Title

Identification of ROCK1 as an upstream activator of the JIP-3 to JNK signaling axis in response to UVB damage

UMMS Affiliation

Program in Molecular Medicine

Publication Date

2008-11-25

Document Type

Article

Disciplines

Biochemistry | Cell Biology | Cellular and Molecular Physiology | Molecular Biology

Abstract

Although apoptosis triggered by ultraviolet B (UVB)-mediated activation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway is mediated by both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways, the mechanism of initiation of JNK activation remains obscure. Here, we report the characterization of the JNK-interacting protein 3 (JIP-3) scaffolding protein as an interacting partner of Rho-associated kinase 1 (ROCK1), as determined by tandem affinity protein purification. Upon UVB-induced stress in keratinocytes, ROCK1 was activated, bound to JIP-3, and activated the JNK pathway. Moreover, phosphorylation of JIP-3 by ROCK1 was crucial for the recruitment of JNK. Inhibition of the activity of ROCK1 in keratinocytes resulted in decreased activation of the JNK pathway and thus a reduction in apoptosis. ROCK1(+/-) mice exhibited decreased UVB-mediated activation of JNK and apoptosis relative to wild-type mice. Our findings present a new molecular mechanism by which ROCK1 functions as a UVB sensor that regulates apoptosis, an important event in the prevention of skin cancer.

DOI of Published Version

10.1126/scisignal.1161938

Source

Sci Signal. 2008 Nov 25;1(47):ra14. doi: 10.1126/scisignal.1161938. Link to article on publisher's site

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Science signaling

Related Resources

Link to Article in PubMed

PubMed ID

19036714

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