Objective: To study the transcriptional regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene by p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK).
Methods: With human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells as the target and the assistance of lipofectamine-mediated co-transfection techniques and luciferase reporter gene systems, FLAG-tagged p38 isoforms (namely FLAG-p38 alpha, FLAG-p38 beta;, FLAG-p38 gamma and FLAG-p38 phi;) in pcDNA3, pcDNA3, piNOS-Luc and pCMV-beta; were transfected into HEK 293 cells, and the relative activity of luciferase was subsequently tested.
Results: Highest luciferase activity occurred only in p38 alpha group compared with the other three isoform groups under no stimulation. Under the stimulation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the luciferase activity of each group was obviously increased and the highest activity occurred in p38 beta group.
Conclusion: LPS can induce transcription and activation of iNOS gene, and p38 MAPK is involved in the transcription regulation of iNOS gene in HEK 293 cells.