Expression and modulation of p42/p44 MAPKs and cell cycle regulatory proteins in rat pancreas regeneration

Pancreatic growth occurs after CCK, CCK-induced pancreatitis, and pancreatectomy; the mechanisms involved remain unknown. This study evaluates mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation and expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins after pancreatectomy to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in pancreas regeneration. Rats were killed 1-12 days after pancreatectomy, and p42/p44 MAPK activation, expression of the cyclins D and E, cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk)-2 activity, retinoblastoma protein (pRb) hyperphosphorylation, and expression of the cyclin kinase inhibitors p15, p21, and p27 were examined. Pancreatic remnants exhibited sustained p42/p44 MAPK activation within 8 h. Cyclins D1 and E showed maximal expression after 2 and 6 days, coinciding with maximal hyperphosphorylation of pRb and Cdk2 activity. The expression of p15 vanished after 12 h, p27 disappeared gradually, and p21 increased early. The p27 complexed with Cdk2 dissociated after 2 days, whereas p21 associated in a reverse fashion. In conclusion, sustained activation of p42/p44 MAPKs and Cdk2 along with overexpression of cyclins DI and E and reduction of p15 and p27 cyclin inhibitors occurred early after pancreatectomy and are active factors involved in signaling that leads to pancreas regeneration.