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.
Smalley
K
K
Department of Oncology, University College London, 91 Riding House Street, W1P 8BT, London, UK. k.smalley@ucl.ac.uk
Eisen
T
T
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