Distinct and evolutionarily conserved signal transduction cascades med
iate survival or death in response to developmental and environmental
cues, The stress-activated protein kinases, or Jun N-terminal kinases
(SAPKs/JNKs)(1,2), are activated in response to a variety of cellular
stresses such as changes in osmolarity and metabolism, DNA damage, hea
t shock, ischaemia, or inflammatory cytokines(3-6). Sek1 (JNKK/MKK4) i
s a direct activator of SAPKs/JNKs in response to environmental stress
es or mitogenic factors(7-9). Here we investigate the role of Sek1 in
development and apoptosis by deleting sek1 in embryonic stem (ES) cell
s by homologous recombination, We provide genetic evidence that differ
ent stresses utilize distinct signalling pathways for SAPK/JNK activat
ion, sek1(-/-)/rag2(-/-) chimaeric mice have normal numbers of mature
T cells but fewer immature CD4(+)CD8(+) thymocytes, The sek1 mutation
did not affect the induction of apoptosis in response to environmental
stresses in ES and T cells: instead, sek1 protected thymocytes from C
D95 (Fas)- and CD3-mediated apoptosis, These data indicate that SEK1 m
ediates survival signals in T-cell development.