The role of p38, ERK1/2 and JNK mitogen activated protein kinase in the anti-hypertrophic action of AMP-kinase in cardiomyocytes (1097.13)

Mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) play an important role in cell grow, proliferation and apoptosis in the heart. The MAPK family involves three major subgroups including extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK1/2), p38, and c-jun N-terminal kinases (JNK). Despite many studies demonstrating anti-hypetrophic action of AMP-kinase (AMPK), a metabolic sensor regulating energy metabolism, the relationship between AMPK activation and MAPKs is not clear yet. We hypothesize that beneficial effects of AMPK are mediated, at least in part, through modification of MAPKs activation. Experiments were performed on H9c2 myoblastic rat cardiomyocytes incubated at 370C with 95% air and 5% CO2. Hypertrophy was induced by treatment of the cells with 200 nM angiotensin II (Ang II, a peptide hormone stimulating hypertrophy) or 10 μM phenylephrine (PE, the α1-adrenergic receptor agonist). First, we determined time-course activation (phosphorylation) of ERK1/2, p38 and JNK in response to Ang II and PE. Second, ...