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Published on: December 19, 2025
[ERK pathway change in the differentiation of human MDS cell lines SKM-1 induced by sodium butyrate]
Chun-Rui Li1, Wen-Li Liu, Han-Ying Sun
1Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China. cunrui5650@126.com
Abstract:
The study was purposed to investigate the role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway in the differentiation of human MDS cell lines SKM-1 induced by sodium butyrate (NaB), and to elucidate the molecular mechanism of differentiation in SKM-1 cells induced by NaB. The expression levels of total ERK and phosphorylated-ERK were determined by Western blot. The effect of NaB in combination with the ERK inhibitor PD98059 on the proliferation/differentiation of SKM-1 cells was studied, and then the expression levels of the P21 and HDAC protein were detected by Western blot. The results showed that the expression level of phosphorylated ERK was down-regulated by the 1 mmol/L NaB, and the level of total ERK had not changed. NaB or combination of the MEK inhibitor PD98059 with NaB could increase the differentiation of the SKM-1 cells and up-regulated the levels of the P21 and HDAC protein, but the effect of combination of NaB with PD98059 was higher than that of NaB alone. It is concluded that the inhibition of ERK may be involved in sodium butyrate inducing differentiation in SKM-1 cells.
Insights
Sodium butyrate (NaB) promotes differentiation in human MDS cells by inhibiting the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway. This mechanism involves upregulating P21 and HDAC protein levels, enhancing cell differentiation.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Context:
- Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of clonal hematopoietic stem cell disorders.
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms of MDS cell differentiation is crucial for developing effective therapies.
- Sodium butyrate (NaB) is a short-chain fatty acid with known differentiation-inducing properties.
Purpose:
- To investigate the role of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway in NaB-induced differentiation of human MDS cell line SKM-1.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying NaB-induced differentiation in SKM-1 cells.
Summary:
- Sodium butyrate (NaB) treatment down-regulated phosphorylated ERK levels in SKM-1 cells.
- Both NaB and the MEK inhibitor PD98059, alone or in combination, enhanced SKM-1 cell differentiation.
- The combination of NaB and PD98059 showed a more pronounced effect on differentiation and upregulated P21 and HDAC protein expression compared to NaB alone.
- These findings suggest that ERK pathway inhibition is involved in NaB-induced differentiation of SKM-1 cells.
Impact:
- Provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of MDS cell differentiation.
- Highlights the potential of targeting the ERK pathway in conjunction with NaB for MDS treatment.
- Identifies P21 and HDAC as key proteins modulated during NaB-induced differentiation.
