AIM:To investigate the role of hepatocyte growth factor(HGF) in cholangiocarcinoma(CCA) cell invasiveness and the mechanisms underlying such cellular responses. METHODS:Effects of HGF on cell invasion and motility wer...AIM:To investigate the role of hepatocyte growth factor(HGF) in cholangiocarcinoma(CCA) cell invasiveness and the mechanisms underlying such cellular responses. METHODS:Effects of HGF on cell invasion and motility were investigated in two human CCA cell lines,HuCCA-1 and KKU-M213,using Transwell in vitro assay.Levels of proteins of interest and their phosphorylated forms were determined by Western blotting.Localization of E-cadherin was analyzed by immunofluorescence staining and visualized under confocal microscope. Activities of matrix degrading enzymes were determined by zymography. RESULTS:Both CCA cell lines expressed higher Met levels than the H69 immortalized cholangiocyte cell line.HGF induced invasion and motility of the cell lines and altered E-cadherin from membrane to cytoplasm localization,but did not affect the levels of secreted matrix metalloproteinase(MMP) -2,MMP-9 andurokinase plasminogen activator,key matrix degrading enzymes involved in cell invasion.Concomitantly,HGF stimulated Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK) 1/2 phosphorylation but with slightly different kinetic profiles in the two cell lines.Inhibition of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K) /Akt pathway by the PI3K inhibitor,LY294002,markedly suppressed HGFstimulated invasion of both CCA cell lines,and inhibition of the ERK pathway by U0126 suppressed HGF-induced invasion of the KKU-M213 cell line but had a moderate effect on HuCCA-1 cells. CONCLUSION:These data indicate that HGF promotes CCA cell invasiveness through dys-localization of E-cadherin and induction of cell motility by distinct signaling pathways depending on cell line type.展开更多
Background RhoA/ Rho kinase (ROCK) pathway is involved in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (PASMC) proliferation. Inhibition of ROCK has been proposed as a treatment ...Background RhoA/ Rho kinase (ROCK) pathway is involved in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (PASMC) proliferation. Inhibition of ROCK has been proposed as a treatment for PAH. But the mechanism of RhoA/ROCK pathway and its downstream signaling in proliferation of human PASMCs is unclear. We investigated the effect of fasudil, a selective ROCK inhibitor, on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) induced human PASMC proliferation, and the possible association between RhoA/ROCK and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK),p27KiP1.Methods Human PASMCs were cultured with the stimulation of 10 ng/ml PDGF, and different concentrations of fasudil were added before the addition of mitogen. Cell viability and cell cycle were determined with MTT and flow cytometry respectively. ROCK activity, ERK activity and protein expression of proliferating cell nuclear angigen (PCNA) and p27Kip1 were measured by immunoblotting.Results By MTT assay, PDGF significantly increased the OD value that represented human PASMC proliferation, and pretreatment with fasudil significantly reversed this effect in a dose-dependent manner. After PDGF stimulation, the percentage of cells in S phase increased dramatically from 15.6% to 24.3%, while the percentage in G0/G1 phase was reduced from 80.6% to 59%. And pretreatment with fasudil reversed the cell cycle effect of PDGF significantly in a dose-dependent manner. PDGF markedly induced ROCK activity and ERK activity with a peak at 15 minutes, which were significantly inhibited by fasudil. In addition, fasudil significantly inhibited PDGF-induced PCNA expression and fasudil also upregulated p27Kip1 expression in human PASMCs, which decreased after PDGF stimulation.Conclusion RhoA/ROCK is vital for PDFG-induced human PASMC proliferation, and fasudil effectively inhibited PDGF-induced human PASMC proliferation by up-regulation of p27Kip1, which may be associated with inhibition of ERK activity.展开更多
Emerging evidence indicates that CXCL12/ CXCR4 signaling is involved in chronic pain. However, few studies have systemically assessed its role in direct nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain and the underlying mech- a...Emerging evidence indicates that CXCL12/ CXCR4 signaling is involved in chronic pain. However, few studies have systemically assessed its role in direct nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain and the underlying mech- anism. Here, we determined that spared nerve injury (SNI) increased the expression of CXCL12 and its cognate receptor CXCR4 in lumbar 5 dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons and satellite glial cells. SNI also induced long- lasting upregulation of CXCL12 and CXCR4 in the ipsi- lateral L4-5 spinal cord dorsal horn, characterized by CXCL12 expression in neurons and microglia, and CXCR4 expression in neurons and astrocytes. Moreover, SNI- induced a sustained increase in TNF-α expression in the DRG and spinal cord. Intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of the TNF-α synthesis inhibitor thalidomide reduced the SNI-in- duced mechanical hypersensitivity and inhibited the expression of CXCL12 in the DRG and spinal cord. Intrathecal injection (i.t.) of the CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100, both 30 rain before and 7 days after SNI, reduced the behavioral signs of allodynia. Rats given an i.t. or i.p. bolus of AMD3100 on day 8 of SNI exhibited attenuated abnormal pain behaviors. The neuropathic pain established following SNI was also impaired by i.t. admin- istration of a CXCL12-neutralizing antibody. Moreover, repetitive i.t. AMD3100 administration prevented the acti- vation of ERK in the spinal cord. The mechanical hyper- sensitivity induced in nai've rats by i.t. CXCL12 was alleviated by pretreatment with the MEK inhibitor PD98059. Collectively, our results revealed that TNF-α might mediate the upregulation of CXCL12 in the DRG and spinal cord following SNI, and that CXCL 12/CXCR4 sig- naling via ERK activation contributes to the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the effects of hepatitis B virus(HBV)X protein(HBx)on the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in glomerular mesangial cells(GMCs)and the underlying intracellular signal pathways.Meth...Objective:To investigate the effects of hepatitis B virus(HBV)X protein(HBx)on the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in glomerular mesangial cells(GMCs)and the underlying intracellular signal pathways.Methods:The plasmid pCI-neo-X that carries the X gene of hepatitis B virus was transfected into cultured GMCs.HBx expression in the transfected GMCs was assessed by Western-blot.TNF-αprotein and mRNA were assessed by ELISA and semi-quantitative RT-PCR,respectively.Three kinase inhibitors-U0126,an inhibitor of extracellular signal-regulated kinases(ERKs);lactacvstin,an inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB);and SB203580,a selective inhibitor of p38 MAP kinase(p38 MAPK)were used to determine which intracellular signal pathways may underlie the action of HBx on TNF-αexpression in transfected GMCs.Results:A significant increase in HBx expression in pCI-neo-X transfected GMCs was detected at 36 h and 48 h,which was not affected by any of those kinase inhibitors mentioned above.A similar increase in the expression of both TNF-αprotein and mRNA was also observed at 36 h and 48 h,which was significantly decreased in the presence of U0126 or lactacytin,but not SB203580.Conclusions:HBx upregulates TNF-αexpression in cultured GMCs,possibly through ERKs and NF-κB pathway,but not p38 MAPK pathway.展开更多
BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis is still not fully understood. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway is involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and differentia...BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis is still not fully understood. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway is involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of PD98059, a specific inhibitor of ERK, on the cell cycle, cell proliferation, secretion of type I collagen and expression of cyclin D1 mRNA, CDK4 mRNA and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) mRNA in rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) stimulated by acetaldehyde. METHODS: Rat HSCs stimulated by acetaldehyde were incubated with PD98059 at different concentrations. The cell cycle was analysed by flow cytometry. Cell proliferation was assessed by the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium colorimetric assay. The mRNA expression of cyclin D1, CDK4 and TGF-beta 1 was examined using the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Type I collagen in the culture medium was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: 20, 50 and 100 mu mol/L PD98059 significantly inhibited the proliferation and provoked a G0/G1-phase arrest of acetaldehyde-induced HSCs in a dose-dependent manner. The secretion of type I collagen and the expression of cyclin D1, CDK4 and TGF-beta 1 mRNA in acetaldehyde-induced HSCs were markedly inhibited by 50 and 100 mu mol/L PD98059, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The ERK pathway regulates the cell proliferation, secretion of type I collagen and the expression of TGF-beta 1 mRNA in rat HSCs stimulated by acetaldehyde, which is likely related to its regulative effect on the cell cycle.展开更多
Background Although it is recognized that bronchial smooth muscle cells (BSMCs) play a key role. in airway remodeling during chronic asthma, it is not well understood how BSMCs exert their inflammatory functions. Th...Background Although it is recognized that bronchial smooth muscle cells (BSMCs) play a key role. in airway remodeling during chronic asthma, it is not well understood how BSMCs exert their inflammatory functions. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathway is an important signaling pathway in chronic asthma but its influence on secretion by BSMCs has not been well-studied. We investigated the impact of ERK1/2 signaling pathway on secretion by BSMCs in a rat model of chronic asthma in this study. Methods To create a rat model of chronic asthma, Wistar rats underwent ovalbumim (OVA) injection and eight weeks of inhalation. BSMCs were isolated and cultured in vitro. Epidermal growth factor, PD98059 and ERK1/2 antisense oligonucleotide were used to explore the role of ERK1/2 signaling pathway. The expression of P-ERK1/2 (phospho-ERK1/2) in BSMCs was analyzed by Western blot and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Secretion of BSMCs was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Phospho-ERK1/2 expression was increased in BSMCs of chronic asthmatic rats compared with the controls. PD98059 inhibited expression of phospho-ERK1/2 protein, while treatment with an antisense oligonucleotide inhibited the expression of P-ERK1/2 mRNA and protein. BSMCs obtained from the chronic asthma group secreted significantly greater quantities of growth factors (transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF)), cytokines (regulated upon activation, normal T cell-expressed and secreted (RANTES) and eotaxin), and extracellular matrix (fibronectin and collagen I) compared with normal controls. Epidermal growth factor stimulated secretion in both groups, but the response of the chronic asthma group was more intense. Both PD98059 and antisense oligonucleotide suppressed secretion by BSMCs in chronic ashmatic rats. Antisense oligonucleotide reduced t展开更多
Mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPKs)are a family of proteins that constitute signaling pathways involved in processes that control gene expression,cell division, cell survival,apoptosis,metabolism,differentiation ...Mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPKs)are a family of proteins that constitute signaling pathways involved in processes that control gene expression,cell division, cell survival,apoptosis,metabolism,differentiation and motility.The MAPK pathways can be divided into conventional and atypical MAPK pathways.The first group converts a signal into a cellular response through a relay of three consecutive phosphorylation events exerted by MAPK kinase kinases,MAPK kinase,and MAPK.Atypical MAPK pathways are not organized into this three-tiered cascade.MAPK that belongs to both conventional and atypical MAPK pathways can phosphorylate both non-protein kinase substrates and other protein kinases.The latter are referred to as MAPK-activated protein kinases.This review focuses on one such MAPK-activated protein kinase,MAPK-activated protein kinase 5(MK5)or p38-regulated/activated protein kinase(PRAK).This protein is highly conserved throughout the animal kingdom and seems to be the target of both conventional and atypical MAPK pathways.Recent findings on the regulation of the activity and subcellular localization,bona fide interaction partners and physiological roles of MK5/PRAK are discussed.展开更多
基金Supported by Mahidol University,Thailand and Thailand Research Fund(Suthiphongchai T)Strategic Consortia for Capacity Building of University Faculties and Staff Scholarship,Commission on Higher Education,Ministry of Education,Thailand(Menakongka A)
文摘AIM:To investigate the role of hepatocyte growth factor(HGF) in cholangiocarcinoma(CCA) cell invasiveness and the mechanisms underlying such cellular responses. METHODS:Effects of HGF on cell invasion and motility were investigated in two human CCA cell lines,HuCCA-1 and KKU-M213,using Transwell in vitro assay.Levels of proteins of interest and their phosphorylated forms were determined by Western blotting.Localization of E-cadherin was analyzed by immunofluorescence staining and visualized under confocal microscope. Activities of matrix degrading enzymes were determined by zymography. RESULTS:Both CCA cell lines expressed higher Met levels than the H69 immortalized cholangiocyte cell line.HGF induced invasion and motility of the cell lines and altered E-cadherin from membrane to cytoplasm localization,but did not affect the levels of secreted matrix metalloproteinase(MMP) -2,MMP-9 andurokinase plasminogen activator,key matrix degrading enzymes involved in cell invasion.Concomitantly,HGF stimulated Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK) 1/2 phosphorylation but with slightly different kinetic profiles in the two cell lines.Inhibition of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K) /Akt pathway by the PI3K inhibitor,LY294002,markedly suppressed HGFstimulated invasion of both CCA cell lines,and inhibition of the ERK pathway by U0126 suppressed HGF-induced invasion of the KKU-M213 cell line but had a moderate effect on HuCCA-1 cells. CONCLUSION:These data indicate that HGF promotes CCA cell invasiveness through dys-localization of E-cadherin and induction of cell motility by distinct signaling pathways depending on cell line type.
基金This work was supported by the National Basic Research Development Program of China (No. 2007CB512005)the National NaturalScience Foundation of China (No. 30770785)+1 种基金the Cultivation Fund of the Key Scientific and Technical Innovation Project of Ministry ofEducation, China (No. 705045)the Research Fund for the Doctoral Program (No. 20050698012).
基金This study was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30972958), Beijing Natural Science Foundation (No. 7112046), Beijing Municipal Education Commission (No. PXM2011_014226 07 000060).
