曲古抑菌素A（TSA）对骨肉瘤细胞株143B增殖和凋亡的作用及其机制

观察曲古抑菌素A（TSA）对骨肉瘤细胞株143B增殖及凋亡的作用,并探讨其机制。TSA与p38抑制剂（SB203580,3μmol／L）及JNK抑制剂（SP600125,0．5μmol／L）单独或同时处理143B细胞,分别以MTT、台盼蓝染色、流式细胞术和JC—1（测定线粒体跨膜电位）法检,TSA对143B细胞的增殖、存活、周期以及凋亡的影响。应用RT-PCR、Westernblot检测Bax、Bcl．2、p38／JNK表达。结果显示,TsA能够以时间和剂量依赖方式抑制143B细胞增殖,使细胞周期阻滞于GdG。与G2／M期,并能诱导143B细胞凋亡,引起线粒体膜电位降低,促凋亡蛋白Bax表达上调,抑凋亡蛋白Bcl．2表达下调,同时使p38／ⅢK活化增加。p38／JNK4检测剂则能逆转TSA对Bax／Bcl．2的上调及抑制作用。研究结果揭示,TSA可以时间剂量依赖方式抑制143BN胞增殖,阻滞细胞周期,诱导细胞凋亡;其诱导细胞凋亡的机制可能与活化MAPK通路中p38和JNK的活性从而激发线粒体凋亡通路有关。     

BAD与JNK协同调节UV诱导的细胞凋亡

JNK和BAD(bcl-2相关死亡启动子)都是参与细胞凋亡的重要调控蛋白. 然而,二者在功能上的联系及其在细胞凋亡中的相互作用尚未见报导. 本研究证明, BAD可作为JNK的磷酸化底物, 与JNK相互作用, 协同调节紫外线（UV）诱导的细胞凋亡. 蛋白质印迹检测PARP (聚ADP核糖聚合酶)裂解, 以及流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡结果揭示, UV诱导的MEF细胞凋亡依赖JNK的激酶活性. siRNA敲降BAD的蛋白表达,可增加MEF细胞对UV 诱导的细胞凋亡的敏感性. UV处理的野生型MEF细胞抽提液（含JNK激酶活性）可催化GST-BAD底物发生磷酸化修饰, 而UV未处理的细胞抽提液却不能. 结果提示, UV激活的JNK活性可催化BAD磷酸化|体外合成的持续活化的JNK与GST-BAD体外共孵育结合质谱分析证明, JNK 可催化BAD蛋白的Thr-201磷酸化. 提示BAD是JNK的底物. 此外,野生型和T201A突变的BAD质粒转染BAD-/-细胞结果显示, BAD的T201磷酸化可抑制JNK激酶活性及其底物c-Jun的磷酸化, 提示BAD磷酸化对JNK具有负反馈调节作用. 上述结果证明,BAD作为底物可被UV激活的JNK激酶磷酸化|磷酸化BAD反过来又可抑制JNK的激酶活性, 负性调节细胞凋亡. 综上所述, BAD与JNK能够相互影响, 协同调控UV诱导的细胞凋亡.     

E1A激活基因阻遏子(CREG)过表达通过抑制p38/JNK信号分子活化对抗人血管平滑肌细胞凋亡

血管平滑肌细胞(VSMCs)凋亡参与了动脉粥样硬化(AS)及冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI)术后再狭窄(RS)等心血管疾病的发生发展过程．E1A激活基因阻遏子(CREG)是新近发现的一种分泌型糖蛋白,在维持细胞和组织稳态方面发挥重要作用．前期研究发现CREG蛋白过表达能够对抗血清饥饿诱导的人血管平滑肌细胞(hVSMCs)凋亡,进一步探讨CREG对hVSMCs凋亡的调控作用及相关的分子机制．以逆转录病毒稳定转染的CREG过表达及表达抑制的hVSMCs为模型,应用两种药物Staurosporine (STS) 和Etoposide (VP-16) 诱导细胞发生凋亡,检测细胞凋亡和相关信号通路变化．结果显示,在药物干预后,CREG表达抑制时细胞凋亡明显增多,而CREG过表达明显抑制hVSMCs凋亡．同时也发现,CREG表达抑制时p38及JNK活性明显增强,而CREG过表达时p38和JNK活性被抑制．经腺病毒转染和药物干预抑制p38表达后,细胞凋亡均受到抑制,而且在p38活性被抑制的同时,JNK活化也受到抑制．说明p38和JNK表现为协同作用．结果也显示,VSMCs分化指标SM α-actin和SM MHC与CREG表达呈一致趋势,而细胞外基质蛋白Fibronection与CREG表达呈负相关．以上结果提示,CREG在维持VSMCs表型转换方面发挥重要作用,并且通过p38和JNK信号转导通路对hVSMCs凋亡进行调控．CREG可能对于AS和PCI术后RS的防治具有重要价值．     

酸性鞘磷脂水解酶和MAPK信号通路在UVA诱导细胞凋亡中的作用

为了探讨酸性鞘磷脂水解酶 (ASM)和MAPK信号通路在UVA诱导的细胞凋亡中的作用 ,用DNA梯形条带 (DNAladder)和荧光显微镜鉴定细胞凋亡 ,Western印迹分析MAPK信号通路的激活情况 .结果显示 :①经UVA照射 ,正常的淋巴母细胞JY出现严重的细胞凋亡 ,而ASM遗传性缺陷的淋巴母细胞MS1 4 1 8出现轻微凋亡 ;给予ASM特异性抑制剂NB6 ,UVA诱导的JY细胞凋亡明显减轻 ,表明UVA诱导的细胞凋亡依赖于ASM .②UVA照射后 ,磷酸化ERK含量在MS1 4 1 8细胞中明显升高 ,在JY细胞中受到抑制 ;UVA照射前给予NB6 ,JY细胞中磷酸化ERK含量上升 ,表明ASM能抑制ERK的激活 .③UVA照射后 ,磷酸化JNK含量在MS1 4 1 8细胞中几乎没有变化 ,而在JY细胞中含量升高 ;UVA照射前给予NB6 ,JY细胞中磷酸化JNK含量没有明显升高 ,表明ASM激活JNK通路 .④NB6对UVA激活的p38MAPK信号通路没有影响 ,表明p38的激活与ASM关系不大 .研究表明 ,UVA诱导的细胞凋亡是通过激活ASM、激活JNK信号通路并抑制ERK信号通路来完成的     

JNK活化机制的研究进展

cJun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,MAPK信号通路是多级蛋白激酶的级联反应,包括三个关键的激酶:MAPK、MAPK的激酶(MAPKK)和MAPK激酶的激酶(MAPKKK).JNK信号通路中有许多支架蛋白,如:JIP、JAMP、POSH等,能够与JNK及JNK信号通路中相关成员结合成复合物,调节它们的活性和细胞内定位,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活化在细胞增殖、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重要的作用.JNK信号通路与其他信号通路间也有着相互作用.现对JNK活化机制的研究进展进行综述.     

JNK激酶介导mGluR1对细胞凋亡的不同效应

代谢型谷氨酸受体1（mGluR1）可以通过激活多条信号通路促进或抑制细胞凋亡.然而,导致这种生理功能差异的机制尚不明确.本研究选用两种细胞系,即大鼠神经胶质瘤细胞系（C6）和人胚胎肾细胞（HEK293）分别研究内源性和外源转染的mGluR1的激活对细胞凋亡的影响及其调节机制. 结果显示,内源性mGluR1的活化能够激活PI3K/ERK/JNK通路,抑制凋亡试剂STS诱导的细胞凋亡;而外源转染的mGluR1的活化能够分别激活PI3K/ERK和JNK通路,同时促进STS诱导的应激损伤. HEK293细胞中,应用JNK通路抑制剂SP600125,能够部分抑制由mGluR1激活介导的caspase 3的剪切和细胞凋亡;而在C6细胞中阻断JNK通路,则加剧了由mGluR1活化而引起的细胞凋亡. 本文结果提示：mGluR1通过不同信号通路影响细胞凋亡,其中JNK通路可能是调控细胞凋亡的关键途径.本文为受体激活对细胞凋亡能够产生不同的调控作用提供了相应的证据.     

雌激素对MAPK信号转导通路的作用机制

雌激素可以通过基因组作用和非基因组作用对细胞功能起调节作用。本文主要综述了其非基因组作用,即通过膜受体激活细胞内MAPK(ERK、p38、JNK)信号传导通路的过程。雌激素对ERK主要起促进作用,引起细胞增殖、分化以及血管扩张等生物学效应;对p38也起促进作用,而在不同的细胞中对JNK的作用不同,进而调节细胞凋亡、癌症发生等生命现象。     

经MAPK信号转导通路介导的糖皮质激素的作用机制

糖皮质激素(GC)通过膜受体快速激活细胞内信号传导通路的机制,主要涉及ERK,JNK/SAPK和P38等MAPK家族的重要成员.GC在许多细胞中对ERK起抑制作用,在不同的细胞中,GC能激活JNK或抑制其活性,即具有一定的细胞特异性.GC还直接或间接地激活P38途径.GC激活MAPK介导的信号传导通路,产生一系列生物学效应,如抑制细胞的生长的繁殖,介导细胞的凋亡等.     

