Influence of MAPK-signaling on the temozolomide and nimustine induced apoptosis in glioma cells

The outcome of cancer therapy strongly depends on the complex network of signaling pathways, including transcription factor activation following drug exposure. Here we assessed whether and how the MAP kinase (MAPK) cascade and its downstream target, the transcription factor AP-1, influence the sensitivity of malignant glioma cells to the anticancer drugs temozolomide (TMZ) and nimustine (ACNU). Activation of the MAPK cascade components p38K and JNK was observed upon TMZ or ACNU treatment, whereas activation of ERK1/2 was only observed upon ACNU exposure. Pharmacological inhibition and siRNA mediated knockdown of…