The JIP group of mitogen-activated protein kinase scaffold proteins

Beta-amyloid induces neuronal apoptosis via a mechanism that involves the c-Jun N-terminal kinase pathway and the induction of Fas ligand

Elevated levels of beta-Amyloid (Abeta) are present in the brains of individuals with either the sporadic or familial form of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and the deposition of Abeta within the senile plaques that are a hallmark of AD is thought to be a primary cause of the cognitive dysfunction that occurs in AD. Recent evidence suggests that Abeta induces neuronal apoptosis in the brain and in primary neuronal cultures, and that this Abeta-induced neuronal death may be responsible in part for the cognitive decline found in AD patients. In this study we have characterized one mechanism by which Abeta induces neuronal death. We found that in cortical neurons exposed to Abeta, activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) is required for the phosphorylation and activation of the c-Jun transcription factor, which in turn stimulates the transcription of several key target genes, including the death inducer Fas ligand. The binding of Fas ligand to its receptor Fas then induces a cascade of events that lead to caspase activation and ultimately cell death. By analyzing the effects of mutations in each of the components of the JNK-c-Jun-Fas ligand-Fas pathway, we demonstrate that this pathway plays a critical role in mediating Abeta-induced death of cultured neurons. These findings raise the possibility that the JNK pathway may also contribute to Abeta-dependent death in AD patients.

Beta-Arrestins: new roles in regulating heptahelical receptors' functions

The last few years have seen a marked expansion in appreciation of the diversity of roles played by the betaArrestins in regulating GPCR functions. Originally discovered as molecules that desensitize such receptors, the roles of betaArrestins have expanded to include acting as signalling adapters or intermediates that recruit other key molecules to the GPCRs in an agonist-regulated fashion. For example, interactions with components of the endocytic machinery, such as clathrin, the adapter protein AP-2 and the N-ethylmaleimide sensitive fusion protein (NSF), demonstrate the ability of betaArrestins to act as adapters to facilitate the clathrin-mediated endocytosis of certain members of the GPCR family. BetaArrestins have also been shown to serve as signalling molecules. The Ras-dependent activation of ERK1/2 may involve the betaArrestin-dependent recruitment of c-Src to the beta2-adrenergic receptor (beta2-AR). More recently, betaArrestins have been shown to act as molecular scaffolds that coordinate the assembly of certain MAP kinase complexes that lead to the stimulation of either ERK1/2 or JNK3. Finally, long-term accumulation of arrestin-rhodopsin complexes, in photoreceptor cells has been shown to trigger apoptosis.

Beta-amyloid induces neuronal apoptosis via a mechanism that involves the c-Jun N-terminal kinase pathway and the induction of Fas ligand

Elevated levels of beta-Amyloid (Abeta) are present in the brains of individuals with either the sporadic or familial form of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and the deposition of Abeta within the senile plaques that are a hallmark of AD is thought to be a primary cause of the cognitive dysfunction that occurs in AD. Recent evidence suggests that Abeta induces neuronal apoptosis in the brain and in primary neuronal cultures, and that this Abeta-induced neuronal death may be responsible in part for the cognitive decline found in AD patients. In this study we have characterized one mechanism by which Abeta induces neuronal death. We found that in cortical neurons exposed to Abeta, activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) is required for the phosphorylation and activation of the c-Jun transcription factor, which in turn stimulates the transcription of several key target genes, including the death inducer Fas ligand. The binding of Fas ligand to its receptor Fas then induces a cascade of events that lead to caspase activation and ultimately cell death. By analyzing the effects of mutations in each of the components of the JNK-c-Jun-Fas ligand-Fas pathway, we demonstrate that this pathway plays a critical role in mediating Abeta-induced death of cultured neurons. These findings raise the possibility that the JNK pathway may also contribute to Abeta-dependent death in AD patients.

c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)-interacting protein-1b/islet-brain-1 scaffolds Alzheimer's amyloid precursor protein with JNK

Using a yeast two-hybrid method, we searched for amyloid precursor protein (APP)-interacting molecules by screening mouse and human brain libraries. In addition to known interacting proteins containing a phosphotyrosine-interaction-domain (PID)-Fe65, Fe65L, Fe65L2, X11, and mDab1, we identified, as a novel APP-interacting molecule, a PID-containing isoform of mouse JNK-interacting protein-1 (JIP-1b) and its human homolog IB1, the established scaffold proteins for JNK. The APP amino acids Tyr(682), Asn(684), and Tyr(687) in the G(681)YENPTY(687) region were all essential for APP/JIP-1b interaction, but neither Tyr(653) nor Thr(668) was necessary. APP-interacting ability was specific for this additional isoform containing PID and was shared by both human and mouse homologs. JIP-1b expressed by mammalian cells was efficiently precipitated by the cytoplasmic domain of APP in the extreme Gly(681)-Asn(695) domain-dependent manner. Reciprocally, both full-length wild-type and familial Alzheimer's disease mutant APPs were precipitated by PID-containing JIP constructs. Antibodies raised against the N and C termini of JIP-1b coprecipitated JIP-1b and wild-type or mutant APP in non-neuronal and neuronal cells. Moreover, human JNK1beta1 formed a complex with APP in a JIP-1b-dependent manner. Confocal microscopic examination demonstrated that APP and JIP-1b share similar subcellular localization in transfected cells. These data indicate that JIP-1b/IB1 scaffolds APP with JNK, providing a novel insight into the role of the JNK scaffold protein as an interface of APP with intracellular functional molecules.

Judging a protein by more than its name: GSK-3

As knowledge of cellular signal transduction has accumulated, general truisms have emerged, including the notion that signaling proteins are usually activated by stimuli and that they, in turn, mediate the actions of specific agonists. Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is an unusual protein-serine kinase that bucks these conventions. This evolutionarily conserved protein kinase is active in resting cells and is inhibited in response to activation of several distinct pathways, including those acting by elevation of 3' phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol lipids and adenosine 3'-5'-monophosphate (cAMP). In addition, GSK-3 is distinctly regulated by, and is a core component of, the Wnt pathway. This review describes the unique characteristics of this decidedly oddball protein kinase in terms of its diverse biological functions, plethora of targets, role in several human diseases, and consequential potential as a therapeutic target.

Requirement of the JIP1 scaffold protein for stress-induced JNK activation

The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signal transduction pathway is activated in response to the exposure of cells to environmental stress. Components of the JNK signaling pathway interact with the JIP1 scaffold protein. JIP1 is located in the neurites of primary hippocampal neurons. However, in response to stress, JIP1 accumulates in the soma together with activated JNK and phosphorylated c-Jun. Disruption of the Jip1 gene in mice by homologous recombination prevented JNK activation caused by exposure to excitotoxic stress and anoxic stress in vivo and in vitro. These data show that the JIP1 scaffold protein is a critical component of a MAP-kinase signal transduction pathway.

c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)-interacting protein-1b/islet-brain-1 scaffolds Alzheimer's amyloid precursor protein with JNK

Using a yeast two-hybrid method, we searched for amyloid precursor protein (APP)-interacting molecules by screening mouse and human brain libraries. In addition to known interacting proteins containing a phosphotyrosine-interaction-domain (PID)-Fe65, Fe65L, Fe65L2, X11, and mDab1, we identified, as a novel APP-interacting molecule, a PID-containing isoform of mouse JNK-interacting protein-1 (JIP-1b) and its human homolog IB1, the established scaffold proteins for JNK. The APP amino acids Tyr(682), Asn(684), and Tyr(687) in the G(681)YENPTY(687) region were all essential for APP/JIP-1b interaction, but neither Tyr(653) nor Thr(668) was necessary. APP-interacting ability was specific for this additional isoform containing PID and was shared by both human and mouse homologs. JIP-1b expressed by mammalian cells was efficiently precipitated by the cytoplasmic domain of APP in the extreme Gly(681)-Asn(695) domain-dependent manner. Reciprocally, both full-length wild-type and familial Alzheimer's disease mutant APPs were precipitated by PID-containing JIP constructs. Antibodies raised against the N and C termini of JIP-1b coprecipitated JIP-1b and wild-type or mutant APP in non-neuronal and neuronal cells. Moreover, human JNK1beta1 formed a complex with APP in a JIP-1b-dependent manner. Confocal microscopic examination demonstrated that APP and JIP-1b share similar subcellular localization in transfected cells. These data indicate that JIP-1b/IB1 scaffolds APP with JNK, providing a novel insight into the role of the JNK scaffold protein as an interface of APP with intracellular functional molecules.

Kinesin carries the signal

Conventional kinesin has long been known to be a molecular motor that transports vesicular cargo, but only recently have we begun to understand how it functions in cells. Regulation of kinesin involves self-inhibition in which a head-to-tail interaction prevents microtubule binding. Although the mechanism of motor activation remains to be clarified, recent progress with respect to cargo binding might provide a clue. Kinesin binds directly to the JIPs (JNK-interacting proteins), identified previously as scaffolding proteins in the JNK (c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase) signaling pathway. The JIPs can allow kinesin to transport many different cargoes and to concentrate and respond to signaling pathways at certain sites within the cell. The use of scaffolding proteins could be a general mechanism by which molecular motors link to their cargoes.

Bromodomain motifs and "scaffolding"?

Bromodomain-containing multiprotein complexes share some of the properties of signal transduction scaffolds. Insights from MAP kinase signaling scaffolds, for example, may provide useful perspectives for future studies of bromodomain proteins. The regulatory processes of modification (phosphorylation, acetylation, ubiquitination), turnover, nuclear compartmentalization, feedback regulation and signaling pathway specificity are all likely to contribute to the mechanisms by which bromodomain-containing multiprotein complexes control transcription.

A dominant negative inhibitor of the Egr family of transcription regulatory factors suppresses cerebellar granule cell apoptosis by blocking c-Jun activation

To investigate the role of the Egr family of transcription regulatory factors in neuronal apoptosis, we examined the effect of a dominant negative Egr inhibitor construct in a well characterized in vitro paradigm, cerebellar granule cell death induced by withdrawal of depolarizing concentrations of extracellular potassium. We found that this apoptotic stimulus increases the activity of a reporter gene driven by the Egr response element and that a dominant negative inhibitor of Egr-mediated transcription blocks granule cell apoptosis. In contrast, apoptosis of immature granule cells induced by cytosine arabinoside is not inhibited by the Egr inhibitor construct. Because activation of c-Jun is an essential step in granule cell death induced by potassium deprivation, but not cytosine arabinoside, we asked whether the Egr inhibitor acts by influencing c-Jun activation or its ability to induce apoptosis. We found that the Egr inhibitor does not block the ability of a constitutively active c-Jun construct to induce apoptosis in these cells but does suppress activation of c-Jun-mediated transcription induced by lowering extracellular potassium concentration. Furthermore, the Egr inhibitor blocks the ability of MEKK1 [mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase kinase 1], an upstream kinase capable of stimulating the JNK (c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase)-c-Jun pathway, to induce apoptosis and activate c-Jun. Together, these studies indicate that the Egr family of transcription factors plays a critical role in neuronal apoptosis and identify c-Jun activation as an important downstream target of the Egr family in this process.

Gene transfer of the JNK interacting protein-1 protects dopaminergic neurons in the MPTP model of Parkinson's disease

Increasing evidence suggests that apoptosis may be the underlying cell death mechanism in the selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease. Because the inhibition of caspases provides only partial protection in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine/1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPTP/MPP(+)) model of Parkinson's disease, we investigated the role of the proapoptotic c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling cascade in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells in vitro and in mice in vivo. MPTP/MPP(+) led to the sequential phosphorylation and activation of JNK kinase (MKK4), JNK, and c-Jun, the activation of caspases, and apoptosis. In mice, adenoviral gene transfer of the JNK binding domain of JNK-interacting protein-1 (a scaffold protein and inhibitor of JNK) inhibited this cascade downstream of MKK4 phosphorylation, blocked JNK, c-Jun, and caspase activation, the death of dopaminergic neurons, and the loss of catecholamines in the striatum. Furthermore, the gene transfer resulted in behavioral benefit. Therefore, inhibition of the JNK pathway offers a new treatment strategy for Parkinson's disease that blocks the death signaling pathway upstream of the execution of apoptosis in dopaminergic neurons, providing a therapeutic advantage over the direct inhibition of caspases.

Activation of JNK1 contributes to dystrophic muscle pathogenesis

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) originates from deleterious mutations in the dystrophin gene, with a complete loss of the protein product. Subsequently, the disease is manifested in severe striated muscle wasting and death in early adulthood. Dystrophin provides a structural base for the assembly of an integral membrane protein complex. As such, dystrophin deficiency leads to an altered mechanical integrity of the myofiber and a predisposition to contraction-induced damage. However, the development of myofiber degeneration prior to an observed mechanical defect has been documented in various dystrophic models. Although activation of a detrimental signal transduction pathway has been suggested as a probable cause, a specific cellular cascade has yet to be defined. Here, it is shown that murine models of DMD displayed a muscle-specific activation of JNK1. Independent activation of JNK1 resulted in defects in myotube viability and integrity in vitro, similar to a dystrophic phenotype. In addition, direct muscle injection of an adenoviral construct containing the JNK1 inhibitory protein, JIP1, dramatically attenuated the progression of dystrophic myofiber destruction. Taken together, these results suggest that a JNK1-mediated signal cascade is a conserved feature of dystrophic muscle and contributes to the progression of the disease pathogenesis.

A dominant negative inhibitor of the Egr family of transcription regulatory factors suppresses cerebellar granule cell apoptosis by blocking c-Jun activation

To investigate the role of the Egr family of transcription regulatory factors in neuronal apoptosis, we examined the effect of a dominant negative Egr inhibitor construct in a well characterized in vitro paradigm, cerebellar granule cell death induced by withdrawal of depolarizing concentrations of extracellular potassium. We found that this apoptotic stimulus increases the activity of a reporter gene driven by the Egr response element and that a dominant negative inhibitor of Egr-mediated transcription blocks granule cell apoptosis. In contrast, apoptosis of immature granule cells induced by cytosine arabinoside is not inhibited by the Egr inhibitor construct. Because activation of c-Jun is an essential step in granule cell death induced by potassium deprivation, but not cytosine arabinoside, we asked whether the Egr inhibitor acts by influencing c-Jun activation or its ability to induce apoptosis. We found that the Egr inhibitor does not block the ability of a constitutively active c-Jun construct to induce apoptosis in these cells but does suppress activation of c-Jun-mediated transcription induced by lowering extracellular potassium concentration. Furthermore, the Egr inhibitor blocks the ability of MEKK1 [mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase kinase 1], an upstream kinase capable of stimulating the JNK (c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase)-c-Jun pathway, to induce apoptosis and activate c-Jun. Together, these studies indicate that the Egr family of transcription factors plays a critical role in neuronal apoptosis and identify c-Jun activation as an important downstream target of the Egr family in this process.

Signalling for survival and death in neurones: the role of stress-activated kinases, JNK and p38

The pathways involved in neuronal survival or death have been extensively studied mainly in cell lines. Recent evidence has suggested that activation of the stress activated pathways, jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 may play important roles in neuronal cell death or regeneration. In this review we will discuss these pahtways in detail. We will examine the evidence that these pathways are important in neuronal cell death. Finally we will review the evidence that inhibitors of these pathways have a neuroprotective effect both in vitro and in vivo.

Evidence for a role of mixed lineage kinases in neuronal apoptosis

Superior cervical ganglion (SCG) sympathetic neurons die by apoptosis when deprived of nerve growth factor (NGF). It has been shown previously that the induction of apoptosis in these neurons at NGF withdrawal requires both the activity of the small GTP-binding protein Cdc42 and the activation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway. The mixed lineage kinase 3 (MLK3) belongs to a family of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase kinase kinases. MLK3 contains a Cdc42/Rac interactive-binding (CRIB) domain and activates both the JNK and the p38 MAP kinase pathways. In this study the role of MLK3 in the induction of apoptosis in sympathetic neurons has been investigated. Overexpression of an active MLK3 induces activation of the JNK pathway and apoptosis in SCG neurons. In addition, overexpression of kinase dead mutants of MLK3 blocks apoptosis as well as c-Jun phosphorylation induced by NGF deprivation. More importantly, MLK3 activity seems to increase by 5 hr after NGF withdrawal in both differentiated PC12 cells and SCG neurons. We also show that MLK3 lies downstream of Cdc42 in the neuronal death pathway. Regulation of MLK3 in neurons seems to be dependent on MLK3 activity and possibly on an additional cellular component, but not on its binding to Cdc42. These results suggest that MLK3, or a closely related kinase, is a physiological element of NGF withdrawal-induced activation of the Cdc42-c-Jun pathway and neuronal death. MLK3 therefore could be an interesting therapeutic target in a number of neurodegenerative diseases involving neuronal apoptosis.

Evidence for a role of mixed lineage kinases in neuronal apoptosis

Superior cervical ganglion (SCG) sympathetic neurons die by apoptosis when deprived of nerve growth factor (NGF). It has been shown previously that the induction of apoptosis in these neurons at NGF withdrawal requires both the activity of the small GTP-binding protein Cdc42 and the activation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway. The mixed lineage kinase 3 (MLK3) belongs to a family of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase kinase kinases. MLK3 contains a Cdc42/Rac interactive-binding (CRIB) domain and activates both the JNK and the p38 MAP kinase pathways. In this study the role of MLK3 in the induction of apoptosis in sympathetic neurons has been investigated. Overexpression of an active MLK3 induces activation of the JNK pathway and apoptosis in SCG neurons. In addition, overexpression of kinase dead mutants of MLK3 blocks apoptosis as well as c-Jun phosphorylation induced by NGF deprivation. More importantly, MLK3 activity seems to increase by 5 hr after NGF withdrawal in both differentiated PC12 cells and SCG neurons. We also show that MLK3 lies downstream of Cdc42 in the neuronal death pathway. Regulation of MLK3 in neurons seems to be dependent on MLK3 activity and possibly on an additional cellular component, but not on its binding to Cdc42. These results suggest that MLK3, or a closely related kinase, is a physiological element of NGF withdrawal-induced activation of the Cdc42-c-Jun pathway and neuronal death. MLK3 therefore could be an interesting therapeutic target in a number of neurodegenerative diseases involving neuronal apoptosis.

Fibroblast growth factor homologous factors are intracellular signaling proteins

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) mediate cell growth, differentiation, migration, and morphogenesis by binding to the extracellular domain of cell surface receptors, triggering receptor tyrosine phosphorylation and signal transduction [1-5]. FGF homologous factors (FHFs) were discovered within vertebrate DNA sequence databases by virtue of their sequence similarity to FGFs [3, 6, 7], but the mechanism of FHF action has not been reported. We show here that FHF-1 is associated with the MAP kinase (MAPK) scaffold protein Islet-Brain-2 (IB2) [8] in the brain and in specific cell lines. FHF/IB2 interaction is highly specific, as FHFs do not bind to the related scaffold protein IB1(JIP-1b) [9, 10], nor can FGF-1 bind to IB2. We further show that FHFs enable IB2 to recruit a specific MAPK in transfected cells, and our data suggest that the scaffolds IB1 and IB2 have different MAPK specificities. Hence, FHFs are intracellular components of a tissue-specific protein kinase signaling module.

Mixed lineage kinase-dependent JNK activation is governed by interactions of scaffold protein JIP with MAPK module components

It has been proposed that JNK-interacting proteins (JIP) facilitate mixed lineage kinase-dependent signal transduction to JNK by aggregating the three components of a JNK module. A new model for the assembly and regulation of these modules is proposed based on several observations. First, artificially induced dimerization of dual leucine zipper-bearing kinase (DLK) confirmed that DLK dimerization is sufficient to induce DLK activation. Secondly, under basal conditions, DLK associated with JIP is held in a monomeric, unphosphorylated and catalytically inactive state. Thirdly, JNK recruitment to JIP coincided with significantly decreased affinity of JIP and DLK. JNK promoted the dimerization, phosphorylation and activation of JIP-associated DLK. Similarly, treatment of cells with okadaic acid inhibited DLK association with JIP and resulted in DLK dimerization in the presence of JIP. In summary, JIP maintains DLK in a monomeric, unphosphorylated, inactive state. Upon stimulation, JNK-JIP binding affinity increases while JIP-DLK interaction affinity is attenuated. Dissociation of DLK from JIP results in subsequent DLK dimerization, autophosphorylation and module activation. Evidence is provided that this model holds for other MLK-dependent JNK modules.

A direct interaction between JNK1 and CrkII is critical for Rac1-induced JNK activation

CrkII, a cellular homolog of v-crk, belongs to a family of adaptor proteins that play a central role in signal transduction cascades. We demonstrate that CrkII interacts directly with c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1). A proline-rich sequence of JNK1 is critical for the interaction of the kinase with the N-terminal Src homology 3 (SH3) domain of CrkII. JNK1 is localized with CrkII in membrane ruffles of Crk-overexpressing cells in a Rac1-dependent manner. A JNK1 mutant (K340A) that fails to interact with CrkII is defective in Rac/epidermal growth factor-induced activation, but remains responsive to UVC irradiation. Furthermore, CrkII recruits JNK1 to a p130Cas multiprotein complex where it may be activated through a hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1- and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4-dependent pathway. Together, the results presented here argue for a new mechanism of regulation of the JNK pathway through the CrkII-p130Cas adaptor complex.

Parallel regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 3 (MKK3) and MKK6 in Gq-signaling cascade

Heterotrimeric G protein G(q) stimulates the activity of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in mammalian cells. To investigate the signaling mechanism whereby alpha and betagamma subunits of G(q) activate p38 MAPK, we introduced kinase-deficient mutants of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 3 (MKK3), MKK4, and MKK6 into human embryonal kidney 293 cells. The activation of p38 MAPK by Galpha(q) and Gbetagamma was blocked by kinase-deficient MKK3 and MKK6 but not by kinase-deficient MKK4. In addition, Galpha(q) and Gbetagamma stimulated MKK3 and MKK6 activities. The MKK3 and MKK6 activations by Galpha(q), but not by Gbetagamma, were dependent on phospholipase C and c-Src. Galpha(q) stimulated MKK3 in a Rac- and Cdc42-dependent manner and MKK6 in a Rho-dependent manner. On the other hand, Gbetagamma activated MKK3 in a Rac- and Cdc42-dependent manner and MKK6 in a Rho-, Rac-, and Cdc42-dependent manner. Gbetagamma-induced MKK3 and MKK6 activations were dependent on a tyrosine kinase other than c-Src. These results suggest that Galpha(q) and Gbetagamma stimulate the activity of p38 MAPK by regulating MKK3 and MKK6 through parallel signaling pathways.

Protein kinase C epsilon-Src modules direct signal transduction in nitric oxide-induced cardioprotection: complex formation as a means for cardioprotective signaling

An essential role for protein kinase C epsilon (PKCepsilon) has been shown in multiple forms of cardioprotection; however, there is a distinct paucity of information concerning the signaling architecture that is responsible for the manifestation of a protective phenotype. We and others have recently shown that signal transduction may proceed via the formation of signaling complexes (Circ Res. 2001;88:59-62). In order to understand if the assembly of multiprotein complexes is the manner by which signaling is conducted in cardioprotection, we designed a series of experiments to characterize the associations of Src tyrosine kinase with PKCepsilon in a conscious rabbit model of nitric oxide (NO)-induced late preconditioning. Our data demonstrate that PKCepsilon and Src can form functional signaling modules in vitro: PKCepsilon interacts with Src; the association with PKCepsilon activates Src; and adult cardiac cells receiving recombinant adenoviruses encoding PKCepsilon exhibit increased Src activity. Furthermore, our results show that NO-induced late preconditioning involved PKCepsilon-Src module formation and enhanced the enzymatic activity of PKCepsilon-associated Src. Inhibition of PKC blocked cardioprotection, module formation, and PKCepsilon-associated Src activity, providing direct evidence for a functional role of the PKCepsilon-Src module in the orchestration of NO-induced cardioprotection in conscious rabbits.

Dual roles for c-Jun N-terminal kinase in developmental and stress responses in cerebellar granule neurons

c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) typically respond strongly to stress, are implicated in brain development, and are believed to mediate neuronal apoptosis. Surprisingly, however, JNK does not respond characteristically to stress in cultured cerebellar granule (CBG) neurons, a widely exploited CNS model for studies of death and development, despite the regulation of its substrate c-Jun. To understand this anomaly, we characterized JNK regulation in CBG neurons. We find that the specific activity of CBG JNK is elevated considerably above that from neuron-like cell lines (SH-SY5Y, PC12); however, similar elevated activities are found in brain extracts. This activity does not result from cellular stress because the stress-activated protein kinase p38 is not activated. We identify a minor stress-sensitive pool of JNK that translocates with mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase-4 (MKK4) into the nucleus. However, the major pool of total activity is cytoplasmic, residing largely in the neurites, suggesting a non-nuclear role for JNK in neurons. A third JNK pool is colocalized with MKK7 in the nucleus, and specific activities of both increase during neuritogenesis, nuclear JNK activity increasing 10-fold, whereas c-Jun expression and activity decrease. A role for JNK during differentiation is supported by modulation of neuritic architecture after expression of dominant inhibitory regulators of the JNK pathway. Channeling of JNK signaling away from c-Jun during differentiation is consistent with the presence in the nucleus of the JNK/MKK7 scaffold protein JNK-interacting protein, which inhibits JNK-c-Jun interaction. We propose a model in which distinct pools of JNK serve different functions, providing a basis for understanding multifunctional JNK signaling in differentiating neurons.

Constitutive association of c-N-Ras with c-Raf-1 and protein kinase C epsilon in latent signaling modules

Phorbol ester stimulation of the MAPK cascade is believed to be mediated through the protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent activation of Raf-1. Although several studies suggest that phorbol ester stimulation of MAPK is insensitive to dominant-negative Ras, a requirement for Ras in Raf-1 activation by PKC has been suggested recently. We now demonstrate that in normal, quiescent mouse fibroblasts, endogenous c-N-Ras is constitutively associated with both c-Raf-1 and PKC epsilon in a biochemically silent, but latent, signaling module. Chemical inhibition of novel PKCs blocks phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-mediated activation of MAPKs. Down-regulation of PKC epsilon protein levels by antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotides blocks MAPK activation in response to PMA stimulation, demonstrating that PKC epsilon activity is required for MAPK activation by PMA. c-Raf-1 activity in immunoprecipitated c-N-Ras.c-Raf-1.PKC epsilon complexes is stimulated by PMA and is inhibited by GF109203X, thereby linking c-Raf-1 activation in this complex to PKC activation. These observations suggest that in quiescent cells Ras is organized into ordered, inactive signaling modules. Furthermore, the regulation of the MAPK cascade by both Ras and PKC is intimately linked, converging at the plasma membrane through their association with c-Raf-1.

