title: Phosphorylation of p68 RNA helicase by p38 MAP kinase contributes to colon cancer cells apoptosis induced by oxaliplatin.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We previously demonstrated that p68 phosphorylation at threonine residues correlates with cancer cell apoptosis under the treatments of TNF-α and TRAIL (Yang, L. Mol Cancer Res Vol 3, pp 355-63 2005).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this report, we characterized the role of p68 phosphorylation in apoptosis induction under the treatment of oxaliplatin in the colon cancer cells. Our data suggest that oxaliplatin treatment activates p38 MAP kinase, which subsequently phosphorylates p68 at T564 and/or T446. The phosphorylation of p68, at least partially, mediates the effects of the drug on apoptosis induction, as mutations at these two sites greatly reduce the cancer cell death.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our studies reveal an important molecular mechanism that mediates the effects of anti-cancer drug, providing a potential strategy for improving cancer treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA.
authors.forename: Heena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dey
authors.forename: Zhi-Ren
authors.initials: ZR
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D053487:DEAD-box RNA Helicases / Q000378:metabolism*; D045325:HCT116 Cells; D006801:Humans; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D010766:Phosphorylation; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D053487:DEAD-box RNA Helicases