Regulation Of Myogenic Activation Of P38 Mapk By Tace-Mediated Tnf Alpha Release

The activation of p38 MAPK in myogenic precursor cells (MPCs) is a key signal for their exit of cell cycle and entry of the myogenic differentiation program. Therefore, identification of the signaling mechanism that activates p38 MAPK during this process is important for the understanding of the regulatory mechanism of muscle regeneration. This article reviews recent findings regarding the role of inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) as a key activator of p38 MAPK during myogenesis in an autocrine/paracrine fashion, and the signaling mechanisms that converge upon TNF alpha converting enzyme (TACE) to release TNF alpha from differentiating MPCs in response to diverse regenerative stimuli.