Polyubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of the p185c-erbB-2 receptor protein-tyrosine kinase induced by geldanamycin

Akt forms an intracellular complex with heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) and Cdc37 and is destabilized by inhibitors of Hsp90 function

Hsp90 is a chaperone required for the conformational maturation of certain signaling proteins including Raf, cdk4, and steroid receptors. Natural products and synthetic small molecules that bind to the ATP-binding pocket in the amino-terminal domain of Hsp90 inhibit its function and cause the degradation of these client proteins. Inhibition of Hsp90 function in cells causes down-regulation of an Akt kinase-dependent pathway required for D-cyclin expression and retinoblastoma protein-dependent G(1) arrest. Intracellular Akt is associated with Hsp90 and Cdc37 in a complex in which Akt kinase is active and regulated by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Functional Hsp90 is required for the stability of Akt in the complex. Occupancy of the ATP-binding pocket by inhibitors is associated with the ubiquitination of Akt and its targeting to the proteasome, where it is degraded. This results in a shortening of the half-life of Akt from 36 to 12 h and an 80% reduction in its expression. Akt and its activating kinase, PDK1, are the only members of the protein kinase A/protein kinase B/protein kinase C-like kinase family that are affected by Hsp90 inhibitors. Thus, transduction of growth factor signaling via the Akt and Raf pathways requires functional Hsp90 and can be coordinately blocked by its inhibition.

Chaperone-dependent E3 ubiquitin ligase CHIP mediates a degradative pathway for c-ErbB2/Neu

Overexpression of the transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase ErbB2 is common in multiple malignancies, including breast and ovarian cancer. ErbB2 is resistant to degradation mediated by c-Cbl, the E3 ubiquitin ligase responsible for ligand-induced ubiquitination of ErbB1 (epidermal growth factor receptor). Because of its resistance to degradation, ErbB2 is the preferred dimerization partner for other members of the ErbB family, and its overexpression in vivo is associated with poor prognosis. We now show that the chaperone-binding ubiquitin ligase CHIP efficiently ubiquitinates and down-regulates ErbB2. CHIP expression shortens the half-life of both nascent and mature ErbB2 protein. In vitro ubiquitination assay shows that CHIP serves as a ubiquitin ligase for ErbB2, and both exogenously expressed and endogenous CHIP coprecipitate with the kinase. Furthermore, CHIP association with ErbB2 requires a chaperone intermediate and is increased by the chaperone-binding drug geldanamycin, a potent stimulator of ErbB2 ubiquitination and degradation. These data describe a previously unrecognized pathway, amenable to pharmacologic manipulation, that mediates ErbB2 stability.

Resistance to trastuzumab: a necessary evil or a temporary challenge?

The aim of this review article is to examine the potential mechanisms of resistance to trastuzumab. In the clinical setting, when trastuzumab is given as a single agent for first-line treatment of HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer, it is associated with a 40% objective response rate. In the remaining cases, no tumor regression is observed, although HER2 protein is overexpressed and/or the corresponding gene is amplified. Hence, some other factors besides HER2 must play a role in determining the level of sensitivity to trastuzumab. The identification of the potential mechanisms of resistance to trastuzumab can be very helpful for the development of new compounds, which might overcome that resistance and/or have additive/synergistic antitumor effect when given in association with trastuzumab. Moreover, thorough understanding of the HER2 pathway is essential to the identification of new predictive markers of response to trastuzumab that will help to better define the patients who are most likely to benefit from this drug.

Heat shock protein and proteasome targeting agents

Proteasome inhibitors such as PS-341 are novel agents with great potential as anticancer drugs. In early clinical studies, PS-341 was tolerated well with promising evidence of antitumor activity in diseases such as multiple myeloma. Studies also are ongoing in solid tumors, as single agent therapy and in combination with standard agents such as carboplatin. Although more research is needed to clarify the precise spectrum of antitumor activity of proteasome inhibitors, this novel approach to targeting human malignancies is highly promising.

Hsp90 regulates a von Hippel Lindau-independent hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha-degradative pathway

HIF-1 alpha is a normally labile proangiogenic transcription factor that is stabilized and activated in hypoxia. Although the von Hippel Lindau (VHL) gene product, the ubiquitin ligase responsible for regulating HIF-1 alpha protein levels, efficiently targets HIF-1 alpha for rapid proteasome-dependent degradation under normoxia, HIF-1 alpha is resistant to the destabilizing effects of VHL under hypoxia. HIF-1 alpha also associates with the molecular chaperone Hsp90. To examine the role of Hsp90 in HIF-1 alpha function, we used renal carcinoma cell (RCC) lines that lack functional VHL and express stable HIF-1 alpha protein under normoxia. Geldanamycin (GA), an Hsp90 antagonist, promoted efficient ubiquitination and proteasome-mediated degradation of HIF-1 alpha in RCC in both normoxia and hypoxia. Furthermore, HIF-1 alpha point mutations that block VHL association did not protect HIF-1 alpha from GA-induced destabilization. Hsp90 antagonists also inhibited HIF-1 alpha transcriptional activity and dramatically reduced both hypoxia-induced accumulation of VEGF mRNA and hypoxia-dependent angiogenic activity. These findings demonstrate that disruption of Hsp90 function 1) promotes HIF-1 alpha degradation via a novel, oxygen-independent E3 ubiquitin ligase and 2) diminishes HIF-1 alpha transcriptional activity. Existence of an Hsp90-dependent pathway for elimination of HIF-1 alpha predicts that Hsp90 antagonists may be hypoxic cell sensitizers and possess antiangiogenic activity in vivo, thus extending the utility of these drugs as therapeutic anticancer agents.

The role of the ubiquitination-proteasome pathway in breast cancer: applying drugs that affect the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway to the therapy of breast cancer

The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway is responsible for most eukaryotic intracellular protein degradation. This pathway has been validated as a target for antineoplastic therapy using both in vitro and preclinical models of human malignancies, and is influenced as part of the mechanism of action of certain chemotherapeutic agents. Drugs whose primary action involves modulation of ubiquitin-proteasome activity, most notably the proteasome inhibitor PS-341, are currently being evaluated in clinical trials, and have already been found to have significant antitumor efficacy. On the basis of the known mechanisms by which these agents work, and the available clinical data, they would seem to be well suited for the treatment of breast neoplasms. Such drugs, alone and especially in combination with current chemotherapeutics, may well represent important advances in the therapy of patients with breast cancer.

Selective apoptosis of tandemly duplicated FLT3-transformed leukemia cells by Hsp90 inhibitors

An internal tandem duplication of the juxtamembrane (JM) domain of FLT3, a family of ligand-activated receptor tyrosine kinases, has been found in 20% of cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and this mutation is correlated with leukocytosis and a poor prognosis. As a therapeutic approach, we previously reported that herbimycin A (HA) inhibited the growth of tandemly duplicated FLT3 (TDFLT3)-transformed cells (Leukemia 2000; 14: 374). Here, we have investigated the mechanism behind the cytotoxicity of HA, an ansamycin derivative which is now known to target Hsp90. The treatment with HA or another Hsp90 inhibitor, radicicol, induced selective apoptosis in TDFLT3-transformed 32D cells (TDFLT3/32D). The tyrosine-phosphorylation of TDFLT3 was inhibited by HA, whereas FLT3 ligand-induced phosphorylation of wild-type FLT3 (WtFLT3) was not. The downstream signal molecules MAPK, Akt and STAT5a were also dephosphorylated by HA in TDFLT3/32D. Immunoprecipitation analysis showed that TDFLT3 but not WtFLT3 formed a complex with Hsp90, and that the HA treatment dissociated TDFLT3 from the Hsp90 chaperone complex. These findings imply that targeting of Hsp90 will facilitate the development of anti-TDFLT3 therapy, and that Hsp90 is closely involved in the oncogenic activation of FLT3.

Tamoxifen regulates human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene expression differently in breast and endometrial cancer cells

Tamoxifen is widely applied as an antiestrogenic agent for adjuvant therapy in the treatment of breast cancer, while its estrogen-agonistic activity occasionally causes proliferative disorders or carcinogenesis at other sites, such as the uterus. We reported that estrogen activates telomerase in breast and endometrial cancer cells. The present study examines the effects of tamoxifen on the gene expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) in breast and endometrial cancer cells. Tamoxifen inhibited the cell growth of MCF-7 cells, as well as hTERT mRNA expression in the presence of estrogen (E2), antagonizing the E2 effects. In contrast, tamoxifen stimulated the growth of Ishikawa cells and activated hTERT mRNA expression in the absence or presence of E2, exhibiting estrogen-agonistic action. Transient expression assays revealed that these actions of tamoxifen are achieved by transcriptional regulation of the hTERT promoter. An estrogen responsive element (ERE) in the hTERT 5' regulatory region was partly responsible for both the E2-antagonistic and -agonistic actions of tamoxifen. Tamoxifen activated the MAP kinase cascade in Ishikawa cells, but not in MCF-7 cells, and the activation of hTERT mRNA expression was effectively blocked by MEK inhibitor, suggesting that the MAP kinase pathway is involved in the tamoxifen-induced activation of hTERT. These findings indicate that tamoxifen regulates hTERT expression in a cell-type specific manner. Tamoxifen-induced activation of hTERT may be one component of estrogen agonistic function of tamoxifen that is involved in endometrial carcinogenesis induced by this agent.

Drug-induced ubiquitylation and degradation of ErbB receptor tyrosine kinases: implications for cancer therapy

Overexpression of ErbB-2/HER2 is associated with aggressive human malignancies, and therapeutic strategies targeting the oncoprotein are currently in different stages of clinical application. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) that block the nucleotide-binding site of the kinase are especially effective against tumors. Here we report an unexpected activity of TKIs: along with inhibition of tyrosine phosphorylation, they enhance ubiquitylation and accelerate endocytosis and subsequent intracellular destruction of ErbB-2 molecules. Especially potent is an irreversible TKI (CI-1033) that alkylates a cysteine specific to ErbB receptors. The degradative pathway stimulated by TKIs appears to be chaperone mediated, and is common to the heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) antagonist geldanamycin and a stress-induced mechanism. In agreement with this conclusion, CI-1033 and geldanamycin additively inhibit tumor cell growth. Based upon a model for drug-induced degradation of ErbB-2, we propose a general strategy for selective destruction of oncoproteins by targeting their interaction with molecular chaperones.

Hsp-90-associated oncoproteins: multiple targets of geldanamycin and its analogs

Geldanamycin (GA), herbimycin A and radicicol bind heat-shock protein-90 (Hsp90) and destabilize its client proteins including v-Src, Bcr-Abl, Raf-1, ErbB2, some growth factor receptors and steroid receptors. Thus, Hsp90-active agents induce ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of numerous oncoproteins. Depending on the cellular context, HSP90-active agents cause growth arrest, differentiation and apoptosis, or can prevent apoptosis. HSP-active agents are undergoing clinical trials. Like targets of most chemotherapeutics, Hsp90 is not a cancer-specific protein. By attacking a nonspecific target, HSP-90-active compounds still may preferentially kill certain tumor cells. How can this be achieved? How can therapeutic potentials be exploited? This article starts the discussion.

Ubiquitination and proteasomal activity is required for transport of the EGF receptor to inner membranes of multivesicular bodies

EGF, but not TGF alpha, efficiently induces degradation of the EGF receptor (EGFR). We show that EGFR was initially polyubiquitinated to the same extent upon incubation with EGF and TGF alpha, whereas the ubiquitination was more sustained by incubation with EGF than with TGF alpha. Consistently, the ubiquitin ligase c-Cbl was recruited to the plasma membrane upon activation of the EGFR with EGF and TGF alpha, but localized to endosomes only upon activation with EGF. EGF remains bound to the EGFR upon endocytosis, whereas TGF alpha dissociates from the EGFR. Therefore, the sustained polyubiquitination is explained by EGF securing the kinase activity of endocytosed EGFR. Overexpression of the dominant negative N-Cbl inhibited ubiquitination of the EGFR and degradation of EGF and EGFR. This demonstrates that EGF-induced ubiquitination of the EGFR as such is important for lysosomal sorting. Both lysosomal and proteasomal inhibitors blocked degradation of EGF and EGFR, and proteasomal inhibitors inhibited translocation of activated EGFR from the outer limiting membrane to inner membranes of multivesicular bodies (MVBs). Therefore, lysosomal sorting of kinase active EGFR is regulated by proteasomal activity. Immuno-EM showed the localization of intact EGFR on internal membranes of MVBs. This demonstrates that the EGFR as such is not the proteasomal target.