Identification of a motif in the carboxyl terminus of beta -arrestin2 responsible for activation of JNK3

Accumulating evidence indicates that the beta-arrestins act as scaffold molecules that couple G-protein-coupled receptors to mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signaling pathways. Recently, we identified the c-Jun N-terminal kinase 3 (JNK3) as a beta-arrestin2-interacting protein in yeast-two hybrid and co-immunoprecipitation studies. Beta-arrestin2 acts as a scaffold to enhance signaling to JNK3 stimulated by overexpression of the MAP3 kinase ASK1 or by agonist activation of the angiotensin 1A receptor. Whereas beta-arrestin2 is a very strong activator of JNK3 signaling, beta-arrestin1 is very weak in this regard. The data also indicate that the specific step enhanced by beta-arrestin2 involves phosphorylation of JNK3 by the MAP2 kinase MKK4. We reasoned that defining the region (or domain) in beta-arrestin2 responsible for high level JNK3 activation would provide insight into the mechanism by which beta-arrestin2 enhances the activity of this signaling pathway. Using chimeric beta-arrestins, we have determined that sequences in the carboxyl-terminal region of beta-arrestin2 are important for the enhancement of JNK3 phosphorylation. More detailed analysis of the carboxyl-terminal domains of the beta-arrestins indicated that beta-arrestin2, but not beta-arrestin1, contains a sequence (RRSLHL) highly homologous to the conserved docking motif present in many MAP kinase-binding proteins. Replacement of the beta-arrestin2 RRS residues with the corresponding KP residues present in beta-arrestin1 dramatically reduced both JNK3 interaction and enhancement of JNK3 phosphorylation. Conversely, replacement of the KP residues in beta-arrestin1 with RRS significantly increased both JNK3 binding and enhancement of JNK3 phosphorylation. These results delineate a mechanism by which beta-arrestin2 functions as a scaffold protein in the JNK3 signaling pathway and implicate the conserved docking site in beta-arrestin2 as an important factor in binding JNK3 and stimulating the phosphorylation of JNK3 by MKK4.

Regulation of stress-responsive mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathways by TAO2

Previous studies demonstrated that in vitro the protein kinase TAO2 activates MAP/ERK kinases (MEKs) 3, 4, and 6 toward their substrates p38 MAP kinase and c-Jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase (JNK/SAPK). In this study, we examined the ability of TAO2 to activate stress-sensitive MAP kinase pathways in cells and the relationship between activation of TAO2 and potential downstream pathways. Over-expression of TAO2 activated endogenous JNK/SAPK and p38 but not ERK1/2. Cotransfection experiments suggested that TAO2 selectively activates MEK3 and MEK6 but not MEKs 1, 4, or 7. Coimmunoprecipitation demonstrated that endogenous TAO2 specifically associates with MEK3 and MEK6 providing one mechanism for preferential recognition of MEKs upstream of p38. Sorbitol, and to a lesser extent, sodium chloride, Taxol, and nocodazole increased TAO2 activity toward itself and kinase-dead MEKs 3 and 6. Activation of endogenous TAO2 during differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts paralleled activation of p38 but not JNK/SAPK, consistent with the idea that TAO2 is a physiological regulator of p38 under certain circumstances.

AP-1 proteins in the adult brain: facts and fiction about effectors of neuroprotection and neurodegeneration

Jun and Fos proteins are induced and activated following most physiological and pathophysiological stimuli in the brain. Only few data allow conclusions about distinct functions of AP-1 proteins in neurodegeneration and neuroregeneration, and these functions mainly refer to c-Jun and its activation by JNKs. Apoptotic functions of activated c-Jun affect hippocampal, nigral and primary cultured neurons following excitotoxic stimulation and destruction of the neuron-target-axis including withdrawal of trophic molecules. The inhibition of JNKs might exert neuroprotection by subsequent omission of c-Jun activation. Besides endogenous neuronal functions, the c-Jun/AP-1 proteins can damage the nervous system by upregulation of harmful programs in non-neuronal cells (e.g. microglia) with release of neurodegenerative molecules. In contrast, the differentiation with neurite extension and maturation of neural cells in vitro indicate physiological and potentially neuroprotective functions of c-Jun and JNKs including sensoring for alterations in the cytoskeleton. This review summarizes the multiple molecular interfunctions which are involved in the shift from the physiological role to degenerative effects of the Jun/JNK-axis such as cell type-specific expression and intracellular localization of scaffold proteins and upstream activators, antagonistic phosphatases, interaction with other kinase systems, or the activation of transcription factors competing for binding to JNK proteins and AP-1 DNA elements.

Activated JNK phosphorylates the c-terminal domain of MLK2 that is required for MLK2-induced apoptosis

MAP kinase signaling pathways are important mediators of cellular responses to a wide variety of stimuli. Signals pass along these pathways via kinase cascades in which three protein kinases are sequentially phosphorylated and activated, initiating a range of cellular programs including cellular proliferation, immune and inflammatory responses, and apoptosis. One such cascade involves the mixed lineage kinase, MLK2, signaling through MAP kinase kinase 4 and/or MAP kinase kinase 7 to the SAPK/JNK, resulting in phosphorylation of transcription factors including the oncogene, c-jun. Recently we showed that MLK2 causes apoptosis in cultured neuronal cells and that this effect is dependent on activation of the JNK pathway (Liu, Y. F., Dorow, D. S., and Marshall, J. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 19035-19040). Furthermore, dominant-negative MLK2 blocked apoptosis induced by polyglutamine-expanded huntingtin protein, the product of the mutant Huntington's disease gene. Here we show that as well as activating the stress-signaling pathway, MLK2 is a target for phosphorylation by activated JNK. Phosphopeptide mapping of MLK2 proteins revealed that activated JNK2 phosphorylates multiple sites mainly within the noncatalytic C-terminal region of MLK2 including the C-terminal 100 amino acid peptide. In addition, MLK2 is phosphorylated in vivo within several of the same C-terminal peptides phosphorylated by JNK2 in vitro, and this phosphorylation is increased by cotransfection of JNK2 and treatment with the JNK activator, anisomycin. Cotransfection of dominant-negative JNK kinase inhibits phosphorylation of kinase-negative MLK2 by anisomycin-activated JNK. Furthermore, we show that the N-terminal region of MLK2 is sufficient to activate JNK but that removal of the C-terminal domain abrogates the apoptotic response. Taken together, these data indicate that the apoptotic activity of MLK2 is dependent on the C-terminal domain that is the main target for MLK2 phosphorylation by activated JNK.

Expression of JNK cascade scaffold protein JSAP1 in the mouse nervous system

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades consist of MAPK, MAPK kinase (MAPKK), and MAPKK kinase (MAPKKK). The specificity of activation of MAPK cascades may be determined, in part, by scaffold proteins that organize multi-enzyme complexes. We have earlier reported a scaffold protein JSAP1 (also known as JIP3) in the JNK MAPK cascade. We also showed that, of the adult mouse tissues tested, JSAP1 mRNA was predominantly expressed in brain. Here we report the localization of JSAP1 protein in mouse embryos and adult brain by immunohistochemical analysis. In embryos (E11-16), JSAP1 immunoreactivity was mainly found in the central and peripheral nervous systems, where it was localized to the cell bodies and/or axons of developing neurons, but not neural precursor cells. In the adult brain, immunoreactive JSAP1 was localized mostly to cell bodies in almost all neurons. We also showed that the expression of JSAP1 transcripts and proteins gradually increased during the neural differentiation of mouse P19 embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells. Furthermore, we showed that overexpressed JSAP1 facilitated the efficient activation of JNK by MEKK1 in P19 cells. These results suggest that JSAP1 may function as a scaffold protein for the JNK signaling module in neuronal cells.

Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathways: regulation and physiological functions

Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases comprise a family of ubiquitous proline-directed, protein-serine/threonine kinases, which participate in signal transduction pathways that control intracellular events including acute responses to hormones and major developmental changes in organisms. MAP kinases lie in protein kinase cascades. This review discusses the regulation and functions of mammalian MAP kinases. Nonenzymatic mechanisms that impact MAP kinase functions and findings from gene disruption studies are highlighted. Particular emphasis is on ERK1/2.

Expanding roles for beta-arrestins as scaffolds and adapters in GPCR signaling and trafficking

beta-arrestins play previously unsuspected and important roles as adapters and scaffolds that localize signaling proteins to ligand-activated G-protein-coupled receptors. As with the paradigmatic role of the beta-arrestins in uncoupling receptors from G proteins (desensitization), these novel functions involve the interaction of beta-arrestin with phosphorylated heptahelical receptors. beta-arrestins interact with at least two main classes of signaling proteins. First, interaction with molecules such as clathrin, AP-2 and NSF directs the clathrin-mediated internalization of G-protein-coupled receptors. Second, interaction with molecules such as Src, Raf, Erk, ASK1 and JNK3 appears to regulate several pathways that result in the activation of MAP kinases. These recent discoveries indicate that the beta-arrestins play widespread roles as scaffolds and/or adapter molecules that organize a variety of complex signaling pathways emanating from heptahelical receptors. It is likely that additional roles for the beta-arrestins remain to be discovered.

Use of functional proteomics to investigate PKC epsilon-mediated cardioprotection: the signaling module hypothesis

The characterization of biological processes on the basis of alterations in the cellular proteins, or "proteomic" analysis, is a powerful approach that may be adopted to decipher the signaling mechanisms that underlie various pathophysiological conditions, such as ischemic heart disease. This review represents a prospectus for the implementation of proteomic analyses to delineate the myocardial intracellular signaling events that evoke cardioprotection against ischemic injury. In concert with this, the manifestation of a protective phenotype has recently been shown to involve dynamic modulation of protein kinase C-epsilon (PKC epsilon) signaling complexes (Ping P, Zhang J, Pierce WM Jr, and Bolli R. Circ Res 88: 59--62, 2001). Accordingly, "the signaling module hypothesis" is formulated as a plausible mechanism by which multipurpose stress-activated proteins and signaling kinases may function collectively to facilitate the genesis of cardioprotection.

Mammalian mitogen-activated protein kinase signal transduction pathways activated by stress and inflammation

The molecular details of mammalian stress-activated signal transduction pathways have only begun to be dissected. This, despite the fact that the impact of these pathways on the pathology of chronic inflammation, heart disease, stroke, the debilitating effects of diabetes mellitus, and the side effects of cancer therapy, not to mention embryonic development, innate and acquired immunity, is profound. Cardiovascular disease and diabetes alone represent the most significant health care problems in the developed world. Thus it is not surprising that understanding these pathways has attracted wide interest, and in the past 10 years, dramatic progress has been made. Accordingly, it is now becoming possible to envisage the transition of these findings to the development of novel treatment strategies. This review focuses on the biochemical components and regulation of mammalian stress-regulated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. The nuclear factor-kappa B pathway, a second stress signaling paradigm, has been the subject of several excellent recent reviews (258, 260).

New mechanisms in heptahelical receptor signaling to mitogen activated protein kinase cascades

Activation of classical second messenger cascades cannot fully explain the recently appreciated roles of heptahelical, or G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), in stimulation of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades. Rather, several distinct signaling mechanisms appear to contribute to GPCR-mediated MAPK activation. These include transactivation of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) via the autocrine/paracrine release of EGF-like ligands at the cell surface and scaffolding of MAPK cascades. A significant advance in the understanding of how GPCRs activate MAPK cascades is the discovery that beta-arrestin, a protein well known for its roles in both receptor desensitization and internalization, serves as a scaffolding protein for at least two GPCR stimulated MAPK cascades, the extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) cascade and the c-jun N-terminal kinase 3 (JNK3) cascade. Together, these novel mechanisms of GPCR-mediated MAPK regulation may permit GPCRs in specific situations to control the temporal and spatial activity of MAPKs and thereby determine the consequences of GPCR stimulation with respect to transcriptional activation, cell proliferation and apoptosis.

Cargo of kinesin identified as JIP scaffolding proteins and associated signaling molecules

The cargo that the molecular motor kinesin moves along microtubules has been elusive. We searched for binding partners of the COOH terminus of kinesin light chain, which contains tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) motifs. Three proteins were found, the c-jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK)-interacting proteins (JIPs) JIP-1, JIP-2, and JIP-3, which are scaffolding proteins for the JNK signaling pathway. Concentration of JIPs in nerve terminals requires kinesin, as evident from the analysis of JIP COOH-terminal mutants and dominant negative kinesin constructs. Coprecipitation experiments suggest that kinesin carries the JIP scaffolds preloaded with cytoplasmic (dual leucine zipper-bearing kinase) and transmembrane signaling molecules (the Reelin receptor, ApoER2). These results demonstrate a direct interaction between conventional kinesin and a cargo, indicate that motor proteins are linked to their membranous cargo via scaffolding proteins, and support a role for motor proteins in spatial regulation of signal transduction pathways.

Huntingtin expression stimulates endosomal-lysosomal activity, endosome tubulation, and autophagy

An expansion of polyglutamines in the N terminus of huntingtin causes Huntington's disease (HD) and results in the accrual of mutant protein in the nucleus and cytoplasm of affected neurons. How mutant huntingtin causes neurons to die is unclear, but some recent observations suggest that an autophagic process may occur. We showed previously that huntingtin markedly accumulates in endosomal-lysosomal organelles of affected HD neurons and, when exogenously expressed in clonal striatal neurons, huntingtin appears in cytoplasmic vacuoles causing cells to shrink. Here we show that the huntingtin-enriched cytoplasmic vacuoles formed in vitro internalized the lysosomal enzyme cathepsin D in proportion to the polyglutamine-length in huntingtin. Huntingtin-labeled vacuoles displayed the ultrastructural features of early and late autophagosomes (autolysosomes), had little or no overlap with ubiquitin, proteasome, and heat shock protein 70/heat shock cognate 70 immunoreactivities, and altered the arrangement of Golgi membranes, mitochondria, and nuclear membranes. Neurons with excess cytoplasmic huntingtin also exhibited increased tubulation of endosomal membranes. Exogenously expressed human full-length wild-type and mutant huntingtin codistributed with endogenous mouse huntingtin in soluble and membrane fractions, whereas human N-terminal huntingtin products were found only in membrane fractions that contained lysosomal organelles. We speculate that mutant huntingtin accumulation in HD activates the endosomal-lysosomal system, which contributes to huntingtin proteolysis and to an autophagic process of cell death.

