Molecular mechanisms for somatostatin inhibition of c-fos gene expression

We reported previously that somatostatin inhibits the expression of the immediate early gene c-fos. Accordingly, we characterized the molecular mechanisms by which somatostatin inhibits c-fos gene expression. Because growth factors activate c-fos through a region of its promoter known as the serum response element [SRE; base pairs (bp) -357 to -276] we transfected rat pituitary adenoma cells (GH3) with plasmids containing the SRE or the SRE core fragment (bp -320 to -298) upstream of the luciferase reporter gene. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulated SRE-luciferase activity, and this effect was inhibited by somatostatin and by the analog MK-678. Identical results were obtained with the SRE core plasmid, demonstrating that the sequence between bp -320 and -298 of the c-fos promoter is a somatostatin response element. Because the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERKs) induce the SRE via phosphorylation of transcription factors such as Elk-1, we examined the effect of somatostatin on ERK phosphorylation and activation. EGF stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of ERK2, and MK-678 attenuated this effect. In experiments using in-gel kinase assays, MK-678 also inhibited EGF-stimulated ERK activity via a pertussis toxin sensitive pathway, and this effect resulted in inhibition of Elk-1 transcriptional activity. Our data suggest that one mechanism of somatostatin action involves inhibition of ERK activity, Elk-1 phosphorylation and transcriptional activation, and ultimately c-fos gene transcription.

Reconstitution of T cell antigen receptor-induced Erk2 kinase activation in Lck-negative JCaM1 cells by Syk

The two related protein-tyrosine kinases Syk and Zap are rapidly phosphorylated on tyrosine residues and enzymatically activated upon crosslinking of the T cell antigen receptor. We have previously reported that the activation of Syk is less dependent on the Src family kinase Lck than the activation of Zap. Here we report that overexpression of Syk in the Lck-negative JCaM1 cells enabled the T cell antigen receptor/CD3 complex to induce a normal activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and expression of a nuclear factor of activated T cells reporter construct. In contrast, Zap and other protein-tyrosine kinases were unable to reconstitute these signaling pathways when expressed at the same levels. In parallel, Syk was phosphorylated on tyrosine, while Zap was not. The Syk-mediated T cell antigen receptor-induced MAPK activation was detectable within 1 min of receptor stimulation and peaked at 3-5 min. The capacity of Syk to reconstitute the MAPK response required the catalytic activity of Syk, an intact autophosphorylation site (Y518 and Y519), both Src homology 2 domains and it was blocked by the inhibitory N17-mutated dominant-negative Ras construct. A Y341-->F mutant of Syk, which is deficient in its interaction with phospholipase Cy1 and Vav, was less efficient than wild-type Syk. Our results suggest that Syk, in contrast to Zap, can transduce signals from the T cell antigen receptor independently of Lck.

Different nuclear signals are activated by the B cell receptor during positive versus negative signaling

It is not known how immunogenic versus tolerogenic cellular responses are signaled by receptors such as the B cell antigen receptor (BCR). Here we compare BCR signaling in naive cells that respond positively to foreign antigen and self-tolerant cells that respond negatively to self-antigen. In naive cells, foreign antigen triggered a large biphasic calcium response and activated nuclear signals through NF-AT, NF-kappa B, JNK, and ERK/pp90rsk. In tolerant B cells, self-antigen stimulated low calcium oscillations and activated NF-AT and ERK/pp90rsk but not NF-kappa B or JNK. Self-reactive B cells lacking the phosphatase CD45 did not exhibit calcium oscillations or ERK/pp90rsk activation, nor did they repond negatively to self-antigen. These data reveal striking biochemical differences in BCR signaling to the nucleus during positive selection by foreign antigens and negative selection by self-antigens.

MCP-1-mediated chemotaxis requires activation of non-overlapping signal transduction pathways

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a CC chemokine that attracts monocytes and T lymphocytes. Its receptor (CCR2) is a heptahelical G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) whose signal transduction pathways for chemotaxis have not been completely defined. Because other GPCRs stimulate the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade, we examined this pathway's activity in response to MCP-1. MCP-1 induced rapid and transient activation of MAPK in human monocytes and in Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing CCR2B. This effect was largely insensitive to pertussis toxin and wortmannin, and was protein kinase C-dependent and protein tyrosine kinase-independent. PD 098059, an inhibitor of MEK activation, not only prevented MAPK activation but also inhibited MCP-1-induced chemotaxis. Because pertussis toxin and wortmannin also efficiently inhibit chemotaxis but do not completely inhibit MAPK activation, these data may define non-overlapping signal transduction pathways that all must be activated to produce chemokine-mediated chemotaxis.

Constitutive activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in acute leukemia cells

Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase appears to be one of the key regulators of cell proliferation and differentiation. Very little, however, has been revealed as to how MAP kinase is involved in leukemogenesis. We have studied the activation of the MAP kinase pathway in 100 human primary leukemia cells including 73 acute myelogenous leukemias (AMLs). Forty acute leukemia samples (40% of the total), including 37 AML samples (51% of AML), showed activation of MAP kinase as revealed by the mobility shift of the phosphorylated form of the protein and by in vitro kinase assay. This activation was correlated with MAP kinase kinase activity in these cells. In contrast, none of 14 chronic myelogenous leukemia samples showed the activation of MAP kinase. These results suggest that the MAP kinase pathway is constitutively activated in a subset of primary acute leukemias, and thus indicate the possible role of the constitutively activated MAP kinase in leukemogenesis.

Role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and PKC alpha in cytosolic PLA2 activation by bradykinin in MDCK-D1 cells

The actions of bradykinin (BK) in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) and other cell types involve formation of arachidonic acid (AA) and AA products by as-yet-undefined mechanisms. We found that BK promoted AA release and an increase in phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity in subsequently prepared MDCK-D1 cell lysates, both of which were Ca2+ dependent and were inhibited by the 85-kDa cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2) inhibitor arachidonyl trifluoromethyl ketone. In addition, BK treatment of cells led to increased PLA2 activity of cPLA2 immunoprecipitated from lysates. Thus BK receptors mediate AA release via cPLA2 in MDCK-D1 cells. The BK-promoted increase of cPLA2 activity was reversed by treatment of cell lysates with potato acid phosphatase, implying that phosphorylation underlies the activation of cPLA2. However, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) appeared not to be responsible for this phosphorylation, because treatment of cells with BK (in contrast with the results obtained with epinephrine and phorbol ester) caused neither enzyme activation nor phosphorylation (as judged by molecular mass shift) of this kinase. Although the alpha isoform of protein kinase C (PKC alpha) is responsible for AA release promoted by phorbol ester treatment of MDCK-D1 cells (C. Godson, K.S. Bell, and P.A. Insel. [corrected] J. Biol. Chem. 268: 11946-11950, 1993), neither treatment of cells with the PKC alpha-selective inhibitor GF109203X nor transfection of cells with PKC alpha antisense cDNA altered BK-mediated AA release. We conclude that PKC alpha is unlikely to play an important role in the regulation of cPLA2 by BK receptors in MDCK-D1 cells. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor herbimycin A, on the other hand, inhibited both BK-promoted AA release in intact cells and cPLA2 activation in cell lysates, suggesting the involvement of tyrosine kinase in the regulation of this lipase by BK receptors. Taken together, these data suggest that BK receptors in MDCK-D1 cells regulate cPLA2 via phosphorylation mediated by kinases other than ERK and PKC alpha.

Fc gamma receptor cross-linking activates p42, p38, and JNK/SAPK mitogen-activated protein kinases in murine macrophages: role for p42MAPK in Fc gamma receptor-stimulated TNF-alpha synthesis

Fc gamma R cross-linking on murine macrophages resulted in the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family members p42MAPK, p38, and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK)/stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK). The temporal pattern of activation was distinct for each kinase. p42MAPK activation peaked at 5 min after receptor cross-linking, while peak p38 activity occurred 5 to 10 min later. Maximal JNK/SAPK activation occurred 20 min after Fc gamma R cross-linking. The selective MAPK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1 (MEK-1) inhibitor PD 098059 inhibited activation of p42MAPK induced by Fc gamma R cross-linking, but not p38 or JNK/SAPK activation. PD 098059 also inhibited the synthesis of TNF-alpha induced by Fc gamma R cross-linking (IC50 approximately 0.1 microM). Together, these results suggest that 1) the activation of MAPKs may play a role in Fc gammaR signal transduction, and 2) the activation of p42MAPK is necessary for Fc gamma R cross-linking-induced TNF-alpha synthesis.

Different effects of thrombin receptor activation on endothelium and smooth muscle cells of human coronary bypass vessels. Implications for venous bypass graft failure

BACKGROUND

Thrombin is implicated in coronary bypass graft disease; it cleaves its receptor's extracellular N-terminal domain and unmasks a new N-terminus as a tethered ligand. We studied the effects of thrombin receptor activation in human internal mammary artery (IMA) and saphenous vein (SV).

METHODS AND RESULTS

To study the effects of thrombin receptor activation on vasomotion, isolated blood vessels were suspended for isometric tension recording, and the effects on cell proliferation were studied in cultured smooth muscle cells (SMCs) of IMA and SV. Thrombin receptor expression in IMA and SV was analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistology. Receptor function was studied by analyzing the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (p42MAPK). In IMA thrombin evoked endothelium-dependent relaxations (65 +/- 5%) that were mimicked by thrombin receptor agonist peptide (TRAP) and reduced by the thrombin inhibitors recombinant (r-) hirudin and D-Phe-Pro-Arg-chloromethyl ketone (PPACK) (P < .05). In SV thrombin caused contractions (36 +/- 5% of 100 mmol/L KCl) that were inhibited by r-hirudin or PPACK (P < .05) but not mimicked by TRAP. In SMCs thrombin induced more pronounced [3H]thymidine incorporation (inhibited by r-hirudin or PPACK) in SV than IMA (P < .05), but activation of p42MAPK was similar in both vessels. TRAP induced weaker activation of p42MAPK than thrombin and did not stimulate [3H]thymidine incorporation in SMCs of SV or IMA. Immunohistology and RT-PCR demonstrated that the endothelium and SMCs of IMA and SV express thrombin receptor.

CONCLUSIONS

Functional thrombin receptors are present on endothelium and SMCs of IMA and SV. Endothelial thrombin receptors mediate relaxation in IMA but not SV. Thrombin causes much more pronounced contraction and proliferation in SMCs of SV than IMA independent of tethered receptors, suggesting other thrombin receptors exist. These differences of thrombin receptor activation in IMA and SV may be important in the development of and therapy for graft disease.

Mechanism of mitogen-activated protein kinase activation by gonadotropin-releasing hormone in the pituitary of alphaT3-1 cell line: differential roles of calcium and protein kinase C

The mechanism of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK, ERK) stimulation by the GnRH analog [D-Trp6]GnRH (GnRH-a) was investigated in the gonadotroph-derived alphaT3-1 cell line. GnRH-a as well as the protein kinase C (PKC) activator 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) stimulated a sustained response of MAPK activity, whereas epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulated a transient response. MAPK kinase (MEK) is also activated by GnRH-a, but in a transient manner. GnRH-a and TPA apparently activated mainly the MAPK isoform ERK1, as revealed by Mono-Q fast protein liquid chromatography followed by Western blotting as well as by gel kinase assay. GnRH-a and TPA stimulated the tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins, and this effect as well as the stimulation of MAPK activity were inhibited by the PKC inhibitor GF 109203X. Similarly, down-regulation of TPA-sensitive PKC subspecies nearly abolished the effect of GnRH-a and TPA on MAPK activity. Furthermore, the protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitor genistein inhibited protein tyrosine phosphorylation and reduced GnRH-a-stimulated MAPK activity by 50%, suggesting the participation of genistein-sensitive and insensitive pathways in GnRH-a action. Although Ca2+ ionophores have only a marginal stimulatory effect, the removal of Ca2+ markedly reduced MAPK activation by GnRH-a and TPA, but had no effect on GnRH-a and TPA stimulation of protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Interestingly, the removal of Ca2+ also partly inhibited the activation of MAPK by EGF and vanadate/H2O2. Thus, a calcium-dependent component(s) downstream of PKC and PTK might also participate in MAPK activation. Elevation of cAMP by forskolin exerted partial inhibition on EGF, but not on TPA or GnRH-a action, suggesting that MEK activators other than Raf-1 might be involved in GnRH action. We conclude that Ca2+, PTK, and PKC participate in the activation of MAPK by GnRH-a, with Ca2+ being necessary downstream to PKC and PTK.

Interleukin 8-stimulated phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase activity regulates the migration of human neutrophils independent of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases

Chemoattractants and chemokines, such as interleukin 8 (IL-8), are defined by their ability to induce directed cell migration of responsive cells. The signal transduction pathway(s) leading to cell migration remain ill defined. We demonstrate that phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) activity, as determined by inhibition using wortmannin and LY294002, is required for IL-8-induced cell migration of human neutrophils. Recently we reported that IL-8 caused the activation of the Ras/Raf/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway in human neutrophils and that this activation was dependent on PI3K activity. The regulation of cell migration by IL-8 is independent of ERK kinase and ERK activation since the ERK kinase inhibitor PD098059 had no effect on IL-8-induced cell migration of human neutrophils. Additionally, activation of p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase is insufficient and activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase is unnecessary to induce cell migration of human neutrophils. Therefore, regulation of neutrophil migration appears to be largely independent of the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases. The data argue that PI3K activity plays a central role in multiple signal transduction pathways within the human neutrophil leading to distinct cell functions.

