Role of MAP kinase activation in Nramp1 mRNA stability in RAW264.7 macrophages expressing Nramp1Gly169

Nramp1 (natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1) is a phagosomal iron transport molecule. In addition to its anti-microbial activity, Nramp1 exerts a wide range of pleiotropic effects, including increased stability of Nramp1 mRNA and a variety of other mRNA species. Previously, we showed that the increased stability of Nramp1 mRNA is regulated by an oxidant-generated signaling pathway that requires PKC. In the current study, we show that inhibition of ERK1,2 and p38 MAP kinase activities decreases Nramp1 mRNA stability in Mycobacterium avium infected RAW264.7 cells expressing Nramp1Gly169 but not in RAW264.7-Nramp1Asp169 cells. Phosphorylation of ERK1,2 and p38 MAP kinases, which could be inhibited by the anti-oxidant BHA and a protein kinase C inhibitor, was higher in M. avium infected RAW264.7-Nramp1Gly169 cells than in RAW26.47-Nramp1Asp169 cells. These results suggest that generation of oxidants by Nramp1 iron transport activates MAP kinase signaling cascades that result in stabilization of Nramp1 mRNA.