p38 and JNK MAPK pathways control the balance of apoptosis and autophagy in response to chemotherapeutic agents

Cancer Lett. 2014 Mar 28;344(2):174-9. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2013.11.019. Epub 2013 Dec 11.

Abstract

The Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) signaling plays a critical role in the outcome and the sensitivity to anticancer therapies. Activated MAPK can transmit extracellular signals to regulate cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, migration, apoptosis and so on. Apoptosis as well as macroautophagy (hereafter referred to as autophagy) can be induced by extracellular stimuli such the treatment of chemotherapeutic agents, resulting in different cell response to these drugs. However, the molecular mechanisms mediating these two cellular processes remain largely unknown. Recently, several studies provide new insights into p38 and JNK MAPK pathways function in the control of the balance of autophagy and apoptosis in response to genotoxic stress. Our increased understanding of the role of p38 and JNK MAPK pathways in regulating the balance of autophagy and apoptosis will hopefully provide prospective strategies for cancer therapy.

Keywords: Apoptosis; Autophagy; Chemoresistance; JNK; P38.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Apoptosis / physiology
  • Autophagy / drug effects
  • Autophagy / physiology
  • Humans
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4 / metabolism
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / drug effects*
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / physiology
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / enzymology*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • MAP Kinase Kinase 4