.     

Requirement of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 3 (MKK3) for activation of p38alpha and p38delta MAPK isoforms by TGF-beta 1 in murine mesangial cells

Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) is a potent inducer of extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis that leads to renal fibrosis. Intracellular signaling mechanisms involved in this process remain incompletely understood. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is a major stress signal-transducing pathway, and we have previously reported activation of p38 MAPK by TGF-beta1 in rat mesangial cells and its role in the stimulation of pro-alpha1(I) collagen. In this study, we further investigated the mechanism of p38 MAPK activation by TGF-beta1 and the role of MKK3, an upstream MAPK kinase of p38 MAPK, by examining the effect of targeted disruption of the Mkk3 gene. We first isolated glomerular mesangial cells from MKK3-null (Mkk3-/-) and wild-type (Mkk3+/+) control mice. Treatment with TGF-beta1 induced rapid phosphorylation of MKK3 as well as p38 MAPK within 15 min in cultured wild-type (Mkk3+/+) mouse mesangial cells. In contrast, TGF-beta1 failed to induce phosphorylation of either MKK3 or p38 MAPK in MKK3-deficient (Mkk3-/-) mouse mesangial cells, indicating that MKK3 is required for TGF-beta1-induced p38 MAPK activation. TGF-beta1 selectively activated the p38 MAPK isoforms p38alpha and p38delta in wild-type (Mkk3+/+) mesangial cells, but not in MKK3-deficient (Mkk3-/-) mesangial cells. Thus, activation of p38alpha and p38delta is dependent on the activation of upstream MKK3 by TGF-beta1. Furthermore, MKK3 deficiency resulted in a selective disruption of TGF-beta1-stimulated up-regulation of pro-alpha1(I) collagen expression but not TGF-beta1 induction of fibronectin and PAI-1. These data demonstrate that the MKK3 is a critical component of the TGF-beta1 signaling pathway, and its activation is required for subsequent p38alpha and p38delta MAPK activation and collagen stimulation by TGF-beta1.     

Activation of the p70 S6 kinase and phosphorylation of the 4E-BP1 repressor of mRNA translation by type I interferons

The Type I IFN receptor-generated signals required for initiation of mRNA translation and, ultimately, induction of protein products that mediate IFN responses, remain unknown. We have previously shown that IFNalpha and IFNbeta induce phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate proteins and downstream engagement of the phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3'-kinase pathway. In the present study we provide evidence for the existence of a Type I IFN-dependent signaling cascade activated downstream of PI 3'-kinase, involving p70 S6 kinase. Our data demonstrate that p70 S6K is rapidly phosphorylated on threonine 421 and serine 424 and is activated during treatment of cells with IFNalpha or IFNbeta. Such activation of p70 S6K is blocked by pharmacological inhibitors of the PI 3'-kinase or the FKBP 12-rapamycin-associated protein/mammalian target of rapamycin (FRAP/mTOR). Consistent with this, the Type I IFN-dependent phosphorylation/activation of p70 S6K is defective in embryonic fibroblasts from mice with targeted disruption of the p85alpha and p85beta subunits of the PI 3'-kinase (p85alpha-/-beta-/-). Treatment of sensitive cell lines with IFNalpha or IFNbeta also results in phosphorylation/inactivation of the 4E-BP-1 repressor of mRNA translation. Such 4E-BP1 phosphorylation is also PI3'-kinase-dependent and rapamycin-sensitive, indicating that the Type I IFN-inducible activation of PI3'-kinase and FRAP/mTOR results in dissociation of 4E-BP1 from the eukaryotic initiation factor-4E (eIF4E) complex. Altogether, our data establish that the Type I IFN receptor-activated PI 3'-kinase pathway mediates activation of the p70 S6 kinase and inactivation of 4E-BP1, to regulate mRNA translation and induction of Type I IFN responses.     

Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase in BC3H1 myocytes by fluoroaluminate.

Treatment of BC3H1 myocytes or 3T3-L1 fibroblasts with fluoroaluminate (AlF4-), a direct activator of G proteins, increased the tyrosine phosphorylation of a 42-kDa cytosolic protein. AlF4- induced a parallel increase in protein kinase activity toward myelin basic protein (MBP) in partially purified cell extracts. To test whether AlF4- was activating the 42-kDa MAP (mitogen-activated protein) kinase, extracts from AlF4--treated cells were taken through the chromatographic steps routinely used to purify MAP kinase from growth factor-stimulated cells. Following phenyl-Superose chromatography, a peak of MBP kinase activity eluted at a position characteristic of MAP kinase. Immunoblotting of the active fractions with anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies revealed a single reactive protein band of Mr 42,000. Stimulation of MAP kinase by AlF4- was rapid, peaking within 15 min and persisting for at least 1 h. In contrast, the activation of MAP kinase by insulin was transient, characteristic of its activation by growth factors in other cell types. Although concentrations of sodium fluoride greater than 1 mM also activated MAP kinase, this effect was shown to be dependent upon the simultaneous presence of aluminum ions in the medium. Activation of MAP kinase by AlF4- was not affected by either cellular depletion of protein kinase C or pretreatment of cells with pertussis toxin. Potential sites of action of AlF4- are discussed. These findings suggest that activation of a G protein(s) in intact cells can initiate events that result in tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of MAP kinase.     

The mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade MKK3-MPK6 is an important part of the jasmonate signal transduction pathway in Arabidopsis

The plant hormone jasmonic acid (JA) plays a key role in the environmental stress responses and developmental processes of plants. Although ATMYC2/JASMONATE-INSENSITIVE1 (JIN1) is a major positive regulator of JA-inducible gene expression and essential for JA-dependent developmental processes in Arabidopsis thaliana, molecular mechanisms underlying the control of ATMYC2/JIN1 expression remain largely unknown. Here, we identify a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade, MAPK KINASE 3 (MKK3)-MAPK 6 (MPK6), which is activated by JA in Arabidopsis. We also show that JA negatively controls ATMYC2/JIN1 expression, based on quantitative RT-PCR and genetic analyses using gain-of-function and loss-of-function mutants of the MKK3-MPK6 cascade. These results indicate that this kinase unit plays a key role in JA-dependent negative regulation of ATMYC2/JIN1 expression. Both positive and negative regulation by JA may be used to fine-tune ATMYC2/JIN1 expression to control JA signaling. Moreover, JA-regulated root growth inhibition is affected by mutations in the MKK3-MPK6 cascade, which indicates important roles in JA signaling. We provide a model explaining how MPK6 can convert three distinct signals - JA, pathogen, and cold/salt stress - into three different sets of responses in Arabidopsis.