scholarly journals Drugs Designed To Inhibit Human p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Activation Treat Toxoplasma gondii and Encephalitozoon cuniculi Infection

2007 ◽  
Vol 51 (12) ◽  
pp. 4324-4328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuang Wei ◽  
Benjamin J. Daniel ◽  
Michael J. Brumlik ◽  
Matthew E. Burow ◽  
Weiping Zou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
P38 Mapk ◽  
Human Fibroblasts ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Encephalitozoon Cuniculi ◽  
Mapk Activation ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
P38 Mapk Inhibitors ◽  
Mapk Inhibitors

ABSTRACT We recently showed that the pyridinylimidazoles SB203580 and SB202190, drugs designed to block human p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation, also inhibited replication of the medically important intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii in cultured human fibroblasts through a direct effect on the parasite. We now show that additional pyridinylimidazole and imidazopyrimidine p38 MAPK inhibitors inhibit intracellular T. gondii replication in vitro and protect mice against fatal T. gondii infection. Mice surviving infection following treatment with p38 MAPK inhibitors were resistant to subsequent T. gondii challenge, demonstrating induction of protective immunity. Thus, drugs originally developed to block human p38 MAPK activation are useful for treating T. gondii infection without inducing significant immunosuppression. MAPK inhibitors combined with either of the approved anti-Toxoplasma drugs sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine resulted in improved survival among mice challenged with a fatal T. gondii inoculum. A MAPK inhibitor also treated mice infected with the Microsporidium parasite Encephalitozoon cuniculi, suggesting that MAPK inhibitors represent a novel class of agents that may have a broad spectrum of antiparasitic activity. Preliminary studies implicate a T. gondii MAPK homologue as the target of drug action, suggesting possibilities for more-selective agents.

scholarly journals The Expanding Role of p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase in Programmed Host Cell Death

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 117863611986459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Gräb ◽  
Jan Rybniker
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Host Cell ◽  
P38 Mapk ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Mapk Signaling ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Host Cell Apoptosis ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
P38 Mapk Inhibitors ◽  
Mapk Inhibitors

The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is involved in a multitude of essential cellular processes. The kinase is activated in response to environmental stresses, including bacterial infections and inflammation, to regulate the immune response of the host. However, recent studies have demonstrated that pathogens can manipulate p38 MAPK signaling for their own benefit to either prevent or induce host cell apoptosis. In addition, there is evidence demonstrating that p38 MAPK is a potent trigger of pathogen-induced necrosis driven by mitochondrial membrane disruption. Given the large number of p38 MAPK inhibitors that have been tested in clinical trials, these findings provide an opportunity to repurpose these drugs for improved control of infectious diseases.

p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase mediates adenosine-induced alterations in myocardial glucose utilization via 5′-AMP-activated protein kinase

2007 ◽  
Vol 292 (4) ◽  
pp. H1978-H1985 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jagdip S. Jaswal ◽  
Manoj Gandhi ◽  
Barry A. Finegan ◽  
Jason R. B. Dyck ◽  
Alexander S. Clanachan
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
P38 Mapk ◽  
Glucose Utilization ◽  
Glycogen Synthesis ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Transient Ischemia ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
P38 Mapk Inhibitors ◽  
Ampk Activity ◽  
Mapk Inhibitors

Adenosine-induced acceleration of glycolysis in hearts stressed by transient ischemia is accompanied by suppression of glycogen synthesis and by increases in activity of adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Because p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) may regulate glucose metabolism and may be activated downstream of AMPK, this study determined the effects of the p38 MAPK inhibitors SB202190 and SB203580 on adenosine-induced alterations in glucose utilization and AMPK activity. Studies were performed in working rat hearts perfused aerobically following stressing by transient ischemia (2 × 10-min ischemia followed by 5-min reperfusion). Phosphorylation of AMPK and p38 MAPK each were increased fourfold by adenosine, and these effects were inhibited by either SB202190 or SB203580. Neither of these inhibitors directly affected AMPK activity. Attenuation of the adenosine-induced increase in AMPK and p38 MAPK phosphorylation by SB202190 and SB203580 occurred independently of any change in tissue ATP-to-AMP ratio and did not alter glucose uptake, but it was accompanied by an increase in glycogen synthesis and glycogen content and by inhibition of glycolysis and proton production. There was a significant inverse correlation between the rate of glycogen synthesis and AMPK activity and between AMPK activity and glycogen content. These data demonstrate that AMPK is likely downstream of p38 MAPK in mediating the effects of adenosine on glucose utilization in hearts stressed by transient ischemia. The ability of p38 MAPK inhibitors to relieve the inhibition of glycogen synthesis and to inhibit glycolysis and proton production suggests that these agents may restore adenosine-induced cardioprotection in stressed hearts.

scholarly journals APPL1 mediates adiponectin-stimulated p38 MAPK activation by scaffolding the TAK1-MKK3-p38 MAPK pathway

