Pharmacological Inhibition of p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases Affects KC/CXCL1-Induced Intraluminal Crawling, Transendothelial Migration, and Chemotaxis of NeutrophilsIn Vivo

p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling is critical in the pathophysiology of a variety of inflammatory processes. Leukocyte recruitment to the site of inflammation is a multistep process governed by specific signalling cascades. After adhesion in the lumen, many leukocytes crawl to optimal sites at endothelial junctions and transmigrate to extravascular tissue in a Mac-1-dependent manner. The signalling mechanisms that regulate postadhesion steps of intraluminal crawling, transmigration, and chemotaxis in tissue remain incompletely understood. The present study explored the effect of p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 on various parameters of neutrophil recruitment triggered by chemokine KC (CXCL1) gradient. Neutrophil-endothelial interactions in microvasculature of murine cremaster muscle were determined using intravital microscopy and time-lapsed video analysis. SB203580 (100 nM) did not change leukocyte rolling but significantly attenuated neutrophil adhesion, emigration, and transmigration and impaired the initiation of neutrophil crawling and transmigration. In response to KC chemotactic gradient, SB203580 significantly reduced the velocity of migration and chemotaxis index of neutrophils in tissue. The upregulation of Mac-1 expression in neutrophils stimulated by KC was significantly blunted by SB203580in vitro. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that pharmacological suppression of p38 MAPK significantly impairs multiple steps of neutrophil recruitmentin vivo.

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Mitigation of Direct Neurotoxic Effects of Lidocaine and Amitriptyline by Inhibition of p38 Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase In Vitro and In Vivo

Anesthesiology ◽

10.1097/00000542-200606000-00023 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 104 (6) ◽

pp. 1266-1273 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

Philipp Lirk ◽

Ingrid Haller ◽

Robert R. Myers ◽

Lars Klimaschewski ◽

Yi-Chuan Kau ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sciatic Nerve ◽

P38 Mapk ◽

Local Anesthetic ◽

Apoptotic Cell ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein ◽

P38 Mapk Inhibitor ◽

Mapk Inhibitor

Background Local anesthetic-induced direct neurotoxicity (paresthesia, failure to regain normal sensory and motor function) is a potentially devastating complication of regional anesthesia. Local anesthetics activate the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) system, which is involved in apoptotic cell death. The authors therefore investigated in vitro (cultured primary sensory neurons) and in vivo (sciatic nerve block model) the potential neuroprotective effect of the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 administered together with a clinical (lidocaine) or investigational (amitriptyline) local anesthetic. Methods Cell survival and mitochondrial depolarization as marker of apoptotic cell death was assessed in rat dorsal root ganglia incubated with lidocaine or amitriptyline either with or without the addition of SB203580. Similarly, in a sciatic nerve block model, the authors assessed wallerian degeneration by light microscopy to detect a potential mitigating effect of MAPK inhibition. Results Lidocaine at 40 mm/approximately 1% and amitriptyline at 100 microm reduce neuron count, but coincubation with the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 at 10 mum significantly reduces cytotoxicity and the number of neurons exhibiting mitochondrial depolarization. Also, wallerian degeneration and demyelination induced by lidocaine (600 mm/approximately 15%) and amitriptyline (10 mm/approximately 0.3%) seem to be mitigated by SB203580. Conclusions The cytotoxic effect of lidocaine and amitriptyline in cultured dorsal root ganglia cells and the nerve degeneration in the rat sciatic nerve model seem, at least in part, to be mediated by apoptosis but seem efficiently blocked by an inhibitor of p38 MAPK, making it conceivable that coinjection might be useful in preventing local anesthetic-induced neurotoxicity.

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Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinases Phosphorylate Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Phosphatase 3/DUSP6 at Serines 159 and 197, Two Sites Critical for Its Proteasomal Degradation

Molecular and Cellular Biology ◽

10.1128/mcb.25.2.854-864.2005 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 25 (2) ◽

pp. 854-864 ◽

Cited By ~ 90

Author(s):

Sandrine Marchetti ◽

Clotilde Gimond ◽

Jean-Claude Chambard ◽

Thomas Touboul ◽

Danièle Roux ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Map Kinases ◽

Fluorescent Protein ◽

Proteasomal Degradation ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Double Mutation ◽

Extracellular Signal ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein

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.

