Role of ERK activation in cisplatin-induced apoptosis in OK renal epithelial cells

Cisplatin induces apoptosis in a variety of cell types. However, the signaling pathway of cisplatin-induced apoptosis in renal epithelial cells is poorly understood. The present study was undertaken to determine the role of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in cisplatin-induced apoptosis of renal epithelial cells using opossum kidney cells. Cisplatin at 50 microM induced apoptosis in a time-dependent manner. Cisplatin treatment caused sustained activation of ERK1/2, which was prevented by PD98059 and U0126, inhibitors of ERK1/2 upstream kinase MEK1/2. Transient transfection of cells with constitutive active MEK1 increased the cisplatin-induced apoptosis, whereas that with a dominant-negative mutant of MEK1 decreased it. Cisplatin induced an increase in Bax expression, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, mitochondrial cytochrome c release and caspase-3 activation, and these changes were prevented by the MEK inhibitor. These results suggested that (1) the ERK1/2 activation is required for the cisplatin-induced apoptosis of renal epithelial cells; and (2) ERK1/2 mediates the mitochondria-dependent apoptotic signaling by acting upstream of Bax expression.     

阿魏酸钠对抗谷氨酸诱导的鼠皮层神经元凋亡作用的影响

目的探讨MEK/ERK信号转导通路是否参与了阿魏酸钠(SF)对抗谷氨酸诱导的鼠皮层神经元凋亡作用。方法以谷氨酸诱导大鼠皮层神经元凋亡为模型。采用Westernblot观察Bcl-2、caspase-3、磷酸化ERK1/2表达的改变。结果阿魏酸钠能够显著降低谷氨酸诱导的神经细胞caspase-3的表达,提高Bcl-2、磷酸化ERK1/2的表达。PD98059可以减弱SF的保护作用。结论 MEK/ERK1/2通路参与阿魏酸钠对抗谷氨酸诱导的鼠皮层神经元凋亡。     

Intracellular signaling pathways involved in the relaxin-induced proliferation of rat Sertoli cells

Regulation of Sertoli cell number is a key event to determine normal spermatogenesis. We have previously shown that relaxin and its G-protein coupled receptor RXFP1 are expressed in rat Sertoli cells, and that relaxin stimulates Sertoli cell proliferation. This study examined the mechanisms underlying the mitogenic effect of relaxin in a primary culture of Sertoli cells removed from testes of immature rats. Stimulation with exogenous relaxin increased Sertoli cell number and the expression of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), but did not affect the mRNA level of the differentiation markers cadherins 1 and 2. Relaxin-induced Sertoli cell proliferation was blocked by inhibition of MEK/ERK1/2 or PI3K/AKT pathways, but not by inhibition of PKC or EGFR activity. Relaxin induced a rapid and transient activation of ERK1/2 phosphorylation, which was MEK and SRC-dependent, and involved upstream activation of G(i). AKT activation could be detected 5min after relaxin stimulation, and was still detected after 24h of stimulation with relaxin. Relaxin-induced AKT phosphorylation was G(i)- but not PKA-dependent, and it was blocked by both PI3K and MEK inhibitors. In conclusion, the mitogenic effect of relaxin in Sertoli cell involves coupling to G(i) and activation of both MEK/ERK1/2 and PI3K/AKT pathways.     

trans-Resveratrol inhibits H2O2-induced adenocarcinoma gastric cells proliferation via inactivation of MEK1/2-ERK1/2-c-Jun signalling axis

In this report we investigate the signalling pathway activated by H₂O₂ in human adenocarcinoma gastric cells (AGS) and we evaluate the anti-proliferative action of the natural stilbene trans-resveratrol. We demonstrate that H₂O₂ accelerates cell growth and induces a prompt MEK1/2-ERK1/2 activation. Such events are also associated with the activation of c-Jun and its translocation into the nuclear compartment. A specific inhibitor of ERK1/2 phosphorylation by MEK1/2 (U0126) abrogates these phenomena. On the contrary, specific inhibition of JNK activity does not influence H₂O₂-mediated growth, suggesting that cell proliferation likely proceeds via MEK1/2-ERK1/2-Jun signalling axis. trans-Resveratrol is also able to completely suppress the increase in proliferation. We demonstrate that this property is not due to its antioxidant capacity but rather due to a specific inhibition of ERK1/2 phosphorylation by MEK1/2 and repression of c-Jun activation.     

Pharmacological inhibition of the MAPK/ERK pathway increases sensitivity to 2-chloro-2'-deoxyadenosine (CdA) in the B-cell leukemia cell line EHEB

EHEB leukemic cells, which are derived from a patient suffering B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL), display intermediate sensitivity to the purine analogue 2-chloro-2'-deoxyadenosine (CdA). Because the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway can rescue cancer cells from apoptotic signals, we investigated MAPK/ERK signaling in EHEB cells in response to CdA. We observed that CdA, at concentrations around its IC50, dose- and time-dependently increased the phosphorylation state of ERK 1/2 (p-ERK), indicating an activation of the MAPK/ERK pathway. This activation required CdA metabolism and de novo protein synthesis, and was independent on caspase activation. Interruption of ERK signaling, using the specific MEK inhibitors U-0126 and PD-98059, significantly enhanced CdA cytotoxicity, evaluated by the MTT assay. Drug interaction analysis showed synergism in the majority of combinations between CdA and MEK inhibitors tested. MEK inhibitors also dramatically increased apoptosis induced by CdA alone, evaluated by caspase-3 activation and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage. Collectively, these observations show that ERK 1/2 activation elicited by CdA serves as a cytoprotective function and suggest that inhibitors of this pathway could be combined with CdA in the treatment of selected hematological malignancies.     

三萜皂苷Saxifragifolin D抑制人肝癌耐药细胞HepG2/ADM生长并诱导细胞凋亡作用研究

目的研究Saxifragifolin D(SD)对人肝癌耐药细胞HepG2/ADM的生长抑制及诱导凋亡作用。方法采用MTT法观察SD对HepG2/ADM细胞的增殖抑制作用,应用流式细胞仪分析SD对细胞周期的影响,AnnexinⅤ-FITC/PI双染检测凋亡细胞比率,JC-1染色观察SD对细胞内线粒体膜电位的影响,Western blot检测凋亡相关蛋白caspase-9,caspase-3和PARP的激活及c-Raf,MEK和ERK蛋白的表达和磷酸化水平。结果 SD可以明显抑制人肝癌耐药细胞HepG2/ADM的增殖。细胞周期检测发现SD诱导细胞产生亚二倍体凋亡峰,同时细胞凋亡率也由对照组的5.3%增加到34.8%和47.8%。线粒体膜电位检测结果显示SD导致细胞内线粒体膜电位的明显降低。Western blot检测结果表明caspase-9,caspase-3被激活,PARP被剪切活化,cytochrome C由线粒体释放至胞质,c-Raf、MEK和ERK蛋白的磷酸化水平降低。结论 SD可以抑制人肝癌耐药细胞HepG2/ADM增殖并诱导其凋亡,作用机制可能与线粒体功能障碍及抑制c-Raf/MEK/ERK通路的活化有关。     

The β-carboline alkaloid harmol induces cell death via autophagy but not apoptosis in human non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells

β-Carboline alkaloids are naturally occurring plant substances that have a wide spectrum of neuropharmacological, psychopharmacological, and antitumor effects. Recently, we have demonstrated that harmol, a β-carboline alkaloid, induces apoptosis by caspase-8 activation independently from Fas/Fas ligand interaction in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) H596 cells. Here, we found that harmol induces autophagy and cell death in human NSCLC A549 cells. Although harmol induced cell death in A549 cells in a significant dose- and time-dependent manner, it did not induce caspase-3, caspase-8, or caspase-9 activity. Furthermore, cleavage of poly-(ADP-ribose)-polymerase was not induced in A549 cells by harmol treatment. Autophagy, but not apoptosis, was detected by electron microscopy in A549 cells treated with 70 μM harmol. Pretreatment of A549 cells with 3-methyladenine, an autophagy inhibitor, as well as small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of LC3, both suppressed harmol-induced cell death. These suggest that the induction of autophagy by harmol precedes cell death. The cytotoxicity of some anticancer agents is reportedly linked to autophagy induction. The 2 major autophagy regulatory pathways are the Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) pathway. Although harmol treatment showed no effect on the Akt/mTOR pathway, it transiently activated the ERK1/2 pathway. However, inhibition of the ERK1/2 pathway using the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK)/ERK inhibitor U0126 partially suppressed autophagy. Therefore, although activation of the ERK1/2 pathway might be related to harmol-induced autophagy, another major pathway may also be involved in A549 cells.     

2-甲基-正丁酰紫草素诱导人胃癌SGC-7901细胞凋亡机制的研究

2-甲基-正丁酰紫草素[(2-methyl-n-butyl)shikonin,MBS,图1]是从紫草科植物紫草的根部提取得到的一个萘醌类化合物。研究表明,紫草素具有抗炎、抗菌、抗肿瘤的作用[1?3]。体外实验证实紫草素通过增加caspase-3的活化诱导多种肿瘤细胞的凋亡,如白     

PD98059对HL60细胞Ras-MEK1/2-ERK1/2信号转导影响的研究

目的探讨MEK1抑制剂PD98059对HL60细胞Ras-MEK1/2-ERK1/2信号转导以及细胞增殖的影响。方法四唑盐比色试验(MTT)法检测PD98059对HL60细胞增殖的抑制作用,流式细胞术观察PD98059对HL60细胞凋亡和G0/G1期阻滞的影响,半定量反转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)测定PD98059对HL60细胞ERK2、p27、Skp2基因表达的影响,免疫组织化学SP法检测ERK2、p27、Skp2蛋白表达的改变情况。结果 PD98059能够抑制HL60细胞的生长,该抑制作用具有浓度及时间依赖性(P<0.05)。PD98059能够促进HL60细胞凋亡,该作用具有浓度及时间依赖性(P<0.05);PD98059作用HL60细胞48h,随着浓度的增加G0/G1期阻滞增强(P<0.05)。PD98059可使HL60细胞ERK2、Skp2的mRNA及蛋白表达量减少,p27的mR-NA及蛋白表达量增加(P<0.05)。结论 PD98059能够抑制HL60细胞的生长,诱导细胞发生G0/G1期阻滞,促进其凋亡,这可能是通过PD98059阻断Ras-MEK1/2-ERK1/2信号转导,影响了ERK2、Skp2、p27等的表达而实现的。     

ERKs regulate PKC-dependent synaptic depression and declustering of glutamate receptors in cerebellar Purkinje cells

Phorbol esters, such as tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), have been used extensively in studies of cerebellar long-term depression (LTD), based on the hypothesis that activated protein kinase C (PKC) directly mediates alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor phosphorylation. Here, we show that TPA-induced depression of synaptic transmission between granule cells and Purkinje cells in culture is mediated through activation of the MEK1/2-ERK1/2 pathway. Phosphorylation of ERK1/2 induced by TPA and co-application of high potassium and glutamate was greatly attenuated by preincubating Purkinje cells with the MEK1/2 (MAPK ERK kinase 1/2) inhibitor PD98059. TPA-induced depression of synaptic transmission between granule cells and Purkinje cells was attenuated by PD98059. The MEK1/2 inhibitor also suppressed declustering of the ionotropic glutamate receptor subunit 2/3 (GluR2/3) induced by TPA and co-application of high potassium and glutamate, even though phosphorylation of Ser880 of GluR2/3 was not inhibited significantly in the presence of PD98059. These results suggest that ERK1/2 plays an essential role in TPA-induced depression via regulation of GluR2/3 declustering at the synapse.     

Fisetin induces apoptosis in human cervical cancer HeLa cells through ERK1/2-mediated activation of caspase-8-/caspase-3-dependent pathway

Fisetin is a naturally occurring flavonoid that has been reported to inhibit the proliferation and to induce apoptotic cell death in several tumor cells. However, the apoptosis-inducing effect of fisetin on tumor cell lines was investigated besides HeLa cells. In this study, we found that fisetin induced apoptosis of HeLa cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, as evidenced by nuclear staining of 4′-6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), flow cytometry assay, and Annexin-V/PI double-labeling. In addition, fisetin triggered the activations of caspases-3 and -8 and the cleavages of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, resulting in apoptosis induction. Moreover, treatment of HeLa cells with fisetin induced a sustained activation of the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, and inhibition of ERK1/2 by PD98059 (MEK1/2 inhibitor) or transfection with the mutant ERK1/2 expression vector significantly abolished the fisetin-induced apoptosis through the activation of caspase-8/-3 pathway. The in vivo xenograft mice experiments revealed that fisetin significantly reduced tumor growth in mice with HeLa tumor xenografts. In conclusion, our results indicated that fisetin exhibited anti-cancer effect and induced apoptosis in HeLa cell lines both in vitro and in vivo.     

Increased apoptotic efficacy of lonidamine plus arsenic trioxide combination in human leukemia cells. Reactive oxygen species generation and defensive protein kinase (MEK/ERK, Akt/mTOR) modulation

Lonidamine is a safe, clinically useful anti-tumor drug, but its efficacy is generally low when used in monotherapy. We here demonstrate that lonidamine efficaciously cooperates with the anti-leukemic agent arsenic trioxide (ATO, Trisenox™) to induce apoptosis in HL-60 and other human leukemia cell lines, with low toxicity in non-tumor peripheral blood lymphocytes. Apoptosis induction by lonidamine/ATO involves mitochondrial dysfunction, as indicated by early mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening and late mitochondrial transmembrane potential dissipation, as well as activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, as indicated by Bcl-X_L and Mcl-1 down-regulation, Bax translocation to mitochondria, cytochrome c and Omi/HtrA2 release to the cytosol, XIAP down-regulation, and caspase-9 and -3 cleavage/activation, with secondary (Bcl-2-inhibitable) activation of the caspase-8/Bid axis. Lonidamine stimulates reactive oxygen species production, and lonidamine/ATO toxicity is attenuated by antioxidants. Lonidamine/ATO stimulates JNK phosphorylation/activation, and apoptosis is attenuated by the JNK inhibitor SP600125. In addition, lonidamine elicits ERK and Akt/mTOR pathway activation, as indicated by increased ERK, Akt, p70S6K and rpS6 phosphorylation, and these effects are reduced by co-treatment with ATO. Importantly, co-treatment with MEK/ERK inhibitor (U0126) and PI3K/Akt (LY294002) or mTOR (rapamycin) inhibitors, instead of ATO, also potentiates lonidamine-provoked apoptosis. These results indicate that: (i) lonidamine efficacy is restrained by drug-provoked activation of MEK/ERK and Akt/mTOR defensive pathways, which therefore represent potential therapeutic targets. (ii) Co-treatment with ATO efficaciously potentiates lonidamine toxicity via defensive pathway inhibition and JNK activation. And (iii) conversely, the pro-oxidant action of lonidamine potentiates the apoptotic efficacy of ATO as an anti-leukemic agent.     

Ginsenoside Rd prevents and rescues rat intestinal epithelial cells from irradiation-induced apoptosis

Panax ginseng has been shown to have a protective effect for irradiated animals or cells. Ginsenosides are the most active components isolated from ginseng, and ginsenoside Rd has been identified as one of the effective compounds responsible for the pharmaceutical actions of ginseng. In the present study, we studied the molecular mechanisms for the radio-protective action of ginsenoside Rd in rat intestinal epithelial IEC-6 cells. Cells were irradiated with gamma-ray, and apoptosis was examined using Hoechst staining and Western blot analysis. Treatment with ginsenoside Rd before gamma-irradiation inhibited irradiation-induced apoptosis in IEC-6 cells. Administration of Rd after irradiation also inhibited apoptosis in these cells. Irradiation of IEC-6 cells resulted in inactivation of Akt phosphorylation that was abrogated by Rd. On the other hand, irradiation activated phosphorylation of ERK1/2 but did not affect that of p38 MAPK. Inhibition of Akt phosphorylation prevented the reduction of apoptosis by Rd following irradiation. Pretreatment with an inhibitor of the MEK pathway further decreased the number of apoptotic cells. Rd decreased the ratios of Bax/Bcl-2 and Bax/Bcl-xL, the levels of cytochrome c, and the cleaved form of caspase-3 in irradiated IEC-6 cells. Our results suggest that ginsenoside Rd protects and rescues rat intestinal epithelial cells from irradiation-induced apoptosis through a pathway requiring activation of PI3K/Akt, inactivation of MEK, and also inhibition of a mitochondria/caspase pathway.     

Resveratrol protects against 4-hydroxynonenal-induced apoptosis by blocking JNK and c-JUN/AP-1 signaling.

In the present study we have studied the effect of resveratrol in signal transduction mechanisms leading to apoptosis in 3T3 fibroblasts when exposed to 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE). In order to gain insight into the mechanisms of apoptotic response by HNE, we followed MAP kinase and caspase activation pathways; HNE induced early activation of JNK and p38 proteins but downregulated the basal activity of ERK (1/2). We were also able to demonstrate HNE-induced release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, caspase-9, and caspase-3 activation. Resveratrol effectively prevented HNE-induced JNK and caspase activation, and hence apoptosis. Activation of AP-1 along with increased c-Jun and phospho-c-Jun levels could be inhibited by pretreatment of cells with resveratrol. Moreover, Nrf2 downregulation by HNE could also be blocked by resveratrol. Overexpression of dominant negative c-Jun and JNK1 in 3T3 fibroblasts prevented HNE-induced apoptosis, which indicates a role for JNK-c-Jun/AP-1 pathway. In light of the JNK-dependent induction of c-Jun/AP-1 activation and the protective role of resveratrol, these data may show a critical potential role for JNK in the cellular response against toxic products of lipid peroxidation. In this respect, resveratrol acting through MAP kinase pathways and specifically on JNK could have a role other than acting as an antioxidant-quenching reactive oxygen intermediate.     

Role of mechanical and redox stress in activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases in primary cultured rat hepatocytes

Mechanical stress is known to activate signaling cascades, including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Although mechanical stress has been implicated in hepatic cirrhosis and liver regeneration following hepatectomy, the signaling pathway(s) that may be activated in hepatocytes in response to mechanical stress have not been determined. Using primary cultured rat hepatocytes to examine cellular signaling in response to mechanical stress associated with medium change, we observed that the phosphorylation status of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), Jun N-terminal kinase and p38 MAPK, but not Akt, was altered. MAPK activation, especially ERK1/2, was rapidly increased within 5 min, followed by a subsequent decrease to below basal levels between 30 min and 1 h following medium change. MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK1/2) phosphorylation followed the same pattern. The phosphorylation of Raf-1 in response to medium change was also consistent with Raf-1 serving as an upstream regulator of MEK1/2-ERK1/2 signaling. Phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was increased by mechanical stress alone, suggesting that mechanical stress may be primarily responsible for ERK1/2 activation in response to medium change. Medium change produced a marked decline in oxidized glutathione and malondialdehyde levels, and the antioxidant N-acetyl-l-cysteine decreased basal ERK1/2 phosphorylation, suggesting a role for oxidative stress in maintaining basal ERK1/2 phosphorylation in cultured hepatocytes. These data suggest that medium change results in immediate activation of the MAPK signaling pathway due to mechanical stress, followed by a subsequent inactivation of MAPK signaling due to a reduction in oxidative stress levels. These processes may be associated with alteration of hepatic hemodynamic circulation observed in hepatic diseases and in liver transplantation.     

