RESUMO
Signal processing by intracellular kinases controls near all biological processes but how signal pathway functions evolve with changed cellular context is poorly understood. Functional specificity of c-Jun N-terminal Kinases (JNK) are partly encoded by signal strength. Here we reveal that intracellular pH (pHi) is a significant component of the JNK network and defines signal response to specific stimuli. We show pHi regulates JNK activity in response to cell stress, with the relationship between pHi and JNK activity dependent on specific stimuli and upstream kinases activated. Using the optogenetic clustering tag CRY2, we show that an increase in pHi promotes the light-induced phase transition of ASK1 to augment JNK activation. While increased pHi similarly promoted CRY2-tagged JNK2 to form light-induced condensates, this attenuated JNK activity. Mathematical modelling of feedback signalling incorporating pHi and differential contributions by ASK1 and JNK2 condensates was sufficient to delineate signal responses to specific stimuli. Taking pHi and ASK1/JNK2 signal contributions into consideration may delineate oncogenic versus tumour suppressive JNK functions and cancer cell drug responses.
Assuntos
MAP Quinase Quinase Quinase 5 , Concentração de Íons de Hidrogênio , MAP Quinase Quinase Quinase 5/metabolismo , MAP Quinase Quinase Quinase 5/genética , Humanos , Proteína Quinase 9 Ativada por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Proteína Quinase 9 Ativada por Mitógeno/genética , Estresse Fisiológico , Transdução de Sinais , Animais , Optogenética , Sistema de Sinalização das MAP QuinasesRESUMO
Intracranial aneurysm (IA) can cause subarachnoid hemorrhage or some other hemorrhagic stroke after rupture. Because of the poor outcome in spite of the intensive medical care after the onset of hemorrhage, the development of a novel therapeutic strategy like medical therapy to prevent the progression of the disease becomes a social need. As the reduction of arterial stiffness due to the degeneration of the extracellular matrix via Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) becomes one of the central machineries leading to the progression of IAs through a series of studies, factors regulating the expression or the activity of MMPs could be a therapeutic target. In the present study, specimens from human IA lesions and the animal model of IAs were used to examine the expression of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) which might exacerbate expressions of MMPs in the lesions to weaken arterial walls resulting in the progression of the disease. In some human IA lesions examined, the expression of p-JNK, the activated form of JNK, could be detected mostly in the medial smooth muscle cells. In IA lesions induced in rats, the activation of JNK was induced during the progression of the disease and accompanied with the activation of downstream transcriptional factor c-Jun and importantly with the expression of MMP-2 or -9. The genetic deletion of Jnk2, not Jnk1, in mice significantly prevented the incidence of IAs with the suppression of the expression of MMP-2 or MMP-9. These results combined together have suggested the crucial role of JNK in the progression of IAs through regulating the expression of MMPs. The results from the present study provides the novel insights about the pathogenesis of IA progression and also about the therapeutic target.
Assuntos
Progressão da Doença , Aneurisma Intracraniano , Metaloproteinase 9 da Matriz , Proteína Quinase 9 Ativada por Mitógeno , Aneurisma Intracraniano/metabolismo , Aneurisma Intracraniano/patologia , Animais , Metaloproteinase 9 da Matriz/metabolismo , Metaloproteinase 9 da Matriz/genética , Humanos , Proteína Quinase 9 Ativada por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Proteína Quinase 9 Ativada por Mitógeno/genética , Ratos , Masculino , Camundongos , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Feminino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Camundongos Knockout , Metaloproteinase 2 da Matriz/metabolismo , Metaloproteinase 2 da Matriz/genéticaRESUMO
Morphine (Mor) has exhibited efficacy in safeguarding neurons against ischemic injuries by simulating ischemic/hypoxic preconditioning (I/HPC). Concurrently, autophagy plays a pivotal role in neuronal survival during IPC against ischemic stroke. However, the involvement of autophagy in Mor-induced neuroprotection and the potential mechanisms remain elusive. Our experiments further confirmed the effect of Mor in cellular and animal models of ischemic stroke and explored its potential mechanism. The findings revealed that Mor enhanced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner by augmenting autophagy levels and autophagic flux in neurons subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R). Pretreatment of Mor improved neurological outcome and reduced infarct size in mice with middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) at 1, 7 and 14 days. Moreover, the use of autophagy inhibitors nullified the protective effects of Mor, leading to reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, increased loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and neuronal apoptosis in OGD/R neurons. Results further demonstrated that Mor-induced autophagy activation was regulated by mTOR-independent activation of the c-Jun NH2- terminal kinase (JNK)1/2 Pathway, both in vitro and in vivo. Overall, these findings suggested Mor-induced neuroprotection by activating autophagy, which were regulated by JNK1/2 pathway in ischemic stroke.
Assuntos
Autofagia , AVC Isquêmico , Morfina , Fármacos Neuroprotetores , Serina-Treonina Quinases TOR , Animais , Autofagia/efeitos dos fármacos , Serina-Treonina Quinases TOR/metabolismo , Masculino , AVC Isquêmico/tratamento farmacológico , AVC Isquêmico/metabolismo , AVC Isquêmico/patologia , Fármacos Neuroprotetores/farmacologia , Fármacos Neuroprotetores/uso terapêutico , Morfina/farmacologia , Morfina/uso terapêutico , Camundongos , Sistema de Sinalização das MAP Quinases/efeitos dos fármacos , Sistema de Sinalização das MAP Quinases/fisiologia , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Proteína Quinase 8 Ativada por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Proteína Quinase 9 Ativada por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Neurônios/efeitos dos fármacos , Neurônios/metabolismo , Infarto da Artéria Cerebral Média/tratamento farmacológico , Infarto da Artéria Cerebral Média/metabolismo , Infarto da Artéria Cerebral Média/patologia , Neuroproteção/efeitos dos fármacos , Neuroproteção/fisiologia , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Sobrevivência Celular/fisiologia , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio/metabolismoRESUMO
Central nervous system organogenesis is a complex process that obeys precise architectural rules. The impact that nervous system architecture may have on its functionality remains, however, relatively unexplored. To clarify this problem, we analyze the development of the Drosophila embryonic Ventral Nerve Cord (VNC). VNC morphogenesis requires the tight control of Jun kinase (JNK) signaling in a subset of pioneer neurons, exerted in part via a negative feedback loop mediated by the dual specificity phosphatase Puckered. Here we show that the JNK pathway autonomously regulates neuronal electrophysiological properties without affecting synaptic vesicle transport. Manipulating JNK signaling activity in pioneer neurons during early embryogenesis directly influences their function as organizers of VNC architecture and, moreover, uncovers a role in the coordination of the embryonic motor circuitry that is required for hatching. Together, our data reveal critical links, mediated by the control of the JNK signaling cascade by Puckered, between the structural organization of the VNC and its functional optimization.
Assuntos
Proteínas de Drosophila , Drosophila , Animais , Drosophila/metabolismo , Proteínas de Drosophila/genética , Proteínas de Drosophila/metabolismo , Proteínas Quinases JNK Ativadas por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Neurônios/metabolismo , Proteína Quinase 9 Ativada por Mitógeno , Atividade MotoraRESUMO
We cultured silver pomfret for 20 days, decreasing water temperature from 18 to 8 â, and sampled muscle every 5 days. Muscle fiber degeneration and apoptosis began to increase at 13 â detected by HE and TUNEL staining. Further analysis of transcriptome revealed that several apoptosis-related pathways were highly enriched by differentially expressed genes (DEGs). We analyzed 10 DEGs from these pathways by RT-qPCR during the temperature-decreasing process. JNK1, PIDD, CytC, Casp 3, and GADD45 were up-regulated after 15 and 20 days, while DUSP3, JNK2, and PARP genes were down-regulated after 15 and 20 days. DUSP5 was up-regulated from 10 to 20 days, and C-JUN was up-regulated after 20 days. We analyzed apoptosis in PaM cells under different temperatures (26 â, 23 â, 20 â, 17 â, and 14 â). The cell viability significantly declined from 14 to 20 â; the TUNEL and IHC results showed that the apoptosis signal increased with the temperature dropping, especially in 17 â and 14 â; DUSP5, JNK1, CytC, C-JUN, Casp 3, and GADD45 were up-regulated at 17 â and 14 â, and PIDD was up-regulated at 20 â, 17 â, and 14 â. DUSP3 was up-regulated at 20 â but down-regulated at 17 â and 14 â, and PARP was down-regulated at 17 â and 14 â. JNK2 was up-regulated at 20 â but down-regulated at 17 â and 14 â. Our results suggest that DUSP could help inhibit apoptosis in the initial stage of cold stress, but low temperature could down-regulate it and up-regulate JNK-C-JUN, inducing apoptosis in a later stage. These data provide a basis for the study of the response mechanism of fish to cold.
Assuntos
Sistema de Sinalização das MAP Quinases , Proteína Quinase 8 Ativada por Mitógeno , Animais , Proteína Quinase 8 Ativada por Mitógeno/genética , Proteína Quinase 8 Ativada por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Proteína Quinase 9 Ativada por Mitógeno/genética , Proteína Quinase 9 Ativada por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Proteína Quinase 9 Ativada por Mitógeno/farmacologia , Fosforilação , Resposta ao Choque Frio , Inibidores de Poli(ADP-Ribose) Polimerases/farmacologia , ApoptoseRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Glioma has a high incidence in young and middle-aged adults and a poor prognosis. Because of late diagnosis and uncontrollable recurrence of the primary tumor after failure of existing treatments, glioma patients tend to have a poor prognosis. Recent advances in research have revealed that gliomas exhibit unique genetic features. Mitogen-activated protein kinase 9 (MAPK9) is significantly upregulated in mesenchymal glioma spheres and may be a new target for glioma diagnosis. This study aimed to investigate the potential diagnostic significance and predictive value of MAPK9 in glioma. METHODS: Paraffin-embedded tumor tissues and paracancerous tissues were collected from 150 glioma patients seen at the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command. Immunohistochemistry and western blot assays were used to detect the expression levels of MAPK9. Prognosis and survival analyses were performed using SPSS 26 software for univariate/multivariate analysis and log-rank analysis. Cellular models were used to assess the effect of MAPK9 overexpression and knockdown in vitro. RESULTS: MAPK9 expression was higher in glioma tissues than in paraneoplastic tissues. Prognostic and survival analyses revealed that the MAPK9 expression level is an independent prognostic factor in glioma patients. In addition, overexpression of MAPK9 significantly promoted the proliferation and migration of primary glioma cells, possibly via the Wnt/ß-catenin-regulated EMT pathway. CONCLUSIONS: MAPK9 is an independent prognostic factor in glioma and is involved in tumor progression.
Assuntos
Neoplasias Encefálicas , Glioma , Adulto , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Humanos , Neoplasias Encefálicas/patologia , Proteína Quinase 9 Ativada por Mitógeno/genética , Proteína Quinase 9 Ativada por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Glioma/diagnóstico , Glioma/genética , Glioma/metabolismo , Análise de Sobrevida , Via de Sinalização Wnt/genética , Proliferação de Células/genética , Biomarcadores Tumorais/genética , Biomarcadores Tumorais/metabolismo , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão GênicaRESUMO
The c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) are members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, which includes JNK1-JNK3. Interestingly, JNK1 and JNK2 show opposing functions, with JNK2 activity favoring cell survival and JNK1 stimulating apoptosis. Isoform-selective small molecule inhibitors of JNK1 or JNK2 would be useful as pharmacological probes but have been difficult to develop due to the similarity of their ATP binding pockets. Here, we describe the discovery of a covalent inhibitor YL5084, the first such inhibitor that displays selectivity for JNK2 over JNK1. We demonstrated that YL5084 forms a covalent bond with Cys116 of JNK2, exhibits a 20-fold higher Kinact/KI compared to that of JNK1, and engages JNK2 in cells. However, YL5084 exhibited JNK2-independent antiproliferative effects in multiple myeloma cells, suggesting the existence of additional targets relevant in this context. Thus, although not fully optimized, YL5084 represents a useful chemical starting point for the future development of JNK2-selective chemical probes.
Assuntos
Proteínas Quinases JNK Ativadas por Mitógeno , Proteína Quinase 9 Ativada por Mitógeno , Proteína Quinase 8 Ativada por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Proteína Quinase 9 Ativada por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Proteínas Quinases Ativadas por Mitógeno/metabolismo , FosforilaçãoRESUMO
Mitophagy is an important metabolic mechanism that modulates mitochondrial quality and quantity by selectively removing damaged or unwanted mitochondria. BNIP3 (BCL2/adenovirus e1B 19 kDa protein interacting protein 3), a mitochondrial outer membrane protein, is a mitophagy receptor that mediates mitophagy under various stresses, particularly hypoxia, since BNIP3 is a hypoxia-responsive protein. However, the underlying mechanisms that regulate BNIP3 and thus mediate mitophagy under hypoxic conditions remain elusive. Here, we demonstrate that in hypoxia JNK1/2 (c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1/2) phosphorylates BNIP3 at Ser 60/Thr 66, which hampers proteasomal degradation of BNIP3 and drives mitophagy by facilitating the direct binding of BNIP3 to LC3 (microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3), while PP1/2A (protein phosphatase 1/2A) represses mitophagy by dephosphorylating BNIP3 and triggering its proteasomal degradation. These findings reveal the intrinsic mechanisms cells use to regulate mitophagy via the JNK1/2-BNIP3 pathway in response to hypoxia. Thus, the JNK1/2-BNIP3 signaling pathway strongly links mitophagy to hypoxia and may be a promising therapeutic target for hypoxia-related diseases.
Assuntos
Hipóxia , Mitofagia , Humanos , Hipóxia/metabolismo , Proteínas de Membrana/metabolismo , Mitocôndrias/metabolismo , Membranas Mitocondriais/metabolismo , Mitofagia/fisiologia , Fosforilação , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas/metabolismo , Proteína Quinase 8 Ativada por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Proteína Quinase 9 Ativada por Mitógeno/metabolismoRESUMO
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the most aggressive malignant tumors of the head and neck. Xanthohumol (Xn) is a compound extracted in a high concentration from the hard resin of hops (Humulus lupulus L.), the basic raw material of beer. This study investigated the apoptotic effect and anticancer properties of Xn in human NPC cell lines. Our study demonstrated that at the concentration 40 µM, Xn significantly reduced cell viability and promoted cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase in two cell lines. The results indicated that Xn induced apoptosis in NPC cell lines through annexin V/propidium iodide staining, chromatin condensation, and apoptosis-related pathways. Xn upregulated the expression of apoptosis-related proteins, namely DR5, cleaved RIP, caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, PARP, Bim, and Bak, and it downregulated the expression of Bcl-2. Xn upregulated the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and the inhibition of JNK clearly resulted in decreasing expression of Xn-activated cleaved caspase-3 and PARP. Our research provides sufficient evidence to confirm that Xn induces the MAPK JNK pathway to promote apoptosis of NPC and is expected to become a safe and acceptable treatment option for human NPC.
Assuntos
Neoplasias Nasofaríngeas , Inibidores de Poli(ADP-Ribose) Polimerases , Apoptose , Proteínas Reguladoras de Apoptose , Caspase 3/metabolismo , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Flavonoides/farmacologia , Humanos , Proteína Quinase 8 Ativada por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Proteína Quinase 9 Ativada por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Carcinoma Nasofaríngeo , Inibidores de Poli(ADP-Ribose) Polimerases/farmacologia , Propiofenonas , Transdução de SinaisRESUMO
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative disease of the joint, featured by articular cartilage destruction and subchondral bone marrow lesions. Articular cartilage and subchondral bone constitute an osteochondral unit that guarantees joint homeostasis. During OA initiation, activated osteoclasts in subchondral bone ultimately result in impaired capacities of the subchondral bone in response to mechanical stress, followed by the degradation of overlying articular cartilage. Thus, targeting osteoclasts could be a potential therapeutic option for treating OA. Here, we observed that farnesoid X receptor (FXR) expression and osteoclast fusion and activity in subchondral bone were concomitantly changed during early-stage OA in the OA mouse model established by anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT). Then, we explored the therapeutic effects of FXR agonist GW4064 on the osteochondral pathologies in ACLT mice. We showed that GW4064 obviously ameliorated subchondral bone deterioration, associated with reduction in tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) positive multinuclear osteoclast number, as well as articular cartilage degradation, which were blocked by the treatment with FXR antagonist Guggulsterone. Mechanistically, GW4064 impeded osteoclastogenesis through inhibiting subchondral bone osteoclast fusion via suppressing c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) 1/2/nuclear factor of activated T-cells 1 (NFATc1) pathway. Taken together, our results present evidence for the protective effects of GW4064 against OA by blunting osteoclast-mediated aberrant subchondral bone loss and subsequent cartilage deterioration. Therefore, GW4064 demonstrates the potential as an alternative therapeutic option against OA for further drug development.
Assuntos
Reabsorção Óssea/prevenção & controle , Regulação da Expressão Gênica/efeitos dos fármacos , Isoxazóis/farmacologia , Osteoartrite/prevenção & controle , Osteoclastos/efeitos dos fármacos , Osteogênese , Proteínas de Ligação a RNA/agonistas , Animais , Remodelação Óssea , Reabsorção Óssea/etiologia , Reabsorção Óssea/metabolismo , Reabsorção Óssea/patologia , Feminino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Proteína Quinase 8 Ativada por Mitógeno/genética , Proteína Quinase 8 Ativada por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Proteína Quinase 9 Ativada por Mitógeno/genética , Proteína Quinase 9 Ativada por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Fatores de Transcrição NFATC/genética , Fatores de Transcrição NFATC/metabolismo , Osteoartrite/etiologia , Osteoartrite/metabolismo , Osteoartrite/patologia , Osteoclastos/metabolismo , Osteoclastos/patologiaRESUMO
Alternative splicing (AS) is a frequent posttranscriptional regulatory event occurring in response to various endogenous and exogenous stimuli in most eukaryotic organisms. However, little is known about the effects of insect-transmitted viruses on AS events in insect vectors. The present study used third-generation sequencing technology and RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) to evaluate the AS response in the small brown planthopper Laodelphax striatellus to rice stripe virus (RSV). The full-length transcriptome of L. striatellus was obtained using single-molecule real-time sequencing technology (SMRT). Posttranscriptional regulatory events, including AS, alternative polyadenylation, and fusion transcripts, were analyzed. A total of 28,175 nonredundant transcript isoforms included 24,950 transcripts assigned to 8,500 annotated genes of L. striatellus, and 5,000 of these genes (58.8%) had AS events. RNA-Seq of the gut samples of insects infected by RSV for 8 d identified 3,458 differentially expressed transcripts (DETs); 2,185 of these DETs were transcribed from 1,568 genes that had AS events, indicating that 31.4% of alternatively spliced genes responded to RSV infection of the gut. One of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) genes, JNK2, experienced exon skipping, resulting in three transcript isoforms. These three isoforms differentially responded to RSV infection during development and in various organs. Injection of double-stranded RNAs targeting all or two isoforms indicated that three or at least two JNK2 isoforms facilitated RSV accumulation in planthoppers. These results implied that AS events could participate in the regulation of complex relationships between viruses and insect vectors. IMPORTANCE Alternative splicing (AS) is a regulatory mechanism that occurs after gene transcription. AS events can enrich protein diversity to promote the reactions of the organisms to various endogenous and exogenous stimulations. It is not known how insect vectors exploit AS events to cope with transmitted viruses. The present study used third-generation sequencing technology to obtain the profile of AS events in the small brown planthopper Laodelphax striatellus, which is an efficient vector for rice stripe virus (RSV). The results indicated that 31.4% of alternatively spliced genes responded to RSV infection in the gut of planthoppers. One of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) genes, JNK2, produced three transcript isoforms by AS. These three isoforms showed different responses to RSV infection, and at least two isoforms facilitated viral accumulation in planthoppers. These results implied that AS events could participate in the regulation of complex relationships between viruses and insect vectors.
Assuntos
Processamento Alternativo , Hemípteros/virologia , Insetos Vetores/virologia , Tenuivirus/fisiologia , Animais , Trato Gastrointestinal/metabolismo , Trato Gastrointestinal/virologia , Fusão Gênica , Hemípteros/genética , Proteínas de Insetos/genética , Insetos Vetores/genética , Proteína Quinase 9 Ativada por Mitógeno/genética , Oryza/virologia , Doenças das Plantas/virologia , Poliadenilação , Isoformas de Proteínas , Transcriptoma/genéticaRESUMO
Currently, the prevention of ischemic diseases such as myocardial infarction associated with ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury remains to be a challenge. Thus, this study was designed to explore the effects of tripartite motif protein 11 (TRIM11) on cardiomyocytes I/R injury and its underlying mechanism. Cardiomyocytes AC16 were used to establish an I/R injury cell model. After TRIM11 downregulation in I/R cells, cell proliferation (0, 12, 24, and 48 h) and apoptosis at 48 h as well as the related molecular changes in oxidative stress-related pathways was detected. Further, after the treatment of TRIM11 overexpression, SP600125, or DUSP1 overexpression, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and related genes were detected again. As per our findings, it was determined that TRIM11 was highly expressed in the cardiomyocytes AC16 after I/R injury. Downregulation of TRIM11 was determined to have significantly reduced I/R-induced proliferation suppression and apoptosis. Besides, I/R-activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling and cleaved caspase 3 and Bax expression were significantly inhibited by TRIM11 downregulation. In addition, the overexpression of TRIM11 significantly promoted apoptosis in AC16 cells, and JNK1/2 inhibition and DUSP1 overexpression potently counteracted the induction of TRIM11 overexpression in AC16 cells. These suggested that the downregulation of TRIM11 attenuates apoptosis in AC16 cells after I/R injury probably through the DUSP1-JNK1/2 pathways.
Assuntos
Apoptose , Fosfatase 1 de Especificidade Dupla/metabolismo , Proteína Quinase 8 Ativada por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Proteína Quinase 9 Ativada por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Traumatismo por Reperfusão Miocárdica/enzimologia , Miócitos Cardíacos/enzimologia , Proteínas com Motivo Tripartido/metabolismo , Ubiquitina-Proteína Ligases/metabolismo , Hipóxia Celular , Linhagem Celular , Regulação para Baixo , Fosfatase 1 de Especificidade Dupla/genética , Humanos , Traumatismo por Reperfusão Miocárdica/genética , Traumatismo por Reperfusão Miocárdica/patologia , Traumatismo por Reperfusão Miocárdica/prevenção & controle , Miócitos Cardíacos/patologia , Transdução de Sinais , Proteínas com Motivo Tripartido/genética , Ubiquitina-Proteína Ligases/genéticaRESUMO
The c-Jun N-terminal protein kinases (JNKs) JNK1 and JNK2 can act as either tumor suppressors or pro-oncogenic kinases in human cancers. The isoform-specific roles for JNK1 and JNK2 in human pancreatic cancer are still unclear, the question which should be addressed in this project. Human pancreatic cancer cell lines MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1 clones were established either expressing either JNK1 or -2 shRNA in a stable manner. Basal anchorage-dependent and -independent cell growth, single-cell movement, and invasion using the Boyden chamber assay were analyzed. Xenograft growth was assessed using an orthotopic mouse model. All seven tested pancreatic cancer cell lines expressed JNKs as did human pancreatic cancer samples determined by immunohistochemistry. Pharmacological, unspecific JNK inhibition (SP600125) reduced cell growth of all cell lines but PANC-1. Especially inhibition of JNK2 resulted in overall increased oncogenic potential with increased proliferation and invasion, associated with alterations in cytoskeleton structure. Specific inhibition of JNK1 revealed opposing functions. Overall, JNK1 and JNK2 can exert different functions in human pancreatic cancer and act as counter players for tumor invasion. Specifically modulating the activity of JNKs may be of potential therapeutic interest in the future.
Assuntos
Proteína Quinase 8 Ativada por Mitógeno , Proteína Quinase 9 Ativada por Mitógeno , Neoplasias Pancreáticas , Animais , Humanos , Camundongos , Proteína Quinase 8 Ativada por Mitógeno/genética , Proteína Quinase 8 Ativada por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Proteína Quinase 9 Ativada por Mitógeno/genética , Proteína Quinase 9 Ativada por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Neoplasias Pancreáticas/genética , FosforilaçãoRESUMO
Sepsis and acute lung injury (ALI) are linked to mitochondrial dysfunction; however, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. We previously reported that c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase 2 (JNK2) promotes stress-induced mitophagy by targeting small mitochondrial alternative reading frame (smARF) for ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal degradation, thereby preventing mitochondrial dysfunction and restraining inflammasome activation. Here we report that loss of JNK2 exacerbates lung inflammation and injury during sepsis and ALI in mice. JNK2 is downregulated in mice with endotoxic shock or ALI, concomitantly correlated inversely with disease severity. Small RNA sequencing revealed that miR-221-5p, which contains seed sequence matching to JNK2 mRNA 3' untranslated region (3'UTR), is upregulated in response to lipopolysaccharide, with dynamically inverse correlation with JNK2 mRNA levels. miR-221-5p targets the 3'UTR of JNK2 mRNA leading to its downregulation. Accordingly, miR-221-5p exacerbates lung inflammation and injury during sepsis in mice by targeting JNK2. Importantly, in patients with pneumonia in medical intensive care unit, JNK2 mRNA levels in alveolar macrophages flow sorted from non-bronchoscopic broncholaveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were inversely correlated strongly and significantly with the percentage of neutrophils, neutrophil and white blood cell counts in BAL fluid. Our data suggest that miR-221-5p targets JNK2 and thereby aggravates lung inflammation and injury during sepsis.
Assuntos
Lesão Pulmonar Aguda/patologia , Macrófagos Alveolares/metabolismo , MicroRNAs/metabolismo , Proteína Quinase 9 Ativada por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Lesão Pulmonar Aguda/etiologia , Lesão Pulmonar Aguda/metabolismo , Animais , Regulação para Baixo , Regulação da Expressão Gênica , Humanos , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Knockout , Síndrome do Desconforto Respiratório/etiologia , Síndrome do Desconforto Respiratório/metabolismo , Síndrome do Desconforto Respiratório/patologia , Sepse/complicaçõesRESUMO
Polycystic kidney disease is an inherited degenerative disease in which the uriniferous tubules are replaced by expanding fluid-filled cysts that ultimately destroy organ function. Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common form, afflicting approximately 1 in 1,000 people. It primarily is caused by mutations in the transmembrane proteins polycystin-1 (Pkd1) and polycystin-2 (Pkd2). The most proximal effects of Pkd mutations leading to cyst formation are not known, but pro-proliferative signaling must be involved for the tubule epithelial cells to increase in number over time. The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway promotes proliferation and is activated in acute and chronic kidney diseases. Using a mouse model of cystic kidney disease caused by Pkd2 loss, we observe JNK activation in cystic kidneys and observe increased nuclear phospho c-Jun in cystic epithelium. Genetic removal of Jnk1 and Jnk2 suppresses the nuclear accumulation of phospho c-Jun, reduces proliferation and reduces the severity of cystic disease. While Jnk1 and Jnk2 are thought to have largely overlapping functions, we find that Jnk1 loss is nearly as effective as the double loss of Jnk1 and Jnk2. Jnk pathway inhibitors are in development for neurodegeneration, cancer, and fibrotic diseases. Our work suggests that the JNK pathway should be explored as a therapeutic target for ADPKD.
Assuntos
Proteína Quinase 8 Ativada por Mitógeno/genética , Proteína Quinase 9 Ativada por Mitógeno/genética , Rim Policístico Autossômico Dominante/genética , Canais de Cátion TRPP/genética , Proliferação de Células/genética , Células Epiteliais/metabolismo , Humanos , Proteínas Quinases JNK Ativadas por Mitógeno/genética , Rim/metabolismo , Rim/patologia , Sistema de Sinalização das MAP Quinases/genética , Mutação/genética , Rim Policístico Autossômico Dominante/patologia , Transdução de Sinais/genéticaRESUMO
c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) are among the most crucial mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and regulate various cellular processes, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, and inflammation. Microbes heavily rely on cellular signaling pathways for their effective replication; hence, JNKs may play important roles in infectious diseases. In this review, we describe the basic signaling properties of MAPKs and JNKs in apoptosis, autophagy, and inflammasome activation. Furthermore, we discuss the roles of JNKs in various infectious diseases induced by viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites, as well as their potential to serve as targets for the development of therapeutic agents for infectious diseases. We expect this review to expand our understanding of the JNK signaling pathway's role in infectious diseases and provide important clues for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases.
Assuntos
Doenças Transmissíveis/enzimologia , Sistema de Sinalização das MAP Quinases , Proteína Quinase 10 Ativada por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Proteína Quinase 8 Ativada por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Proteína Quinase 9 Ativada por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Animais , Apoptose , Autofagia , Doenças Transmissíveis/metabolismo , Doenças Transmissíveis/patologia , Humanos , FosforilaçãoRESUMO
Tissue factor (TF) is the principal initiator of blood coagulation and is necessary for thrombosis. We previously reported that lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a potent bioactive lipid, highly induces TF expression at the transcriptional level in vascular smooth muscle cells. To date, however, the specific role of the LPA receptor is unknown, and the intracellular signaling pathways that lead to LPA induction of TF have been largely undetermined. In the current study, we found that LPA markedly induced protein kinase D (PKD) activation in mouse aortic smooth muscle cells (MASMCs). Small-interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of PKD2 blocked LPA-induced TF expression and activity, indicating that PKD2 is the key intracellular mediator of LPA signaling leading to the expression and cell surface activity of TF. Furthermore, our data reveal a novel finding that PKD2 mediates LPA-induced TF expression via the p38α and JNK2 MAPK signaling pathways, which are accompanied by the PKD-independent MEK1/2-ERK-JNK pathway. To identify the LPA receptor(s) responsible for LPA-induced TF expression, we isolated MASMCs from LPA receptor-knockout mice. Our results demonstrated that SMCs isolated from LPA receptor 1 (LPA1)-deficient mice completely lost responsiveness to LPA stimulation, which mediates induction of TF expression and activation of PKD and p38/JNK MAPK, indicating that LPA1 is responsible for PKD2-mediated activation of JNK2 and p38α. Taken together, our data reveal a new signaling mechanism in which the LPA1-PKD2 axis mediates LPA-induced TF expression via the p38α and JNK2 pathways. This finding provides new insights into LPA signaling, the PKD2 pathway, and the mechanisms of coagulation/atherothrombosis.
Assuntos
Aorta/metabolismo , Sistema de Sinalização das MAP Quinases , Proteína Quinase 14 Ativada por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Proteína Quinase 9 Ativada por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Músculo Liso Vascular/metabolismo , Miócitos de Músculo Liso/metabolismo , Receptores de Ácidos Lisofosfatídicos/metabolismo , Canais de Cátion TRPP/metabolismo , Animais , Ativação Enzimática , Lisofosfolipídeos/metabolismo , CamundongosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory joint disease, and fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) are key effector cells in RA development. Mounting evidence indicates that circular RNAs (circRNAs) participate in the occurrence and development of RA. However, the precise mechanism of circRNA mitogen-activated protein kinase (circMAPK9) in the cell processes of FLSs has not been reported. METHODS: The expression levels of circMAPK9, microRNA-140-3p (miR-140-3p), and protein phosphatase magnesium-dependent 1A (PPM1A) were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) or western blot assay. Cell proliferation was examined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cell apoptosis and cycle distribution were assessed by flow cytometry. Cell migration and invasion were tested by transwell assay. All the proteins were inspected by western blot assay. Inflammatory response was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The interaction between miR-140-3p and circMAPK9 or PPM1A was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS: CircMAPK9 and PPM1A were upregulated and miR-140-3p was downregulated in RA patients and FLSs from RA patients (RA-FLSs). CircMAPK9 silence suppressed cell proliferation, migration, invasion, inflammatory response, and promoted apoptosis in RA-FLSs. MiR-140-3p was a target of circMAPK9, and miR-140-3p downregulation attenuated the effects of circMAPK9 knockdown on cell progression and inflammatory response in RA-FLSs. PPM1A was targeted by miR-140-3p, and circMAPK9 could regulate PPM1A expression by sponging miR-140-3p. Furthermore, miR-140-3p could impede cell biological behaviors in RA-FLSs via targeting PPM1A. CONCLUSION: CircMAPK9 knockdown might inhibit cell proliferation, migration, invasion, inflammatory response, and facilitate apoptosis in RA-FLSs via regulating miR-140-3p/PPM1A axis, offering a new mechanism for the comprehension of RA development and a new insight into the potential application of circMAPK9 in RA treatment.
