Crosstalk between Notch, HIF-1α and GPER in Breast Cancer EMT.

The Notch signaling pathway acts in both physiological and pathological conditions, including embryonic development and tumorigenesis. In cancer progression, diverse mechanisms are involved in Notch-mediated biological responses, including angiogenesis and epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT). During EMT, the activation of cellular programs facilitated by transcriptional repressors results in epithelial cells losing their differentiated features, like cell­cell adhesion and apical­basal polarity, whereas they gain motility. As it concerns cancer epithelial cells, EMT may be consequent to the evolution of genetic/epigenetic instability, or triggered by factors that can act within the tumor microenvironment. Following a description of the Notch signaling pathway and its major regulatory nodes, we focus on studies that have given insights into the functional interaction between Notch signaling and either hypoxia or estrogen in breast cancer cells, with a particular focus on EMT. Furthermore, we describe the role of hypoxia signaling in breast cancer cells and discuss recent evidence regarding a functional interaction between HIF-1α and GPER in both breast cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). On the basis of these studies, we propose that a functional network between HIF-1α, GPER and Notch may integrate tumor microenvironmental cues to induce robust EMT in cancer cells. Further investigations are required in order to better understand how hypoxia and estrogen signaling may converge on Notch-mediated EMT within the context of the stroma and tumor cells interaction. However, the data discussed here may anticipate the potential benefits of further pharmacological strategies targeting breast cancer progression.

c-Jun is essential for the induction of Il-1ß gene expression in in vitro activated Bergmann glial cells.

In the central nervous system (CNS), the c-Jun transcription factor has been mainly studied in neuronal cells and coupled to apoptotic and regenerative pathways following brain injury. Besides, several studies have shown a transcriptional role of c-Jun in activated cortical and spinal astrocytes. In contrast, little is known about c-Jun expression and transactivation in Bergmann glial (BG) cells, the radial cerebellar astrocytes playing crucial roles in cerebellar development and physiology. Here, we used neuronal/glial cerebellar cultures from neonatal mice to assess putative functions of c-Jun in BG cells. By performing double immunocytochemical staining of c-Jun and two BG specific markers, S100 and glutamate aspartate transporter (GLAST), we show that c-Jun was highly expressed in radial glial cells derived from Bergmann glia. Bergmann glia-derived cells expressed toll-like receptor 4 and treatment with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced c-Jun phosphorylation at serine 63, a hallmark of c-Jun transactivation, exclusively in BG cells. Moreover, LPS-induced IL-1ß expression and inhibition of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activity abolished both c-Jun phosphorylation and the increase of IL-1ß mRNA. Notably, LPS failed to induce IL-1ß mRNA in neuronal/glial cerebellar cultures generated from conditional knockout mice lacking c-Jun expression in the CNS, indicating the essential role of c-Jun in astroglial-specific induction of IL-1ß. Immunohistochemical analyses of c-Jun-expressing cells in the early postnatal cerebellum confirmed in vivo the expression of c-Jun in BG cells and uncovered a dynamic expression of c-Jun during the formation of the BG monolayer. Altogether, our finding underlines a putative role of c-Jun in astroglia-mediated neuroinflammatory dysfunctions of the cerebellum.

The Multifaceted Output of c-Jun Biological Activity: Focus at the Junction of CD8 T Cell Activation and Exhaustion.

c-Jun is a major component of the dimeric transcription factor activator protein-1 (AP-1), a paradigm for transcriptional response to extracellular signaling, whose components are basic-Leucine Zipper (bZIP) transcription factors of the Jun, Fos, activating transcription factor (ATF), ATF-like (BATF) and Jun dimerization protein 2 (JDP2) gene families. Extracellular signals regulate c-Jun/AP-1 activity at multiple levels, including transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of c-Jun expression and transactivity, in turn, establishing the magnitude and the duration of c-Jun/AP-1 activation. Another important level of c-Jun/AP-1 regulation is due to the capability of Jun family members to bind DNA as a heterodimer with every other member of the AP-1 family, and to interact with other classes of transcription factors, thereby acquiring the potential to integrate diverse extrinsic and intrinsic signals into combinatorial regulation of gene expression. Here, we review how these features of c-Jun/AP-1 regulation underlie the multifaceted output of c-Jun biological activity, eliciting quite distinct cellular responses, such as neoplastic transformation, differentiation and apoptosis, in different cell types. In particular, we focus on the current understanding of the role of c-Jun/AP-1 in the response of CD8 T cells to acute infection and cancer. We highlight the transcriptional and epigenetic regulatory mechanisms through which c-Jun/AP-1 participates in the productive immune response of CD8 T cells, and how its downregulation may contribute to the dysfunctional state of tumor infiltrating CD8 T cells. Additionally, we discuss recent insights pointing at c-Jun as a suitable target for immunotherapy-based combination approaches to reinvigorate anti-tumor immune functions.

G protein-coupled receptor 30 (GPR30) mediates gene expression changes and growth response to 17beta-estradiol and selective GPR30 ligand G-1 in ovarian cancer cells.

Estrogens play a crucial role in the development of ovarian tumors; however, the signal transduction pathways involved in hormone action are still poorly defined. The orphan G protein-coupled receptor 30 (GPR30) mediates the nongenomic signaling of 17beta-estradiol (E2) in a variety of estrogen-sensitive cancer cells through activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway. Whether estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) also contributes to GPR30/EGFR signaling is less understood. Here, we show that, in ERalpha-positive BG-1 ovarian cancer cells, both E2 and the GPR30-selective ligand G-1 induced c-fos expression and estrogen-responsive element (ERE)-independent activity of a c-fos reporter gene, whereas only E2 stimulated an ERE-responsive reporter gene, indicating that GPR30 signaling does not activate ERalpha-mediated transcription. Similarly, both ligands up-regulated cyclin D1, cyclin E, and cyclin A, whereas only E2 enhanced progesterone receptor expression. Moreover, both GPR30 and ERalpha expression are required for c-fos stimulation and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation in response to either E2 or G-1. Inhibition of the EGFR transduction pathway inhibited c-fos stimulation and ERK activation by either ligand, suggesting that in ovarian cancer cells GPR30/EGFR signaling relays on ERalpha expression. Interestingly, we show that both GPR30 and ERalpha expression along with active EGFR signaling are required for E2-stimulated and G-1-stimulated proliferation of ovarian cancer cells. Because G-1 was able to induce both c-fos expression and proliferation in the ERalpha-negative/GPR30-positive SKBR3 breast cancer cells, the requirement for ERalpha expression in GPR30/EGFR signaling may depend on the specific cellular context of different tumor types.

Negative charged threonine 95 of c-Jun is essential for c-Jun N-terminal kinase-dependent phosphorylation of threonine 91/93 and stress-induced c-Jun biological activity.

Activation of c-Jun, a major component of the AP-1 transcription factor, represents a paradigm for transcriptional response to stress. Transactivation of c-Jun is regulated by Jun-N-terminal kinases (JNKs) through phosphorylation at serine 63 and 73 (S63/S73), as well as at threonine 91 and 93 (T91/T93). How these two groups of phosphoacceptor sites respond to different grades of genotoxic stress and whether DNA-damage pathways influence the extent of their JNK-dependent phosphorylations remain to be elucidated. Here, we show that following a short exposure to the DNA-damaging compound etoposide, c-Jun phosphorylation is restricted to S63/S73. In contrast, JNK-dependent phosphorylation of T91/T93 requires continuous exposure to the drug and is impaired by caffeine treatment or alanine substitution of the adjacent threonine 95 (T95). Conversely, c-Jun mutations switching the T95/Q96 site into a canonical site for mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation (T95/P96) rescues T91/T93 phosphorylation in presence of caffeine, suggesting that a preceding phosphorylation at T95 exposes T91/T93 to JNK-dependent phosphorylation. Moreover, we show that alanine substitution at T95 impairs c-Jun transactivation and c-Jun-mediated cell death, indicating that negatively charged T95 is a general constraint for c-Jun activation. Hence, our study suggests that c-Jun may sense the strength of genotoxic stress through DNA-damage dependent phosphorylation of T95, which in turn augments c-Jun transactivation by JNKs.

The G protein-coupled receptor GPR30 mediates the proliferative effects induced by 17beta-estradiol and hydroxytamoxifen in endometrial cancer cells.

The growth of both normal and transformed epithelial cells of the female reproductive system is stimulated by estrogens, mainly through the activation of estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha), which is a ligand-regulated transcription factor. The selective ER modulator tamoxifen (TAM) has been widely used as an ER antagonist in breast tumor; however, long-term treatment is associated with an increased risk of endometrial cancer. To provide new insights into the potential mechanisms involved in the agonistic activity exerted by TAM in the uterus, we evaluated the potential of 4-hydroxytamoxifen (OHT), the active metabolite of TAM, to transactivate wild-type ERalpha and its splice variant expressed in Ishikawa and HEC1A endometrial tumor cells, respectively. OHT was able to antagonize only the activation of ERalpha by 17beta-estradiol (E2) in Ishikawa cells, whereas it up-regulated c-fos expression in a rapid manner similar to E2 and independently of ERalpha in both cell lines. This stimulation occurred through the G protein-coupled receptor named GPR30 and required Src-related and epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase activities, along with the activation of both ERK1/2 and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT pathways. Most importantly, OHT, like E2, stimulated the proliferation of Ishikawa as well as HEC1A cells. Transfecting a GPR30 antisense expression vector in both endometrial cancer cell lines, OHT was no longer able to induce growth effects, whereas the proliferative response to E2 was completely abrogated only in HEC1A cells. Furthermore, in the presence of the inhibitors of MAPK and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathways, PD 98059 and wortmannin, respectively, E2 and OHT did not elicit growth stimulation. Our data demonstrate a new mode of action of E2 and OHT in endometrial cancer cells, contributing to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in their uterine agonistic activity.

GPER Mediates Non-Genomic Effects of Estrogen.

Estrogens are important modulators of a broad spectrum of physiological functions in humans. However, despite their beneficial actions, a number of lines of evidence correlate the sustained exposure to exogenous estrogen with increased risk of the onset of various cancers. Mainly these steroid hormones induce their effects by binding and activating estrogen receptors (ERα and ERß). These receptors belong to the family of ligand-regulated transcription factors, and upon activation they regulate the expression of different target genes by binding directly to specific DNA sequences. On the other hand, in recent years it has become clear that the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 30 (GPR30/GPER) is able to mediate non-genomic action of estrogens in different cell contexts. In particular, GPER has been shown to specifically bind estrogens, and in turn to functionally cross-react with diverse cell signaling systems such as the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway, the Notch signaling pathway and the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathway. In this chapter we will present some of the different experimental techniques currently used to demonstrate the functional role of GPER in mediating non-genomic actions of estrogens, such as the dual luciferase assay, assessment of the involvement of GPER in the stimulation of cell migration in breast cancer cell lines and in cancer-associated fibroblasts, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Overall, the experimental procedures described herein represent key instruments for assessing the biological role of GPER in mediating non-genomic signals of estrogen.

Menin uncouples Elk-1, JunD and c-Jun phosphorylation from MAP kinase activation.

Menin, a nuclear protein encoded by the tumor suppressor gene MEN1, interacts with the AP-1 transcription factor JunD and inhibits its transcriptional activity. In addition, overexpression of Menin counteracts Ras-induced tumorigenesis. We show that Menin inhibits ERK-dependent phosphorylation and activation of both JunD and the Ets-domain transcription factor Elk-1. We also show that Menin represses the inducible activity of the c-fos promoter. Furthermore, Menin expression inhibits Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)-mediated phosphorylation of both JunD and c-Jun. Kinase assays show that Menin overexpression does not interfere with activation of either ERK2 or JNK1, suggesting that Menin acts at a level downstream of MAPK activation. An N-terminal deletion mutant of Menin that cannot inhibit JunD phosphorylation by JNK, can still repress JunD phosphorylation by ERK2, suggesting that Menin interferes with ERK and JNK pathways through two distinct inhibitory mechanisms. Taken together, our data suggest that Menin uncouples ERK and JNK activation from phosphorylation of their nuclear targets Elk-1, JunD and c-Jun, hence inhibiting accumulation of active Fos/Jun heterodimers. This study provides new molecular insights into the tumor suppressor function of Menin and suggests a mechanism by which Menin may interfere with Ras-dependent cell transformation and oncogenesis.

GPER activates Notch signaling in breast cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs).

The G protein-coupled receptor GPR30/GPER has been shown to mediate rapid effects of 17ß-estradiol (E2) in diverse types of cancer cells. Here, we provide evidence for a novel crosstalk between GPER and the Notch signaling pathway in breast cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). We show that E2 and the GPER selective ligand G-1 induce both the γ-secretase-dependent activation of Notch-1 and the expression of the Notch target gene Hes-1. These inductions are prevented by knocking down GPER or by using a dominant-negative mutant of the Notch transcriptional co-activator Master-mind like-1 (DN-MAML-1), hence suggesting the involvement of GPER in the Notch-dependent transcription. By performing chromatin-immunoprecipitation experiments and luciferase assays, we also demonstrate that E2 and G-1 induce the recruitment of the intracellular domain of Notch-1 (N1ICD) to the Hes-1 promoter and the transactivation of a Hes-1-reporter gene, respectively. Functionally, the E2 and G-1-induced migration of breast cancer cells and CAFs is abolished in presence of the γ-secretase inhibitor GSI or DN-MAML-1, which both inhibit the Notch signaling pathway. In addition, we demonstrate that E2 and G-1 prevent the expression of VE-Cadherin, while both compounds induce the expression of Snail, a Notch target gene acting as a repressor of cadherins expression. Notably, both GSI and DN-MAML-1 abolish the up-regulation of Snail-1 by E2 and G-1, whereas the use of GSI rescues VE-Cadherin expression. Taken together, our results prove the involvement of the Notch signaling pathway in mediating the effects of estrogenic GPER signaling in breast cancer cells and CAFs.

Oxidative DNA damage induces the ATM-mediated transcriptional suppression of the Wnt inhibitor WIF-1 in systemic sclerosis and fibrosis.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by extensive visceral organ and skin fibrosis. SSc patients have increased production of autoreactive antibodies and Wnt signaling activity. We found that expression of the gene encoding Wnt inhibitor factor 1 (WIF-1) was decreased in fibroblasts from SSc patient biopsies. WIF-1 deficiency in SSc patient cells correlated with increased abundance of the Wnt effector ß-catenin and the production of collagen. Knocking down WIF-1 in normal fibroblasts increased Wnt signaling and collagen production. WIF-1 loss and DNA damage were induced in normal fibroblasts by either SSc patient immunoglobulins or oxidative DNA-damaging agents, such as ultraviolet light, hydrogen peroxide, or bleomycin. The DNA damage checkpoint kinase ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) mediated WIF-1 silencing through the phosphorylation of the transcription factor c-Jun, which in turn activated the expression of the gene encoding activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3). ATF3 and c-Jun were recruited together with histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) to the WIF-1 promoter and inhibited WIF-1 expression. Preventing the accumulation of reactive oxygen species or inhibiting the activation of ATM, c-Jun, or HDACs restored WIF-1 expression in cultured SSc patient cells. Trichostatin A, an HDAC inhibitor, prevented WIF-1 loss, ß-catenin induction, and collagen accumulation in an experimental fibrosis model. Our findings suggest that oxidative DNA damage induced by SSc autoreactive antibodies enables Wnt activation that contributes to fibrosis.

A cross-talk between the androgen receptor and the epidermal growth factor receptor leads to p38MAPK-dependent activation of mTOR and cyclinD1 expression in prostate and lung cancer cells.

