p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent activation of protein phosphatases 1 and 2A inhibits MEK1 and MEK2 activity and collagenase 1 (MMP-1) gene expression.

Degradation of collagenous extracellular matrix by collagenase 1 (also known as matrix metalloproteinase 1 [MMP-1]) plays a role in the pathogenesis of various destructive disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, chronic ulcers, and tumor invasion and metastasis. Here, we have investigated the role of distinct mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways in the regulation of MMP-1 gene expression. The activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 (ERK1)/ERK2 (designated ERK1,2) pathway by oncogenic Ras, constitutively active Raf-1, or phorbol ester resulted in potent stimulation of MMP-1 promoter activity and mRNA expression. In contrast, activation of stress-activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p38 pathways by expression of constitutively active mutants of Rac, transforming growth factor beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), MAPK kinase 3 (MKK3), or MKK6 or by treatment with arsenite or anisomycin did not alone markedly enhance MMP-1 promoter activity. Constitutively active MKK6 augmented Raf-1-mediated activation of the MMP-1 promoter, whereas active mutants of TAK1 and MKK3b potently inhibited the stimulatory effect of Raf-1. Activation of p38 MAPK by arsenite also potently abrogated stimulation of MMP-1 gene expression by constitutively active Ras and Raf-1 and by phorbol ester. Specific activation of p38alpha by adenovirus-delivered constitutively active MKK3b resulted in potent inhibition of the activity of ERK1,2 and its upstream activator MEK1,2. Furthermore, arsenite prevented phorbol ester-induced phosphorylation of ERK1,2 kinase-MEK1,2, and this effect was dependent on p38-mediated activation of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) and PP2A. These results provide evidence that activation of signaling cascade MKK3-MKK3b-->p38alpha blocks the ERK1,2 pathway at the level of MEK1,2 via PP1-PP2A and inhibits the activation of MMP-1 gene expression.