MAPK通路参与NMDA诱导的兴奋性神经毒性

摘要： NMDA受体过度激活是导致神经细胞损伤乃至死亡的主要原因,同时也被认为是引起急、慢性脑损伤性疾病（如脑卒中/脑缺血及某些神经退行性疾病）的重要机制。为进一步深入分析NMDA（100 μmol/L,2h）所致神经损伤的机制,本研究将应用MAPKs特异性抑制剂,分析MAPKs通路中细胞外信号调节激酶（ERK）、c-Jun N-末端激酶（JNK）和p38 MAPK三条不同途径在介导NMDA毒性过程中的作用。 结果显示：（1） 细胞活力检测,NMDA预处理使培养神经元细胞活力明显下降（WST-8分析）,而JNK抑制剂SP600152和p38 MAPK抑制剂SB203580均可剂量依赖性地抑制NMDA引起的细胞活力的下降。SP600152使细胞活力恢复10.36% （P < 0.05,IC50值18.75 μmol/L）,SB203580使细胞活力恢复20.96%（P < 0.05,IC50值7.97 μmol/L）。SP600125（20 μmol/L）和SB203580（10 μmol/L）二者的联合应用,抑制作用明显增加大于任何单一阻断剂的作用,可使细胞活力恢复27.07%（P < 0.05）。而ERK抑制剂PD98059 （10~50 μmol/L）不表现抑制作用;（2）LDH检测,NMDA预处理使培养神经元LDH释放明显增多,而SP600125（20 μmol/L）或SB203580（10 μmol/L）或二者联合,分别使NMDA所致的LDH释放减少23.08%（P < 0.05）、32.90%（P < 0.05）和42.06%（P < 0.05）;PD98059（20 μmol/L）同样没有作用;（3）Calcein-AM染色（活细胞检测）,NMDA预处理使培养神经元的活细胞数量明显减少,即Calcein-AM染色的阳性细胞减少。而SP600125（20 μmol/L）或SB203580（10 μmol/L）或二者合用,分别使活细胞数量增加9.52%（P < 0.05）、18.10%（P < 0.05）和25.19%（P < 0.05）;PD98059（20 μmol/L）也没有作用;（4）活性氧簇（reactive oxygen species,ROS）检测,NMDA预处理诱导产生ROS,并在第12 h达到峰值;SP600125（20 μmol/L）或SB203580（10 μmol/L）或二者联合,均显著抑制了NMDA诱导的ROS的生成,分别抑制17.94%（P < 0.05）、33.68%（P < 0.05）和45.33%（P < 0.05）;ERK抑制剂仍没有作用。 以上结果提示：（1）JNK和p38 MAPK途径,而非ERK途径,是NMDA引起神经损伤的重要信号通路;（2）在NMDA诱导的神经损伤中,p38 MAPK的作用比JNK更为显著,而且这两条途径可能以相互协同的方式发挥作用;（3）NMDA通过活化的JNK和p38 MAPK途径,使ROS的生成明显增加,这可能是诱发神经细胞死亡的重要机制。     

MCPG在神经元氧糖剥夺模型中的抗凋亡作用

目的通过神经元氧糖剥夺模型研究Ⅰ组代谢型谷氨酸受体拮抗剂α-甲基-4-羧苯基甘氨酸（MCPG）对神经元损伤的保护作用,并初步探讨其机制。方法大鼠皮层神经元原代培养2w后,采用氧糖剥夺法建立损伤模型,通过乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）活性测定及碘化丙啶（PI）/Hoechst33342双染鉴定神经元损伤程度;加入Ⅰ组代谢型谷氨酸受体拮抗剂MCPG（1mmol/L）,通过脱氧核糖核苷酸末端转移酶介导的缺口末端标记法（TUNEL）检测神经元凋亡情况,并采用蛋白印迹法研究凋亡相关因子caspase-3、细胞外信号调节激酶1/2（ERK1/2）、磷酸化ERK1/2（p-ERK1/2）的表达变化,讨论MCPG抗凋亡作用与ERK1/2信号通路的关系。结果 MCPG能抑制ERK1/2信号通路的活化并降低凋亡相关因子caspase-3的表达,减轻氧糖剥夺造成的神经元凋亡。结论 MCPG能够通过ERK1/2信号通路减轻氧糖剥夺造成的神经元凋亡。     

GSI对机械性损伤的神经元保护作用

目的探讨γ-分泌酶抑制剂(GSI)对神经元机械性损伤的保护作用。方法原代培养小鼠皮层神经元,培养基中加入10μmol/L GSI共同孵育24 h后,使用微量移液器枪头做机械性划伤。测定培养液中乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活力的变化;Hochest染色测定神经元凋亡情况;Western blot方法检测切冬酶-3(caspase-3)蛋白表达情况。结果 GSI预处理可抑制因细胞损伤引起的LDH的释放,可降低损伤后Hochest阳性细胞的数量以及活化caspase-3的表达。结论 GSI对神经元机械性损伤有保护作用。     

孤啡肽受体拮抗剂对机械性损伤神经元存活率的影响

目的既往研究表明,孤啡肽在脑损伤后的表达明显升高,本研究通过特异性阻断孤啡肽受体(opioid-receptor-like receptor,ORL-1),观察对受损神经元是否具有保护作用。方法建立神经元机械性损伤模型,用孤啡肽受体特异性阻断剂([Nphe1]-NC(1-13)-NH2,Nphe)阻断孤啡肽受体,通过四甲基偶氮唑蓝(methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium,MTT)法、乳酸脱氢酶(lactate dehydrogenase,LDH)活性,钙离子水平测定,研究Nphe对机械性损伤神经元存活率的影响。结果 MTT法测定神经元机械性损伤后12 h细胞存活率显示:单纯损伤组细胞存活率为46%±4%,与对照组相比显著下降(P<0.05),不同剂量Nphe(30、300、1 200 nM)干预组的细胞存活率分别为56%±5%、67%±7%、72%±8%,与单纯损伤组存活率46%±4%相比差异显著(P<0.05)。LDH活性检测提示损伤后12 h和48 h,Nphe干预组LDH活性与损伤组相比有显著差异(P<0.05)。神经元机械性损伤后12 h,Nphe能够降低损伤后细胞内钙离子水平(P<0.05)。结论 ORL-1的特异性拮抗剂Nphe能够减少机械性损伤后继发性神经元损害,对神经元具有一定的保护作用。     

MAPK信号通路在创伤性脑损伤中的作用

目的通过建立小鼠创伤性脑损伤(TBI)模型,研究丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPKs)通路中的细胞外调节蛋白激酶1/2(ERK1/2)通路、JNK通路和p38通路的激活及在TBI中的作用及机制。方法建立小鼠TBI模型,通过Western blot检测ERK1/2、JNK和p38的相对磷酸化水平,确定TBI后MAPK通路的激活情况;分别加入ERK1/2通路抑制剂(PD98059,500μmol/L)、JNK通路抑制剂(SP600125,500μmol/L)和p38通路抑制剂(SB203580,500μmol/L),通过脑干湿重检测、神经功能学评分和TUNEL染色评估不同抑制剂对TBI的作用,并通过Western blot检测ERK1/2、JNK和p38的相对磷酸化水平,明确ERK1/2通路、JNK通路和p38通路之间的相互调节作用。结果 TBI可分别引起ERK1/2通路、JNK通路和p38通路的激活;抑制ERK通路和JNK通路可减轻TBI引起的脑水肿、神经功能损伤和细胞凋亡,而抑制p38通路则加重TBI引起的脑水肿、神经功能损伤和细胞凋亡;抑制JNK通路可减少ERK1/2的相对磷酸化水平,而抑制p38通路可增加ERK1/2的相对磷酸化水平。结论 TBI后,ERK1/2通路和JNK通路的激活发挥促进损伤形成的作用,而p38通路的激活则起到神经保护的作用;ERK1/2通路的激活受到JNK通路的促进和p38通路的抑制,表明MAPK通路之间存在相互调节。     

