Inhibitory effect of peroxiredoxin II (Prx II) on Ras-ERK-NFκB pathway in mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) senescence

Abstract

Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were attenuated by the expression of peroxiredoxin II (Prx II). Cellular senescence as judged by senescence-associated (SA)-β-galactosidase (Gal) positive cell formation was increased in Prx II-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF). Ras expression was increased following passages. The level of Ras expression was higher in Prx II-/- MEF than wild type MEF. ERK activity was also augmented by the deletion of Prx II. SA-β-Gal-positive cell formation was reduced by PD98059, ERK inhibitor. Activated nuclear transcription factor, nuclear factor-kappaB (NFκB) by the deletion of Prx II was inhibited by the treatment with PD98059. In contrast, no changes in SA-β-Gal-positive cell formation were detected by NFκB inhibitor, N-alpha-tosyl-l-phenylalanyl chloromethyl ketone (TPCK). Collectively, results suggest that Prx II deletion activate Ras-ERK-NFκB pathways and cellular senescence in Prx II-/- MEF cells was mediated by ERK activation but not by NFκB activation.