Involvement of PYK2 in angiotensin II signaling of vascular smooth muscle cells

Src kinase mediates angiotensin II-dependent increase in pulmonary endothelial nitric oxide synthase

We have previously demonstrated that angiotensin II (Ang II) stimulates nitric oxide (NO) production in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAECs) by increasing NO synthase (NOS) expression via the type 2 receptor. The purpose of this study was to identify the Ang II-dependent signaling pathway that mediates this increase in endothelial NOS (eNOS). The Ang II-dependent increase in eNOS expression is prevented when BPAECs are pretreated with the tyrosine kinase inhibitors, herbimycin A and 4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo[3,4-D]pyrimidine, which also blocked Ang II-dependent mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase/extracellular-regulated protein kinase (MEK)-1 and MAPK phosphorylation, suggesting that Src is upstream of MAPK in this pathway. Transfection of BPAECs with an Src dominant negative mutant cDNA prevented the Ang II-dependent Src activation and increase in eNOS protein expression. PD98059, a MEK-1 inhibitor, prevented the Ang II-dependent phosphorylation of extracellular-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 and increase in eNOS expression. Neither AG1478, an epidermal growth factor receptor kinase inhibitor, nor AG1295, a platelet derived growth factor receptor kinase inhibitor, had any effect on Ang II-stimulated Src activity, MAPK activation, or eNOS expression. Pertussis toxin prevented the Ang II-dependent increase in Src activity, MAPK activation, and eNOS expression. These data suggest that Ang II stimulates Src tyrosine kinase via a pertussis toxin-sensitive pathway, which in turn activates the MAPK pathway, resulting in increased eNOS protein expression in BPAECs.

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G protein-coupled receptor agonist-stimulated expression of ATF3/LRF-1 and c-myc and comitogenic effects in hepatocytes do not require EGF receptor transactivation

Several agonists acting on G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) enhance the mitogenic effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in rat hepatocytes, through mechanisms that have only partially been clarified. Results in various cells have led to the idea that a major mechanism for GPCR-mediated stimulation of cell growth is transactivation of receptor tyrosine kinases, particularly the EGF receptor (EGFR), leading to rapid phosphorylation of the EGFR and activation of downstream signaling pathways. In the present study cultured rat hepatocytes were exposed to various GPCR agonists, including vasopressin, angiotensin II (Ang.II), norepinephrine, or prostaglandin F(2 alpha) (PGF(2 alpha)). None of these agents increased the phosphorylation of the EGFR or the docking protein Shc. Furthermore, we examined the effect of the GPCR agonists on the expression of two early response genes believed to be involved in growth activation. The GPCR agonists increased the mRNA expression of c-myc, and also of activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3)/liver regeneration factor-1 (LRF-1), which is a novel finding. Finally, the selective EGFR inhibitor AG1478 did not suppress the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) or the induction of c-myc or ATF3/LRF-1 by the GPCR agonists, and did not prevent the comitogenic effects induced by these agents, while it blocked the effect of EGF on these responses. The results suggest that GPCR agonists induce expression of ATF3/LRF-1 and c-myc and exert comitogenic effects through mechanisms that do not require EGFR transactivation.

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor and L-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channel activation mediate proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 phosphorylation during cerebral ischemia in rats

Cerebral ischemia induces rapid efflux of glutamate into the extracellular space contributing to excessive activation of glutamate receptors in postsynaptic cells, particularly N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, which triggers the neuron lesion through calcium overload. Our studies indicated that cerebral ischemia stimulated the rapid activation of nonreceptor tyrosine kinases proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) and Src and the binding to Pyk2 activated the latter. Pyk2 activation significantly depends on the increase of the intracellular calcium level; blockage of both calcium ion channel NMDA receptors and L-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channel (L-VGCC), respectively, could effectively inhibit phosphorylation of Pyk2 in early ischemia episodes. Moreover, pretreatment with the protein kinase C inhibitor (chelerythrine chloride) reduced the ischemia-induced activation of Pyk2. Noticeably, CaMKII, a family of calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinases, also may be involved in the regulation of Pyk2 activity because its inhibitor KN62 attenuated Pyk2 phosphorylation during ischemia. Together with previous studies, these results indicate that calcium influx elicited by active NMDA receptors and L-VGCC triggers the Pyk2-Src signaling pathway mediated by PKC, which aggravates cerebral ischemia lesions through up-regulating the function of NMDA receptors after the onset of ischemia, and also could be regulated partly by CaM-dependent kinases like CaMKII.

GIT1 functions as a scaffold for MEK1-extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 activation by angiotensin II and epidermal growth factor

Activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway represented by extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) and activation of the upstream kinase (MEK1) are critical events for growth factor signal transduction. c-Src has been proposed as a common mediator for these signals in response to both G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and tyrosine kinase-coupled receptors (TKRs). Here we show that the GPCR kinase-interacting protein 1 (GIT1) is a substrate for c-Src that associates with MEK1 in vascular smooth-muscle cells and human embryonic kidney 293 cells. GIT1 binding via coiled-coil domains and a Spa2 homology domain is required for sustained activation of MEK1-ERK1/2 after stimulation with angiotensin II and epidermal growth factor. We propose that GIT1 serves as a scaffold protein to facilitate c-Src-dependent activation of MEK1-ERK1/2 in response to both GPCRs and TKRs.

PKC-delta and CaMKII-delta 2 mediate ATP-dependent activation of ERK1/2 in vascular smooth muscle

ATP, a purinergic receptor agonist, has been shown to be involved in vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cell DNA synthesis and cell proliferation during embryonic and postnatal development, after injury, and in atherosclerosis. One mechanism that ATP utilizes to regulate cellular function is through activation of ERK1/2. In the present study, we provide evidence that ATP-dependent activation of ERK1/2 in VSM cells utilizes specific isoforms of the multifunctional serine/threonine kinases, PKC, and Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) as intermediates. Selective inhibition of PKC-delta activity with rottlerin, or adenoviral overexpression of kinase-negative PKC-delta, attenuated the ATP- and phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu)-stimulated ERK1/2 activation. Inhibition of PKC-alpha activity with Gö-6976, or adenoviral overexpression of kinase-negative PKC-alpha, was ineffective. Alternatively, treatment with KN-93, a selective inhibitor of CaMKII activation, or adenoviral overexpression of kinase-negative CaMKII-delta(2), inhibited ATP-dependent activation of ERK1/2 but had no effect on PDBu- or PDGF-stimulated ERK1/2. In addition, adenoviral overexpression of dominant-negative ras (Ad.HA-Ras(N17)) partially inhibited the ATP- and PDBu-induced activation of ERK1/2 and blocked ionomycin- and EGF-stimulated ERK1/2, and inhibition of tyrosine kinases with AG-1478, an EGFR inhibitor, or the src family kinase inhibitor PP2 attenuated ATP-stimulated ERK1/2 activation. Taken together, these data indicate that PKC-delta and CaMKII-delta(2) coordinately mediate ATP-dependent transactivation of EGF receptor, resulting in increased ERK1/2 activity in VSM cells.

ERK Is Regulated by Sodium-Proton Exchanger in Rat Aortic Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

The purposes of this study were to test 1) the relationship between two widely studied mitogenic effector pathways, and 2) the hypothesis that sodium-proton exchanger type 1 (NHE-1) is a regulator of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) activation in rat aortic smooth muscle (RASM) cells. Angiotensin II (Ang II) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) stimulated both ERK and NHE-1 activities, with activation of NHE-1 preceding that of ERK. The concentration-response curves for 5-HT and Ang II were superimposable for both processes. Inhibition of NHE-1 with pharmacological agents or by isotonic replacement of sodium in the perfusate with choline or tetramethylammonium greatly attenuated ERK activation by 5-HT or Ang II. Similar maneuvers significantly attenuated 5-HT- or Ang II-mediated activation of MEK and Ras but not transphosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor. EGF receptor blockade attenuated ERK activation, but not NHE-1 activation by 5-HT and Ang II, suggesting that the EGF receptor and NHE-1 work in parallel to stimulate ERK activity in RASM cells, converging distal to the EGF receptor but at or above the level of Ras in the Ras-MEK-ERK pathway. Receptor-independent activation of NHE-1 by acute acid loading of RASM cells resulted in the rapid phosphorylation of ERK, which could be blocked by pharmacological inhibitors of NHE-1 or by isotonic replacement of sodium, closely linking the proton transport function of NHE-1 to ERK activation. These studies identify NHE as a new regulator of ERK activity in RASM cells.

Pyk2- and Src-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of PDK1 regulates focal adhesions

3-Phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1) is a signal integrator that activates the AGC superfamily of serine/threonine kinases. PDK1 is phosphorylated on tyrosine by oxidants, although its regulation by agonists that stimulate G-protein-coupled receptor signaling pathways and the physiological consequences of tyrosine phosphorylation in this setting have not been fully identified. We found that angiotensin II stimulates the tyrosine phosphorylation of PDK1 in vascular smooth muscle in a calcium- and c-Src-dependent manner. The calcium-activated tyrosine kinase Pyk2 acts as a scaffold for Src-dependent phosphorylation of PDK1 on Tyr9, which permits phosphorylation of Tyr373 and -376 by Src. This critical function of Pyk2 is further supported by the observation that Pyk2 and tyrosine-phosphorylated PDK1 colocalize in focal adhesions after angiotensin II stimulation. Importantly, infection of smooth muscle cells with a Tyr9 mutant of PDK1 inhibits angiotensin II-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin and focal adhesion formation. These observations identify a novel interaction between PDK1 and Pyk2 that regulates the integrity of focal adhesions, which are major compartments for integrating signals for cell growth, apoptosis, and migration.

A role for PYK2 in ANG II-dependent regulation of the PHAS-1-eIF4E complex by multiple signaling cascades in vascular smooth muscle

Regulation of the PHAS-1-eukaryotic initiation factor-4E (eIF4E) complex is the rate-limiting step in the initiation of protein synthesis. This study characterized the upstream signaling pathways that mediate ANG II-dependent phosphorylation of PHAS-1 and eIF4E in vascular smooth muscle. ANG II-dependent PHAS-1 phosphorylation was maximal at 10 min (2.47 +/- 0.3 fold vs. control). This effect was completely blocked by the specific inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase, LY-294002), mammalian target of rapamycin, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2, U-0126) or by a recombinant adenovirus encoding dominant-negative Akt. PHAS-1 phosphorylation was followed by dissociation of eIF4E. Increased ANG II-induced eIF4E phosphorylation was observed at 45 min (2.63 +/- 0.5 fold vs. control), was maximal at 90 min (3.38 +/- 0.3 fold vs. control), and was sustained at 2 h. This effect was blocked by inhibitors of the ERK1/2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathways, but not by PI3-kinase inhibition, and was dependent on PKC, intracellular Ca2+, and tyrosine kinases. Downregulation of proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (PYK2) by antisense oligonucleotides led to a near-complete inhibition of PHAS-1 and eIF4E phosphorylation in response to ANG II. Therefore, PYK2 represents a proximal signaling intermediate that regulates ANG II-induced vascular smooth muscle cell protein synthesis via regulation of the PHAS-1-eIF4E complex.

Activation of tyrosine kinases by reactive oxygen species in vascular smooth muscle cells: significance and involvement of EGF receptor transactivation by angiotensin II

Enhanced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as H(2)O(2) and a failure in ROS removal by scavenging systems are hallmarks of several cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and hypertension. ROS act as second messengers that play a prominent role in intracellular signaling and cellular function. In vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), a vascular pathogen, angiotensin II, appears to initiate growth-promoting signal transduction through ROS-sensitive tyrosine kinases. However, the precise mechanisms by which tyrosine kinases are activated by ROS remain unclear. In this review, the current knowledge that suggests how certain tyrosine kinases are activated by ROS, along with their functional significance in VSMCs, will be discussed. Recent findings suggest that transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor by ROS requires metalloprotease-dependent heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor production, whereas other ROS-sensitive tyrosine kinases such as PYK2, JAK2, and platelet-derived growth factor receptor require activation of protein kinase C-delta. Each of these ROS-sensitive kinases could mediate specific signaling critical for pathophysiological responses. Detailed analysis of the mechanism of cross-talk and the downstream function of these various tyrosine kinases will yield new therapeutic interventions for cardiovascular disease.

GIT1 mediates Src-dependent activation of phospholipase Cgamma by angiotensin II and epidermal growth factor

Critical events for vasoconstrictor and growth factor signal transduction include stimulation of phospholipase Cgamma (PLCgamma) and elevation of intracellular calcium. c-Src has been proposed as a common mediator for these signals activated by both G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and tyrosine kinase-coupled receptors (TKRs). Here we show that the GPCR kinase-interacting protein-1 (GIT1) is a substrate for c-Src that undergoes tyrosine phosphorylation in response to angiotensin II (AngII) and EGF in vascular smooth muscle and 293 cells. GIT1 associates with PLCgamma via the PLCgamma Src homology 2 and 3 domains constitutively, and the interaction is unaltered by AngII and EGF. GIT1 interaction with PLCgamma is required for PLCgamma activation based on inhibition of tyrosine phosphorylation and calcium mobilization after GIT1 knockdown with antisense GIT1 oligonucleotides. GIT1 interacts with PLCgamma via a novel Spa homology domain (SHD) and a coiled-coil domain. Deletion mutation analysis showed that GIT1(SHD) is required for AngII- and EGF-mediated PLCgamma activation (measured by phosphorylation of Tyr783 and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate formation). We propose that GIT1 is a novel regulator of PLCgamma function that mediates PLCgamma activation by c-Src and integrates signal transduction by GPCRs and TKRs.

Epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation is regulated by glucose in vascular smooth muscle cells

We hypothesized that glucose-mediated alterations in vascular smooth muscle cell signal transduction contribute to diabetic complications. We found enhanced AngII activation of Akt and extracellular ERK1/2 in vascular smooth muscle cells incubated with high glucose (27.5 mM) compared with low glucose (5.5 mM). Because AngII-mediated transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is important in Akt and ERK1/2 activation, we studied the effects of glucose on EGFR function. The EGFR in cells cultured for 48 h in low glucose was smaller (145 kDa) than the EGFR in cells cultured with high glucose (170 kDa). The shift from the 170-kDa isoform to the 145-kDa isoform was reversible and dependent upon glucose concentration with EC50 approximately 1 mM. N-Glycosylation was responsible because peptide N-glycosidase F treatment of isolated 170-kDa EGFR yielded a single band at 145 kDa. Cell surface biotinylation showed that the 145-kDa EGFR was present on plasma membrane. AngII and other G-protein-coupled receptor ligands known to transactivate EGFR phosphorylated the 170-kDa EGFR but not the 145-kDa EGFR, whereas EGF, heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor, and transforming growth factor-alpha phosphorylated both receptors. Subcellular fractionation showed that the 145-kDa receptor localized to a different plasma membrane domain than the 170-kDa receptor. These results establish a novel mechanism by which glucose-dependent EGFR N-glycosylation modulates AngII signal transduction and suggest a potential mechanism for pathogenic effects of AngII in diabetic vasculopathy.

Angiotensin II phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases in rat anterior pituitary cells

We studied the effects of ANG II on extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 phosphorylation in rat pituitary cells. ANG II increased ERK phosphorylation in a time- and concentration-dependent way. Maximum effect was obtained at 5 min at a concentration of 10-100 nM. The effect of 100 nM ANG II was blocked by the AT1 antagonist DUP-753, by the phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor U-73122, and by the MAPK kinase (MEK) antagonist PD-98059. The ANG II-induced increase in phosphorylated (p)ERK was insensitive to pertussis toxin blockade and PKC depletion or inhibition. The effect was also abrogated by chelating intracellular calcium with BAPTA-AM or TMB-8 by depleting intracellular calcium stores with a 30-min pretreatment with EGTA and by pretreatment with herbimycin A and PP1, two c-Src tyrosine kinase inhibitors. It was attenuated by AG-1478, an inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation. Therefore, in the rat pituitary, the increase of pERK is a Gq- and PLC-dependent process, which involves an increase in intracellular calcium and activation of a c-Src tyrosine kinase, transactivation of the EGFR, and the activation of MEK. Finally, the response of ERK activation by ANG II is altered in hyperplastic pituitary cells, in which calcium mobilization evoked by ANG II is also modified.

Activation of cell adhesion kinase beta by mechanical stretch in vascular smooth muscle cells

We have studied whether activation of cell adhesion kinase beta (CAKbeta) is involved in stretch-induced signaling pathway in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells. Cyclic stretch (1 Hz) induced a rapid (within 1 min) phosphorylation of CAKbeta, whose effect was time and strength dependent. Both Ca(2+) and Na(+) ionophores (A23187 and monensin) stimulated phosphorylation of CAKbeta in a similar fashion to mechanical stretch. The stretch-induced phosphorylation of CAKbeta was inhibited completely by an intracellular Ca(2+) chelator [1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid tetrakis(acetoxymethyl ester)] and largely by gadolinium, but only partially by an extracellular Ca(2+) chelator (EGTA). An angiotensin type 1 receptor antagonist (CV11974) abolished the phosphorylation of CAKbeta stimulated by angiotensin II, but not by mechanical stretch. Mechanical stretch rapidly (within 1 min) increased the association of CAKbeta with c-Src, but not pp125(focal adhesion kinase). Stretch-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was inhibited by EGTA and an inhibitor of the Src kinase family [4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine], but not by cytochalasin D, to disrupt actin polymerization. 4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine or cytochalasin D did not affect stretch-induced phosphorylation of CAKbeta. These data suggest that mechanical stretch stimulates activation of CAKbeta, followed by its association with c-Src, which requires ion influx mainly via stretch-activated nonselective ion channels, thereby leading to activation of the p21(Ras)/ERK1/2 cascade in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Phosphorylation of tyrosine 319 of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor mediates angiotensin II-induced trans-activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor

Although tyrosine kinases are critically involved in the angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 (AT1) receptor signaling, how AT1 receptors activate tyrosine kinases is not fully understood. We examined the structural requirements of the AT1 receptor for transactivation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR). Studies using carboxyl terminal-truncated AT1 receptors indicated that the amino acid sequence between 312 and 337 is required for activation of EGFR. The role of the conserved YIPP motif in this sequence in transactivation of EGFR was investigated by mutating tyrosine 319. Ang II failed to activate EGFR in cells expressing AT1-Y319F, whereas EGFR was activated even without Ang II in cells expressing AT1-Y319E, which mimics the AT1 receptor phosphorylated at Tyr-319. Immunoblot analyses using anti-phospho Tyr-319-specific antibody showed that Ang II increased phosphorylation of Tyr-319. EGFR interacted with the AT1 receptor but not with AT1-Y319F in response to Ang II stimulation, whereas the EGFR-AT1 receptor interaction was inhibited in the presence of dominant negative SHP-2. The requirement of Tyr-319 seems specific for EGFR because Ang II-induced activation of other tyrosine kinases, including Src and JAK2, was preserved in cells expressing AT1-Y319F. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation was also maintained in AT1-Y319F through activation of Src. Overexpression of wild type AT1 receptor in cardiac fibroblasts enhanced Ang II-induced proliferation. By contrast, overexpression of AT1-Y319F failed to enhance cell proliferation. In summary, Tyr-319 of the AT1 receptor is phosphorylated in response to Ang II and plays a key role in mediating Ang II-induced transactivation of EGFR and cell proliferation, possibly through its interaction with SHP-2 and EGFR.

Bradykinin B2 receptor activates extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase in mIMCD-3 cells via epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation

Bradykinin (BK) has been implicated in the regulation of renal function. Activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK1/2) has been demonstrated in several models of toxic or proliferative renal injury. We studied activation of ERK1/2 by BK in a cell model of the most distal part of the nephron, inner medullary collecting duct (mIMCD-3) cells. Exposure of mIMCD-3 cells to BK (10(-10)-10(-5) M) resulted in a concentration-dependent increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of ERK1/2, with maximal effect at 10(-8) M BK. ERK1/2 activation by BK was observed as early as 1 min, peaked at 5 min, and was sustained at least for 1 h. The effect of BK was mediated by the B(2) receptor and was pertussis toxin-independent. Inhibition of phospholipase C, protein kinase C, or phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase did not alter ERK1/2 activation by BK. BK-induced ERK1/2 activation was Ca(2+)-calmodulin-independent but was sensitive to genistein, an inhibitor of tyrosine kinase(s). AG1478, a specific inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinase, completely blocked the effect of BK, suggesting an essential role of EGFR in ERK1/2 activation by BK. Immunoprecipitation/Western blot studies revealed that BK stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of EGFR, its association with an adapter molecule Grb2, and complex formation between Grb2 and the adapter protein Shc. Activation studies of monomeric G protein Ras showed that BK-induced stimulation of Ras was dependent on EGFR tyrosine kinase activity. These studies demonstrate that BK stimulates Ras-dependent activation of ERK1/2 in mIMCD-3 cells via transactivation of EGFR through a novel mechanism.

Distinct mechanisms of receptor and nonreceptor tyrosine kinase activation by reactive oxygen species in vascular smooth muscle cells: role of metalloprotease and protein kinase C-delta

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are implicated in cardiovascular diseases. ROS, such as H2O2, act as second messengers to activate diverse signaling pathways. Although H2O2 activates several tyrosine kinases, including the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, JAK2, and PYK2, in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), the intracellular mechanism by which ROS activate these tyrosine kinases remains unclear. Here, we identified two distinct signaling pathways required for receptor and nonreceptor tyrosine kinase activation by H2O2 involving a metalloprotease-dependent generation of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) and protein kinase C (PKC)-delta activation, respectively. H2O2-induced EGF receptor tyrosine phosphorylation was inhibited by a metalloprotease inhibitor, whereas the inhibitor had no effect on H2O2-induced JAK2 tyrosine phosphorylation. HB-EGF neutralizing antibody inhibited H2O2-induced EGF receptor phosphorylation. In COS-7 cells expressing an HB-EGF construct tagged with alkaline phosphatase, H2O2 stimulates HB-EGF production through metalloprotease activation. By contrast, dominant negative PKC-delta transfection inhibited H2O2-induced JAK2 phosphorylation but not EGF receptor phosphorylation. Dominant negative PYK2 inhibited H2O2-induced JAK2 activation but not EGF receptor activation, whereas dominant negative PKC-delta inhibited PYK2 activation by H2O2. These data demonstrate the presence of distinct tyrosine kinase activation pathways (PKC-delta/PYK2/JAK2 and metalloprotease/HB-EGF/EGF receptor) utilized by H2O2 in VSMCs, thus providing unique therapeutic targets for cardiovascular diseases.

Dependence of gonadotropin-releasing hormone-induced neuronal MAPK signaling on epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation

The hypothalamic decapeptide, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), utilizes multiple signaling pathways to activate extracellularly regulated mitogen-activated protein kinases (ERK1/2) in normal and immortalized pituitary gonadotrophs and transfected cells expressing the GnRH receptor. In immortalized hypothalamic GnRH neurons (GT1-7 cells), which also express GnRH receptors, GnRH, epidermal growth factor (EGF), and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) caused marked phosphorylation of ERK1/2. This action of GnRH and PMA, but not that of EGF, was primarily dependent on activation of protein kinase C (PKC), and the ERK1/2 responses to all three agents were abolished by the selective EGF receptor kinase inhibitor, AG1478. Consistent with this, both GnRH and EGF increased tyrosine phosphorylation of the EGF receptor. GnRH and PMA, but not EGF, caused rapid phosphorylation of the proline-rich tyrosine kinase, Pyk2, at Tyr(402). This was reduced by Ca(2+) chelation and inhibition of PKC, but not by AG1478. GnRH stimulation caused translocation of PKC alpha and -epsilon to the cell membrane and enhanced the association of Src with PKC alpha and PKC epsilon, Pyk2, and the EGF receptor. The Src inhibitor, PP2, the C-terminal Src kinase (Csk), and dominant-negative Pyk2 attenuated ERK1/2 activation by GnRH and PMA but not by EGF. These findings indicate that Src and Pyk2 act upstream of the EGF receptor to mediate its transactivation, which is essential for GnRH-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation in hypothalamic GnRH neurons.

Glucagon-like peptide 1 induces pancreatic beta-cell proliferation via transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor

We previously provided evidence that glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) induces pancreatic beta-cell growth nonadditively with glucose in a phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase- and protein kinase C zeta-dependent manner. However, the exact mechanism by which the GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R), a member of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily, activates the PI 3-kinase signaling pathway to promote beta-cell growth remains unknown. We hypothesized that the GLP-1R could activate PI 3-kinase and promote beta-cell proliferation through transactivation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR), an event possibly linked to GPCRs via activation of c-Src and the production of putative endogenous EGF-like ligands. Both the c-Src inhibitor PP1 and the EGFR-specific inhibitor AG1478 blocked GLP-1-induced [(3)H]thymidine incorporation in INS(832/13) cells as well as in isolated rat islets, while only AG1478 inhibited the proliferative action of betacellulin (BTC), an EGFR agonist. Both compounds also suppressed GLP-1-induced PI 3-kinase activation. A time-dependent increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of the EGFR in response to GLP-1 was observed in INS(832/13) cells. This transactivation of the EGFR was sensitive to both the pharmacological agents PP1 and AG1478. The action of GLP-1 and BTC on INS cell proliferation was found to be not additive. Overexpression of a dominant-negative EGFR in INS cells with a retroviral expression vector curtailed GLP-1-induced beta-cell proliferation. GLP-1 treatment of INS cells caused a decrease in cell surface-associated BTC, as shown by FACS analysis. Also, the metalloproteinase inhibitor GM6001 and an anti-BTC neutralizing antibody suppressed the GLP-1 proliferative effect. Finally, coculturing the prostatic cancer cell line LNCaP that lacks GLP-1 responsiveness with INS cells increased LNCaP cell proliferation in the presence of GLP-1, thus revealing that INS cells secrete a growth factor in response to GLP-1. GM6001 and an anti-BTC neutralizing antibody suppressed increased LNCaP cell proliferation in the presence of GLP-1 in the coculture experiments. The results are consistent with a model in which GLP-1 increases PI 3-kinase activity and enhances beta-cell proliferation via transactivation of the EGFR that would require the proteolytic processing of membrane-anchored BTC or other EGF-like ligands.

A prostaglandin f(2alpha) analog induces suppressors of cytokine signaling-3 expression in the corpus luteum of the pregnant rat: a potential new mechanism in luteolysis

PRL and placental lactogen (PL) play key roles in maintaining the rodent corpus luteum through pregnancy. Suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) have been shown to decrease cell sensitivity to cytokines, including PRL, and so here we have addressed the issue of whether luteolysis induced by prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha)) might up-regulate SOCS proteins to inhibit PRL signaling. In d 19 pregnant rats, cloprostenol, a PGF(2alpha) analog, rapidly induced transcripts for SOCS-3 and, to a lesser extent, SOCS-1. We also found increased SOCS-3 protein in the ovary by immunoblot and in the corpus luteum by immunohistochemistry. Increased SOCS-3 expression was preceded by an increase in STAT3 tyrosine phosphorylation 10 min after cloprostenol injection and was maintained for 4 h, as determined by gel shift and immunohistochemistry. Induction of SOCS-3 was accompanied by a sharp decrease in active STAT5, as determined by gel-shift assay and by loss of nuclear localized STAT5. Four hours after cloprostenol administration, the corpus luteum was refractory to stimulation of STAT5 by PRL administration, and this was not due to down-regulation of PRL receptor. Therefore, induction of SOCS-3 by PGF(2alpha) may be an important element in the initiation of luteolysis via rapid suppression of luteotropic support from PL.

Regulation of angiotensin II-induced G protein signaling by phosducin-like protein

Phosducin-like protein (PhLP) is a broadly expressed member of the phosducin (Pd) family of G protein betagamma subunit (Gbetagamma)-binding proteins. Though PhLP has been shown to bind Gbetagamma in vitro, little is known about its physiological function. In the present study, the effect of PhLP on angiotensin II (Ang II) signaling was measured in Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing the type 1 Ang II receptor and various amounts of PhLP. Up to 3.6-fold overexpression of PhLP had no effect on Ang II-stimulated inositol trisphosphate (IP(3)) formation, whereas further increases caused an abrupt decrease in IP(3) production with half-maximal inhibition occurring at 6-fold PhLP overexpression. This threshold level for inhibition corresponds to the cellular concentration of cytosolic chaperonin complex, a recently described binding partner that preferentially binds PhLP over Gbetagamma. Results of pertussis toxin sensitivity, GTPgammaS binding, and immunoprecipitation experiments suggest that PhLP inhibits phospholipase Cbeta activation by dual mechanisms: (i) steric blockage of Gbetagamma activation of PLCbeta and (ii) interference with Gbetagamma-dependent cycling of G(q)alpha by the receptor. These results suggest that G protein signaling may be regulated through controlling the cellular concentration of free PhLP by inducing its expression or by regulating its binding to the chaperonin.

Beta-adrenergic receptor-mediated DNA synthesis in cardiac fibroblasts is dependent on transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor and subsequent activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases

Cardiac hypertrophy often leads to heart failure and is associated with abnormal myocardial adrenergic signaling. This enlargement of myocardial mass can involve not only an increase in cardiomyocyte size, but increased proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts. A potential key player in the cardiac hypertrophic response is the ERK family of MAPKs. To gain mechanistic insight into adrenergic regulation of myocardial mitogenic signaling, we examined beta-adrenergic receptor (beta-AR) stimulation of ERK activation and DNA synthesis in cultured adult rat cardiac fibroblasts, including the involvement of tyrosine kinases in this signaling pathway. Addition of the beta-AR agonist isoproterenol (ISO) to serum-starved cells induced DNA synthesis in a dose-dependent manner, and this was inhibited by selective inhibitors of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Importantly and in agreement with the involvement of MAPKs and the EGFR in this response in cardiac fibroblasts, the EGFR inhibitor AG1478 attenuated ISO-induced ERK phosphorylation. Moreover, pretreatment with PP2, a selective inhibitor of the Src tyrosine kinase, attenuated both ISO-mediated EGFR phosphorylation and ERK activation. Furthermore, studies in these cardiac fibroblasts showed that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase contributed to beta-AR-mediated ERK activation, but not to EGFR activation. Finally, studies using selective inhibitors of matrix metalloproteases indicated that they and heparin-bound EGF shedding were involved in beta-AR-induced ERK activation and subsequent DNA synthesis in cardiac fibroblasts. Because these cells primarily express the beta(2)-AR subtype, our findings indicate that beta(2)-AR-mediated EGFR transactivation of intracellular tyrosine kinase signaling pathways is the major signaling pathway responsible for the adrenergic stimulation of mitogenesis of cardiac fibroblasts.

ANG II and LPA induce Pyk2 tyrosine phosphorylation in intestinal epithelial cells: role of Ca2+, PKC, and Rho kinase

The G protein-coupled receptor agonists angiotensin II (ANG II) and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) rapidly induce tyrosine phosphorylation of the cytosolic proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) in IEC-18 intestinal epithelial cells. The combined Pyk2 tyrosine phosphorylation induced by phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, a direct agonist of protein kinase C (PKC), and ionomycin, a Ca2+ ionophore, was equal to that induced by ANG II. Inhibition of either PKC or Ca2+ signaling attenuated the effect of ANG II and LPA, although simultaneous inhibition of both pathways failed to completely abolish Pyk2 tyrosine phosphorylation. Cytochalasin D, which disrupts stress fibers, strongly inhibited the response of Pyk2 to ANG II or LPA. The distinct Rho-associated kinase (ROK) inhibitors HA-1077 and Y-27632, as well as the Rho inhibitor Clostridium botulinum C3 exoenzyme, also significantly attenuated ANG II- and LPA-stimulated Pyk2 tyrosine phosphorylation. Simultaneous inhibition of PKC, Ca2+, and either actin assembly or ROK completely abolished the Pyk2 response. Together, these results show that ANG II and LPA rapidly induce Pyk2 tyrosine phosphorylation in intestinal epithelial cells via separate Ca2+-, PKC-, and Rho-mediated pathways.

Angiotensin II-mediated signal transduction pathways

The renin-angiotensin system is one of the major cardiovascular systems that controls blood volume, peripheral vascular tone, and blood pressure. Recent studies indicate important roles for angiotensin II in inflammation, atherosclerosis, and congestive heart failure as well. It is gradually becoming clear that angiotensin II exerts effects on the cardiovascular system through several unique mechanisms, including the availability of two different angiotensin II receptors, recruitment of protein tyrosine kinase activity, and receptor tyrosine kinase transactivation. This review discusses the diverse mechanisms of angiotensin II-mediated signal transduction pathways and the various effects of angiotensin II on the cardiovascular system.

CaM kinase II-dependent activation of tyrosine kinases and ERK1/2 in vascular smooth muscle

In vascular smooth muscle (VSM) and many other cells, G protein receptor-coupled activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases has been linked, in part, to increases in free intracellular Ca(2+). Previously, we demonstrated that ionomycin-, angiotensin II-, and thrombin-induced activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 in VSM cells was attenuated by pretreatment with KN-93, a selective inhibitor of the multifunctional Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaM kinase II). In the present study, we show that the Ca(2+)-dependent pathway leading to activation of ERK1/2 is preceded by nonreceptor proline-rich tyrosine kinase (PYK2) activation and epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor tyrosine phosphorylation and is attenuated by inhibitors of src family kinases or the EGF receptor tyrosine kinase. Furthermore, we demonstrate that pretreatment with KN-93 or a CaM kinase II inhibitor peptide inhibits Ca(2+)-dependent PYK2 activation and EGF receptor tyrosine phosphorylation in response to ionomycin, ATP, and platelet-derived growth factor but has no effect on phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate- or EGF-induced responses. The results implicate CaM kinase II as an intermediate in the Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent activation of PYK2.

