scholarly journals Candida albicans β-Glucan Exposure Is Controlled by the Fungal CEK1-Mediated Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Pathway That Modulates Immune Responses Triggered through Dectin-1

2010 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
pp. 1426-1436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Galán-Díez ◽  
David M. Arana ◽  
Diego Serrano-Gómez ◽  
Leonor Kremer ◽  
José M. Casasnovas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Intracellular Signaling ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Mapk Pathway ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Cell Recognition ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein

ABSTRACT Innate immunity to Candida albicans depends upon the recognition of molecular patterns on the fungal cell wall. However, the masking of major components such as β-glucan seems to be a mechanism that fungi have evolved to avoid immune cell recognition through the dectin-1 receptor. Although the role of C. albicans mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways as virulence determinants has been established previously with animal models, the mechanism involved in this behavior is largely unknown. In this study we demonstrate that a disruption of the C. albicans extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-like 1 (CEK1)-mediated MAPK pathway causes enhanced cell wall β-glucan exposure, triggering immune responses more efficiently than the wild type, as measured by dectin-1-mediated specific binding and human dendritic cell (hDC)- and macrophage-mediated phagocytosis, killing, and activation of intracellular signaling pathways. At the molecular level, the disruption of CEK1 resulted in altered spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk), Raf-1, and ERK1/2 activations together with IκB degradation on hDCs and increased dectin-1-dependent activator protein 1 (AP-1) activation on transfected cells. In addition, concurring with these altered pathways, we detected increased reactive oxygen species production and cytokine secretion. In conclusion, the CEK1-mediated MAPK pathway is involved in β-glucan exposure in a fungal pathogen, hence influencing dectin-1-dependent immune cell recognition, thus establishing this fungal intracellular signaling route as a promising novel therapeutic target.

scholarly journals Transcriptional Coregulation by the Cell Integrity Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Slt2 and the Cell Cycle Regulator Swi4

2001 ◽  
Vol 21 (19) ◽  
pp. 6515-6528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin Baetz ◽  
Jason Moffat ◽  
Jennifer Haynes ◽  
Michael Chang ◽  
Brenda Andrews
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Cell Wall ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Mapk Pathway ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Regulatory Subunit ◽  
Cell Integrity ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein

ABSTRACT In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the heterodimeric transcription factor SBF (for SCB binding factor) is composed of Swi4 and Swi6 and activates gene expression at the G1/S-phase transition of the mitotic cell cycle. Cell cycle commitment is associated not only with major alterations in gene expression but also with highly polarized cell growth; the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) Slt2 is required to maintain cell wall integrity during periods of polarized growth and cell wall stress. We describe experiments aimed at defining the regulatory pathway involving the cell cycle transcription factor SBF and Slt2-MAPK. Gene expression assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments revealed Slt2-dependent recruitment of SBF to the promoters of the G1 cyclinsPCL1 and PCL2 after activation of the Slt2-MAPK pathway. We performed DNA microarray analysis and identified other genes whose expression was reduced in both SLT2and SWI4 deletion strains. Genes that are sensitive to both Slt2 and Swi4 appear to be uniquely regulated and reveal a role for Swi4, the DNA-binding component of SBF, which is independent of the regulatory subunit Swi6. Some of the Swi4- and Slt2-dependent genes do not require Swi6 for either their expression or for Swi4 localization to their promoters. Consistent with these results, we found a direct interaction between Swi4 and Slt2. Our results establish a new Slt2-dependent mode of Swi4 regulation and suggest roles for Swi4 beyond its prominent role in controlling cell cycle transcription.

scholarly journals Msb2 Signaling Mucin Controls Activation of Cek1 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase in Candida albicans

2009 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 1235-1249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elvira Román ◽  
Fabien Cottier ◽  
Joachim F. Ernst ◽  
Jesús Pla
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Osmotic Shock ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Hog Pathway ◽  
High Osmolarity ◽  
Cell Wall Biogenesis ◽  
Solid Media ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein

ABSTRACT We have characterized the role that the Msb2 protein plays in the fungal pathogen Candida albicans by the use of mutants defective in the putative upstream components of the HOG pathway. Msb2, in cooperation with Sho1, controls the activation of the Cek1 mitogen-activated protein kinase under conditions that damage the cell wall, thus defining Msb2 as a signaling element of this pathway in the fungus. msb2 mutants display altered sensitivity to Congo red, caspofungin, zymolyase, or tunicamycin, indicating that this protein is involved in cell wall biogenesis. Msb2 (as well as Sho1 and Hst7) is involved in the transmission of the signal toward Cek1 mediated by the Cdc42 GTPase, as revealed by the use of activated alleles (Cdc42G12V) of this protein. msb2 mutants have a stronger defective invasion phenotype than sho1 mutants when tested on certain solid media that use mannitol or sucrose as a carbon source or under hypoxia. Interestingly, Msb2 contributes to growth under conditions of high osmolarity when both branches of the HOG pathway are altered, as triple ssk1 msb2 sho1 mutants (but not any single or double mutant) are osmosensitive. However, this phenomenon is independent of the presence of Hog1, as Hog1 phosphorylation, Hog1 translocation to the nucleus, and glycerol accumulation are not affected in this mutant following an osmotic shock. These results reveal essential functions in morphogenesis, invasion, cell wall biogenesis, and growth under conditions of high osmolarity for Msb2 in C. albicans and suggest the divergence and specialization of this signaling pathway in filamentous fungi.

scholarly journals PKCζ-Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Mediates Crotalphine-Induced Antinociception

Toxins ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 912
Author(s):  
Bárbara G. de Freitas ◽  
Natália G. Hösch ◽  
Leandro M. Pereira ◽  
Tereza C. Barbosa ◽  
Gisele Picolo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Intracellular Signaling ◽  
Mapk Pathway ◽  
Antinociceptive Effect ◽  
Primary Cultures ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Mapk Signaling ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein

Crotalphine (CRP) is a structural analogue to a peptide that was first identified in the crude venom from the South American rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus. This peptide induces a potent and long-lasting antinociceptive effect that is mediated by the activation of peripheral opioid receptors. The opioid receptor activation regulates a variety of intracellular signaling, including the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Using primary cultures of sensory neurons, it was demonstrated that crotalphine increases the level of activated ERK1/2 and JNK-MAPKs and this increase is dependent on the activation of protein kinase Cζ (PKCζ). However, whether PKCζ-MAPK signaling is critical for crotalphine-induced antinociception is unknown. Here, we biochemically demonstrated that the systemic crotalphine activates ERK1/2 and JNK and decreases the phosphorylation of p38 in the lumbar spinal cord. The in vivo pharmacological inhibition of spinal ERK1/2 and JNK, but not of p38, blocks the antinociceptive effect of crotalphine. Of interest, the administration of a PKCζ pseudosubstrate (PKCζ inhibitor) prevents crotalphine-induced ERK activation in the spinal cord, followed by the abolishment of crotalphine-induced analgesia. Together, our results demonstrate that the PKCζ-ERK signaling pathway is involved in crotalphine-induced analgesia. Our study opens a perspective for the PKCζ-MAPK axis as a target for pain control.

scholarly journals Role of the Cell Wall Integrity and Filamentous Growth Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Pathways in Cell Wall Remodeling during Filamentous Growth

2009 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 1118-1133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Birkaya ◽  
Abhiram Maddi ◽  
Jyoti Joshi ◽  
Stephen J. Free ◽  
Paul J. Cullen
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Mapk Pathway ◽  
Filamentous Growth ◽  
Cell Wall Integrity ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Cell Wall Integrity Pathway ◽  
Cell Wall Remodeling ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
Cell Cell

ABSTRACT Many fungal species including pathogens exhibit filamentous growth (FG) as a means of foraging for nutrients. Genetic screens were performed to identify genes required for FG in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Genes encoding proteins with established functions in transcriptional activation (MCM1, MATα2, PHD1, MSN2, SIR4, and HMS2), cell wall integrity (MPT5, WSC2, and MID2), and cell polarity (BUD5) were identified as potential regulators of FG. The transcription factors MCM1 and MATα2 induced invasive growth by promoting diploid-specific bipolar budding in haploid cells. Components of the cell wall integrity pathway including the cell surface proteins Slg1p/Wsc1p, Wsc2p, Mid2p, and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) Slt2p/Mpk1p contributed to multiple aspects of the FG response including cell elongation, cell-cell adherence, and agar invasion. Mid2p and Wsc2p stimulated the FG MAPK pathway through the signaling mucin Msb2p and components of the MAPK cascade. The FG pathway contributed to cell wall integrity in parallel with the cell wall integrity pathway and in opposition with the high osmolarity glycerol response pathway. Mass spectrometry approaches identified components of the filamentous cell wall including the mucin-like proteins Msb2p, Flo11p, and subtelomeric (silenced) mucin Flo10p. Secretion of Msb2p, which occurs as part of the maturation of the protein, was inhibited by the ß-1,3-glucan layer of the cell wall, which highlights a new regulatory aspect to cell wall remodeling in this organism. Disruption of ß-1,3-glucan linkages induced mucin shedding and resulted in defects in cell-cell adhesion and invasion of cells into the agar matrix.

scholarly journals Expression of transgenes enriched in rare codons is enhanced by the MAPK pathway

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jackson Peterson ◽  
Siqi Li ◽  
Erin Kaltenbrun ◽  
Ozgun Erdogan ◽  
Christopher M. Counter
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Mapk Pathway ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Rare Codons ◽  
Synonymous Codons ◽  
Multiple Components ◽  
Human Genes ◽  
Regulatory Module ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein

AbstractThe ability to translate three nucleotide sequences, or codons, into amino acids to form proteins is conserved across all organisms. All but two amino acids have multiple codons, and the frequency that such synonymous codons occur in genomes ranges from rare to common. Transcripts enriched in rare codons are typically associated with poor translation, but in certain settings can be robustly expressed, suggestive of codon-dependent regulation. Given this, we screened a gain-of-function library for human genes that increase the expression of a GFPrare reporter encoded by rare codons. This screen identified multiple components of the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway enhancing GFPrare expression. This effect was reversed with inhibitors of this pathway and confirmed to be both codon-dependent and occur with ectopic transcripts naturally coded with rare codons. Finally, this effect was associated, at least in part, with enhanced translation. We thus identify a potential regulatory module that takes advantage of the redundancy in the genetic code to modulate protein expression.

scholarly journals TRAF6-Dependent Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Activation Differentially Regulates the Production of Interleukin-12 by Macrophages in Response to Toxoplasma gondii

2004 ◽  
Vol 72 (10) ◽  
pp. 5662-5667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola J. Mason ◽  
Jim Fiore ◽  
Takashi Kobayashi ◽  
Katherine S. Masek ◽  
Yongwon Choi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Intracellular Signaling ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Interleukin 12 ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Kinase Activation ◽  
Extracellular Signal ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein

ABSTRACT The production of interleukin-12 (IL-12) is critical to the development of innate and adaptive immune responses required for the control of intracellular pathogens. Many microbial products signal through Toll-like receptors (TLR) and activate NF-κB family members that are required for the production of IL-12. Recent studies suggest that components of the TLR pathway are required for the production of IL-12 in response to the parasite Toxoplasma gondii; however, the production of IL-12 in response to this parasite is independent of NF-κB activation. The adaptor molecule TRAF6 is involved in TLR signaling pathways and associates with serine/threonine kinases involved in the activation of both NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). To elucidate the intracellular signaling pathways involved in the production of IL-12 in response to soluble toxoplasma antigen (STAg), wild-type and TRAF6−/− mice were inoculated with STAg, and the production of IL-12(p40) was determined. TRAF6−/− mice failed to produce IL-12(p40) in response to STAg, and TRAF6−/− macrophages stimulated with STAg also failed to produce IL-12(p40). Studies using Western blot analysis of wild-type and TRAF6−/− macrophages revealed that stimulation with STAg resulted in the rapid TRAF6-dependent phosphorylation of p38 and extracellular signal-related kinase, which differentially regulated the production of IL-12(p40). The studies presented here demonstrate for the first time that the production of IL-12(p40) in response to toxoplasma is dependent upon TRAF6 and p38 MAPK.

scholarly journals Ghrelin exerts a proliferative effect on a rat pituitary somatotroph cell line via the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway

2004 ◽  
pp. 233-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
AM Nanzer ◽  
S Khalaf ◽  
AM Mozid ◽  
RC Fowkes ◽  
MV Patel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Cell Line ◽  
Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Thymidine Incorporation ◽  
Mapk Pathway ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Gh3 Cells ◽  
Rat Pituitary ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein

OBJECTIVES: Ghrelin is a brain-gut peptide with GH-releasing and appetite-inducing activities and a widespread tissue distribution. Ghrelin is the endogenous ligand of the GH secretagogue receptor type 1a (GHS-R1a), and both ghrelin and the GHS-R1a are expressed in the pituitary. There are conflicting data regarding the effects of ghrelin on cell proliferation. A positive effect on proliferation and activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway has been found in hepatoma, adipose, cardiomyocyte and prostate cell lines. However, ghrelin has also been shown to have anti-proliferative effects on breast, lung and thyroid cell lines. We therefore examined the effect of ghrelin on the rat pituitary cell line GH3. METHODS: RT-PCR was used for the detection of GHS-R1a and pre-proghrelin mRNA expression in GH3 cells. The effect of ghrelin on cell proliferation was studied using [(3)H]thymidine incorporation; cell counting and the activation of the MAPK pathway were studied using immunoblotting and inhibitors of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK 1/2), protein kinase C (PKC) and tyrosine phosphatase pathways. RESULTS: GHS-R1a and ghrelin mRNA expression were detected in GH3 cells. Ghrelin, at 10(-10) to 10(-6) M concentrations, significantly increased [(3)H]thymidine incorporation (at 10(-9) M, 183+/-13% (means+/-s.e.m.) compared with untreated controls), while 12-phorbol 13-myristate acetate (PMA) at 10(-7) M (used as a positive control) caused a 212+/-14% increase. A reproducible stimulatory effect of desoctanoyl ghrelin was also observed on [(3)H]thymidine incorporation (135+/-5%; P<0.01 at 10(-9) M compared with control), as well as on the cell count (control 6.8 x 10(4)+/-8.7 x 10(3) cells/ml vs desoctanoyl ghrelin (10(-9) M) 1.04 x 10(5)+/-7.5 x 10(3) cells/ml; P<0.01). Ghrelin caused a significant increase in phosphorylated ERK 1/2 in immunoblotting, while desoctanoyl ghrelin showed a smaller but also significant stimulatory effect. The positive effect of ghrelin and desoctanoyl ghrelin on [(3)H]thymidine incorporation was abolished by the MAPK kinase inhibitor U0126, the PKC inhibitor GF109203X and the tyrosine kinase inhibitor tyrphostin 23, suggesting that the ghrelin-induced cell proliferation of GH3 cells is mediated both via a PKC-MAPK-dependent pathway and via a tyrosine kinase-dependent pathway. This could also be clearly demonstrated by Western blot analysis, where a transient increase in ERK 1/2 phosphorylation by ghrelin was attenuated by all three inhibitors. CONCLUSION: We have shown a novel role for ghrelin in stimulating the proliferation of a somatotroph pituitary tumour cell line, suggesting that ERK activation is involved in mediating the effects of ghrelin on cell proliferation. Desoctanoyl ghrelin showed a similar effect. As ghrelin has been shown to be expressed in both normal and adenomatous pituitary tissue, locally produced ghrelin may play a role in pituitary tumorigenesis via an autocrine/paracrine pathway.

scholarly journals The vaccinia virus-stimulated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is required for virus multiplication

2004 ◽  
Vol 381 (2) ◽  
pp. 437-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anderson A. ANDRADE ◽  
Patrícia N. G. SILVA ◽  
Anna C. T. C. PEREIRA ◽  
Lirlândia P. de SOUSA ◽  
Paulo C. P. FERREIRA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Tyrosine Kinase ◽  
Vaccinia Virus ◽  
Mapk Pathway ◽  
Decisive Role ◽  
Virus Multiplication ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Actin Dynamics ◽  
Kinase Activation ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein

Early events play a decisive role in virus multiplication. We have shown previously that activation of MAPK/ERK1/2 (mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1/2) and protein kinase A are pivotal for vaccinia virus (VV) multiplication [de Magalhães, Andrade, Silva, Sousa, Ropert, Ferreira, Kroon, Gazzinelli and Bonjardim (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 38353–38360]. In the present study, we show that VV infection provoked a sustained activation of both ERK1/2 and RSK2 (ribosomal S6 kinase 2). Our results also provide evidence that this pattern of kinase activation depends on virus multiplication and ongoing protein synthesis and is maintained independently of virus DNA synthesis. It is noteworthy that the VGF (VV growth factor), although involved, is not essential for prolonged ERK1/2 activation. Furthermore, our findings suggest that the VV-stimulated ERK1/2 activation also seems to require actin dynamics, microtubule polymerization and tyrosine kinase phosphorylation. The VV-stimulated pathway MEK/ERK1/2/RSK2 (where MEK stands for MAPK/ERK kinase) leads to phosphorylation of the ternary complex factor Elk-1 and expression of the early growth response (egr-1) gene, which kinetically paralleled the kinase activation. The recruitment of this pathway is biologically relevant, since its disruption caused a profound effect on viral thymidine kinase gene expression, viral DNA replication and VV multiplication. This pattern of sustained kinase activation after VV infection is unique. In addition, by connecting upstream signals generated at the cytoskeleton and by tyrosine kinase, the MEK/ERK1/2/RSK2 cascade seems to play a decisive role not only at early stages of the infection, i.e. post-penetration, but is also crucial to define the fate of virus progeny.

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.

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