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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.
Abstract:
Members of the E2F transcription factor family are critical downstream targets of the tumor suppressor RB and are often deregulated and hyperactive in human tumors. E2F regulates a diverse array of cellular functions including cell proliferation and apoptosis. Recent studies indicate that E2F also regulates expression of upstream components of pivotal signal transduction pathways, thereby modulating the activity of these pathways. We show here that E2F modulates the activity of the JNK pathway via E2F-induced upregulation of JNK phosphorylation. Accordingly, downregulating E2F1and E2F3 inhibits sustained UV-induced JNK phosphorylation and ectopic expression of E2F1 or E2F3 induces JNK phosphorylation and activation. The mechanism by which E2F modulates JNK phosphorylation involves transcriptional induction of the kinase GCK, a MAP4K that can activate JNK indirectly. Hence, inhibition of GCK expression impairs E2F1-induced JNK phosphorylation. The JNK pathway is an important mediator of stress-induced apoptosis and we show here that inhibition of JNK expression or activity significantly hinders E2F1-induced apoptosis. Overall, our data identify the kinase GCK as a novel E2F-regulated gene and reveal a functional link between a central signaling pathway, namely the JNK pathway, and the transcription factor E2F.
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.
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