Fluoride at mitogenic doses induces a sustained activation of p44mapk, but not p42mapk, in human TE85 osteosarcoma cells

Fluoride, at micromolar concentrations, stimulates bone cell proliferation in vitro. In this study, we sought to test whether fluoride at mitogenic doses increases the tyrosyl phosphorylation level and specific activity of a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in human TE85 osteosarcoma cells. Analysis by immunoprecipitation with antiphosphotyrosine antibody followed by Western analysis using an anti-pan extracellular signal-regulated kinase antibody revealed that fluoride at the optimal mitogenic dose (i.e. 100 mumol/L) induced a time-dependent increase in the steady state tyrosyl phosphorylation level of p44mapk, but not p42mapk, with the maximal increase (4- to 13-fold) after 1-3 h fluoride treatment. The effect was sustained in that a 9-fold increase was seen after 12 h of the fluoride treatment. The sustained nature of the effect is consistent with an inhibition of dephosphorylation rather than a direct stimulation of phosphorylation. The fluoride effect on the tyrosyl phosphorylation level of p44mapk was dose dependent, with the optimal dose being 100 mumol/L fluoride. The mitogenic dose of fluoride also increased the specific activity and the in-gel kinase activity of p44mapk, but not that of p42mapk, in a time-dependent manner similar to the effect on the p44mapk tyrosyl phosphorylation level. Fluoride at the same micromolar doses did not increase cell proliferation, tyrosyl phosphorylation, or specific activity of any MAPK in human skin foreskin fibroblasts, which are fluoride-nonresponsive cells. Consistent with the interpretation that the effect of fluoride on the steady state tyrosyl phosphorylation level of p44mapk is a consequence of an inhibition of a phosphotyrosyl phosphatase (PTP), mitogenic doses of orthovanadate, a bone cell mitogen and a PTP inhibitor, also increased the steady state tyrosyl phosphorylation level of p44mapk, but not p42mapk, in a time-dependent sustained manner similar to that observed with fluoride. Together, these findings support the concept that inhibition of a PTP activity in bone cells could lead to an activation of MAPK activity.

Elevated amyloid beta protein(1-40) level induces CREB phosphorylation at serine-133 via p44/42 MAP kinase (Erk1/2)-dependent pathway in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells

The deposition of amyloid beta protein (A beta) in the cerebral cortex is the pathological characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and patients with AD suffer from progressive memory loss. Transgenic experiments have revealed that long-term memory is dependent on cyclic AMP-response element binding protein, CREB. CREB phosphorylation at serine-133 is essential for its transcriptional activity. Here we demonstrated that A beta(1-40), at a concentration more than 1 microM, induced CREB phosphorylation at serine-133 in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. A beta(1-40) induced phosphorylation of p44 and p42 MAP kinases (Erk1 and Erk2) at tyrosine-204, and PD98059, a MEK1 inhibitor, inhibited A beta(1-40)-induced CREB phosphorylation at serine-133. We conclude that elevated A beta(1-40) level induces CREB phosphorylation at serine-133 via p44/42 MAP kinase-dependent pathway.

C-terminal mutation of G protein beta subunit affects differentially extracellular signal-regulated kinase and c-Jun N-terminal kinase pathways in human embryonal kidney 293 cells

G protein beta and gamma subunits (Gbeta and Ggamma) form a complex that is involved in various signaling pathways. We reported that the C-terminal 10 amino acids of Gbeta are required for association with Ggamma (Yamauchi, J., Kaziro, Y., and Itoh, H. (1995) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 214, 694-700). To evaluate further the significance of the C-terminal region of Gbeta in the formation of a Gbetagamma complex and its signal transduction, we constructed several C-terminal mutants and expressed them in human embryonal kidney 293 cells. The mutant lacking the C-terminal 2 amino acids (DeltaC2) failed to associate with Ggamma, whereas deletion of the C-terminal amino acid (DeltaC1), replacement of Trp at -2 position by Ala (W339A), and addition of six histidines ((His)6) at the C terminus did not affect the association with Ggamma. We also studied the effect of these mutations on the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase (JNK/SAPK). Co-expression of the DeltaC2 or (His)6 mutant with Ggamma did not activate MAPK/ERK at all, whereas the DeltaC1 or W339A mutant showed the MAPK/ERK activation. The JNK/SAPK activity was stimulated by the W339A, DeltaC2, or (His)6 mutant, but not by the DeltaC1 mutant. These results suggest that the C-terminal region of Gbeta participates differentially in the signaling for MAPK/ERK and JNK/SAPK activations in mammalian cells.

The structure of mitogen-activated protein kinase p38 at 2.1-A resolution

The structure of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase p38 has been solved at 2.1-A to an R factor of 21.0%, making p38 the second low activity MAP kinase solved to date. Although p38 is topologically similar to the MAP kinase ERK2, the phosphorylation Lip (a regulatory loop near the active site) adopts a different fold in p38. The peptide substrate binding site and the ATP binding site are also different from those of ERK2. The results explain why MAP kinases are specific for different activating enzymes, substrates, and inhibitors. A model presented for substrate and activator interactions has implications for the evolution of protein kinase cascades.