自噬抑制剂3-MA对机械性神经元损伤后神经元凋亡的影响

目的研究自噬抑制剂6-氨基-3-甲基嘌呤(3-MA)对机械性损伤后神经元凋亡的影响。方法小鼠皮层神经元原代培养2 w后,采用机械性神经元损伤模型,通过蛋白印迹法(Western blot)定量分析损伤后不同时间点自噬相关分子微管相关蛋白轻链3(LC3)Ⅰ/Ⅱ的表达情况;通过免疫荧光染色分析机械性损伤后24 h神经元自噬相关分子LC3的表达情况;小鼠皮层神经元原代培养2 w后,用自噬抑制剂3-MA预处理1 h,采用机械性神经元损伤模型,通过乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性测定及碘化丙啶(PI)/Hoechst 33342双染测定神经元损伤程度以及3-MA的保护作用,并通过Western blot研究凋亡相关指标caspase-3和自噬相关指标微管相关蛋白轻链3(LC3)和Beclin-1的表达变化。结果Western blot方法和免疫荧光组化同时证明机械性神经元损伤后24 h LC3Ⅱ表达明显增加;LDH活性测定表明3-MA能抑制机械性损伤造成的LDH活性的增高;PI/Hoechst 33342双染表明3-MA可以明显减少机械性损伤后神经元的凋亡;通过Western blot法证明3-MA抑制LC3Ⅱ,并导致cleaved caspase-3表达明显降低。结论自噬抑制剂3-MA可能通过抑制自噬而减少机械性神经元损伤后神经元凋亡,进而对机械性损伤后神经元起保护性作用。     

下调Homer—1 b／c基因对机械性损伤神经元存活率的影响

目的既往研究表明,Homer-1b／c在神经元损伤后恒定表达,但下调Homer—1b／c能否对损伤的神经元具有保护作用尚不清楚,这也是本实验中待研究的问题。方法采用RNA干涉（RNAi）技术,抑制神经元Homer-1b／c基因及蛋白表达。通过Westernblot法分析神经元转染小干扰RNA（siRNA）后Homer—1b／c基因抑制效果。建立神经元机械性损伤模型,通过细胞存活率、乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）活性测定,研究下调Homer-1b／c基因对神经元损伤的保护作用。结果siRNA转染神经元后36h,Homer-1b／cmRNA和蛋白质表达明显被抑制。siRNA转染组神经元损伤后细胞存活率明显比阴性对照组、空载体组高（P〈0．05）。阴性对照组、空载体组和siRNA转染组神经元损伤前培养液LDH性无统计学差异（P〉0．05）,机械性损伤后24h,与阴性对照组及空载体组比较,siRNA转染组LDH活性明显降低（P〈0．05）。结论Homer—1b／csiRNA转染神经元效率较高,基因抑制效果显著。降低Homer-1b／c蛋白表达能够减少机械性损伤后继发性神经元损害,对神经元具有一定的保护作用。     

抑制Homer-1b/c基因表达对创伤性神经元损害的保护作用

目的研究抑制Homer-1b/c基因表达对神经元的保护作用。方法采用RNA干涉技术,通过逆转录聚合酶链式反应和Western blotting分析抑制Homer-1b/c表达效果。免疫组化检测代谢性谷氨酸受体1a(mGluR1a)表达变化。共聚焦显微镜观察神经元细胞内钙含量变化。通过乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性测定,研究抑制Homer-1b/c表达对神经元损伤的保护作用。结果转染神经元后36 h,Homer-1b/c表达明显被抑制,mGluR1a仅出现在胞浆部分。转染组较对照组细胞内钙荧光强度单位明显下降(23.4±2.8 vs 51.8±7.5),两组间差异有显著的统计学意义(P<0.05)。各组神经元损伤前培养液LDH活性差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),损伤后24 h,对照组和空载体组LDH活性分别为(158±23.0)U/L和(145±25.1)U/L,而转染组为(93±20.1)U/L,与对照组及空载体组比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 Homer-1b/c对于mGluR1a从胞体向树突部位转运以及受体在突触后膜锚定都具有重要作用。Homer-1b/c参与了细胞内钙释放,降低Homer-1b/c表达对神经元具有保护作用。     

