title: Cyclooxygenase-2 is induced by p38 MAPK and promotes cell survival.
abstract: The Na+ ionophore monensin affects cellular pH and, depending on its concentration, causes the survival or death of tumor cells. In the present study, we elucidated the survival pathway activated in U937 cells, a human lymphoma-derived cell line. These cells treated with monensin at a concentration of 5 µM were growth-arrested in G1, activated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and showed an increased expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The latter two molecular events were linked, as pharmacological inhibition of the MAPK did not allow COX-2 increased expression. Furthermore, we showed that p38 and COX-2 keep monensin-stressed U937 cells alive, as pharmacological inhibition of each enzyme caused cell death.
authors: Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, I-00161 Rome, Italy.
authors: Rosanna
authors: R
authors: Parente
authors: Elisabetta
authors: E
authors: Trifirò
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Cuozzo
authors: Sandro
authors: S
authors: Valia
authors: Mara
authors: M
authors: Cirone
authors: Livia
authors: L
authors: Di Renzo
mesh_terms: D059447:Cell Cycle Checkpoints / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004790:Enzyme Induction; D016193:G1 Phase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008985:Monensin / Q000494:pharmacology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D020298:U937 Cells; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D008985:Monensin; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases