title: Activation of ERK5 in angiotensin II-induced hypertrophy of human aortic smooth muscle cells.
abstract: Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5), a recently discovered mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), plays a key role in the development and pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. In order to clarify the pathophysiological significance of ERK5 in vascular remodeling, we investigated ERK5 phosphorylation in hypertrophy of human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) induced by angiotensin II (Ang II). The AT1 receptor was involved in Ang II-induced ERK5 activity. Hypertrophy was detected by the measurement of protein synthesis with [(3)H]-Leu incorporation in cultured HASMCs. Ang II rapidly induced phosphorylation of ERK5 at Thr218/Tyr220 residues in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Activation of myocyte enhancer factor-2C (MEF2C) by ERK5 was inhibited by PD98059. Transfecting HASMCs with small interfering RNA (siRNA) to silence ERK5 inhibited Ang II-induced cell hypertrophy. Thus, ERK5 phosphorylation contributes to MEF2C activation and subsequent HASMC hypertrophy induced by Ang II, for a novel molecular mechanism in cardiovascular diseases induced by Ang II.
authors.affiliation: The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education and Chinese Ministry of Health, Shandong University, Qilu Hospital, Wenhua Xi Road, 250012, Jinan, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Zhuo
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Geng
authors.forename: Zhiming
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ge
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Weiqiang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kang
mesh_terms: D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001011:Aorta / Q000166:cytology; D049108:Cell Enlargement; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D006801:Humans; D026161:MADS Domain Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D064326:MEF2 Transcription Factors; D048054:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 7 / Q000378:metabolism*; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018006:Myogenic Regulatory Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D010766:Phosphorylation
chemical_list: D026161:MADS Domain Proteins; D064326:MEF2 Transcription Factors; C578040:MEF2C protein, human; D018006:Myogenic Regulatory Factors; D000804:Angiotensin II; D048054:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 7