铜诱导原代皮层神经元凋亡的信号传导通路研究

目的 研究铜诱导皮层神经元凋亡的机制以及凋亡信号调节激酶-1(ASK1)抑制剂硫氧还蛋白(trx)的保护作用,探讨ASK1介导的c-Jtm氨基末端激酶(JNK)/caspase-3信号传导通路的可能作用机制. 方法 醋酸铜和trx预处理体外培养的原代皮层神经元,MTT法检测神经元活力,Annexin-V/PI法检测神经元凋亡,Western blot检测不同浓度和时间点磷酸化的ASK1、JNK和caspase-3蛋白表达. 结果 体外培养原代皮层神经元经醋酸铜诱导后,凋亡率上升,细胞活力下降,浓度越大下降越多,trx能拮抗此作用.Western blot检测发现磷酸化ASKl和JNK在4h时开始出现升高,48h表达达到高峰,呈时间和浓度梯度依赖;活化的caspase-3在24h出现活性表达,48h达到高峰.使用trx后,磷酸化ASK1、JNK和caspase-3蛋白表达减少,细胞凋亡率下降,活力升高,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05). 结论 铜能诱导体外培养原代皮层神经元发生凋亡,ASK1介导的JNK/caspase-3信号转导通路在铜的神经元毒性过程中发挥了重要作用:trx对铜沉积导致的皮层神经元损伤可能起到保护作用.     

Preso调控nNOS在神经元机械性损伤中的作用

目的通过建立神经元机械性损伤模型,研究突触后致密物质(PSD)支架蛋白中的树突棘突触后致密物质-95(PSD-95)相互作用调节蛋白(Preso)在创伤性脑损伤中的作用及调控机制。方法建立神经元机械性损伤模型,通过细胞活力和乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)检测神经元损伤程度,并通过Western blot检测明确Preso在损伤后的表达变化;利用Preso慢病毒过表达载体上调Preso在神经元中的表达,通过细胞活力和LDH检测明确上调Preso在神经元损伤中的作用;利用神经元特异性一氧化氮合酶(nNOS)特异性抑制剂ARL 17477,通过细胞活力和LDH检测明确抑制nNOS对上调Preso调控神经元损伤的影响。结果神经元机械性损伤后,Preso表达无明显改变,而上调Preso表达可加重神经元损伤;利用nNOS特异性抑制剂ARL 17477可显著改善神经元损伤,并抑制上调Preso表达对神经元损伤的影响。结论神经元机械性损伤后,Preso可促进神经元损伤的形成,而nNOS是其重要的下游效应分子。     

mGluR5 is involved in proliferation of rat neural progenitor cells exposed to hypoxia with activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway

Hypoxia/ischemia induces proliferation of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) in rodent and human brain; however, the mechanisms remain unknown. We investigated the effects of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) on NPC proliferation under hypoxia, the expression of cyclin D1, and the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling pathway in cell culture. The results showed that hypoxia induced mGluR5 expression on NPCs in vitro. Under hypoxia, the mGluR5 agonists DHPG and CHPG significantly increased NPC proliferation in cell activity, diameter of neurospheres, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation and cell division, and expression of cyclin D1, with decreasing cell death. The mGluR5 siRNA and antagonist MPEP decreased the NPC proliferation and expression of cyclin D1, with increasing cell death. Phosphorylated JNK and ERK increased with the proliferation of NPCs after DHPG and CHPG treatment under hypoxia, while p-p38 level decreased. These results demonstrate that the expression of mGluR5 was upregulated during the proliferation of rat NPCs stimulated by hypoxia in vitro. The activation of the ERK and JNK signaling pathway and the expression of cyclin D1 were increased in this process. These finding suggest the involvement of mGluR5 in rat NPC proliferation and provide a target molecule in neural repair after ischemia/hypoxia injury of CNS.     

Apoptotic characteristics of cell death and the neuroprotective effect of homocarnosine on pheochromocytoma PC12 cells exposed to ischemia