Exercise stimulates the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in human skeletal muscle

Physical exercise can cause marked alterations in the structure and function of human skeletal muscle. However, little is known about the specific signaling molecules and pathways that enable exercise to modulate cellular processes in skeletal muscle. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade is a major signaling system by which cells transduce extracellular signals into intracellular responses. We tested the hypothesis that a single bout of exercise activates the MAPK signaling pathway. Needle biopsies of vastus lateralis muscle were taken from nine subjects at rest and after 60 min of cycle ergometer exercise. In all subjects, exercise increased MAPK phosphorylation, and the activity of its downstream substrate, the p90 ribosomal S6 kinase 2. Furthermore, exercise increased the activities of the upstream regulators of MAPK, MAP kinase kinase, and Raf-1. When two additional subjects were studied using a one-legged exercise protocol, MAPK phosphorylation and p90 ribosomal S6 kinase 2, MAP kinase kinase 1, and Raf-1 activities were increased only in the exercising leg. These studies demonstrate that exercise activates the MAPK cascade in human skeletal muscle and that this stimulation is primarily a local, tissue-specific phenomenon, rather than a systemic response to exercise. These findings suggest that the MAPK pathway may modulate cellular processes that occur in skeletal muscle in response to exercise.

Cell scattering of SK-N-MC neuroepithelioma cells in response to Ret and FGF receptor tyrosine kinase activation is correlated with sustained ERK2 activation

The c-ret proto-oncogene encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase which plays an important role in kidney and enteric nervous system development. Germline mutations in c-ret are responsible for the dominantly inherited cancer syndromes, multiple endocrine neoplasia types 2A and 2B and familial medullary thyroid carcinoma as well as the developmental disorder Hirschsprung's disease. Using SK-N-MC neuroepithelioma cells stably transfected with an EGFR/Ret chimeric receptor, we have studied cellular consequences and signalling events following activation of exogenous EGFR/Ret and endogenous FGF and PDGF receptor tyrosine kinases in cells of neuroectodermal origin. Here we report that Ret activation led to cell scattering, growth inhibition and loss of anchorage-independent growth. Basic FGF, but not PDGF, evoked similar responses in those cells. Nevertheless, activation of all three receptor tyrosine kinases led to ERK2 activation. Analysis of the kinetics of ERK2 activation and downstream events revealed that Ret and FGF receptor activation led to sustained ERK2 activation and SRE transactivation, while PDGF treatment led to transient ERK2 activation and failed to induce SRE transactivation. Our results suggest that sustained, but not transient ERK2 activation may be involved in cell scattering.

Protein kinase C-zeta mediates angiotensin II activation of ERK1/2 in vascular smooth muscle cells

Activation of 44 and 42 kDa extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)1/2 by angiotensin II (angII) plays an important role in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) function. The dual specificity mitogen-actived protein (MAP) kinase/ERK kinase (MEK) activates ERK1/2 in response to angII, but the MEK activating kinases remain undefined. Raf is a candidate MEK kinase. However, a kinase other than Raf appears responsible for angII-mediated signal transduction because we showed previously that treatment with 1 microM phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate (PDBU) for 24 h completely blocked Raf-Ras association in VSMC but did not inhibit activation of MEK and ERK1/2 by angII. We hypothesized that an atypical protein kinase C (PKC) isoform, which lacks a phorbol ester binding domain, mediated ERK1/2 activation by angII. Western blot analysis of rat aortic VSMC with PKC isoform-specific antibodies showed PKC-alpha, -beta1, -delta, -epsilon, and -zeta in relative abundance. All isoforms except PKC-zeta were down-regulated by 1 microM PDBU for 24 h suggesting that PKC-zeta was responsible for angII-mediated ERK1/2 activation. In response to angII, PKC-zeta associated with Ras as shown by co-precipitation of PKC-zeta with anti-H-Ras antibody. To characterize further the role of PKC-zeta, PKC-zeta protein was depleted specifically by transfection with antisense PKC-zeta oligonucleotides. Antisense PKC-zeta oligonucleotide treatment significantly decreased PKC-zeta protein expression (without effect on other PKC isoforms) and angII-mediated ERK1/2 activation in a concentration-dependent manner. In contrast, ERK1/2 activation by platelet-derived growth factor and phorbol ester was not significantly inhibited. These results demonstrate an important difference in signal transduction by angII compared with PDGF and phorbol ester in VSMC, and suggest a critical role for PKC-zeta and Ras in angII stimulation of ERK1/2.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced activation of c-jun N-terminal kinase is mediated by TRAF2

