A novel kinase cascade triggered by stress and heat shock that stimulates MAPKAP kinase-2 and phosphorylation of the small heat shock proteins

MAPK-activated protein kinase-2 (MAPKAP kinase-2) is activated in vitro by the p42 and p44 isoforms of MAPK (p42/p44MAPK). In several cell lines, however, MAPKAP kinase-2 is activated by sodium arsenite, heat shock, or osmotic stress and not by agonists that activate p42/p44MAPK. We have identified a MAPK-like enzyme that acts as a MAPKAP kinase-2 reactivating kinase (RK). RK is recognized by an antiserum raised against a Xenopus MAPK (Mpk2), which is most similar to HOG1 from S. cerevisiae. We also identified a RK kinase (RKK) on the basis of its ability to activate either RK or a GST-Mpk2 fusion protein. The RKK, RK, and MAPKAP kinase-2 constitute a new stress-activated signal transduction pathway in vertebrates that is distinct from the classical MAPK cascade.

Principal Investigator(s):

Philip Cohen

John Rouse

Author(s):

Rouse, J., Cohen, P., Trigon, S., Morange, M., Alonso-Llamazares, A., Zamanillo, D., Hunt, T., Nebreda, A. R.

PubMed:
7923353

Citation:
Rouse, J., Cohen, P., Trigon, S., Morange, M., Alonso-Llamazares, A., Zamanillo, D., Hunt, T., Nebreda, A. R.
Cell

1994

1027-37

PMID: 7923353

Publications | A novel kinase cascade triggered by stress and heat shock that stimulates MAPKAP kinase-2 and phosphorylation of the small heat shock proteins