sirolimus and pyrazolanthrone

The role of autophagic mechanisms in the protective effect of berberine (BBR) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced injury in the endothelial cells human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMECs) was investigated. Cell viability, proliferation, and apoptosis were detected by the CCK-8 assay, the EdU kit, and flow cytometry, respectively, and autophagy-related protein expression, the number of autophagic vacuoles, and LC3 double-fluorescence were examined using western blot analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and confocal microscopy, respectively. LPS resulted in a decrease in the cell viability and proliferation of HUVECs and HPMECs and an increase in the number of apoptotic cells, while BBR treatment resulted in an increase in cell viability and proliferation, as well as a decrease in cell apoptosis. Furthermore, BBR could inhibit LPS-induced autophagy, as demonstrated by its inhibitory effects on the LC3-II/LC3-I ratio and Beclin-1 levels and its promotive effect on p62 expression. Addition of the autophagy inducer rapamycin (RAPA) aggravated LPS-induced injury, while treatment with the autophagy blocker 3-methyladenine (3-MA) attenuated the injury. Further, the protective effect of BBR was inhibited by rapamycin. JNK inhibition by SP600125 inhibited LPS-induced autophagy, and BBR could not alter the LPS-induced autophagy in HUVECs and HPMECs that were pretreated with SP600125. The present data indicate that BBR attenuated LPS-induced cell apoptosis by blocking JNK-mediated autophagy in HUVECs and HPMECs. Therefore, the JNK-mediated autophagy pathway could be a potential target for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Topics: Adenine; Anthracenes; Autophagy; Berberine; Cell Proliferation; Cell Survival; Endothelial Cells; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells; Humans; Lipopolysaccharides; MAP Kinase Signaling System; Protective Agents; Sirolimus

Presenilin-1 (PS1) is the catalytic subunit of gamma-secretase. PS1 cleaves beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP) to produce Abeta peptide and Notch 1 receptor to release Notch intracellular domain (NICD) in the cytoplasm. We have previously shown that rapamycin inhibits p-mTOR to repress PS1 transcription and Notch 1-signaling. But the exact mechanism by which rapamycin inhibits PS1 transcription is not known. We have also published that inhibition of basal activity of c-jun-NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) with JNK-specific inhibitor SP600125 represses PS1 transcription by reducing p-JNK and via p53 dependent mechanism. We now report that rapamycin inhibits the phosphorylation of both mTOR (p-mTOR) and JNK (p-JNK). It appears that rapamycin represses PS1 transcription by inhibiting the expression of p-JNK in SK-N-SH cells under non-stressed condition. Consequently, one of the mechanisms of inhibition of PS1 transcription by rapamycin is similar to the mechanism of repression of PS1 transcription by JNK-specific inhibitor SP600125. We also report that JNK-inhibitor SP6000125 decreases both p-JNK and p-mTOR protein levels. These results suggest that JNK and mTOR may potentially activate each other by mutual phosphorylation.

Topics: Anthracenes; Blotting, Western; Cell Line, Tumor; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Phosphorylation; Presenilin-1; RNA, Messenger; Signal Transduction; Sirolimus; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Transcription, Genetic

Heat shock protein 27 (HSP27/HSPB1), one of the small heat shock proteins, is constitutively expressed in various tissues. HSP27 and its phosphorylation state participate in the regulation of multiple physiological and pathophysiological cell functions. However, the exact roles of HSP27 in osteoblasts remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated the role of HSP27 in the platelet-derived growth factor‑BB (PDGF‑BB)‑stimulated migration of osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. PDGF-BB by itself barely upregulated the expression of HSP27 protein, but stimulated the phosphorylation of HSP27 in these cells. The PDGF-BB‑induced cell migration was significantly downregulated by HSP27 overexpression. The PDGF-BB-induced migrated cell numbers of the wild‑type HSP27-overexpressing cells and the phospho‑mimic HSP27-overexpressing (3D) cells were less than those of the unphosphorylatable HSP27-overexpressing (3A) cells. PD98059, an inhibitor of MEK1/2, SB203580, an inhibitor of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and SP600125, an inhibitor of stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK) reduced the PDGF-BB-induced migration of these cells, whereas Akt inhibitor or rapamycin, an inhibitor of upstream kinase of p70 S6 kinase (mTOR), barely affected the migration. However, the PDGF-BB-induced phosphorylation of p44/p42 MAPΚ, p38 MAPK and SAPK/JNK was not affected by HSP27 overexpression. There were no significant differences in the phosphorylation of p44/p42 MAPΚ, p38 MAP kinase or SAPK/JNK between the 3D cells and the 3A cells. These results strongly suggest that HSP27 functions as a negative regulator in the PDGF-BB-stimulated migration of osteoblasts, and the suppressive effect is amplified by the phosphorylation state of HSP27.

Topics: Animals; Anthracenes; Becaplermin; Cell Line; Cell Movement; Flavonoids; HSP27 Heat-Shock Proteins; Imidazoles; Mice; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Osteoblasts; Phosphorylation; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis; Pyridines; Sirolimus

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic metal that affects the central nervous system. Recently we have demonstrated that inhibition of mTOR by rapamycin rescues neuronal cells from Cd-poisoning. Here we show that rapamycin inhibited Cd-induced mitochondrial ROS-dependent neuronal apoptosis. Intriguingly, rapamycin remarkably blocked phosphorylation of JNK, Erk1/2 and p38 in neuronal cells induced by Cd, which was strengthened by co-treatment with Mito-TEMPO. Inhibition of JNK and Erk1/2 by SP600125 and U0126, respectively, potentiated rapamycin's prevention from Cd-induced apoptosis. Consistently, over-expression of dominant negative c-Jun or MKK1 also potently improved the inhibitory effect of rapamycin on Cd neurotoxicity. Furthermore, pretreatment with SP600125 or U0126, or expression of dominant negative c-Jun or MKK1 enhanced the inhibitory effects of rapamycin or Mito-TEMPO on Cd-induced ROS. Further investigation found that co-treatment with Mito-TEMPO/rapamycin more effectively rescued cells by preventing Cd inactivation of PP2A than treatment with rapamycin or Mito-TEMPO alone. Over-expression of wild-type PP2A reinforced rapamycin or Mito-TEMPO suppression of activated JNK and Erk1/2 pathways, as well as ROS production and apoptosis in neuronal cells in response to Cd. The findings indicate that rapamycin ameliorates Cd-evoked neuronal apoptosis by preventing mitochondrial ROS inactivation of PP2A, thereby suppressing activation of JNK and Erk1/2 pathways. Our results underline that rapamycin may have a potential in preventing Cd-induced oxidative stress and neurodegenerative diseases.

Topics: Animals; Anthracenes; Apoptosis; Butadienes; Cadmium; Genes, jun; MAP Kinase Signaling System; Mitochondria; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Neurons; Nitriles; PC12 Cells; Phosphorylation; Protein Phosphatase 2; Rats; Reactive Oxygen Species; Signal Transduction; Sirolimus

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors, such as sirolimus and its derivative, everolimus, are potent immunosuppressive and antiproliferative drugs. Inflammatory diseases are characterized by immunological dysfunction, and monocyte recruitment underlies the mechanism of cell damage. Chemokines attract inflammatory cells to sites of inflammation. Interleukin-8 (IL-8/CXCL8); the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1/CCL2); the regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed, presumably secreted protein (RANTES/CCL5); the macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α (CCL3); and MIP-1β (CCL4) are involved in the pathogenesis of inflammation. However, whether mTOR inhibitors moderate the production of chemokines in monocytes remains unclear.. A human monocyte cell line, THP-1, and primary monocytes obtained from human volunteers, were stimulated using lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and then treated with sirolimus. The expression of the MCP-1, RANTES, IL-8, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, and TNF-α proteins was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and intracellular signalling was examined using western blotting.. Sirolimus significantly suppressed the LPS-induced expression of MCP-1, IL-8, RANTES, MIP-1α, and MIP-1β in the THP-1 cells and human primary monocytes. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors that were examined suppressed the LPS-induced expression of MCP-1, IL-8, RANTES, MIP-1α, and MIP-1β. In addition, sirolimus suppressed the LPS-induced phosphorylation of p38 and p65 in the THP-1 and human primary monocytes.. Sirolimus downregulates the expression of chemokines in monocytes, including MCP-1, RANTES, IL-8, MIP-1α, and MIP-1β, by inhibiting the NF-κB-p65 and MAPK-p38 signalling pathways.

Topics: Anthracenes; Cell Line; Cell Survival; Chemokines; Flavonoids; Humans; Lipopolysaccharides; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Monocytes; NF-kappa B; Phosphorylation; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Sirolimus; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases

Initiation of protein translation by the 5' mRNA cap is a tightly regulated step in cell growth and proliferation. Aberrant activation of cap-dependent translation is a hallmark of many cancers including non-small cell lung cancer. The canonical signaling mechanisms leading to translation initiation include activation of the Akt/mTOR pathway in response to the presence of nutrients and growth factors. We have previously observed that inhibition of c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) leads to inactivation of cap-dependent translation in mesothelioma cells. Since JNK is involved in the genesis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we hypothesized that JNK could also be involved in activating cap-dependent translation in NSCLC cells and could represent an alternative pathway regulating translation. In a series of NSCLC cell lines, inhibition of JNK using SP600125 resulted in inhibition of 4E-BP1 phosphorylation and a decrease in formation of the cap-dependent translation complex, eIF4F. Furthermore, we show that JNK-mediated inhibition of translation is independent of mTOR. Our data provide evidence that JNK is involved in the regulation of translation and has potential as a therapeutic target in NSCLC.

Topics: Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; Anthracenes; Apoptosis; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Cell Cycle Proteins; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4G; Humans; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Nucleocytoplasmic Transport Proteins; Phosphoproteins; Phosphorylation; Protein Binding; Protein Biosynthesis; RNA Caps; Sirolimus; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases

α-Tocopherol ether-linked acetic acid (α-TEA) is a promising agent for cancer prevention/therapy based on its antitumour actions in a variety of cancers.. Human breast cancer cells, MCF-7 and HCC-1954, were used to study the effect of α-TEA using Annexin V/PI staining, western blot analyses, and siRNA knockdown techniques.. α-Tocopherol ether-linked acetic acid suppressed constitutively active basal levels of pAKT, pERK, pmTOR, and their downstream targets, as well as induced both cell types to undergo apoptosis. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor wortmannin suppressed pAKT, pERK, pmTOR, and their downstream targets, indicating PI3K to be a common upstream mediator. In addition, α-TEA induced increased levels of pIRS-1 (Ser-307), a phosphorylation site correlated with insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) inactivation, and decreased levels of total IRS-1. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown of JNK blocked the impact of α-TEA on pIRS-1 and total IRS-1 and impeded its ability to downregulate the phosphorylated status of AKT, ERK, and mTOR. Combinations of α-TEA+MEK or mTOR inhibitor acted cooperatively to induce apoptosis and reduce basal levels of pERK and pmTOR. Importantly, inhibition of MEK and mTOR resulted in increased levels of pAKT and IRS-1, and α-TEA blocked them.. Downregulation of IRS-1/PI3K pathways via JNK are critical for α-TEA and α-TEA+MEK or mTOR inhibitor-induced apoptosis in human MCF-7 and HCC-1954 breast cancer cells.

Topics: 1-Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase; alpha-Tocopherol; Androstadienes; Anthracenes; Antioxidants; Apoptosis; Blotting, Western; Breast Neoplasms; Butadienes; Drug Synergism; Drug Therapy, Combination; Enzyme Inhibitors; Female; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins; MAP Kinase Kinase 4; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases; Nitriles; Phosphorylation; RNA, Small Interfering; Signal Transduction; Sirolimus; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Wortmannin

Targeting the mTOR signaling pathway with rapamycin in cancer therapy has been less successful than expected due in part to the removal of a negative feedback loop resulting in the over-activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. As the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway has been found to be a functional target of PI3K, we investigate the role of JNK in the anticancer efficacy of rapamycin.. The colon cancer cell line LS174T was treated with rapamycin and JNK phosphorylation was analyzed by Western Blot. Overexpression of a constitutively negative mutant of JNK in LS174T cells or treatment of LS174T cells with the JNK inhibitor SP600125 were used to determine the role of JNK in rapamycin-mediated tumor growth inhibition.. Treatment of LS174T cells with rapamycin resulted in the phosphorylation of JNK as observed by Western Blot. The expression of a negative mutant of JNK in LS174T cells or treatment of LS174T cells with SP600125 enhanced the antiproliferative effects of rapamycin. In addition, in vivo, the antitumor activity of rapamycin was potentiated on LS174T tumor xenografts that expressed the dominant negative mutant of JNK.. Taken together, these results show that rapamycin-induced JNK phosphorylation and activation reduces the antitumor efficacy of rapamycin in LS174T cells.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Animals; Anthracenes; Antineoplastic Agents; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Colonic Neoplasms; Enzyme Inhibitors; Female; Humans; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Mice; Mice, Nude; Models, Animal; Phosphorylation; Signal Transduction; Sirolimus; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

SP600125 (SAPK Inhibitor II) is reported to function as a reversible ATP competitive inhibitor of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). In the present study, we show that SP600125 induces a dose-dependent decrease in mTOR activity, as assessed by reduced phosphorylation of the downstream targets S6K1 and S6, and a significant increase in the expression of Redd1. Knockdown of Redd1 expression by siRNA resulted in a recovery of decreased S6 phosphorylation by SP600125. Overexpression of ATF4 upregulated the expression of Redd1, while suppression of ATF4 expression by siRNA enhanced the level of S6 phosphorylation by downregulating the SP600125-induced increase in Redd1 expression. Together, these results indicate that SP600125 inhibits mTOR activity via an ATF4-induced increase in Redd1 expression.

Topics: Activating Transcription Factor 4; Anthracenes; HeLa Cells; Humans; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Protein Kinases; RNA, Small Interfering; Sirolimus; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Transcription Factors

Inorganic phosphate (Pi) transport probably represents an important function of bone-forming cells in relation to extracellular matrix mineralization. In the present study, we investigated the effect of prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) on Pi transport activity and its intracellular signaling mechanism in MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cells. PGD2 stimulated Na-dependent Pi uptake time- and dose-dependently in MC3T3-E1 cells during their proliferative phase. A protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor calphostin C partially suppressed the stimulatory effect of PGD2 on Pi uptake. The selective inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathways such as ERK, p38 and Jun kinases suppressed PGD2-induced Pi uptake. The inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase and S6 kinase reduced this effect of PGD2, while Akt kinase inhibitor did not. These results suggest that PGD2 stimulates Na-dependent Pi transport activity in the phase of proliferation of osteoblasts. The mechanisms responsible for this effect are activation of PKC, MAP kinases, PI 3-kinase and S6 kinase.

Topics: 3T3 Cells; Animals; Anthracenes; Butadienes; Cells, Cultured; Chromones; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Imidazoles; Mice; Morpholines; Naphthalenes; Nitriles; Osteoblasts; Phosphates; Prostaglandin D2; Pyridines; Signal Transduction; Sirolimus; Sodium

To clarify the mechanism of VEGF release in osteoblasts, we studied whether p70 S6 kinase is involved in basic FGF-2-stimulated VEGF release in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. In this study, we show that p70 S6 kinase activated by FGF-2 negatively regulates VEGF release through SAPK/JNK in osteoblasts.. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an important role in bone metabolism. We have previously reported that fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) stimulates the release of VEGF through p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK) in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells and that FGF-2-activated p38 MAP kinase negatively regulates VEGF release. However, the mechanism behind VEGF release in osteoblasts is not precisely known.. The levels of VEGF released from MC3T3-E1 cells were measured by enzyme immunoassay. The phosphorylation of each protein kinase was analyzed by Western blotting. To knock down p70 S6 kinase in MC3T3-E1 cells, the cells were transfected with siRNA to target p70 S6 kinase.. FGF-2 time-dependently induced the phosphorylation of p70 S6 kinase. Rapamycin significantly enhanced the FGF-2-stimulated VEGF release and VEGF mRNA expression. The FGF-2-induced phosphorylation of p70 S6 kinase was suppressed by rapamycin. Rapamycin markedly enhanced the FGF-2-induced phosphorylation of SAPK/JNK without affecting the phosphorylation of p44/p42 MAP kinase or p38 MAP kinase. SP600125, a specific inhibitor of SAPK/JNK, suppressed the amplification by rapamycin of the FGF-2-stimulated VEGF release similar to the levels of FGF-2 with SP600125. Finally, downregulation of p70 S6 kinase by siRNA significantly enhanced the FGF-2-stimulated VEGF release and phosphorylation of SAPK/JNK.. These results strongly suggest that p70 S6 kinase limits FGF-2-stimulated VEGF release through self-regulation of SAPK/JNK, composing a negative feedback loop, in osteoblasts.

Topics: Animals; Anthracenes; Cells, Cultured; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; Immunosuppressive Agents; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; MAP Kinase Signaling System; Mice; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; Osteoblasts; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Phosphorylation; Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases, 70-kDa; RNA, Small Interfering; Sirolimus; Time Factors; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21(Cip1) regulates multiple cellular functions and protects cells from genotoxic and other cellular stresses. Activation of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) induced by inhibition of mTOR signaling leads to sustained phospho-c-Jun that is suppressed in cells with functional p53 or by forced expression of p21(Cip1). Here we show that small deletions of p21(Cip1) around S98 abrogate its association with ASK1 but do not affect binding to Cdk1, hence distinguishing between the cell cycle-regulating functions of p21(Cip1) and its ability to suppress activation of the ASK1/Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) pathway. p21(Cip1) is phosphorylated in vitro by both ASK1 and JNK1 at S98. In vivo phosphorylation of p21(Cip1), predominantly carried out by ASK1, is associated with binding to ASK1 and inactivation of ASK1 kinase function. Binding of p21(Cip1) to ASK1 requires ASK1 kinase function and may involve phosphorylation of S98.

Topics: Anthracenes; Cell Line; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21; Enzyme Activation; Humans; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; MAP Kinase Kinase Kinase 5; Mutation; Nuclear Localization Signals; Phosphoserine; Protein Binding; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Sirolimus

The function of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), a key molecule of insulin signaling, is modulated by phosphorylation at multiple serine/threonine residues. Phorbol ester stimulation of cells induces phosphorylation of two inhibitory serine residues in IRS-1, i.e. Ser-307 and Ser-318, suggesting that both sites may be targets of protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms. However, in an in vitro system using a broad spectrum of PKC isoforms (alpha, beta1, beta2, delta, epsilon, eta, mu), we detected only Ser-318, but not Ser-307 phosphorylation, suggesting that phorbol ester-induced phosphorylation of this site in intact cells requires additional signaling elements and serine kinases that link PKC activation to Ser-307 phosphorylation. As we have observed recently that the tyrosine phosphatase Shp2, a negative regulator of insulin signaling, is a substrate of PKC, we studied the role of Shp2 in this context. We found that phorbol ester-induced Ser-307 phosphorylation is reduced markedly in Shp2-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts (Shp2-/-) whereas Ser-318 phosphorylation is unaltered. The Ser-307 phosphorylation was rescued by transfection of mouse embryonic fibroblasts with wild-type Shp2 or with a phosphatase-inactive Shp2 mutant, respectively. In this cell model, tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced Ser-307 phosphorylation as well depended on the presence of Shp2. Furthermore, Shp2-dependent phorbol ester effects on Ser-307 were blocked by wortmannin, rapamycin, and the c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor SP600125. This suggests an involvement of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin cascade and of JNK in this signaling pathway resulting in IRS-1 Ser-307 phosphorylation. Because the activation of these kinases does not depend on Shp2, it is concluded that the function of Shp2 is to direct these activated kinases to IRS-1.

Topics: Androstadienes; Animals; Anthracenes; Blotting, Western; Cells, Cultured; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Densitometry; DNA, Complementary; Enzyme Activation; Enzyme Inhibitors; Gene Transfer Techniques; Glutathione Transferase; Immunoassay; Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Mice; Peptides; Phorbol Esters; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Phosphoproteins; Phosphorylation; Protein Isoforms; Protein Kinase C; Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 11; Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases; Rats; Retroviridae; Serine; Signal Transduction; Sirolimus; Transfection; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Wortmannin

Atheroma formation involves the movement of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) into the subendothelial space. The aim of this study was to determine the involvement of PI3K and MAPK pathways and the importance of cross-talk between these pathways, in glucose-potentiated VSMC chemotaxis to serum factors. VSMC chemotaxis occurred in a serum gradient in 25 mmol/L glucose (but not in 5 mmol/L glucose) in association with increased phosphorylation (activation) of Akt and ERK1/2 in PI3K and MAPK pathways, respectively. Inhibitors of these pathways blocked chemotaxis, as did an mTOR inhibitor. VSMC expressed all class IA PI3K isoforms, but microinjection experiments demonstrated that only the p110beta isoform was involved in chemotaxis. ERK1/2 phosphorylation was reduced not only by MAPK pathway inhibitors but also by PI3K and mTOR inhibitors; when PI3K was inhibited, ERK phosphorylation could be induced by microinjected activated Akt, indicating important cross-talk between the PI3K and ERK1/2 pathways. Glucose-potentiated phosphorylation of molecules in the p38 and JNK MAPK pathways inhibited these pathways but did not affect chemotaxis. The statin, mevinolin, blocked chemotaxis through its effects on the MAPK pathway. Mevinolin-inhibited chemotaxis was restored by farnesylpyrophosphate but not by geranylgeranylpyrophosphate; in the absence of mevinolin, inhibition of farnesyltransferase reduced ERK phosphorylation and blocked chemotaxis, indicating a role for the Ras family of GTPases (MAPK pathway) under these conditions. In conclusion, glucose sensitizes VSMC to serum, inducing chemotaxis via pathways involving p110beta-PI3K, Akt, mTOR, and ERK1/2 MAPK. Cross-talk between the PI3K and MAPK pathways is necessary for VSMC chemotaxis under these conditions.

Topics: Alkyl and Aryl Transferases; Androstadienes; Anthracenes; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Cells, Cultured; Chemotaxis; Chromones; Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Farnesyltranstransferase; Flavonoids; Glucose; Humans; Imidazoles; Isoenzymes; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Lovastatin; MAP Kinase Kinase 4; MAP Kinase Signaling System; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases; Morpholines; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors; Polyisoprenyl Phosphates; Protein Kinases; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; Proto-Oncogene Proteins; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Pyridines; ras Proteins; Sesquiterpenes; Sirolimus; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Wortmannin