The kinase TAK1, a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAP3K), has been widely accepted as a key kinase activating NF-B and MAPKs in tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-␣) signaling. We have recently reported that TAK1 regulates the transient phosphorylation and endocytosis of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in a tyrosine kinase activity-independent manner. In the present study, we found that Thr-669 in the juxtamembrane domain and Ser-1046/1047 in the carboxyl-terminal regulatory domain were transiently phosphorylated in response to TNF-␣. Experiments using chemical inhibitors and small interfering RNA demonstrated that TNF-␣-mediated phosphorylation of Thr-669 and Ser-1046/7 were differently regulated via TAK1-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and TAK1-p38 pathways, respectively. In addition, p38, but not ERK, was involved in the endocytosis of EGFR. Surprisingly, modified EGFR was essential to prevent apoptotic cellular responses; however, the EGFR pathway was independent of the NF-B antiapoptotic pathway. These results demonstrated that TAK1 controls two different signaling pathways, IB kinase-NF-B and MAPK-EGFR, leading to the survival of cells exposed to the death signal from the TNF-␣ receptor.

BackgroundNephrotoxicity is a common side effect of medications. Panax ginseng is one of the best-known herbal medicines, and its individual constituents enhance renal function. Identification of its efficacy and mechanisms of action against drug-induced nephrotoxicity, as well as the specific constituents mediating this effect, have recently emerged as an interesting research area focusing on the kidney protective efficacy of P. ginseng.MethodsThe present study investigated the kidney protective effect of fermented black ginseng (FBG) and its active component ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3 against cisplatin (chemotherapy drug)-induced damage in pig kidney (LLC-PK1) cells. It focused on assessing the role of mitogen-activated protein kinases as important mechanistic elements in kidney protection.ResultsThe reduced cell viability induced by cisplatin was significantly recovered with FBG extract and ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3 dose-dependently. The cisplatin-induced elevated protein levels of phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p53, and cleaved caspase-3 were decreased after cotreatment with FBG extract or ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3. The elevated percentage of apoptotic LLC-PK1 cells induced by cisplatin treatment was significantly abrogated by cotreatment with FBG and the ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3.ConclusionFBG and its major ginsenoside 20(S)-Rg3, ameliorated cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in LLC-PK1 cells by blocking the JNK–p53–caspase-3 signaling cascade.

Panax ginseng Meyer has been used for the treatment of immune diseases and for strengthening the immune function. In this study, we evaluated the innate immune-stimulating functions and action mechanisms of white ginseng (WG) and heat-processed ginseng (HPG) in RAW264.7 cells. According to LC-MS analysis results, WG contained typical ginsenosides, such as Rb1, Rc, Rb2, Rd, and Rg1, whereas HPG contained Rg3, Rk1, and Rg5 as well as typical ginsenosides. HPG, not WG, enhanced NF-κB transcriptional activity, cytokine production (IL-6 and TNF-α), and MHC class I and II expression in RAW264.7 cells. In addition, HPG phosphorylated MAPKs and NF-kB pathways. In experiments with inhibitors, the ERK inhibitor completely suppressed the effect of HPG on IL-6 and TNF-α production. HPG-induced c-Jun activation was suppressed by an ERK inhibitor and partially suppressed by JNK, p38, and IκBα inhibitors. Collectively, these results suggested that HPG containing Rg3, Rg5, and Rk1 increased macrophage activation which was regulated by the ERK/c-Jun pathway in RAW264.7 cells.

We have recently identified tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a-induced phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) at Thr-669 and Ser-1046 ⁄ 1047 via ERK and p38 pathways, respectively. In the present study, we investigated the roles of ligand-induced phosphorylation of serine and threonine residues in EGFR-overexpressing MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells. Epidermal growth factor and heregulin, an ErbB3 ligand, induced the phosphorylation of Thr-669 and Ser-1046 ⁄ 1047. Inversely, constitutive tyrosine phosphorylation of the C-terminal domain, including Tyr-1068, was significantly downregulated on ligand stimulation. Inhibition of the ERK pathway by U0126 blocked ligand-induced Thr-669 phosphorylation as well as Tyr-1068 dephosphorylation. Downregulation of constitutive tyrosine phosphorylation of EGFR in HEK293 cells stably expressing the wild type was abolished by substitution of Thr-669 for Ala. In an asymmetric EGFR homodimer structure, one Thr-669 in the receiver kinase of the dimer was involved in downregulation. Similarly, Thr-669 in an EGFR-ErbB3 heterodimer also participated in tyrosine dephosphorylation. These results indicate that ERK-mediated Thr-669 phosphorylation suppresses constitutive tryrosine phosphosphorylation in the homo-and heterodimer asymmetric conformations of the EGFR. (Cancer Sci 2013; 104: 1315-1322

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