The present study was undertaken to investigate whether isoforms of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK 46 kDa and 54 kDa), one component of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, might show region-related differential activation patterns in both naïve and pain-experiencing rats. In naïve rats, no significant difference was observed in total expression level of the two JNK isoforms betwee...

Not all of the cardiovascular effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors can be attributed to changes in angiotensin II and bradykinin levels. Because the cytoplasmic tail of ACE is phosphorylated, we determined whether ACE inhibitors affect the phosphorylation of ACE and whether ACE possesses the characteristics of a signal transduction molecule. The ACE inhibitors ramiprilat an...

BH3 (Bcl-2 homology domain 3)-only proteins have an important role in the cisplatin resistance of cells. However, the effect of BH3-only proteins on cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells has not been thoroughly elucidated. Our results from the present study indicate that Puma plays a critical role in the apoptosis of chemo-resistant ovarian cancer cells treated with BetA (betulinic acid). Th...

We have shown previously that BHV-1 infection activates Erk1/2 signaling. Here, we show that BHV-1 provoked an early-stage transient and late-stage sustained activation of JNK, p38MAPK and c-Jun signaling in MDBK cells. C-Jun phosphorylation was dependent on JNK. These early events were partially due to the viral entry process. Unexpectedly, reactive oxygen species were not involved in the late...

Small intestinal ulceration, bleeding, and inflammation are major adverse effects associated with the use of diclofenac (DCF) or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The underlying mechanisms of DCF enteropathy are poorly understood, but there is increasing evidence that topical effects are involved. The aim of this study was to explore the role of c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) ...

The c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) are encoded by three genes that yield 10 isoforms through alternative mRNA splicing. The roles of each JNK isoform in the many putative biological responses where the JNK pathway is activated are still unclear. To examine the cellular responses mediated by different JNK isoforms, gain-of-function JNK1 polypeptides were generated by fusing the upstream mitogen...

Loss of susceptibility to apoptosis signals is a crucial step in carcinogenesis. Therefore, sensitization of tumor cells to apoptosis is a promising therapeutic strategy. c-Jun-N-terminal-kinases (JNK) have been implicated in stress-induced apoptosis, but may also contribute to survival signaling. Here we show that CD95-induced apoptosis is augmented by the JNK inhibitor SP600125 and small inte...

The transcriptional activity of c-Jun is augmented through phosphorylation at two sites by a c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK). All cells express two distinct JNK activities, 46 and 55 kD in size. It is not clear which of them is the more important c-Jun kinase and how they specifically recognize c-Jun. The 46-kD form of JNK was identified as a new member of the MAP kinase group of signal-trans...

The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) is critical for cell survival, differentiation, apoptosis and tumorigenesis. This signalling pathway requires the presence of the scaffold protein Islet-Brain1/c-Jun N-terminal kinase interacting protein-1 (IB1/JIP-1). Immunolabeling and in situ hybridisation of bladder sections showed that IB1/JIP-1 is expressed in urothelial cells. The functional role of IB1/...

Objective(s): Iranian crack (IC) is a heroin-based substance manifesting various pathologic side effects. Herein, we aimed to investigate the mechanism of IC-induced liver injuries in Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: control, and IC (0.9 mg/kg/day/IP, for 30 days). Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was measur...