Arsenite inhibits Ras-dependent activation of ERK but activates ERK in the presence of oncogenic Ras in baboon vascular smooth muscle cells.

Exposure to arsenical compounds enhances the risk of atherosclerosis. The reason is unknown but it might be because an effect of arsenite (As3+) on plaque smooth muscle cells (SMCs) activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), a crucial mediator of SMC function. We found that arsenite inhibits the activation of ERK by platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB). This inhibitory effect depends on the time of arsenite exposure, is reversible, and is attenuated by preincubation of SMCs with the antioxidant N-acetyl-cysteine. These observations are consistent with the assumption that oxidative stress is involved. The blockade of ERK by arsenite may be mediated by an inhibition of Ras as arsenite prevents GTP-loading of Ras in response to PDGF-BB. Moreover, the Ras blockade by arsenite is not specific for PDGF-BB because it was also observed following stimulation of SMCs with EGF. To address the role of Ras, we expressed constitutively active, GTP-bound Ha-Ras (V12Ras). Unexpectedly, in V12Ras expressing-SMCs, arsenite stimulates ERK, but still decreases ERK activity in the presence of PDGF-BB. Our data suggest that arsenite inhibits the Ras/ERK pathway in SMCs, and that arsenite may activate ERK in Ras-transformed cells by mechanisms different from those employed by growth factors.