c-Jun N-terminal kinase signaling regulates events associated with both health and degeneration in motoneurons

The c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) are activated by various stimuli and are critical for neuronal development as well as for death following a stressful stimulus. Here, we have evaluated JNK activity in both healthy and dying motoneurons from developing chick embryos and found no apparent difference in overall JNK activity between the conditions, suggesting that this pathway maybe critical in both circumstances. Pharmacological inhibition of JNK in healthy motoneurons supplied with trophic support resulted in decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, neurite outgrowth, and phosphorylation of microtubule-associated protein 1B. On the other hand, in motoneurons deprived of trophic support, inhibition of JNK attenuated caspase activation, and nuclear condensation. We also examined the role of JNK's downstream substrate c-Jun in mediating these events. While c-Jun expression and phosphorylation were greater in cells supplied with trophic support as compared with those deprived, inhibition of c-Jun had no effect on nuclear condensation in dying cells or neurite outgrowth in healthy cells, suggesting that JNK's role in these events is independent of c-Jun. Together, our data underscore the dualistic nature of JNK signaling that is critical for both survival and degenerative changes in motoneurons.     

Specific activities of individual c-Jun N-terminal kinases in the brain

The c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) are multifunctional molecules which, on the one hand, regulate various processes in brain development, repair and memory formation. On the other hand, JNKs are potent effectors of neuronal death and neuroinflammation. This review summarizes recent findings on individual JNK functions in the nervous system under pathophysiological conditions and on their regulation by upstream kinases, phosphatases and formation of context-dependent signalosomes. By focusing on different aspects of JNK signaling, it becomes increasingly obvious that the JNK cascade is intricately regulated and intensely dependent on the availability and functionality of its single components and their intracellular localization. Our review also emphasizes, that JNKs are indispensable for neuronal cell death as well as many physiological functions in the brain. Finally, we discuss pharmacological strategies which target pathological JNK activities without affecting their physiological functions.     

Development of a pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure model to evaluate kinase inhibitor efficacy in the central nervous system

c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) are implicated in cell death in neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore, JNK inhibitors could act as neuroprotective agents. To evaluate potential candidates, reproducible and quantitative CNS in vivo models are required. To that end, a pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure model was explored. c-Jun phosphorylation was detected in hippocampal extracts by blotting c-Jun immunoprecipitates with phosphorylation-specific antibodies. Pentylenetetrazole administration induced rapid and reproducible increases in c-Jun phosphorylation. However, special attention had to be paid to the composition of the extraction buffer to ensure stabilization of protein phosphorylation, as demonstrated using internal standards of phosphorylated recombinant c-Jun. As JNK and its upstream activator MKK4 are activated by phosphorylation, these events were also evaluated. In principle, kinase inhibitors could act at the level of JNK or upstream kinases to inhibit c-Jun phosphorylation. MKK4 phosphorylation was dramatically increased in response to pentylenetetrazole but, again, only when appropriate phosphatase inhibitors were in the extraction buffer. In contrast, JNK was found to be constitutively phosphorylated and unaltered upon pentylenetetrazole treatment. The JNK inhibitor SP600125 was shown to inhibit c-Jun phosphorylation without affecting MKK4 phosphorylation. Our procedures enable analysis of JNK pathway signalling in a CNS model and, also, should be applicable to that of other protein phosphorylation events in vivo.     

Secreted beta-amyloid precursor protein activates microglia via JNK and p38-MAPK

Reactive microglia are thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and are localized to the senile plaques that are associated with cognitive decline. The beta-amyloid precursor protein (betaAPP) is over-expressed in the dystrophic neurites near such plaques, and secreted forms of betaAPP (sAPPalpha) activate inflammatory responses in microglia. To characterize the mechanisms by which sAPPalpha activates microglia, we assayed its effects on MAP kinases, including c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERK), and p38-MAPK. sAPPalpha was found to rapidly activate JNKs, ERKs and p38-MAPK in a dose-dependent manner. The JNK inhibitor SP600125 and the p38 inhibitor SB203580 independently reduced both nitrite accumulation and induction of inflammatory nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). By contrast, inhibition of the ERK pathway with U0126 did not appreciably affect either outcome measure. These findings suggest that sAPP activates the ERK, JNK and p38 classes of MAP kinases but that only JNK and p38-MAPK are critical for activation of microglia by sAPPalpha, a process that compromises neuronal function and survival.     

Dexmedetomidine Inhibits Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha and Interleukin 6 in Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated Astrocytes by Suppression of c-Jun N-Terminal Kinases

Astrocytes play an important role in immune regulation in the central nervous system (CNS). Dexmedetomidine (DEX) has been reported to exert anti-inflammatory effects on astrocytes stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) both in vitro and in vivo studies. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of DEX on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) gene expressions in LPS-challenged astrocytes. Moreover, c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways in LPS-challenged astrocytes were also investigated. In the present study, astrocytes were stimulated with LPS in the absence and presence of various concentrations of DEX. With real-time PCR assay, we found that LPS significantly increased expressions of TNF-α and IL-6 in mRNA level; however, these effects could be attenuated by DEX. Furthermore, JNK pathway might be involved in LPS-induced astrocyte activation because JNK phosphorylation was significantly increased, and the inhibition of this pathway mediated by DEX as well as SP600125 (JNK inhibitor) decreased TNF-α and IL-6 expressions. Moreover, p38 MAPK was also activated by LPS; however, this pathway seemed to have not participated in DEX-mediated LPS-induced inflammation. These results, taken together, suggest that JNK rather than p38 MAPK signal pathway, provides the potential target for the therapeutic effects of DEX for neuronal inflammatory reactions.     

Activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinases by ribotoxic stresses

The c-Jun N-terminal kinases （JNKs） are classic stress-activated protein kinases. Many cellular stresses have been shown to stimulate JNK activation. In this review, we focus on ribotoxic stresses based on their multiple biological potencies including anti-HIV-1 activity. Some of the functions of ribotoxins and the signaling transduction pathway that mediated are mentioned. Different from other stimulators, ribotoxic stresses act on special motifs of 28S rRNA in translationally active mammal ribosomes. Binding and damaging on the motif leads to JNK activation and subsequently biological response to the signal initiator, which is named ribotoxic stress response. Cellular ＆ Molecular Immunology. 2005;2（6）：419-425.     

Stress-activated protein kinases mediate cell migration in human airway epithelial cells

Airway epithelial cell (AEC) repair immediately after injury requires coordinated cell spreading and migration at the site of injury. Stress-activated protein kinases such as p38 MAPK and c-Jun N-terminal Protein Kinase (JNK) modulate several responses to cell stress and injury, but their role in AEC migration is not clear. We examined migration in confluent 16HBE14o(-) human AEC lines and in primary AEC grown on collagen-IV. Wounds were created by mechanical abrasion and followed to closure using digital microscopy. Inhibitors of either p38 extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 (PD98059), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) (SB203580), or JNK (SP600125) could block cell migration substantially. Inhibiting JNK but not p38 MAPK or ERK1/2 blocked extension of cells into the wound region from the original line of injury. Initial migration was associated with phosphorylation of ERK, p38 MAPK, and JNK within 5-15 min. The downstream effector of p38, heat shock protein 27, also was phosphorylated rapidly after injury; phosphorylation could be blocked by prior treatment with SB203580 but not SP600125. The downstream effector of JNK, c-Jun, likewise was phosphorylated rapidly after injury and could be blocked by inhibiting JNK. Our data demonstrate that p38 MAPK, JNK, and ERK1/2 participate in the early stages of AEC migration.     

Differential activation and regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases through the antigen receptor and CD40 in human B cells.

In human B cells, antigen receptor ligation and CD40 ligation are known to activate the extracellular-regulated kinases (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathways, which in turn regulate many important B cell functions. We previously reported that antigen receptor ligation activated the ERK pathway whereas CD40 ligation activated the JNK/stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) pathway. Here, we demonstrate that another SAPK, p38/Hog1, is activated by both antigen receptor ligation or CD40 ligation in a human B-lymphoblastoid cell line and tonsillar B cells. Wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, partially inhibited ERK2 and p38 activation triggered through the B cell receptor whereas activation of JNK1 and p38 through CD40 was not affected. PD98059, a specific inhibitor of mitogen-activated extracellular response kinase kinase (MEK), significantly inhibited ERK2 activation and partially inhibited p38 activation triggered by anti-IgM antibody treatment, but did not affect CD40-dependent signaling events. In addition, anti-IgM antibody-induced signaling pathways were shown to be PKC-dependent in contrast to the CD40-induced signaling pathways. Thus, the B cell receptor and CD40 recruit the ERK, JNK and p38 pathways by using different upstream effectors.     

Neuronal p38 MAPK signalling: an emerging regulator of cell fate and function in the nervous system

p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), together with extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) and c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs), constitute the MAPK family. Multiple intracellular signalling pathways that converge on MAPKs exist in all eukaryotic cells and play pivotal roles in a wide variety of cellular functions. p38 MAPKs and JNKs, also termed stress-activated protein kinases (SAPKs), are preferentially activated by various cytotoxic stresses and cytokines and appear to be potent regulators of stress-induced apoptosis. Whereas JNKs have been shown to play pivotal roles in the regulation of neuronal apoptosis, the role of p38 MAPKs in the nervous system is poorly understood. However, accumulating evidence from mammalian cell culture systems and the strong genetic tool C. elegans suggests that neuronal p38 signalling has diverse functions beyond the control of cell death and survival. This review focuses on possible roles for the p38 pathway in the nervous system, with principal emphasis placed on the roles in neuronal cell fate decision and function.     

三七皂苷Rg1抑制脂多糖诱导小胶质细胞激活的机制研究

目的:探讨中药有效成分三七皂苷Rg1(Ginsenoside Rg1,Rg1)对抑制脂多糖(lipopolysaccharide,LPS)诱导的小胶质细胞株BV-2细胞激活的机制。方法:用LPS刺激BV-2细胞构建激活模型,采用四甲基偶氮唑蓝比色法(MTT)检测Rg1对BV-2细胞的活力影响,蛋白质免疫印迹(Western Blot)方法检测不同浓度Rg1(10、20和40μmol/L)对磷酸化的核因子-κB抑制蛋白-α(inhibitorκB-α,IκB-α)和反应结合蛋白(cAMP-responseelement binding protein,CREB)以及促分裂原活化蛋白激酶(mitogen-activated protein kinases,MAPKs)家族的细胞外信号调节激酶(extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2,ERK1/2)、c-Jun氨基端激酶(c-Jun N-terminal kinase,JNK)和p38促分裂原活化蛋白激酶(p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase,p38 MAPK)等细胞信号通路蛋白的表达及其变化规律。结果:不同浓度的Rg1明显抑制了LPS诱导的磷酸化IκB-α和CREB蛋白表达以及MAPKs通路(ERK1/2,JNK,p38 MAPK)磷酸化蛋白表达,并且对p38 MAPK表达的影响呈剂量依赖性。结论:Rg1可能通过抑制MAPKs的磷酸化来调控LPS诱导的小胶质细胞株BV-2细胞激活,发挥其神经抗炎的作用。     

N-甲基-N'-硝基-N-亚硝基胍诱发的vero细胞JNK/SAPK通路的激活

目的和方法:为了研究DNA损伤剂N-甲基-N'-硝基-N-亚硝基胍(MNNG)诱发vero细胞非定标性突变发生的信号转导机制,我们观察了MNNG诱发vero细胞c-JunNH₂-terminalkinase/stressactivatedproteinkinase(JNK/SAPK)通路激活的情况:分别用Western印迹法和固相激酶活性测定法检测JNK1磷酸化和JNKs激酶活性。结果:发现用0.2μmol/LMNNG和1mg/L放线菌素酮(CHM)分别处理vero细胞2.5h和1h后,都引起细胞抽提液中磷酸化JNK1的比例明显增高。同时通过测定JNKs的底物c-Jun的磷酸化程度,发现这两种处理也都可引起JNKs激酶活性显著增高(分别增高6.7和3.0倍)。结论:证明0.2μmol/LMNNG和1mg/LCHM分别处理vero细胞2.5h和1h都可引起vero细胞内JNK/SAPK通路被激活。     

Age-specific changes in expression, activity, and activation of the c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases by methyl methanesulfonate in rats

The stress-activated protein kinases (SAPKs), c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinases (JNKs) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases, were evaluated in the liver and brain of young and old rats in response to a direct-acting alkylating agent, methyl methanesulfonate (MMS). A slight but statistically significant increase in the baseline expression levels of JNK isoforms was detected in both the liver and brain of old as compared with young rats. In the liver of both young and old rats, no basal activities of JNKs were detected. In the brain, JNK activities were constitutively high and significantly increased in old rats compared with their young counterparts. Upon MMS treatment, JNKs were strongly activated in the liver, but not in the brain, of both young and old animals. The basal activity of p38 significantly increased in both the liver and brain of old rats as compared with young rats. An increase in the basal expression of p38 was detected in the brain but not in the liver of old rats. Upon treatment with MMS, p38 was activated in the liver of both young and old rats. In the brain, p38 was only activated in young but not in old rats. Taken together, these results demonstrate age-specific as well as organ-specific SAPKs signaling pathways in the rat in vivo. The possible implications of these findings in terms of resistance to endogenous and environmentally induced genotoxic stress during aging are discussed.     

Inhibition of caspase 3 abrogates lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production by preventing activation of NF-kappaB and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase in RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells

The effect of caspase inhibitors on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 267.4 murine macrophage cells was investigated. Pretreatment of RAW cells with a broad caspase inhibitor, benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone (Z-VAD-FMK), resulted in a striking reduction in LPS-induced NO production. Z-VAD-FMK inhibited LPS-induced NF-kappaB activation. Furthermore, it blocked phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase (JNK/SAPK) but not that of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases. Similarly, a caspase 3-specific inhibitor, Z-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-fluoromethylketone, inhibited NO production, NF-kappaB activation, and JNK/SAPK phosphorylation in LPS-stimulated RAW cells. The attenuated NO production was due to inhibition of the expression of an inducible-type NO synthase (iNOS). The overexpression of the dominant negative mutant of JNK/SAPK and the addition of a JNK/SAPK inhibitor blocked iNOS expression but did not block LPS-induced caspase 3 activation. It was therefore suggested that the inhibition of caspase 3 might abrogate LPS-induced NO production by preventing the activation of NF-kappaB and JNK/SAPK. The caspase family, especially caspase 3, is likely to play an important role in the signal transduction for iNOS-mediated NO production in LPS-stimulated mouse macrophages.