In androgen sensitive LNCaP prostate cancer cells, the proliferation induced by the epidermal growth factor (EGF) involves a cross-talk between the EGF receptor (EGFR) and the androgen receptor (AR). In lung cancer the role of the EGF-EGFR transduction pathway has been documented, whereas androgen activity has received less attention. Here we demonstrate that in LNCaP and A549 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), AR and EGFR are required for either 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) or EGF-stimulated cell growth. Only EGF activated ERK signaling and up-regulated early gene expression, while DHT triggered the expression of classical AR-responsive genes with the exception of the EGF-induced PSA transcript in A549 cells. DHT and EGF up-regulated cyclinD1 (CD1) at both mRNA and protein levels in A549 cells, while in LNCaP cells each mitogen increased only CD1 protein expression. In both cell contexts, CD1 up-regulation was prevented by selective inhibitors as well as by knock-down of either AR or EGFR and also inhibiting p38MAPK and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways. Interestingly, p38MAPK and mTOR repression prevented the activation of the mTOR target ribosomal p70S6 kinase induced by DHT and EGF, indicating that p38MAPK acts as an upstream mTOR regulator. In addition, the proliferative effects promoted by both DHT and EGF in LNCaP and A549 cancer cells were no longer observed blocking either p38MAPK or mTOR activity. Hence, our data suggest that p38MAPK-dependent activation of the mTOR/CD1 pathway may represent a mechanism through which AR and EGFR cross-talk contributes to prostate and lung cancer progression.

17beta-estradiol, genistein, and 4-hydroxytamoxifen induce the proliferation of thyroid cancer cells through the g protein-coupled receptor GPR30.

The higher incidence of thyroid carcinoma (TC) in women during reproductive years compared with men and the increased risk associated with the therapeutic use of estrogens have suggested a pathogenetic role exerted by these steroids in the development of TC. In the present study, we evaluated the potential of 17beta-estradiol (E2), genistein (G), and 4-hydroxyta-moxifen (OHT) to regulate the expression of diverse estrogen target genes and the proliferation of human WRO, FRO, and ARO thyroid carcinoma cells, which were used as a model system. We have ascertained that ARO cells are devoid of estrogen receptors (ERs), whereas both WRO and FRO cells express a single variant of ERalpha that was neither transactivated, modulated, nor translocated into the nucleus upon treatment with ligands. However, E2, G, and OHT were able either to induce the transcriptional activity of c-fos promoter constructs, including those lacking the estrogen-responsive elements, or to increase c-fos, cyclin A, and D1 expression. It is noteworthy that we have demonstrated that the G protein-coupled receptor 30 (GPR30) and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway mediate both the up-regulation of c-fos and the growth response to E2, G, and OHT in TC cells studied, because these stimulatory effects were prevented by silencing GPR30 and using the MEK inhibitor 2'-amino-3'-methoxyflavone (PD 98059). Our findings provide new insight into the molecular mechanisms through which estrogens may induce the progression of TC.

Differential phosphorylation of c-Jun and JunD in response to the epidermal growth factor is determined by the structure of MAPK targeting sequences.

MAPK phosphorylation of various substrates is mediated by the presence of docking sites, including the D domain and the DEF motif. Depending on the number and sequences of these domains, substrates are phosphorylated by specific subsets of MAPKs. For example, a D domain targets JNK to c-Jun, whereas a DEF motif is required for ERK phosphorylation of c-Fos. JunD, in contrast, contains both D and DEF domains. Here we show that these motifs mediate JunD phosphorylation in response to either ERK or JNK activation. An intact D domain is required for phosphorylation and activation of JunD by both subtypes of MAPK. The DEF motif acts together with the D domain to elicit efficient phosphorylation of JunD in response to the epidermal growth factor (EGF) but has no function on JunD phosphorylation and activation by JNK signaling. Furthermore, we show that conversion of a c-Jun sequence to a canonical DEF domain, as it is present in JunD, elicits c-Jun activation in response to EGF. Our results suggest that evolution of a particular modular system of MAPK targeting sequences has determined a differential response of JunD and c-Jun to ERK activation.

Channelrhodopsin-1: a light-gated proton channel in green algae.

Phototaxis and photophobic responses of green algae are mediated by rhodopsins with microbial-type chromophores. We report a complementary DNA sequence in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii that encodes a microbial opsin-related protein, which we term Channelopsin-1. The hydrophobic core region of the protein shows homology to the light-activated proton pump bacteriorhodopsin. Expression of Channelopsin-1, or only the hydrophobic core, in Xenopus laevis oocytes in the presence of all-trans retinal produces a light-gated conductance that shows characteristics of a channel selectively permeable for protons. We suggest that Channelrhodopsins are involved in phototaxis of green algae.

