scholarly journals Functional characterization of the MKC1 gene of Candida albicans, which encodes a mitogen-activated protein kinase homolog related to cell integrity.

1995 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 2197-2206 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Navarro-García ◽  
M Sánchez ◽  
J Pla ◽  
C Nombela
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Map Kinase ◽  
Map Kinases ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Lytic Enzyme ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Kinase Gene ◽  
Enzyme Preparations ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein

Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases represent a group of serine/threonine protein kinases playing a central role in signal transduction processes in eukaryotic cells. Using a strategy based on the complementation of the thermosensitive autolytic phenotype of slt2 null mutants, we have isolated a Candida albicans homolog of Saccharomyces cerevisiae MAP kinase gene SLT2 (MPK1), which is involved in the recently outlined PKC1-controlled signalling pathway. The isolated gene, named MKC1 (MAP kinase from C. albicans), coded for a putative protein, Mkc1p, of 58,320 Da that displayed all the characteristic domains of MAP kinases and was 55% identical to S. cerevisiae Slt2p (Mpk1p). The MKC1 gene was deleted in a diploid Candida strain, and heterozygous and homozygous strains, in both Ura+ and Ura- backgrounds, were obtained to facilitate the analysis of the function of the gene. Deletion of the two alleles of the MKC1 gene gave rise to viable cells that grew at 28 and 37 degrees C but, nevertheless, displayed a variety of phenotypic traits under more stringent conditions. These included a low growth yield and a loss of viability in cultures grown at 42 degrees C, a high sensitivity to thermal shocks at 55 degrees C, an enhanced susceptibility to caffeine that was osmotically remediable, and the formation of a weak cell wall with a very low resistance to complex lytic enzyme preparations. The analysis of the functions downstream of the MKC1 gene should contribute to understanding of the connection of growth and morphogenesis in pathogenic fungi.

scholarly journals Genetic Complementation Screen Identifies a Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Phosphatase, MKP3, as a Regulator of Dopamine Transporter Trafficking

2008 ◽  
Vol 19 (7) ◽  
pp. 2818-2829 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ole Valente Mortensen ◽  
Mads Breum Larsen ◽  
Balakrishna M. Prasad ◽  
Susan G. Amara
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Map Kinase ◽  
Dopamine Transporter ◽  
Map Kinases ◽  
Kinase Inhibitors ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Genetic Complementation ◽  
Monoamine Transporters ◽  
Map Kinase Phosphatase ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein

The antidepressant and cocaine sensitive plasma membrane monoamine transporters are the primary mechanism for clearance of their respective neurotransmitters and serve a pivotal role in limiting monoamine neurotransmission. To identify molecules in pathways that regulate dopamine transporter (DAT) internalization, we used a genetic complementation screen in Xenopus oocytes to identify a mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase phosphatase, MKP3/Pyst1/DUSP6, as a molecule that inhibits protein kinase C–induced (PKC) internalization of transporters, resulting in enhanced DAT activity. The involvement of MKP3 in DAT internalization was verified using both overexpression and shRNA knockdown strategies in mammalian cell models including a dopaminergic cell line. Although the isolation of MKP3 implies a role for MAP kinases in DAT internalization, MAP kinase inhibitors have no effect on internalization. Moreover, PKC-dependent down-regulation of DAT does not correlate with the phosphorylation state of several well-studied MAP kinases (ERK1/2, p38, and SAPK/JNK). We also show that MKP3 does not regulate PKC-induced ubiquitylation of DAT but acts at a more downstream step to stabilize DAT at the cell surface by blocking dynamin-dependent internalization and delaying the targeting of DAT for degradation. These results indicate that MKP3 can act to enhance DAT function and identifies MKP3 as a phosphatase involved in regulating dynamin-dependent endocytosis.

scholarly journals A Role for Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase in the Spindle Assembly Checkpoint in XTC Cells

1997 ◽  
Vol 137 (2) ◽  
pp. 433-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao Min Wang ◽  
Ye Zhai ◽  
James E. Ferrell
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Map Kinase ◽  
Map Kinases ◽  
Spindle Assembly Checkpoint ◽  
Spindle Assembly ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Mitotic Progression ◽  
Map Kinase Phosphatase ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
Map Kinase Kinase

The spindle assembly checkpoint prevents cells whose spindles are defective or chromosomes are misaligned from initiating anaphase and leaving mitosis. Studies of Xenopus egg extracts have implicated the Erk2 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) in this checkpoint. Other studies have suggested that MAP kinases might be important for normal mitotic progression. Here we have investigated whether MAP kinase function is required for mitotic progression or the spindle assembly checkpoint in vivo in Xenopus tadpole cells (XTC). We determined that Erk1 and/or Erk2 are present in the mitotic spindle during prometaphase and metaphase, consistent with the idea that MAP kinase might regulate or monitor the status of the spindle. Next, we microinjected purified recombinant XCL100, a Xenopus MAP kinase phosphatase, into XTC cells in various stages of mitosis to interfere with MAP kinase activation. We found that mitotic progression was unaffected by the phosphatase. However, XCL100 rendered the cells unable to remain arrested in mitosis after treatment with nocodazole. Cells injected with phosphatase at prometaphase or metaphase exited mitosis in the presence of nocodazole—the chromosomes decondensed and the nuclear envelope re-formed—whereas cells injected with buffer or a catalytically inactive XCL100 mutant protein remained arrested in mitosis. Coinjection of constitutively active MAP kinase kinase-1, which opposes XCL100's effects on MAP kinase, antagonized the effects of XCL100. Since the only known targets of MAP kinase kinase-1 are Erk1 and Erk2, these findings argue that MAP kinase function is required for the spindle assembly checkpoint in XTC cells.

Distribution of MAP kinase, S6 kinase, and casein kinase II in rat tissues: activation by insulin in spleen

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 49-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong-Jiang Hei ◽  
Xunsheng Chen ◽  
Jack Diamond ◽  
John H. McNeill
Keyword(s):  
Map Kinase ◽  
Map Kinases ◽  
Casein Kinase Ii ◽  
Casein Kinase ◽  
Exchange Chromatography ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Single Peak ◽  
Rat Tissues ◽  
S6 Kinase ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein

We examined the distribution of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, S6 kinase, and casein kinase II (CK-II) in the muscle, spleen, brain, and testes of Wistar rats. It was observed that spleen extracts contained the highest activity of all the kinases. Anion-exchange chromatography of spleen extracts by a MonoQ column resolved a single peak of myelin basic protein phosphotransferase activity that eluted after the usual position of the previously described p42 and p44 MAP kinases. Immunoblotting of the peak fractions with anti-MAP kinase antibody did not detect any immunoreactive bands that coincided with the activity peak, suggesting that the activity may represent a potentially novel MAP kinase. The MonoQ fractionation also resolved a single peak of phosvitin phosphotransferase activity which coincided with the intensity of two immunoreactive bands of 39 and 43 kilodaltons that were detected with antibodies against CK-II. The chromatographic behaviour and immunoblotting data indicate that the phosvitin kinase peak represented CK-II and suggested that the rat spleen CK-II had a molecular structure of αα′β2. Furthermore, using an intact rat model, we showed that the potentially novel spleen MAP kinase and CK-II were markedly activated following intravenous injection of insulin. The significance of these findings remains to be determined.Key words: mitogen-activated protein kinase, S6 kinase, casein kinase II, insulin, spleen.

Serotonin stimulates mitogen-activated protein kinase activity through the formation of superoxide anion

1999 ◽  
Vol 277 (2) ◽  
pp. L282-L291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheu-Ling Lee ◽  
Wei-Wei Wang ◽  
Geraldine A. Finlay ◽  
Barry L. Fanburg
Keyword(s):  
Map Kinase ◽  
Cellular Response ◽  
Map Kinases ◽  
Chinese Hamster ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Lung Fibroblasts ◽  
Protein Kinase Activity ◽  
Similar Response ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
Text Formation

Our previous studies have shown that, through an active transport process, serotonin (5-HT) rapidly elevates[Formula: see text] formation, stimulates protein phosphorylation, and enhances proliferation of bovine pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (SMCs). We presently show that 1 μM 5-HT also rapidly elevates phosphorylation and activation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1 and ERK2 of SMCs, and the enhanced phosphorylation is blocked by the antioxidants Tiron, N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), and Ginkgo biloba extract. Inhibition of MAP kinase with PD-98059 failed to block enhanced[Formula: see text] formation by 5-HT. Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (CCL-39 cells), which demonstrate both 5-HT transporter and receptor activity, showed a similar response to 5-HT (i.e., enhanced mitogenesis, [Formula: see text]formation, and ERK1 and ERK2 phosphorylation and activation). Unlike SMCs, they also responded to 5-HT receptor agonists. We conclude that downstream signaling of MAP kinase is a generalized cellular response to 5-HT that occurs secondary to[Formula: see text] formation and may be initiated by either the 5-HT transporter or receptor depending on the cell type.

scholarly journals Role of the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Hog1p in Morphogenesis and Virulence of Candida albicans

1999 ◽  
Vol 181 (10) ◽  
pp. 3058-3068 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Alonso-Monge ◽  
F. Navarro-García ◽  
G. Molero ◽  
R. Diez-Orejas ◽  
M. Gustin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Map Kinase ◽  
Pathogenic Fungi ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Morphological Alterations ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
Drastic Increase ◽  
Morphological Transitions ◽  
Hyphal Formation

ABSTRACT The relevance of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase Hog1p in Candida albicans was addressed through the characterization of C. albicans strains without a functional HOG1 gene. Analysis of the phenotype ofhog1 mutants under osmostressing conditions revealed that this mutant displays a set of morphological alterations as the result of a failure to complete the final stages of cytokinesis, with parallel defects in the budding pattern. Even under permissive conditions,hog1 mutants displayed a different susceptibility to some compounds such as nikkomycin Z or Congo red, which interfere with cell wall functionality. In addition, the hog1 mutant displayed a colony morphology different from that of the wild-type strain on some media which promote morphological transitions in C. albicans. We show that C. albicans hog1 mutants are derepressed in the serum-induced hyphal formation and, consistently with this behavior, that HOG1 overexpression inSaccharomyces cerevisiae represses the pseudodimorphic transition. Most interestingly, deletion of HOG1 resulted in a drastic increase in the mean survival time of systemically infected mice, supporting a role for this MAP kinase pathway in virulence of pathogenic fungi. This finding has potential implications in antifungal therapy.

scholarly journals Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Phosphorylation in Kidneys of βs Sickle Cell Mice

2000 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1026-1032
Author(s):  
MILITZA KIROYCHEVA ◽  
FAYYAZ AHMED ◽  
GILLIAN M. ANTHONY ◽  
CSABA SZABO ◽  
GARRY J. SOUTHAN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Map Kinase ◽  
Sickle Cell ◽  
Map Kinases ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Reaction Products ◽  
Tyrosine Residues ◽  
Extracellular Signal ◽  
Map Kinase Phosphatase ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein ◽  
Stress Signals

Abstract. Previous studies in βs sickle cell mice demonstrated renal immunostaining for nitrotyrosine, which is putative evidence of peroxynitrite (ONOO-) formation. ONOO- is known to nitrate tyrosine residues of various enzymes, thereby interfering with phosphorylation and inactivating them. The present study examined the state of phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signal transduction enzymes, i.e., p38, c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Western blot performed with antibodies directed against specific phosphorylated threonine/tyrosine residues of these enzymes demonstrated reduced phosphorylation of renal p38 and a trend toward reduced phosphorylation of ERK. In contrast, phosphorylation of renal JNK was markedly increased compared with normal mice. The abundance of MAP kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1), a key upstream enzyme that modulates phosphorylation of MAP kinases, was not different in βsversus normal mice. To determine whether nitration of tyrosine by ONOO- was responsible for reduced phosphorylation of p38 and ERK, mercaptoethylguanidine (MEG), a compound known to reduce inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase activity and to scavenge ONOO-, was administered to βs mice for 5 d. MEG was found to restore phosphorylation of p38 and ERK toward normal levels. These observations provide evidence that ONOO- (or closely related reaction products of NO) contributes to dephosphorylation of p38 and ERK, and presumably reduces activity of these enzymes. The increased phosphorylation of JNK, which suggests activation of this signaling pathway by extracellular stress signals, may play a role in apoptosis in the kidneys of these mice. The changes in phosphorylation of MAP kinase pathways found in this study could have important consequences for regulation of nuclear transcription factors, and thus renal function and pathology in sickle cell kidneys.

scholarly journals Selective deficiency in protein kinase C isoenzyme expression and inadequacy in mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in cord blood T cells

2003 ◽  
Vol 370 (2) ◽  
pp. 497-503 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles S.T. HII ◽  
Maurizio COSTABILE ◽  
George C. MAYNE ◽  
Channing J. DER ◽  
Andrew W. MURRAY ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Cord Blood ◽  
Map Kinase ◽  
Map Kinases ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Biochemical Basis ◽  
Kinase Activation ◽  
Extracellular Signal ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein

The biochemical basis for the reduced lymphokine production by neonatal T cells compared with adult T cells remains poorly defined. Previous studies have raised the possibility that neonatal T cells could be deficient in their ability to transmit signals via protein kinase (PK) C. We now report that while PKC-dependent activation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase and the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK)1/ERK2, was deficient in cord blood T cells compared with adult blood T cells, marked activation of the MAP kinases in cord blood T cells was achieved via PKC-independent means. Consistent with a deficiency in the signalling capability of PKC, cord blood T cells were selectively deficient in the expression of PKCβI, ∊, θ and ζ. Stimulation of cord blood T cells resulted in a time-dependent increase in PKC expression, with increases detectable by 4h. This was accompanied by an enhancement in MAP kinase activation via PKC-dependent means. These novel data suggest that an inadequacy in PKC-MAP kinase signalling may be responsible, at least in part, for the phenotype of cord blood T cells.

scholarly journals Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase by heat shock treatment in Drosophila

1995 ◽  
Vol 312 (2) ◽  
pp. 341-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Chen ◽  
M Torres ◽  
R F Duncan
Keyword(s):  
Heat Shock ◽  
Map Kinase ◽  
Tyrosine Phosphorylation ◽  
Map Kinases ◽  
Early Response ◽  
Shock Treatment ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Heat Shock Treatment ◽  
Kinase Activation ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein

Heat shock treatment of Drosophila melanogaster tissue culture cells causes increased tyrosine phosphorylation of several 44 kDa proteins, which are identified as Drosophila mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases. Tyrosine phosphorylation occurs within 5 min, and is maintained at high levels during heat shock. It decreases to basal levels during recovery, concurrent with the repression of heat shock transcription and heat-shock-protein synthesis. The increased MAP kinase tyrosine phosphorylation is parallelled by increased MAP kinase activity. At least two MAP kinases, DmERK-A and DmERK-B, are identified whose tyrosine phosphorylation increases during heat shock. Thus MAP kinase activation is an immediate early response to heat shock, and its increased activity is maintained throughout heat shock treatment. Protracted MAP kinase activation may contribute to heat shock transcription factor phosphorylation and the numerous metabolic alterations that constitute the heat-shock response.

scholarly journals The MAP kinase signal transduction network in Candida albicans

