Redundant roles of extra-cellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1 and 2 in the G1-S transition and etoposide-induced G2/M checkpoint in HCT116 cells.

The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1 and 2 intracellular signaling pathways play key roles in a variety of cellular processes, such as proliferation and differentiation. Dysregulation of ERK1/2 signaling has been implicated in many diseases, including cancer. Although ERK1/2 signaling pathways have been extensively studied, controversy remains as to whether ERK1 and ERK2 have specific or redundant functions.

c-Jun NH-terminal kinase (JNK)/stress-activated protein kinase-associated protein 1 (JSAP1) attenuates curcumin-induced cell death differently from its family member, JNK-associated leucine zipper protein (JLP).

Curcumin, a major component of turmeric, is known to exhibit multiple biological functions including antitumor activity. We previously reported that the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) scaffold protein c-Jun NH-terminal kinase (JNK)-associated leucine zipper protein (JLP) reduces curcumin-induced cell death by modulating p38 MAPK and autophagy through the regulation of lysosome positioning. In this study, we investigated the role of JNK/stress-activated protein kinase-associated protein 1 (JSAP1), a JLP family member, in curcumin-induced stress, and found that JSAP1 also attenuates curcumin-induced cell death.

Peptidylarginine Deiminase 4 Promotes the Renal Infiltration of Neutrophils and Exacerbates the TLR7 Agonist-Induced Lupus Mice.

Peptidylarginine deiminase 4 (PAD4), encoded by , plays critical roles in the immune system; however, its contribution to the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis remains controversial. The pathological roles of PAD4 were investigated in lupus model mice. An imiquimod (IMQ)-induced lupus model was analyzed in wild-type (WT) and -knockout (KO) mice.

Functional role of c-Jun NH-terminal kinase-associated leucine zipper protein (JLP) in lysosome localization and autophagy.

Lysosomes are involved in many cellular functions, and in turn lysosomal dysfunction underlies a variety of diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Lysosomes are distributed broadly in the cytoplasm and can move throughout the cell in kinesin- and dynein-dependent manners. Although many mechanisms of lysosomal transport have been reported, how lysosomal transport is regulated has yet to be fully elucidated.

Protective role of c-Jun NH-terminal kinase-associated leucine zipper protein (JLP) in curcumin-induced cancer cell death.

Previous studies have established the antitumor activity of curcumin, a major component of turmeric. Increasing evidence indicates that curcumin induces autophagy, the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) intracellular signaling pathways, and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated cell death. The c-Jun NH-terminal kinase (JNK)-associated leucine zipper protein (JLP), a scaffold protein for MAPK signaling pathways, has been identified as a candidate biomarker for cancer.