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Marathon running increases ERK1/2 and p38 MAP kinase signalling to downstream targets in human skeletal muscle
Author(s) -
Yu Mei,
Blomstrand Eva,
Chibalin Alexander V.,
Krook Anna,
Zierath Juleen R.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
the journal of physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.802
H-Index - 240
eISSN - 1469-7793
pISSN - 0022-3751
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7793.2001.00273.x
Subject(s) - kinase , mapk/erk pathway , p38 mitogen activated protein kinases , protein kinase a , mitogen activated protein kinase , phosphorylation , chemistry , mitogen activated protein kinase kinase , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
1 We tested the hypothesis that long‐distance running activates parallel mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades that involve extracellular signal regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and p38 MAPK and their downstream substrates. 2 Eleven men completed a 42.2 km marathon (mean race time 4 h 1 min; range 2 h 56 min to 4 h 33 min). Vastus lateralis muscle biopsies were obtained before and after the race. Glycogen content was measured spectrophotometrically. ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK phosphorylation was determined by immunoblot analysis using phosphospecific antibodies. Activation of the downstream targets of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK, MAPK‐activated protein kinase‐1 (MAPKAP‐K1; also called p90 ribosomal S6 kinase, p90rsk), MAPK‐activated protein kinase‐2 (MAPKAP‐K2), mitogen‐ and stress‐activated kinase 1 (MSK1) and mitogen‐ and stress‐activated kinase 2 (MSK2) was determined using immune complex assays. 3 Muscle glycogen content was reduced by 40 ± 6 % after the marathon. ERK1/2 phosphorylation increased 7.8‐fold and p38 MAPK phosphorylation increased 4.4‐fold post‐exercise. Prolonged running did not alter ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK protein expression. The activity of p90rsk, a downstream target of ERK1/2, increased 2.8‐fold after the marathon. The activity of MAPKAPK‐K2, a downstream target of p38 MAPK, increased 3.1‐fold post‐exercise. MSK1 and MSK2 are downstream of both ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK. MSK1 activity increased 2.4‐fold post‐exercise. MSK2 activity was low, relative to MSK1, with little activation post‐exercise. 4 In conclusion, prolonged distance running activates MAPK signalling cascades in skeletal muscle, including increased activity of downstream targets: p90rsk, MAPKAP‐K2 and MSK. Activation of these downstream targets provides a potential mechanism by which exercise induces gene transcription in skeletal muscle.