title: p38 MAPK is involved in CB2 receptor-induced apoptosis of human leukaemia cells.
abstract: Cannabinoids have been shown to inhibit the growth of a broad spectrum of tumour cells. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in that effect have not been completely elucidated. Here, we investigated the possible involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in CB2 receptor-induced apoptosis of human leukaemia cells. Results show that stimulation of the CB2 receptor leads to p38 MAPK activation and that inhibition of this kinase attenuates CB2 receptor-induced caspase activation and apoptosis. These findings support a role for p38 MAPK in CB2 receptor-induced apoptosis of human leukaemia cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, School of Biology, Complutense University, c/José Antonio Novais s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Blanca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Herrera
authors.forename: Arkaitz
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carracedo
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Diez-Zaera
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guzmán
authors.forename: Guillermo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Velasco
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000378:metabolism; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D006801:Humans; D019169:Jurkat Cells; D007938:Leukemia / Q000378:metabolism*; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000378:metabolism; D043885:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D043885:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2; D013759:Dronabinol; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D020169:Caspases