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Pure Appl. Chem., 2008, Vol. 80, No. 12, pp. 2735-2750

http://dx.doi.org/10.1351/pac200880122735

Role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling in nucleotide excision repair and genotoxicity in response to As(III) and Pb(II)

Ju-Pi Li, Chun-Yu Wang, Yen-An Tang, Yun-Wei Lin and Jia-Ling Yang

Molecular Carcinogenesis Laboratory, Institute of Biotechnology and Department of Life Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan

Abstract: Arsenic and lead can induce genetic injuries and epigenetic signaling pathways in cultured mammalian cells. To test whether signaling pathways affect the extent of genetic injuries, we explored the impacts of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK) on nucleotide excision repair (NER), cytotoxicity, and genotoxicity following sodium arsenite [As(III)] and lead acetate [Pb(II)]. Sustained ERK activation was observed in human cells exposed to As(III) and Pb(II). As(III) inhibited the cellular NER synthesis capability; conversely, Pb(II) stimulated it. ERK activation contributed to the As(III)-induced NER inhibition and micronucleus formation. In contrast, this signal was required for inducing cellular NER activity and preventing mutagenesis following Pb(II). ERK activation by Pb(II) was dependent on protein kinase C (PKCα) that also exhibited anti-mutagenicity. Enforced expression of ERK signaling markedly elevated the cellular NER activity, which was suppressed by As(III). Nonetheless, ERK activation could counteract the cytotoxicity caused by these two metals. Together, the results indicate that pro-survival ERK signaling exhibits dual and opposing impacts on NER process following As(III) and Pb(II) exposures. The findings also suggest that ERK is an important epigenetic signaling in the determination of metal genotoxicity.