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Integrated activation of MAP3Ks balances cell fate in response to stress
Author(s) -
WinterVann Ann M.,
Johnson Gary L.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of cellular biochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.028
H-Index - 165
eISSN - 1097-4644
pISSN - 0730-2312
DOI - 10.1002/jcb.21522
Subject(s) - stress (linguistics) , microbiology and biotechnology , fight or flight response , cell fate determination , chemistry , biology , biochemistry , transcription factor , philosophy , gene , linguistics
In vivo, tissues and organs are exposed to numerous stressors that require cells to respond appropriately for viability and homeostasis. Cells respond to these stressors, which range from UV irradiation, heat shock, chemicals, and changes in osmolality, to oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines, by activating pathways that protect cells from damage. If the stress is too great, cells commit to undergo apoptosis. Such cell fate decisions involve the stress‐mediated activation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) networks, ultimately under the control of MAPK kinase kinases, or MAP3Ks. It is the MAP3Ks that coordinate the localization, duration and magnitude of MAPK activation in response to cell stress. A single stressor may activate several MAP3Ks, each of which impacts the balance between survival and apoptotic signaling. In this prospect article, we review the specific MAP3Ks that integrate the physiological response to cell stressors. The interrelationships among different stressors are discussed, with an emphasis on how the balance of signaling through MAP3Ks controls the MAPK response to determine cell fate. J. Cell. Biochem. 102: 848–858, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.