Use of vanadate as protein-phosphotyrosine phosphatase inhibitor

Vanadate triggers the transition from chromosome condensation to decondensation in a mitotic mutant (tsTM13) inactivation of p34cdc2/H1 kinase and dephosphorylation of mitosis-specific histone H3

At the nonpermissive temperature (39 degrees C), chromosomes remain condensed in a temperature-sensitive cell mutant (tsTM13) arrested in the late stage of mitosis. Highly increased activity of histone H1 kinase, hyperphosphorylation of histone H1, and mitosis-specific histone H3 phosphorylation are maintained, even in telophase. In the present study, the defect of chromosome decondensation in tsTM13 cells was found to be partially normalized by a tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, vanadate, with induction of chromosome decondensation and the formation of multinucleated cells. In the presence of vanadate, the H1 kinase activity dropped to near normal levels and the amount of the inactive from of p34cdc2 protein phosphorylated at a tyrosine residue was increased. H1 and H3 were also extensively de- phosphorylated, the latter being tightly associated with chromosome decondensation. Serine/threonine-protein phosphatase in late mitosis of the mutant works normally at 39 degrees C. The results indicate that (a) the genetic defect in the mutant may be involved in the control mechanism of the p34cdc2/H1 kinase activity in the late M phase rather than the phosphatase, (b) normalization of the defect of the mutant by vanadate results from inactivation of H1 kinase, and (c) late mitosis-specific events (p34cdc2/H1 kinase inactivation, mitosis-specific dephosphorylation of histone H1 and H3) are closely operating with chromosome decondensation.

Activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway by pervanadate, a potent inhibitor of tyrosine phosphatases

Rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of key cellular proteins is a crucial event in signal transduction. The regulatory role of protein-tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) in this process was explored by studying the effects of a powerful PTP inhibitor, pervanadate, on the activation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascade. Treatment of HeLa cells with pervanadate resulted in a marked inhibition of PTP activity, accompanied by a drastic increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins. The increased tyrosine phosphorylation coincided with the activation of the MAP kinase cascade as indicated by enzymatic activity assays of MEK (MAP kinase/ERK-kinase) and MAP kinase and gel mobility shift analyses of Raf-1 and MAP kinase. The activation was sustained but reversible. Upon removal of pervanadate, both tyrosine phosphorylation and MAP kinase activation declined to basal levels. Therefore, inhibition of PTP activity is sufficient per se to initiate a complete MAP kinase activation program.

Activation of cardiac chloride conductance by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein

1. Genistein (GST), an inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinase (PTK), Na3VO4 (VO4), an inhibitor of phosphotyrosine phosphatase (PTPase), and forskolin (FSK), an activator of the cyclic AMP-dependent, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl- channel, were applied to guinea-pig ventricular myocytes to probe for a possible role of tyrosine phosphorylation in the regulation of cardiac Cl- channels. 2. Myocytes in the standard whole-cell configuration were pulsed to various potentials and Cl- current (ICl) measured as the difference from control background current. GST (1-500 microM) activated a current that had similar biophysical properties (time- and voltage-independent; Cl(-)-dependent reversal potential and outward rectification) as ICl activated by 5 microM FSK. The EC50 for activation of Cl- conductance (gCl) by GST was approximately 100 microM, and gCl activated by GST (500 microM) was as large as gCl activated by maximally-effective FSK (5 microM). Daidzein, a GST analogue with little effect on PTK, was at least one order less effective than GST. 3. GST responses were rapidly and reversibly inhibited by 0.1-1 mM VO4 treatments that had little effect on FSK-activated ICl. 4. Niflumic acid (100-200 microM) reversibly depressed GST (100 microM)-activated gCl by 55%. 5. GST (50 microM) strongly incremented current in myocytes with cyclic AMP-dependent CFTR ICl already activated by maximally-effective FSK 5 microM. 6. Based on these results, and on evidence of a synergistic interaction between GST and FSK, we conclude that inhibition of tyrosine phosphorylation by GST causes an activation of cardiac CFTR that is not mediated by an elevation of cyclic AMP.

Regulated binding of PTP1B-like phosphatase to N-cadherin: control of cadherin-mediated adhesion by dephosphorylation of beta-catenin

Cadherins are a family of cell-cell adhesion molecules which play a central role in controlling morphogenetic movements during development. Cadherin function is regulated by its association with the actin containing cytoskeleton, an association mediated by a complex of cytoplasmic proteins, the catenins: alpha, beta, and gamma. Phosphorylated tyrosine residues on beta-catenin are correlated with loss of cadherin function. Consistent with this, we find that only nontyrosine phosphorylated beta-catenin is associated with N-cadherin in E10 chick retina tissue. Moreover, we demonstrate that a PTP1B-like tyrosine phosphatase associates with N-cadherin and may function as a regulatory switch controlling cadherin function by dephosphorylating beta-catenin, thereby maintaining cells in an adhesion-competent state. The PTP1B-like phosphatase is itself tyrosine phosphorylated. Moreover, both direct binding experiments performed with phosphorylated and dephosphorylated molecules, and treatment of cells with tyrosine kinase inhibitors indicate that the interaction of the PTP1B-like phosphatase with N-cadherin depends on its tyrosine phosphorylation. Concomitant with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor-induced loss of the PTP1B-like phosphatase from its association with N-cadherin, phosphorylated tyrosine residues are retained on beta-catenin, the association of N-cadherin with the actin containing cytoskeleton is lost and N-cadherin-mediated cell adhesion is prevented. Tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors also result in the accumulation of phosphorylated tyrosine residues on beta-catenin, loss of the association of N-cadherin with the actin-containing cytoskeleton, and prevent N-cadherin mediated adhesion, presumably by directly blocking the function of the PTP1B-like phosphatase. We previously showed that the binding of two ligands to the cell surface N-acetylgalactosaminylphosphotransferase (GalNAcPTase), the monoclonal antibody 1B11 and a proteoglycan with a 250-kD core protein, results in the accumulation of phosphorylated tyrosine residues on beta-catenin, uncoupling of N-cadherin from its association with the actin containing cytoskeleton, and loss of N-cadherin function. We now report that binding of these ligands to the GalNAcPTase results in the absence of the PTP1B-like phosphatase from its association with N-cadherin as well as the loss of the tyrosine kinase and tyrosine phosphatase activities that otherwise co-precipitate with N-cadherin. Control antibodies and proteoglycans have no such effect. This effect is similar to that observed with tyrosine kinase inhibitors, suggesting that the GalNAcPTase/proteoglycan interaction inhibits a tyrosine kinase, thereby preventing the phosphorylation of the PTP1B-like phosphatase, and its association with N-cadherin. Taken together these data indicate that a PTP1B-like tyrosine phosphatase can regulate N-cadherin function through its ability to dephosphorylate beta-catenin and that the association of the phosphatase with N-cadherin is regulated via the interaction of the GalNAcPTase with its proteoglycan ligand. In this manner the GalNAcPTase-proteoglycan interaction may play a major role in morphogenetic cell and tissue interactions during development.

Cyclic AMP-dependent regulation of K+ transport in the rat distal colon

1. The effect of agonists of the cyclic AMP pathway and of 293B, a chromanole-derived K+ channel blocker, on K+ transport in the rat distal colon was studied by measuring unidirectional fluxes, uptake, and efflux of Rb+ in mucosa-submucosa preparations and by patch-clamp of crypt epithelia from isolated crypts. 2. 293B concentration-dependently inhibited basal and forskolin-stimulated short-circuit current. In isolated crypts 293B blocked a basal K+ conductance but had no effect on cyclic AMP-evoked depolarization induced by the opening of apical Cl- channels. When the effect of cyclic AMP on Cl- conductance was prevented by substituting Cl- with gluconate, an inhibition of total cellular K+ conductance by forskolin and a membrane-permeable cyclic AMP analogue was unmasked. 3. Unidirectional ion flux measurements revealed that 293B suppressed the increase in JRbsm induced by forskolin. This, together with the inhibition of cyclic AMP-induced anion secretion indicates that the drug blocks K+ channels, presumably both in the apical and the basolateral membrane. Forskolin caused not only inhibition of K+ absorption, but also stimulation of K+ secretion. The inhibition was diminished, but not blocked, in the presence of inhibitors of the apical H(+)-K(+)-ATPase, vanadate and ouabain. Forskolin stimulated serosal, bumetanide-sensitive Rb+ uptake, whereas mucosal, ouabain/vanadate-sensitive uptake remained unaffected. 4. Efflux experiments revealed that forskolin caused a redistribution of cellular K+ efflux reducing the ratio of basolateral versus apical Rb+ efflux. 5. These results suggest that intracellular cyclic AMP exerts its effects on K+ transport by several mechanisms: an increase in the driving force for K+ efflux due to the depolarization induced by opening of Cl- channels, a stimulation of the basolateral uptake of K+ via the Na(+)-K(+)-Cl(-)-cotransporter, and a decrease of the ratio of basolateral versus apical K+ conductance leading to an enhanced efflux of K+ into the lumen and a reduced K+ efflux to the serosal compartment.

Molecular cloning and expression of a unique rabbit osteoclastic phosphotyrosyl phosphatase

Tyrosyl phosphorylation plays an important regulatory role in osteoclast formation and activity. Phosphotyrosyl phosphatases (PTPs), in addition to tyrosyl kinases, are key determinants of intracellular tyrosyl phosphorylation levels. To identify the PTP that might play an important regulatory role in osteoclasts, we sought to clone an osteoclast-specific PTP. A putative full-length clone encoding a unique PTP (referred to as PTP-oc) was isolated from a 10-day-old rabbit osteoclastic cDNA library and sequenced. A single open reading frame predicts a protein with 405 amino acid residues containing a putative extracellular domain, a single transmembrane region, and an intracellular portion. PTP-oc is structurally unique in that, unlike most known transmembrane PTPs, it has a short extracellular region (eight residues), lacks a signal peptide proximal to the N-terminus, and contains only a single 'PTP catalytic domain'. The PTP catalytic domain shows 45-50% sequence identity with the catalytic domain of human HPTP beta and with the first catalytic domain of LCA. The PTP-oc gene exists as a single copy in the rabbit genome. The corresponding mRNA (3.8 kb) is expressed in osteoclasts but not in other bone-derived cells (e.g. osteoblasts and stromal cells). The 3.8 kb PTP-oc mRNA transcript was also expressed in the rabbit brain, kidney and spleen. However, the brain and kidney, but not osteoclasts or spleen, also expressed a larger transcript (6.5 kb). The PTP catalytic domain of PTP-oc was expressed as a GST-cPTP-oc fusion protein. In vitro phosphatase assays indicated that the purified fusion protein exhibited phosphatase activities at neutral pH values toward p-nitrophenyl phosphate, phosphotyrosyl Raytide, and phosphotyrosyl histone, whereas it had no appreciable activity toward phosphoseryl casein. In summary, we have: (a) cloned and sequenced the putative full-length cDNA of a unique PTP (PTP-oc) from rabbit osteoclasts; (b) shown that the mature 3.8 kb PTP-oc mRNA was expressed primarily in osteoclasts and the spleen; and (c) shown that the PTP-oc fusion protein exhibited a phosphotyrosine-specific phosphatase activity. In conclusion, PTP-oc represents a structurally unique subfamily of transmembrane PTPs.

Tyrosine kinase-dependent modulation of calcium entry in rabbit colonic muscularis mucosae

We studied the role of tyrosine kinase in the regulation of Ca2+ entry in single smooth muscle cells of the rabbit colonic muscularis mucosae using the whole cell patch-clamp technique. Step depolarization to +10 mV from a holding potential of -60 mV produced inward currents that were abolished by 1 microM nifedipine, consistent with the activation of L-type Ca2+ channels. The tyrosine kinase inhibitors, genistein and tyrphostin B42, dose dependently inhibited these Ca2+ currents. The inactive analogue of tyrphostins, tyrphostin A1, did not affect the currents at concentrations of up to 100 microM. Conversely, the tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, orthovanadate, enhanced peak Ca2+ currents by 30%. Spontaneous transient outward currents (STOCs) (50-600 pA) were elicited with high K+ in the pipette and at 0-mV holding potential. STOCs were activated due to release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores, required the presence of extracellular Ca2+ concentration, and were insensitive to nifedipine. Genistein abolished STOCs; however, in its presence, outward currents activated by caffeine or carbachol were not affected. The refilling of the Ca2+ stores was studied by first depleting intracellular Ca2+ with carbachol in Ca(2+)-free media followed by reperfusing with a Ca(2+)-containing solution for 3-5 min. Under these conditions, a second application of carbachol evoked an outward current due to Ca2+ release. However, this effect was abolished when the refilling of the stores was carried out in the presence of genistein. Carbachol-evoked currents were not attenuated when the refilling was examined in the presence of orthovanadate. Epidermal growth factor (200 ng/ml) enhanced Ca2+ currents by 60% and markedly increased STOCs by over 200%. Western blot analysis, using an anti-phosphotyrosine antibody, showed a tyrosine phosphorylated protein of 60 kDa in control conditions. This was markedly increased after treatment with epidermal growth factor and carbachol. These results suggest that 1) tyrosine kinase modulates the entry of Ca2+ through L-type channels and through nifedipine-resistant pathways involved in refilling of intracellular stores and 2) stimulation of the kinase by agonists enhances Ca2+ entry in the smooth muscle cells of the rabbit colonic muscularis mucosae.

Protein-tyrosine phosphatase activity regulates osteoclast formation and function: inhibition by alendronate

Alendronate (ALN), an aminobisphosphonate used in the treatment of osteoporosis, is a potent inhibitor of bone resorption. Its molecular target is still unknown. This study examines the effects of ALN on the activity of osteoclast protein-tyrosine phosphatase (PTP; protein-tyrosine-phosphate phosphohydrolase, EC 3.1.3.48), called PTPepsilon. Using osteoclast-like cells generated by coculturing mouse bone marrow cells with mouse calvaria osteoblasts, we found by molecular cloning and RNA blot hybridization that PTPepsilon is highly expressed in osteoclastic cells. A purified fusion protein of PTPepsilon expressed in bacteria was inhibited by ALN with an IC50 of 2 microM. Other PTP inhibitors--orthovanadate and phenylarsine oxide (PAO)-inhibited PTPepsilon with IC50 values of 0.3 microM and 18 microM, respectively. ALN and another bisphosphonate, etidronate, also inhibited the activities of other bacterially expressed PTPs such as PTPsigma and CD45 (also called leukocyte common antigen). The PTP inhibitors ALN, orthovanadate, and PAO suppressed in vitro formation of multinucleated osteoclasts from osteoclast precursors and in vitro bone resorption by isolated rat osteoclasts (pit formation) with estimated IC50 values of 10 microM, 3 microM, and 0.05 microM, respectively. These findings suggest that tyrosine phosphatase activity plays an important role in osteoclast formation and function and is a putative molecular target of bisphosphonate action.

Cell adhesion-dependent inactivation of a soluble protein kinase during fertilization in Chlamydomonas

Within seconds after the flagella of mt+ and mt- Chlamydomonas gametes adhere during fertilization, their flagellar adenylyl cyclase is activated several fold and preparation for cell fusion is initiated. Our previous studies indicated that early events in this pathway, including control of adenylyl cyclase, are regulated by phosphorylation and dephosphorylation. Here, we describe a soluble, flagellar protein kinase activity that is regulated by flagellar adhesion. A 48-kDa, soluble flagellar protein was consistently phosphorylated in an in vitro assay in flagella isolated from nonadhering mt+ and mt- gametes, but not in flagella isolated from mt+ and mt- gametes that had been adhering for 1 min. Although the 48-kDa protein was present in the flagella isolated from adhering gametes, we demonstrate that its protein kinase was inactivated by flagellar adhesion. Immunoblot analysis and inhibitor studies indicate that the 48-kDa protein in nonadhering gametes is phosphorylated by a protein tyrosine kinase. In vivo experiments showing that the protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor sodium orthovanadate inhibits fertilization suggest that protein dephosphorylation may be required for signal transduction. The 48-kDa protein and its protein kinase may be among the first elements of a novel signalling pathway that couples interaction of flagellar adhesion molecules to gamete activation.

Modulation of Cl- secretion in rat distal colon by genistein, a protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor

The protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein, caused an increase of short-circuit current (Isc) across the rat distal colon in forskolin-pretreated tissues, suggesting a synergistic interaction of the drug with cAMP-dependent secretion. In the absence of forskolin, genistein had a dual effect on Isc, it increased Isc in tissues with a low baseline, but decreased Isc in tissues with a high baseline Isc. The secretory effect of genistein was dependent on the presence of Cl- and was blocked by inhibitors of Cl- secretion like bumetanide, an inhibitor of the Na(+)-K(+)-Cl- cotransporter, or 5-nitro-2-(3- phenylpropylamino)-benzoate (NPPB), a Cl- channel blocker. Unidirectional flux measurements revealed that genistein inhibited Na+ and Cl- absorption and induced net Cl- secretion. The protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor vanadate suppressed the secretory effect of genistein. In contrast, genistein caused an inhibition of carbachol-induced, i.e. Ca(2+)-mediated secretion. Whole-cell patch-clamp experiments confirmed the synergistic effect of genistein on cAMP-induced Cl- currents. In the presence of forskolin, genistein caused a depolarization concomitant with an increase in membrane inward current. In addition, genistein caused an inhibition of a basal K+ conductance and inhibited the Ca(2+)-dependent K+ conductance stimulated by carbachol. These results suggest a complex role of the protein tyrosine kinase pathway in the control of colonic Cl- secretion, an antagonistic action on the cAMP pathway and a synergistic action on the Ca2+ pathway as revealed by the opposing effects of genistein. The physiological importance of this regulation remains to be clarified.

Cloning, purification, and properties of a phosphotyrosine protein phosphatase from Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2)

We describe the isolation and characterization of a gene (ptpA) from Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) that codes for a protein with a deduced M(r) of 17,690 containing significant amino acid sequence identity with mammalian and prokaryotic small, acidic phosphotyrosine protein phosphatases (PTPases). After expression of S. coelicolor ptpA in Escherichia coli with a pT7-7-based vector system, PtpA was purified to homogeneity as a fusion protein containing five extra amino acids. The purified fusion enzyme catalyzed the removal of phosphate from p-nitrophenylphosphate (PNPP), phosphotyrosine (PY), and a commercial phosphopeptide containing a single phosphotyrosine residue but did not cleave phosphoserine or phosphothreonine. The pH optima for PNPP and PY hydrolysis by PtpA were 6.0 and 6.5, respectively. The Km values for hydrolysis of PNPP and PY by PtpA were 0.75 mM (pH 6.0, 37 degrees C) and 2.7 mM (pH 6.5, 37 degrees C), respectively. Hydrolysis of PNPP by S. coelicolor PtpA were 0.75 mM (pH 6.0, 37 degrees C) and 2.7 mM (pH 6.5, 37 degrees C), respectively. Hydrolysis of PNPP by S. coelicolor PtpA was competitively inhibited by dephostatin with a Ki of 1.64 microM; the known PTPase inhibitors phenylarsine oxide, sodium vanadate, and iodoacetate also inhibited enzyme activity. Apparent homologs of ptpA were detected in other streptomycetes by Southern hybridization; the biological functions of PtpA and its putative homologs in streptomycetes are not yet known.

