UVC-induced apoptosis in Dubca cells is independent of JNK activation and p53(Ser-15) phosphorylation.
Ultraviolet C (UVC) irradiation in mammalian cell lines activates a complex signaling network that leads to apoptosis. By using Dubca cells as a model system, we report the presence of a UVC-induced apoptotic pathway that is independent of c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) activation and p53 phosphorylation at Ser(15). Irradiation of Dubca cells with UVC results in a rapid JNK activation and phosphorylation of its downstream target c-Jun, as well as, phosphorylation of activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2). Pre-treatment with JNK inhibitor, SP600125, inhibited UVC-induced c-Jun phosphorylation without preventing UVC-induced apoptosis. Similarly, inhibition of UVC-induced p53 phosphorylation did not prevent Dubca cell apoptosis, suggesting that p53(Ser-15) phosphorylation is not associated with UVC-induced apoptosis signaling. The pan-caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk inhibited UVC-induced PARP cleavage, DNA fragmentation, and ultimately apoptosis of Dubca cells. Altogether, our study clearly indicates that UVC-induced apoptosis is independent of JNK and p53 activation in Dubca cells, rather, it is mediated through a caspase dependent pathway. Our findings are not in line with the ascribed critical role for JNKs activation, and downstream phosphorylation of targets such as c-Jun and ATF2 in UVC-induced apoptosis.
Cell Signaling Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, P.O. Box 17666, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Shahanas
S
Chathoth
Faisal
F
Thayyullathil
Abdulkader
A
Hago
Allen
A
Shahin
Mahendra
M
Patel
Sehamuddin
S
Galadari
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D061945:Caspase Inhibitors; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D048670:MAP Kinase Kinase 4 / Q000378:metabolism*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D012694:Serine / Q000378:metabolism*; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
D061945:Caspase Inhibitors; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D012694:Serine; D048670:MAP Kinase Kinase 4; D020169:Caspases