iScience (Sep 2021)

Characteristic ERK1/2 signaling dynamics distinguishes necroptosis from apoptosis

  • François Sipieter,
  • Benjamin Cappe,
  • Aymeric Leray,
  • Elke De Schutter,
  • Jolien Bridelance,
  • Paco Hulpiau,
  • Guy Van Camp,
  • Wim Declercq,
  • Laurent Héliot,
  • Pierre Vincent,
  • Peter Vandenabeele,
  • Franck B. Riquet

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 24, no. 9
p. 103074

Abstract

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Summary: ERK1/2 involvement in cell death remains unclear, although many studies have demonstrated the importance of ERK1/2 dynamics in determining cellular responses. To untangle how ERK1/2 contributes to two cell death programs, we investigated ERK1/2 signaling dynamics during hFasL-induced apoptosis and TNF-induced necroptosis in L929 cells. We observed that ERK1/2 inhibition sensitizes cells to apoptosis while delaying necroptosis. By monitoring ERK1/2 activity by live-cell imaging using an improved ERK1/2 biosensor (EKAR4.0), we reported differential ERK1/2 signaling dynamics between cell survival, apoptosis, and necroptosis. We also decrypted a temporally shifted amplitude- and frequency-modulated (AM/FM) ERK1/2 activity profile in necroptosis versus apoptosis. ERK1/2 inhibition, which disrupted ERK1/2 signaling dynamics, prevented TNF and IL-6 gene expression increase during TNF-induced necroptosis. Using an inducible cell line for activated MLKL, the final executioner of necroptosis, we showed ERK1/2 and its distinctive necroptotic ERK1/2 activity dynamics to be positioned downstream of MLKL.

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