柴胡提取物诱导人类白血病细胞HL-60的细胞凋亡及其机理研究

柴胡提取物诱导人类白血病细胞HL-60的细胞凋亡从而抑制其细胞生长.为了研究该过程的作用机理,我们研究了丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPKs),包括胞外信号调节激酶(ERK1/2),c-jun氨基末端蛋白激酶(JNK)和p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPK),在该过程中的磷酸化特征与动态变化.结果表明,柴胡提取物显著的增加了p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶和胞外信号调节激酶(ERK1/2)的磷酸化作用,其增加值在测试范围内与测试剂量和作用时间成正相关,但在柴胡提取物诱导人类白血病细胞HL-60的细胞凋亡过程中,没有发现对氨基末端蛋白激酶(JNK)表现出磷酸化活性.柴胡提取物诱导白血病HL-60的细胞凋亡部分归结于对p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶的上调节作用,这种上调节作用能够受到p38 MAPK特异性的抑制剂SB203580的部分逆转,而MEK的抑制剂U0126则对柴胡提取物诱导HL-60细胞凋亡过程中的胞外信号调节激酶(ERK1/2)的磷酸化具有显著的协同效应.这是首次报道柴胡提取物在诱导人白血病细胞HL-60细胞凋亡过程中参与p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶的磷酸化,同时柴胡提取物作为胞外信号调节激酶(ERK1/2)抑制剂的协同作用物具有相应的药物学功能.     

丝裂原活化蛋白激酶和磷酸酯酶-1在心肌病和细胞凋亡中的作用

ERK、JNK和p38等丝裂原活化蛋白激酶通过生长因子、激动剂或应激反应等介导生长、分化、凋亡以及细胞间相互作用等多种过程。ERK、JNK和p38是参与心衰病理过程的主要信号元件,MKP-1是丝裂原活化蛋白激酶等的去磷酸化因子,是一种应激蛋白,在应激反应中可以抑制ERK、JNK和p38的活性,并通过凋节ERK、JNK和p38的活性,参与对心衰病理过程的调节。本文以转基因研究结果为主要线索,对丝裂原活化蛋白激酶和磷酸酯酶．1在心衰病理过程中的作用进行了综述。     

Contribution of endoplasmic reticulum stress,MAPK and PI3K/Akt pathways to the apoptotic death induced by a penicillin derivative in melanoma cells

We have previously examined the in vitro and in vivo antitumor action of TAP7f, a synthetic triazolylpeptidyl penicillin, on murine melanoma cells. In this work, we explored the signal transduction pathways modulated by TAP7f in murine B16-F0 and human A375 melanoma cells, and the contribution of some intracellular signals to the apoptotic cell death. TAP7f decreased ERK1/2 phosphorylation and increased phospho-p38, phospho-JNK and phospho-Akt levels. ERK1/2 blockage suppressed cell growth, while inhibition of p38, JNK and PI3K-I pathways reduced the antitumor effect of TAP7f. Pharmacological inhibition of p38 and JNK, or blockage of PI3K-I/Akt cascade with a dominant negative PI3K-I mutant diminished Bax expression levels and PARP-1 cleavage, indicating the involvement of these pathways in apoptosis. PI3K-I/Akt inhibition also favored an autophagic response, as evidenced by the higher expression levels of Beclin-1 and LC3-II detected in transfected cells exposed to TAP7f. However, although PI3K-I/Akt blockage promoted an autophagic survival response, this mechanism appears not to be critical for TAP7f antitumor action. It was also shown that TAP7f induced ER stress by enhancing the expression of ER stress-related genes and proteins. Downregulation of CHOP protein with specific siRNA increased cell growth and decreased cleavage of PARP-1, supporting its role in apoptosis. Furthermore, it was found that activation of p38, JNK and Akt occurred downstream ER perturbation. In summary, our results showed that TAP7f triggers an apoptotic cell death in melanoma cells through induction of ER stress and activation of p38, JNK and PI3K-I/Akt pathways.

     

Two distinct signaling pathways regulate peroxynitrite-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells

The mechanisms of peroxynitrite-induced apoptosis are not fully understood. We report here that peroxynitrite-induced apoptosis of PC12 cells requires the simultaneous activation of p38 and JNK MAP kinase, which in turn activates the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, as evidenced by Bax translocation to the mitochondria, cytochrome c release to the cytoplasm and activation of caspases, leading to cell death. Peroxynitrite induces inactivation of the Akt pathway. Furthermore, overexpression of constitutively active Akt inhibits both peroxynitrite-induced Bax translocation and cell death. Peroxynitrite-induced death was prevented by overexpression of Bcl-2 and by cyclosporin A, implicating the involvement of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Selective inhibition of mixed lineage kinase (MLK), p38 or JNK does not attenuate the decrease in Akt phosphorylation showing that inactivation of the Akt pathway occurs independently of the MLK/MAPK pathway. Together, these results reveal that peroxynitrite-induced activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway involves interactions with the MLK/MAPK and Akt signaling pathways.     

Characterization of N,N,-dimethyl-D-erythro-sphingosine-induced apoptosis and signaling in U937 cells: independence of sphingosine kinase inhibition

In the present study, we studied N,N-dimethyl-D-erythro-sphingosine (DMS)-induced cell death and its signaling mechanism in U937 human monocytes. We found that DMS induced cell death in a concentration-dependent manner, while sphingosine 1-phosphate did not. DMS also induced DNA fragmentation, nuclear disruption, and cytochrome c release from mitochondria in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, implying apoptotic cell death. DMS was found to increase mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) immediately after addition of DMS and to decrease MMP at 2h after addition. However, sphingosine kinase inhibitors and PKC inhibitors did not induce cell death in U937 cells, a result that appears to exclude sphingosine kinase and PKC as target molecules of DMS in the cell death induction process. Furthermore, DMS modulated the activity of several signaling molecules. DMS induced activation of JNK and p38 MAP kinase, while it decreased the activity of ERK and Akt kinase. However, decrease of MMP, inhibition of JNK, p38 MAP kinase, ERK, or Akt with specific inhibitors could not mimic the DMS-induced cell death, implying multiple concerted processes are involved in DMS-induced cell death. In summary, DMS induced apoptotic cell death via modulation of MMP, JNK, p38 MAP kinase, ERK, and Akt kinase, but not through inhibition of sphingosine kinase or PKC in U937 cells.     

Reduction of UV-induced cell death in the human senescent fibroblasts

We studied mechanisms by which senescent cells acquire resistance to UV-induced cellular insults. Human primary foreskin fibroblast culture was used since it undergoes cellular senescence in vitro after a limited number of passages. Senescence was induced by a brief treatment of the early passage cells with 100 microM of H2O2 for 1 h, and subsequent culture for 3 weeks. Hydrogen peroxide-treated cells showed an enhancement of senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity. In the senescent cells, DNA fragmentation in response to UV-irradiation was found to decrease significantly compared with that in the young cells. The SAPK/JNK activation by UV irradiation was reduced in both non-treated senescent cells and the hydrogen peroxide-induced senescent cells, suggesting that a reduced DNA fragmentation by UV-irradiation in the senescent cells is closely related to the decreased SAPK/JNK activity. Since a cell cycle inhibitor, p21Waf1, has been implicated in protecting cells against apoptotic cell death, we determined p21Waf1 to assess whether its elevation has any impact on the reduction of UV-induced activation of SAPK/JNK in the senescent cells. The expression of p21Waf1 increased in both the nontreated and the hydrogen peroxide-treated senescent cells. Our study also revealed that the blockage of SAPK/JNK activation in the senescent cells was closely related to the increased level of p21Waf1. Our observation might provide clues about molecular mechanism of resistance to DNA fragmentation and the consequent cell death by UV-irradiation.     