We recently improved an in vitro ischemic model, using PC12 neuronal cultures exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) for 3 hr in a special device, followed by 18 hr of reoxygenation. The cell death induced in this ischemic model was evaluated by a series of markers: lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, caspase-3 activation, presence of cyclin D1, cytochrome c leakage from the mitochondria, BAX cellular redistribution, cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) to an 85-kDa apoptotic fragment, and DNA fragmentation. The OGD insult, in the absence of reoxygenation, caused a strong activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) isoforms extracellular regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), and stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK), also known as p-38. The detection of apoptotic markers and activation of MAPKs during the ischemic insult strongly suggest that apoptosis plays an important role in the PC12 cell death. Homocarnosine, a neuroprotective histidine dipeptide, present in high concentrations in the brain, was found to provide neuroprotection, as expressed by a 40% reduction in LDH release and caspase-3 activity at 1 mM. Homocarnosine reduced OGD activation of ERK 1, ERK 2, JNK 1, and JNK 2 by 40%, 46%, 55%, and 30%, respectively. These results suggest that apoptosis is an important characteristic of OGD-induced neuronal death and that antioxidants, such as homocarnosine, may prevent OGD-induced neuronal death by inhibiting the apoptotic process and/or in relation to the differential attenuation of activity of MAPKs.     

Selective mGluR5 receptor antagonist or agonist provides neuroprotection in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia

Activation of group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of acute central nervous system injury. However, the relative roles of the two group I subtypes, mGluR1 or mGluR5, in such injury has not been well examined. We compared the effects of treatment with the newly developed, selective mGluR5 antagonist 2-methyl-6-phenylethynylpyridine (MPEP) and the selective mGluR5 agonist (R,S)-2-chloro-5-hydroxyphenylglycine (CHPG) in a rat intraluminal filament model of temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo). Rats were administered MPEP or CHPG i.c.v. beginning 15 or 135 min after induction of ischemia for 2 h. Infarct size was measured after either 22 or 70 h of reperfusion, and neurological function was quantified at 2, 24, 48 and 72 h. Treatment with MPEP or CHPG at 15 min reduced 24 h infarct volume by 61 and 44%, respectively. The neuroprotective effects were dose dependent. Delaying MPEP treatment until 135 min eliminated the neuroprotective effects. In other studies, using early MPEP treatment (15 min) at optimal doses, infarct volume was reduced by 44% at 72 h and this was correlated with significant neurological recovery. These data suggest that both MPEP and CHPG are neuroprotective when administered after focal cerebral ischemia. In separate, recent studies we found that although MPEP does act as an mGluR5 antagonist and blocks agonist induced phosphoinositide hydrolysis, it also serves as a non-competitive NMDA antagonist; in contrast, other results indicate that CHPG mediated neuroprotection may reflect anti-apoptotic activity. Therefore, both types of compounds may prove to have therapeutic potential for the treatment of stroke.     

Selective mGluR1 Antagonist EMQMCM Inhibits the Kainate-Induced Excitotoxicity in Primary Neuronal Cultures and in the Rat Hippocampus

Abundant evidence suggests that indirect inhibitory modulation of glutamatergic transmission, via metabotropic glutamatergic receptors (mGluR), may induce neuroprotection. The present study was designed to determine whether the selective antagonist of mGluR1 (3-ethyl-2-methyl-quinolin-6-yl)-(4-methoxy-cyclohexyl)-methanone methanesulfonate (EMQMCM), showed neuroprotection against the kainate (KA)-induced excitotoxicity in vitro and in vivo. In in vitro studies on mouse primary cortical and hippocampal neuronal cultures, incubation with KA (150 μM) induced strong degeneration [measured as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) efflux] and apoptosis (measured as caspase-3 activity). EMQMCM (0.1-100 μM) added 30 min to 6 h after KA, significantly attenuated the KA-induced LDH release and prevented the increase in caspase-3 activity in the cultures. Those effects were dose- and time-dependent. In in vivo studies KA (2.5 nmol/1 μl) was unilaterally injected into the rat dorsal CA1 hippocampal region. Degeneration was calculated by counting surviving neurons in the CA pyramidal layer using stereological methods. It was found that EMQMCM (5-10 nmol/1 μl) injected into the dorsal hippocampus 30 min, 1 h, or 3 h (the higher dose only) after KA significantly prevented the KA-induced neuronal degeneration. In vivo microdialysis studies in rat hippocampus showed that EMQMCM (100 μM) significantly increased γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and decreased glutamate release. When perfused simultaneously with KA, EMQMCM substantially increased GABA release and prevented the KA-induced glutamate release. The obtained results indicate that the mGluR1 antagonist, EMQMCM, may exert neuroprotection against excitotoxicity after delayed treatment (30 min to 6 h). The role of enhanced GABAergic transmission in the neuroprotection is postulated.     

