Signaling events controlling the molecular response to genotoxic stress.

Recently, much progress has been made in defining the signal transduction pathways mediating the cellular response to genotoxic stress. Multiple pathways involving several distinct MAP kinases (ERK, JNK/SAPK, and p38/HOG1) as well as the tumor suppressor protein p53 contribute to the response; the various pathways being differentially activated by particular genotoxic agents. Although both DNA damage and extranuclear events are important in initiating the response, recent evidence suggests the response is controlled primarily through events occurring at the plasma membrane, overlapping significantly with those important in initiating mitogenic responses. Attenuation of the responses appears to be largely controlled through feedback mechanisms involving gene products produced during the activation process.