scholarly journals Induction of MAP Kinase Homologues during Growth and Morphogenetic Development of Karnal Bunt (Tilletia indica) under the Influence of Host Factor(s) from Wheat Spikes

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atul K. Gupta ◽  
J. M. Seneviratne ◽  
G. K. Joshi ◽  
Anil Kumar

Signaling pathways that activate different mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in response to certain environmental conditions, play important role in mating type switching (Fus3) and pathogenicity (Pmk1) in many fungi. In order to determine the roles of such regulatory genes inTilletia indica, the causal pathogen of Karnal bunt (KB) of wheat, semi-quantitative and quantitative RT-PCR was carried out to isolate and determine the expression of MAP kinase homologues during fungal growth and development underin vitroculture. Maximum expression of TiFus3 and TiPmk1 genes were observed at 14th and 21st days of culture and decreased thereafter. To investigate whether the fungus alters the expression levels of same kinases upon interaction with plants, cultures were treated with 1% of host factors (extracted from S-2 stage of wheat spikes). Such treatment induced the expression of MAPks in time dependent manner compared to the absence of host factors. These results suggest that host factor(s) provide certain signal(s) which activate TiFus3 and TiPmk1 during morphogenetic development ofT. indica. The results also provides a clue about the role of host factors in enhancing the disease potential due to induction of MAP kinases involved in fungal development and pathogenecity.

2009 ◽  
Vol 296 (2) ◽  
pp. C242-C249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corttrell M. Kinney ◽  
Unni M. Chandrasekharan ◽  
Lin Yang ◽  
Jianzhong Shen ◽  
Michael Kinter ◽  
...  

Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) is a nuclear, dual-specificity phosphatase that has been shown to dephosphorylate MAP kinases. We used a “substrate-trap” technique involving a mutation in MKP-1 of the catalytically critical cysteine to a serine residue (“CS” mutant) to capture novel MKP-1 substrates. We transfected the MKP-1 (CS) mutant and control (wild-type, WT) constructs into phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-activated COS-1 cells. MKP-1-substrate complexes were immunoprecipitated, which yielded four bands of 17, 15, 14, and 10 kDa with the CS MKP-1 mutant but not the WT MKP-1. The bands were identified by mass spectrometry as histones H3, H2B, H2A, and H4, respectively. Histone H3 was phosphorylated, and purified MKP-1 dephosphorylated histone H3 (phospho-Ser-10) in vitro; whereas, histone H3 (phospho-Thr-3) was unaffected. We have previously shown that thrombin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) upregulated MKP-1 in human endothelial cells (EC). We now show that both thrombin and VEGF caused dephosphorylation of histone H3 (phospho-Ser-10) and histone H3 (phospho-Thr-3) in EC with kinetics consistent with MKP-1 induction. Furthermore, MKP-1-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) prevented VEGF- and thrombin-induced H3 (phospho-Ser-10) dephosphorylation but had no effect on H3 (phospho-Thr-3 or Thr-11) dephosphorylation. In summary, histone H3 is a novel substrate of MKP-1, and VEGF- and thrombin-induced H3 (phospho-Ser-10) dephosphorylation requires MKP-1. We propose that MKP-1-mediated H3 (phospho-Ser-10) dephosphorylation is a key regulatory step in EC activation by VEGF and thrombin.


2005 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 854-864 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandrine Marchetti ◽  
Clotilde Gimond ◽  
Jean-Claude Chambard ◽  
Thomas Touboul ◽  
Danièle Roux ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase phosphatases (MKPs) are dual-specificity phosphatases that dephosphorylate phosphothreonine and phosphotyrosine residues within MAP kinases. Here, we describe a novel posttranslational mechanism for regulating MKP-3/Pyst1/DUSP6, a member of the MKP family that is highly specific for extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) inactivation. Using a fibroblast model in which the expression of either MKP-3 or a more stable MKP-3-green fluorescent protein (GFP) chimera was induced by tetracycline, we found that serum induces the phosphorylation of MKP-3 and its subsequent degradation by the proteasome in a MEK1 and MEK2 (MEK1/2)-ERK1/2-dependent manner. In vitro phosphorylation assays using glutathione S-transferase (GST)-MKP-3 fusion proteins indicated that ERK2 could phosphorylate MKP-3 on serines 159 and 197. Tetracycline-inducible cell clones expressing either single or double serine mutants of MKP-3 or MKP-3-GFP confirmed that these two sites are targeted by the MEK1/2-ERK1/2 module in vivo. Double serine mutants of MKP-3 or MKP-3-GFP were more efficiently protected from degradation than single mutants or wild-type MKP-3, indicating that phosphorylation of either serine by ERK1/2 enhances proteasomal degradation of MKP-3. Hence, double mutation caused a threefold increase in the half-life of MKP-3. Finally, we show that the phosphorylation of MKP-3 has no effect on its catalytic activity. Thus, ERK1/2 exert a positive feedback loop on their own activity by promoting the degradation of MKP-3, one of their major inactivators in the cytosol, a situation opposite to that described for the nuclear phosphatase MKP-1.


1994 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 6683-6688 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Minden ◽  
A Lin ◽  
T Smeal ◽  
B Dérijard ◽  
M Cobb ◽  
...  

c-Jun transcriptional activity is stimulated by phosphorylation at two N-terminal sites: Ser-63 and -73. Phosphorylation of these sites is enhanced in response to a variety of extracellular stimuli, including growth factors, cytokines, and UV irradiation. New members of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase group of signal-transducing enzymes, termed JNKs, bind to the activation domain of c-Jun and specifically phosphorylate these sites. However, the N-terminal sites of c-Jun were also suggested to be phosphorylated by two other MAP kinases, ERK1 and ERK2. Despite these reports, we find that unlike the JNKs, ERK1 and ERK2 do not phosphorylate the N-terminal sites of c-Jun in vitro; instead they phosphorylate an inhibitory C-terminal site. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of c-Jun in vivo at the N-terminal sites correlates with activation of the JNKs but not the ERKs. The ERKs are probably involved in the induction of c-fos expression and thereby contribute to the stimulation of AP-1 activity. Our study suggests that two different branches of the MAP kinase group are involved in the stimulation of AP-1 activity through two different mechanisms.


2007 ◽  
Vol 293 (4) ◽  
pp. H2403-H2408 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guo-Xing Zhang ◽  
Yukiko Nagai ◽  
Toshitaka Nakagawa ◽  
Hiroshi Miyanaka ◽  
Yoshihide Fujisawa ◽  
...  

Angiotensin II (ANG II) is a powerful activator of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascades in cardiovascular tissues through a redox-sensitive mechanism. Nitric oxide (NO) is considered to antagonize the vasoconstrictive and proarteriosclerotic actions of ANG II. However, the role of endogenous NO in ANG II-induced redox-sensitive signal transduction is not yet clear. In this study using catheterized, conscious rats, we found that acute intravenous administration of NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME; 5 mg/kg) enhanced phosphorylation of aortic MAP kinases extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and p38, which were suppressed only partially by a superoxide dismutase mimetic (Tempol), whereas ANG II-induced MAP kinase phosphorylation was markedly suppressed by Tempol. FK409, a NO donor, had little effect on vascular MAP kinase phosphorylation. On the other hand, acute exposure to a vasoconstrictor dose of ANG II (200 ng·kg−1·min−1 iv) failed to enhance phosphorylation of aortic MAP kinases in the chronically l-NAME-treated rats, whereas the vasoconstrictor effect of ANG II was not affected by l-NAME treatment. Furthermore, three different inhibitors of NO synthase suppressed, in a dose-dependent manner, ANG II-induced MAP kinase phosphorylation in rat vascular smooth muscle cells, which was closely linked to superoxide generation in cells. These results indicate the involvement of endogenous NO synthase in ANG II-induced signaling pathways, leading to activation of MAP kinase, and that NO may have dual effects on the vascular MAP kinase activation associated with redox sensitivity.