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) a pro-inflammatory cytokine is an endogenous mediator of septic shock, inflammation, anti-viral responses and apoptotic cell death. TNF alpha elicits its complex biological responses through the individual or cooperative action of two TNF receptors of mol. wt 55 kDa (TNF-RI) and mol. wt 75 kDa (TNF-RII). To determine signaling events specific for TNF-RII we fused the extracellular domain of the mouse CD4 antigen to the intracellular domain of TNF-RII. Crosslinking of the chimeric receptor using anti-CD4 antibodies initiates exclusively TNF-RII-mediated signals. Our findings show that: (i) TNF-RII is able to activate two members of the MAP kinase family: extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK); (ii) TRAF2, a molecule that binds TNF-RII and associates indirectly with TNF-RI, is sufficient to activate JNK upon overexpression; (iii) dominant-negative TRAF2 blocks TNF alpha-mediated JNK activation and (iv) TRAF2 signals the activation of JNK and NF-kappaB through different pathways. Our findings suggest that TNF alpha-mediated JNK activation in fibroblasts is independent of the cell death pathway and that TRAF2 occupies a key role in TNF receptor signaling to JNK.

Growth arrest of gammadelta T cells induced by monoclonal antibody against WC1 correlates with activation of multiple tyrosine phosphatases and dephosphorylation of MAP kinase erk2

WC1 is a 215-kDa type 1 transmembrane glycoprotein, the expression of which is restricted to gammadelta T lymphocytes. The binding of an anti-WC1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) (SC-29) induces reversible growth arrest in proliferating interleukin (IL)-2-dependent gammadalta T lymphocytes and this study has examined the relevant biochemical mechanisms. WC1 binding activates multiple protein tyrosine phosphatases causing specific tyrosine dephosphorylation in the absence of calcium mobilization. One of the dephosphorylated proteins was identified as the MAP kinase erk2. Another phosphotyrosine protein of 70 kDa, found to coprecipitate with p85 phosphoinositol (PI)3-kinase was either dephosphorylated or uncoupled from the p85 PI 3-kinase immunoprecipitate after WC1 receptor binding by mAb SC-29. The anti-WC1-induced tyrosine dephosphorylation was reversed by stimulation of gammadelta T cells with concanavalin A or anti-CD3 mAb, demonstrating that at the biochemical level, mitogen stimulation is dominant to the growth-arresting effects of anti-WC1. It is therefore proposed that the activation of tyrosine phosphatases by WC1 binding and the resultant dephosphorylation of certain key signaling protein such as erk2 correlates with and may cause the induction of growth arrest in IL-2-dependent gammadelta T cells, without affecting the cells ability to respond to antigen. Possible mechanisms, which include the inhibition of IL-2 signal transduction pathways, are discussed.

Selenium: potent stimulator of tyrosyl phosphorylation and activator of MAP kinase

Selenium, an essential biological trace element, is an integral component of several enzymes, and its use as a nutritional supplement has been popularized recently due to its potential role in low concentrations as an antioxidant and in higher concentrations as an anticancer agent. Selenium has also been reported to act as an insulin-mimetic agent with regard to normalization of blood glucose levels and regulation of some insulin-mediated metabolic processes. Little work, however, has been done concerning the pathway(s) by which this insulin-mimetic action occurs. In this study, we investigated the mechanism by which selenate exhibits insulin-mimetic properties in two different insulin responsive cell types, primary rat hepatocytes and 3T3 L1 adipocytes. We found that two proteins associated with the insulin signal cascade, the beta-subunit of the insulin receptor and IRS-1, increased in tyrosyl phosphorylation in the presence of selenium. The third identified selenium activated signal protein, MAP kinase, has been implicated not only in the insulin signal transduction pathway but also in other growth factor-mediated responses. Using an in-gel activity assay for MAP kinase, we demonstrated that both the p42 and p44 MAP kinases are activated when either hepatocytes or adipocytes are incubated in the presence of selenate. In addition to the activation of these specific proteins, we found that selenium also eventually profoundly affected overall tyrosyl phosphorylation. Our results therefore show that selenium not only increased the phosphorylation of proteins identified in the insulin signal cascade but also affected the overall phosphorylation state of the cell.

Phosphorylation of the RNA polymerase II largest subunit during Xenopus laevis oocyte maturation

Xenopus laevis oogenesis is characterized by an active transcription which ceases abruptly upon maturation. To survey changes in the characteristics of the transcriptional machinery which might contribute to this transcriptional arrest, the phosphorylation status of the RNA polymerase II largest subunit (RPB1 subunit) was analyzed during oocyte maturation. We found that the RPB1 subunit accumulates in large quantities from previtellogenic early diplotene oocytes up to fully grown oocytes. The C-terminal domain (CTD) of the RPB1 subunit was essentially hypophosphorylated in growing oocytes from Dumont stage IV to stage VI. Upon maturation, the proportion of hyperphosphorylated RPB1 subunits increased dramatically and abruptly. The hyperphosphorylated RPB1 subunits were dephosphorylated within 1 h after fertilization or heat shock of the matured oocytes. Extracts from metaphase II-arrested oocytes showed a much stronger CTD kinase activity than extracts from prophase stage VI oocytes. Most of this kinase activity was attributed to the activated Xp42 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, a MAP kinase of the ERK type. Making use of artificial maturation of the stage VI oocyte through microinjection of a recombinant stable cyclin B1, we observed a parallel activation of Xp42 MAP kinase and phosphorylation of RPB1. Both events required protein synthesis, which demonstrated that activation of p34(cdc2)off kinase was insufficient to phosphorylate RPB1 ex vivo and was consistent with a contribution of the Xp42 MAP kinase to RPB1 subunit phosphorylation. These results further support the possibility that the largest RNA polymerase II subunit is a substrate of the ERK-type MAP kinases during oocyte maturation, as previously proposed during stress or growth factor stimulation of mammalian cells.

Lipopolysaccharide and Raf-1 kinase regulate secretory interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene expression by mutually antagonistic mechanisms

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment of monocytic cells has been shown to activate the Raf-1/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway and to increase secretory interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (sIL-1Ra) gene expression. The significance of the activation of the Raf-1/MAPK signaling pathway to LPS regulation of sIL-1Ra gene expression, however, has not been determined. This study addresses the role of the Raf-1/MAPK signaling pathway in regulation of sIL-1Ra gene expression by LPS. Cotransfection of the murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 with a 294-bp sIL-1Ra promoter/luciferase construct (pRA-294-luc) and a constitutively active Raf-1 kinase expression vector (pRSV-Raf-BXB) resulted in induction of sIL-1Ra promoter activity, indicating that Raf-1, like LPS, can regulate sIL-1Ra promoter activity. An in vitro MAPK analysis indicated that both LPS treatment and pRSV-Raf-BXB transfection of RAW 264.7 cells increases p42 MAPK activity. An in vitro Raf-1 kinase assay, however, failed to detect LPS-induced Raf-1 kinase activity in RAW 264.7 cells, suggesting that in RAW 264.7 cells, Raf-1 kinase is not an activating component of the LPS signaling pathway regulating MAPK activity or sIL-1Ra promoter activity. This observation was supported by results from transfection studies which demonstrated that expression of a dominant-inhibitory Raf-1 mutant in RAW 264.7 cells does not inhibit LPS-induced MAPK activity or sIL-1Ra promoter activity, indicating that LPS-induced sIL-1Ra promoter activation occurs independent of the Raf-1/MAPK signaling pathway. In additional studies, cotransfection of RAW 264.7 cells with pRA-294-luc and increasing amounts of pRSV-Raf-BXB caused a dose-dependent inhibition of LPS-induced sIL-1Ra promoter activity, indicating that the role of the Raf-1 pathway in the regulation of sIL-1Ra promoter activity by LPS is as an antagonizer. Interestingly, LPS treatment of RAW 264.7 cells, cotransfected with pRA-294-luc and pRSV-Raf-BXB, also inhibited pRSV-Raf-BXB-induced sIL-1Ra promoter activity, suggesting that inductions of sIL-1Ra promoter activity by LPS and Raf-1 actually occur by mutually antagonistic mechanisms. In support of this conclusion, sIL-1Ra promoter mapping studies indicated that LPS and Raf-1 responses localized to different regions of the sIL-1Ra promoter. Further studies demonstrated that mutual antagonism between the LPS and Raf-1 kinase pathways is not promoter specific, as the same phenomenon is observed in assays using a c-fos enhancer/thymidine kinase promoter/luciferase construct (pc-fos-TK81-luc). Additionally, mutual antagonism with regard to sIL-1Ra promoter activity also was observed between the LPS and MEK kinase pathways, indicating that mutual antagonism can occur in more than one MAPK activation pathway.

