The involvement of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in the alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH)-induced melanogenic and anti-proliferative effects in B16 murine melanoma cells.
Activation of p38 or p44/42 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases has been shown to trigger differentiation in a number of cell types. The present study has investigated the roles of these kinases in the alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH)-induced melanogenic and proliferative responses in B16 melanoma cells. Treatment of cells with alpha-MSH led to the time-dependent phosphorylation of both p38 and p44/42 MAP kinases. However, only inhibition of p38 MAP kinase activity with SB 203580 blocked both the alpha-MSH-induced melanogenic and anti-proliferative effects. It therefore appears that activation of the p38 pathway can promote melanogenesis and inhibit growth of B16 melanoma cells.
Department of Oncology, University College London, 91 Riding House Street, W1P 8BT, London, UK. k.smalley@ucl.ac.uk
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D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D007700:Kinetics; D008543:Melanins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008546:Melanoma, Experimental / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D051379:Mice; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D000521:alpha-MSH / Q000494:pharmacology*; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D008543:Melanins; D000521:alpha-MSH; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases