Involvement of MAP kinases in apoptosis of macrophage treated with Trichomonas vaginalis.
A primitive protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis selectively activates the signal transduction pathways in macrophages (RAW264.7). This study evaluated the correlation of these signaling pathways and T. vaginalis-induced cell apoptosis. In macrophages infected with T. vaginalis, apoptosis was assessed on the basis of DNA fragmentation on agarose gel electrophoresis. Infection of macrophages with T. vaginalis induced tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins. Infected cells with T. vaginalis were shown to associate with phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated (ERK)1/2 kinase, p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases on Western blot analysis. The present finding also demonstrated a link between the ERK1/2, JNK and p38 apoptotic pathways that was modulated by T. vaginalis infection.
Ryang
Yong-Suk
YS
Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Yonsei University College of Health Science, 162 Ilsan-dong, Wonju 220-701, Korea.
Chang
Jae-Ho
JH
Park
Ju-Youn
JY
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000276:immunology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000469:parasitology*; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D014245:Trichomonas Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D014246:Trichomonas vaginalis / Q000276:immunology*
D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases