Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways by the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor: mechanisms and functional consequences

Front Biosci. 2007 Jan 1:12:591-607. doi: 10.2741/2085.

Abstract

The cytokine Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) promotes proliferation, differentiation, survival and functional maturation of cells within the neutrophilic granulocyte lineage. G-CSF binds to its cell-surface receptor (G-CSFR) causing activation via homodimerisation and subsequent phosphorylation on four tyrosine residues of the receptor intracellular domain. This initiates a range of intracellular signalling events including the activation of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) pathways. G-CSF stimulates activation of the ERK 1/2 pathway, as well as the stress-activated JNK and p38 pathways, and the less-characterised ERK5/Big MAPK 1 pathway. Receptor mutagenesis studies have aided in the identification of regions of the G-CSFR that mediate specific activation of these MAPK pathways. In addition, the activation of individual MAPK pathways appears to contribute to distinct biological outcomes. Thus, MAPK activation may be an important mediator of the actions of G-CSF.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / physiology
  • Humans
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System*
  • Mice
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 7 / metabolism
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Neutrophils / enzymology
  • Receptors, Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / metabolism*
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • Receptors, Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 7
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases