Activation of ERK and p38 MAP kinases in human fibroblasts during collagen matrix contraction.
Studies were carried out to characterize changes in MAP kinase activation during contraction of collagen matrices by fibroblasts under isometric tension. We found that both ERK and p38 MAP kinases were activated during contraction, as determined by immunoblotting and in vitro kinase assays. ERK activation was biphasic, with peaks at 10 min and 2 h; whereas p38 activation was monophasic, with a single peak at 10 min. Activation of ERK, but not p38, appeared to depend at least in part on the Gi class of heterotrimeric G proteins. The results show that ERK and p38 cooperate in contraction-stimulated activation of c-fos transcription.
Lee
D J
DJ
Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75235, USA.
Rosenfeldt
H
H
Grinnell
F
F
D003094:Collagen / Q000502:physiology*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000502:physiology*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014945:Wound Healing; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
D003094:Collagen; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases