The Role of Ste20‐like Kinase (SLK) in TGFbeta‐activated Kinase 1 (TAK1)‐mediated Pathways

Abstract

Mitogen‐activated Protein Kinases (MAPKs) are activated in various signaling pathways, and thus, critical for different biological functions. As the member in Ste20‐related kinases, Ste20‐like kinase, SLK, has been suggested to play an important role in apoptosis and cytokinesis. Here, we investigate the interaction between SLK and TGFbeta‐activated kinase 1 (TAK1), which is a key MAP3K in innate immunity. We found that p38 activation is declined in SLK‐silencing macrophages upon LPS engagement. On the other hands, SLK overexpression is able to specifically enhance TAK1‐mediated p38 activation, but has no effect on JNK. In conclusion, we demonstrate that a novel role of SLK in TLR pathways and the mechanism for distinct activation of MAPK signaling.Support or Funding InformationMOST‐102‐2320‐B‐010‐027‐MY3