Identification of ERK and JNK as signaling mediators on protein kinase C activation in cultured granulosa cells

Venkataraman Sriraman, Swati R. Modi, Yvonne Bodenburg, Larry A. Denner, Randall J. Urban

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

PKC signaling is critical for follicular development and the induction of ovulatory genes including Pgr, Prkg2, and Cyp11a1 (SCC). We investigated PKC signaling mechanisms in the JC-410 porcine granulosa cell line stably expressing an SCC-luciferase reporter gene containing 2 kb of the porcine SCC promoter. Addition of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), which activates protein kinase C, induced the promoter ∼6-fold over the basal levels in 4 h. This effect was predominantly mediated by the PKC β and δ isoforms. PMA-mediated induction of the SCC promoter was sensitive to inhibition of ERK1/2 or JNK. Inhibition of p38 MAP kinase or Src tyrosine kinase did not alter the PMA-mediated inducibility of the promoter. SCC promoter induction in response to PMA treatment required basal EGF-receptor activity, but did not involve ectodomain shedding. Western blot analyses using phospho-specific antibodies showed that PMA treatment of JC-410 cells induced phosphorylation of MEK1/2, ERK1/2, and its downstream target p90 RSK at 15 min. We also documented the rapid phosphorylation of JNK1/2 in response to PMA treatment. Phosphorylation of ERK and JNK was robust and sustained in contrast to activation of PKA and EGF-receptor signaling in these cells. Pretreatment of JC-410 granulosa cells with IGF-1 had a synergistic effect on PMA-mediated induction of the SCC promoter. We demonstrated the importance of PMA activation of ERK signaling and the synergism with IGF-1 by showing similar responses for Prkg2 expression in primary granulosa cells. In conclusion, our studies demonstrated PMA activation of ERK and JNK signaling which is relevant in the regulation of gene expression during follicular development, ovulation, and luteinization.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)52-60
Number of pages9
JournalMolecular and Cellular Endocrinology
Volume294
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 6 2008

Keywords

  • ERK
  • Granulosa cells
  • JNK
  • Protein kinase C signaling

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Endocrinology

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