ACTIVATION OF C-JUN N-TERMINAL KINASE DURING ISCHEMIA AND REPERFUSIONIN MOUSE-LIVER

We have generated a mouse model for hepatic ischemia in which surgical subcutaneous transposition of the spleen allows hepatic ischemia to b e applied without affecting other tissues. Using this mouse model we i nvestigated the relationship between the length of ischemic periods in the liver and subsequent liver function; furthermore, we assayed the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) during ischemia and reperf usion. Although prior to this study only the activated form of JNK was known to be translocated to the nucleus, we found that JNK translocat es to the nucleus during ischemia without activation and is then activ ated during reperfusion, These results suggest a novel mechanism of JN K activation. (C) 1997 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.