Dexamethasone up-regulates the inhibitory adaptor protein Dok-1 and suppresses downstream activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in antigen-stimulated RBL-2H3 mast cells

Mol Pharmacol. 2005 Mar;67(3):598-603. doi: 10.1124/mol.104.008607. Epub 2004 Dec 17.

Abstract

The glucocorticoid dexamethasone suppresses antigen-induced degranulation, cytokine production, and intermediate signaling events in RBL-2H3 mast cells, although the exact mechanisms are uncertain. By microarray analysis, we discovered that expression of the inhibitory adaptor protein, downstream of tyrosine kinase (Dok)-1, was up-regulated 4-fold in dexamethasone-treated RBL-2H3 cells. The up-regulation was apparent with as little as 1 to 10 nM dexamethasone. Treatment with dexamethasone also enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of Dok-1, augmented recruitment of Ras GTPase-activating protein (RasGAP) by Dok-1, and inhibited activation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway in antigen-stimulated cells. The same effects were obtained by transient overexpression of Dok-1 but not by overexpression of Dok-1 that was mutated in RasGAP-binding domain. The negative regulatory role of Dok-1 was further validated by the expression of small interfering RNA directed against Dok-1, which enhanced activation of MAP kinase and subsequent release of arachidonic acid and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. These findings identify Dok-1 as mediator of the antiallergic actions of dexamethasone and as a negative regulator of the MAP kinase pathway and downstream release of inflammatory mediators.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens / pharmacology
  • Arachidonic Acid / metabolism
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • DNA Primers
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Dexamethasone / pharmacology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects*
  • Kinetics
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / physiology
  • Mast Cells
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • Phosphoproteins / genetics*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Rats
  • Transfection
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • Antigens
  • DNA Primers
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Dok1 protein, rat
  • Phosphoproteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Arachidonic Acid
  • Dexamethasone
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases