Identification of signaling molecules mediating corticotropin-releasing hormone-R1alpha-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) interactions: the critical role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in regulating ERK1/2 but not p38 MAPK activation.
In most target cells, activation of the type 1 CRH receptor (CRH-R1) by CRH or urocortin (UCN I) leads to stimulation of the Gs-protein/adenylyl cyclase/protein kinase A cascade. Signal transduction of CRH-R1 also involves alternative pathways such as phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK, two members of the MAPK family that mediate important pathophysiological responses. The intracellular pathways by which CRH-R1 activates these MAPK are only partially understood; here we characterized further signaling mechanisms and molecules involved in CRH-R1-mediated ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK activation. In human embryonic kidney 293 cells overexpressing recombinant CRH-R1alpha, UCN I induced ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK activation was dependent on signaling molecules involved in agonist-induced CRH-R1alpha trafficking and endocytosis. Furthermore, time course studies and use of selective inhibitors demonstrated that ERK1/2 activation occured within 5 min, was sustained for at least 60 min, and was dependent on both phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K)/Akt activation and epidermoid growth factor receptor transactivation involving matrix metelloproteinases. UCN I effect on p38 MAPK phosphorylation was more transient, returned to basal within 40 min and was dependent on epidermoid growth factor receptor transactivation, but not PI3-K/Akt activation. Overexpression of G(alpha-)transducin, showed that G(betagamma)-subunit activation is only partially required for ERK1/2 phosphorylation and does not play a role in p38 MAPK phosphorylation, whereas overexpression of a dominant-negative Ras (Ras N17) attenuated both ERK and p38 MAPK activation. In conclusion, a complex signaling network appears to mediate CRH-R1alpha-MAPK interactions; PI3-K might play a critical role in the regulation of CRH-R1alpha signaling selectivity and cellular responses.
Punn
Anu
A
Endocrinology and Metabolism, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom.
Levine
Michael A
MA
Grammatopoulos
Dimitris K
DK
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / Q000187:drug effects; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / Q000187:drug effects; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000502:physiology*; D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D015533:Transcriptional Activation; D015293:Transducin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D054832:Urocortins; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000187:drug effects; D000099052:CRF Receptor, Type 1
D018019:Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D054832:Urocortins; D000099052:CRF Receptor, Type 1; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins; D015293:Transducin