JNK activation is regulated by E2F and promotes E2F1-induced apoptosis

Dana Bashari1, Dalia Hacohen, Doron Ginsberg

  • 1The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Science, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.

Cellular Signalling
|August 31, 2010
PubMed

Insights

The E2F transcription factor regulates the JNK pathway by increasing GCK kinase expression, which promotes JNK phosphorylation and stress-induced apoptosis. This study reveals a new link between E2F and JNK signaling in cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Signaling
  • Cancer Biology

Background:

  • E2F transcription factors are crucial targets of the RB tumor suppressor, frequently dysregulated in human cancers.
  • E2F controls cell proliferation and apoptosis and influences signal transduction pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of E2F in modulating the JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) signaling pathway.
  • To identify the molecular mechanisms linking E2F to JNK pathway activity and apoptosis.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of E2F1 and E2F3 expression and their effect on JNK phosphorylation.
  • Investigated the role of GCK (MAP4K) in mediating E2F-induced JNK activation.
  • Assessed the impact of JNK pathway inhibition on E2F1-induced apoptosis.

Main Results:

  • E2F1 and E2F3 upregulate JNK phosphorylation, while their downregulation inhibits UV-induced JNK phosphorylation.
  • E2F induces JNK phosphorylation through the transcriptional upregulation of the kinase GCK.
  • Inhibition of GCK or JNK significantly impairs E2F1-induced apoptosis.

Conclusions:

  • GCK is identified as a novel E2F-regulated gene.
  • A functional link between the E2F transcription factor and the JNK signaling pathway is established.
  • This interaction plays a critical role in mediating stress-induced apoptosis.

Related Concept Videos

MAPK Signaling Cascades01:07

MAPK Signaling Cascades

Mitogen-activated protein kinase, or MAPK pathway, activates three sequential kinases to regulate cellular responses such as proliferation, differentiation, survival, and apoptosis. The canonical MAPK pathway starts with a mitogen or growth factor binding to an RTK. The activated RTKs stimulate Ras, which recruits Raf or MAP3 Kinase (MAPKKK), the first kinase of the MAPK signaling cascade. Raf further phosphorylates and activates MEK or MAP2 Kinases (MAPKK), which in turn phosphorylates MAP...
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway01:20

The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway

Several cytokine receptors have tightly bound Janus kinase or JAK proteins attached at their cytosolic tail. Small signaling molecules such as cytokines, growth hormones, or prolactins bind to the cytokine receptors and initiate their dimerization. The dimerization brings the cytosolic JAKs together that trans-phosphorylate and activates each other. The activated JAKs now phosphorylate cytosolic tails of the cytokine receptors, which serve as binding sites for adaptor proteins such as  SH2...
The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:17

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
Inhibition of Cdk Activity02:34

Inhibition of Cdk Activity

The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
Inhibition of CDK Activity02:34

Inhibition of CDK Activity

The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...