文摘Background RhoA/ Rho kinase (ROCK) pathway is involved in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (PASMC) proliferation. Inhibition of ROCK has been proposed as a treatment for PAH. But the mechanism of RhoA/ROCK pathway and its downstream signaling in proliferation of human PASMCs is unclear. We investigated the effect of fasudil, a selective ROCK inhibitor, on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) induced human PASMC proliferation, and the possible association between RhoA/ROCK and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK),p27KiP1.Methods Human PASMCs were cultured with the stimulation of 10 ng/ml PDGF, and different concentrations of fasudil were added before the addition of mitogen. Cell viability and cell cycle were determined with MTT and flow cytometry respectively. ROCK activity, ERK activity and protein expression of proliferating cell nuclear angigen (PCNA) and p27Kip1 were measured by immunoblotting.Results By MTT assay, PDGF significantly increased the OD value that represented human PASMC proliferation, and pretreatment with fasudil significantly reversed this effect in a dose-dependent manner. After PDGF stimulation, the percentage of cells in S phase increased dramatically from 15.6% to 24.3%, while the percentage in G0/G1 phase was reduced from 80.6% to 59%. And pretreatment with fasudil reversed the cell cycle effect of PDGF significantly in a dose-dependent manner. PDGF markedly induced ROCK activity and ERK activity with a peak at 15 minutes, which were significantly inhibited by fasudil. In addition, fasudil significantly inhibited PDGF-induced PCNA expression and fasudil also upregulated p27Kip1 expression in human PASMCs, which decreased after PDGF stimulation.Conclusion RhoA/ROCK is vital for PDFG-induced human PASMC proliferation, and fasudil effectively inhibited PDGF-induced human PASMC proliferation by up-regulation of p27Kip1, which may be associated with inhibition of ERK activity.
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31171070,81171060,81501070and 81571079)
文摘Emerging evidence indicates that CXCL12/ CXCR4 signaling is involved in chronic pain. However, few studies have systemically assessed its role in direct nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain and the underlying mech- anism. Here, we determined that spared nerve injury (SNI) increased the expression of CXCL12 and its cognate receptor CXCR4 in lumbar 5 dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons and satellite glial cells. SNI also induced long- lasting upregulation of CXCL12 and CXCR4 in the ipsi- lateral L4-5 spinal cord dorsal horn, characterized by CXCL12 expression in neurons and microglia, and CXCR4 expression in neurons and astrocytes. Moreover, SNI- induced a sustained increase in TNF-α expression in the DRG and spinal cord. Intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of the TNF-α synthesis inhibitor thalidomide reduced the SNI-in- duced mechanical hypersensitivity and inhibited the expression of CXCL12 in the DRG and spinal cord. Intrathecal injection (i.t.) of the CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100, both 30 rain before and 7 days after SNI, reduced the behavioral signs of allodynia. Rats given an i.t. or i.p. bolus of AMD3100 on day 8 of SNI exhibited attenuated abnormal pain behaviors. The neuropathic pain established following SNI was also impaired by i.t. admin- istration of a CXCL12-neutralizing antibody. Moreover, repetitive i.t. AMD3100 administration prevented the acti- vation of ERK in the spinal cord. The mechanical hyper- sensitivity induced in nai've rats by i.t. CXCL12 was alleviated by pretreatment with the MEK inhibitor PD98059. Collectively, our results revealed that TNF-α might mediate the upregulation of CXCL12 in the DRG and spinal cord following SNI, and that CXCL 12/CXCR4 sig- naling via ERK activation contributes to the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain.
基金Supported by National Nature Science Foundation of China(GrantNo.30772360)Nature Science Foundation of Health Department of Hubei Province,China(No.JX4B48)Fund of Yangtze University for Doctor(No.2009001)
文摘Objective:To investigate the effects of hepatitis B virus(HBV)X protein(HBx)on the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in glomerular mesangial cells(GMCs)and the underlying intracellular signal pathways.Methods:The plasmid pCI-neo-X that carries the X gene of hepatitis B virus was transfected into cultured GMCs.HBx expression in the transfected GMCs was assessed by Western-blot.TNF-αprotein and mRNA were assessed by ELISA and semi-quantitative RT-PCR,respectively.Three kinase inhibitors-U0126,an inhibitor of extracellular signal-regulated kinases(ERKs);lactacvstin,an inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB);and SB203580,a selective inhibitor of p38 MAP kinase(p38 MAPK)were used to determine which intracellular signal pathways may underlie the action of HBx on TNF-αexpression in transfected GMCs.Results:A significant increase in HBx expression in pCI-neo-X transfected GMCs was detected at 36 h and 48 h,which was not affected by any of those kinase inhibitors mentioned above.A similar increase in the expression of both TNF-αprotein and mRNA was also observed at 36 h and 48 h,which was significantly decreased in the presence of U0126 or lactacytin,but not SB203580.Conclusions:HBx upregulates TNF-αexpression in cultured GMCs,possibly through ERKs and NF-κB pathway,but not p38 MAPK pathway.
文摘BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis is still not fully understood. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway is involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of PD98059, a specific inhibitor of ERK, on the cell cycle, cell proliferation, secretion of type I collagen and expression of cyclin D1 mRNA, CDK4 mRNA and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) mRNA in rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) stimulated by acetaldehyde. METHODS: Rat HSCs stimulated by acetaldehyde were incubated with PD98059 at different concentrations. The cell cycle was analysed by flow cytometry. Cell proliferation was assessed by the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium colorimetric assay. The mRNA expression of cyclin D1, CDK4 and TGF-beta 1 was examined using the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Type I collagen in the culture medium was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: 20, 50 and 100 mu mol/L PD98059 significantly inhibited the proliferation and provoked a G0/G1-phase arrest of acetaldehyde-induced HSCs in a dose-dependent manner. The secretion of type I collagen and the expression of cyclin D1, CDK4 and TGF-beta 1 mRNA in acetaldehyde-induced HSCs were markedly inhibited by 50 and 100 mu mol/L PD98059, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The ERK pathway regulates the cell proliferation, secretion of type I collagen and the expression of TGF-beta 1 mRNA in rat HSCs stimulated by acetaldehyde, which is likely related to its regulative effect on the cell cycle.
基金This study was supported by grants from National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30400195) and Dawn Program for Young Scientist of Wuhan (No. 20045006071-8).
文摘Background Although it is recognized that bronchial smooth muscle cells (BSMCs) play a key role. in airway remodeling during chronic asthma, it is not well understood how BSMCs exert their inflammatory functions. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathway is an important signaling pathway in chronic asthma but its influence on secretion by BSMCs has not been well-studied. We investigated the impact of ERK1/2 signaling pathway on secretion by BSMCs in a rat model of chronic asthma in this study. Methods To create a rat model of chronic asthma, Wistar rats underwent ovalbumim (OVA) injection and eight weeks of inhalation. BSMCs were isolated and cultured in vitro. Epidermal growth factor, PD98059 and ERK1/2 antisense oligonucleotide were used to explore the role of ERK1/2 signaling pathway. The expression of P-ERK1/2 (phospho-ERK1/2) in BSMCs was analyzed by Western blot and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Secretion of BSMCs was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Phospho-ERK1/2 expression was increased in BSMCs of chronic asthmatic rats compared with the controls. PD98059 inhibited expression of phospho-ERK1/2 protein, while treatment with an antisense oligonucleotide inhibited the expression of P-ERK1/2 mRNA and protein. BSMCs obtained from the chronic asthma group secreted significantly greater quantities of growth factors (transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF)), cytokines (regulated upon activation, normal T cell-expressed and secreted (RANTES) and eotaxin), and extracellular matrix (fibronectin and collagen I) compared with normal controls. Epidermal growth factor stimulated secretion in both groups, but the response of the chronic asthma group was more intense. Both PD98059 and antisense oligonucleotide suppressed secretion by BSMCs in chronic ashmatic rats. Antisense oligonucleotide reduced t
文摘Mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPKs)are a family of proteins that constitute signaling pathways involved in processes that control gene expression,cell division, cell survival,apoptosis,metabolism,differentiation and motility.The MAPK pathways can be divided into conventional and atypical MAPK pathways.The first group converts a signal into a cellular response through a relay of three consecutive phosphorylation events exerted by MAPK kinase kinases,MAPK kinase,and MAPK.Atypical MAPK pathways are not organized into this three-tiered cascade.MAPK that belongs to both conventional and atypical MAPK pathways can phosphorylate both non-protein kinase substrates and other protein kinases.The latter are referred to as MAPK-activated protein kinases.This review focuses on one such MAPK-activated protein kinase,MAPK-activated protein kinase 5(MK5)or p38-regulated/activated protein kinase(PRAK).This protein is highly conserved throughout the animal kingdom and seems to be the target of both conventional and atypical MAPK pathways.Recent findings on the regulation of the activity and subcellular localization,bona fide interaction partners and physiological roles of MK5/PRAK are discussed.