Protein kinase PKR is required for platelet-derived growth factor signaling of c-fos gene expression via Erks and Stat3.

The double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-activated protein kinase PKR is an interferon (IFN)-induced enzyme that controls protein synthesis through phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2alpha (eIF-2alpha). PKR also regulates signals initiated by diverse stimuli, including dsRNA, IFN-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 and lipopolysaccharide, to different transcription factors, resulting in pro-inflammatory gene expression. ...
Stat3 plays an essential role in promoting cell survival and proliferation by different growth factors, including platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). Here we show that PKR physically interacts with Stat3 and is required for PDGF-induced phosphorylation of Stat3 at Tyr705 and Ser727, resulting in DNA binding and transcriptional activation. PKR-mediated phosphorylation of Stat3 on Ser727 is indirect and channeled through ERKS: Although PKR is pre-associated with the PDGF beta-receptor, treatment with PDGF only modestly activates PKR. However, the induction of c-fos by PDGF is defective in PKR-null cells. Taken together, these results establish PKR as an upstream regulator of activation of Stat3 and as a common mediator of both growth-promoting and growth-inhibitory signals.
Mesh Terms:
Animals, Cell Line, DNA-Binding Proteins, Enzyme Activation, Gene Expression, Mice, Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases, Phosphorylation, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor, Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos, Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor, STAT3 Transcription Factor, Serine, Signal Transduction, Trans-Activators, Tyrosine, eIF-2 Kinase
EMBO J.
Date: May. 15, 2001
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