Independence of angiotensin II-induced MAP kinase activation from angiotensin type 1 receptor internalization in clone 9 hepatocytes

The agonist-induced internalization of several G protein-coupled receptors is an obligatory requirement for their activation of MAPKs. Studies on the relationship between endocytosis of the angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 receptor (AT1-R) and Ang II-induced ERK1/2 activation were performed in clone 9 (C9) rat hepatic cells treated with inhibitors of endocytosis [sucrose, phenylarsine oxide (PAO), and concanavalin A]. Although Ang II-induced endocytosis of the AT1-R was prevented by sucrose and PAO, and was partially inhibited by concanavalin A, there was no impairment of Ang II-induced ERK activation. However, the specific epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) kinase inhibitor, AG1478, abolished Ang II-induced activation of ERK1/2. Sucrose and PAO also inhibited EGFinduced internalization of the EGF-R in C9 cells, and the inability of these agents to impair EGF-induced ERK activation suggested that the latter is also independent of receptor endocytosis. In COS-7 cells transiently expressing the rat AT1A-R, Ang II also caused ERK activation through EGF-R transactivation. Furthermore, a mutant AT1A-R with truncated carboxyl terminus and impaired internalization retained full ability to activate ERK1/2 in response to Ang II stimulation. These findings demonstrate that Ang II-induced ERK1/2 activation in C9 hepatocytes is independent of both AT1-R and EGF-R endocytosis and is mediated by transactivation of the EGF-R.

Signal transduction of physiological concentrations of vasopressin in A7r5 vascular smooth muscle cells. A role for PYK2 and tyrosine phosphorylation of K+ channels in the stimulation of Ca2+ spiking

The signal transduction pathway linking physiological concentrations of [Arg(8)]vasopressin (AVP) to an increase in frequency of Ca(2+) spiking was examined in confluent cultures of A7r5 vascular smooth muscle cells. Immunoprecipitation/Western blot studies revealed a robust increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of the non-receptor tyrosine kinase, PYK2, in A7r5 cells treated with 4beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate or ionomycin. 100 pm AVP also induced PYK2 tyrosine phosphorylation, and this effect was inhibited by protein kinase C inhibitors Ro-31-8220 (1-10 microm) or chelerythrine chloride (1-20 microm). In fura-2-loaded A7r5 cells, the stimulation of Ca(2+) spiking by 100 pm AVP or 1 nm 4beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate was completely blocked by PP2 (10 microm, a Src family kinase inhibitor). Salicylate (20 mm, recently identified as a PYK2 inhibitor) and the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, tyrphostin A47 (50 microm), but not its inactive analog, tyrphostin A63, also blocked AVP-stimulated Ca(2+) spiking. PYK2 phosphorylation was inhibited by both PP2 and salicylate, whereas tyrphostin A47 failed to inhibit PYK2 tyrosine phosphorylation. ERK1/2 kinases did not appear to be involved because 1) 100 pm AVP did not appreciably increase ERK1/2 phosphorylation and U-0126 (2.5 microm) did not inhibit AVP-stimulated Ca(2+) spiking; and 2) epidermal growth factor (10 nm) robustly stimulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation but did not induce Ca(2+) spiking. Delayed rectifier K(+) channels may mediate the PYK2 activity because Kv1.2 channel protein co-immunoprecipitated with PYK2 and tyrosine phosphorylation of Kv1.2 was stimulated by AVP and inhibited by Ro-31-8220, PP2, and salicylate but not tyrphostin A47. Our findings are consistent with a role for PYK2 and phosphorylation of K(+) channels in the stimulation of Ca(2+) spiking by physiological concentrations of AVP.

Ca2+-mediated activation of ERK in hepatocytes by norepinephrine and prostaglandin F2 alpha: role of calmodulin and Src kinases

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown that several agents that stimulate heptahelical G-protein coupled receptors activate the extracellular signal regulated kinases ERK1 (p44mapk) and ERK2 (p42mapk) in hepatocytes. The molecular pathways that convey their signals to ERK1/2 are only partially clarified. In the present study we have explored the role of Ca2+ and Ca2+-dependent steps leading to ERK1/2 activation induced by norepinephrine and prostaglandin (PG)F2alpha.

RESULTS

Pretreatment of the cells with the Ca2+ chelators BAPTA-AM or EGTA, as well as the Ca2+ influx inhibitor gadolinium, resulted in a partial decrease of the ERK response. Furthermore, the calmodulin antagonists W-7, trifluoperazine, and J-8 markedly decreased ERK activation. Pretreatment with KN-93, an inhibitor of the multifunctional Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase, had no effect on ERK activation. The Src kinase inhibitors PP1 and PP2 partially diminished the ERK responses elicited by both norepinephrine and PGF2alpha.

CONCLUSION

The present data indicate that Ca2+ is involved in ERK activation induced by hormones acting on G protein-coupled receptors in hepatocytes, and suggest that calmodulin and Src kinases might play a role in these signaling pathways.

Calcium-independent activation of extracellularly regulated kinases 1 and 2 by angiotensin II in hepatic C9 cells: roles of protein kinase Cdelta, Src/proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2, and epidermal growth receptor trans-activation

Agonist activation of endogenous angiotensin II (Ang II) AT(1) receptors expressed in hepatic C9 cells markedly stimulated inositol phosphate production, phosphorylation of the proline-rich tyrosine kinase PyK-2, and ERK activation. Ang II caused activation of protein kinase C delta (PKCdelta) in C9 cells, and its stimulatory actions on Pyk2 and extracellularly regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation were abolished by PKC depletion and selective inhibition of PKCdelta by rottlerin, but not by Ca(2+)-chelators. These effects, and the similar actions of the Src kinase inhibitor PP2 indicate the involvement of PKCdelta and Src kinase in ERK activation. In C9 cells, phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) caused much greater phosphorylation of Pyk2 and ERK than the Ca(2+) ionophore ionomycin, and the effects of PMA and Ang II were abolished in PKC-depleted cells. Ang II increased the association of Pyk2 with Src and with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R). EGF caused much greater tyrosine phosphorylation of the EGF-R than Ang II and PMA. Ang II-induced activation of ERK, but not Pyk2, was prevented by inhibition of EGF receptor phosphorylation by AG 1478 and of Src kinase by PP1. Ang II also increased the association of the adaptor protein Grb2 with the EGF-R. These findings indicate that Src and Pyk2 act upstream of the EGF-R and that the majority of Ang II-induced ERK phosphorylation is dependent on trans-activation of the EGF-R. Ang II-induced ERK activation in C9 cells is initiated by a PKCdelta-dependent but Ca(2+)-independent mechanism and is mediated by the Src/Pyk2 complex through trans-activation of the EGF-R.

Effect of amlodipine compared to atenolol on small arteries of previously untreated essential hypertensive patients

In a previous retrospective study, long-term treatment of essential hypertensive patients with a slow-release calcium channel blocker resulted in normal resistance artery structure and endothelial function, which did not occur with a beta-blocker. In the present prospective study, 19 previously untreated essential hypertensive patients (aged 47 +/- 2 years, 75% male) were treated for 1 year in a double-blind randomized study with the long-acting calcium channel blocker amlodipine or the beta-blocker atenolol. Resistance arteries (lumen diameter, 150 to 350 microm) dissected from gluteal subcutaneous biopsies were studied on a pressurized myograph. Blood pressure (BP) control (129 +/- 2/85 +/- 2 mm Hg) was identical in both groups for the last 6 months of the study. After 1 year of treatment with amlodipine, the media-to-lumen ratio (M/L) of resistance arteries decreased from 7.89% +/- 0.40% to 6.81% +/- 0.41% (P < .05). Acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation tended to improve from 84.3% +/- 5.5% to 90.5% +/- 4.8% (P = .06), whereas sodium nitroprusside-induced relaxation was unchanged in the patients treated with amlodipine. In the beta-blocker-treated group there was no significant change in M/L or acetylcholine-induced relaxation. In conclusion, treatment with the calcium channel blocker amlodipine corrected altered resistance artery structure and tended to improve endothelial function in essential hypertensive patients, whereas similar good control of BP with the beta-blocker atenolol did not. Whether the vascular protective effect of amlodipine will result in improved outcomes in hypertension remains to be demonstrated.

Regulation of vascular proteoglycan synthesis by angiotensin II type 1 and type 2 receptors

Recent studies have shown that proteoglycans play an important role in the development of vascular disease and renal failure. In this study, the effects of angiotensin II (AngII) type 1 (AT1) and type 2 (AT2) receptor stimulation on glycosaminoglycan and proteoglycan core protein synthesis in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) were examined. Treatment of AT1 receptor-expressing VSMC with AngII resulted in a dose-dependent and time-dependent increase (2- to 4-fold) in (3)H-glucosamine/(35)S-sulfate incorporation, which was abolished by pretreatment with the AT1 receptor antagonist, losartan. The effects of AngII were inhibited by the epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor, AG1478, and the mitagen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitor, PD98059, but not the protein kinase C inhibitors, chelerythrine and staurosporine. AngII treatment also resulted in significant increases in the mRNA of the core proteins, versican, biglycan, and perlecan. The effects of AT2 receptor stimulation were examined by retroviral transfection of VSMC with the AT2 receptor. Stimulation of the AT2 receptor in these VSMC-AT2 cells resulted in a significant (1.3-fold) increase in proteoglycan synthesis, which was abolished by the AT2 receptor antagonist, PD123319, and attenuated by pretreatment with pertussis toxin. These results implicate both AT1 and AT2 receptors in the regulation of proteoglycan synthesis and suggest the involvement of epidermal growth factor receptor-dependent tyrosine kinase pathways and G alpha i/o-mediated mechanisms in the effects of the two receptors.

Smooth muscle cell response to mechanical injury involves intracellular calcium release and ERK1/ERK2 phosphorylation

We have investigated possible signaling pathways coupled to injury-induced ERK1/2 activation and the subsequent initiation of vascular rat smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation. Aortic smooth muscle cells were cultured to confluency and subjected to in vitro injury under serum-free conditions. In fluo-4-loaded cells, injury induced a rapid wave of intracellular Ca(2+) release that propagated about 200 microm in radius from the injured zone, reached a peak in about 20 s, and subsided to the baseline within 2 min. The wave was abolished by prior treatment with the sarcoplasmic reticulum ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin, but not by omission of extracellular Ca(2+). ERK1/2 activation reached a peak at 10 min after injury and was inhibited by the MEK1 inhibitor PD98059, as well as by thapsigargin, fluphenazine, genistein, and the Src inhibitor PP2. These inhibitors also reduced [(3)H]thymidine incorporation and migration of cells into the injured area determined at 48 h after injury. These results show that mechanical injury to vascular smooth muscle cells induces a Ca(2+) wave which is dependent on intracellular Ca(2+) release. Furthermore, the injury activates ERK1/2 phosphorylation as well as cell migration and replication.

Contractile effects of angiotensin peptides in rat aorta are differentially dependent on tyrosine kinase activity

It has been suggested that tyrosine kinase activity participates in the regulation of signal transduction associated with angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced pharmaco-mechanical coupling in rat aortic smooth muscle. We further tested the effects of genistein, a tyrosine-kinase inhibitor, and its inactive analogue, daidzein, on angiotensin I (Ang I), angiotensin III (Ang III) and angiotensin IV (Ang IV) contractions, as compared with those on Ang II. Genistein partially inhibited Ang II- and Ang I-induced contractions. The genistein-induced inhibition was more evident on Ang III and especially important on Ang IV contractile effects. Thus, Ang IV- and Ang III-induced contractions seem to be more dependent on tyrosine kinase activity than those evoked by Ang II or Ang I. Daidzein did not significantly affect the contractile effects of any of angiotensin peptides tested. These results clearly suggest that the inhibition of the action of angiotensin peptides actions by genistein is mediated by inhibition of endogenous tyrosine kinase activity. Furthermore, our data show that the type and/or intensity of tyrosine kinase activity is differentially associated with the contractile effects of different angiotensin peptides in rat aorta. Nifedipine, a blocker of membrane L-type Ca2+ channels, strongly inhibited Ang IV-induced contractions. At the same time, it significantly inhibited Ang III contractile effects as compared with Ang II and Ang I contractions. Meanwhile, we observed a close relationship between calcium influx and tyrosine kinase phosphorylation activity under the stimulatory effects of angiotensin peptides. Furthermore, genistein did not significantly influence the phasic contractions induced by angiotensin peptides in Ca2+-free Krebs-Henseleit solution. Thus, it appears that Ca2+ influx, rather than the release of Ca2+ from IP3-sensitive stores, may play a major role in the contractile effects of angiotensin peptides in rat aorta via tyrosine kinase activation. One argument against a direct action of genistein on the Ca2+ channel itself is that it did not markedly affect the K+-induced contraction (depolarisation) in rat aorta. At the same time, a potential role for tyrosine kinase activity in the process of calcium entry is suggested. An elevation of intracellular calcium via tyrosine kinase-mediated processes may mediate the actions of G-protein coupled receptor agonists in smooth muscle, including angiotensin peptides.

Unique regulation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase by PYK2/CAK-beta in angiotensin II-stimulated vascular smooth muscle cells

Activation of tyrosine kinases is believed to play a central role in angiotensin II (AngII) signaling. Here, we have investigated whether a tyrosine kinase, PYK2, is functionally involved in AngII-induced c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Adenovirus expressing PYK2 kinase-inactive mutant K457A or a tyrosine phosphorylation site mutant Y402F was transfected in VSMCs. AngII-induced JNK phosphorylation was markedly enhanced by K457A, whereas it was suppressed by Y402F. Protein synthesis induced by AngII was also enhanced by K457A and inhibited by Y402F. In this regard, K457A suppressed PYK2 kinase activation by AngII, whereas it enhanced AngII-induced PYK2 Tyr(402) phosphorylation. By contrast, Y402F inhibited PYK2 Tyr(402) phosphorylation, whereas it markedly enhanced AngII-induced PYK2 kinase activation. Thus, we conclude that PYK2 kinase activity negatively regulates JNK activation and protein synthesis, whereas Tyr(402) phosphorylation positively regulates these events in AngII-stimulated VSMCs, suggesting a unique role of PYK2 in mediating vascular remodeling.

Vascular smooth muscle growth: autocrine growth mechanisms

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) exhibit several growth responses to agonists that regulate their function including proliferation (hyperplasia with an increase in cell number), hypertrophy (an increase in cell size without change in DNA content), endoreduplication (an increase in DNA content and usually size), and apoptosis. Both autocrine growth mechanisms (in which the individual cell synthesizes and/or secretes a substance that stimulates that same cell type to undergo a growth response) and paracrine growth mechanisms (in which the individual cells responding to the growth factor synthesize and/or secrete a substance that stimulates neighboring cells of another cell type) are important in VSMC growth. In this review I discuss the autocrine and paracrine growth factors important for VSMC growth in culture and in vessels. Four mechanisms by which individual agonists signal are described: direct effects of agonists on their receptors, transactivation of tyrosine kinase-coupled receptors, generation of reactive oxygen species, and induction/secretion of other growth and survival factors. Additional growth effects mediated by changes in cell matrix are discussed. The temporal and spatial coordination of these events are shown to modulate the environment in which other growth factors initiate cell cycle events. Finally, the heterogeneous nature of VSMC developmental origin provides another level of complexity in VSMC growth mechanisms.

Differential ANG II-induced growth activation pathways in mesenteric artery smooth muscle cells from SHR

Angiotensin II-induced growth signaling mechanisms were investigated in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from mesenteric arteries of spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). In WKY, angiotensin II significantly increased protein synthesis ([(3)H]leucine incorporation) but not DNA synthesis ([(3)H]thymidine incorporation). In SHR, angiotensin II increased protein and DNA synthesis. VSMCs from both strains expressed angiotensin type 1 (AT(1)) and type 2 (AT(2)) receptors. Losartan (an AT(1) receptor antagonist) but not PD-123319 (an AT(2) receptor antagonist) attenuated angiotensin II-stimulated protein synthesis in WKY VSMCs. In SHR, losartan and PD-123319 partially inhibited angiotensin II-induced VSMC proliferation. The mitogen-activated protein kinase or extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) kinase inhibitor PD-98059 blocked VSMC growth responses to angiotensin II in both strains. Angiotensin II increased ERK1/2 activation more in SHR than WKY, an effect inhibited by losartan but not PD-123319. LY-294002 [a phosphatidylinositol-3 (PI3) kinase inhibitor] blocked angiotensin II-stimulated ERK1/2 activation in SHR but not in WKY, whereas bisindolylmaleimide [a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor] was ineffective. In conclusion, angiotensin II stimulates VSMC proliferation via AT(1) and AT(2) receptors in SHR. In WKY, angiotensin II induces VSMC hypertrophy via AT(1) receptors. ERK1/2-dependent pathways regulated by intracellular Ca(2+) but not PKC mediate these effects. In SHR VSMCs, PI3 kinase plays a role in augmented angiotensin II-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation. These angiotensin II-mediated signaling events could contribute to vascular remodeling in SHR.

G Protein-coupled Receptors Desensitize and Down-regulate Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors in Renal Mesangial Cells

Different types of plasma membrane receptors engage in various forms of cross-talk. We used cultures of rat renal mesangial cells to study the regulation of EGF receptors (EGFRs) by various endogenous G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). GPCRs (5-hydroxytryptamine(2A), lysophosphatidic acid, angiotensin AT(1), bradykinin B(2)) were shown to transactivate EGFRs through a protein kinase C-dependent pathway. This transactivation resulted in the initiation of multiple cellular signals (phosphorylation of the EGFRs and ERK and activation of cAMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB), NF-kappaB, and E2F), as well as subsequent rapid down-regulation of cell-surface EGFRs and internalization and desensitization of the EGFRs without change in the total cellular complement of EGFRs. Internalization of the EGFRs and the down-regulation of cell-surface receptors in mesangial cells were blocked by pharmacological inhibitors of clathrin-mediated endocytosis and in HEK293 cells by transfection of cDNA constructs that encode dominant negative beta-arrestin-1 or dynamin. Whereas all of the effects of GPCRs on EGFRs were dependent to a great extent on protein kinase C, those initiated by EGF were not. These studies demonstrate that GPCRs can induce multiple signals through protein kinase C-dependent transactivation of EGFRs. Moreover, GPCRs induce profound desensitization of EGFRs by a process associated with the loss of cell-surface EGFRs through clathrin-mediated endocytosis.

Protein-tyrosine kinase Pyk2 mediates endothelin-induced p38 MAPK activation in glomerular mesangial cells

Endothelin-1 (ET-1), a member of a family of 21 amino acid peptides possessing vasoconstrictor properties, is known to stimulate mesangial cell proliferation. In this study, ET-1 (100 nm) induced a rapid activation of p21(ras) in human glomerular mesangial cells (HMC). Inhibition of Src family tyrosine kinase activation with [4-Amino-5-(4-methylphenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine] or chelation of intracellular free calcium with 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid acetoxymethyl ester significantly decreased ET-1dependent p21(ras) activation and suggested the involvement of the cytoplasmic proline-rich tyrosine kinase Pyk2. We have observed that Pyk2 was expressed in HMC and was tyrosine-phosphorylated within 5 min of ET-1 treatment. ET-1-induced activation of Pyk2 was further confirmed using phospho-specific anti-Pyk2 antibodies. Surprisingly, Src kinase activity was required upstream of ET-1-induced autophosphorylation of Pyk2. To determine whether Pyk2 autophosphorylation mediated ET-1-dependent p21(ras) activation, adenovirus-mediated transfer was employed to express a dominant-negative form of Pyk2 (CRNK). CRNK expression inhibited ET-1-induced endogenous Pyk2 autophosphorylation, but did not abolish ET-1-mediated increases in GTP-bound p21(ras) levels. ET-1-induced activation of the p38 MAPK (but not ERK) pathway was inhibited in HMC and in rat glomerular mesangial cells expressing the dominant-negative form of Pyk2. These findings suggest that the engagement of Pyk2 is important for ET-1-mediated p38 MAPK activation and hence the biological effect of this peptide in mesangial cells.

Down-regulation by antisense oligonucleotides establishes a role for the proline-rich tyrosine kinase PYK2 in angiotensin ii-induced signaling in vascular smooth muscle

Abnormal vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) growth plays a key role in the pathogenesis of hypertension and atherosclerosis. Angiotensin II (Ang II) elicits a hypertrophic growth response characterized by an increase in protein synthesis in the absence of DNA synthesis and cell proliferation. Intracellular signaling mechanisms linking angiotensin type I receptor activation to protein synthesis in VSMC have not been fully characterized. The present study investigates the role of the nonreceptor proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (PYK2) in Ang II-induced VSMC protein synthesis and in the regulation of two signaling pathways that have been implicated in the control of protein synthesis, the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathways. PYK2 antisense oligonucleotides were used to down-regulate PYK2 expression in cultured VSMC. An 80% down-regulation in PYK2 expression resulted in an approximately 80% inhibition of ERK1/2 (3.8 +/- 1.3 versus 16.6 +/- 1.8), p70S6 kinase (1.03 +/- 0.03 versus 3.8 +/- 0.5), and Akt activation (3.0 +/- 0.8 versus 16.0 +/- 1.0) by Ang II. Furthermore, PYK2 down-regulation resulted in a complete inhibition of Ang II-induced VSMC protein synthesis. These data conclusively identify PYK2 as an upstream regulator of both the ERK1/2 and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathways that are involved in Ang II-induced VSMC protein synthesis.

Arginine vasopressin stimulates mesangial cell proliferation by activating the epidermal growth factor receptor

The potent vasoconstrictor arginine vasopressin (AVP) is also a mitogen for mesangial cells. Treatment with AVP decreased transit time through the cell cycle. AVP-stimulated mesangial cell growth by activating both the Ras mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) cell signaling pathways. Both the selective PI3K inhibitor LY-294002 and the MAPK kinase (MEK) inhibitor PD-98059 inhibited AVP-stimulated mesangial cell proliferation. However, LY-294002 was more potent, indicating an important role for PI3K activation in AVP-stimulated mesangial cell proliferation. AVP appeared to exert its effect on MAPK and PI3K activation, as well as on cell proliferation, by activating the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R). Pretreatment with the tyrphostin-derived EGF-R antagonist AG-1478 inhibited mesangial cell proliferation as well as the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2 or p42/p44MAPK), and p70S6 kinase, a downstream effector of PI3K, providing evidence that MAPK and PI3K activation, respectively, occurred downstream of EGF-R activation. Treatment with rapamycin, an inhibitor of the p70S6 kinase activator mTOR, also resulted in growth inhibition, further suggesting the importance of the PI3K signaling pathway in AVP-induced proliferation. AVP treatment appeared to transactivate EGF-R by inducing tyrosine phosphorylation of the Ca2+/protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent nonreceptor tyrosine kinase, Pyk2, leading to Pyk2/c-Src association and c-Src activation. This was followed by association of c-Src with EGF-R and EGF-R activation. These data suggested that AVP-stimulated Pyk2 tyrosine phosphorylation to activate c-Src, thereby leading to EGF-R transactivation.

The mechanism of angiotensin II-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 activation is independent of angiotensin AT(1A) receptor internalisation

The aim of this study was to determine whether internalisation of the angiotensin II (Ang II) AT(1A) receptor (AT(1A)R) was a prerequisite for Ang II-induced activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases, ERK-1/2. The human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cell line stably transfected with either the wild-type rat AT(1A)R or an internalisation-deficient C-terminal truncated mutant of the AT(1A)R (AT(1A)T318R) was used as a model for these studies. Inhibition of AT(1A)R internalisation by treatment with an inhibitor of clathrin-mediated endocytosis, Concanavalin A (Con A), did not inhibit Ang II-induced ERK-1/2 activation. Furthermore, cells transfected with the internalisation-deficient AT(1A)T318R mutant readily activated ERK-1/2 in response to Ang II. Ang II activated ERK-1/2 via two distinct signalling pathways in HEK-AT(1A)R cells. Approximately half of Ang II-induced ERK-1/2 activation was protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent, and the remainder was calcium- and c-Src-dependent and involved transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). In summary, Ang II-induced activation of ERK-1/2 occurs via two distinct pathways in HEK293 cells, neither of which requires AT(1A)R internalisation.

Activation of MAPKs by angiotensin II in vascular smooth muscle cells. Metalloprotease-dependent EGF receptor activation is required for activation of ERK and p38 MAPK but not for JNK

In cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), the vasculotrophic factor, angiotensin II (AngII) activates three major MAPKs via the G(q)-coupled AT1 receptor. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation by AngII requires Ca(2+)-dependent "transactivation" of the EGF receptor that may involve a metalloprotease to stimulate processing of an EGF receptor ligand from its precursor. Whether EGF receptor transactivation also contributes to activation of other members of MAPKs such as p38MAPK and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) by AngII remains unclear. In the present study, we have examined the effects of a synthetic metalloprotease inhibitor BB2116, and the EGF receptor kinase inhibitor AG1478 on AngII-induced activation of MAPKs in cultured VSMC. BB2116 markedly inhibited ERK activation induced by AngII or the Ca(2+) ionophore without affecting the activation by EGF or PDGF. BB2116 as well as HB-EGF neutralizing antibody inhibited the EGF receptor transactivation by AngII, suggesting a critical role of HB-EGF in the metalloprotease-dependent EGF receptor transactivation. In addition to the ERK activation, activation of p38MAPK and JNK by AngII was inhibited by an AT1 receptor antagonist, RNH6270. and EGF markedly activate p38MAPK, whereas but not EGF markedly activates JNK, indicating the possible contribution of the EGF receptor transactivation to the p38MAPK activation. The findings that both BB2116 and AG1478 specifically inhibited activation of p38MAPK but not JNK by AngII support this hypothesis. From these data, we conclude that ERK and p38MAPK activation by AngII requires the metalloprotease-dependent EGF receptor transactivation, whereas the JNK activation is regulated without involvement of EGF receptor transactivation.