Cellular N-Ras promotes cell survival by downregulation of Jun N-terminal protein kinase and p38

Cellular N-Ras provides a steady-state antiapoptotic signal, at least partially through the regulation of phosphorylated Akt and Bad levels. Fibroblasts lacking c-N-Ras expression are highly sensitive to the induction of apoptosis by a variety of agents. Reduction of pBad and pAkt levels using a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor was not sufficient to sensitize the control cell population to the high level of apoptosis observed in the N-Ras knockout cell lines, suggesting that c-N-Ras provides at least one other antiapoptotic signal. Stimulation of the control cells with apoptotic agents results in a transient increase in Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK)/p38 activity that decreased to baseline levels during the time course of the experiments. In all cases, however, sustained JNK/p38 activity was observed in cells lacking c-N-Ras expression. This correlated with sustained levels of phosphorylated MKK4 and MKK3/6, upstream activators of JNK and p38, respectively. Mimicking the sustained activation of JNK in the control cells did result in increasing their sensitivity to apoptotic agents, suggesting that prolonged JNK activity is a proapoptotic event. We also examined the potential downstream c-N-Ras targets that might be involved in regulating the duration of the JNK/p38 signal. Only the RalGDS 37G-N-Ras protein protected the N-Ras knockout cells from apoptosis and restored transient rather than sustained JNK activation. These data suggest that cellular N-Ras provides an antiapoptotic signal through at least two distinct mechanisms, one which regulates steady-state pBad and pAkt levels and one which regulates the duration of JNK/p38 activity following an apoptotic challenge.     

Differential role of reactive oxygen species in the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and Akt by key receptors on B-lymphocytes: CD40, the B cell antigen receptor, and CXCR4

Background Antibodies produced by B-lymphocytes play a key role in the host defense against infection. The development, survival, and activation of B cell is regulated by multiple receptors including the B cell antigen receptor (BCR), which detects the presence of pathogens, CD40, which binds co-stimulatory molecules on activated T cells, and chemokines such as SDF-1 (CXCL12) that play key roles in B cell development and trafficking. Signaling by many receptors results in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that function as second messengers by regulating the activity of redox-sensitive kinases and phosphatases. We investigated the role of ROS in signaling by the BCR, CD40, and CXCR4, the receptor for SDF-1. We focused on activation of ERK, JNK, p38, and Akt, kinases that regulate multiple processes including cell survival, proliferation, and migration. Results Using the anti-oxidants N-acetyl L-cysteine (NAC) and ebselen to deplete intracellular ROS, we identified a differential requirement for ROS in the activation of ERK, JNK, p38, and Akt by these receptors. We found that CD40 activated JNK, p38, and Akt via redox-dependent pathways that were sensitive to ROS depletion by NAC and ebselen. In contrast, BCR-induced activation of ERK, JNK, p38, and Akt was not affected by ROS depletion. We also found that CXCR4-induced Akt activation was ROS-dependent even though activation of the ERK, JNK, and p38 MAP kinases by CXCR4 occurred via ROS-independent pathways. Conclusion The differential requirement for ROS in the activation of ERK, JNK, p38, and Akt by the BCR, CD40, and CXCR4 likely reflects the multiplicity of upstream activators for each of these kinases, only some of which may be regulated in a redox-dependent manner. These findings support the idea that ROS are important second messengers in B cells and suggest that oxidants or anti-oxidants could be used to modulate B cell activation.     

Hsa-miR-409-3p regulates endothelial progenitor senescence via PP2A-P38 and is a potential ageing marker in humans

We explored the roles of hsa-microRNA (miR)-409-3p in senescence and signalling mechanism of human endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Hsa-miR-409-3p was found upregulated in senescent EPCs. Overexpression of miRNA mimics in young EPCs inhibited angiogenesis. In senescent EPCs, compared to young EPCs, protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) was downregulated, with activation of p38/JNK by phosphorylation. Young EPCs treated with siPP2A caused inhibited angiogenesis with activation of p38/JNK, similar to findings in senescent EPCs. Time series analysis showed, in young EPCs treated with hsa-miR-409-3p mimics, PP2A was steadily downregulated for 72 h, while p38/JNK was activated with a peak at 48 hours. The inhibited angiogenesis of young EPCs after miRNA-409-3p mimics treatment was reversed by the p38 inhibitor. The effect of hsa-miR-409-3p on PP2A signalling was attenuated by exogenous VEGF. Analysis of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from healthy people revealed hsa-miR-409-3p expression was higher in those older than 65 years, compared to those younger than 30 years, regardless of gender. In summary, hsa-miR-409-3p was upregulated in senescent EPCs and acted as a negative modulator of angiogenesis via targeting protein phosphatase 2 catalytic subunit alpha (PPP2CA) gene and regulating PP2A/p38 signalling. Data from human PBMCs suggested hsa-miR-409-3p a potential biomarker for human ageing.     

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.