p38(MAPK) in the senescence of human and murine fibroblasts.

Oncogenic and environmental stresses, such as reactive oxygen species, UV radiation etc, can induce premature cellular senescence without critical telomere shortening. The role of the Ras/Raf/ERK signal transduction cascade in this process has been previously established, but recent evidence also indicates a critical role of the p38 MAP kinases pathway. Oncogenic and environmental stresses impinge upon the p38(MAPK) pathway, suggesting a major role of this pathway in senescence induced by stresses. Prematurely senescent cells are most likely to appear in several age-relatedpathologies associated with a stressful environment and/or the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines.