title: Acrylonitrile-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation via protein kinase C (PKC) in SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells.
abstract: Acrylonitrile (ACN) is classified by IARC as a probable carcinogen. Chronic exposure to ACN increases the incidence of tumors in various organs of test animals, including the brain and lung. ERK1/2 activation plays crucial roles in cell proliferation and is involved in many steps of tumor progression. Therefore, this study examined whether ACN altered the activation state of ERK1/2 in human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells. Treatment of these cells with ACN greatly increased phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in dose- and time-dependent manners. This effect was inhibited by PD 98059 and U 0126, specific inhibitors of MEK, indicating that MEK, an upstream activator of ERK1/2, was directly involved in ACN-induced ERK1/2 activation. Furthermore, the activation of ERK1/2 by ACN was attenuated by inhibition of PKC with GF 109203X, rottlerin and prolonged incubation with PMA (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate). This demonstrated the participation of PKC in the ACN-stimulated activation of ERK1/2. Taken together, our results indicate that ACN-induced ERK1/2 activation involves PKC through a MEK-dependent pathway.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Program in Toxicology, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
authors.forename: Wantika
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chantara
authors.forename: Piyajit
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Watcharasit
authors.forename: Apinya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thiantanawat
authors.forename: Jutamaad
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Satayavivad
mesh_terms: D000181:Acrylonitrile / Q000633:toxicity*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000502:physiology*; D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic; D011493:Protein Kinase C; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; D000181:Acrylonitrile