title: Akt2, a novel functional link between p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathways in myogenesis.
abstract: Activation of either the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase)/Akt or the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways accelerates myogenesis but only when the reciprocal pathway is functional. We therefore examined the hypothesis that cross-activation between these signaling cascades occurs to orchestrate myogenesis. We reveal a novel and reciprocal cross-talk and activation between the PI 3-kinase/Akt and p38 MAPK pathways that is essential for efficient myoblast differentiation. During myoblast differentiation, Akt kinase activity correlated with S473 but not T308 phosphorylation and occurred 24 h after p38 activation. Inhibition or activation of p38 with SB203580, dominant-negative p38, or MKK6EE regulated Akt kinase activity. Analysis of Akt isoforms revealed a specific increase in Akt2 protein levels that coincided with AktS473 phosphorylation during myogenesis and an enrichment of S473-phosphorylated Akt2. Akt2 promoter activity and protein levels were regulated by p38 activation, thus providing a mechanism for communication. Subsequent Akt activation by S473 phosphorylation was PI 3-kinase dependent and specific for Akt2 rather than Akt1. Complementary to p38-mediated transactivation of Akt, activation or inhibition of PI 3-kinase regulated p38 activity upstream of MKK6, demonstrating reciprocal communication and positive feedback characteristic of myogenic regulation. Our findings have identified novel communication between p38 MAPK and PI 3-kinase/Akt via Akt2.
authors.affiliation: Signalling Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB2 4AT, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Ivelisse
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
authors.forename: Gyanendra
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tripathi
authors.forename: Emma J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: Laura J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Cobb
authors.forename: Dervis A M
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Salih
authors.forename: Fiona A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Lovett
authors.forename: Cathy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Holding
authors.forename: Jennifer M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D002460:Cell Line; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D024510:Muscle Development / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development*; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; D015533:Transcriptional Activation; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007527:Isoenzymes; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; C494922:Akt2 protein, mouse