Adrenomedullin stimulates proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 in vascular smooth muscle cells

A novel vasodilator peptide, adrenomedullin (AM) stimulates extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 via yet uncharacterized 120 kDa tyrosine kinase(s) in rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). In the present study, we have examined whether the AM-activated tyrosine kinase is proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (PYK2) associable with adapter proteins. AM rapidly (within 30 sec) and dose dependently increased tyrosine kinase activity, whose effect was enhanced in the presence of o-vanadate, a phosphatase inhibitor. A tyrosine kinase with an apparent molecular mass of 120 kDa corresponding to that of PYK2 was predominantly localized to the cytosolic fraction, whereas the tyrosine-phosphorylated 180-kDa protein was observed in the membrane fraction from EGF-treated cells, but not from AM-treated cells. AM induced rapid (within 30 sec) and transient phosphorylation of PYK2, but not focal adhesion kinase. AM caused autophosphorylation of tyrosine residue(s) of PYK2 and promoted its association with adaptor proteins (Shc/Grb2). AM rapidly (within 1 min) activated c-Src and enhanced its association with tyrosine-phosphorylated PYK2. These data suggest that AM stimulates PYK2 which, in turn, activates c-Src and induces recruitment of adaptor proteins (Shc/Grb2), thereby leading to activation of p21(ras)/ERK1/2 cascade in VSMC.

A role for PYK2 in regulation of ERK1/2 MAP kinases and PI 3-kinase by ANG II in vascular smooth muscle

Abnormal vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) growth plays a key role in the pathogenesis of hypertension and atherosclerosis. Angiotensin II (ANG II) elicits a hypertrophic growth response characterized by an increase in protein synthesis without cell proliferation. The present study investigated the role of the nonreceptor tyrosine kinase PYK2 in the regulation of ANG II-induced signaling pathways that mediate VSMC growth. Using coimmunoprecipitation analysis, the role of PYK2 as an upstream regulator of both extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) 1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) pathways was examined in cultured rat aortic VSMC. ANG II (100 nM) promoted the formation of a complex between PYK2 and the ERK1/2 regulators Shc and Grb2. ANG II caused a rapid and Ca(2+)-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of the adapter molecule p130Cas, which coimmunoprecipitated both PYK2 and PI 3-kinase in ANG II-treated VSMC. Complex formation between PI 3-kinase and p130Cas and PYK2 was associated with a rapid phosphorylation of the ribosomal p70(S6) kinase in a Ca(2+)- and tyrosine kinase-dependent manner. These data suggest that PYK2 is an important regulator of multiple signaling pathways involved in ANG II-induced VSMC growth.

Sodium-potassium-adenosinetriphosphatase-dependent sodium transport in the kidney: hormonal control

Tubular reabsorption of filtered sodium is quantitatively the main contribution of kidneys to salt and water homeostasis. The transcellular reabsorption of sodium proceeds by a two-step mechanism: Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase-energized basolateral active extrusion of sodium permits passive apical entry through various sodium transport systems. In the past 15 years, most of the renal sodium transport systems (Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase, channels, cotransporters, and exchangers) have been characterized at a molecular level. Coupled to the methods developed during the 1965-1985 decades to circumvent kidney heterogeneity and analyze sodium transport at the level of single nephron segments, cloning of the transporters allowed us to move our understanding of hormone regulation of sodium transport from a cellular to a molecular level. The main purpose of this review is to analyze how molecular events at the transporter level account for the physiological changes in tubular handling of sodium promoted by hormones. In recent years, it also became obvious that intracellular signaling pathways interacted with each other, leading to synergisms or antagonisms. A second aim of this review is therefore to analyze the integrated network of signaling pathways underlying hormone action. Given the central role of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in sodium reabsorption, the first part of this review focuses on its structural and functional properties, with a special mention of the specificity of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase expressed in renal tubule. In a second part, the general mechanisms of hormone signaling are briefly introduced before a more detailed discussion of the nephron segment-specific expression of hormone receptors and signaling pathways. The three following parts integrate the molecular and physiological aspects of the hormonal regulation of sodium transport processes in three nephron segments: the proximal tubule, the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop, and the collecting duct.

Salicylate Inhibits Phosphorylation of the Nonreceptor Tyrosine Kinases, Proline-Rich Tyrosine Kinase 2 and c-Src

-The anti-inflammatory effects of salicylate are well known, but the intracellular mechanisms underlying those effects remain to be clarified and are not explained solely by an influence on cyclooxygenase activity. In the present study, we have used cardiac fibroblasts stimulated by either angiotensin II (Ang II) or platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) to demonstrate an inhibitory effect of salicylate on the phosphorylation of the nonreceptor tyrosine kinases, proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (PYK2) and c-Src, by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting methods. This inhibition was dose dependent, with a clear effect observed at concentrations between 5 and 20 mmol/L salicylate. Intracellular Ca(2+) chelation and protein kinase C (PKC) inhibition reduced Ang II and PDGF-induced PYK2 and c-Src phosphorylation. Salicylate significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of both of the tyrosine kinases activated by either ionophore A23187 or thapsigargin treatment, which led to an elevation of cytosolic Ca(2+). Activation of PKC by phorbol ester phosphorylated both PYK2 and Src, and this effect also was attenuated by salicylate. In contrast, salicylate had no effect on either the transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor by Ang II or the phosphorylation of phospholipase C-gamma by PDGF. These studies indicate a novel site of action for salicylate on PYK2 and c-Src phosphorylation and suggest that this inhibitory effect on these important signaling intermediates may be through a Ca(2+)- and PKC-dependent mechanism.

Transactivation: a novel signaling pathway from angiotensin II to tyrosine kinase receptors

Angiotensin II (Ang II), an octapeptide pressor hormone, activates cellular events that may contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. The physiological actions of Ang II are mediated via the Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and type 2 receptor (AT2R), which are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR). GPCR share a common basic structure of seven transmembrane helices connected by alternating cytoplasmic and extracellular loops. GPCR lack intrinsic kinase activity possessed by receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) such as platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) or epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Nonetheless, the signal transduction events activated by the AT1R mimic those of RTKs. Recently, cross-talk between GPCR and RTK has been observed. There is accumulating evidence that GPCR take advantage of signaling pathways downstream of RTK to exert its effect on the cells. In this context, RTK may be considered as one of signaling molecules downstream of GPCR.

Angiotensin II mediated signal transduction. Important role of tyrosine kinases

It has been 100 years since the discovery of renin by Bergman and Tigerstedt. Since then, numerous studies have advanced our understanding of the renin-angiotensin system. A remarkable aspect was the discovery that angiotensin II (AngII) is the central product of the renin-angiotensin system and that this octapeptide induces multiple physiological responses in different cell types. In addition to its well known vasoconstrictive effects, growing evidence supports the notion that AngII may play a central role not only in hypertension, but also in cardiovascular and renal diseases. Binding of AngII to the seven-transmembrane angiotensin II type 1 receptor is responsible for nearly all of the physiological actions of AngII. Recent studies underscore the new concept that activation of intracellular second messengers by AngII requires tyrosine phosphorylation. An increasing number of tyrosine kinases have been shown to be activated by AngII, including the Src kinase family, the focal adhesion kinase family, the Janus kinases and receptor tyrosine kinases. These actions of AngII contribute to the pathophysiology of cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling, vascular thickening, heart failure and atherosclerosis. In this review, we discuss the important role of tyrosine kinases in AngII-mediated signal transduction. Understanding the importance of tyrosine phosphorylation in AngII-stimulated signaling events may contribute to new therapies for cardiovascular and renal diseases.

The proliferative and antiapoptotic effects of substance P are facilitated by formation of a beta -arrestin-dependent scaffolding complex

A requirement for scaffolding complexes containing internalized G protein-coupled receptors and beta-arrestins in the activation and subcellular localization of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) has recently been proposed. However, the composition of these complexes and the importance of this requirement for function of ERK1/2 appear to differ between receptors. Here we report that substance P (SP) activation of neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) stimulates the formation of a scaffolding complex comprising internalized receptor, beta-arrestin, src, and ERK1/2 (detected by gel filtration, immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence). Inhibition of complex formation, by expression of dominant-negative beta-arrestin or a truncated NK1R that fails to interact with beta-arrestin, inhibits both SP-stimulated endocytosis of the NK1R and activation of ERK1/2, which is required for the proliferative and antiapoptotic effects of SP. Thus, formation of a beta-arrestin-containing complex facilitates the proliferative and antiapoptotic effects of SP, and these effects of SP could be diminished in cells expressing truncated NK1R corresponding to a naturally occurring variant.