title: Green tea polyphenol stimulates a Ras, MEKK1, MEK3, and p38 cascade to increase activator protein 1 factor-dependent involucrin gene expression in normal human keratinocytes.
abstract: (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is an important bioactive constituent of green tea that efficiently reduces epidermal cancer cell proliferation. This inhibition is associated with a reduction in activator protein 1 (AP1) transcription factor level and activity. However, its effects on AP1 function in normal epidermal cells have not been extensively explored. Our present studies show that EGCG regulates normal keratinocyte function. To understand the mechanism of action, we examined the effects of EGCG on AP1 factor activity, MAPK signal transduction, and expression of the AP1 factor-regulated human involucrin (hINV) gene. EGCG increases hINV promoter activity in a concentration-dependent manner that requires the presence of an intact hINV promoter AP1 factor binding site. This response appears to be physiologic, as endogenous hINV gene expression is also increased. Fra-1, Fra-2, FosB, JunB, JunD, c-Jun, and c-Fos levels are increased by EGCG treatment, as is AP1 factor binding to hINV promoter AP1 site. Gel mobility shift studies show that this complex contains Fra-1 and JunD. Signal transduction analysis indicates that the EGCG response requires Ras, MEKK1, MEK3, and p38 kinases. Kinase assays and inhibitor studies suggest that p38delta is the p38 isoform responsible for the regulation. These changes are also associated with a cessation of cell proliferation and enhanced cornified envelope formation. These studies show that in normal human keratinocytes EGCG markedly increases, via a MAPK signaling mechanism, AP1 factor-associated responses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44106-4970, USA.
authors.forename: Sivaprakasam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Balasubramanian
authors.forename: Tatiana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Efimova
authors.forename: Richard L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Eckert
mesh_terms: D002392:Catechin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D048371:MAP Kinase Kinase 3; D048728:MAP Kinase Kinase Kinase 1; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000235:genetics*; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D013662:Tea / Q000737:chemistry*; D018808:Transcription Factor AP-1 / Q000502:physiology*; D018631:ras Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011498:Protein Precursors; D013662:Tea; D018808:Transcription Factor AP-1; C032253:involucrin; D002392:Catechin; C045651:epigallocatechin gallate; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D048728:MAP Kinase Kinase Kinase 1; C482576:MAP3K1 protein, human; D048371:MAP Kinase Kinase 3; C482530:MAP2K3 protein, human; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases; D018631:ras Proteins