Trimeric Structure of PRL-1 Phosphatase Reveals an Active Enzyme Conformation and Regulation Mechanisms

Phosphatase activity, trimerization, and the C-terminal polybasic region are all required for PRL1-mediated cell growth and migration

The phosphatase of regenerating liver (PRL) phosphatases are implicated in a number of tumorigenesis and metastasis processes. The PRLs are unique among protein-tyrosine phosphatases in that they have extremely low phosphatase activity, a high propensity for trimer formation, and a polybasic region that precedes the C-terminal prenylation motif. To investigate the functional significance of these distinctive biochemical and structural features, we established a cell-based system in which ectopic PRL1 expression increased cell proliferation and migration, whereas knockdown of endogenous PRL1 abrogated these cellular activities. We showed that the intrinsic PRL1 phosphatase activity is obligatory for its biological function. We provided evidence that trimerization may be a general property for all PRL enzymes, and that PRL1 trimer formation is essential for the PRL1-mediated cell growth and migration. This finding indicates a novel mechanism for phosphatase regulation. We further demonstrated that the conserved C-terminal polybasic region is important for specific phosphoinositide recognition by PRL1. Both the polybasic residues and the adjacent prenylation motif are required for proper PRL1 subcellular localization and full biological activity.

Oxidative stress-induced expression and modulation of Phosphatase of Regenerating Liver-1 (PRL-1) in mammalian retina

The phosphatase of regenerating liver-1, PRL-1, gene was detected in a screen for foveal cone photoreceptor-associated genes. It encodes a small protein tyrosine phosphatase that was previously immunolocalized to the photoreceptors in primate retina. Here we report that in cones and cone-derived cultured cells both PRL-1 activity and PRL-1 gene expression are modulated under oxidative stress. Oxidation reversibly inhibited the phosphatase activity of PRL-1 due to the formation of an intramolecular disulfide bridge between Cys104 within the active site and another conserved Cys, Cys49. This modulation was observed in vitro, in cell culture and in isolated retinas exposed to hydrogen peroxide. The same treatment caused a rapid increase in PRL-1 expression levels in cultured cells which could be blocked by the protein translation inhibitor, cycloheximide. Increased PRL-1 expression was also observed in living rats subjected to constant light exposure inducing photooxidative stress. We further demonstrated that both oxidation and overexpression of PRL-1 upon oxidative stress are greatly enhanced by inhibition of the glutathione system responsible for cellular redox regulation. These findings suggest that PRL-1 is a molecular component of the photoreceptor's response to oxidative stress acting upstream of the glutathione system.

Antisense RNA directed to the human papillomavirus type 16 E7 mRNA from herpes simplex virus type 1 derived vectors is expressed in CaSki cells and downregulates E7 mRNA

BACKGROUND

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is known to be the most important etiologic factor of cervical cancer. There is no HPV specific therapy available for treatment of invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix and its precursor lesions. The present study elucidates the potential to use herpes simplex virus (HSV) derived vectors for expression of antisense RNA to HPV -16 E7 oncogene.

RESULTS

We have constructed replication competent, nonneuroinvasive HSV-1 vectors, deleted of the gamma134.5 gene. The vectors express RNA antisense to the first 100 nucleotides of the HPV-16 E7 gene. We assayed the ability of the antisense E7 vectors R5225 (tk-) and R5226 (tk+), to produce antisense RNA, as well as the consequent effects on E7 mRNA and protein levels in HPV-16 positive CaSki cells. Anti-E7 RNA was expressed by both constructs in a dose-dependent manner. Expression of HPV-16 E7 mRNA was downregulated effectively in CaSki cells infected with the tk- recombinant R5225 or with R5226. The tk+ recombinant R5226 was effective in downregulating E7 protein expression.

CONCLUSION

We have shown that anti-E7 RNA expressed from an HSV vector could efficiently downregulate HPV-16 E7 mRNA and E7 protein expression in CaSki cells. We conclude that HSV vectors may become a useful tool for gene therapy of HPV infections.

Using LongSAGE to Detect Biomarkers of Cervical Cancer Potentially Amenable to Optical Contrast Agent Labelling

Sixteen longSAGE libraries from four different clinical stages of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia have enabled us to identify novel cell-surface biomarkers indicative of CIN stage. By comparing gene expression profiles of cervical tissue at early and advanced stages of CIN, several genes are identified to be novel genetic markers. We present fifty-six cell-surface gene products differentially expressed during progression of CIN. These cell surface proteins are being examined to establish their capacity for optical contrast agent binding. Contrast agent visualization will allow real-time assessment of the physiological state of the disease process bringing vast benefit to cancer care. The data discussed in this publication have been submitted to NCBIs Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/ ) and are accessible through GEO Series accession number GSE6252.

Crystal Structure of the Catalytic Domain of Human MAP Kinase Phosphatase 5: Structural Insight into Constitutively Active Phosphatase

MAP kinase phosphatase 5 (MKP5) is a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase (MKP) family and selectively dephosphorylates JNK and p38. We have determined the crystal structure of the catalytic domain of human MKP5 (MKP5-C) to 1.6 A. In previously reported MKP-C structures, the residues that constitute the active site are seriously deviated from the active conformation of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs), which are accompanied by low catalytic activity. High activities of MKPs are achieved by binding their cognate substrates, representing substrate-induced activation. However, the MKP5-C structure adopts an active conformation of PTP even in the absence of its substrate binding, which is consistent with the previous results that MKP5 solely possesses the intrinsic activity. Further, we identify a sequence motif common to the members of MKPs having low catalytic activity by comparing structures and sequences of other MKPs. Our structural information provides an explanation of constitutive activity of MKP5 as well as the structural insight into substrate-induced activation occurred in other MKPs.

Overproduction, purification, and biochemical characterization of the dual specificity H1 protein phosphatase encoded by variola major virus

Smallpox, a highly contagious infectious disease caused by the variola major virus, has an overall mortality rate of about 30%. Because there currently is no specific treatment for smallpox, and the only prevention is vaccination, there is an urgent need for the development of effective antiviral drugs. The dual specificity protein phosphatase encoded by the smallpox virus (H1) is essential for the production of infectious viral particles, making it a promising molecular target for antiviral therapeutics. Here, we report the molecular cloning, overproduction, purification, and initial biochemical characterization of H1 phosphatase, thereby paving the way for the discovery of small molecule inhibitors.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of rhodanine derivatives as PRL-3 inhibitors

A series of rhodanine derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for their ability to inhibit PRL-3. Benzylidene rhodanine derivative showed good biological activity, while compound 5e was the most active in this series exhibiting an IC50 value of 0.9 microM in vitro and showed a reduced invasion in cell-based assay.

PRL phosphatases as potential molecular targets in cancer

The phosphatase of regenerating liver (PRL) family of phosphatases, consisting of PRL-1, PRL-2, and PRL-3, represents an intriguing group of proteins being validated as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in cancer. Individual PRLs are overexpressed in a variety of cancer cell lines and tissues when compared with their normal counterparts. More importantly, several recent studies have shown that PRL-3 is expressed at higher levels and at a greater frequency in colorectal cancer metastases compared with primary colorectal tumors and normal colon tissue. Ectopic expression of PRLs in nontumorigenic cells can influence proliferation and the migratory and invasive properties of cells, while knockdown of endogenous PRL-3 or PRL-1 in cancerous cells using small interfering RNA can abrogate cell motility and ability to metastasize in a mouse model. However, the exact biological function and cellular substrates of the PRLs remain unclear. This review will discuss what is known about the PRLs, what makes the PRLs possible attractive targets for therapeutic intervention, and the possible future directions in PRL biology and inhibitor identification.

Structure and Biochemical Properties of PRL-1, a Phosphatase Implicated in Cell Growth, Differentiation, and Tumor Invasion,

The PRL (phosphatase of regenerating liver) phosphatases constitute a novel class of small, prenylated phosphatases that are implicated in promoting cell growth, differentiation, and tumor invasion, and represent attractive targets for anticancer therapy. Here we describe the crystal structures of native PRL-1 as well as the catalytically inactive mutant PRL-1/C104S in complex with sulfate. PRL-1 exists as a trimer in the crystalline state, burying 1140 A2 of accessible surface area at each dimer interface. Trimerization creates a large, bipartite membrane-binding surface in which the exposed C-terminal basic residues could cooperate with the adjacent prenylation group to anchor PRL-1 on the acidic inner membrane. Structural and kinetic analyses place PRL-1 in the family of dual specificity phopsphatases with closest structural similarity to the Cdc14 phosphatase and provide a molecular basis for catalytic activation of the PRL phosphatases. Finally, native PRL-1 is crystallized in an oxidized form in which a disulfide is formed between the active site Cys104 and a neighboring residue Cys49, which blocks both substrate binding and catalysis. Biochemical studies in solution and in the cell support a potential regulatory role of this intramolecular disulfide bond formation in response to reactive oxygen species such as H2O2.