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Phosphorylation of Argonaute 2 at serine-387 facilitates its localization to processing bodies

Biochemical Journal ◽

10.1042/bj20080599 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 413 (3) ◽

pp. 429-436 ◽

Cited By ~ 134

Author(s):

Yan Zeng ◽

Heidi Sankala ◽

Xiaoxiao Zhang ◽

Paul R. Graves

Keyword(s):

Protein Kinase ◽

P38 Mapk ◽

Kinase Inhibitor ◽

Mapk Pathway ◽

Phosphorylation Site ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽

Processing Bodies ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein

Ago (Argonaute) proteins are essential effectors of RNA-mediated gene silencing. To explore potential regulatory mechanisms for Ago proteins, we examined the phosphorylation of human Ago2. We identified serine-387 as the major Ago2 phosphorylation site in vivo. Phosphorylation of Ago2 at serine-387 was significantly induced by treatment with sodium arsenite or anisomycin, and arsenite-induced phosphorylation was inhibited by a p38 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) inhibitor, but not by inhibitors of JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) or MEK [MAPK/ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase) kinase]. MAPKAPK2 (MAPK-activated protein kinase-2) phosphorylated bacterially expressed full-length human Ago2 at serine-387 in vitro, but not the S387A mutant. Finally, mutation of serine-387 to an alanine residue or treatment of cells with a p38 MAPK inhibitor reduced the localization of Ago2 to processing bodies. These results suggest a potential regulatory mechanism for RNA silencing acting through Ago2 serine-387 phosphorylation mediated by the p38 MAPK pathway.

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Flumequine-Mediated Upregulation of p38 MAPK and JNK Results in Melanogenesis in B16F10 Cells and Zebrafish Larvae

Biomolecules ◽

10.3390/biom9100596 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 596 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Wisurumuni Arachchilage Hasitha Maduranga Karunarathne ◽

Ilandarage Menu Neelaka Molagoda ◽

Myung Sook Kim ◽

Yung Hyun Choi ◽

Matan Oren ◽

...

Keyword(s):

P38 Mapk ◽

Negative Regulator ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽

Melanin Content ◽

Melanin Pigmentation ◽

Zebrafish Larvae ◽

B16f10 Cells ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein

Flumequine is a well-known second generation quinolone antibiotic that induces phototoxicity. However, the effect of flumequine on skin melanogenesis is unclear. Therefore, we, for the first time, investigated whether flumequine regulates melanogenesis. The present study showed that flumequine slightly inhibited in vitro mushroom tyrosinase activity but significantly increased extracellular and intracellular melanin content in B16F10 cells and promoted the expression of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and tyrosinase. Additionally, flumequine remarkably increased melanin pigmentation in zebrafish larvae without any toxicity. We also found that flumequine stimulated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation; inhibition of p38 MAPK and JNK resulted in significant downregulation of extracellular and intracellular melanin content in B16F10 cells and pigmentation of zebrafish larvae accompanied with suppression of MITF and tyrosinase expression, indicating that flumequine-mediated p38 and JNK promote melanogenesis in vitro and in vivo. According to the molecular docking prediction, flumequine targeted dual-specificity MAPK phosphatase 16 (DUSP16), which is a major negative regulator of p38 MAPK and JNK. Our findings demonstrate that flumequine induces an increase in melanin content in B16F10 cells and zebrafish larvae by activating p38 MAPK and JNK. These data show the potential of flumequine for use as an anti-vitiligo agent.

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Phosphodiesterase 3A binds to 14-3-3 proteins in response to PMA-induced phosphorylation of Ser428

Biochemical Journal ◽

10.1042/bj20051103 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 392 (1) ◽

pp. 163-172 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

Mercedes Pozuelo Rubio ◽

David G. Campbell ◽

Nicholas A. Morrice ◽

Carol Mackintosh

Keyword(s):

Protein Kinase ◽

Metal Ion ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Cell Extracts ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein ◽

Dependent Protein ◽

Pkc Protein Kinase C

PDE3A (phosphodiesterase 3A) was identified as a phosphoprotein that co-immunoprecipitates with endogenous 14-3-3 proteins from HeLa cell extracts, and binds directly to 14-3-3 proteins in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. Among cellular stimuli tested, PMA promoted maximal binding of PDE3A to 14-3-3 proteins. While p42/p44 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase), SAPK2 (stress-activated protein kinase 2)/p38 and PKC (protein kinase C) were all activated by PMA in HeLa cells, the PMA-induced binding of PDE3A to 14-3-3 proteins was inhibited by the non-specific PKC inhibitors Ro 318220 and H-7, but not by PD 184352, which inhibits MAPK activation, nor by SB 203580 and BIRB0796, which inhibit SAPK2 activation. Binding of PDE3A to 14-3-3 proteins was also blocked by the DNA replication inhibitors aphidicolin and mimosine, but the PDE3A–14-3-3 interaction was not cell-cycle-regulated. PDE3A isolated from cells was able to bind to 14-3-3 proteins after in vitro phosphorylation with PKC isoforms. Using MS/MS of IMAC (immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography)-enriched tryptic phosphopeptides and phosphospecific antibodies, at least five sites on PDE3A were found to be phosphorylated in vivo, of which Ser428 was selectively phosphorylated in response to PMA and dephosphorylated in cells treated with aphidicolin and mimosine. Phosphorylation of Ser428 therefore correlated with 14-3-3 binding to PDE3A. Ser312 of PDE3A was phosphorylated in an H-89-sensitive response to forskolin, indicative of phosphorylation by PKA (cAMP-dependent protein kinase), but phosphorylation at this site did not stimulate 14-3-3 binding. Thus 14-3-3 proteins can discriminate between sites in a region of multisite phosphorylation on PDE3A. An additional observation was that the cytoskeletal cross-linker protein plectin-1 coimmunoprecipitated with PDE3A independently of 14-3-3 binding.

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Rck2 Kinase Is a Substrate for the Osmotic Stress-Activated Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Hog1

Molecular and Cellular Biology ◽

10.1128/mcb.20.11.3887-3895.2000 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 20 (11) ◽

pp. 3887-3895 ◽

Cited By ~ 113

Author(s):

Elizabeth Bilsland-Marchesan ◽

Joaquín Ariño ◽

Haruo Saito ◽

Per Sunnerhagen ◽

Francesc Posas

Keyword(s):

Protein Kinase ◽

Osmotic Stress ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽

Yeast Cells ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Mapk Activation ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein ◽

Two Hybrid

ABSTRACT Exposure of yeast cells to increases in extracellular osmolarity activates the Hog1 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Activation of Hog1 MAPK results in induction of a set of osmoadaptive responses, which allow cells to survive in high-osmolarity environments. Little is known about how the MAPK activation results in induction of these responses, mainly because no direct substrates for Hog1 have been reported. We conducted a two-hybrid screening using Hog1 as a bait to identify substrates for the MAPK, and the Rck2 protein kinase was identified as an interactor for Hog1. Both two-hybrid analyses and coprecipitation assays demonstrated that Hog1 binds strongly to the C-terminal region of Rck2. Upon osmotic stress, Rck2 was phosphorylated in vivo in a Hog1-dependent manner. Furthermore, purified Hog1 was able to phosphorylate Rck2 when activated both in vivo and in vitro. Rck2 phosphorylation occurred specifically at Ser519, a residue located within the C-terminal putative autoinhibitory domain. Interestingly, phosphorylation at Ser519 by Hog1 resulted in an increase of Rck2 kinase activity. Overexpression of Rck2 partially suppressed the osmosensitive phenotype of hog1Δ and pbs2Δ cells, suggesting that Rck2 is acting downstream of Hog1. Consistently, growth arrest caused by hyperactivation of the Hog1 MAPK was abolished by deletion of the RCK2 gene. Furthermore, overexpression of a catalytically impaired (presumably dominant inhibitory) Rck2 kinase resulted in a decrease of osmotolerance in wild-type cells but not in hog1Δ cells. Taken together, our data suggest that Rck2 acts downstream of Hog1, controlling a subset of the responses induced by the MAPK upon osmotic stress.

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An Inhibitor of p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Abrogates Procoagulant and Proinflammatory Effects of Antiphospholipid Antibodies In Vivo.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v106.11.136.136 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 106 (11) ◽

pp. 136-136

Author(s):

Silvia S. Pierangeli ◽

Mariano E. Vega-Ostertag ◽

Xiaowei Liu

Keyword(s):

Protein Kinase ◽

Carotid Artery ◽

P38 Mapk ◽

Specific Inhibitor ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽

Peritoneal Cells ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein ◽

Pre Treatment

Abstract Background: Activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) has been shown to play a fundamental role in antiphospholipid-induced up regulation of tissue factor (TF) expression and function in monocytes and in endothelial cells (ECs) and increased expression of intercellular adhesion molecule -1 (ICAM-1) in vitro. Those effects correlate with the thrombogenic and pro-inflammatory effects of aPL in vivo. However, It is not clear whether aPL-induceTF in vivo. Methods: To examine this question, we treated CD1 male mice, in groups of 4, with IgG from 3 patients with Antiphospholipid Syndrome (IgG-APS) or with control IgG from healthy controls (IgG-NHS), twice. Seventy-two hours after the first injection, the adhesion of leukocytes per capillary venule (#WBC) to EC in cremaster muscle (as an indication of EC activation in vivo), as well the size of an induced thrombus in the femoral vein of the mice were examined. Some mice were infused i.p. with 25 mg/kg of SB203580 (a p38 MAPK-specific inhibitor) 30 minutes prior to the each IgG-APS injection. TF activity was determined using a chromogenic assay that measures the conversion of factor X into Factor Xa, in homogenates of carotid artery, and in peritoneal cells of mice treated with IgG-APS or with IgG-NHS. Expression of TF and ICAM-1 was determined by cyto-ELISA on cultured HUVECs after treatment of the cells with IgG-APS or with IgG-NHS. Results: At the time of the surgical procedures, the mean aCL titer in the sera of the mice injected with IgG-APS was 73 ± 34 GPL. In vivo, IgG-APS increased significantly the #WBC adhering to EC, when compared to control mice (5.25 ± 0.96 vs 1.85 ± 0.72) and these effects were significantly reduced (2.1 ± 0.74), when mice were pre-treated with SB203580. IgG-APS increased significantly the thrombus size when compared to IgG-NHS-treated mice (3189 ± 558 μm2 vs 1468 ± 401 μm2) and SB203580 inhibited this effect by 65%. Treatment of the mice with IgG-APS also induced significantly increased TF function in peritoneal cells and in homogenates of carotid artery when compared to IgG-NHS-treated mice (17.5 ±11.1 pM vs. 0.8 ±0.2 pM and 8.31 ± 1.59 vs 0.69 ± 0.03, respectively). Pre-treatment of the mice with SB203580 abrogated completely those effects (0.61 ± 0.06 pM in peritoneal cells and 0.75 ± 0.28 pM in carotid artery preparations of mice treated with IgG-APS). Significant expression of TF and ICAM-1 was observed in vitro when HUVECs were treated with any of the three IgG-APS. TF upregulation and ICAM-1 expression were significantly reduced by pre-treatment of the cells with SB203580 (49–97% for TF and 25–69% for ICAM-1). Conclusions: The data show that IgG-APS up regulates TF function in vivo, and this correlates with an in vivo pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic effect. Importantly, those effects were abrogated in vivo by a p38 MAPK specific inhibitor. These findings may be important in designing new modalities of targeted therapies to treat thrombosis in patients with APS.

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Regulation and distribution of MAdCAM-1 in endothelial cells in vitro

AJP Cell Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpcell.2001.281.4.c1096 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 281 (4) ◽

pp. C1096-C1105 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Tadayuki Oshima ◽

Kevin P. Pavlick ◽

F. Stephen Laroux ◽

S. Kris Verma ◽

Paul Jordan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endothelial Cells ◽

Cell Adhesion ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Extracellular Signal ◽

Tnf Α ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein ◽

Cell Adhesion Molecule 1

Mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1) is a 60-kDa endothelial cell adhesion glycoprotein that regulates lymphocyte trafficking to Peyer's patches and lymph nodes. Although it is widely agreed that MAdCAM-1 induction is involved in chronic gut inflammation, few studies have investigated regulation of MAdCAM-1 expression. We used two endothelial lines [bEND.3 (brain) and SVEC (high endothelium)] to study the signal paths that regulate MAdCAM-1 expression in response to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α using RT-PCR, blotting, adhesion, and immunofluorescence. TNF-α induced both MAdCAM-1 mRNA and protein in a dose- and time-dependent manner. This induction was tyrosine kinase (TK), p42/44, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and nuclear factor (NF)-κB/poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) dependent. Because MAdCAM-1 is regulated via MAPKs, we examined mitogen/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK)-1/2 activation in SVEC. We found that MEK-1/2 is activated by TNF-α within minutes and is dependent on TK and p42/44 MAPKs. Similarly, TNF-α activated NF-κB through TK, p42/44, p38 MAPKs, and PARP pathways in SVEC cells. MAdCAM-1 was also shown to be frequently distributed to endothelial junctions both in vitro and in vivo. Cytokines like TNF-α stimulate MAdCAM-1 in high endothelium via TK, p38, p42/22 MAPKs, and NF-κB/PARP. MAdCAM-1 expression requires NF-κB translocation through both direct p42/44 and indirect p38 MAPK pathways in high endothelial cells.

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A selective p38 MAPK inhibitor alleviates neuropathology and cognitive impairment by modulating microglia function in 5XFAD mouse

10.21203/rs.2.21305/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Min Sung Gee ◽

Seung Hwan Son ◽

Seung Ho Jeon ◽

Jimin Do ◽

Namkwon Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

P38 Mapk ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein ◽

P38 Mapk Inhibitor ◽

5Xfad Mice ◽

Ad Therapy ◽

Mapk Inhibitor

Abstract Background: Chronic neuroinflammation, aggressive amyloid beta (Aβ) deposition, neuronal cell loss and cognitive impairment are pathological symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Regarding these symptoms, resolution of neuroinflammation and inhibition of Aβ-driven pathology might be a novel strategy for AD therapy. Efforts to prevent AD progression have identified that p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is a promising target for AD therapy. However, the actual therapeutic effect of selective p38 MAPK inhibition in AD has not been ascertained yet. Methods: In this study, we explored the therapeutic potential of NJK14047, a selective p38 MAPK inhibitor, using an Alzheimer’s disease mouse model, 5XFAD. The mice were injected 2.5 mg/kg NJK14047 or vehicle every other day for 3 months. Morris water maze task and histological imaging analysis were performed. Protein and mRNA expression levels were measured using immunoblotting and qRT-PCR. In in vitro studies, the cytotoxicity of microglial conditioned medium and astrocyte conditioned medium on primary neurons were measured using MTT assay and TUNEL assay. Results: NJK14047 treatment downregulated phospho-p38 MAPK levels, decreased the amount of Aβ deposits, and improved spatial learning memory in 5XFAD mice. Interestingly, these effects were associated with the decrease of inflammatory responses and the elevation of alternatively activated M2 markers. Furthermore, NJK14047 treatment reduced the number of Fluoro-jade B positive cells, a class of degenerating neurons, in the brains of 5XFAD mice. The neuroprotective effect of NJK14047, achieved via the restoration of microglia function, was further confirmed by in vitro studies. Conclusion: Taken together, our results reveal that inhibition of p38 MAPK in the brain alleviates AD pathology and represents a potential strategy for AD therapy. It also suggests that NJK14047 is a promising candidate for AD treatment. Keywords : Alzheimer’s disease, Amyloid-β, P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, Kinase inhibitor, Microglia

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Essential role of p53 phosphorylation by p38 MAPK in apoptosis induction by the HIV-1 envelope

Journal of Experimental Medicine ◽

10.1084/jem.20041502 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 201 (2) ◽

pp. 279-289 ◽

Cited By ~ 99

Author(s):

Jean-Luc Perfettini ◽

Maria Castedo ◽

Roberta Nardacci ◽

Fabiola Ciccosanti ◽

Patricia Boya ◽

...

Keyword(s):

P38 Mapk ◽

Target Genes ◽

Dominant Negative ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein ◽

Model Cell ◽

Induced Apoptosis ◽

Hiv 1

The proapoptotic activity of the transcription factor p53 critically depends on the phosphorylation of serine 46 (p53S46P). Here, we show that syncytia containing p53S46P could be detected in lymph node biopsies from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 carriers, in the brain of patients with HIV-1–associated dementia and in cocultures of HeLa expressing the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein complex (Env) with HeLa cells expressing CD4. In this latter model, cell death was the result of a sequential process involving cell fusion, nuclear fusion (karyogamy), phosphorylation of serine 15 (p53S15P), later on serine 46 (p53S46P), and transcription of p53 target genes. Cytoplasmic p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) was found to undergo an activating phosphorylation (p38T180/Y182P [p38 with phosphorylated threonine 180 and tyrosine 182]) before karyogamy and to translocate into karyogamic nuclei. p38T180/Y182P colocalized and coimmunoprecipitated with p53S46P. Recombinant p38 phosphorylated recombinant p53 on serine 46 in vitro. Inhibition of p38 MAPK by pharmacological inhibitors, dominant-negative p38, or small interfering RNA, suppressed p53S46P (but not p53S15P), the expression of p53-inducible genes, the conformational activation of proapoptotic Bax and Bak, the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, and consequent apoptosis. p38T180/Y182P was also detected in HIV-1–induced syncytia, in vivo, in patients' lymph nodes and brains. Dominant-negative MKK3 or MKK6 inhibited syncytial activation of p38, p53S46P, and apoptosis. Altogether, these findings indicate that p38 MAPK-mediated p53 phosphorylation constitutes a critical step of Env-induced apoptosis.

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