Protein kinases and phosphatases: the yin and yang of protein phosphorylation and signaling

The cAMP-regulated and 293B-inhibited K+ conductance of rat colonic crypt base cells

We have shown previously that secretagogues acting via the second messenger adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) activate, besides their marked effect on the luminal Cl- conductance, a K+ conductance in the basolateral membrane of colonic crypt cells. This conductance is blocked by the chromanol 293B. This K+ conductance is examined here in more detail in cell-attached (c.a.) and cell-excised (c.e.) patch- clamp studies. Addition of forskolin (5 micromol/l) to the bath led to the activation of very small-conductance (probably < 3 pS) K+ channels in c.a. patches (n = 54). These channels were reversibly inhibited by the addition of 0.1 mmol/l of 293B to the bath (n = 21). Noise analysis revealed that these channels had fast kinetics and produced a Lorentzian noise component with a corner frequency (fc) of 308 +/- 10 Hz (n = 30). The current/voltage curves of this noise indicated that the underlying ion channels were K+ selective. 293B reduced the power density of the noise (So) to 46 +/- 8.7% of its control value and shifted fc from 291 +/- 26 to 468 +/- 54 Hz (n = 8). In c.e. patches from cells previously stimulated by forskolin, the same type of current persisted in 3 out of 18 experiments when the bath solution was a cytosolic-type solution without adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) (CYT). In 15 experiments the addition of ATP (1 mmol/l) to CYT solution was necessary to induce or augment channel activity. In six experiments excision was performed into CYT + ATP solution and channel activity persisted. 293B exerted a reversible inhibitory effect. The channel activity was reduced by 5 mmol/l Ba2+ and was completely absent when K+ in the bath was replaced by Na+. These data suggest that forskolin activates a K+ channel of very small conductance which can be inhibited directly and reversibly by 293B.

Multiple roles of the novel protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP3 during Dictyostelium growth and development

PTP3, the third nonreceptor protein tyrosine phosphatase identified in Dictyostelium discoideum, has a single catalytic protein tyrosine phosphatase domain. Recombinant PTP3 exhibited phosphatase activity that was inhibited by vanadate. PTP3 is expressed at a moderate level during growth. The level of transcripts increased between growth and 8 h of development and declined thereafter. Expression of lacZ under the control of the PTP3 promoter indicated a spatial localization of PTP3 in the anterior-like and prestalk cell types. There are two copies of the PTP3 gene in this haploid organism. Disruption of one copy led to a slow-growth phenotype. We were unable to obtain a strain with disruptions in both PTP3 genes. Overexpression of wild-type PTP3 led to slower growth rates and the formation of large aggregation streams. These streams split into smaller aggregates, many of which then arrested in development. Overexpression of a catalytically inactive mutation (Cys to Ser) had no effect on growth rate; however, this strain also formed large aggregation streams that later split up into large and small mound structures and became fruiting bodies of various sizes. Antiphosphotyrosine Western blot (immunoblot) analysis of total cell proteins showed that the pattern of protein tyrosine phosphorylation was specifically altered in PTP3 mutants. Addition of growth medium to starving cells and a subsequent replacement with nonnutrient buffer led to reciprocal changes in the pattern of several phosphotyrosine proteins, including a protein of approximately 130 kDa. Analysis of strains overexpressing active or inactive PTP3 suggested that p130 is a potential substrate of PTP3. A transient posttranslational phosphorylation of PTP3 further supported the role of PTP3 in these processes. The data obtained strongly suggest new regulatory functions for PTP3 that are distinct from those described earlier for D. discoideum PTP1 and PTP2.

The phosphatase activity of carbonic anhydrase III is reversibly regulated by glutathiolation

Carbonic anhydrase isozyme III (CAIII) is unique among the carbonic anhydrases because it demonstrates phosphatase activity. CAIII forms a disulfide link between glutathione and two of its five cysteine residues, a process termed S-glutathiolation. Glutathiolation of CAIII occurs in vivo and is increased during aging and under acute oxidative stress. We show that glutathiolation serves to reversibly regulate the phosphatase activity of CAIII. Glutathiolation of Cys-186 is required for phosphatase activity, while glutathiolation of Cys-181 blocks activity. Phosphotyrosine is the preferred substrate, although phosphoserine and phosphothreonine can also be cleaved. Thus, glutathiolation is a reversible covalent modification that can regulate CAIII, a phosphatase that may function in the cellular response to oxidative stress.

Peroxynitrite disables the tyrosine phosphorylation regulatory mechanism: Lymphocyte-specific tyrosine kinase fails to phosphorylate nitrated cdc2(6-20)NH2 peptide

To determine if nitration of tyrosine residues by peroxynitrite (PN), which can be generated endogenously, can disrupt the phosphorylation of tyrosine residues in proteins involved in cell signaling networks, we studied the effect of PN-promoted nitration of tyrosine residues in a pentadecameric peptide, cdc2(6-20)NH2, on the ability of the peptide to be phosphorylated. cdc2(6-20)NH2 corresponds to the tyrosine phosphorylation site of p34cdc2 kinase, which is phosphorylated by lck kinase (lymphocyte-specific tyrosine kinase, p56lck). PN nitrates both Tyr-15 and Tyr-19 of the peptide in phosphate buffer (pH 7.5) at 37 degrees C. Nitration of Tyr-15. which is the phosphorylated amino acid residue, inhibits completely the phosphorylation of the peptide. The nitration reaction is enhanced by either Fe(III)EDTA or Cu(II)-Zn(II)-superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD). The kinetic data are consistent with the view that reactions of Fe(111)EDTA or Cu,Zn-SOD with the cis form of PN yield complexes in which PN decomposes more slowly to form N02+, the nitrating agent. Thus, the nitration efficiency of PN is enhanced. These results are discussed from the point of view that PN-promoted nitration will result in permanent impairment of cyclic cascades that control signal transduction processes and regulate cell cycles.

Dual regulation of a chimeric plant serine/threonine kinase by calcium and calcium/calmodulin

A chimeric Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CCaMK) gene characterized by a catalytic domain, a calmodulin-binding domain, and a neural visinin-like Ca2+-binding domain was recently cloned from plants (Patil, S., Takezawa, D., and Poovaiah, B. W. (1995) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 92, 4797-4801). The Escherichia coli-expressed CCaMK phosphorylates various protein and peptide substrates in a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent manner. The calmodulin-binding region of CCaMK has similarity to the calmodulin-binding region of the alpha-subunit of multifunctional Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMKII). CCaMK exhibits basal autophosphorylation at the threonine residue(s) (0.098 mol of 32P/mol) that is stimulated 3.4-fold by Ca2+ (0.339 mol of 32P/mol), while calmodulin inhibits Ca2+-stimulated autophosphorylation to the basal level. A deletion mutant lacking the visinin-like domain did not show Ca2+-stimulated autophosphorylation activity but retained Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase activity at a reduced level. Ca2+-dependent mobility shift assays using E. coli-expressed protein from residues 358 520 revealed that Ca2+ binds to the visinin-like domain. Studies with site-directed mutants of the visinin-like domain indicated that EF-hands II and III are crucial for Ca2+-induced conformational changes in the visinin-like domain. Autophosphorylation of CCaMK increases Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase activity by about 5-fold, whereas it did not affect its Ca2+-independent activity. This report provides evidence for the existence of a protein kinase in plants that is modulated by Ca2+ and Ca2+/calmodulin. The presence of a visinin-like Ca2+-binding domain in CCaMK adds an additional Ca2+-sensing mechanism not previously known to exist in the Ca2+/calmodulin-mediated signaling cascade in plants.

Bacterial signalling involving eukaryotic-type protein kinases

Protein Ser, Thr and Tyr kinases play essential roles in signal transduction in organisms ranging from yeast to mammals, where they regulate a variety of cellular activities. During the last few years, a number of genes that encode eukaryotic-type protein kinases have also been identified in four different bacterial species, suggesting that such enzymes are also widespread in prokaryotes. Although many of them have yet to be fully characterized, several studies indicate that eukaryotic-type protein kinases play important roles in regulating cellular activities of these bacteria, such as cell differentiation, pathogenicity and secondary metabolism. A model based on the possible coupling between two-component systems and eukaryotic-type protein kinases is proposed to explain the function of eukaryotic-type protein kinases in bacterial signalling in the light of studies in bacteria, as well as in plants and yeast. These two groups of eukaryotes possess signal-transduction pathways involving both two-component systems and eukaryotic protein kinases.

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 Tax mediates enhanced transcription in CD4+ T lymphocytes

Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the etiologic agent of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma and is associated with a variety of immunoregulatory disorders. HTLV-1 has been shown to bind to and infect a variety of hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cells. However, both in vivo and in vitro, the provirus is mostly detected in and preferentially transforms CD4+ T cells. The molecular mechanism that determines the CD4+ T-cell tropism of HTLV-1 has not been determined. Using cocultures of purified CD4+ and CD8+ T cells with an HTLV-1 producing cell line, we measured viral transcription by using Northern (RNA) blot analysis, protein production by using a p24 antigen capture assay and flow cytometric analysis for viral envelope, and proviral integration by using DNA slot blot analysis. We further measured HTLV-1 long terminal repeat-directed transcription in purified CD4+ and CD8+ T cells by using transient transfection assays and in vitro transcription. We demonstrate a higher rate of viral transcription in primary CD4+ T cells than in CD8+ T cells. HTLV-1 protein production was 5- to 25-fold greater in CD4+ cocultures and mRNA levels were 5-fold greater in these cultures than in the CD8+ cocultures. Transient transfection and in vitro transcription indicated a modest increase in basal transcription in CD4+ T cells, whereas there was a 20-fold increase in reporter gene activity in CD4+ T cells cotransfected with tax. These data suggest that unique or activated transcription factors, particularly Tax-responsive factors in CD4+ T cells, recognize regulatory sequences within the HTLV-1 long terminal repeat, and this mediates the observed enhanced viral transcription and ultimately the cell tropism and leukemogenic potential of the virus.

Protein tyrosine phosphatases in signaling

During the past few years, molecular cloning has established the existence of a structurally diverse family of intracellular and transmembrane protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases). The importance of PTPases in signaling is best understood in three model systems: the mammalian transmembrane CD45 PTPase, the Drosophila Src homology (SH)2 domain containing corkscrew PTPase and its vertebrate homolog SH-PTP2, and the mouse SH2-domain-containing hematopoietic cell PTPase. Whereas CD45, corkscrew and SH-PTP2 positively regulate tyrosine phosphorylation, the hematopoietic cell PTPase negatively regulates or terminates signaling. Recent data indicate that several transmembrane PTPases mediate cell adhesion, suggesting that they effect adhesion-specific signaling events.

Phosphotyrosine phosphatase associated with band 3 protein in the human erythrocyte membrane

The anion-exchange band 3 protein is the main erythrocyte protein that is phosphorylated by tyrosine kinase. To study the regulation of band 3 phosphorylation, we examined phosphotyrisine phosphatase (PTP) activity in the human erythrocyte. We show that the human erythrocyte membrane contains a band 3-associated neutral PTP which is activated by Mg2+ and inhibited by Mn2+ and vanadate. The PTP is active in the intact cell and in the isolated membrane. A major fraction of the PTP is tightly bound to the membrane and can be extracted from it by Triton X-100; a minor part is associated with Triton X-100-insoluble cytoskeleton. The behaviour of the PTP parallels that of band 3, the major fraction of which is extractable by detergents with a minor fraction being anchored to the cytoskeleton. Moreover, band 3 is co-precipitated when the PTP is immunoprecipitated from solubilized membranes, and PTP is co-precipitated when band 3 is immunoprecipitated. The PTP appears to be related to PTP1B (identified using an antibody to an epitope in its catalytic domain and by molecular mass). The system described here has a unique advantage for PTP research, since it allows the study of the interaction of a PTP with an endogenous physiological substrate that is present in substantial amounts in the cell membrane. The membrane-bound, band 3-associated, PTP may play a role in band 3 function in the erythrocyte and in other cells which have proteins analogous to band 3.

Phosphorylation of the transit sequence of chloroplast precursor proteins

A protein kinase was located in the cytosol of pea mesophyll cells. The protein kinase phosphorylates, in an ATP-dependent manner, chloroplast-destined precursor proteins but not precursor proteins, which are located to plant mitochondria or plant peroxisomes. The phosphorylation occurs on either serine or threonine residues, depending on the precursor protein used. We demonstrate the specific phosphorylation of the precursor forms of the chloroplast stroma proteins ferredoxin (preFd), small subunit of ribulose-bisphosphate-carboxylase (preSSU), the thylakoid localized light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-binding protein (preLHCP), and the thylakoid lumen-localized proteins of the oxygen-evolving complex of 23 kDa (preOE23) and 33 kDa (preOE33). In the case of thylakoid lumen proteins which possess bipartite transit sequences, the phosphorylation occurs within the stroma-targeting domain. By using single amino acid substitution within the presequences of preSSU, preOE23, and preOE33, we were able to tentatively identify a consensus motif for the precursor protein protein kinase. This motif is (P/G)X(n)(R/K)X(n)(S/T)X(n) (S*/T*), were n = 0-3 amino acids spacer and S*/T* represents the phosphate acceptor. The precursor protein protein kinase is present only in plant extracts, e.g. wheat germ and pea, but not in a reticulocyte lysate. Protein import experiments into chloroplasts revealed that phosphorylated preSSU binds to the organelles, but dephosphorylation seems required to complete the translocation process and to obtain complete import. These results suggest that a precursor protein protein phosphatase is involved in chloroplast import and represents a so far unidentified component of the import machinery. In contrast to sucrose synthase, a cytosolic marker protein, the precursor protein protein kinase seems to adhere partially to the chloroplast surface. A phosphorylation-dephosphorylation cycle of chloroplast-destined precursor proteins might represent one step, which could lead to a specific sorting and productive translocation in plant cells.

Generation of active oxygen in elicited cells of Arabidopsis thaliana is mediated by a NADPH oxidase-like enzyme

Suspension-cultured cells of Arabidopsis thaliana generated active oxygen species (AOS) (measured by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence) following challenge with the bacterial protein elicitor harpin or the protein kinase activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. These responses were blocked by inhibitors of superoxide dismutase (SOD), NADPH oxidase and protein kinase. Harpin treatment also resulted in an increase in cell death, a response reduced by inhibitors of AOS generation or AOS scavengers. Extracellular SOD activity was found to be present in cell culture medium. Immunoblotting of Arabidopsis extracts revealed the presence of proteins immunologically related to the human neutrophil NADPH oxidase complex, and cell-free reconstitution assays showed that human neutrophil cytosol combined with Arabidopsis membranes could initiate superoxide generation. These data suggest that the enzyme catalysing the generation of superoxide in elicited Arabidopsis cells is similar to the mammalian NADPH oxidase and that a signalling cascade leading to AOS generation involves protein phosphorylation.

Regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor signaling by phosphorylation of the ras exchange factor hSOS1

In response to stimulation with epidermal growth factor (EGF), the guanine nucleotide exchange factor human SOS1 (hSOS1) promotes the activation of Ras by forming a complex with Grb2 and the human EGF receptor (hEGFR). hSOS1 was phosphorylated in cells stimulated with EGF or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate or following co-transfection with activated Ras or Raf. Co-transfection with dominant negative Ras resulted in a decrease of EGF-induced hSOS1 phosphorylation. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylated hSOS1 in vitro within the carboxyl-terminal proline-rich domain. The same region of hSOS1 was phosphorylated in vivo, in cells stimulated with EGF. Tryptic phosphopeptide mapping showed that MAPK phosphorylated hSOS1 in vitro on sites which were also phosphorylated in vivo. Phosphorylation by MAPK did not affect hSOS1 binding to Grb2 in vitro. However, reconstitution of the hSOS1-Grb2-hEGFR complex showed that phosphorylation by MAPK markedly reduced the ability of hSOS1 to associate with the hEGFR through Grb2. Similarly, phosphorylated hSOS1 was unable to form a complex with Shc through Grb2. Thus phosphorylation of hSOS1, by affecting its interaction with the hEGFR or Shc, down-regulates signal transduction from the hEGFR to the Ras pathway.

Determinants of substrate recognition in the protein-tyrosine phosphatase, PTP1

Photoaffinity labeling has been used to identify amino acids involved in recognition of protein substrates by the protein-tyrosine phosphatase PTP1. The photoactive amino acid p-benzoylphenylalanine (Bpa) was incorporated into a phosphotyrosine-containing peptide derived from epidermal growth factor autophosphorylation site Tyr992 (EGFR988 998). This peptide photoinactivated PTP1 in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Three lines of evidence indicate that the interaction between PTP1 and the photoaffinity label was specific: 1) photoinactivation was inhibited in the presence of a non-Bpa-containing peptide from EGFR Tyr992 in molar excess. 2) The photoaffinity label-containing phosphopeptide was rapidly dephosphorylated by PTP1 with kinetic constants similar to those of the non-Bpa-containing peptide under identical conditions. 3) After complete photoinactivation, the level of incorporation of radioactive photoaffinity label into PTP1 was approximately 0.9 mol of label/mol of enzyme, consistent with a 1:1 stoichiometry of photolabeling. Radiolabeled peptide was used to identify sites of cross-linking to PTP1. Bpa peptide-PTP1 was digested with trypsin, and radioactive fragments were purified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and analyzed by Edman sequencing. In two parallel experiments which were analyzed using different HPLC columns, a site in the alpha2 region of PTP1, most likely Ile23, was labeled by the Tyr992-derived peptide. The results are discussed in light of the crystal structure of human PTP1B and suggest that an additional mode of substrate recognition must exist for PTP1 catalysis.

Inhibition of v-Mos kinase activity by protein kinase A

We investigated the effect of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA ) on v-Mos kinase activity. Increase in PKA activity in vivo brought about either by forskolin treatment or by overexpression of PKA catalytic subunit resulted in a significant inhibition of v-Mos kinase activity. The purified PKA catalytic subunit was able to phosphorylate recombinant p37v-mos in vitro, suggesting that the mechanism of in vivo inhibition of v-Mos kinase involves direct phosphorylation by PKA. Combined tryptic phosphopeptide two-dimensional mapping analysis and in vitro mutagenesis studies indicated that Ser-56 is the major in vivo phosphorylation site on v-Mos. In vivo phosphorylation at Ser-56 correlated with slower migration of the v-Mos protein during sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. However, even though Ser-56 was phosphorylated by PKA, this phosphorylation was not involved in the inhibition of v-Mos kinase. The alanine-for-serine substitution at residue 56 did not affect the ability of v-Mos to autophosphorylate in vitro or, more importantly, to activate MEK1 in transformed NIH 3T3 cells. We identified Ser-263 phosphorylation, the Ala-263 mutant of v-Mos was not inhibited by forskolin treatment. From our results, we propose that the known inhibitory role of PKA in the initiation of oocyte maturation in mice could be explained at least in part by its inhibition of Mos kinase.

