The C. elegans p38 MAPK pathway regulates nuclear localization of the transcription factor SKN-1 in oxidative stress response

Genes Dev. 2005 Oct 1;19(19):2278-83. doi: 10.1101/gad.1324805. Epub 2005 Sep 15.

Abstract

The evolutionarily conserved p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade is an integral part of the response to a variety of environmental stresses. Here we show that the Caenorhabditis elegans PMK-1 p38 MAPK pathway regulates the oxidative stress response via the CNC transcription factor SKN-1. In response to oxidative stress, PMK-1 phosphorylates SKN-1, leading to its accumulation in intestine nuclei, where SKN-1 activates transcription of gcs-1, a phase II detoxification enzyme gene. These results delineate the C. elegans p38 MAPK signaling pathway leading to the nucleus that responds to oxidative stress.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus / physiology
  • Animals
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / cytology
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / physiology*
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology
  • Intestines / cytology
  • Intestines / physiology
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / physiology*
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Oxidative Stress / physiology*
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Transcription, Genetic / physiology

Substances

  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • skn-1 protein, C elegans
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • Pmk-1 protein, C elegans