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Mozibullah M, Junaid M. Biological Role of the PAK4 Signaling Pathway: A Prospective Therapeutic Target for Multivarious Cancers. ARAB J CHEM 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.arabjc.2022.104438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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Mao Y, Han CY, Hao L, Lee Y, Son JB, Choi H, Lee MR, Yang JD, Hong SK, Suh KS, Yu HC, Kim ND, Bae EJ, Park BH. p21-activated kinase 4 inhibition protects against liver ischemia/reperfusion injury: Role of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 phosphorylation. Hepatology 2022; 76:345-356. [PMID: 35108418 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4), an oncogenic protein, has emerged as a promising target for anticancer drug development. Its role in oxidative stress conditions, however, remains elusive. We investigated the effects of PAK4 signaling on hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. APPROACH AND RESULTS Hepatocyte- and myeloid-specific Pak4 knockout (KO) mice and their littermate controls were subjected to a partial hepatic I/R (HIR) injury. We manipulated the catalytic activity of PAK4, either through genetic engineering (gene knockout, overexpression of wild-type [WT] or dominant-negative kinase) or pharmacological inhibitor, coupled with a readout of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activity, to test the potential function of PAK4 on HIR injury. PAK4 expression was markedly up-regulated in liver during HIR injury in mice and humans. Deletion of PAK4 in hepatocytes, but not in myeloid cells, ameliorated liver damages, as demonstrated in the decrease in hepatocellular necrosis and inflammatory responses. Conversely, the forced expression of WT PAK4 aggravated the pathological changes. PAK4 directly phosphorylated Nrf2 at T369, and it led to its nuclear export and proteasomal degradation, all of which impaired antioxidant responses in hepatocytes. Nrf2 silencing in liver abolished the protective effects of PAK4 deficiency. A PAK4 inhibitor protected mice from HIR injury. CONCLUSIONS PAK4 phosphorylates Nrf2 and suppresses its transcriptional activity. Genetic or pharmacological suppression of PAK4 alleviates HIR injury. Thus, PAK4 inhibition may represent a promising intervention against I/R-induced liver injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuancheng Mao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jeonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Yeob Han
- School of Pharmacy, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Lihua Hao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jeonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
| | | | | | | | - Mi Rin Lee
- Department of Surgery, Jeonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Do Yang
- Department of Surgery, Jeonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Suk Kyun Hong
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Suk Suh
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Chul Yu
- Department of Surgery, Jeonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Eun Ju Bae
- School of Pharmacy, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung-Hyun Park
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jeonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
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