Involvement of MAPK/ERK1/2 pathway in microcystin-induced microfilament reorganization in HL7702 hepatocytes

Several studies previously demonstrated that microcystin (MC)-LR produced cytoskeletal damage, especially to actin filaments. However, the underlying mechanisms of MC-induced cytoskeletal reorganization remain to be determined. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of 5 or 10 µM MC-LR on microfilament depolarization and expression of microRNA-451a (miR-451a) which plays a crucial role in cellular processes including cell proliferation, apoptosis and tumorigenesis in HL7702 liver cells after 24 hr treatment. Data demonstrated that MC-LR increased microfilament depolarization, elevated phosphorylation levels of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK/ERK1/2) and vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) but lowered miR-451a RNA expression levels. These molecular processes were associated with no marked changes in total protein ERK1/2. Data demonstrate that transfection with miR-451a may not be effective in the presence of MC-LR as evidenced by the inability of excess microRNA to prevent toxin-induced inhibition of threonine protein phosphatases1 (PP1) and 2A (PP2A) and microfilament reorganization in HL7702 cells.