Fibronectin-stimulated signaling from a focal adhesion kinase-c-Src complex: involvement of the Grb2, p130cas, and Nck adaptor proteins

The focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a protein-tyrosine kinase (PTK), associates with integrin receptors and is activated by cell binding to extracellular matrix proteins, such as fibronectin (FN). FAK autophosphorylation at Tyr-397 promotes Src homology 2 (SH2) domain binding of Src family PTKs, and c-Src phosphorylation of FAK at Tyr-925 creates an SH2 binding site for the Grb2 SH2-SH3 adaptor protein. FN-stimulated Grb2 binding to FAK may facilitate intracellular signaling to targets such as ERK2-mitogen-activated protein kinase. We examined FN-stimulated signaling to ERK2 and found that ERK2 activation was reduced 10-fold in Src- fibroblasts, compared to that of Src- fibroblasts stably reexpressing wild-type c-Src. FN-stimulated FAK phosphotyrosine (P.Tyr) and Grb2 binding to FAK were reduced, whereas the tyrosine phosphorylation of another signaling protein, p130cas, was not detected in the Src- cells. Stable expression of residues 1 to 298 of Src (Src 1-298, which encompass the SH3 and SH2 domains of c-Src) in the Src- cells blocked Grb2 binding to FAK; but surprisingly, Src 1-298 expression also resulted in elevated p130cas P.Tyr levels and a two- to threefold increase in FN-stimulated ERK2 activity compared to levels in Src- cells. Src 1-298 bound to both FAK and p130cas and promoted FAK association with p130cas in vivo. FAK was observed to phosphorylate p130cas in vitro and could thus phosphorylate p130cas upon FN stimulation of the Src 1-298-expressing cells. FAK-induced phosphorylation of p130cas in the Src 1-298 cells promoted the SH2 domain-dependent binding of the Nck adaptor protein to p130cas, which may facilitate signaling to ERK2. These results show that there are additional FN-stimulated pathways to ERK2 that do not involve Grb2 binding to FAK.

MEK1 is required for PDGF-induced ERK activation and DNA synthesis in tracheal myocytes

We tested whether activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase/ extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase-1 (MEK1) is required and sufficient for extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation in airway smooth muscle cells. First, we transiently cotransfected bovine tracheal myocytes with an epitope-tagged ERK2 and a dominant-negative or a constitutively active form of the gene encoding MEK1 and assessed ERK2 activation by in vitro phosphorylation assay. Expression of the dominant-negative MEK1 inhibited platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced ERK2 activation, whereas expression of the constitutively active MEK1 induced ERK2 activation, suggesting that MEK1 is required and sufficient for ERK activation in these cells. Next, we assessed the effect of PD-98059, a synthetic MEK inhibitor, on PDGF-induced MEK1 and ERK activation. PD-98059 (10 microM) inhibited MEK1 and ERK activation, confirming that MEK1 is required for ERK activation in bovine tracheal myocytes. PD-98059 had no effect on Src or Raf-1 activity, evidence that PD-98059 is a specific inhibitor of MEK in this system. Finally, PD-98059 reduced PDGF-induced [(3)H]thymidine incorporation in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting that catalytic activation of MEK1 and ERKs is required for DNA synthesis. We conclude that MEK1 is required for PDGF-induced ERK activation in bovine tracheal myocytes and that MEK1 and ERKs are required for PDGF-induced DNA synthesis in these cells.

Multiple mitogen-activated protein kinases are regulated by hyperosmolality in mouse IMCD cells

Inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) cells adapt to a hypertonic environment by synthesizing transporters that allow for accumulation of organic osmolytes. To examine for activation of additional mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, extracts of IMCD-3 cells subjected to a hypertonic medium (600 mosmol/kgH2O) for 15 min were fractionated by Mono Q fast-performance liquid chromatography and assayed with the epidermal growth factor receptor [EGFR-(662-681)] peptide as substrate. Three peaks of activity were identified. Western blotting revealed that these peaks coincided with Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases, ERK1 and ERK2, and p38 MAP kinase. To assess the functional significance of ERK2 activation in IMCD-3 cells, the effect of PD-098059, an inhibitor of the upstream regulatory protein kinase MAP/ERK kinase (MEK) was assessed. PD-098059 inhibited ERK activation by hypertonicity. Yet, the stimulation of inositol uptake, a marker of adaptation, after 16 h was unaltered. Direct measurements of JNK activity [phosphorylation of GST-cJun-(1-79)] revealed a marked (20- to 40-fold) increase in activity as medium osmolality was increased from 300 to 900 mosmol/kgH2O with either NaCl or mannitol. Urea induced a more modest increase in activity. The response is prompt and detected as early as 2 min after exposure, reaching a maximum activation at 10-15 min. Downregulation of cellular protein kinase C (PKC) by chronic exposure to phorbol esters only minimally attenuated the JNK response to hyperosmolality, indicating a lack of involvement of PKC. We conclude that, in IMCD-3 cells, inhibition of ERK activation by hyperosmolality does not prevent osmoregulatory increase in inositol transport. This is not consistent with a role for ERKs in the response. The roles for JNK and p38 have not been ruled out, and these pathways may represent the initiating event in the subsequent transcription of organic osmolyte transporter genes and adaptation to extracellular hypertonicity.