Abstract
Purpose:
The ERK1/2 signaling pathway is a major signal transduction pathway involved in gene expression, cell proliferation, differentiation, programmed cell death and cellular senescence. Our previous studies have shown that both ERK1/2 are the major MAP kinases in the ocular lens and other tissues. ERK1/2 are involved in regulation of lens differentiation, lens epithelial cell apoptosis and lens aging. In the present study.
Methods:
The aqueous humor from normal rabbits and human patients were used as material. Immunocytochemistry and western blot analysis were used to detect the ERK1/2 expression in different aqueous humor samples
Results:
The expression levels of ERK1/2 in the aqueous humor from normal rabbits (n=2) and from patients with glaucoma (n=6) and/or cataracts ((n=8) were analysed. Our results reveal that while ERK1 was not detectable ERK 2 was present at low levels in the aqueous humor of normal rabbits. In glaucoma or cataract patients, however, ERK1 level was relatively lower whereas the ERK2 level was very high. ERK1/2 levels fluctuated among diferent patients.
Conclusions:
ERK1/2 kinases may be implicated in development of glaucoma in addition to their involvement in cataractogenesis
Keywords: 714 signal transduction •
427 aqueous •
533 gene/expression