Signaling pathways for TNF production induced by human aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase-associating factor, p43

The p43 protein is associated with human macromolecular aminoacyl tRNA synthetase complex and secreted to up-regulate diverse proinflammatory genes including TNF. Here we focused on the p43-induced TNF production and determined its responsible signal pathway. The p43-induced TNF production was mediated by the activation of MAPK family members, ERK and p38 MAPK, and by IκB degradation leading to the activation of NFκB. We also studied the upstream molecules for ERK and p38 MAPK by using a variety of inhibitors. The inhibitors for protein kinase C (PKC) and phospholipase C (PLC) prevented the p43-induced TNF production. Interestingly, all of the effective drugs inhibited the ERK activity, while the drugs had no effects on p38 MAPK activity and IκB degradation. Together, the p43-induced TNF production was controlled by NFkB, p38 MAPK, and ERK that is dependent on the activities of PLC and PKC.