Role of Raf in vascular protection from distinct apoptotic stimuli

Science. 2003 Jul 4;301(5629):94-6. doi: 10.1126/science.1082015.

Abstract

Raf kinases have been linked to endothelial cell survival. Here, we show that basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) differentially activate Raf, resulting in protection from distinct pathways of apoptosis in human endothelial cells and chick embryo vasculature. bFGF activated Raf-1 via p21-activated protein kinase-1 (PAK-1) phosphorylation of serines 338 and 339, resulting in Raf-1 mitochondrial translocation and endothelial cell protection from the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis, independent of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase-1 (MEK1). In contrast, VEGF activated Raf-1 via Src kinase, leading to phosphorylation of tyrosines 340 and 341 and MEK1-dependent protection from extrinsic-mediated apoptosis. These findings implicate Raf-1 as a pivotal regulator of endothelial cell survival during angiogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis*
  • Cell Survival
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chick Embryo
  • Endothelial Growth Factors / pharmacology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / cytology*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / drug effects
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / pharmacology
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / pharmacology
  • Lymphokines / pharmacology
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 1
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / metabolism
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / metabolism
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic* / drug effects
  • Phosphorylation
  • Point Mutation
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Protein Transport
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf / chemistry
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Umbilical Veins
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
  • p21-Activated Kinases
  • src-Family Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • src-Family Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • Endothelial Growth Factors
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Flavonoids
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Lymphokines
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2
  • src-Family Kinases
  • PAK1 protein, human
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf
  • p21-Activated Kinases
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 1
  • MAP2K1 protein, human
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases
  • 2-(2-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one