Abstract |
The human vaccinia-related kinase (VRK) proteins VRK1 and VRK2 regulate different processes, such as the cell cycle, DNA damage response, and signaling by mitogen-activated protein kinases in response to growth factors or cellular stress. Alterations in expression levels of these Ser-Thr kinases are associated with cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. These functions suggest that they might also be targets of toxic metals, and thus contribute to the pathogenic effects associated with metal intoxication. VRK1 is inhibited by cadmium, copper, and mercury, and VRK2 is more sensitive to cadmium and much less sensitive to copper and mercury. Both kinases are insensitive to lead and cobalt. VRK1 is in general more sensitive than VRK2 in the low micromolar range. This inhibitory effect induced by these metals was detected in an autophosphorylation assay, as well as in phosphorylation assays using p53 and histone H3 as substrates. The accumulation of these three metals in cells can contribute, by inhibition of VRKs, to their toxic pathogenic effects, particularly their neurological manifestations. In this context copper has not generally been associated with any intoxication syndrome, except Wilson's syndrome, but it might be implicated in some alterations with which it has not yet been associated.
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Authors | Iria Barcia-Sanjurjo, Marta Vázquez-Cedeira, Ramiro Barcia, Pedro A Lazo |
Journal | Journal of biological inorganic chemistry : JBIC : a publication of the Society of Biological Inorganic Chemistry
(J Biol Inorg Chem)
Vol. 18
Issue 4
Pg. 473-82
(Apr 2013)
ISSN: 1432-1327 [Electronic] Germany |
PMID | 23483238
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
- Metals, Heavy
- Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
- VRK1 protein, human
- VRK2 protein, human
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Topics |
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Enzyme Activation
(drug effects)
- Humans
- Inhibitory Concentration 50
- Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
(metabolism)
- Metals, Heavy
(toxicity)
- Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
(metabolism)
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