Rel/NF-kappa B/I kappa B family: intimate tales of association and dissociation

Characterization of a mutant cell line that does not activate NF-kappaB in response to multiple stimuli

Numerous genes required during the immune or inflammation response as well as the adhesion process are regulated by nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB). Associated with its inhibitor, I kappaB, NF-kappaB resides as an inactive form in the cytoplasm. Upon stimulation by various agents, I kappaB is proteolyzed and NF-kappaB translocates to the nucleus, where it activates its target genes. The transduction pathways that lead to I kappaB inactivation remain poorly understood. In this study, we have characterized a cellular mutant, the 70/Z3-derived 1.3E2 murine pre-B cell line, that does not activate NF-kappaB in response to several stimuli. We demonstrate that upon stimulation by lipopolysaccharide, Taxol, phorbol myristate acetate, interleukin-1, or double-stranded RNA, I kappaB alpha is not degraded, as a result of an absence of induced phosphorylation on serines 32 and 36. Neither a mutation in I kappaB alpha nor a mutation in p50 or relA, the two major subunits of NF-kappaB in this cell line, accounts for this phosphorylation defect. As well as culminating in the inducible phosphorylation of I kappaB alpha on serines 32 and 36, all the stimuli that are inactive on 1.3E2 cells exhibit a sensitivity to the antioxidant pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC). In contrast, stimuli such as hyperosmotic shock or phosphatase inhibitors, which use PDTC-insensitive pathways, induce I kappaB alpha degradation in 1.3E2. Analysis of the redox status of 1.3E2 does not reveal any difference from wild-type 70Z/3. We also report that the human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1)-derived Tax trans-activator induces NF-kappaB activity in 1.3E2, suggesting that this viral protein does not operate via the defective pathway. Finally, we show that two other I kappaB molecules, I kappaB beta and the recently identified I kappaB epsilon, are not degraded in the 1.3E2 cell line following stimulation. Our results demonstrate that 1.3E2 is a cellular transduction mutant exhibiting a defect in a step that is required by several different stimuli to activate NF-kappaB. In addition, this analysis suggests a common step in the signaling pathways that trigger I kappaB alpha, I kappaB beta, and I kappaB epsilon degradation.

Basal transcription factors TBP and TFIIB and the viral coactivator E1A 13S bind with distinct affinities and kinetics to the transactivation domain of NF-kappaB p65

Transactivation domains (TADs) are able to contact several components of the basal transcription apparatus and co-activator molecules. In order to study these interactions in biophysical detail, binding of the well-characterized TAD from the human transcription factor NF-kappaB p65 (RelA) to the basal transcription factors TBP and TFIIB and the viral co-activator protein E1A 13S was chosen as a model system to investigate the kinetics and affinities of such protein-protein interactions by surface plasmon resonance analysis. The TAD of NF-kappaB p65 showed remarkably different affinities and kinetics in binding to the various proteins. The real-time kinetic measurements revealed an association rate constant (kass) of 2.3 x 10(6)/M/s for the interaction between the p65 TAD and TBP. The association rate constants of the p65 TAD were much weaker for TFIIB (6.8 x 10(4)/M/s) and for the E1A 13S protein (4.9 x 10(4)/M/s). The dissociation rate constants (kdiss) were determined to be 7.9 x 10(-4)/s for TBP, 1.6 x 10(-3)/s for TFIIB and 1.3 x 10(-3)/s for the E1A protein. Accordingly, the calculated dissociation constants (Kd) differed between 3.4 x 10(-10)M for the strongly binding TBP protein and 2.3 x 10(-8)M and 2.6 x 10(-8)M for the weaker binding TFIIB and E1A 13S proteins respectively. Non-linear analysis of the appropriate part of the sensorgrams revealed monophasic association and dissociation kinetics for binding between the p65 TAD and all three interaction partners. The remarkable differences in protein affinities add another aspect to a more detailed understanding of formation of the transcription preinitiation complex. The co-transfection of TBP and E1A 13S stimulated NF-kappaB p65-dependent gene expression, showing the biological significance of these interactions.

The 26S-proteasome: regulation and substrate recognition

There is extensive reprogramming of the ATPase regulators of the 26S proteasome before the programmed elimination of the abdominal intersegmental muscles (ISM) after eclosion in Manduca sexta [1]. This extensive ATPase reprogramming only occurs in ISM which are destined to die and not in flight muscle (FM). The MS73 ATPase also increases in the proleg retractor muscles which die at a developmentally different stage to ISM. The non-ATPase regulator S5a shows a similar increase to the ATPase regulators. We have cloned the Manduca SUG2 ATPase and shown that this ATPase is a component of the 26S proteasome. This ATPase shows a similar increase in concentration to the other ATPases in 26S proteasomes before muscle death. The SUG2 ATPase is also associated with other smaller complexes besides the 26S proteasome which act as activators of the 26S proteasome. Finally, in a yeast two-hybrid genetic screen we have identified a protein in human brain which interacts with the MS73 ATPase (and human S6). The interacting protein contains 6 ankyrin repeats and is co-immunoprecipitated with anti-MS73 antiserum after in vitro transcription/translation. The ankyrin repeat protein may interact with the MS73 ATPase as part of the substrate recognition process by the 26S proteasome. Many proteins degraded by the 26S proteasome contain ankyrin repeats, e.g. IkB and some cyclins: binding through ankyrin repeats to an ATPase regulator may complement protein ubiquitination and S5a binding as recognition signals by the 26S proteasome.

Apoptosis of L1210 Leukemia Cells Induced by 3-Deazaadenosine Analogs: Differential Expression of c-myc, NF-Kappa B and Molecular Events

A new class of potent apogens (apoptosis-inducing agents) has been identified, consisting of 3-deazaadenosine (DZA), 3-deaza-(+/-)aristeromycin (DZAri) and 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-&cumacr;]pyridine (ara-3-deazaadenine; DZAra-A). They are inhibitors of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase and indirect inhibitors of methylation. Furthermore, they have also been found to form 3-deaza-nucleotide analogs. The DZA analogs, DZA, DZAri, and DZAra-A, induced DNA fragmentation in a dose- and time-dependent manner, reaching a maximum at 250 &mgr;M after 72 h. Cycloheximide at 0.5 &mgr;g/ml completely blocked the DNA fragmentation induced by 250 &mgr;M of each of the analogs. Interestingly, exogenous 100 &mgr;M L-homocysteine thiolactone abrogated the DNA fragmentation caused by DZAri and DZAra-A, but not by DZA. Flow cytometric analysis showed that DZA arrested the cells in the G(2)/M phase, whereas the S phase was arrested by DZAri. Correlated with the effect of DZA was a rapid decrease in the expression of c-myc, whereas nur77 and GAPDH were unaffected. In comparison, there was an elevated expression of IFN-gamma mRNA without apparent change in bax, p53 or GAPDH mRNA after 24 h. After treatment with DZA, there was an elevated expression of NF-kappaB DNA binding activity, which became more pronounced at 24 h. Simultaneously, there was an apparent disappearance of AP-1 activity. Thus, DZA most likely inhibited the RNA synthesis of c-myc, a reduction of which could trigger a cascade of gene transcription leading to apoptosis in L1210 cells. Copyright 1997 S. Karger AG, Basel

The serine/threonine phosphatase inhibitor calyculin A induces rapid degradation of IkappaBbeta. Requirement of both the N- and C-terminal sequences

Signal-initiated activation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB is mediated through proteolysis of its cytoplasmic inhibitory proteins IkappaBalpha and IkappaBbeta. While most NF-kappaB inducers trigger the degradation of IkappaBalpha, only certain stimuli are able to induce the degradation of IkappaBbeta. The degradation of IkappaBalpha is targeted by its site-specific phosphorylations, although the mechanism underlying the degradation of IkappaBbeta remains elusive. In the present study, we have analyzed the effect of phosphatase inhibitors on the proteolysis of IkappaBbeta. We show that the serine/threonine phosphatase inhibitor calyculin A induces the hyperphosphorylation and subsequent degradation of IkappaBbeta in both human Jurkat T cells and the murine 70Z-3 preB cells, which is associated with the nuclear expression of active NF-kappaB. The calyculin A-mediated degradation of IkappaBbeta is further enhanced by the cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), although TNF-alpha alone is unable to induce the degradation of IkappaBbeta. Mutational analyses have revealed that the inducible degradation of IkappaBbeta induced by calyculin A, and TNF-alpha requires two N-terminal serines (serines 19 and 23) that are homologous to the inducible phosphorylation sites present in IkappaBalpha. Furthermore, the C-terminal 51 amino acid residues, which are rich in serines and aspartic acids, are also required for the inducible degradation of IkappaBbeta. These results suggest that the degradation signal of IkappaBbeta may be controlled by the opposing actions of protein kinases and phosphatases and that both the N- and C-terminal sequences of IkappaBbeta are required for the inducible degradation of this NF-kappaB inhibitor.

Activation of the nuclear factor-kappaB by Rho, CDC42, and Rac-1 proteins

The Rho family of small GTPases are critical elements involved in the regulation of signal transduction cascades from extracellular stimuli to the cell nucleus, including the JNK/SAPK signaling pathway, the c-fos serum response factor, and the p70 S6 kinase. Here we report a novel signaling pathway activated by the Rho proteins that may be responsible for their biological activities, including cytoskeleton organization, transformation, apoptosis, and metastasis. The human RhoA, CDC42, and Rac-1 proteins efficiently induce the transcriptional activity of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) by a mechanism that involves phosphorylation of Ikappa Balpha and translocation of p50/p50 and p50/p65 dimers to the nucleus, but independent of the Ras GTPase and the Raf-1 kinase. We also show that activation of NF-kappaB by TNFalpha depends on CDC42 and RhoA, but not Rac-1 proteins, because this activity is drastically inhibited by their respective dominant-negative mutants. In contrast, activation of NF-kappaB by UV light was not affected by Rho, CDC42, or Rac-1 dominant-negative mutants. Thus, members of the Rho family of GTPases are involved specifically in the regulation of NF-kappaB-dependent transcription.

Nuclear localization of I kappa B alpha promotes active transport of NF-kappa B from the nucleus to the cytoplasm

I kappa B alpha tightly regulates the transcriptional activity of NF-kappa B by retaining it in the cytoplasm in an inactive form. In the present work, we report that I kappa B alpha, when expressed in the nuclear compartment, not only abrogates NF-kappa B/DNA interactions and NF-kappa B-dependent transcription, but also transports NF-kappa B back to the cytoplasm. This function of I kappa B alpha is insured by a nuclear export sequence located in the C-terminal domain of I kappa B alpha and homologous to the previously described export signal found in HIV-1 Rev protein as well as in PKI (the inhibitor of the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A). Thus, inhibition of NF-kappa B/DNA binding and the consecutive efficient nuclear export of the transcription factor of I kappa B alpha could represent an important mechanism for the control of the expression of NF-kappa B-dependent genes.

N-acetyl-leucinyl-leucinyl-norleucinal inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced NF-kappaB activation and prevents TNF and IL-6 synthesis in vivo

The effects of N-acetyl-leucinyl-leucinyl-norleucinal (ALLN), a potent inhibitor of proteolysis catalyzed by proteasomes, on the activation of NF-kappaB in vitro and in vivo have been examined. Confirming earlier observations, ALLN inhibits the activation of NF-kappaB in macrophage cultures stimulated with LPS, resulting in the intracellular accumulation of IkappaB and p105. The synthesis of TNF, a reaction dependent upon NF-kappaB activation, is blocked by ALLN. Treatment of mice with LPS results in the induction of TNF and IL-6 within 90 min followed by lethal shock at 24 hr. In mice pretreated with ALLN, serum TNF and IL-6 levels were significantly lower than those in untreated animals. These studies suggest that the proteasome is a novel target for the identification of agents that may be useful in the treatment of those diseases whose etiology is dependent on the activation of NF-kappaB.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced E-selectin expression is activated by the nuclear factor-kappaB and c-JUN N-terminal kinase/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways

E-selectin expression by endothelium is crucial for leukocyte recruitment during inflammatory responses. Transcriptional regulation of the E-selectin promoter by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) requires multiple nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) binding sites and a cAMP-responsive element/activating transcription factor-like binding site designated positive domain II (PDII). Here we characterize the role of the stress-activated family of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases in induced expression of this adhesion molecule. By UV cross-linking and immunoprecipitation, we demonstrated that a heterodimer of transcription factors ATF-2 and c-JUN is constitutively bound to the PDII site. TNFalpha stimulation of endothelial cells induces transient phosphorylation of both ATF-2 and c-JUN and induces marked activation of the c-JUN N-terminal kinase (JNK1) and p38 but not extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1). JNK and p38 are constitutively present in the nucleus, and DNA-bound c-JUN and ATF-2 are stably contacted by JNK and p38, respectively. MAP/ERK kinase kinase 1 (MEKK1), an upstream activator of MAP kinases, increases E-selectin promoter transcription and requires an intact PDII site for maximal induction. MEKK1 can also activate NF-kappaB -dependent gene expression. The effects of dominant interfering forms of the JNK/p38 signaling pathway demonstrate that activation of these kinases is critical for cytokine-induced E-selectin gene expression. Thus, TNFalpha activates two signaling pathways, NF-kappaB and JNK/p38, which are both required for maximal expression of E-selectin.

Constitutive dephosphorylation and activation of a member of the nuclear factor of activated T cells, NF-AT1, in Tax-expressing and type I human T-cell leukemia virus-infected human T cells

The tax gene product of the type I human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV-I) transactivates interleukin-2 (IL-2) gene through activation of an enhancer termed CD28 responsive element (CD28RE). Tax activation of the CD28RE is partially mediated by a member of the nuclear factor of activated T cells, NF-AT1. We have previously shown that NF-AT1 is constitutively active in Jurkat T cells stably transfected with the Tax cDNA, although the underlying molecular mechanism and physiological relevance of this finding remain unclear. In this report, we demonstrate that the active form of NF-AT1 is also present in the nuclei of HTLV-I-transformed T cells that express the Tax protein. Interestingly, the constitutive activation of NF-AT1 in these T cells is associated with its dephosphorylation. Furthermore, the dephosphorylated NF-AT1 can be rapidly rephosphorylated when the cells are incubated with cyclosporin A, an immunosuppressant inhibiting the serine/threonine phosphatase calcineurin. These results suggest that activation of NF-AT1 in Tax-expressing and HTLV-I-transformed T cells results from its dephosphorylation, which in turn may be due to deregulation of calcineurin.

Immunological defects in mice with a targeted disruption in Bcl-3

The proto-oncogene bcl-3 is a member of the IkappaB family. The Bcl-3 protein is known to interact specifically with the p50 and p52 subunits of NFkappaB. However, the function of this interaction is not well understood. To determine the in vivo role of Bcl-3, mice were generated that lack the bcl-3 gene, Bcl 3(-/-). Here we report that Bcl 3(-/-) mice appear developmentally normal, but exhibit severe defects in humoral immune responses and protection from in vivo pathogenic challenges. Relative to wild-type mice, Bcl 3(-/-) mice are unable to clear L. monocytogenes and are more susceptible to infection with S. pneumoniae. This phenotype is similar to that observed in the p50(-/-) mice and the cross between the Bcl-3(-/-) and p50(-/-) mice generates animals with an enhanced phenotype. In accordance with the observed defects in their immune response, the Bcl 3(-/-) mice have normal immunoglobulin levels before and after immunization, but fail to produce antigen-specific antibodies. Additionally, spleens from Bcl-3(-/-) mice are abnormal and void of germinal centers. In contrast, the p50(-/-) mice have normal germinal centers. We propose that in in vivo, Bcl-3 can function independently of p50.

Modified hemoglobin solution, with desired pharmacological properties, does not activate nuclear transcription factor NF-kappa B in human vascular endothelial cells

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of hemoglobin (Hb) and the contribution of chemically modified Hb solutions on the activation of nuclear transcription factor. NF-kappa B, and propagation of oxidative stress within human vascular endothelial cells. The activation of an oxidative stress-sensitive NF-kappa B can be linked with the propagation of an inflammatory state via rapid induction of genes for several pro-inflammatory mediators. Human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC) were cultured on glass coverslips or cell culture plates to confluence. Then, the cells were incubated for up to 18 hours with endothelial basal medium (EBM) supplemented with 5% FBS and test agents in a concentration of 0.1 and 0.2 mmol: 1) unmodified bovine Hb (UHb): 2) modified Hb solution polymerized with glutaraldehyde (GLUT-Hb), and 3) a novel modified Hb solution (Hb-PP-GSH) prepared according to our patented procedure (U.S. Patent No. 5,439,882). The positive control for the NF-kappa B activation study included a treatment of the cells with: I) endotoxin: IL-1; TNF; and H2O2. Results indicate that Hb's pro-oxidant potential was influenced by the type of chemical modification procedure. The GLUT-Hb autoxidation rate, peroxidase-like activity and reactivity with H2O2/ferryl species formation were higher as compared to UHb, by 15%, 35% and 30%, respectively. However, pro-oxidant potential of Hb-PP-GSH was significantly lower than that of UHb (by 22%, 12% and 28%, respectively). The extent of oxidative stress of the HCAECs was found to be the Hb modification-type and concentration dependent. Although the highest endothelial lipid peroxidation and the largest depletion of intracellular GSH was associated with 0.2 mmol of GLUT-Hb, the Hb-PP-GSH did not produce significant changes when compared to the control cells. The UHb generated a moderate oxidative stress to the endothelium. The immunofluorescent and EMSA results indicate a correlation between the type of Hb chemical modification and the induction of NF-kappa B nuclear translocation. We found that GLUT-Hb rapidly activated NF-kappa B and induced nuclear translocation. Treatment of the cells with an increasing amount of UHb leads to the partial nuclear induction of NF-kappa B. However, Hb-PP-GSH did not activate NF-kappa B directly. In this study, the positive control cells treated with endotoxin, IL-1 or TNF demonstrated full nuclear translocations, whereas H2O2 caused only partial induction. In conclusion, nuclear translocation of NF-kappa B by Hb solutions might be dependent on Hb's pro-oxidant potential and extent of Hb-mediated endothelial oxidative stress. Besides the low oxidative potential of Hb-PP-GSH, the observed lack of NF-kappa B activation by this Hb solution can be also related to the anti-inflammatory properties of adenosine which is used in our novel modification procedure. In this study, only the Hb-PP-GSH, cross-linked intramolecularly with o-adenosine triphosphate and intermolecularly with o-adenosine, and combined with reduced glutathiore, was shown to be non-toxic to the endothelium and promises to be an effective free-Hb based blood substitute.

Overexpression of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase reversed cAMP inhibition of NF-kappaB in T cells

cAMP inhibits T cell activation by acting as an antagonist for selective kinases and transcriptional factors. We have recently demonstrated that cAMP inhibited c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) but left the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascade almost unaffected in T lymphocytes. In accordance with recent reports, we also observed a selective suppression of nuclear factor NF-kappaB activation by cAMP. The possible link between the JNK cascade and NF-kappaB activation was demonstrated by the fact that the active form of MAP kinase kinase kinase (deltaMEKK), a constitutive activator of JNK, induced NF-kappaB but not AP-1, Oct, and NF-AT in T cells. In contrast, the induction of MAP kinase kinase (MEK)-MAP kinase did not stimulate NF-kappaB activity. The specific activation of NF-kappaB by a single MEKK-JNK cascade was thus unusual, given that the activation of other transcriptional elements in T cells requires at least two signal pathways. This was further confirmed by the fact that cAMP inhibition of NF-kappaB activation was reversed by overexpression of deltaMEKK.

Synthetic inhibitors of regulatory proteins involved in the signaling pathway of the replication of human immunodeficiency virus 1

NF-kappa B, HIV-EP1, Sp1, and E1A are transcriptional proteins involved in the long terminal repeat-directed expression of HIV-1. The inhibitory effect of 18 dimethylaminopyridine-based compounds against these regulatory proteins was studied. Experiments using NF-kappa B-beads showed that histidine-pyridine-histidine compounds and their zinc complexes are inhibitory not only for the NF-kappa B-DNA binding, but also for the binding of NF-kappa B with the inhibitory protein I kappa B. Discriminative inhibition of the DNA binding of two distinct C2H2 type zinc finger proteins HIV-EP1 and Sp1 was also attempted using the synthetic compounds. Whereas some compounds inhibited the DNA binding of both HIV-EP1 and Sp1 at 300 microM, others preferentially and completely inhibited HIV-EP1 without much suppression of Sp1. Mercapto compounds were more potent and uniformly inhibitory against both HIV-EP1 and Sp1 at 30 microM. Disulfide compounds were also remarkably inhibitory against HIV-EP1 and Sp1 also at 30 microM whereas the shorter-chain disulfides 7 and 9 were effective only for HIV-EP1. S-Alkyl derivatives preferentially inhibited HIV-EP1 at 300 microM. The dimethylamino compound was the sole compound inhibitory only against Sp1, being non-inhibitory against HIV-EP1. Relevant combinations of these inhibitors would allow us to inhibit NF-kappa B, HIV-EP1, and Sp1 in any combinations. Inhibition of the TBP binding of C4 type zinc finger protein adenovirus E1A was also examined. It was found that two compounds induced, at 50 mM concentration, effective inhibition of the TBP binding of E1A, demonstrating that it is possible in principle to inhibit the protein-protein interaction of zinc finger proteins.

UV-induced signal transduction

Irradiation of cells with wavelength ultraviolet (UVA, B and C) induces the transcription of many genes. The program overlaps with that induced by oxidants and alkylating agents and has both protective and other functions. Genes transcribed in response to UV irradiation include genes encoding transcription factors, proteases and viral proteins. While the transcription factor encoding genes is initiated in minutes after UV irradiation (immediate response genes) and depends exclusively on performed proteins, the transcription of protease encoding occurs only many hours after UV irradiation. Transcription factors controlling the activity of immediate response genes are activated by protein kinases belonging to the group of proline directed protein kinases immediately after UV irradiation. Experimental evidence suggests that these kinases are activated in UV irradiated cells through pathways which are used by growth factors. In fact, the first cellular reaction detectable in UV irradiated cells is the phosphorylation of several growth factor receptors at tyrosine residues. This phosphorylation does not depend on UV induced DNA damage, but is due to an inhibition of the activity of tyrosine phosphatases. In contrast, for late cellular reactions to UV, an obligatory role of DNA damage in transcribed regions of the genome can be demonstrated. Thus, UV is absorbed by several target molecules relevant for cellular signaling, and it appears that numerous signal transduction pathways are stimulated. The combined action of these pathways establishes the genetic program that determines the fate of UV irradiated cells.

Site-specific tyrosine phosphorylation of IkappaBalpha negatively regulates its inducible phosphorylation and degradation

The transcription factor NF-kappaB is retained in the cytoplasm by its interaction with the inhibitory subunit known as IkappaB. Signal-induced serine phosphorylation and subsequent ubiquitination of IkappaBalpha target it for degradation by the 26 S proteasome. Recently, pervanadate, a protein-tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, was shown to block the degradation of IkappaBalpha, thus inhibiting NF-kappaB activation. We investigated the mechanism by which pervanadate inhibits the degradation of IkappaBalpha. Western blot analysis of IkappaBalpha from tumor necrosis factor-treated cells revealed a slower migrating IkappaBalpha species that was subsequently degraded. However, pervanadate-treated cells also revealed a slower migrating species of IkappaBalpha that appeared in a time- and dose-dependent manner and was not degraded by tumor necrosis factor. The slower migrating species of IkappaBalpha from pervanadate-treated cells was tyrosine-phosphorylated as revealed by cross-reactivity with anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies, by the ability of the specific tyrosine phosphatase PTP1B to dephosphorylate it, and by phosphoamino acid analysis of IkappaBalpha immunoprecipitated from 32P-labeled cells. By site-specific mutagenesis and deletion analysis, we identified Tyr-42 on IkappaBalpha as the phosphoacceptor site. Furthermore, in an in vitro reconstitution system, tyrosine-phosphorylated IkappaBalpha was protected from degradation. Our results demonstrate that inducible phosphorylation and degradation of IkappaBalpha are negatively regulated by phosphorylation at Tyr-42, thus preventing NF-kappaB activation.

CD28 mediates a potent costimulatory signal for rapid degradation of IkappaBbeta which is associated with accelerated activation of various NF-kappaB/Rel heterodimers

Optimal activation of T cells requires at least two signals delivered by the T-cell receptor complex and costimulatory molecules such as CD28. The CD28 signaling participates in the transcription of the interleukin-2 gene through activation of an enhancer termed the CD28-responsive element (CD28RE). Stimulation of CD28 enhances mitogen-mediated induction of CD28RE-binding proteins including members of the NF-kappaB/Rel transcription factor family, although the underlying mechanism remains elusive. In this report, we show that CD28 costimulation leads to biphasic induction of NF-kappaB/Rel heterodimers, including early-phase induction of p50/RelA and c-Rel/RelA and late-phase induction of p50/c-Rel. Interestingly, activation of these NF-kappaB/Rel complexes by the CD28 signal is associated with the rapid degradation of both IkappaBalpha and IkappaBbeta, two major cytoplasmic inhibitors of NF-kappaB/Rel. Although IkappaBalpha degradation can be induced by phorbol ester alone, degradation of IkappaBbeta is largely dependent on the CD28 costimulatory signal. We further demonstrate that CD28-mediated transactivation of the CD28RE enhancer is potently inhibited by an N-terminal truncation mutant of IkappaBbeta that is incapable of responding to the degradation signals. Together, these results suggest that the CD28 costimulatory signal augments activation of NF-kappaB/Rel by promoting degradation of IkappaBbeta as well as enhancing degradation of IkappaBalpha and that induction of NF-kappaB/Rel serves as an essential step in the signal-mediated activation of the CD28RE enhancer.

Identification of a novel NF-kappaB p50-related protein in B lymphocytes

In most cell types other than mature B lymphocytes and macrophages, the transcription factor NF-kappaB remains in an inactive form in the cytosol by being bound to the inhibitory proteins IkappaBalpha and IkappaBbeta. To investigate the regulation of constitutively active NF-kappaB in B lymphocytes, we have examined the composition of Rel protein complexes in different mouse B-cell lines. As reported previously, the constitutively active complex in mature B cells was predominantly p50:c-Rel. However, the kappaB binding complex in the plasmacytomas that were examined lacked c-Rel and instead contained only a p50-related protein. This p50-related protein (p55) cross-reacts with three different p50 antisera, exists in both the cytosol and the nucleus, and is the protein that binds to kappaB sites in plasma cells. Transfection of reporter constructs into plasma cells indicates that the p55 complex is also transcriptionally active. The p55 protein can be detected in splenocytes from mice lacking the p105/p50 gene, and therefore it appears to be the product of a distinct gene. The implications of the existence of a NF-kappaB p50-related protein in plasma cells that is capable of binding to kappaB sites and activating transcription are discussed.

A gradient of cytoplasmic Cactus degradation establishes the nuclear localization gradient of the dorsal morphogen in Drosophila

Dorsoventral axis formation in the Drosophila embryo is established by a signal transduction pathway that comprises the products of at least 12 maternal genes. Two of these genes, dorsal and cactus, show homology to the mammalian transcription factor NF-kappa B and its inhibitor I kappa B, respectively. As in the case for I kappa B and NF-kappa B, Cactus inhibits Dorsal by retaining it in the cytoplasm. In response to the signal produced and transmitted by the products of the other genes, Dorsal translocates to the nucleus preferentially on the ventral side of the embryo. Here, we show that Cactus forms a cytoplasmic concentration gradient inversely correlated to the nuclear translocation gradient of Dorsal. Deletions of the N-terminus and C-terminus of Cactus reveal that two modes of degradation control cactus activity: signal-induced degradation and signal-independent degradation, respectively. Genetic evidence indicates that degradation of Cactus is required, but not sufficient to translocates Dorsal completely into the nucleus.

A JNK signal transduction pathway that mediates morphogenesis and an immune response in Drosophila

The Drosophila MAP kinase DJNK is a homolog of the mammalian c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK). Mutations in the DJNK gene correspond to the complementation group basket. DJNK is phosphorylated and activated by the Drosophila MAP kinase kinase HEP. Substrates of DJNK include the transcription factor DJun. DJNK participates in multiple physiological processes. Exposure to endotoxic lipopolysaccharide initiates an insect immune response and leads to DJNK activation. In addition, embryos lacking DJNK are defective in dorsal closure, a process in which the lateral epithelial cells migrate over the embryo and join at the dorsal midline. These data demonstrate that the DJNK signal transduction pathway mediates an immune response and morphogenesis in vivo.

Basal phosphorylation of the PEST domain in the I(kappa)B(beta) regulates its functional interaction with the c-rel proto-oncogene product

The product of the c-rel proto-oncogene (c-Rel) belongs to the NF-kappaB/Rel family of polypeptides and has been implicated in the transcriptional control of cell proliferation and immune function. In human T lymphocytes, c-Rel is sequestered in the cytoplasmic compartment by constitutively phosphorylated inhibitors, including I(kappa)B(alpha) and I(kappa)B(beta). Studies with bacterially expressed forms of these inhibitory proteins revealed that unphosphorylated I(kappa)B(alpha) but not I(kappa)B(beta) assembles with c-Rel and inhibits its DNA binding activity. Furthermore, latent I(kappa)B(beta)-c-Rel complexes derived from mammalian cells were sensitive to phosphatase treatment, whereas I(kappa)B(alpha)-c-Rel complexes were resistant. We have identified a constitutive protein kinase in unstimulated T cells that associates with and phosphorylates I(kappa)B(beta) in vitro. The substrate specificity, electrophoretic mobility, and antigenic properties of this I(kappa)B(beta)-associated kinase (BAK) suggest identity with casein kinase II (CKII), an enzyme known to mediate basal phosphorylation of I(kappa)B(alpha). Phosphorylation of recombinant I(kappa)B(beta) by either BAK or CKII restored the capacity of this inhibitor to antagonize the DNA binding activity of c-Rel. Peptide mapping and mutational analyses localized the bulk of the basal phosphorylation sites in I(kappa)B(beta) to the C-terminal PEST domain, which contains two potential acceptors for CKII-mediated phosphoryl group transfer (Ser-313 and Ser-315). Point mutations introduced into the full-length inhibitor at Ser-313 and Ser-315 led to a significant reduction in the phosphorylation of I(kappa)B(beta) and severely impaired its c-Rel inhibitory function in vivo. Taken together, these findings strongly suggest that basal phosphorylation of the PEST domain of I(kappa)B(beta) at consensus CKII sites is required for the efficient formation of latent I(kappa)B(beta)-c-Rel complexes.

c-rel regulation of IL-2 gene expression may be mediated through activation of AP-1

T cell activation by antigen/MHC induces the expression of several genes critical to the immune response, including interleukin-2. T cells from mice deficient for the NF-kappa B family member c-rel cannot activate IL-2 gene expression. However, mutating the NF-kappa B site in the IL-2 promoter has only moderate effects. To investigate additional ways c-Rel could regulate IL-2 gene expression, we determined whether c-rel overexpression could increase the activity of other transcription factors involved in IL-2 promoter regulation: NF-AT, Oct/OAP (ARRE-1), and AP-1. In Jurkat TAg cells, overexpression of c-Rel increased AP-1 activation approximately 17-fold. Moreover, AP-1 activity stimulated by anti-TCR Abs or PMA/ionomycin was further increased by c-Rel overexpression. c-Rel overexpression did not affect NF-AT or ARRE-1 activity. Additionally, overexpression of c-Rel activated the nonconsensus AP-1 site from the IL-2 promoter (NF-IL-2B), although to a lesser extent, approximately sixfold. AP-1 activation required both the DNA binding and transactivation domains of c-Rel. Our results may provide an explanation for the effect on IL-2 gene activation in c-rel-deficient mice.

An essential role for NF-kappaB in preventing TNF-alpha-induced cell death

Studies on mice deficient in nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) subunits have shown that this transcription factor is important for lymphocyte responses to antigens and cytokine-inducible gene expression. In particular, the RelA (p65) subunit is required for induction of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-dependent genes. Treatment of RelA-deficient (RelA-/-) mouse fibroblasts and macrophages with TNF-alpha resulted in a significant reduction in viability, whereas RelA+/+ cells were unaffected. Cytotoxicity to both cell types was mediated by TNF receptor 1. Reintroduction of RelA into RelA-/- fibroblasts resulted in enhanced survival, demonstrating that the presence of RelA is required for protection from TNF-alpha. These results have implications for the treatment of inflammatory and proliferative diseases.

Signal-induced degradation of I(kappa)B(alpha): association with NF-kappaB and the PEST sequence in I(kappa)B(alpha) are not required

Signal-induced degradation of I(kappa)B(alpha) via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway requires phosphorylation on residues serine 32 and serine 36 followed by ubiquitination on lysines 21 and 22. We investigated the role of other regions of I(kappa)B(alpha) which may be involved in its degradation. Here we report that the carboxy-terminal PEST sequence is not required for I(kappa)B(alpha) signal-induced degradation. However, removal of the PEST sequence stabilizes free I(kappa)B(alpha) in unstimulated cells. We further report that a PEST deletion mutant does not associate well with NF-(kappa)B proteins but is degraded in response to signal. Therefore, we conclude that both association with NF-(kappa)B and a PEST sequence are not required for signal-induced I(kappa)B(alpha) degradation. Additionally, the PEST sequence may be required for constitutive turnover of free I(kappa)B(alpha).

TNF- and cancer therapy-induced apoptosis: potentiation by inhibition of NF-kappaB

Many cells are resistant to stimuli that can induce apoptosis, but the mechanisms involved are not fully understood. The activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) by tumor necrosis factor (TNF), ionizing radiation, or daunorubicin (a cancer chemotherapeutic compound), was found to protect from cell killing. Inhibition of NF-kappaB nuclear translocation enhanced apoptotic killing by these reagents but not by apoptotic stimuli that do not activate NF-kappaB. These results provide a mechanism of cellular resistance to killing by some apoptotic reagents, offer insight into a new role for NF-kappaB, and have potential for improvement of the efficacy of cancer therapies.

Dissection of TNF receptor 1 effector functions: JNK activation is not linked to apoptosis while NF-kappaB activation prevents cell death

Through its type 1 receptor (TNFR1), the cytokine TNF elicits an unusually wide range of biological responses, including inflammation, tumor necrosis, cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. We investigated how TNFR1 activates different effector functions; the protein kinase JNK, transcription factor NF-kappaB, and apoptosis. We found that the three responses are mediated through separate pathways. Recruitment of the signal transducer FADD to the TNFR1 complex mediates apoptosis but not NF-kappaB or JNK activation. Two other signal transducers, RIP and TRAF2, mediate both JNK and NF-kappaB activation. These two responses, however, diverge downstream to TRAF2. Most importantly, JNK activation is not involved in induction of apoptosis, while activation of NF-kappaB protects against TNF-induced apoptosis.

Inhibition of NFkappaB activity through maintenance of IkappaBalpha levels contributes to dihydrotestosterone-mediated repression of the interleukin-6 promoter

Androgens repress expression of many genes, yet the mechanism of this activity has remained elusive. The cytokine, interleukin-6, is active in a variety of biological systems, and its expression is repressed by androgens. Accordingly we dissected the mechanism of androgen's ability to inhibit interleukin-6 expression at the molecular level. In a series of co-transfection assays, we found that 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone, through the androgen receptor, repressed activation of the interleukin-6 promoter, in part, by inhibiting NFkappaB activity. It did not appear that 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone inhibited NFkappaB by activating the androgen receptor to compete for the NFkappaB response element as we could not detect androgen receptor binding to the IL-6 promoter by DNase I footprinting assay. However, by electrophoretic mobility shift assay we found that 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone repressed formation of NFkappaB middle dotNFkappaB response element complex formation. In LNCaP prostate carcinoma cells, 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone achieved this effect through maintenance of IkappaBalpha protein levels in the face of phorbol ester, a stimulus that results in IkappaBalpha degradation. Finally, we confirmed that IkappaBalpha inhibits NFkappaB-mediated activation of the interleukin-6 promoter. These data suggest that maintenance of IkappaBalpha levels may represent the first identified mechanism for androgen-mediated repression of a natural androgen-regulated gene.

