Pharmacological inhibitors of JNK and ERK kinases SP600125 and U0126 are not appropriate tools for studies of drug metabolism because they activate aryl hydrocarbon receptor

Gen Physiol Biophys. 2008 Jun;27(2):143-5.

Abstract

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are important regulators of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). An immense progress in MAPKs' biochemistry was attained with the discovery of their specific pharmacological inhibitors. Unfortunately, the inhibitors of JNK and ERK MAPKs, i.e. SP600125 and U0126, respectively, affect AhR-CYP1A signaling pathway because they are partial agonists of AhR and induce CYP1A genes. This implies that SP600125 and U0126 are inappropriate tools for studies of the role of MAPKs in AhR regulation. The results from studies using SP600125 or U126, past or future, should be interpreted with prudence regarding their stimulatory effects on AhR-CYP1A pathway.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anthracenes / pharmacology*
  • Butadienes / pharmacology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 / biosynthesis
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2 / biosynthesis
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Hepatocytes / drug effects
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Imidazoles / pharmacology
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Nitriles / pharmacology*
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations / metabolism*
  • Pyridines / pharmacology
  • Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon / agonists*
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Anthracenes
  • Butadienes
  • Imidazoles
  • Nitriles
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations
  • Pyridines
  • Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon
  • U 0126
  • pyrazolanthrone
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • SB 203580