Differential induction of MAP kinase signalling pathways by cadmium in primary cultures of mouse embryo limb bud cells.
While it is well accepted that mammalian embryos may develop abnormally in response to harmful environmental stresses, the molecular changes that embryonic cells undergo are not always clear. In the present study we examined the induction of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways by cadmium chloride (CdCl(2)) in micromass cultures of limb bud cells from day 11 BALB/c mouse embryos. CdCl(2) exposure was found to cause a marked reduction in both cell survival and differentiation in these cultures. To study stress signalling pathways, cells were lysed and were examined for the phosphorylation of three MAPKs. It was shown that 4 microM CdCl(2) treatment of limb bud cells caused the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), but not p38 or extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), over a 120min period. The results indicate a specific activation of the JNK pathway in response to CdCl(2)-induced toxicity in mouse limb bud cells.
Liu
Ju
J
Watershed Ecosystems Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.
Kapron
Carolyn M
CM
D000818:Animals; D002104:Cadmium / Q000378:metabolism*; D019256:Cadmium Chloride / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000378:metabolism; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D018878:Limb Buds / Q000378:metabolism; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D015398:Signal Transduction
D002104:Cadmium; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D019256:Cadmium Chloride