Characterization of p190RhoGEF, a RhoA-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor that interacts with microtubules

Rho family GTPases control numerous cellular processes including cytoskeletal reorganization and transcriptional activation. Rho GTPases are activated by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) which stimulate the exchange of bound GDP for GTP. We recently isolated a putative GEF, termed p190RhoGEF that binds to RhoA and, when overexpressed in neuronal cells, induces cell rounding and inhibits neurite outgrowth. Here we show that the isolated tandem Dbl homology/pleckstrin homology domain of p190RhoGEF activates RhoA in vitro, but not Rac1 or Cdc42, as determined by GDP release and protein binding assays. In contrast, full-length p190RhoGEF fails to activate RhoA in vitro. When overexpressed in intact cells, however, p190RhoGEF does activate RhoA with subsequent F-actin reorganization and serum response factor-mediated transcription. Immunofluorescence studies show that endogenous p190RhoGEF localizes to distinct RhoA-containing regions at the plasma membrane, to the cytosol and along microtubules. In vitro and in vivo binding experiments show that p190RhoGEF directly interacts with microtubules via its C-terminal region adjacent to the catalytic Dbl homology/pleckstrin homology domain. Our results indicate that p190RhoGEF is a specific activator of RhoA that requires as yet unknown binding partners to unmask its GDP/GTP exchange activity in vivo, and they suggest that p190RhoGEF may provide a link between microtubule dynamics and RhoA signaling.

Inhibition of JNK by overexpression of the JNL binding domain of JIP-1 prevents apoptosis in sympathetic neurons

Studies in non-neuronal cells show that c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) play a key role in apoptotic cell death. In some neurons JNK is also thought to initiate cell death by the activation of c-Jun. JNK inhibition has been achieved pharmacologically by inhibiting upstream kinases, but there has been no direct demonstration that inhibition of JNK can prevent neuronal death. We have therefore examined whether the JNK binding domain (JBD) of JNK-interacting protein-1 (JIP-1, a scaffold protein and specific inhibitor of JNK) can inhibit c-Jun phosphorylation and support the survival of sympathetic neurons deprived of NGF. We show that expression of the JBD in >80% of neurons was sufficient to prevent the phosphorylation of c-Jun and its nuclear accumulation as well as abrogate neuronal cell death induced by NGF deprivation. JBD expression also preserved the capacity of mitochondria to reduce MTT. Interestingly, although the PTB domain of JIP was reported to interact with rhoGEF, expression of the JBD domain was sufficient to localize the protein to the membrane cortex and growth cones. Hence, JNK activation is a key event in apoptotic death induced by NGF withdrawal, where its point of action lies upstream of mitochondrial dysfunction.

The MAPK kinase kinase TAK1 plays a central role in coupling the interleukin-1 receptor to both transcriptional and RNA-targeted mechanisms of gene regulation

Mechanisms of fulminant gene induction during an inflammatory response were investigated using expression of the chemoattractant cytokine interleukin-8 (IL-8) as a model. Recently we found that coordinate activation of NF-kappaB and c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) is required for strong IL-8 transcription, whereas the p38 MAP kinase (MAPK) pathway stabilizes the IL-8 mRNA. It is unclear how these pathways are coupled to the receptor for IL-1, an important physiological inducer of IL-8. Expression of the MAP kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK) TAK1 together with its coactivator TAB1 in HeLa cells activated all three pathways and was sufficient to induce IL-8 formation, NF-kappaB + JNK2-mediated transcription from a minimal IL-8 promoter, and p38 MAPK-mediated stabilization of a reporter mRNA containing IL-8-derived regulatory mRNA sequences. Expression of a kinase-inactive mutant of TAK1 largely blocked IL-1-induced transcription and mRNA stabilization, as well as formation of endogenous IL-8. Truncated TAB1, lacking the TAK1 binding domain, or a TAK1-derived peptide containing a TAK1 autoinhibitory domain were also efficient in inhibition. These data indicate that the previously described three-pathway model of IL-8 induction is operative in response to a physiological stimulus, IL-1, and that the MAPKKK TAK1 couples the IL-1 receptor to both transcriptional and RNA-targeted mechanisms mediated by the three pathways.

Dexamethasone destabilizes cyclooxygenase 2 mRNA by inhibiting mitogen-activated protein kinase p38

The stability of cyclooxygenase 2 (Cox-2) mRNA is regulated positively by proinflammatory stimuli acting through mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38 and negatively by anti-inflammatory glucocorticoids such as dexamethasone. A tetracycline-regulated reporter system was used to investigate mechanisms of regulation of Cox-2 mRNA stability. Dexamethasone was found to destabilize beta-globin-Cox-2 reporter mRNAs by inhibiting p38. This inhibition occurred at the level of p38 itself: stabilization of reporter mRNA by a kinase upstream of p38 was blocked by dexamethasone, while stabilization by a kinase downstream of p38 was insensitive to dexamethasone. Inhibition of p38 activity by dexamethasone was observed in a variety of cell types treated with different activating stimuli. Furthermore, inhibition of p38 was antagonized by the anti-glucocorticoid RU486 and was delayed and actinomycin D sensitive, suggesting that ongoing glucocorticoid receptor-dependent transcription is required.

The kinase activation loop is the key to mixed lineage kinase-3 activation via both autophosphorylation and hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1 phosphorylation

We have demonstrated previously that Cdc42 induced MLK-3 homodimerization leads to both autophosphorylation and activation of MLK-3 and postulated that autophosphorylation is an intermediate step of MLK-3 activation following its dimerization. In this report we sought to refine further the mechanism of MLK-3 activation and study the role of the putative kinase activation loop in MLK-3 activation. First we mutated the three potential phosphorylation sites in MLK-3 putative activation loop to alanine in an effort to abrogate MLK-3 autophosphorylation. Mutant T277A displayed almost no autophosphorylation activity and was nearly nonfunctional; mutant S281A, that displayed a low level of autophosphorylation, only slightly activated its downstream targets, whereas the T278A mutant, that exhibited autophosphorylation comparable to that of the wild type, was almost fully functional. Thus, these residues within the activation loop are critical for MLK-3 autophosphorylation and activation. In addition, when the Thr277 and Ser281 residues were mutated to negatively charged glutamic acid to mimic phosphorylated serine/threonine residues, the resulting mutants were fully functional, implying that these two residues may serve as the autophosphorylation sites. Interestingly, HPK1 also phosphorylated MLK-3 activation loop in vitro, and Ser281 was found to be the major phosphorylation site, indicating that HPK1 also activates MLK-3 via phosphorylation of the kinase activation loop.

Cell-permeable peptide inhibitors of JNK: novel blockers of beta-cell death

Stress conditions and proinflammatory cytokines activate the c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), a member of the stress-activated group of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). We recently demonstrated that inhibition of JNK signaling with the use of the islet-brain (IB) 1 and 2 proteins prevented interleukin (IL)-1beta-induced pancreatic beta-cell death. Bioactive cell-permeable peptide inhibitors of JNK were engineered by linking the minimal 20-amino acid inhibitory domains of the IB proteins to the 10-amino acid HIV-TAT sequence that rapidly translocates inside cells. Kinase assays indicate that the inhibitors block activation of the transcription factor c-Jun by JNK. Addition of the peptides to the insulin-secreting betaTC-3 cell line results in a marked inhibition of IL-1beta-induced c-jun and c-fos expression. The peptides protect betaTC-3 cells against apoptosis induced by IL-1beta. All-D retro-inverso peptides penetrate cells as efficiently as the L-enantiomers, decrease c-Jun activation by JNK, and remain highly stable inside cells. These latter peptides confer full protection against IL-1beta-induced apoptosis for up to 2 weeks of continual treatment with IL-1beta. These data establish these bioactive cell-permeable peptides as potent pharmacological compounds that decrease intracellular JNK signaling and confer long-term protection to pancreatic beta-cells from IL-1beta-induced apoptosis.

A scaffold protein in the c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase signaling pathways suppresses the extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling pathways

We previously reported that c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK)/stress-activated protein kinase-associated protein 1 (JSAP1) functions as a putative scaffold factor in the JNK mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades. In that study we also found MEK1 and Raf-1, which are involved in the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) MAPK cascades, bind to JSAP1. Here we have defined the regions of JSAP1 responsible for the interactions with MEK1 and Raf-1. Both of the binding regions were mapped to the COOH-terminal region (residues 1054-1305) of JSAP1. We next examined the effect of overexpressing JSAP1 on the activation of ERK by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate in transfected COS-7 cells and found that JSAP1 inhibits ERK's activation and that the COOH-terminal region of JSAP1 was required for the inhibition. Finally, we investigated the molecular mechanism of JSAP1's inhibitory function and showed that JSAP1 prevents MEK1 phosphorylation and activation by Raf-1, resulting in the suppression of the activation of ERK. Taken together, these results suggest that JSAP1 is involved both in the JNK cascades, as a scaffolding factor, and the ERK cascades, as a suppressor.

Akt negatively regulates the cJun N-terminal kinase pathway in PC12 cells

The protein serine/threonine kinase Akt is a target of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase that mediates many of the trophic actions of growth factors on cells. In PC12 cells, complete removal of serum leads to rapid stimulation of the cJun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway. Inclusion of insulin-like growth factor-1, a stimulator of Akt in PC12 cells, inhibits JNK activation in this setting, whereas addition of wortmannin to PC12 cells in the presence of serum stimulates JNK activity, suggesting that growth factor-mediated signaling through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway chronically inhibits the JNK pathway in PC12 cells. To explore the possible role of Akt as a negative regulator of JNK activity in PC12 cells, a myristoylated, gain-of-function Akt polypeptide (Myr-Akt) was expressed by retrovirus-mediated gene transfer. Stimulation of JNK activity by serum withdrawal or UV irradiation in PC12 cell clones stably expressing Myr-Akt was inhibited approximately 95% or 50%, respectively, relative to control transfected PC12 cells. Phosphorylation of both JNKs and a proximal activator, MAP kinase kinase 4 (MKK4), in response to UV irradiation was inhibited in Myr-Akt-expressing PC12 cells. Furthermore, transient expression of Myr-Akt strongly inhibited cJun transactivation mediated by MEKK1 or MKK7-JNK3, a gain-of-function MKK7-JNK fusion protein. Interestingly, inhibited JNK activation in the Myr-Akt-expressing PC12 cells is associated with marked induction of JNK-interacting protein-1 (JIP-1). We propose that negative regulation of the JNK pathway through Akt-dependent induction of specfic JIP proteins contributes to the antiapoptotic actions of Akt in neuronal cell types.

Beta-arrestin 2: a receptor-regulated MAPK scaffold for the activation of JNK3

beta-Arrestins, originally discovered in the context of heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide binding protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) desensitization, also function in internalization and signaling of these receptors. We identified c-Jun amino-terminal kinase 3 (JNK3) as a binding partner of beta-arrestin 2 using a yeast two-hybrid screen and by coimmunoprecipitation from mouse brain extracts or cotransfected COS-7 cells. The upstream JNK activators apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase 4 were also found in complex with beta-arrestin 2. Cellular transfection of beta-arrestin 2 caused cytosolic retention of JNK3 and enhanced JNK3 phosphorylation stimulated by ASK1. Moreover, stimulation of the angiotensin II type 1A receptor activated JNK3 and triggered the colocalization of beta-arrestin 2 and active JNK3 to intracellular vesicles. Thus, beta-arrestin 2 acts as a scaffold protein, which brings the spatial distribution and activity of this MAPK module under the control of a GPCR.

Dual roles for c-Jun N-terminal kinase in developmental and stress responses in cerebellar granule neurons

c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) typically respond strongly to stress, are implicated in brain development, and are believed to mediate neuronal apoptosis. Surprisingly, however, JNK does not respond characteristically to stress in cultured cerebellar granule (CBG) neurons, a widely exploited CNS model for studies of death and development, despite the regulation of its substrate c-Jun. To understand this anomaly, we characterized JNK regulation in CBG neurons. We find that the specific activity of CBG JNK is elevated considerably above that from neuron-like cell lines (SH-SY5Y, PC12); however, similar elevated activities are found in brain extracts. This activity does not result from cellular stress because the stress-activated protein kinase p38 is not activated. We identify a minor stress-sensitive pool of JNK that translocates with mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase-4 (MKK4) into the nucleus. However, the major pool of total activity is cytoplasmic, residing largely in the neurites, suggesting a non-nuclear role for JNK in neurons. A third JNK pool is colocalized with MKK7 in the nucleus, and specific activities of both increase during neuritogenesis, nuclear JNK activity increasing 10-fold, whereas c-Jun expression and activity decrease. A role for JNK during differentiation is supported by modulation of neuritic architecture after expression of dominant inhibitory regulators of the JNK pathway. Channeling of JNK signaling away from c-Jun during differentiation is consistent with the presence in the nucleus of the JNK/MKK7 scaffold protein JNK-interacting protein, which inhibits JNK-c-Jun interaction. We propose a model in which distinct pools of JNK serve different functions, providing a basis for understanding multifunctional JNK signaling in differentiating neurons.