c-Jun N-terminal kinase enhances MST1-mediated pro-apoptotic signaling through phosphorylation at serine 82.

Abstract

Protein kinases play an important role in the maintenance of homeostasis between cell survival and apoptosis. Deregulation of these kinases leads to various pathological manifestations, such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. The MST1 encodes a serine/threonine kinase that is activated upon apoptotic stimulation, which in turn phosphorylates its downstream targets, Histone H2B and FOXO. However, the upstream regulators of MST1 kinase have been poorly studied. In this study, we report that JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) phosphorylates MST1 at serine 82, which leads to the enhancement of MST1 activation. Accordingly, the activation of MST1 phosphorylates FOXO3 at serine 207 and promotes cell death. The inhibition of JNK kinase per se attenuates MST1 activity and nuclear translocation as well as MST1-induced apoptosis. We also find the S82A (serine mutated to alanine) diminishes MST1 activation and its effect on the FOXO transcription activity. Collectively, these findings define the novel feedback regulation of MST1 kinase activation by its putative substrate, JNK, with implication for our understanding of the signaling mechanism during cell death.

• Authors: Wenzhi Bi, Lei Xiao, Yunfeng Jia, Junbing Wu, Qi Xie, Jian Ren, Guangju Ji, Zengqiang Yuan
• Journal: The Journal of biological chemistry (J Biol Chem) Vol. 285 Issue 9 Pg. 6259-64 (Feb 26 2010) ISSN: 1083-351X [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20028971 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• FOXO3 protein, human
• Forkhead Box Protein O3
• Forkhead Transcription Factors
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins
• macrophage stimulating protein
• Serine
• Hepatocyte Growth Factor
• JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases

Topics

• Animals
• Apoptosis
• Cell Line
• Enzyme Activation
• Feedback, Physiological
• Forkhead Box Protein O3
• Forkhead Transcription Factors (metabolism)
• Hepatocyte Growth Factor (metabolism)
• Humans
• JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (metabolism)
• Phosphorylation
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins (metabolism)
• Serine (metabolism)
• Signal Transduction