Elevated expression of RGS19 impairs the responsiveness of stress-activated protein kinases to serum

Mol Cell Biochem. 2012 Mar;362(1-2):159-68. doi: 10.1007/s11010-011-1138-1. Epub 2011 Nov 2.

Abstract

Regulators of G protein signaling (RGS proteins) serve as GTPase activating proteins for the signal transducing Gα subunits. RGS19, also known as Gα-interacting protein (GAIP), has been shown to subserve other functions such as the regulation of macroautophagy and growth factor signaling. We have recently demonstrated that the expression of RGS19 in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells resulted in the disruption of serum-induced mitogenic response along the classical Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway. Here, we further examined the effect of RGS19 expression on the stress-activated protein kinases (SAPKs). Both c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) became non-responsive to serum in 293/RGS19 cells, yet the two SAPKs responded to UV irradiation or osmotic stress induced by sorbitol. Kinases upstream of JNK and p38 MAPK, including MKK3/6, MKK4, and MLK3, also failed to respond to serum stimulation in 293/RGS19 cells. Serum-induced activation of the small GTPases Rac1 and Cdc42 was similarly suppressed in these cells. Our results indicate that elevated expression of RGS19 can severely disrupt the regulation of MAPKs by small GTPases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System
  • RGS Proteins / metabolism*
  • Sorbitol / pharmacology
  • Ultraviolet Rays / adverse effects
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism*
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • rac1 GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism*

Substances

  • RGS Proteins
  • regulator of G-protein signalling 19
  • Sorbitol
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • cdc42 GTP-Binding Protein
  • rac1 GTP-Binding Protein