B cells lacking RelB are defective in proliferative responses, but undergo normal B cell maturation to Ig secretion and Ig class switching

A number of distinct functional abnormalities have been observed in B cells derived from p50/ NF-kappa B or c-rel knockout mice. RelB, another member of the NF-kappa B/Rel family of transcription factors, is expressed during the latter stages of B cell maturation and can bind to regulatory sites within the Ig heavy chain locus. Therefore, we tested the ability of B cells from relB knockout mice (relB-/-) to proliferate, undergo maturation to IgM secretion, and switch to the expression of downstream Ig isotypes in response to distinct activators including LPS, anti-CD40 mAb or CD40 ligand, and/or dextran anti-IgD antibodies in combination with various cytokines, including IL-4, IL-5, IFN-gamma, and TGF-beta. B cells lacking RelB showed up to 4-fold reductions in DNA synthesis in response to LPS, CD40, and membrane Ig-dependent activation relative to controls. However, relB-/- B cells were comparable to control B cells in their ability to undergo maturation to IgM secretion and switch to the expression of IgG3, IgG1, IgG2b, IgG2a, IgE, and/or IgA under all activation conditions tested. Thus, RelB, like c-Rel and p50/NF-kappa B, plays a role in B cell proliferation. However, in contrast to c-Rel and p50/ NF-kappa B, it is not critically involved in maturation to Ig secretion or expression of Ig isotypes.

Mutual transcriptional interference between RelA and androgen receptor

Cross-modulation between androgen receptor (AR) and NF-kappaB/Rel proteins was studied using various androgen- and NF-kappaB-regulated reporter genes under transient transfection conditions. In COS-1 cells, elevated expression of RelA (p65) repressed AR-mediated transactivation in a dose-dependent manner, whereas NFkappaB1 (p50), another major member of the NF-kappaB family, did not influence transactivation. The repression of AR appeared to involve the N-terminal region of the protein between residue 297 and the DNA-binding domain. RelA-mediated transrepression could not be overcome by increasing the amount of AR. Transcriptional interference between RelA and AR was mutual in that cotransfected AR was able to attenuate transactivation by RelA in a dose- and steroid-dependent fashion. An excess of RelA was able to rescue the repression to some extent. Immunological analyses of RelA and AR protein levels indicated that transrepression was not due to reciprocal decrease in their amounts. Neither did AR increase the concentration of IkappaBalpha, which can sequester and inactivate RelA. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays using extracts from cotransfected cells and purified recombinant proteins showed that AR and RelA did not significantly influence each other's DNA binding activity. Nevertheless, protein-protein interaction experiments demonstrated a weak association between AR and RelA. Collectively, these data suggest that the mutual repression in intact cells is due to formation of AR-RelA complexes that are held together by another partner or to competition for a coactivator required for transcription.

I-mf, a novel myogenic repressor, interacts with members of the MyoD family

During embryogenesis, cells from the ventral and dorsal parts of the somites give rise to sclerotome and dermomyotome, respectively. Dermomyotome contains skeletal muscle precursors that are determined by the MyoD family of myogenic factors. We have isolated a novel myogenic repressor, I-mf (Inhibitor of MyoD family), which is highly expressed in the sclerotome. In contrast, MyoD family members are concentrated in the dermomyotome. We demonstrate that I-mf inhibits the transactivation activity of the MyoD family and represses myogenesis. I-mf associates with MyoD family members and retains them in the cytoplasm by masking their nuclear localization signals. I-mf can also interfere with the DNA binding activity of MyoD family members. We postulate that I-mf plays an important role in the patterning of the somite early in development.

Ceramide-induced nuclear translocation of NF-kappa B is a potential mediator of the apoptotic response to TNF-alpha in murine clonal osteoblasts

Osteoblasts are affected by TNF-alpha overproduction by immune cells during inflammation. We demonstrate that apoptosis is induced in murine osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells by exceeding the concentrations 100 units/mL of TNF-alpha and 10 mumol/L of synthetic ceramide. The apoptotic signaling pathway activated by TNF-alpha was examined in MC3T3-E1 cells. Endogenous cellular ceramide concentrations increased within 3 min, and comparable peak levels were observed for 30 min after TNF-alpha treatment. Activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) was detected after TNF-alpha or synthetic ceramide stimulation. The concentration of NF-kappa B increased in the perinuclear region after 5 min of treatment and translocation into the nucleus was observed within 15 min of treatment. Degradation of I kappa B alpha/MAD-3 was observed after 60 min of ceramide treatment. These results indicate that nuclear translocation and activation of NF-kappa B through TNF-alpha generated ceramide may be one important apoptotic signaling pathway in MC3T3-E1 cells. The osteoblastic apoptosis triggered by TNF-alpha-generated ceramide may explain the inhibition of bone formation during severe bone inflammation.

Transdominant mutants of I kappa B alpha block Tat-tumor necrosis factor synergistic activation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gene expression and virus multiplication

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) long terminal repeat (LTR) contains two binding sites for the NF-kappa B/Rel family of transcription factors which are required for the transcriptional activation of viral genes by inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1. In the present study, we examined the effect of transdominant mutants of I kappa B alpha on the synergistic activation of the HIV-1 LTR by TNF-alpha and the HIV-1 transactivator, Tat, in Jurkat T cells. The synergistic induction of HIV-1 LTR-driven gene expression represented a 50- to 70-fold stimulation and required both an intact HIV-1 enhancer and Tat-TAR element interaction, since mutations in Tat protein (R52Q, R53Q) or in the bulge region of the TAR element that eliminated Tat binding to TAR were unable to stimulate LTR expression. Coexpression of I kappa B alpha inhibited Tat-TNF-alpha activation of HIV LTR in a dose-dependent manner. Transdominant forms of I kappa B alpha, mutated in critical serine or threonine residues required for inducer-mediated (S32A, S36A) and/or constitutive (S283A, T291A, T299A) phosphorylation of I kappa B alpha were tested for their capacity to block HIV-1 LTR transactivation. I kappa B alpha molecules mutated in the N-terminal sites were not degraded following inducer-mediated stimulation (t1/2, > 4 h) and were able to efficiently block HIV-1 LTR transactivation. Strikingly, the I kappa B alpha (S32A, S36A) transdominant mutant was at least five times as effective as wild-type I kappa B alpha in inhibiting synergistic induction of the HIV-1 LTR. This mutant also effectively inhibited HIV-1 multiplication in a single-cycle infection model in Cos-1 cells, as measured by Northern (RNA) blot analysis of viral mRNA species and viral protein production. These experiments suggest a strategy that may contribute to inhibition of HIV-1 gene expression by interfering with the NF-kappa B/Rel signaling pathway.

A hydrophobic region within the adenovirus E1B 19 kDa protein is necessary for the transient inhibition of NF-kappaB activated by different stimuli

The early transcribed adenovirus proteins E1A and E1B display a variety of functions in the transformation of primary rodent cells and the regulation of apoptosis and transcription. We have recently shown recently that the E1B 19 kDa protein from Adenovirus 5 (Ad 5) can functionally antagonize the stimulatory effect of E1A 13S on the human transcription factor NF-kappaB. Here we show that expression of E1B 19 kDa negatively interfered with the activation of NF-kappaB by different stimuli, such as the E1A 13S protein, and treatment with phorbol ester and tumor necrosis factor alpha. This suggests that E1B 19 kDa acts on a common upstream signaling event. Band shift experiments showed that expression of E1B 19 kDa impaired the generation of the nuclear, DNA-binding form of NF-kappaB. Domain mapping experiments employing various E1B 19 kDa mutants revealed the necessity of a hydrophobic Bcl-2 homology region between amino acids 90 and 96 for NF-kappaB inhibition. Co-transfection experiments showed that the inhibitory effect of E1B 19 kDa on E1A 13S-activated NF-kappaB transcription was gradually lost in the course of time. Thus the continuous stimulatory action of E1A 13S can finally override the antagonistic effects of E1B 19 kDa on NF-kappaB activity. In contrast to E1B 19 kDa, expression of the E1B 55 kDa protein did not result in a de novo activation of NF-kappaB, but co-stimulated the transcriptional potential of activated NF-kappaB.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester is a potent and specific inhibitor of activation of nuclear transcription factor NF-kappa B

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), an active component of propolis from honeybee hives, is known to have antimitogenic, anticarcinogenic, antiinflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties. The molecular basis for these diverse properties is not known. Since the role of the nuclear factor NF-kappa B in these responses has been documented, we examined the effect of CAPE on this transcription factor. Our results show that the activation of NF-kappa B by tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is completely blocked by CAPE in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Besides TNF, CAPE also inhibited NF-kappa B activation induced by other inflammatory agents including phorbol ester, ceramide, hydrogen peroxide, and okadaic acid. Since the reducing agents reversed the inhibitory effect of CAPE, it suggests the role of critical sulfhydryl groups in NF-kappa B activation. CAPE prevented the translocation of the p65 subunit of NF-kappa B to the nucleus and had no significant effect on TNF-induced I kappa B alpha degradation, but did delay I kappa B alpha resynthesis. The effect of CAPE on inhibition of NF-kappa B binding to the DNA was specific, in as much as binding of other transcription factors including AP-1, Oct-1, and TFIID to their DNA were not affected. When various synthetic structural analogues of CAPE were examined, it was found that a bicyclic, rotationally constrained, 5,6-dihydroxy form was superactive, whereas 6,7-dihydroxy variant was least active. Thus, overall our results demonstrate that CAPE is a potent and a specific inhibitor of NF-kappa B activation and this may provide the molecular basis for its multiple immunomodulatory and antiinflammatory activities.

A role for nuclear NF-kappaB in B-cell-specific demethylation of the Igkappa locus

The immunoglobulin kappa gene is specifically demethylated during B-cell maturation in a process which utilizes discrete cis-acting modules such as the intronic kappa enhancer element and the matrix attachment region (MAR). While any MAR sequence is sufficient for this reaction, mutation analysis indicates that tissue specificity is mediated by kappaB binding sequences within the kappa intronic enhancer. The plasmacytoma cell line S107 lacks kappaB binding activity and fails to demethylate the kappa locus. However, B-cell specific demethylation is restored by the introduction of an active kappaB binding protein gene relB. This represents the first demonstration of a trans-acting factor involved in cell-type-specific demethylation, and suggests that the same protein-DNA recognition system used for transcription may also contribute to the earlier developmental events that bring about activation of the kappa locus.

Negative regulation of dorsal patterning in early embryos by overexpression of XrelA, a Xenopus homologue of NF-kappa B

Recent results by Richardson et al. (Mech. Dev., 52 (1995) 165-177) suggest that the Xenopus Rel gene XrelA may be involved in the formation of the head and tail of the early embryo. We present evidence to suggest that wild-type XrelA also has a role in dorsoventral development. XrelA overexpression in the dorsal side of embryos reduces dorsal development and attenuates in vitro dorsal morphogenetic movements. XrelA also strongly reduces axis duplication caused by overexpression of a dominant negative mutant of Xenopus glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta. Our results indicate that XrelA may have a role in dorsoventral patterning in early embryos.

The dual effect of adenovirus type 5 E1A 13S protein on NF-kappaB activation is antagonized by E1B 19K

The genomes of human adenoviruses encode several regulatory proteins, including the two differentially spliced gene products E1A and E1B. Here, we show that the 13S but not the 12S splice variant of E1A of adenovirus type 5 can activate the human transcription factor NF-kappaB in a bimodal fashion. One mode is the activation of NF-kappaB containing the p65 subunit from the cytoplasmic NF-kappaB-IkappaB complex. This activation required reactive oxygen intermediates and the phosphorylation of IkappaBalpha at serines 32 and 36, followed by IkappaBalpha degradation and the nuclear uptake of NF-kappaB. In addition, 13S E1A stimulated the transcriptional activity of the C-terminal 80 amino acids of p65 at a core promoter with either a TATA box or an initiator (INR) element. The C-terminal 80 amino acids of p65 were found to associate with E1A in vitro. The activation of NF-kappaB-dependent reporter gene transcription by E1A was potently suppressed upon coexpression of the E1B 19-kDa protein (19K). E1B 19K prevented both the activation of NF-kappaB and the E1A-mediated transcriptional enhancement of p65. These inhibitory effects were not found for the 55-kDa splice variant of the E1B protein. We suggest that the inductive effect of E1A 13S on the host factor NF-kappaB, whose activation is important for the transcription of various adenovirus genes, must be counteracted by the suppressive effect of E1B 19K so that the adenovirus-infected cell can escape the immune-stimulatory and apoptotic effects of NF-kappaB.

A novel mesoderm inducer, Madr2, functions in the activin signal transduction pathway

A functional assay to clone mouse mesoderm inducers has identified the mouse gene Mad related 2 (Madr2). Madr2 induces dorsal mesoderm from Xenopus ectoderm and can mimic the organizer in recruiting neighboring cells into a second axis. By analyzing the expression of a lacZ/Madr2 fusion protein, we find Madr2 confined to the nucleus in the deep, anterior cells of the second axis, whereas in epidermal and more posterior cells the protein is cytoplasmically localized. This context-dependent nuclear localization suggests that in certain regions of the embryo, Madr2 responds to a localized signal and amplifies this signal to form the second axis. Furthermore, although Madr2 remains unlocalized in ectodermal explants, addition of activin enhances the concentration of Madr2 in the nucleus. Significantly, a functional lacZ fusion to a carboxy-terminal portion of Madr2 is nuclear localized even in the absence of activin. This indicates that Madr2 contains a domain that can activate downstream components and a repressive domain that anchors the protein in the cytoplasm. Nuclear localization of Madr2 in response to activin, and the activin-like phenotypes induced by overexpression of Madr2, indicate that Madr2 is a signal transduction component that mediates the activity of activin.

Biological and biochemical inhibitors of the NF-kappa B/Rel proteins and cytokine synthesis

The NF-kappa B/Rel family of transcription factors participates in the activation of a diverse range of genes involved in inflammation, immune response, lymphoid differentiation, growth control and development. The present review provides a brief overview of NF-kappa B/Rel activation and a detailed analysis of important biological and biochemical inhibitors of the NF-kappa B/Rel pathway. Given the pleiotropic role of NF-kappa B in controlling cytokines and other immunoregulatory genes, the inhibition of NF-kappa B activation by steroid hormones, antioxidants, protease inhibitors and other compounds may provide a pharmacological basis for interfering with pathological inflammatory conditions, cancer and AIDS.

Priming events and retrograde injury signals. A new perspective on the cellular and molecular biology of nerve regeneration

Successful axon regeneration requires that signals from the site of injury reach the nucleus to elicit changes in transcription. In spite of their obvious importance, relatively few of these signals have been identified. Recent work on regeneration in the marine mollusk Aplysia californica has provided several insights into the molecular events that occur in neurons after axon injury. Based on these findings, we propose a model in which axon regeneration is viewed as the culmination of a series of temporally distinct but overlapping phases. Within each phase, specific signals enter the nucleus to prime the cell for the arrival of subsequent signals. The first phase begins with the arrival of injury-induced action potentials, which act via calcium and cAMP to turn on genes used in the early stages of repair. In the next phase, MAP-kinases and other intrinsic constituents activated at the injury site are retrogradely transported through the axon to the nucleus, informing the nucleus of the severity of the axonal injury, reinforcing the earlier events, and triggering additional changes. The third phase is characterized by the arrival of signals that originate from extrinsic growth factors and cytokines released by cells at the site of injury. In the last phase, signals from target-derived growth factors arrive in the cell soma to stop growth. Because many of these events appear to be universal, this framework may be useful in studies of nerve repair in both invertebrates and vertebrates.

Platelet-derived growth factor induction of the immediate-early gene MCP-1 is mediated by NF-kappaB and a 90-kDa phosphoprotein coactivator

A broad panel of agents including serum, interleukin-1, double-stranded RNA, and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulate transcription of the "slow" immediate-early gene MCP-1. These disparate inducers act through a tight cluster of regulatory elements in the distal 5'-flanking sequences of the MCP-1 gene. We describe a 22-base element in this cluster which, in single copy, confers PDGF-inducibility to a tagged MCP-1 reporter gene. In mobility shift assays, the element binds a PDGF-activated form of NF-kappaB, and a 90-kDa protein (p90) which binds constitutively. Antibody supershift and UV cross-linking experiments indicate that the PDGF-activated NF-kappaB species is a Rel A homodimer. The DNA binding form of p90 is a nuclear-restricted serine/threonine phosphoprotein. Mutagenesis of the 22-base element shows that the NF-kappaB and p90 binding sites overlap, but binding of the two species is mutually independent. Both sites, however, are required for optimum PDGF induction of MCP-1. Therefore, p90 appears to be a coactivator with NF-kappaB in PDGF-mediated induction of MCP-1.

Cooperative role of interferon regulatory factor 1 and p91 (STAT1) response elements in interferon-gamma-inducible expression of human indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase gene

Interferon (IFN)-gamma induces the expression of the indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (INDO) gene in human cells, which plays a role in the inhibitory effect of IFN-gamma on intracellular pathogens and on cell proliferation. Earlier studies established that the IFN-gamma-inducible expression of the INDO gene was dependent on two upstream elements: (i) a 14-base pair sequence homologous to an interferon-stimulated response element (ISRE) sequence found in IFN-alpha-inducible genes and (ii) a 9-base pair palindromic sequence (palindromic element (PE) II) homologous to an interferon-gamma-activated site (GAS) element found in IFN-gamma-inducible genes. A second GAS element (PE I), between ISRE and PE II, was ineffective in supporting a response to IFN-gamma. Studies were carried out to determine the distinction between the two GAS elements and the relative role of the two elements (ISRE and PE II) required for a response to IFN-gamma. The PE I element was able to form a complex with IFN-gamma-activated p91 (STAT1) factor but with lower efficiency than the complex formed with PE II sequence. However, switching the positions of PE I and II sequences in reporter plasmid constructs (containing chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene) showed that both PE I and PE II were able to support a response to IFN-gamma if located at the position of PE II but not at the position of PE I. Increasing the distance between the ISRE and PE II also affected the level of response, suggesting that the relative position of the two elements is important for optimal stimulus. To explore whether an interaction between the IFN-gamma-regulated factors (IRF-1 and p91) binding to the ISRE and PE II might be important, we tested whether the ISRE sequence could be replaced by another response element, NF-kappaB. The plasmid construct with NF-kappaB element in place of the ISRE was responsive to IFN-gamma, indicating that an interaction between the IRF-1 and p91 factors was not required. The results indicate that the response of INDO gene to IFN-gamma depends on a cooperative role of IFN-gamma-responsive factors binding to the ISRE and GAS elements.

Atm-deficient mice: a paradigm of ataxia telangiectasia

A murine model of ataxia telangiectasia was created by disrupting the Atm locus via gene targeting. Mice homozygous for the disrupted Atm allele displayed growth retardation, neurologic dysfunction, male and female infertility secondary to the absence of mature gametes, defects in T lymphocyte maturation, and extreme sensitivity to gamma-irradiation. The majority of animals developed malignant thymic lymphomas between 2 and 4 months of age. Several chromosomal anomalies were detected in one of these tumors. Fibroblasts from these mice grew slowly and exhibited abnormal radiation-induced G1 checkpoint function. Atm-disrupted mice recapitulate the ataxia telangiectasia phenotype in humans, providing a mammalian model in which to study the pathophysiology of this pleiotropic disorder.

Cellular transformation by human T-cell leukemia virus type I

Human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) is an oncogenic retrovirus that was isolated in 1980 from a patient with adult T-cell leukemia. From the numerous experiments using infected patient T-cells, transgenic mice and tissue culture transformation assays, the Tax protein has been determined to be the transforming component of HTLV-I. Tax-mediated transformation is linked to its ability to transcriptionally regulate the expression of cellular genes involved in growth and proliferation. Ultimately, unregulated and continued activation of these important growth modulating genes by Tax leads to transformation.

TGF beta 1 inhibits NF-kappa B/Rel activity inducing apoptosis of B cells: transcriptional activation of I kappa B alpha

TGF beta 1 treatment of B cell lymphomas decreases c-myc gene expression and induces apoptosis. Since we have demonstrated NF-kappa/Rel factors play a key role in transcriptional control of c-myc, we explored the effects of TGF beta1 on WEHI 231 immature B cells. A reduction in NF-kappa B/Rel activity followed TGF beta 1 treatment. In WEHI 231 and CH33 cells, we observed an increase in I kappa B alpha, a specific NF-kappa B/Rel inhibitor, due to transcriptional induction. Engagement of surface CD40 or ectopic c-Rel led to maintenance of NF-kappa B/Rel and c-Myc expression and protection of WEHI 231 cells from TGF beta 1-mediated apoptosis. Ectopic c-Myc expression overrode apoptosis induced by TGF beta 1. Thus, downmodulation of NF-kappa B/Rel reduces c-Myc expression, which leads to apoptosis in these immature B cell models of clonal deletion. The inhibition of NF-kappa B/Rel activity represents a novel TGF beta signaling mechanism.