Suppressive effects of ansamycins on inducible nitric oxide synthase expression and the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

The production of nitric oxide by the inflammatory isoform of nitric oxide synthase (NOS2) in brain glial cells is thought to contribute to the causes and development of neurological diseases and trauma. We previously demonstrated that activation of a heat shock response (HSR) by hyperthermia reduced NOS2 expression in vitro, and in vivo attenuated the clinical and histological symptoms of the demyelinating disease experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE; Heneka et al. [2001] J. Neurochem. 77:568-579). Benzoquinoid ansamycins are fungal-derived antibiotics with tyrosine kinase inhibitory properties, and which also induce a HSR by allowing activation of HS transcription factor HSF1. We now show that two members of this class of drugs (geldanamycin and 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin) also induce a HSR in primary rat astrocytes and rat C6 glioma cells. Both drugs dose-dependently reduced nitrite accumulation, NOS2 steady-state mRNA levels, and the cytokine-dependent activation of a rat 2.2-kB NOS2 promoter construct stably expressed in C6 cells. These inhibitory effects were partially reversed by quercetin, a bioflavonoid which prevents HSF1 binding to DNA and thus attenuates the HSR. Ansamycins increased mRNA levels of the inhibitory IkappaBalpha protein, suggesting that inhibition of NFkappaB activation could contribute to their suppressive effects. Finally, in C57BL/6 mice actively immunized to develop EAE, a single injection of geldanamycin at 3 days after immunization reduced disease onset by over 50%. These results indicate that ansamycins can exert potent anti-inflammatory effects on brain glial cells which may provide therapeutic benefit in neuroinflammatory diseases.

Ansamycin antibiotics inhibit Akt activation and cyclin D expression in breast cancer cells that overexpress HER2

Ansamycin antibiotics, such as 17-allylaminogeldanamycin (17-AAG), bind to Hsp90 and regulate its function, resulting in the proteasomal degradation of a subset of signaling proteins that require Hsp90 for conformational maturation. HER2 is a very sensitive target of these drugs. Ansamycins cause RB-dependent G1 arrest that is associated with loss of D-cyclins via a PI3 kinase, Akt dependent pathway. Downregulation of D-cyclin was due, in part, to loss of Akt expression in response to drug. Moreover, in HER2 overexpressing breast cancer cells, 17-AAG caused rapid inhibition of Akt activity prior to any change in Akt protein. Ansamycins caused rapid degradation of HER2 and a concomitant loss in HER3 associated PI3 kinase activity. This led to a loss of Akt activity, dephosphorylation of Akt substrates, and loss of D-cyclin expression. Introduction into cells of a constitutively membrane bound form of PI3 kinase prevented the effects of the drug on Akt activity and D-cyclins. Thus, in breast cancer cells with high HER2, Akt activation by HER2/HER3 heterodimers is required for D-cyclin expression. In murine xenograft models, non-toxic doses of 17-AAG markedly reduced the expression of HER2 and phosphorylation of Akt and inhibited tumor growth. Thus, pharmacological inhibition of Akt activation is achievable with ansamycins and may be useful for the treatment of HER2 driven tumors.

Effect of geldanamycin on androgen receptor function and stability

In the ligand-binding inactive state, the steroid receptor heterocomplex contains Hsp90, Hsp70, high-molecular weight immunophilins, and other proteins. Hsp90 acts in association with co-chaperones to maintain the native state of the receptor within the cells. It was reported earlier that Hsp90 might not be as important for the androgen receptor (AR) activity as for the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and the progesterone receptor (PR) activities. We used the Hsp90 inhibitor geldanamycin (GA) to explore the role of Hsp90 in the function of the AR heterocomplex. GA selectively binds to Hsp90 and inhibits its activity, leading to the loss of steroid receptor activity, and frequently, its degradation. In our study, LNCaP prostate cancer cells were treated with GA for 30 minutes or 24 hours, in the presence of mibolerone, a synthetic androgen. GA reduced the androgen-induced AR protein levels to 15% after 24 hours of treatment. Several androgen up-regulated genes, including immunophilin FKBP51 and prostate specific antigen (PSA), were reduced by GA treatment. In cells treated with GA after transfection with a PSA promoter or an androgen response element-driven reporter gene, AR-mediated transactivation of reporter gene expression was reversibly inhibited by GA. Loss of androgen-binding ability and AR levels was attributed to reduced transcription of AR-regulated gene expression. Degradation rate of 35S-labeled AR was significantly increased by GA in the presence or absence of mibolerone. GA induced the degradation of AR through the proteasomal pathway. AR in cells treated with proteasomal inhibitor lactacystin, was insoluble in Nonidet P-40 (NP40)-based buffer and could not restore the androgen-binding ability. We report here that GA treatment disrupted both hormone-binding activity and receptor protein stability, resulting in a dramatic loss of androgen-induced gene activation. These results show that Hsp90 activity is important for both the chaperone-mediated folding of the AR into a high-affinity ligand-binding conformation and the functional activity of the AR.

Hsp90, not Grp94, regulates the intracellular trafficking and stability of nascent ErbB2

The benzoquinone ansamycin geldanamycin (GA) stimulates proteasome-mediated degradation of plasma membrane-associated ErbB2, a receptor tyrosine kinase. Drug sensitivity is mediated by ErbB2's kinase domain and occurs subsequent to the disruption of Hsp90 interaction with this domain. Full-length ErbB2 is efficiently processed via the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi network, so that at steady state most of the detectable protein is plasma membrane associated. However, previous studies have also demonstrated the GA sensitivity of newly synthesized ErbB2, normally a minor component of the total cellular pool of the kinase. Drug sensitivity of nascent ErbB2 is distinguished by 2 characteristics--protein instability and inability to traverse the ER. As nascent ErbB2 can associate with both cytoplasmic Hsp90 and its ER luminal homolog Grp 94, also a GA-binding protein, the purpose of this study was to examine the relative contributions of the cytoplasmic and ER luminal domains of ErbB2 to the GA sensitivity of the nascent kinase. By studying the drug sensitivity of ErbB2/DK, a construct lacking ErbB2's cytoplasmic kinase domain, and by examining the activity of a GA derivative that preferentially binds Hsp90, we conclude that both the stability and the maturation of nascent ErbB2 are regulated by its cytoplasmic, Hsp90-interacting domain.

Drosophila neuralized is a ubiquitin ligase that promotes the internalization and degradation of delta

The Drosophila gene neuralized (neur) has long been recognized to be essential for the proper execution of a wide variety of processes mediated by the Notch (N) pathway, but its role in the pathway has been elusive. In this report, we present genetic and biochemical evidence that Neur is a RING-type, E3 ubiquitin ligase. Next, we show that neur is required for proper internalization of Dl in the developing eye. Finally, we demonstrate that ectopic Neur targets Dl for internalization and degradation in a RING finger-dependent manner, and that the two exist in a physical complex. Collectively, our data indicate that Neur is a ubiquitin ligase that positively regulates the N pathway by promoting the endocytosis and degradation of Dl.

Structure and control of a cell-cell adhesion complex associated with spermiation in rat seminiferous epithelium

Spermiation, the release of late spermatids from the Sertoli cell, is disrupted by a number of toxicants. Control of the spermiation process, and the proteins that interact to adhere mature spermatids to Sertoli cells, is poorly understood. In these studies we used immunohistochemistry, coimmunoprecipitation/Western blotting, and mass spectrometry to refine an earlier model of sperm adhesion proposed by our laboratory. We have identified specific proteins linked together as part of a multiprotein complex, as well as several additional proteins (cortactin, ERK1/2, and 14-3-3 zeta) that may be functioning in both structural and signal transduction roles. The current and prior data suggest that protein phosphorylation is central to the control of spermiation. We also present and characterize an in vitro tubule culture system that allowed functional testing of the spermiation model by pharmacologic manipulation, and yielded data consistent with the importance of protein phosphorylation in spermiation.

Degradation signals in ErbB-2 dictate proteasomal processing and immunogenicity and resist protection by cis glycine-alanine repeat

ErbB-2 is ubiquitinated and degraded when dissociated from its membrane chaperone or bound by specific antibody. Reagents which induce such degradation have demonstrated antitumor activity and may impact ErbB-2 immunogenicity. To further understand ErbB-2 degradation and immunogenicity, a glycine-alanine repeat (GAr) or the reverse proline-alanine repeat (PAr) which protects certain proteins from proteasome degradation, was inserted after amino acid 5 (GAr5/PAr5) or 55 (GAr55/PAr55) of ErbB-2. When dissociated from the membrane with geldanamycin, E2-GAr5 and E2-PAr5 were not protected and still ubiquitinated and degraded by the proteasome, despite the presence of GAr. Insertional mutagenesis with GAr sequences at a.a. 55 of E2 enhanced proteasome degradation rendering E2-GAr55 and E2-PAr55 unstable on the membrane, but rescued in the cytosol by proteasome inhibitors. Immunization with E2-GAr induced antitumor immunity and CTL which lysed tumor cells expressing chimeric E2-GAr or wild-type E2 proteins, demonstrating efficient presentation through MHC I pathway. Improved understanding of the strong degradation signals in ErbB-2 may facilitate the development of anticancer agents or vaccines.

Caspase-dependent cleavage of ErbB-2 by geldanamycin and staurosporin

The geldanamycin-induced degradation of ErbB-2 produces a 23-kDa carboxyl-terminal fragment, which has been isolated and subjected to amino-terminal microsequencing. The obtained sequence indicates that the amino terminus of this fragment corresponds to Gly-1126 of ErbB-2. Analysis of the residues immediately before Gly-1126 suggests that cleavage may involve caspase activity. Site-directed mutagenesis of Asp-1125 in ErbB-2 prevents geldanamycin-provoked formation of the 23-kDa fragment, consistent with the requirement of this residue for caspase-dependent cleavage in known substrates. Also, the addition of the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK blocks formation of the 23-kDa ErbB-2 fragment in cells exposed to geldanamycin. Interestingly, staurosporin and curcumin are also shown to provoke the degradation of ErbB-2 with formation of the 23-kDa carboxyl-terminal fragment. The generation of this fragment by staurosporin or curcumin is likewise blocked by caspase inhibition. Caspase inhibition does not prevent accelerated degradation of the 185-kDa native ErbB-2 in geldanamycin-treated cells but does significantly prevent staurosporin-stimulated metabolic loss of ErbB-2.

Hsp90: chaperoning signal transduction

Hsp90 is an ATP dependent molecular chaperone involved in the folding and activation of an unknown number of substrate proteins. These substrate proteins include protein kinases and transcription factors. Consistent with this task, Hsp90 is an essential protein in all eucaryotes. The interaction of Hsp90 with its substrate proteins involves the transient formation of multiprotein complexes with a set of highly conserved partner proteins. The specific function of each component in the processing of substrates is still unknown. Large ATP-dependent conformational changes of Hsp90 occur during the hydrolysis reaction and these changes are thought to drive the chaperone cycle. Natural inhibitors of the ATPase activity, like geldanamycin and radicicol, block the processing of Hsp90 substrate proteins. As many of these substrates are critical elements in signal transduction, Hsp90 seems to introduce an additional level of regulation.

Improved synthesis and evaluation of 17-substituted aminoalkylgeldanamycin derivatives applicable to drug delivery systems

The 17-methoxy group of geldanamycin was substituted with 1,3-diaminopropane and 1,3-diamino-2-hydroxypropane to introduce a primary amino group useful for conjugation with targeting moieties and drug carriers. We have developed a procedure that has provided improved yield and reproducibility of the syntheses. Both geldanamycin derivatives demonstrated antiproliferative activity towards the human ovarian carcinoma cell line, A2780.

Heat shock protein-90 and the catalytic activities of the 20 S proteasome (multicatalytic proteinase complex)

The effect of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp-90) and several other proteins on the catalytic activities of the 20 S proteasome (MPC) was examined. The chymotrypsin-like (ChT-L) and peptidylglutamyl-peptide hydrolyzing (PGPH) activities of the pituitary MPC were inhibited by Hsp-90 with IC50 values of 8 and 28 nM, respectively. Bovine serum albumin and two other proteins tested inhibited the same activities with much higher IC50 values. The trypsin-like and branched-chain amino-acid-preferring activities were not affected by any of the proteins. None of the activities of the bovine spleen MPC, an enzyme form in which the X, Y, and Z subunits are virtually completely replaced by the LMP2, LMP7, and LMP10 subunits, was affected by either Hsp-90 or the other proteins tested. Hsp-90 inhibited the degradation of the oxidized B-chain of insulin by the pituitary MPC but not by its spleen counterpart. The PA28 activator (11 S regulator; REG) of the proteasome abolished the inhibitory effect of Hsp-90 and other proteins on the ChT-L and PGPH activities of the pituitary MPC. It is suggested that Hsp-90 induces conformational changes that affect the ChT-L and PGPH activities expressed by the X and Y subunits, respectively, but does not affect the activities expressed by LMP subunits.

Heat-shock protein 90 augments neuronal nitric oxide synthase activity by enhancing Ca2+/calmodulin binding

Heat-shock protein 90 (hsp90) has been shown to facilitate neuronal NO synthase (nNOS, type 1) activity in vivo. But the direct effect of hsp90 on purified nNOS has not been determined yet. Moreover, the mechanism underlying the action of hsp90 is not known. nNOS activity is primarily initiated and regulated by the binding of Ca(2+)/calmodulin (CaM). Therefore, we explored whether hsp90 modulates nNOS activity by affecting CaM binding. Recombinant rat nNOS was purified from the stably transfected cells by affinity chromatography. hsp90 increased nNOS activity in a dose-dependent manner with an EC(50) of 24.1+/-6.4 nM. In the presence of hsp90, the CaM-nNOS dose-response curve was shifted markedly to the left and the maximal activity was also elevated. Further in vitro protein-binding experiments confirmed that hsp90 increased the binding of CaM to nNOS. Taken together, these data indicate that hsp90 directly augments nNOS catalytic function and that this effect is, at least partially, mediated by CaM-binding enhancement.

Molecular mechanisms underlying endocytosis and sorting of ErbB receptor tyrosine kinases

The major process that regulates the amplitude and kinetics of signal transduction by tyrosine kinase receptors is endocytic removal of active ligand-receptor complexes from the cell surface, and their subsequent sorting to degradation or to recycling. Using the ErbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases we exemplify the diversity of the down regulation process, and concentrate on two sorting steps whose molecular details are emerging. These are the Eps15-mediated sorting to clathrin-coated regions of the plasma membrane and the c-Cbl-mediated targeting of receptors to lysosomal degradation. Like in yeast cells, sorting involves not only protein phosphorylation but also conjugation of ubiquitin molecules. The involvement of other molecules is reviewed and recent observations that challenge the negative regulatory role of endocytosis are described. Finally, we discuss the relevance of receptor down regulation to cancer therapy.

Sensitivity of mature Erbb2 to geldanamycin is conferred by its kinase domain and is mediated by the chaperone protein Hsp90

ErbB receptors are a family of ligand-activated tyrosine kinases that play a central role in proliferation, differentiation, and oncogenesis. ErbB2 is overexpressed in >25% of breast and ovarian cancers and is correlated with poor prognosis. Although ErbB2 and ErbB1 are highly homologous, they respond quite differently to geldanamycin (GA), an antibiotic that is a specific inhibitor of the chaperone protein Hsp90. Thus, although both mature and nascent ErbB2 proteins are down-regulated by GA, only nascent ErbB1 is sensitive to the drug. To reveal the underlying mechanism behind these divergent responses, we made a chimeric receptor (ErbB1/2) composed of the extracellular and transmembrane domains of ErbB1 and the intracellular domain of ErbB2. The ErbB1/2 protein is functional since its kinase activity was stimulated by epidermal growth factor. The sensitivity of ErbB1/2 to GA was similar to that of ErbB2 and unlike that of ErbB1, indicating that the intracellular domain of the chimera confers GA sensitivity. This finding also suggests that the GA sensitivity of mature ErbB2 depends on cytosolic Hsp90, rather than Grp94, a homolog of Hsp90 that is restricted to the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum, although both chaperones bind to and are inhibited by GA. Lack of Grp94 involvement in mediating ErbB2 sensitivity to GA is further suggested by the fact that a GA derivative with low affinity for Grp94 efficiently depleted ErbB2 protein in treated cells. To localize the specific region of ErbB2 that confers GA sensitivity, we made truncated receptors with progressive deletions of the cytoplasmic domain and tested the GA sensitivity of these molecules. We found that ErbB2 constructs containing an intact kinase domain retained GA sensitivity, whereas those lacking the kinase domain (ErbB2/DK) lost responsiveness to GA completely. Hsp90 co-immunoprecipitated with all ErbB2 constructs that were sensitive to GA, but not with ErbB2/DK or ErbB1. Both tyrosine-phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated ErbB2 proteins were similarly sensitive to GA, as was a kinase-dead ErbB2 mutant. These data suggest that Hsp90 uniquely stabilizes ErbB2 via interaction with its kinase domain and that GA stimulates ErbB2 degradation secondary to disruption of ErbB2/Hsp90 association.

Accelerated HER-2 degradation enhances ovarian tumor recognition by CTL. Implications for tumor immunogenicity

We investigated the ubiquitination and degradation of a tumor antigen, the HER-2/neu (HER-2) protooncogene product which is overexpressed in epithelial cancers. HER-2 degradation was investigated in the ovarian tumor line, SKOV3.A2, that constitutively overexpressed long-life HER-2. We used as agonist geldanamycin (GA), which initiated downmodulation of HER-2 from the cell surface. HER-2 was polyubiquitinated and degraded faster in the presence than in the absence of GA. GA did not decrease HLA-A2 expression. Presentation of the immunodominant cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitope, E75 (369-377) from SKOV.A2 was inhibited by proteasome inhibitors, such as LLnL but was enhanced by cysteine protease inhibitors such as E64, indicating that both the proteasome and cysteine proteases are involved in epitope formation but have different effects. Enhanced tumor recognition was not an immediate or early effect of GA treatment, but was evident after 20 h of GA treatment. In contrast, 20 h GA treatment did not increase tumor sensitivity to LAK cell lysis. Twenty hour GA-treated SKOV3.A2 cells expressed an unstable HER-2 protein synthesized in the presence of GA, of faster electrophoretic mobility than control HER-2. This suggested that the newly synthesized HER-2 in the presence of GA was the main source of epitopes recognized by CTL. Twenty hour GA-treated SKOV3.A2 cells were better inducers of CTL activity directed to a number of HER-2 CTL epitopes, in peripheral blood mononuclear cells compared with control untreated SKOV3.A2 cells. Thus, induction of HER-2 protein instability enhanced the sensitivity of tumor for CTL lysis. Increased HER-2 CTL epitopes presentation may have implications for overcoming the poor immuno-genicity of human tumors, and design of epitope precursors for cancer vaccination.

c-Cbl is a suppressor of the neu oncogene

A rodent oncogenic mutant of the Neu receptor tyrosine kinase is a useful experimental model because overexpression of the respective receptor, namely HER2/ErbB-2, in human malignancies is associated with relatively aggressive diseases. Here we show that the oncogenic form of Neu is constitutively associated with the product of the c-cbl proto-oncogene and is part of a large complex that includes the phosphoinositide 3-kinase and Shc. Ectopic expression of c-Cbl, a ubiquitin-protein isopeptide ligase specific to activated tyrosine kinases, causes rapid removal of Neu from the cell surface and severely reduces signaling downstream of oncogenic Neu. c-Cbl-induced down-regulation of Neu involves covalent attachment of ubiquitin molecules and requires the carboxyl-terminal domain of Neu. The negative effect of c-Cbl is antagonized by v-Cbl, a virus-encoded oncogenic truncated form of c-Cbl. In an in vivo model, infection of a Neu-transformed neuroblastoma with a c-Cbl-encoding retrovirus caused enhanced down-regulation of Neu and correlated with tumor retardation. Our results implicate c-Cbl in negative regulation of Neu and offer a potential target for treatment of HER2/ErbB-2-positive human malignancies.

Geldanamycin induces ErbB-2 degradation by proteolytic fragmentation

Exposure of carcinoma cell lines to the antibiotic geldanamycin induces the degradation of ErbB-2, a co-receptor tyrosine kinase that is frequently overexpressed in certain tumors. Using ErbB-2 mutants expressed as chimeric receptors or green fluorescent protein fusion proteins, we report that the kinase domain of ErbB-2 is essential for geldanamycin-induced degradation. The kinase domain of the related epidermal growth factor receptor was not sensitive to this drug. The data further indicate mechanistic aspects of ErbB-2 degradation by geldanamycin. The data show that exposure to the drug induces at least one cleavage within the cytoplasmic domain of ErbB-2 producing a 135-kDa fragment and a 23-kDa fragment. The latter represents the carboxyl-terminal domain of ErbB-2, whereas the former represents the ectodomain and part of the cytoplasmic domain. Degradation of the carboxyl-terminal fragment is prevented by proteasome inhibitors, whereas degradation of the membrane-anchored 135-kDa ErbB-2 fragment is blocked by inhibitors of the endocytosis-dependent degradation pathway. Confocal microscopy studies confirm a geldanamycin-induced localization of ErbB-2 on intracellular vesicles.

Gene expression profiling of human colon cancer cells following inhibition of signal transduction by 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin, an inhibitor of the hsp90 molecular chaperone

A number of molecular therapeutic agents, derived from exploiting our knowledge of the oncogenic pathways that are frequently deregulated in cancer, are now entering clinical trials. One of these is the novel agent 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin that acts to inhibit the hsp90 molecular chaperone. Treatment of four human colon cancer cell lines with iso-effective concentrations of this agent resulted in depletion of c-raf-1 and akt and inhibition of signal transduction. We have used gene expression array analysis to identify genes responsive to treatment with this drug. The expression of hsp90 client protein genes was not affected, but hsc hsp70, hsp90beta, keratin 8, keratin 18 and caveolin-1 were deregulated following treatment. These observations were consistent with inhibition of signal transduction and suggested a possible mechanism of resistance or recovery from 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin treatment. The results shed light on the molecular mode of action of the hsp90 inhibitors, and suggest possible molecular markers of drug action for use in hypothesis testing clinical trials. Oncogene (2000) 19, 4125 - 4133

Intracellular retention and degradation of the epidermal growth factor receptor, two distinct processes mediated by benzoquinone ansamycins

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulates the growth of various types of cells via its cell surface tyrosine kinase receptor. The EGF receptor (EGF-R) has an oncogenic potential when overexpressed in a wide range of tumor cells. Geldanamycin (GA) and herbimycin (HA), specific inhibitors of the cytosolic chaperone HSP 90 and its endoplasmic reticulum homologue GRP 94, were shown to accelerate degradation of the EGF-R and of its homologue p185(c-)(erbB-2). Here we compared the effects of GA and HA on intracellular degradation and maturation of EGF-R. By using an inhibitor of proteasomal degradation, we learned that GA, but not HA, blocks processing of newly synthesized EGF-R. The effects of GA and HA on receptor degradation are mediated by the cytosolic portion of EGF-R and could be conferred to the erythropoietin receptor (EPO-R), by employing the respective chimera. Neither HA nor GA affected stability of newly synthesized EGF-R lacking the cytosolic domain (Ex EGF-R), but GA caused intracellular retention of this mutant. Taken together, our results imply that GA has two distinct targets of action on the EGF-R, one for promoting its degradation and another for mediating its intracellular retention. Apparently, degradation of the EGF-R mediated by GA or HA requires the presence of the EGF-R cytosolic domain, whereas intracellular retention in the presence of GA is coupled to the extracellular domain of the EGF-R.

Ubiquitination of neuronal nitric-oxide synthase in vitro and in vivo

It is established that suicide inactivation of neuronal nitric-oxide synthase (nNOS) with guanidine compounds, or inhibition of the hsp90-based chaperone system with geldanamycin, leads to the enhanced proteolytic degradation of nNOS. This regulated proteolysis is mediated, in part, by the proteasome. We show here with the use of human embryonic kidney 293 cells transfected with nNOS that inhibition of the proteasome with lactacystin leads to the accumulation of immunodetectable higher molecular mass forms of nNOS. Some of these higher molecular mass forms were immunoprecipitated by an anti-ubiquitin antibody, indicating that they are nNOS-polyubiquitin conjugates. Moreover, the predominant nNOS-ubiquitin conjugate detected in human embryonic kidney 293 cells, as well as in rat brain cytosol, migrates on SDS-polyacrylamide gels with a mobility near that for the native monomer of nNOS and likely represents a conjugate containing a few or perhaps one ubiquitin. Studies in vitro with the use of (125)I-ubiquitin and reticulocyte extracts could mimic this ubiquitination reaction, which was dependent on ATP. The heme-deficient monomeric form of nNOS is preferentially ubiquitinated over that of the heme-sufficient functionally active homodimer. Thus, we have shown for the first time that ubiquitination of nNOS occurs and is likely involved in the regulated proteolytic removal of non-functional enzyme.

Geldanamycin as a potential anti-cancer agent: its molecular target and biochemical activity

Heat shock protein 90 is one of the most abundant cellular proteins. Although its functions are still being characterized, it appears to serve as a chaperone for a growing list of cell signaling proteins, including many tyrosine and serine/threonine kinases, involved in proliferation and/or survival. The benzoquinone ansamycin geldanamycin has been shown to bind to Hsp90 and to specifically inhibit this chaperone's function, resulting in client protein destabilization. Its ability to simultaneously stimulate depletion of multiple oncogenic proteins suggests that geldanamycin, or other molecules capable of targeting Hsp90 in cancer cells, may be of clinical benefit.

Hsp90 is essential for the synthesis and subsequent membrane association, but not the maintenance, of the Src-kinase p56(lck)

Tyrosine kinases of the Src family are synthesized as cytosolic proteins that subsequently translocate to membranes. Little is known of the mechanisms responsible for targeting these proteins to membranes, although a role for the cytosolic chaperone Hsp90 has been proposed. Here, we have studied the involvement of Hsp90 in the synthesis, membrane binding, and maintenance of the Src-kinase Lck. Using specific inhibitors of Hsp90, geldanamycin and radicicol, we found that functional Hsp90 is essential for the stability of newly synthesized, but not mature, Lck. Similar results were obtained for two other Src-kinases, c-Src and Lyn. In contrast, LckY505F and LckDeltaSH2, constitutively active Lck mutants lacking the C-terminal regulatory tyrosine or the entire Src homology 2 domain, respectively, required Hsp90 activity to stabilize the mature proteins. Lck synthesized in the absence of Hsp90 activity was degraded within 30-45 min. This unstable Lck was myristoylated normally but did not associate with membranes or CD4, interactions that normally start within minutes of the completion of Lck synthesis. A construct composed of the N-terminal unique domain of Lck fused to green fluorescent protein did not require Hsp90 activity during synthesis. In addition, this protein associated with membranes efficiently in the absence of Hsp90 activity. Together these data suggest that interaction with Hsp90 is necessary for the correct synthesis and subsequent membrane binding of Lck. However, Hsp90 does not appear to play a direct role in Lck membrane, or CD4, association.

Down-regulation of the neurotrophin receptor TrkB following ligand binding. Evidence for an involvement of the proteasome and differential regulation of TrkA and TrkB

This study examines the mechanisms by which the tyrosine kinase receptor TrkB is down-regulated following binding of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). In primary cultures of cerebellar granule neurons, BDNF-induced reduction of TrkB receptors was largely prevented by the addition of specific proteasome inhibitors. HN10 cells, a neuronal cell line that can be readily transfected, also showed a marked down-regulation of cell surface TrkB following BDNF exposure. In addition, we observed that prolonged exposure to nerve growth factor of TrkA-transfected cells did not lead to the down-regulation seen with BDNF and TrkB. TrkA and TrkB chimeric molecules were therefore expressed in HN10 cells and tested for ligand-induced regulation. These experiments led to the conclusion that the motives responsible for down-regulation are contained in the cytoplasmic domain of TrkB, and a short sequence in the juxtamembrane domain of TrkB was identified that confers nerve growth factor-induced down-regulation when inserted into TrkA.

Effects of geldanamycin, a heat-shock protein 90-binding agent, on T cell function and T cell nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinases

The benzoquinoid ansamycins geldanamycin (GA), herbimycin, and their derivatives are emerging as novel therapeutic agents that act by inhibiting the 90-kDa heat-shock protein hsp90. We report that GA inhibits the proliferation of mitogen-activated T cells. GA is actively toxic to both resting and activated T cells; activated T cells appear to be especially vulnerable. The mechanism by which GA acts is reflected by its effects on an essential hsp90-dependent protein, the T cell-specific nonreceptor tyrosine kinase lck. GA treatment depletes lck levels in cultured T cells by a kinetically slow dose-dependent process. Pulse-chase analyses indicate that GA induces the very rapid degradation of newly synthesized lck molecules. GA also induces a slower degradation of mature lck populations. These results correlate with global losses in protein tyrosine kinase activity and an inability to respond to TCR stimuli, but the activity of mature lck is not immediately compromised. Although the specific proteasome inhibitor lactacystin provides marginal protection against GA-induced lck depletion, proteasome inhibition also induces changes in lck detergent solubility independent of GA application. There is no other evidence for the involvement of the proteosome. Lysosome inhibition provides quantitatively superior protection against degradation. These results indicate that pharmacologic inhibition of hsp90 chaperone function may represent a novel immunosuppressant strategy, and elaborate on the appropriate context in which to interpret losses of lck as a reporter for the pharmacology of GA in whole organisms.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors in preclinical development

Due to the limited efficacy of cytotoxic chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced malignancy and its excessive toxicity precluding its use in chemoprevention, new therapeutic and preventive strategies have been sought. One of the most interesting of these new approaches is the manipulation of signal transduction pathways. Among the approaches being considered to eventuate such a strategy is the inhibition of autophosphorylation, a critical first step in the signal transduction pathways of many cell surface receptor tyrosine kinases, as well as of non-receptor tyrosine kinases. This article is intended to review those tyrosine kinase inhibitors that are currently in preclinical development, for which there are data to support consideration for their use in chemoprevention or cancer treatment. We will focus upon those agents that have received attention in the past several years.

Novobiocin and related coumarins and depletion of heat shock protein 90-dependent signaling proteins

BACKGROUND

Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) interacts with and stabilizes several oncogenic protein kinases (e.g., p185(erbB2), p60(v-src), and Raf-1) and is required for the stability and dominant-negative function of mutated p53 protein. Two unrelated antibiotics, geldanamycin and radicicol, bind specifically to an atypical nucleotide-binding pocket of Hsp90, a site that shares homology with the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding domain of bacterial DNA gyrase B. This interaction leads to destabilization of proteins that interact with Hsp90. Since the nucleotide-binding site of gyrase B is targeted by coumarin antibiotics (e.g., novobiocin), we investigated whether these drugs can also interact with Hsp90 and affect its activity.