Oxidative stress induced heat shock factor phosphorylation and HSF-dependent activation of yeast metallothionein gene transcription

Metallothioneins (MTs) are a class of low-molecular-weight, cysteine- rich metal-binding proteins that function in metal detoxification and oxidative stress protection. We demonstrate that transcription of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae MT gene CUP1 is strongly activated by the superoxide anion generator menadione. This activation is exacerbated in a strain lacking the gene encoding Co, Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1). CUP1 transcriptional activation by oxidative stress is dependent on a functional CUP1 promoter heat shock element (HSE) and the carboxy-terminal trans-activation domain of heat shock transcription factor (HSF). Furthermore, protection against oxidative stress conferred by CUP1 in a (sod1)delta strain requires HSF-mediated CUP1 transcription. Although in response to heat, HSF-mediated CUP1 transcription and HSF phosphorylation are transient, both CUP1 gene expression and HSF phosphorylation are sustained in response to oxidative stress. Moreover, the patterns of tryptic phosphopeptides resolved from HSF derived from cells subjected to heat shock or oxidative stress are distinct. These results demonstrate that transcription of the S. cerevisiae metallothionein gene under conditions of oxidative stress is mediated by HSF and that in response to distinct activation stimuli, HSF is differentially phosphorylated in a manner that parallels metallothionein gene transcription.

Apoptosis induced in neuronal cultures by either the phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid or the kinase inhibitor staurosporine is attenuated by isoquinolinesulfonamides H-7, H-8, and H-9

Protein phosphorylation is kept in balance by an orchestrated action of kinases and phosphatases; when this balance is lost, neuronal apoptosis may occur. Okadaic acid (OKA), a marine toxin that inhibits specifically protein phosphatases 1 and 2A (EC 3.1.3.16), and staurosporine, an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC; EC 2.7.1.37), induced apoptosis in primary cultures of rat cerebellar granule neurons. We assayed apoptosis by the DNA gel electrophoresis, by the in situ TUNEL assay, and by morphological appearance following propidium iodide staining. Cell viability was assessed by the Trypan blue assay. Both OKA- and staurosporine-induced neuronal apoptosis were prevented by a macromolecular synthesis inhibitor actinomycin D and by a group of isoquinolinesulfonamide kinase inhibitors (H-7, 1-[5-isoquinolinesulfonyl]-2-methylpiperazine; H-8, N-¿2-[methylamino]ethyl¿-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide; H-9, N-(2-aminoethyl)-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide, but not by inhibitors of PKC, cyclic-GMP- and cyclic-AMP-dependent kinases, calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinases, tyrosine kinases, or by antioxidants. We postulate that a common mechanism, possibly an increased protein phosphorylation, is responsible for apoptosis triggered by an inhibition of phosphatases 1 and 2A and PKC. Elucidating the isoquinolinesulfonamide-sensitive mechanism may help us find new therapies for neurodegenerative diseases that involve apoptosis.

MKP-3, a novel cytosolic protein-tyrosine phosphatase that exemplifies a new class of mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase

MKP-1 (also known as CL100, 3CH134, Erp, and hVH-1) exemplifies a class of dual-specificity phosphatase able to reverse the activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase family members by dephosphorylating critical tyrosine and threonine residues. We now report the cloning of MKP-3, a novel protein phosphatase that also suppresses MAP kinase activation state. The deduced amino acid sequence of MKP-3 is 36% identical to MKP-1 and contains the characteristic extended active-site sequence motif VXVHCXXGXSRSXTXXXAYLM (where X is any amino acid) as well as two N-terminal CH2 domains displaying homology to the cell cycle regulator Cdc25 phosphatase. When expressed in COS-7 cells, MKP-3 blocks both the phosphorylation and enzymatic activation of ERK2 by mitogens. Northern analysis reveals a single mRNA species of 2.7 kilobases with an expression pattern distinct from other dual-specificity phosphatases. MKP-3 is expressed in lung, heart, brain, and kidney, but not significantly in skeletal muscle or testis. In situ hybridization studies of MKP-3 in brain reveal enrichment within the CA1, CA3, and CA4 layers of the hippocampus. Metrazole-stimulated seizure activity triggers rapid (<1 h) but transient up-regulation of MKP-3 mRNA in the cortex, piriform cortex, and some amygdala nuclei. Metrazole stimulated similar regional up-regulation of MKP-1, although this was additionally induced within the thalamus. MKP-3 mRNA also undergoes powerful induction in PC12 cells after 3 h of nerve growth factor treatment. This response appears specific insofar as epidermal growth factor and dibutyryl cyclic AMP fail to induce significant MKP-3 expression. Subcellular localization of epitope-tagged MKP-3 in sympathetic neurons reveals expression in the cytosol with exclusion from the nucleus. Together, these observations indicate that MKP-3 is a novel dual-specificity phosphatase that displays a distinct tissue distribution, subcellular localization, and regulated expression, suggesting a unique function in controlling MAP kinase family members. Identification of a second partial cDNA clone (MKP-X) encoding the C-terminal 280 amino acids of an additional phosphatase that is 76% identical to MKP-3 suggests the existence of a distinct structurally homologous subfamily of MAP kinase phosphatases.

Reversible protein phosphorylation modulates nucleotide excision repair of damaged DNA by human cell extracts

Nucleotide excision repair of DNA in mammalian cells uses more than 20 polypeptides to remove DNA lesions caused by UV light and other mutagens. To investigate whether reversible protein phosphorylation can significantly modulate this repair mechanism we studied the effect of specific inhibitors of Ser/Thr protein phosphatases. The ability of HeLa cell extracts to carry out nucleotide excision repair in vitro was highly sensitive to three toxins (okadaic acid, microcystin-LR and tautomycin), which block PP1- and PP2A-type phosphatases. Repair was more sensitive to okadaic acid than to tautomycin, suggesting the involvement of a PP2A-type enzyme, and was insensitive to inhibitor-2, which exclusively inhibits PP1-type enzymes. In a repair synthesis assay the toxins gave 70% inhibition of activity. Full activity could be restored to toxin-inhibited extracts by addition of purified PP2A, but not PP1. The p34 subunit of replication protein A was hyperphosphorylated in cell extracts in the presence of phosphatase inhibitors, but we found no evidence that this affected repair. In a coupled incision/synthesis repair assay okadaic acid decreased the production of incision intermediates in the repair reaction. The formation of 25-30mer oligonucleotides by dual incision during repair was also inhibited by okadaic acid and inhibition could be reversed with PP2A. Thus Ser/Thr- specific protein phosphorylation plays an important role in the modulation of nucleotide excision repair in vitro.

SH2 domains: a question of independence

The three-dimensional structures of parts of two enzymes that contain tandem Src homology 2 (SH2) domains have recently been determined. The structures suggest how the SH2 domains function in concert to regulate enzymatic activity and localization.

Protein phosphatase 2A positively and negatively regulates Ras1-mediated photoreceptor development in Drosophila

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), a heterotrimeric serine/threonine phosphatase present in most tissues and cell types, has been implicated in the regulation of cell cycle progression, DNA replication, transcription, and translation. Here we present genetic evidence suggesting that PP2A functions downstream of Ras1 in the Sevenless receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signal transduction pathway that specifies R7 photoreceptor cell fate in the developing Drosophila eye. Ras1 and downstream cytoplasmic kinases, Raf, MEK, and MAPK, comprise an evolutionarily conserved cascade that mediates the transmission of signals from RTKs at the plasma membrane to specific factors in the nucleus. Using transgenic flies expressing constitutively activated Ras1 or Raf proteins that function independently of upstream signaling events, we show that a reduction in the dose of the gene encoding the catalytic subunit of PP2A stimulates signaling from Ras1 but impairs signaling from Raf. This suggests that PP2A both negatively and positively regulates the Ras1 cascade by dephosphorylating factors that function at different steps in the cascade.

CD22 associates with protein tyrosine phosphatase 1C, Syk, and phospholipase C-gamma(1) upon B cell activation

Cross-linking B cell antigen receptor (BCR) elicits early signal transduction events, including activation of protein tyrosine kinases, phosphorylation of receptor components, activation of phospholipase C-gamma (PLC-gamma), and increases in intracellular free Ca2+. In this article, we report that cross-linking the BCR led to a rapid translocation of cytosolic protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) 1C to the particulate fraction, where it became associated with a 140-150-kD tyrosyl-phosphorylated protein. Western blotting analysis identified this 140-150-kD protein to be CD22. The association of PTP-1C with CD22 was mediated by the NH2-terminal Src homology 2 (SH2) domain of PTP-1C. Complexes of either CD22/PTP-1C/Syk/PLC-gamma(1) could be isolated from B cells stimulated by BCR engagement or a mixture of hydrogen peroxidase and sodium orthovanadate, respectively. The binding of PLC-gamma(1) and Syk to tyrosyl-phosphorylated CD22 was mediated by the NH2-terminal SH2 domain of PLC-gamma(1) and the COOH-terminal SH2 domain of Syk, respectively. These observations suggest that tyrosyl-phosphorylated CD22 may downmodulate the activity of this complex by dephosphorylation of CD22, Syk, and/or PLC-gamma(1). Transient expression of CD22 and a null mutant of PTP-1C (PTP-1CM) in COS cells resulted in an increase in tyrosyl phosphorylation of CD22 and its interaction with PTP-1CM. By contrast, CD22 was not tyrosyl phosphorylated or associated with PTP-1CM in the presence of wild-type PTP-1C. These results suggest that tyrosyl-phosphorylated CD22 may be a substrate for PTP-1C regulates tyrosyl phosphorylation of CD22.

The transmembrane protein-tyrosine phosphatase LAR modulates signaling by multiple receptor tyrosine kinases

Antisense-mediated suppression of the transmembrane protein-tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) LAR has been shown previously to increase insulin-dependent phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) activation by greater than 300% in the rat hepatoma cell line McA-RH7777. Here, insulin-dependent insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activation was examined with recombinant insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) as the substrate and shown to be 3-fold greater in cells with suppressed LAR levels. Consistent with a receptor level effect, in vivo insulin-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of both IRS-1 and Shc was increased by a similar 3-fold with LAR suppression. These increases in IRS-1 and Shc phosphorylation were paralleled by increases in insulin-dependent PI 3-kinase association with IRS-1 and activation of the MAP kinase pathway. Reduced LAR levels also resulted in increases of over 300% and 250% in epidermal growth factor (EGF)- and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-dependent receptor autophosphorylation, respectively, as well as a severalfold increase in substrate tyrosine phosphorylation. In a post-receptor response, EGF- and HGF-dependent MAP kinase activation was increased by 300% and 350%, respectively, with LAR suppression. Similarly, growth factor-dependent PI 3-kinase activation was increased in LAR antisense expressing cells when compared to null vector expressing cells. These results demonstrate that the transmembrane PTPase LAR modulates ligand-dependent activation of at least three receptor tyrosine kinases.

Regulation of cytokine-inducible nitric oxide synthase in cardiac myocytes and microvascular endothelial cells. Role of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/ERK2) and STAT1 alpha

Adult rat ventricular myocytes and cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMEC) both express an inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS or NOS2) following exposure to soluble inflammatory mediators. However, NOS2 gene expression is regulated differently in response to specific cytokines in each cell type. Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) induces NOS2 in both, whereas interferon gamma (IFN gamma) induces NOS2 expression in myocytes but not in CMEC. Therefore, we examined the specific signal transduction pathways that could regulate NOS2 mRNA levels, including activation of 44- and 42-kDa mitogenactivated protein kinases (MAPKs; ERK1/ERK2) and STAT1 alpha, a transcriptional regulatory protein linked to cell membrane receptors. Although IL-1 beta treatment increased ERK1/ERK2 activities in both cell types, IFN gamma activated these MAPKs only in myocytes. STAT1 alpha phosphorylation, consistent with IFN gamma-induced signaling, was readily apparent in both cell types, and binding of activated STAT1 alpha from cytoplasmic or nuclear fractions from IFN gamma-treated adult myocytes to a sis-inducible element could be demonstrated by gel-shift assay. The farnesyl transferase inhibitor BZA-5B blocked activation of ERK1/ERK2 and induction of NOS2 by IFN gamma and IL-1 beta in myocytes. IL-1 beta and IFN gamma-induced NOS2 gene expression in myocytes was also down-regulated by both protein kinase C (PKC) desensitization and by the PKC inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide, implicating PKC-linked activation of Ras or Raf in the induction of NOS2 by IL-1 beta and IFN gamma in cardiac muscle cells. In CMEC, the MAPK kinase inhibitor PD 98059 blocked activation of ERK1/ERK2 and down-regulated IL-1 beta-mediated NOS2 induction, whereas activation of ERK2 in the absence of cytokines by okadaic acid, an inhibitor of phosphoserine protein phosphatases, also induced NOS2 mRNA. These data demonstrate that ERK1/ERK2 activation appears to be necessary for the induction of NOS2 by IL-1 beta and IFN gamma in cardiac myocytes and CMEC. In the absence of ERK1/ERK2 activation by IFN gamma in CMEC, phosphorylation of STAT1 alpha is not sufficient for NOS2 gene expression. These overlapping yet distinct cellular responses to specific cytokines may serve to target NOS2 gene expression to specific cells or regions within the heart and also provide for rapid escalation of NO production if required for host defense.

Precision substrate targeting of protein kinases. The cGMP- and cAMP-dependent protein kinases

The cAMP-dependent (PKA) and cGMP-dependent protein kinases (PKG) share a strong primary sequence homology within their respective active site regions. Not surprisingly, these enzymes also exhibit overlapping substrate specificities, a feature that often interferes with efforts to elucidate their distinct biological roles. In this report, we demonstrate that PKA and PKG exhibit dramatically different behavior with respect to the phosphorylation of alpha-substituted alcohols. Although PKA will phosphorylate only residues that contain an alpha-center configuration analogous to that found in L-serine, PKG utilizes residues that correspond to both L- and D-serine as substrates. The PKG/PKA selectivity of these substrates is the highest ever reported.

Atrial natriuretic peptide induces the expression of MKP-1, a mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase, in glomerular mesangial cells

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) has been shown to inhibit the proliferation of various types of cells including glomerular mesangial cells. The activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is one of the main signal transduction systems leading to cell proliferation. MAPK is tightly regulated by the activating kinase, MEK, and specific phosphatase MKP-1. Constitutive expression of MKP-1 has been shown to inhibit cell proliferation by suppressing MAPK activity. In order to understand the mechanism of the anti-proliferative effect of ANP, we examined whether ANP could inhibit MAPK by inducing MKP-1 in cultured rat glomerular mesangial cells. ANP increased the expression of MKP-1 mRNA in a dose-dependent (10 nM maximum) and time-dependent, with a peak stimulation at 30 min, manner. Receptor for ANP is a transmembrane guanylyl cyclase. Activation of guanylyl cyclase of ANP receptor by ligand plays an essential role in ANP signal transduction. 8-Bromo-cGMP, a cell permeable analogue of cyclic GMP, and sodium nitroprusside, an activator of soluble guanylyl cyclase, could mimic the effects of ANP and were able to induce the expression of MKP-1 in a similar time course as ANP. The protein expression of MKP-1 was maximally stimulated by ANP at 120 min. Treatment of the cells with ANP for 120 min resulted in an inhibition of phorbol ester-induced activation of MAPK, while the activation of MEK was not affected by ANP. These results indicate that ANP might inhibit the proliferation of mesangial cells by inactivating MAPK through the induction of MKP-1.

The Dictyostelium MAP kinase ERK2 regulates multiple, independent developmental pathways

We showed previously that the MAP kinase ERK2 is essential for aggregation. erk2 null cells lack cAMP stimulation of adenylyl cyclase and thus cannot relay the cAMP chemotactic signal, although the cells chemotax to cAMP (Segall et al. 1995). In this paper we have examined the role of ERK2 in controlling developmental gene expression and morphogenesis during the multicellular stages, making use of a temperature-sensitive ERK2 mutation. Using suspension assays, we show that ERK2 is not essential for aggregation-stage, cAMP pulse-induced gene expression, or for the expression of postaggregative genes, which are induced at the onset of mound formation in response to cAMP in wild-type cells. In contrast, the prespore-specific gene SP60 is not induced and the prestalk-specific gene ecmA is induced but at a significantly reduced level. Chimeric organisms, comprised of wild-type and erk2 null cells expressing the prestalk-specific ecmA/lacZ reporter, show an abnormal spatial patterning, in which Erk2ts/erk2 cells are excluded from the very anterior prestalk A region. To further examine the function of ERK2 during the multicellular stages, we bypassed the requirement of ERK2 for aggregation by creating an ERK2 temperature-sensitive mutant. erk2 null cells expressing the ERK2ts mutant develop normally at 20 degrees C and express cell-type-specific genes but do not aggregate at temperatures above 25 degrees C. Using temperature shift experiments, we showed that ERK2 is essential for proper morphogenesis and for the induction and maintenance of prespore but not prestalk gene expression. Our results indicate that ERK2 functions at independent stages during Dictyostelium development to control distinct developmental programs: during aggregation, ERK2 is required for the activation of adenylyl cyclase and during multicellular development, ERK2 is essential for morphogenesis and cell-type-specific gene expression. Analysis of these results and other supports the conclusion that the requirement of ERK2 for cell-type differentiation is independent of its role in the activation of adenylyl cyclase.

A prospective view on phosphatases and replicative senescence

Addition of phosphate to proteins by kinases, or its removal by phosphatases, is probably the control mechanism most often used by cells to maintain homeostasis. This mechanism presents the advantage of being fast, versatile, and easily reversible. It is used by all organisms from bacteria to man. Although more is known about the kinases, recent studies are beginning to shed light on the role of phosphatases, the enzymes that are responsible for terminating the effects of phosphorylation. These enzymes are perfect candidates for controlling all the crucial check points during cell cycle traverse, and as such, will be found to be responsible for many important decision in the life of a cell, including entry into replicative senescence.

Evidence for coupling of phosphotyrosine phosphatase to gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor in ovarian carcinoma membrane

BACKGROUND

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) receptor (Gn-RHR) has been demonstrated in epithelial ovarian carcinoma (Imai et al., Cancer 1994; 74:2555-61). To examine whether Gn-RHR mediates direct antiproliferative effects, we attempted to determine stimulatory regulation by Gn-RH of phosphotyrosine phosphatase (PTP) activity in plasma membranes isolated from ovarian carcinoma samples.

METHODS

Surgically removed ovarian carcinomas were screened for Gn-RHR expression prior to plasma membrane isolation. The phosphotyrosine level was observed by: (1) immunoblotting of membrane extracts with antiphosphotyrosine antibodies, and (2) dephosphorylation from 32P-labeled membrane protein. Membrane PTP activity was determined using the synthetic substrate p-nitrophenyl in a spectrophotometric assay.

RESULTS

A Gn-RH analog alone, or guanosine thiotriphosphate (GTP-gamma-S) alone, caused a remarkable loss of phosphotyrosine from a 35-kD protein of the membranes; incubation with a Gn-RH analog and GTP-gamma-S produced a further dephosphorylation of this endogenous protein. The Gn-RH analog buserelin stimulated the PTP activity of the membranes in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.01). GTP-gamma-S enhanced the stimulatory action of Gn-RH on PTP; GDP-gamma-S reversed the Gn-RH action. A similar stimulation of PTP was observed (P < 0.01) when carcinoma tissue slices were exposed to Gn-RH analog in vivo prior to assay in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

Activation of PTP by Gn-RH stimulated the loss of phosphotyrosine from endogenous proteins through GTP-binding protein within plasma membrane isolated from Gn-RHR-expressing ovarian carcinoma. The antimitogenic action of the hormone may occur by counteracting tyrosine phosphorylation to promote cell growth.

Identification and characterization of a novel family of serine/threonine kinases containing two N-terminal LIM motifs

We previously isolated human cDNA coding for LIMK1 (LIM motif-containing protein kinase-1), a putative protein kinase containing two LIM motifs at the N terminus and an unusual protein kinase domain at the C terminus. In the present study, we isolated human cDNA encoding LIMK2, a second member of a LIMK family, with a domain structure similar to LIMK1 and 50% overall amino acid identity with LIMK1. The protein kinase domains of LIMK1 and LIMK2 are unique in that they contain an unusual sequence motif Asp-Leu-Asn-Ser-His-Asn in subdomain VIB and a highly basic insert between subdomains VII and VIII. Expression patterns of LIMK1 and LIMK2 mRNAs in human tissues differ significantly. Chromosomal localization of human LIMK1 and LIMK2 genes was assigned to 7q11.23 and 22q12, respectively, by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The Myc epitope-tagged LIMK1 and LIMK2 proteins transiently expressed in COS cells exhibited serine/threonine-specific kinase activity toward myelin basic protein and histone in in vitro kinase assay. Immunofluorescence and subcellular fractionation analysis revealed that Myc-tagged LIMK1 and LIMK2 were localized mainly in the cytoplasm. The "native" LIMK1 protein endogenously expressed in A431 epidermoid carcinoma cells also exhibited serine/threonine kinase activity. The specific activity of native LIMK1 from A431 cells was apparently much higher than that of "recombinant" LIMK1 ectopically expressed in COS cells, hence, it is likely that there is a mechanism, by which native LIMK1 is activated. A 140-kDa tyrosine-phosphorylated protein (pp140) was co-immunoprecipitated with native LIMK1 form A431 cell lysates; therefore, pp140 may be a LIMK1-associated protein involved in the regulation of LIMK1 function.

Identification of a cytoplasmic, phorbol ester-inducible isoform of protein tyrosine phosphatase epsilon

The protein-tyrosine phosphatase epsilon (PTP epsilon) is a transmembranal, receptor-type protein that possesses two phosphatase catalytic domains characteristic of transmembranal phosphatases. Here we demonstrate the existence of a nontransmembranal isoform of PTP epsilon, PTP epsilon-cytoplasmic. PTP epsilon-cytoplasmic and the transmembranal isoform of PTP epsilon have separate, nonoverlapping expression patterns. Further, the data clearly indicate that control of which of the two isoforms is to be expressed is initiated at the transcriptional level, suggesting that they have distinct physiological roles. PTP epsilon-cytoplasmic mRNA is the product of a delayed early response gene in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts, and its transcription is regulated through a pathway that requires protein kinase C. The human homologue of PTP epsilon-cytoplasmic has also been cloned and is strongly up-regulated in the early stages of phorbol 12-tetradecanoate 13-acetate-induced differentiation of HL-60 cells. Sequence analysis indicates and cellular fractionation experiments confirm that this isoform is a cytoplasmic molecule. PTP epsilon-cytoplasmic is therefore the initial example to our knowledge of a nontransmembranal protein-tyrosine phosphatase that contains two tandem of catalytic domains.

The tomato gene Pti1 encodes a serine/threonine kinase that is phosphorylated by Pto and is involved in the hypersensitive response

The Pto gene encodes a serine/threonine kinase that confers resistance to bacterial speck disease in tomato. Using the yeast two-hybrid system, we identified a second serine/threonine kinase, Pto-interacting 1 (Pti1), that physically interacts with Pto. Cross-phosphorylation assays revealed that Pto specifically phosphorylates Pti1 and that Pti1 does not phosphorylate Pto. Fen, another serine/threonine kinase from tomato that is closely related to Pto, was unable to phosphorylate Pti1 and was not phosphorylated by Pti1. Expression of a Pti1 transgene in tobacco plants enhanced the hypersensitive response to a P. syringae pv. tabaci strain carrying the avirulence gene avrPto. These findings indicate that Pti1 is involved in a Pto-mediated signaling pathway, probably by acting as a component downstream of Pto in a phosphorylation cascade.

Overexpression of epsilon-protein kinase C enhances nerve growth factor-induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and neurite outgrowth

Protein kinase C (PKC) activation enhances neurite outgrowth in several cell lines and primary neurons. The PKC isozymes that mediate this response are unknown. One clue to their identity has come from studies using PC12 cells treated with ethanol. In these cells, ethanol increases levels of delta-PKC and epsilon-PKC and markedly enhances nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced neurite outgrowth and activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases by a PKC-dependent mechanism. Since these findings suggest that delta-PKC or epsilon-PKC can promote neural differentiation, we studied neurite outgrowth in stably transfected PC12 cell lines that overexpress these isozymes. Overexpression of epsilon-PKC markedly increased NGF-induced neurite outgrowth. This effect was blocked by down-regulating PKC or by treating cells with the PKC inhibitor GF 109203X. In addition, overexpression of epsilon-PKC enhanced NGF-induced phosphorylation of MAP kinases. In contrast, overexpression of delta-PKC did not alter responses to NGF. These results demonstrate that epsilon-PKC promotes NGF-induced neurite outgrowth by enhancing NGF signal transduction. These findings suggest a role for epsilon-PKC in neural differentiation and plasticity.

The LAR/PTP delta/PTP sigma subfamily of transmembrane protein-tyrosine-phosphatases: multiple human LAR, PTP delta, and PTP sigma isoforms are expressed in a tissue-specific manner and associate with the LAR-interacting protein LIP.1

The transmembrane protein-tyrosine-phosphatases (PTPases) LAR, PTP delta, and PTP sigma each contain two intracellular PTPase domains and an extracellular region consisting of Ig-like and fibronectin type III-like domains. We describe the cloning and characterization of human PTP sigma (HPTP sigma) and compare the structure, alternative splicing, tissue distribution, and PTPase activity of LAR, HPTP delta, and HPTP sigma, as well their ability to associate with the intracellular coiled-coil LAR-interacting protein LIP.1. Overall, these three PTPases are structurally very similar, sharing 64% amino acid identity. Multiple isoforms of LAR, HPTP delta, and HPTP sigma appear to be generated by tissue-specific alternative splicing of up to four mini-exon segments that encode peptides of 4-16 aa located in both the extracellular and intracellular regions. Alternative usage of these peptides varies depending on the tissue mRNA analyzed. Short isoforms of both HPTP sigma and HPTP delta were also detected that contain only four of the eight fibronectin type III-like domains. Northern blot analysis indicates that LAR and HPTP sigma are broadly distributed whereas HPTP delta expression is largely restricted to brain, as is the short HPTP sigma isoform containing only four fibronectin type III-like domains. LAR, HPTP delta, and HPTP sigma exhibit similar in vitro PTPase activities and all three interact with LIP.1, which has been postulated to recruit LAR to focal adhesions. Thus, these closely related PTPases may perform similar functions in various tissues.

Adenylate cyclases: critical foci in neuronal signaling

Current findings show that adenylate cyclases comprise a heterogeneous multigene family, members of which are variously regulated by the alpha and beta gamma subunits of G proteins, by Ca2+ and by protein kinases. In the CNS, individual isoforms of adenylate cyclase are expressed discretely in select regions of the brain. At the subcellular level, adenylate cyclases can be concentrated into dendritic spines, thereby increasing their susceptibility to multiple regulatory influences. Altogether, such findings greatly expand knowledge of the potential role of this archetypical signaling system in the modulation of neuronal function.

Protein tyrosine phosphatases take off

Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) are a family of signal transduction enzymes that dephosphorylate phosphotyrosine containing proteins. Structural and kinetic studies provide a molecular understanding of how these enzymes regulate a wide range of intracellular processes.

Isolation of MEK5 and differential expression of alternatively spliced forms

The prototype mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase module is a three-kinase cascade consisting of the MAP kinase, extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) 1 or ERK2, the MAP/ERK kinase (MEK) MEK1 or MEK2, and the MEK kinase, Raf-1 or B-Raf. This and other MAP kinase modules are thought to be critical signal transducers in major cellular events including proliferation, differentiation, and stress responses. To identify novel mammalian MAP kinase modules, polymerase chain reaction was used to isolate a new MEK family member, MEK5, from the rat. MEK5 is more closely related to MEK1 and MEK2 than to the other known mammalian MEKs, MKK3 and MKK4. MEK5 is thought to lie in an uncharacterized MAP kinase pathway, because MEK5 does not phosphorylate the ERK/MAP kinase family members ERK1, ERK2, ERK3, JNK/SAPK, or p38/HOG1, nor will Raf-1, c-Mos, or MEKK1 highly phosphorylate it. Alternative splicing results in a 50-kDa alpha and a 40-kDa beta isoform of MEK5. MEK5 beta is ubiquitously distributed and primarily cytosolic. MEK5 alpha is expressed most highly in liver and brain and is particulate. The 23 amino acids encoded by the 5' exon in the larger alpha isoform are similar to a sequence found in certain proteins believed to associate with the actin cytoskeleton; this alternatively spliced modular domain may lead to the differential subcellular localization of MEK5 alpha.

Melanoma formation in Xiphophorus: a model system for the role of receptor tyrosine kinases in tumorigenesis

Cancer is one of the most frequent fatal human diseases. It is a genetic disease, and molecular analysis of the genes involved revealed that they belong to several distinct classes of molecules, one of which is the receptor tyrosine kinases. Neoplastic transformation is regarded as the result of a multistep process and, in most cases, it is hard to evaluate what the initial events in tumor formation are. What makes it difficult to approach this question is the paucity of animals models for tumorigenesis allowing investigation of the mechanisms leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation. Melanoma formation in Xiphophorus is one of these model systems. Here, overexpression and activation of a receptor tyrosine kinase causes neoplastic transformation of pigment cells. Xiphophorus provides all the advantages of a well-characterized genetic system. In addition, some crucial components of the transformation pathway have been identified at the molecular level. As a vertebrate, Xiphophorus might serve as a model system to aid understanding, in more general terms, of the mechanisms of tumorigenesis in human diseases.

Effect of human papillomavirus type 16 oncogenes on MAP kinase activity

The mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signal transduction pathway is an intracellular signaling cascade which mediates cellular responses to growth and differentiation factors. The MAP kinase pathway can be activated by a wide range of stimuli dependent on the cell types, and this is normally a transient response. Oncogenes such as ras, src, raf, and mos have been proposed to transform cells in part by prolonging the activated stage of components within this signaling pathway. The human papillomavirus (HPV) oncogenes E6 and E7 play an essential role in the in vitro transformation of primary human keratinocytes and rodent cells. The HPV type 16 E5 gene has also been shown to have weak transforming activity and may enhance the epidermal growth factor (EGF)-mediated signal transduction to the nucleus. In the present study, we have investigated the effects of the oncogenic HPV type 16 E5, E6, and E7 genes on the induction of the MAP kinase signaling pathway. The E5 gene induced an increase in the MAP kinase activity both in the absence and in the presence of EGF. In comparison, the E6 and E7 oncoproteins do not alter the MAP kinase activity or prolong the MAP kinase activity induced with EGF. These findings suggest that E5 may function, at least in part, to enhance the cell response through the MAP kinase pathway. However, the transforming activity of E6 and E7 is not associated with alterations in the MAP kinase pathway. These findings are consistent with E5 enhancing the response to growth factor stimulation.