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Mitogen-activated protein kinases and transcriptional responses in renal injury and repair
1Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. jbonvent@warren.med.harvard.edu
Abstract:
Mammalian cells respond to external stimuli by activation of a variety of signal transduction pathways which culminate in stereotypical responses important in renal disease, such as proliferation, growth arrest, hypertrophy, differentiation, or apoptosis. A set of intracellular signalling events occurs ultimately leading to the transcription of genes whose encoded proteins mediate the response. In vertebrates many of the stimuli which result in these important cellular responses initiate intracellular signalling events which converge on a set of cellular kinase cascades which are collectively called the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascades. There are three families of MAP kinases that have been identified in mammalian cells. These kinase pathways as well as other cellular signalling pathways are critically important for the regulation of transcriptional events. In this review, we will discuss recently published information on how MAP kinases and transcription factors regulated by these kinases may be implicated in renal injury and repair.
Insights
Mammalian cells use mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathways to regulate gene transcription for responses like proliferation and apoptosis. This review explores MAP kinases
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Renal Physiology
Background:
- Mammalian cells activate signal transduction pathways in response to external stimuli, leading to critical cellular events like proliferation, hypertrophy, and apoptosis.
- These pathways are crucial for regulating gene transcription, ultimately mediating cellular responses.
- Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascades are key intracellular signaling pathways in vertebrates, converging various stimuli to regulate cellular responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent findings on the role of MAP kinases in renal injury and repair.
- To discuss how MAP kinases and their regulated transcription factors are implicated in kidney disease processes.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recently published information.
- Analysis of signaling pathways and transcription factor regulation.
Main Results:
- MAP kinase pathways are central to cellular responses, including those relevant to renal disease.
- These pathways regulate transcription factors that control gene expression.
- Recent research highlights the involvement of MAP kinases in the mechanisms of renal injury and repair.
Conclusions:
- MAP kinases and their downstream transcription factors play significant roles in the pathogenesis of renal injury.
- Understanding these pathways is critical for developing therapeutic strategies for kidney diseases.