METHODS

We used immobilized novobiocin, geldanamycin, or radicicol to isolate either endogenous Hsp90 from cell lysates or Hsp90 deletion fragments translated in vitro. Effects of the coumarin antibiotics novobiocin, chlorobiocin, and coumermycin A1 on several proteins interacting with Hsp90 were assessed in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

Hsp90 binding to immobilized novobiocin was competed by soluble coumarins and ATP but not by geldanamycin or radicicol. A carboxy-terminal Hsp90 fragment bound immobilized novobiocin but not immobilized geldanamycin, while a geldanamycin-binding amino-terminal fragment did not bind novobiocin. All three coumarins markedly reduced cellular levels of p185(erbB2), p60(v-src), Raf-1, and mutated p53. Furthermore, novobiocin reduced Raf-1 levels in the spleens of mice treated with the drug.

CONCLUSIONS

These coumarin antibiotics, particularly novobiocin, represent a first-generation alternative to other Hsp90-targeting drugs that are not as well tolerated. Novobiocin's unique interaction with Hsp90 identifies an additional site on this protein amenable to pharmacologic interference with small molecules.

Phosphorylation of human progesterone receptors at serine-294 by mitogen-activated protein kinase signals their degradation by the 26S proteasome

Ligand-dependent down-regulation that leads to rapid and extensive loss of protein is characteristic of several nuclear steroid receptors, including human progesterone receptors (PRs). In breast cancer cells, >95% of PRs are degraded 6 h after the start of progestin treatment. The mechanism for down-regulation is unknown. We examined the role of PR phosphorylation by mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in this process. Lactacystin and calpain inhibitor I, specific inhibitors of the 26S proteasome, blocked progestin-induced down-regulation, and ubiquitinated conjugates of PR accumulated in cells. Ligand-dependent PR degradation was also blocked by specific inhibition of p42 and p44 MAPKs. To define the targets of phosphorylation by this kinase, two serine/proline MAPK consensus sites on PR were mutated. We demonstrate that mutation of PR serine-294 to alanine (S294A) specifically and completely prevents ligand-dependent receptor down-regulation. We also find that rapid, ligand-independent degradation of immature PR intermediates occurs by a proteasome-mediated pathway. These results demonstrate that PR destruction, by either of two alternate routes, is mediated by the 26S proteasome. Specifically, down-regulation of mature PRs occurs by a mechanism in which ligand binding activates PR phosphorylation by MAPKs at a unique serine residue, which then targets the receptors for degradation.

Ubiquitin ligase activity and tyrosine phosphorylation underlie suppression of growth factor signaling by c-Cbl/Sli-1

Receptor desensitization is accomplished by accelerated endocytosis and degradation of ligand-receptor complexes. An in vitro reconstituted system indicates that Cbl adaptor proteins directly control downregulation of the receptor for the epidermal growth factor (EGFR) by recruiting ubiquitin-activating and -conjugating enzymes. We infer a sequential process initiated by autophosphorylation of EGFR at a previously identified lysosome-targeting motif that subsequently recruits Cbl. This is followed by tyrosine phosphorylation of c-Cbl at a site flanking its RING finger, which enables receptor ubiquitination and degradation. Whereas all three members of the Cbl family can enhance ubiquitination, two oncogenic Cbl variants, whose RING fingers are defective and phosphorylation sites are missing, are unable to desensitize EGFR. Our study identifies Cbl proteins as components of the ubiquitin ligation machinery and implies that they similarly suppress many other signaling pathways.

Sequence-dependent enhancement of paclitaxel toxicity in non-small cell lung cancer by 17-allylamino 17-demethoxygeldanamycin

OBJECTIVE

Overexpression of the oncogene erbB-2 contributes to chemoresistance in various malignant tumors including lung cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate whether depletion of the erbB-2 gene product (p185) by 17-allylamino 17-demethoxygeldanamycin would sensitize lung cancer cells to paclitaxel (Taxol) in vitro.

METHODS

Paclitaxel cytotoxicity was evaluated in a panel of non-small cell lung cancer cell lines that expressed varying levels of p185 by means in vitro proliferation assays and 2 drug combination schedules. Cell cycle kinetics and apoptosis after exposure to paclitaxel or paclitaxel plus 17-allylamino 17-demethoxygeldanamycin were analyzed by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

The 17-allylamino 17-demethoxygeldanamycin treatment efficiently depleted p185 expression in lung cancer cells. Concurrent exposure of these cells to paclitaxel and 17-allylamino 17-demethoxygeldanamycin significantly enhanced paclitaxel-mediated cytotoxicity, particularly in cells which overexpressed p185. There was a 1.3 to more than 20-fold reduction of paclitaxel 50% inhibitory concentration values in those cells that were responding positively to the drug combination. Significant induction of apoptosis was observed after treatment of cells with the combination of paclitaxel and 17-allylamino 17-demethoxygeldanamycin. The combination cytotoxic effect was only additive in cells expressing low levels of p185. In contrast, of lung cancer cells with exposure to 17-allylamino 17-demethoxygeldanamycin before combined paclitaxel and 17-allylamino 17-demethoxygeldanamycin exposure actually rendered the cells refractory to paclitaxel cytotoxicity.

CONCLUSION

The compound 17-allylamino 17-demethoxygeldanamycin sensitizes non-small cell lung cancer cells expressing high levels of p185 to paclitaxel-mediated growth arrest and apoptosis. These preclinical data support the evaluation of the combination of paclitaxel and 17-allylamino 17-demethoxygeldanamycin in the treatment of patients with lung cancer whose tumors exhibit p185 overexpression.

GRP94, an ER chaperone with protein and peptide binding properties

GRP94 is the ER representative of the HSP90 family of stress-induced proteins. It binds to a limited number of proteins in the secretory pathway, apparently by recognizing advanced folding intermediates or incompletely assembled proteins, GRP94 also binds peptides and can act as a tumor vaccine, delivering the peptides for presentation to T lymphocytes. Here, we review the current data about GRP94 and propose a structural model that integrates the biochemical data and known functions of the protein.

Hsp90 as an anti-cancer target

Heat shock protein 90 is one of the most abundant cellular proteins. Although its functions are still being characterized, it appears to serve as a chaperone for a growing list of cell signaling proteins, including many tyrosine and serine/threonine kinases, involved in cell proliferation and/or survival. The recent discovery of natural products which are able to inhibit Hsp90 function have allowed for both identification of its client proteins and for a better understanding of its role in their activity. Accumulating data have suggested that targeting Hsp90 in cancer cells may be of clinical benefit. Copyright 1999 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.