Activation of pmitogen activated protein kinase induced by lipopolysaccharide and its role in TNF a gene expression

Objective: To study the molecular mechanisms of TNF--a expression induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for exploring novel methods to prevent or treat clinical patients with endotoxic shock. Methods:Protein kinase assay was used to detect the kinase activity stimulated by LPS; Con focal laser scan technique was used to show the translocation of p38 on the activation; RT PCR and reporter gene system were used to study the molecular mechanism of TNF -a gene transcription. Results: In RAW cells it was found that p38 was activated on the stimulation of LPS. and activated p38 moved into nucleus from cytosol; TNF--a mRNA increased on the stimulation of LPS and the increased promoter transactivity induced by LPS could be inhibited significantly by specific inhibitor for p38. Conclusion: p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK ) was activated by the stimulation of LPS,which brought about its entry to the nucleus to act on transcription factors to regulate cellular processes. p38 MAPK Is an important regulator of TNF--a gene expression induced by LPS.