Assuntos
Artrite Reumatoide/genética , MicroRNAs/metabolismo , Proteína Quinase 9 Ativada por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Proteína Fosfatase 2C/metabolismo , Sinoviócitos/metabolismo , Apoptose/genética , Movimento Celular/genética , Proliferação de Células/genética , Células Cultivadas , Regulação para Baixo/genética , Humanos , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase em Tempo Real , Regulação para Cima/genéticaRESUMO
Head and neck cancer is associated with poor prognosis because of its highly metastatic nature. For the better management of head and neck cancer patients, it is very important to diagnose the cancer at an early stage, as well as to prevent the rapid spread of cancer either through direct invasion or lymphatic metastasis. In present study, the effect of dehydrocrenatidine, which is a beta-carboline alkaloid found in the medicinal plant Picrasma quassioides, on human head and neck cancer metastasis was investigated. The study results revealed the treatment of FaDu, SCC9, and SCC47 cells with 5, 10, and 20 µM of dehydrocrenatidine significantly decreased the motility, migration, and invasion of head and neck cancer cells. Moreover, the dehydrocrenatidine treatment significantly decreased the expression of MMP-2 and phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and JNK1/2. Additional experiments revealed that the cotreatment of dehydrocrenatidine with either ERK1/2 or JNK1/2 inhibitor caused further reduction in cancer cell motility and migration compared to that in dehydrocrenatidine treatment alone. Moreover, similar trend was observed in case of ERK1/2 and JNK1/2 phosphorylation and MMP-2 expression after the cotreatment. Taken together, the mechanism by which dehydrocrenatidine can decrease the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and JNK1/2, follow decrease the expression of MMP-2 and inhibits head and neck cancer cells invasion and migration. This present study identifies dehydrocrenatidine as a potent antimetastatic agent that can be used clinically to improve head and neck cancer prognosis.
Assuntos
Neoplasias de Cabeça e Pescoço , Metaloproteinase 2 da Matriz , Carbolinas , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Movimento Celular , Humanos , Sistema de Sinalização das MAP Quinases , Metaloproteinase 2 da Matriz/genética , Metaloproteinase 2 da Matriz/metabolismo , Proteína Quinase 8 Ativada por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Proteína Quinase 9 Ativada por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Invasividade NeoplásicaRESUMO
Antiprotozoal drug nitazoxanide (NTZ) has shown diverse pharmacological properties and has appeared in several clinical trials. Herein we present the synthesis, characterization, in vitro biological investigation, and in silico study of four hetero aryl amide analogs of NTZ. Among the synthesized molecules, compound 2 and compound 4 exhibited promising antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli), superior to that displayed by the parent drug nitazoxanide as revealed from the in vitro antibacterial assay. Compound 2 displayed zone of inhibition of 20 mm, twice as large as the parent drug NTZ (10 mm) in their least concentration (12.5 µg/ml). Compound 1 also showed antibacterial effect similar to that of nitazoxanide. The analogs were also tested for in vitro cytotoxic activity by employing cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay technique in HeLa cell line, and compound 2 was identified as a potential anticancer agent having IC50 value of 172 µg which proves it to be more potent than nitazoxanide (IC50 = 428 µg). Furthermore, the compounds were subjected to molecular docking study against various bacterial and cancer signaling proteins. The in vitro test results corroborated with the in silico docking study as compound 2 and compound 4 had comparatively stronger binding affinity against the proteins and showed a higher docking score than nitazoxanide toward human mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK9) and fatty acid biosynthesis enzyme (FabH) of E. coli. Moreover, the docking study demonstrated dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and thymidylate synthase (TS) as probable new targets for nitazoxanide and its synthetic analogs. Overall, the study suggests that nitazoxanide and its analogs can be a potential lead compound in the drug development.