RAGE expression and AGE-induced MAP kinase activation in Caco-2 cells

RAGE (receptor for advanced glycation end products) is a multiligand cell s urface molecule of the immunoglobulin superfamily. It was originally descri bed as a receptor for protein adducts formed by glycoxidation (AGES) that a ccumulate in diseases such as diabetes and renal failure. Performing RT-PCR and Western blot analysis we intended to determine RAGE expression in the human colon adenocarcinoma cell line Caco-2. Moreover, Caco-2 cells were in cubated in the presence of AGES. Since RAGE ligation triggers the p21(ras) signal transduction pathway the activation state of p44/42 (ERK1/2) MAP kin ases was determined. Here we demonstrate for the first time that Caco-2 cel ls express RAGE and that administration of the food-derived casein-linked A GE N-epsilon-(carboxymethyl)lysine (Cas-CML) results in Caco-2 p44/42 (ERK1 /2) MAP kinase activation. (C) 2001 Academic Press.