Evidence for MEK-independent pathways regulating the prolonged activation of the ERK-MAP kinases

Oncogene. 1997 Apr 10;14(14):1635-42. doi: 10.1038/sj.onc.1201000.

Abstract

The mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) ERK-1 and ERK-2 are activated by a wide variety of oncogenes and extracellular stimuli. The MAPKs participate in a signalling cascade downstream of growth factor/cytokine receptors, Ras, Raf, and MEK. However, MAPK activation is more complicated than a simple linear pathway, and the evidence presented here supports a model of multiple, temporally distinct pathways converging on MAPK which are differentially utilized by various stimuli and cell types. In addition to MEK-dependent MAPK activation, we provide evidence for MEK-independent regulation of the MAPKs. Our results suggest that phosphatidylinositol-3-kinases (PI(3)K) or conventional protein kinase C isoforms (cPKCs) partially contribute to MEK-dependent activation. Importantly, we also find that PI3K and cPKCs play a major role in the MEK-independent, prolonged MAPK activation by platelet-derived growth factor signalling. This finding is of interest as the maintained activation of MAPK has been correlated by others to the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation.

MeSH terms

  • 3T3 Cells
  • Androstadienes / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Down-Regulation
  • Enzyme Activation / drug effects
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 1
  • Mice
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases*
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases*
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
  • Phosphorylation
  • Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor) / metabolism
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / pharmacology
  • Protein Kinase C / metabolism
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases
  • Signal Transduction
  • Wortmannin

Substances

  • Androstadienes
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Flavonoids
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor
  • Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor)
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases
  • Protein Kinase C
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 1
  • Map2k1 protein, mouse
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases
  • 2-(2-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one
  • Wortmannin