Serotonin stimulates mitogen-activated protein kinase activity through the formation of superoxide anion

Our previous studies have shown that, through an active transport process, serotonin (5-HT) rapidly elevates O-2(-.) formation, stimulates protein phosphorylation, and enhances proliferation of bovine pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (SMCs). We presently show that 1 mu M 5-HT also rapidly elevates phosphorylation and activation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1 and ERK2 of SMCs, and the enhanced phosphorylation is blocked by the antioxidants Tiron, N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), and Ginkgo biloba extract. inhibition of MAP kinase with PD-98059 failed to block enhanced O-2(-.) formation by 5-HT. Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (CCL-39 cells), which demonstrate both 5-HT transporter and receptor activity, showed a similar response to 5-HT (i.e., enhanced mitogenesis, O-2(-.) formation, and ERK1 and ERK2 phosphorylation and activation). Unlike SMCs,they also responded to 5-HT receptor agonists. We conclude that downstream signaling of MAP kinase is a generalized cellular response to 5-HT that occurs secondary to O-2(-.) formation and may be initiated by either the 5-HT transporter or receptor depending on the cell type.