PI3K／Akt信号通路对神经元机械性损伤诱导的自噬调节作用

目的研究机械性神经元损伤后自噬的发生情况以及磷脂酰肌醇3激酶（P13K）／蛋白激酶B（Akt,即PKB）信号通路对其发挥的调节作用。方法小鼠皮层神经元原代培养2W后,采用机械性神经元损伤模型,通过蛋白印迹法（Westernblot）定量分析损伤后不同时间点自噬相关分子微管相关蛋白轻链3（LC3）I／II、Beclin-1和Akt蛋白磷酸化的表达情况;使用不同浓度的P13K抑制剂LY294002预处理神经元1h后给予机械性损伤,通过Westernblot来研究自噬相关分子LC3I／Ⅱ和Beclin-1的表达情况。结果自噬相关分子LC311于机械性神经元损伤后3h表达开始逐渐增加,而Beclin-1无明显变化;p-Akt的表达于损伤后3h达到高峰,此后逐渐恢复到正常水平;用P13K抑制剂LY294002预处理神经元,可以使损伤后神经元的自噬相关分子LC3lI和Beclin-1的表达上调。结论机械性神经元损伤可以诱导自噬发生,且PI3K／Akt信号通路在其中可能发挥调节作用。     

Metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 activation inhibits microglial associated inflammation and neurotoxicity

The Group I metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) can modulate addiction, pain, and neuronal cell death. Expression of some mGluRs, such as Group II and III mGluRs, has been reported in microglia and may affect their activation. However, the expression and role of mGluR5 in microglia is unclear. Using immunocytochemistry and Western blot, we demonstrate that mGluR5 protein is expressed in primary microglial cultures. Activation of mGluR5 using the selective agonist (RS)-2-chloro-5-hydroxyphenylglycine (CHPG) significantly reduces microglial activation in response to lipopolysaccharide, as indicated by a reduction in nitric oxide, reactive oxygen species, and TNFalpha production. Microglial induced neurotoxicity is also markedly reduced by CHPG treatment. The anti-inflammatory effects of CHPG are not observed in microglial cultures from mGluR5 knockout mice and are blocked by selective mGluR5 antagonists, suggesting that these actions are mediated by the mGluR5 receptor. Anti-inflammatory actions of mGluR5 activation are attenuated by phospholipase C and protein kinase C inhibitors, as well as by calcium chelators, suggesting that the mGluR5 activation in microglia involves the G(alphaq)-protein signal transduction pathway. These data indicate that microglial mGluR5 may represent a novel target for modulating neuroinflammation, an important component of both acute and chronic neurodegenerative disorders.     

Modulation of ERK and JNK activity by transient forebrain ischemia in rats

The mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase families of ERK and JNK participate in numerous intracellular signaling pathways and are abundantly expressed in the CNS. Activation of ERK and JNK during reperfusion of ischemic tissue is implicated in promoting cell death, insofar as inhibition of either pathway reduces neuronal cell death. However, ERK or JNK activation provides protection in other neuronal injury models. In this study, we monitored the concurrent modulation of ERK and JNK activity in the hippocampus, neocortex, and striatum during ischemia and immediately upon reperfusion in a rat model of transient global ischemia. All three regions incur a similar reduction in blood flow during occlusion but show different extents and temporal patterns of injury following reperfusion. ERK and JNK were active in the normal rat forebrain, and phosphorylation was reduced by ischemia. Upon reperfusion, ERK was rapidly activated in the hippocampus, neocortex, and striatum, whereas JNK phosphorylation increased in the hippocampus and striatum but not in the neocortex. The response of JNK vs. ERK more closely reflects the susceptibility of these regions. JNK1 was the predominant phosphorylated isoform. A minor pool of phosphorylated JNK3 increased above the control level after reperfusion in hippocampal but not in neocortical particulate fractions. In addition, a novel 32-35-kDa c-Jun kinase activity was detected in the hippocampus, neocortex, and striatum. The results show that ERK and JNK activities are rapidly, but not identically, modulated by ischemia and reperfusion and indicate that the MAP kinase pathways contribute to regulating the response to acute CNS injury.