Enhancement of peripheral benzodiazepine receptor ligand-induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest of esophageal cancer cells by simultaneous inhibition of MAPK/ERK kinase

Specific ligands of the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) activate pro-apoptotic and anti-proliferative signaling pathways. Previously, we found that PBR ligands activated the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in esophageal cancer cells, and that the activation of p38MAPK contributed to tumor cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Here, we report that PBR ligands also activate the pro-survival MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway in esophageal cancer cells, which might compromise the efficacy of PBR ligands. Hence, a combination treatment of PBR ligands and MEK inhibitors, which are emerging as promising anticancer agents, was pursued to determine whether this treatment could lead to enhanced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Using Western blotting we demonstrated a time- and dose-dependent phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in response to PBR ligands. Apoptosis was investigated by assessment of mitochondrial alterations and caspase-3 activity. Cell cycle arrest was measured by flow cytometric analysis of stained isolated nuclei. The inhibition of MEK/ERK with a pharmacologic inhibitor, 2'-amino-3'-methoxyflavone (PD 98059), resulted in a synergistic enhancement of PBR-ligand-induced growth inhibition, apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Specifity of the pharmacologic inhibitor was confirmed by the use of 1,4-diamino-2,3-dicyano-1,4-bis(2-aminophenylthio)butadiene (U 0126), a second MEK/ERK inhibitor, and 1,4-diamino-2,3-dicyano-1,4-bis(methylthio)butadiene (U 0124), a structural analogue of it which does not display any affinity to MEK. Enhanced pro-apoptotic and anti-proliferative effects were observed both in KYSE-140 esophageal squamous cancer and OE-33 adenocarcinoma cells, suggesting that this effect was not cell-type specific. In addition, the PBR-mediated overexpression of the stress response gene (growth arrest and DNA-damage-inducible gene gadd153) was synergistically enhanced by MEK inhibition. This is the first report of enhanced PBR-ligand-mediated apoptosis and cell cycle arrest by simultaneous MEK inhibition, suggesting a new anticancer strategy.     

Paraquat Induces Apoptosis through Cytochrome C Release and ERK Activation

Paraquat has been suggested to induce apoptosis by generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, little is known about the mechanism of paraquat-induced apoptosis. Here, we demonstrate that extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) is required for paraquat-induced apoptosis in NIH3T3 cells. Paraquat treatment resulted in activation of ERK, and U0126, inhibitors of the MEK/ERK signaling pathway, prevented apoptosis. Moreover, paraquat-induced apoptosis was associated with cytochrome C release, which could be prevented by treatment with the MEK inhibitors. Taken together, our findings suggest that ERK activation plays an active role in mediating paraquat-induced apoptosis of NIH3T3 cells.     

M3受体通过激活MEK1/2-ERK1/2信号通路促进H9c2心肌细胞生存

目的研究毒蕈碱型胆碱受体(M受体)对H9c2心肌细胞MEK1/2-ERK1/2信号通路的调控作用及其对细胞活力的影响。方法 H9c2心肌细胞用非选择性或选择性M受体拮抗药处理30 min之后,以氨甲酰胆碱刺激细胞,然后用Western Blot检测全细胞蛋白质中MEK1/2和ERK1/2磷酸化水平的变化,采用Alamar Blue法检测细胞活力。结果以氨甲酰胆碱刺激H9c2心肌细胞能显著增加MEK1/2和ERK1/2的磷酸化水平,这种活化作用可被非选择性M受体拮抗药阿托品完全阻断;M3受体选择性拮抗药DAU 5884可以阻断氨甲酰胆碱对MEK1/2-ERK1/2的激活,但M1、M2和M4受体的选择性拮抗药则没有这种阻断作用;在无血清的培养基中,氨甲酰胆碱能增加H9c2心肌细胞的生存能力,这种细胞保护作用可被阿托品和DAU 5884消除。结论在H9c2心肌细胞中,氨甲酰胆碱通过M3受体调控MEK1/2-ERK1/2信号通路,并由此促进细胞的生存。