Cu2+ and acute thermal stress induce protective events via the p38-MAPK signalling pathway in the perfused Rana ridibunda heart.

In the present study, we investigated the induction of the p38-MAPK signalling pathway by copper, as exemplified by CuCl(2), in the isolated perfused heart of the amphibian Rana ridibunda. We found that p38-MAPK phosphorylation by CuCl(2) occurs in a dose-dependent manner, with maximum activation (8.73+/-1.43-fold relative to control values) attained by perfusion with 500 micromol l(-1) CuCl(2) for 15 min, while this activation sustained even after 60 min of reperfusion with normal bicarbonate buffer. CuCl(2) also induced the phosphorylation of the small heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) in a p38-MAPK dependent manner, as revealed by experiments using the p38-MAPK inhibitor SB203580. p38-MAPK and Hsp27 phosphorylations were also strongly induced by hyperthermia (42 degrees C), while the simultaneous use of hyperthermia and CuCl(2) had a synergistic effect on p38-MAPK activation. Furthermore, perfusions with the potent antioxidant L-ascorbic acid (100 micromol l(-1)), the antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT) (150 U ml(-1)) or superoxide dismutase (SOD) (30 U ml(-1)) in the presence of 500 micromol l(-1) CuCl(2) did not attenuate the CuCl(2)-induced p38-MAPK activation, implying that at least the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenged by these agents are not implicated in this kinase activation. The p38-MAPK phosphorylation induced by the combined action of CuCl(2) and hyperthermia was partially inhibited by catalase, indicating that hyperthermia possibly activates the kinase through the production of H(2)O(2). Caspase-3, an effector protease of apoptosis, remained inactive in hearts perfused at normal or hyperthermic conditions, in the absence or presence of 500 micromol l(-1) CuCl(2). All the above results suggest that, in the amphibian Rana ridibunda heart, p38-MAPK activation by copper has a possible protective role through the small Hsp27.