[Role of MEK/ERK pathway in the regulation of HDACI-induced senescence of transformed rat embryo fibroblasts].

A key regulator of cellular senescence, mTORC1 complex, is the target of many signaling cascades including Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK-signaling cascade. In this paper we investigated the role of MEK/ERK-branch of this cascade in the process of cellular senescence induced by histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACI) sodium butyrate (NaBut), in transformed rat embryo fibroblasts. Suppression of MEK/ERK activity by inhibitor PD0325901 does not prevent activation of mTORC1 complex induced by NaBut treatment. After the suppression of MEK/ERK, activity of mTORC1 increased as well as complex mTORC2. Activation of mTOR-containing complexes accompanied by the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton with the formation of actin stress fibers and the appearance of some markers of cellular senescence. In contrast to NaBut-induced senescence accumulation of proteins was not observed, which may be due to increased activity of the degradation processes. Furthermore, the induction of senescence in conditions suppressed MEK/ERK leads to a drastic decrease in cell viability. Thus, NaBut-induced senescence upon suppressed activity of MEK/ERK-branch of MAP kinase cascade has a more pronounced tumor-suppressor effect associated with stronger activation of both mTOR-complexes, reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton and protein degradation.