1997 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 2615-2623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Watanabe ◽  
G Takaesu ◽  
M Hagiwara ◽  
K Irie ◽  
K Matsumoto

The Mpk1 (Slt2) mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase has been implicated in several biological processes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The Rlm1 protein, a member of the MADS box family of transcription factors, functions downstream of Mpk1 in the pathway. To characterize the role of Rlm1 in mediating the transcriptional activation by the Mpk1 pathway, we constructed a LexA-Rlm1 deltaN chimera in which sequences, including the MADS box domain of the Rlm1 protein, were replaced by the LexA DNA binding domain and tested the ability of this chimera to activate a LexA operator-controlled reporter gene. In this assay, the Rlm1 protein was found to activate transcription in a manner regulated by the Mpk1 pathway. The Mpk1 protein kinase phosphorylated Rlm1 deltaN in vitro and the LexA-Rlm1 deltaN chimera protein was phosphorylated in vivo in a Mpk1-dependent manner. These results suggest that Mpk1 regulates the transcriptional activity of Rlm1 by directly phosphorylating it. We identified a Mpk1-like protein kinase, Mlp1, as an Rlm1-associated protein by using the yeast two-hybrid system. Overexpression of MLP1 suppresses the caffeine-sensitive phenotype of the bck1 delta mutation. The additivity of the mlp1 delta defect with the Mpk1 delta defect with regard to the caffeine sensitivity, combined with the results of genetic epistasis experiments, suggested that the activity of Rlm1 is regulated independently by Mpk1 MAP kinase and the Mlp1 MAP kinase-like kinase.


1992 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 915-927 ◽  
Author(s):  
R H Chen ◽  
C Sarnecki ◽  
J Blenis

We demonstrate that members of the erk-encoded family of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases (pp44/42mapk/erk) and members of the rsk-encoded protein kinases (RSKs or pp90rsk) are present in the cytoplasm and nucleus of HeLa cells. Addition of growth factors to serum-deprived cells results in increased tyrosine and threonine phosphorylation and in the activation of cytosolic and nuclear MAP kinases. Activated MAP kinases then phosphorylate (serine/threonine) and activate RSKs. Concurrently, a fraction of the activated MAP kinases and RSKs enter the nucleus. In addition, a distinct growth-regulated RSK-kinase activity (an enzyme[s] that phosphorylates recombinant RSK in vitro and that may be another member of the erk-encoded family of MAP kinases) was found associated with a postnuclear membrane fraction. Regulation of nuclear MAP kinase and RSK activities by growth factors and phorbol ester is coordinate with immediate-early gene expression. Indeed, in vitro, MAP kinase and/or RSK phosphorylates histone H3 and the recombinant c-Fos and c-Jun polypeptides, transcription factors phosphorylated in a variety of cells in response to growth stimuli. These in vitro studies raise the possibility that the MAP kinase/RSK signal transduction pathway represents a protein-Tyr/Ser/Thr phosphorylation cascade with the spatial distribution and temporal regulation that can account for the rapid transmission of growth-regulating information from the membrane, through the cytoplasm, and to the nucleus.


1992 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 915-927 ◽  
Author(s):  
R H Chen ◽  
C Sarnecki ◽  
J Blenis

We demonstrate that members of the erk-encoded family of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases (pp44/42mapk/erk) and members of the rsk-encoded protein kinases (RSKs or pp90rsk) are present in the cytoplasm and nucleus of HeLa cells. Addition of growth factors to serum-deprived cells results in increased tyrosine and threonine phosphorylation and in the activation of cytosolic and nuclear MAP kinases. Activated MAP kinases then phosphorylate (serine/threonine) and activate RSKs. Concurrently, a fraction of the activated MAP kinases and RSKs enter the nucleus. In addition, a distinct growth-regulated RSK-kinase activity (an enzyme[s] that phosphorylates recombinant RSK in vitro and that may be another member of the erk-encoded family of MAP kinases) was found associated with a postnuclear membrane fraction. Regulation of nuclear MAP kinase and RSK activities by growth factors and phorbol ester is coordinate with immediate-early gene expression. Indeed, in vitro, MAP kinase and/or RSK phosphorylates histone H3 and the recombinant c-Fos and c-Jun polypeptides, transcription factors phosphorylated in a variety of cells in response to growth stimuli. These in vitro studies raise the possibility that the MAP kinase/RSK signal transduction pathway represents a protein-Tyr/Ser/Thr phosphorylation cascade with the spatial distribution and temporal regulation that can account for the rapid transmission of growth-regulating information from the membrane, through the cytoplasm, and to the nucleus.


1998 ◽  
Vol 142 (6) ◽  
pp. 1547-1558 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maja Zecevic ◽  
Andrew D. Catling ◽  
Scott T. Eblen ◽  
Luigina Renzi ◽  
James C. Hittle ◽  
...  

To investigate possible involvement of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases ERK1 and ERK2 (extracellular signal-regulated kinases) in somatic cell mitosis, we have used indirect immunofluorescence with a highly specific phospho-MAP kinase antibody and found that a portion of the active MAP kinase is localized at kinetochores, asters, and the midbody during mitosis. Although the aster labeling was constant from the time of nuclear envelope breakdown, the kinetochore labeling first appeared at early prometaphase, started to fade during chromosome congression, and then disappeared at midanaphase. At telophase, active MAP kinase localized at the midbody. Based on colocalization and the presence of a MAP kinase consensus phosphorylation site, we identified the kinetochore motor protein CENP-E as a candidate mitotic substrate for MAP kinase. CENP-E was phosphorylated in vitro by MAP kinase on sites that are known to regulate its interactions with microtubules and was found to associate in vivo preferentially with the active MAP kinase during mitosis. Therefore, the presence of active MAP kinase at specific mitotic structures and its interaction with CENP-E suggest that MAP kinase could play a role in mitosis at least in part by altering the ability of CENP-E to mediate interactions between chromosomes and microtubules.


2003 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 370-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Concetta Ambrosino ◽  
Gaetane Mace ◽  
Stefanie Galban ◽  
Cornelius Fritsch ◽  
Kristina Vintersten ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases play an important role in the regulation of cellular responses to all kinds of stresses. The most abundant and broadly expressed p38 MAP kinase is p38α, which can also control the proliferation, differentiation, and survival of several cell types. Here we show that the absence of p38α correlates with the up-regulation of one of its upstream activators, the MAP kinase kinase MKK6, in p38α−/− knockout mice and in cultured cells derived from them. In contrast, the expression levels of the p38 activators MKK3 and MKK4 are not affected in p38α-deficient cells. The increase in MKK6 protein concentration correlates with increased amounts of MKK6 mRNA in the p38α−/− cells. Pharmacological inhibition of p38α also up-regulates MKK6 mRNA levels in HEK293 cells. Conversely, reintroduction of p38α into p38α−/− cells reduces the levels of MKK6 protein and mRNA to the normal levels found in wild-type cells. Moreover, we show that the MKK6 mRNA is more stable in p38α−/− cells and that the 3′untranslated region of this mRNA can differentially regulate the stability of the lacZ reporter gene in a p38α-dependent manner. Our data indicate that p38α can negatively regulate the stability of the MKK6 mRNA and thus control the steady-state concentration of one of its upstream activators.


2003 ◽  
Vol 23 (16) ◽  
pp. 5692-5705 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gert C. Scheper ◽  
Josep L. Parra ◽  
Mary Wilson ◽  
Barbara van Kollenburg ◽  
Alfred C. O. Vertegaal ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The cap-binding eukaryotic initiation factor eIF4E is phosphorylated by the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase-interacting kinases (Mnk's). Three forms of the Mnk's exist in human cells: Mnk1, Mnk2a, and Mnk2b. These last two are derived from the same gene by alternative splicing and differ only at their C termini. While Mnk2a contains a MAP kinase-binding site in this region, Mnk2b lacks such a sequence and is much less readily activated by MAP kinases in vitro. Expression of Mnk2b in mammalian cells leads to increased phosphorylation of eIF4E, showing that it acts as an eIF4E kinase in vivo. While Mnk2a is cytoplasmic, a substantial amount of Mnk2b is found in the nucleus. Both enzymes contain a stretch of basic residues in their N termini that plays a role in binding to eIF4G and functions as a nuclear localization signal. Binding of eIF4G or nuclear import appears to be regulated by the C terminus of Mnk2a. Furthermore, the MAP kinase-binding site of Mnk2a regulates nuclear entry. Within the nucleus, Mnk2b and certain variants of Mnk2a that are present in the nucleus colocalize with the promyelocytic leukemia protein PML, which also binds to eIF4E.


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