2011 ◽  
Vol 300 (1) ◽  
pp. E103-E110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoban Xin ◽  
Lijun Zhou ◽  
Caleb M. Reyes ◽  
Feng Liu ◽  
Lily Q. Dong
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
P38 Mapk ◽  
Mapk Pathway ◽  
Adaptor Protein ◽  
Mapk Signaling ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Scaffolding Protein ◽  
Mapk Activation ◽  
P38 Mapk Pathway ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein

The adaptor protein APPL1 mediates the stimulatory effect of adiponectin on p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, yet the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here we show that, in C2C12 cells, overexpression or suppression of APPL1 enhanced or suppressed, respectively, adiponectin-stimulated p38 MAPK upstream kinase cascade, consisting of transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 3 (MKK3). In vitro affinity binding and coimmunoprecipitation experiments revealed that TAK1 and MKK3 bind to different regions of APPL1, suggesting that APPL1 functions as a scaffolding protein to facilitate adiponectin-stimulated p38 MAPK activation. Interestingly, suppressing APPL1 had no effect on TNFα-stimulated p38 MAPK phosphorylation in C2C12 myotubes, indicating that the stimulatory effect of APPL1 on p38 MAPK activation is selective. Taken together, our study demonstrated that the TAK1-MKK3 cascade mediates adiponectin signaling and uncovers a scaffolding role of APPL1 in regulating the TAK1-MKK3-p38 MAPK pathway, specifically in response to adiponectin stimulation.

scholarly journals Peripheral Injection of SB203580 Inhibits the Inflammatory-Dependent Synthesis of Proinflammatory Cytokines in the Hypothalamus

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrzej P. Herman ◽  
Agata Krawczyńska ◽  
Joanna Bochenek ◽  
Hanna Antushevich ◽  
Anna Herman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
P38 Mapk ◽  
Proinflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
Competitive Inhibitor ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
P38 Mapk Inhibitors ◽  
Mapk Inhibitors ◽  
P38 Mapk Inhibitor

The study was designed to determine the effects of peripheral injection of SB203580 on the synthesis of interleukin- (IL-) 1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)αin the hypothalamus of ewes during prolonged inflammation. Inflammation was induced by the administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (400 ng/kg) over 7 days. SB203580 is a selective ATP-competitive inhibitor of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), which is involved in the regulation of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFαsynthesis. Intravenous injection of SB203580 successfully inhibited (P<0.01) synthesis of IL-1βand reduced (P<0.01) the production of IL-6 in the hypothalamus. The p38 MAPK inhibitor decreased (P<0.01) gene expression of TNFαbut its effect was not observed at the level of TNFαprotein synthesis. SB203580 also reduced (P<0.01) LPS-stimulated IL-1 receptor type 1 gene expression. The conclusion that inhibition of p38 MAPK blocks LPS-induced proinflammatory cytokine synthesis seems to initiate new perspectives in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases also within the central nervous system. However, potential proinflammatory effects of SB203580 treatment suggest that all therapies using p38 MAPK inhibitors should be introduced very carefully with analysis of all expected and unexpected consequences of treatment.

scholarly journals Effects of ethanol on mitogen-activated protein kinase and stress-activated protein kinase cascades in normal and regenerating liver

1998 ◽  
Vol 334 (3) ◽  
pp. 669-676 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianping CHEN ◽  
Edward J. N. ISHAC ◽  
Paul DENT ◽  
George KUNOS ◽  
Bin GAO
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
P38 Mapk ◽  
Ethanol Exposure ◽  
Selective Inhibitor ◽  
Chronic Ethanol ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Hepatocyte Proliferation ◽  
Mapk Activation ◽  
Chronic Ethanol Consumption ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein

To understand the mechanisms by which ethanol inhibits hepatocyte proliferation, we studied the effects of ethanol on p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in normal and regenerating rat liver. Treatment of rat hepatocytes with 100 mM ethanol in vitro for 16 h prolonged the activation of p42/44 MAPK and p38 MAPK induced by various agonists. Such treatment also increased basal JNK activity, but did not potentiate or prolong agonist-induced JNK activation. Ethanol potentiation of the activation of p42/44 MAPK was abolished by pertussis toxin. In contrast, chronic ethanol consumption in vivo inhibited the activation of p42/44 MAPK, p38 MAPK and JNK induced either by partial hepatectomy or by various agonists. However, both acute and chronic ethanol inhibited hepatocyte proliferation induced by insulin and epidermal growth factor. A selective inhibitor of p42/44 MAPK partially prevented the inhibition of hepatocyte proliferation caused by acute, but not by chronic, ethanol exposure, whereas a selective inhibitor of p38 MAPK further inhibited hepatocyte proliferation under both conditions. These data suggest that acute and chronic ethanol inhibit hepatocyte proliferation by different mechanisms. The effect of acute ethanol may be related to the prolongation of p42/44 MAPK activation, whereas inhibition of hepatocyte proliferation by chronic ethanol may be due to inhibition of p38 MAPK activation.

scholarly journals Loss of Oncogenic H-ras-Induced Cell Cycle Arrest and p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Activation by Disruption of Gadd45a