Microbiology ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 152 (4) ◽  
pp. 905-912 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Alonso Monge ◽  
E. Román ◽  
C. Nombela ◽  
J. Pla
Keyword(s):  
Signal Transduction ◽  
Cell Wall ◽  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Map Kinases ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Phenotypic Characterization ◽  
Cell Integrity ◽  
Hog Pathway ◽  
Chlamydospore Formation ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein

MAP (mitogen-activated protein) kinase-mediated pathways are key elements in sensing and transmitting the response of cells to environmental conditions by the sequential action of phosphorylation events. In the fungal pathogen Candida albicans, different routes have been identified by genetic analysis, and especially by the phenotypic characterization of mutants altered in the Mkc1, Cek1/2 and Hog1 MAP kinases. The cell integrity (or MKC1-mediated) pathway is primarily involved in the biogenesis of the cell wall. The HOG pathway participates in the response to osmotic stress while the Cek1 pathway mediates mating and filamentation. Their actual functions are, however, much broader and Mkc1 senses several types of stress, while Hog1 is also responsive to other stress conditions and participates in two morphogenetic programmes: filamentation and chlamydospore formation. Furthermore, it has been recently shown that Cek1 participates in a putative pathway involved in the construction of the cell wall and which seems to be operative under basal conditions. As these stimuli are frequently encountered in the human host, they provide a reasonable explanation for the significant reduction in pathogenicity that several signal transduction mutants show in certain animal models of virulence. MAPK pathways therefore represent an attractive multienzymic system for which novel antifungal therapy could be designed.

scholarly journals Insulin regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK), mitogen-activated protein kinase and casein kinase in the cell nucleus: a possible role in the regulation of gene expression

1997 ◽  
Vol 323 (3) ◽  
pp. 621-627 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sung-Jin KIM ◽  
Ronald C. KAHN
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Map Kinase ◽  
Map Kinases ◽  
Nuclear Protein ◽  
Insulin Signalling ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Casein Kinase ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Intact Cells ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein

After insulin receptor activation, many cytoplasmic enzymes, including mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, MAP kinase kinase (MEK) and casein kinase II (CKII) are activated, but exactly how insulin signalling progresses to the nucleus remains poorly understood. In Chinese hamster ovary cells overexpressing human insulin receptors [CHO(Hirc)], MEK, CKII and the MAP kinases ERK I and ERK II can be detected by immunoblotting in the nucleus, as well as in the cytoplasm, in the unstimulated state. Nuclear localization of MAP kinase is also observed in 3T3-F442A adipocytes, NIH-3T3 cells and Fao hepatoma cells, whereas MEK is found in the nucleus only in Fao and CHO cells. Insulin treatment for 5–30 min induces a translocation of MEK from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, whereas the MAP kinases and CKII are not translocated into the nucleus in response to insulin during this period. However, nuclear MAP kinase and CKII activities increase by 2–3-fold within 1–10 min after stimulation with insulin. By using gel-shift assays, it has been shown that insulin also stimulates nuclear protein binding to an AP-1 site with kinetics similar to MEK translocation and MAP kinase and CKII activation. Treatment of the extracts in vitro with protein phosphatase 2A or treatment of the intact cells with 5,6-dichloro-1-β-d-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole, a cell-permeable inhibitor of CKII, almost completely blocks the insulin-induced DNA-binding activity, whereas incubation of cells with a MEK inhibitor produces only a slight decrease. These results suggest that insulin signalling results in the activation of serine kinases in the nucleus via two pathways: (1) insulin stimulates the nuclear translocation of some kinases, such as MEK, which might directly phosphorylate nuclear protein substrates or activate other nuclear kinases, and (2) insulin activates nuclear kinases without translocation. The latter is true of CKII, which seems to regulate the binding of nuclear proteins to the AP-1 site, possibly by phosphorylation of AP-1 transcription factors.

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