Home About us Contact | |||
JNK Signaling Pathways (jnk + signaling_pathway)
Selected AbstractsThe Role of c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase (JNK) in Parkinson's DiseaseIUBMB LIFE, Issue 4-5 2003Jun Peng Abstract Given the critical role that the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway plays in regulating many of the cellular processes which are affected in Parkinson's disease (PD), the possible importance of JNK in disease pathogenesis is being increasingly recognized. Here we review recent findings implicating the JNK signaling pathway in animal models of Parkinson's disease and discuss the relationship between this pathway and the prominent pathological processes observed in the disease state. We suggest that regulation of the JNK signaling pathway may be a central facet in potential treatments for the disease. IUBMB Life, 55: 267-271, 2003 [source] Role of Wnt-5A in interleukin-1,,induced matrix metalloproteinase expression in rabbit temporomandibular joint condylar chondrocytesARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 9 2009Xianpeng Ge Objective To determine the possible involvement and regulatory mechanisms of Wnt-5A signaling in interleukin-1, (IL-1,),induced increase in matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), MMP-3, MMP-9, and MMP-13 expression in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) condylar chondrocytes. Methods Primary rabbit condylar chondrocytes were treated with IL-1,, purified Wnt-5A protein, or both and transfected with Wnt-5A expression vector. Expression of Wnt-5A, MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-9, MMP-13, and type II collagen, as well as cell morphologic changes, were examined. To explore the mechanisms of action of Wnt-5A, the accumulation and nuclear translocation of ,-catenin, the transcription activity of the ,-catenin,Tcf/Lef complex, phosphorylated JNK, phosphorylated ERK, and phosphorylated p38 were analyzed. SP600125, a JNK inhibitor, was used to investigate the role of the JNK pathway in Wnt-5A induction of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-9, and MMP-13. Results Treatment of rabbit condylar chondrocytes with IL-1, up-regulated Wnt-5A expression. Purified Wnt-5A protein and transfection with Wnt-5A expression vector promoted the expression of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-9, and MMP-13. Wnt-5A did not cause accumulation and nuclear translocation of ,-catenin or activation of the ,-catenin-Tcf/Lef transcription complex. Instead, Wnt-5A activated JNK, and an inhibitor of JNK blocked the Wnt-5A,induced up-regulated expression of MMPs. Conclusion These findings indicate that IL-1, up-regulates Wnt-5A, and the activation of Wnt-5A signaling induces the expression of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-9, and MMP-13 via the JNK signaling pathway in rabbit TMJ condylar chondrocytes. Blockage of JNK signaling impairs the Wnt-5A,induced up-regulation of MMPs. Thus, Wnt-5A may be associated with cartilage destruction by promoting the expression of MMPs. [source] The TLR3 ligand polyI:C downregulates connexin 43 expression and function in astrocytes by a mechanism involving the NF-,B and PI3 kinase pathwaysGLIA, Issue 8 2006Yongmei Zhao Abstract Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) is a component of the innate immune response that responds to dsRNA viruses and virus replication intermediates. In this study we show that activation of astrocytes with the dsRNA mimetic polyinosinic-cytidylic acid (pI:C) results in loss of expression of connexin43 (Cx43) mRNA and protein while upregulating the expression of the ionotropic P2 receptor P2X4R. Analysis of the signaling pathways involved failed to demonstrate a role for the p38 MAP kinase, ERK, or JNK signaling pathways whereas an inhibitor of the PI3 kinase/Akt pathway effectively blocked the action of pI:C. Using adenoviral vectors containing a super-repressor of NF-,B (NF-,B SR) construct or a dominant negative interferon regulatory factor 3 (dnIRF3) construct showed that inhibition of both transcription factors also blocked the effects of pI:C. To explore the functional consequences of pI:C activation we used a pore-forming assay for P2X4R activity and a scrape loading assay for gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC). No pore-forming activity consistent with functional P2X4R expression was detected in either control or activated astrocytes. In contrast, robust Lucifer yellow transfer indicative of GJIC was detected in resting cells that was lost following pI:C activation. The dnIRF3 construct failed to restore GJIC whereas the NF-,B SR or the NF-,B inhibitor BAY11-7082 and the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 all significantly reversed the effect of pI:C on GJ connectivity. We conclude that activation of the innate immune response in astrocytes is associated with functional loss of GJIC through a pathway involving NF-,B and PI3 kinase. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] CARMA1-mediated NF-,B and JNK activation in lymphocytesIMMUNOLOGICAL REVIEWS, Issue 1 2009Marzenna Blonska Summary:, Activation of transcription factor nuclear factor-,B (NF-,B) and Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) play the pivotal roles in regulation of lymphocyte activation and proliferation. Deregulation of these signaling pathways leads to inappropriate immune response and contributes to the development of leukemia/lymphoma. The scaffold protein CARMA1 [caspase-recruitment domain (CARD) membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) protein 1] has a central role in regulation of NF-,B and the JNK2/c-Jun complex in both B and T lymphocytes. During last several years, tremendous work has been done to reveal the mechanism by which CARMA1 and its signaling partners, B cell CLL-lymphoma 10 and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue 1, are activated and mediate NF-,B and JNK activation. In this review, we summarize our findings in revealing the roles of CARMA1 in the NF-,B and JNK signaling pathways in the context of recent advances in this field. [source] Latent membrane protein 1 encoded by Epstein,Barr virus induces telomerase activity via p16INK4A/Rb/E2F1 and JNK signaling pathways,JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 8 2007Lin Ding Abstract Elevated telomerase activity is observed in about 90% of human cancers. This activity correlates strictly with human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). Previously, it was shown that the Epstein,Barr virus-encoded latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) induced telomerase activity in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. In this study, it was indicated that LMP1 inhibited p16INK4A expression, promoted phosphorylation of p105 Rb and upregulated E2F1 expression as well as transactivation, and overexpression of E2F1 alone was sufficient to upregulate telomerase activity. The JNK kinase cascade could also promote telomerase activity modulated by LMP1, that inhibition of JNK by JIP and TAM 67 dominant negative mutant abrogated telomerase activity. The data show that p16INK4A/Rb/E2F1 and JNK signaling pathways are involved in the regulation of telomerase activity via LMP1. The present study provides new perspectives on carcinogenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma that may be exploited for novel therapeutic strategies. J. Med. Virol. 79: 1153,1163, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Epidermal growth factor stimulates urokinase-type plasminogen activator expression in human gingival fibroblasts.JOURNAL OF PERIODONTAL RESEARCH, Issue 6 2004Possible modulation by genistein, curcumin Background:, Regulation of the extracellular matrix turnover is a crucial process in wound healing and the progress of periodontal disease. It has been proposed that urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), under the control of growth factors or cytokines, provides the proteolytic potential to the accomplishment of these cellular events. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is one of the growth factors that has been shown to be active in uPA regulation. Methods:, In this study, we have assessed the effect of EGF on uPA expression in primary cultures of human gingival fibroblasts. We also studied the signaling pathways involved in this process and the role of the dietary phytoestrogens curcumin and genistein as potential modulators of this response. Results:, Human gingival fibroblasts expressed a basal uPA activity, which was inhibited by genistein, but not by curcumin. After treatment with 10 ng/ml EGF, uPA production was strongly stimulated. Exposure to genistein and curcumin inhibited EGF-stimulated urokinase production, although only genistein showed a statistically significant inhibitory response. Using more specific inhibitors, we found that the mitogen-activated extracellular kinase and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitors PD98059 and SP600125 also blocked the EGF-dependent stimulatory effect. On the other hand, SB203580, inhibitor of the p38 member of mitogen-activated protein kinase family, did not alter this response. In accordance to these findings, EGF stimulated a potent activation of JNK and a mild activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2. Finally, EGF stimulated the phosphorylation of its receptor and tyrphostin (AG1478), curcumin and genistein were able to inhibit this stimulatory effect. Conclusions:, These results indicate that EGF constitutes a strong stimuli on uPA expression in human gingival fibroblasts. Our data also shows that EGF-stimulated uPA production involves the activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 and JNK signaling pathways and might be modulated by the natural phytoestrogens curcumin and genistein. [source] Nrf2-mediated induction of detoxifying enzymes by alantolactone present in Inula heleniumPHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 11 2008Ji Yeon Seo Abstract Our previous study showed that a methanol extract of Inula helenium had the potential to induce detoxifying enzymes such as quinone reductase (QR) and glutathione S -transferase (GST) activity. In this study the methanol extract was further fractionated using silica gel chromatography and vacuum liquid chromatography, to yield pure compounds alantolactone and isoalantolactone as QR inducers. Alantolactone caused a dose-dependent induction of antioxidant enzymes including QR, GST, , -glutamylcysteine synthase, glutathione reductase, and heme oxygenase 1 in hepa1c1c7 mouse hepatoma cells. The compound increased the luciferase activity of HepG2-C8 cells, transfectants carrying antioxidant response element (ARE)-luciferase gene, in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting ARE-mediated transcriptional activation of antioxidant enzymes. Alantolactone also stimulated the nuclear accumulation of Nrf2 that was inhibited by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors. In conclusion, alantolactone appears to induce detoxifying enzymes via activation of PI3K and JNK signaling pathways, leading to translocation of Nrf2, and subsequent interaction between Nrf2 and ARE in the encoding genes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] |