The G protein-coupled receptor GPR30 mediates c-fos up-regulation by 17beta-estradiol and phytoestrogens in breast cancer cells.

A growing body of evidence concerning estrogen effects cannot be explained by the classic model of hormone action, which involves the binding to estrogen receptors (ERs) alpha and ERbeta and the interaction of the steroid-receptor complex with specific DNA sequences associated with target genes. Using c-fos proto-oncogene expression as an early molecular sensor of estrogen action in ERalpha-positive MCF7 and ER-negative SKBR3 breast cancer cells, we have discovered that 17beta-estradiol (E2), and the two major phytoestrogens, genistein and quercetin, stimulate c-fos expression through ERalpha as well as through an ER-independent manner via the G protein-coupled receptor homologue GPR30. The c-fos response is repressed in GPR30-expressing SKBR3 cells transfected with an antisense oligonucleotide against GPR30 and reconstituted in GPR30-deficient MDA-MB 231 and BT-20 breast cancer cells transfected with a GPR30 expression vector. GPR30-dependent activation of ERK1/2 by E2 and phytoestrogens occurs via a Gbetagamma-associated pertussis toxin-sensitive pathway that requires both Src-related and EGF receptor tyrosine kinase activities. The ability of E2 and phytoestrogens to regulate the expression of growth-related genes such as c-fos even in the absence of ER has interesting implications for understanding breast cancer progression.

The DEXD/H-box RNA helicase RHII/Gu is a co-factor for c-Jun-activated transcription.

Tandem affinity purification (TAP) and mass spectrometric peptide sequencing showed that the DEAD-box RNA helicase RHII/Gu is a functional interaction partner of c-Jun in human cells. The N-terminal transcription activation region of, c-Jun interacts with a C-terminal domain of RHII/Gu. This interaction is stimulated by anisomycin treatment in a manner that is concurrent with, but independent of, c-Jun phosphorylation. A possible explanation for this effect is provided by the observation that RHII/Gu translocates from nucleolus to nucleoplasm upon anisomycin or UV treatment or when JNK signaling is activated by overexpression of a constitutively active form of MEKK1 kinase. Several experiments show that the RNA helicase activity of RHII/Gu supports c-Jun-mediated target gene activation: dominant-negative forms of RHII/Gu, as well as a neutralizing antibody against the enzyme, significantly interfered with c-Jun target gene activity but not with transcription in general. These findings clarify the mechanism of c-Jun-mediated transcriptional regulation, and provide evidence for an involvement of RHII/Gu in stress response and in RNA polymerase II-catalyzed transcription in mammalian cells.

Multiple members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase family are necessary for PED/PEA-15 anti-apoptotic function.

293 kidney embryonic cells feature very low levels of the anti-apoptotic protein PED. In these cells, expression of PED to levels comparable with those occurring in normal adult cells inhibits apoptosis induced by growth factor deprivation and by exposure to H(2)O(2) or anisomycin. In PED-expressing 293 cells (293(PED)), inhibition of apoptosis upon growth factor deprivation was paralleled by decreased phosphorylation of JNK1/2. In 293(PED) cells, decreased apoptosis induced by anisomycin and H(2)O(2) was also accompanied by block of JNK1/2 and p38 phosphorylations, respectively. Impaired activity of these stress kinases by PED correlated with inhibition of stress-induced Cdc-42, MKK4, and MKK6 activation. At variance with JNK1/2 and p38, PED expression increased basal and growth factor-stimulated Ras-Raf-1 co-precipitation and MAPK phosphorylation and activity. Treatment of 293(PED) cells with the MEK inhibitor PD98059 blocked ERK1/2 phosphorylations with no effect on inhibition of JNK1/2 and p38 activities. Complete rescue of JNK and p38 functions in 293(PED) cells by overexpressing JNK1 or p38, respectively, enabled only partial recovery of apoptotic response to growth factor deprivation and anisomycin. However, simultaneous rescue of JNK and p38 activities accompanied by block of ERK1/2 fully restored these responses. Thus, PED controls activity of the ERK, JNK, and p38 subfamilies of MAPKs. PED anti-apoptotic function in the 293 cells requires PED simultaneous activation of ERK1/2 and inhibition of the JNK/p38 signaling systems by PED.