Mapk/Sapk Signaling in Apoptosis and Bfgf-Mediated Survival

INTRODUCTION. MAPK/SAPK signalling cascades play an important role in proliferation, differentiation, cytokine production and cytoskeletal organization, depending on stimuli and cell type (1). These pathways are also involved in other important cellular processes such as apoptosis and survival, although these mechanisms are less understood. The embryonic rat cell line 423 undergoes prompt apoptosis upon serum withdrawal, which can be prevented by addition of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Since c-Ha-ras-supertransfected 423 cell clones also resisted serum reduction, we studied the involvement of MAPK/SAPK signaling pathways during apoptosis and bFGF-mediated rescue (2).