Title:The Role of JNK Signalling in Responses to Oxidative DNA Damage
Volume: 17
Issue: 2
Author(s): Zeeshan Shaukat, Dawei Liu, Rashid Hussain, Mahwish Khan and Stephen L. Gregory
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Aneuploidy, cell cycle, chromosomal instability, DNA damage, Drosophila, JNK, oxidative stress, ROS, therapeutic
target.
Abstract: The production of reactive oxygen species is a normal part of cell physiology, but many internal
and external stimuli are able to trigger the production of excess levels of oxidants that are potentially
damaging. The threat of oxidative damage is particularly significant to DNA, as damaged bases
can interfere with replication to generate lasting mutations. Signalling through the JNK pathway is a
key cellular response to oxidative damage. Depending on the intensity and duration of the damage signal,
JNK signalling can lead to distinct alternative responses including DNA repair, anti-oxidant production
or cell death. These responses are highly relevant to cancer therapy, as tumours are often under
oxidative stress that produces elevated JNK levels and therapy often involves inducing DNA damage with the intention
of driving cell death. In this review we examine the causes and consequences of JNK activation that relate to oxidative
DNA damage, with a focus on the potential therapeutic implications.
