title: p38 MAPK signaling pathway is involved in butyrate-induced vitamin D receptor expression.
abstract: Previously, we have demonstrated that the butyrate-induced differentiation in the human colon cancer cell line Caco-2 occurs via upregulation of the vitamin D receptor (VDR). However, the downstream pathways involved are unknown. The mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) have been shown to play an important role in regulation of cell differentiation, and may therefore be a potential target of butyrate action. To assess their role in butyrate-mediated cell differentiation and VDR expression, we used the specific p38-MAPK inhibitor SB203580 and the ERK1/2 MAPK-inhibitor PD98059. The p38-MAPK inhibitor abolished the butyrate effect on VDR expression and cell differentiation, while the ERK1/2 inhibitor did not influence the butyrate-mediated induction of cell differentiation and VDR expression. The essential role of the p38 pathway in up-regulation of VDR expression was further confirmed by using the p38 stimulator arsenite. These results imply an important role of the p38-MAPK in regulation of cellular differentiation through upregulation of VDR expression by butyrate.
authors.affiliation: 2nd Department of Medicine, ZAFES, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Carolin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Daniel
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Schröder
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zahn
authors.forename: Tanja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gaschott
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stein
mesh_terms: D002087:Butyrates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018938:Caco-2 Cells; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D002087:Butyrates; D005419:Flavonoids; D007093:Imidazoles; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011725:Pyridines; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; C093642:SB 203580; C093973:2-(2-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one