Xp38gamma/SAPK3 promotes meiotic G(2)/M transition in Xenopus oocytes and activates Cdc25C.

ABSTRACT: We have studied the role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in the meiotic maturation of Xenopus oocytes. Overexpression of a constitutively active mutant of the p38 activator MKK6 accelerates progesterone-induced maturation. Immunoprecipit ation experiments indicate that p38gamma/SAPK3 is the major p38 activated by MKK6 in the oocytes. We have cloned Xenopus p38gamma (Xp38gamma) and show that co-expression of active MKK6 with Xp38gamma induces oocyte maturation in the absence of progesterone. The maturation induced by Xp38gamma requires neither protein synthesis nor activation of the p42 MAPK-p90Rsk pathway, but it is blocked by cAMP-dependent protein kinase. A role for the endogenous Xp38gamma in progesterone-induced maturation is supported by the inhibitory effect of kinas

SUBMITTER: Perdiguero E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC275416 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature