Insight into the selective inhibition of JNK family members through structure-based drug design

MedChemComm ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 686-692
Author(s):  
A. Messoussi ◽  
G. Chevé ◽  
K. Bougrin ◽  
A. Yasri

The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) family, which comprises JNK1, JNK2 and JNK3, belongs to the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) superfamily, whose members regulate myriad biological processes, including those implicated in tumorigenesis and neurodegenerative disorders.

2001 ◽  
Vol 356 (2) ◽  
pp. 473-480 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn M. SCHUBERT ◽  
Vincent DURONIO

Alterations in the expression of various Bcl-2 family members may act as one means by which a cell's survival may be regulated. The mechanism by which cytokines regulate expression of Bcl-2 family members was examined in the haemopoietic cell line TF-1. Cytokine-induced Mcl-1 protein expression was shown to be controlled through a pathway dependent upon phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase). The cytokine-induced increase in mRNA transcription was not dependent upon PI 3-kinase, thus dissociating the immediate-early transcription factors responsible for Mcl-1 transcription from the PI 3-kinase signalling pathway. In contrast, Mcl-1 mRNA levels were dependent upon MEK [mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular-signal-regulated protein kinase kinase] activation, suggesting a role for the Ras/MEK/MAPK pathway in Mcl-1 transcription. Activation of PI 3-kinase was shown to be necessary to stimulate Mcl-1 protein translation. This was not due to any effect on prolonging the half-life of the protein. Finally, the lipid second messenger ceramide was shown to cause a reduction in Mcl-1 protein translation, probably via its ability to inhibit protein kinase B activation, providing further clues regarding the death-inducing effect of this lipid.


2010 ◽  
Vol 104 (5) ◽  
pp. 656-663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tri Vuong ◽  
Chantal Matar ◽  
Charles Ramassamy ◽  
Pierre S. Haddad

A growing body of evidence supports the therapeutic effects of blueberry in neurodegenerative disorders. Biotransformation of blueberry juice by Serratia vaccinii bacteria increases its phenolic content and antioxidant activity. In neuronal cell culture, biotransformed blueberry juice (BJ) significantly increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes, namely catalase and superoxide dismutase. Moreover, BJ protected neurons against H2O2-induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner. This associated with the upregulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family enzymes p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation, as well as with the protection of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) and MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK1/2) activity loss induced by H2O2. The present studies demonstrate that BJ can protect neurons against oxidative stress possibly by increasing antioxidant enzyme activities and activating p38- and JNK-dependent survival pathways while blocking MEK1/2- and ERK1/2-mediated cell death. Thus, BJ may represent a novel approach to prevent and to treat neurodegenerative disorders, and it may represent a source of novel therapeutic agents against these diseases.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol O’Callaghan ◽  
Liam J. Fanning ◽  
Orla P. Barry

p38δmitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) is a unique stress responsive protein kinase. While the p38 MAPK family as a whole has been implicated in a wide variety of biological processes, a specific role for p38δMAPK in cellular signalling and its contribution to both physiological and pathological conditions are presently lacking. Recent emerging evidence, however, provides some insights into specific p38δMAPK signalling. Importantly, these studies have helped to highlight functional similarities as well as differences between p38δMAPK and the other members of the p38 MAPK family of kinases. In this review we discuss the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying p38δMAPK activity. We outline a role for p38δMAPK in important cellular processes such as differentiation and apoptosis as well as pathological conditions such as neurodegenerative disorders, diabetes, and inflammatory disease. Interestingly, disparate roles for p38δMAPK in tumour development have also recently been reported. Thus, we consider evidence which characterises p38δMAPK as both a tumour promoter and a tumour suppressor. In summary, while our knowledge of p38δMAPK has progressed somewhat since its identification in 1997, our understanding of this particular isoform in many cellular processes still strikingly lags behind that of its counterparts.


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