Differential regulation of map kinase isoforms by H2O2 in neuronal cells

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family is involved in the regulation of cellular proliferation, differentiation and stress signals. In this study, we investigated the role of MAPK in response to H2O2, an oxidative stress, in neuronal cells. Activation of c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) was sustained, where as extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 MAPK were transiently activated in response to H2O2 treatment. Inhibition of ERK and p38 resulted in higher activation of JNK in response to H2O2 treatment. The treatment with H2O2 led to apoptosis. The results implicate potential role of MAP kinases in neurodegenerative disorders mediated by oxidative stress.