Impact of environmental toxicants on p38- and ERK-MAPK signaling pathways in the central nervous system

Omamuyovwi M. Ijomone, Joy D. Iroegbu, Michael Aschner, Julia Bornhorst

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

There are several candidate signalling pathways that mediate the response of the central nervous system (CNS) cells to environmental toxins. However, much is still to be learned on how these pathways modulate neurotoxicity. The mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signalling pathways, which include the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) and the p38-MAPK, are potentially key pathways to regulate CNS responses to environmental toxins. The pathways play leading roles in the transmission of extracellular signals into the cell nucleus, leading to cell differentiation, cell growth, and apoptosis, to name a few. Moreover, exposure to environmental toxins induces p38- and ERK-MAPK activation, which leads to oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in the CNS. Here, we provide a concise review of the recent evidence demonstrating the role of p38- and ERK-MAPK signaling pathways and their downstream targets in the CNS following exposure to environmental toxicants such as metals, organophosphorus and persistent organic pollutants.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)166-171
Number of pages6
JournalNeurotoxicology
Volume86
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2021

Keywords

  • CNS
  • MAPK signalling
  • Metals
  • Organophosphorus
  • Persistent organic pollutants

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • Toxicology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Impact of environmental toxicants on p38- and ERK-MAPK signaling pathways in the central nervous system'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this