2003 ◽  
Vol 23 (11) ◽  
pp. 3859-3871 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dmitry V. Bulavin ◽  
Oleg Kovalsky ◽  
M. Christine Hollander ◽  
Albert J. Fornace
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Amino Acids ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Cell Cycle Arrest ◽  
P38 Mapk ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Mapk Activation ◽  
Cycle Arrest ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
P53 Activation

ABSTRACT The activation of p53 is a guardian mechanism to protect primary cells from malignant transformation; however, the details of the activation of p53 by oncogenic stress are still incomplete. In this report we show that in Gadd45a −/− mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEF), overexpression of H-ras activates extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) but not p38 kinase, and this correlates with the loss of H-ras-induced cell cycle arrest (premature senescence). Inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation correlated with the deregulation of p53 activation, and both a p38 MAPK chemical inhibitor and the expression of a dominant-negative p38α inhibited p53 activation in the presence of H-ras in wild-type MEF. p38, but not ERK or JNK, was found in a complex with Gadd45 proteins. The region of interaction was mapped to amino acids 71 to 96, and the central portion (amino acids 71 to 124) of Gadd45a was required for p38 MAPK activation in the presence of H-ras. Our results indicate that this Gadd45/p38 pathway plays an important role in preventing oncogene-induced growth at least in part by regulating the p53 tumor suppressor.

scholarly journals Cytokine Activation of p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase and Apoptosis Is Opposed by alpha-4 Targeting of Protein Phosphatase 2A for Site-Specific Dephosphorylation of MEK3

2007 ◽  
Vol 27 (12) ◽  
pp. 4217-4227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd D. Prickett ◽  
David L. Brautigan
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
P38 Mapk ◽  
Protein Phosphatase ◽  
Protein Phosphatase 2A ◽  
Phosphorylation Site ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Mapk Activation ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
Phosphatase 2A

ABSTRACT alpha-4 is an essential gene and is a dominant antiapoptotic factor in various tissues that is a regulatory subunit for type 2A protein phosphatases. A multiplexed phosphorylation site screen revealed that knockdown of alpha-4 by small interfering RNA (siRNA) increased p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and c-Jun phosphorylation without changes in JNK or ERK. FLAG-alpha-4 coprecipitated hemagglutinin-MEK3 plus endogenous protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) and selectively enhanced dephosphorylation of Thr193, but not Ser189, in the activation loop of MEK3. Overexpression of alpha-4 suppressed p38 MAPK activation in response to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). The alpha-4 dominant-negative domain (DND) (residues 220 to 340) associated with MEK3, but not PP2A, and its overexpression sensitized cells to activation of p38 MAPK by TNF-α and interleukin-1β, but not by ansiomycin or sorbitol. The response was diminished by nocodazole or by siRNA knockdown of the Opitz syndrome protein Mid1 that binds alpha-4 to microtubules. Interference by alpha-4 DND or alpha-4 siRNA increased caspase 3/7 activation in response to TNF-α. Growth of transformed cells in soft agar was enhanced by alpha-4 and suppressed by alpha-4 DND. The results show that alpha-4 targets PP2A activity to MEK3 to suppress p38 MAPK activation by cytokines, thereby inhibiting apoptosis and anoikis.

scholarly journals Hematopoietic Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Mediates β2-Adrenergic Receptor-Induced Regulation of p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase in B Lymphocytes

2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 675-686 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaclyn W. McAlees ◽  
Virginia M. Sanders
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
P38 Mapk ◽  
Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase ◽  
Adrenergic Receptor ◽  
Tyrosine Phosphatase ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Mapk Activation ◽  
Mapk Phosphorylation ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein

ABSTRACT Stimulation of the β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) on a CD40L/interleukin-4-activated B lymphocyte increases the level of immunoglobulin E (IgE) in a protein kinase A (PKA)- and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-dependent manner. However, the mechanism by which β2AR stimulation mediates the increase in the level of p38 MAPK activation has remained unclear. Here we show that the β2AR-induced increase in p38 MAPK activation occurred via a hematopoietic protein tyrosine phosphatase (HePTP)-mediated cross talk between PKA and p38 MAPK. β2AR agonists, cAMP-elevating agents, and PKA inhibitors were used to show that β2AR stimulation resulted in a PKA-dependent increase in p38 MAPK phosphorylation. Pharmacological agents and gene-deficient mice revealed that p38 MAPK phosphorylation was regulated by the G-stimulatory (Gs)/cAMP/PKA pathway independently of the G-inhibitory or β-arrestin-2 pathways. Coimmunoprecipitation and Western blot analysis showed that HePTP was phosphorylated in a PKA-dependent manner, which inactivated HePTP and allowed for increased free p38 MAPK to be phosphorylated by the MAPK cascade that was activated by CD40L. HePTP short hairpin RNA confirmed that HePTP played a role in regulating the level of p38 MAPK phosphorylation in a B cell. Thus, β2AR stimulation on a B cell phosphorylates and inactivates HePTP in a Gs/cAMP/PKA-dependent manner to release bound p38 MAPK, making more available for phosphorylation and subsequent IgE regulation.

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