Bile Acid Regulation of C/EBPβ, CREB, and c-Jun Function, via the Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase and c-Jun NH₂-Terminal Kinase Pathways, Modulates the Apoptotic Response of Hepatocytes

Previously, we have demonstrated that deoxycholic acid (DCA)-induced signaling of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) in primary hepatocytes is a protective response. In the present study, we examined the roles of the ERK and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) pathways, and downstream transcription factors, in the survival response of hepatocytes. DCA caused activation of the ERK1/2 and JNK1/2 pathways. Inhibition of either...