Unique and selective mitogenic effects of vanadate on SV40-transformed cells

Vanadate and insulin both function as unique complete mitogens for SV40-transformed 3T3T cells, designated CSV3-1, but not for nontransformed 3T3T cells. The mitogenic effects induced by vanadate and insulin in CSV3-1 cells are mediated by different signaling mechanisms. For example, vanadate does not stimulate the tyrosine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor beta-subunit nor the 170 kDa insulin receptor substrate-1. Instead, vanadate induces a marked increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of 55 and 64 kDa proteins that is not observed in insulin-stimulated CSV3-1 cells. Perhaps most interestingly, vandate-induced mitogenesis is associated with the selective induction of c-jun and junB expression without significantly inducing c-fos or c-myc. Furthermore, treatment of CSV3-1 cells with genistein abolishes the effects of vanadate on protein tyrosine phosphorylation and c-jun induction. These and related data suggest that modulation of protein tyrosine phosphorylation and c-jun and junB expression may serve the critical roles in mediating vandate-induced mitogenesis in SV40-transformed cells.

In vitro and in vivo antineoplastic effects of orthovanadate

In the present study we have demonstrated that orthovanadate at concentrations of 5-10 uM is cytotoxic to proliferating cells including primary cultures and tumour cell lines. However, concentrations of up to 50 uM did not affect the viability of non-proliferating cells. The cytotoxicity appears to be dependent on the vanadium concentration rather than on the oxidation state of vanadium or the vanadium compound. Furthermore, tumour cell lines with different proliferative rates were equally sensitive to orthovanadate cytotoxicity. Although the mechanisms responsible for the cytotoxicity are not known, addition of H2O2 potentiated orthovanadate cytotoxicity suggesting that hydroxyl or vanadium radicals may be involved. In vivo subcutaneous injections of orthovanadate into mice containing MDAY-D2 tumours resulted in the inhibition of tumour growth by 85-100%. These data indicated that orthovanadate at concentrations greater than 5 uM has antineoplastic properties and may be useful as a chemotherapeutic agent.

Manipulation of B cell antigen receptor tyrosine phosphorylation using aluminum fluoride and sodium orthovanadate

The B cell antigen receptor complex (BCR) is composed of a membrane-spanning immunoglobulin molecule (mIg) non-covalently associated with heterodimers of the transmembrane proteins Ig-alpha and Ig-beta. The cytoplasmic domains of Ig-alpha and Ig-beta do not contain kinase domains but are phosphorylated on tyrosine residues immediately upon receptor ligation. The mechanism and kinase responsible for initial Ig-alpha and Ig-beta phosphorylation following receptor ligation is unknown, In an attempt to better understand this process, Ig-alpha and Ig-beta phosphorylation was examined in response to treatment of permeabilized B cells with the pharmacologic agents, aluminum fluoride (AlFx) and sodium orthovanadate (Na3VO4). AlFx is known to stimulate GTP-binding proteins while Na3VO4 inhibits protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs), both of which are involved in the BCR signalling cascade. In these studies, AlFx and Na3VO4 stimulated rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of Ig-alpha, Ig-beta, and additional cellular proteins, including the protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) Lyn. The tyrosine phosphorylation does not appear to be mediated through GTP-binding proteins, since GTP gamma S did not stimulate tyrosine phosphorylation. As expected, however, PTPs modulate the phosphorylation state of these proteins since another PTP inhibitor, phenylarsine oxide (PAO), increased phosphorylation of Ig-alpha, Ig-beta and other proteins in this system. Interestingly, the extent and kinetics of the mIg-associated Lyn and Ig-alpha/Ig-beta phosphorylation was correlated, suggesting that Lyn may mediate receptor phosphorylation. Alternatively, Lyn, may be a downstream effector of phosphorylated Ig-alpha and Ig-beta as suggested by the reported ability of biphosphorylated Ig-alpha to activate Fyn PTK in vitro. Finally, all components necessary for Na3VO4, but not AlFx, stimulation of phosphorylation are membrane associated. The data are consistent with modulation of phosphorylation of Ig-alpha and Ig-beta through both PTP inhibition and AlFx treatment, and a common intermediary in or effector of these phosphorylation pathways appears to be the Lyn kinase.

Roles of protein-tyrosine phosphatases in Stat1 alpha-mediated cell signaling

Different Stat proteins are activated through phosphorylation of unique tyrosine residues in response to different cytokines and growth factors. Interferon-gamma activates Stat1 molecules that form homodimers and bind cognate DNA elements. Here we show that treatment of permeabilized cells with 200-500 microM peroxo-derivatives of vanadium, molybdenum, and tungsten results in the accumulation of constitutively phosphorylated Stat1 alpha molecules. In contrast, treatment of permeabilized cells with orthovanadate, vanadyl sulfate, molybdate, and tungstate at the same range of concentrations does not result in the accumulation of activated Stat1 alpha molecules in the absence of ligand. However, these compounds inhibit the inactivation of interferon-gamma-induced DNA-binding activity of Stat1 alpha. A 4-6-h exposure of the permeabilized cells to orthovanadate, molybdate, and tungstate, but not vanadyl sulfate, results in a ligand-independent activation of Stat1 alpha, which is blocked by the inhibition or depletion of NADPH oxidase activity in the cells, indicating that NADPH oxidase-catalyzed superoxide formation is required for the bioconversion of these metal oxides to the corresponding peroxo-compounds. Interestingly, ligand-independent Stat1 alpha activation by peroxo-derivatives of these transition metals does not require Jak1, Jak2, or Tyk2 kinase activity, suggesting that other kinases can phosphorylate Stat1 alpha on tyrosine 701.

Activation of STAT factors by prolactin, interferon-gamma, growth hormones, and a tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor in rabbit primary mammary epithelial cells

In numerous studies on mammary epithelial cell lines multiple factors, added to the medium or contained in the serum, were required for casein gene expression. It has been shown in these systems that the mammary gland factor (MGF) is implicated in the activation of the beta-casein gene promoter. In the present study, we determined the relationship between known agents that affect casein gene expression and MGF activity using the properties of rabbit primary mammary epithelial cells to respond to PRL alone, when cultured in chemically defined medium. We demonstrate that MGF is rapidly activated by PRL alone or by human growth hormone, a natural ligand of many PRL receptors (PRL-Rs), in the cytoplasm and accumulated in the nucleus. The MGF activation by PRL occurred in the absence of endogenous extracellular matrix, a condition where casein synthesis is known to be markedly reduced. Different inhibitors of protein-tyrosine kinases, which have been shown to reduce casein mRNA synthesis, but not of protein kinase C, decrease the MGF activity. A tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, sodium pervanadate, induced two GAS-binding complexes related to MGF and STAT1. Our data show that MGF is a latent cytoplasmic factor rapidly activated in mammary epithelial cells, by a mechanism involving a tyrosine kinase and a tyrosine phosphatase.

Lineage-specific induction of B cell apoptosis and altered signal transduction by the phosphotyrosine phosphatase inhibitor bis(maltolato)oxovanadium(IV)

Protein tyrosine phosphorylation is known to play key roles in lymphocyte signal transduction, and phosphotyrosine phosphatases (PTP) can act as both positive and negative regulators of these lymphocyte signals. We sought to examine the role of PTP further in these processes by characterizing the effects of bis(maltolato)-oxovanadium(IV) (BMLOV), previously known to be a nontoxic insulin mimetic agent in vivo. BMLOV was found to be a potent phosphotyrosine phosphatase inhibitor. BMLOV induced cellular tyrosine phosphorylation in B cells in a pattern similar to that observed following antigen receptor stimulation, whereas little tyrosine phosphorylation was induced in T cells. In B cells, BMLOV treatment resulted in tyrosine phosphorylation of Syk and phospholipase C gamma 2, while sIgM-induced signals were inhibited. By contrast, T cell receptor signals were moderately increased by BMLOV, and the cells displayed greater induction of IL-2 receptor without toxicity. The compound selectively induced apoptosis in B cell lymphoma and myeloid leukemia cell lines, but not in T cell leukemia or colon carcinoma cells. Interleukin-4 plus anti-CD40 antibody treatment of normal human peripheral B cells rescued the cells from BMLOV-induced death. These results suggest that phosphotyrosine phosphatase inhibitors can activate B cell signal pathways in a lineage-specific manner, resulting in desensitization of receptor-mediated signaling and induction of apoptosis.

Involvement of a putative protein-tyrosine phosphatase and I kappa B-alpha serine phosphorylation in nuclear factor kappa B activation by tumor necrosis factor

Inhibitors of phosphotyrosyl protein phosphatases, pervanadate and phenylarsine oxide, abrogate tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) nuclear translocation in transformed cell lines (U-937 and Jurkat) and primary fibroblasts (MRC-5 and REF). The inhibitors also abrogate NF-kappa B activation by the phosphoseryl/threonyl protein phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid in U-937 cells. Inhibition of NF-kappa B activation is not due to a general inhibitory effect since neither pervanadate nor phenylarsine oxide treatment affected the constitutive DNA-binding activity of the transcription factors octamer-1 and cAMP response element-binding protein in U-937 cells, nor did these compounds inhibit the TNF-induced phosphorylation of proteins, viz. hsp-27, eukaryotic initiation factor 4e, and pp19, in MRC-5 fibroblasts. Overexpression of the protein-tyrosine phosphatase HPTP alpha resulted in a constitutive nuclear NF-kappa B-like DNA-binding activity in REF cells. Conversely, treatment of human protein-tyrosine phosphatase alpha-overexpressing cells with phenylarsine oxide led to a loss of the constitutive NF-kappa B activity. The presence of a tyrosine phosphorylation site on the inhibitor of NF-kappa B (I kappa B-alpha) suggested that it could be a target for TNF/okadaic acid-induced tyrosine dephosphorylation. However, no tyrosine phosphorylation was detected on I kappa B-alpha fron unstimulated cells, while TNF/okadaic acid-treated cells showed increased phosphorylation of I kappa B-alpha exclusively at serine residue(s). Treatment of cells with pervanadate inhibited TNF-induced I kappa B-alpha phosphorylation and degradation, whereas the serine protease inhibitors tosylphenylalanyl chloromethyl ketone and N alpha-p-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone prevented TNF-induced I kappa B-alpha degradation and NF-kappa B nuclear translocation, but not the TNF-induced phosphorylation of I kappa B-alpha. The data suggest that TNF and okadaic acid induce the activation of a putative protein-tyrosine phosphatase(s), leading to I kappa B-alpha serine phosphorylation and degradation and NF-kappa B nuclear translocation.

Regulation of stimulus-dependent hippocampal acetylcholine release by okadaic acid-sensitive phosphoprotein phosphatases

Isolated nerve endings (synaptosomes) from rat hippocampus were used to characterize the influence by serine/threonine-specific phosphoprotein phosphatase (PP) inhibitors on acetylcholine release. Brief exposure to low concentrations of selective PP inhibitors (okadaic acid and calyculin A) caused a concentration-dependent attenuation of stimulus-dependent (calcium-evoked or potassium-evoked) [3H]acetylcholine ([3H]ACh) release, while having no effect on the rate of basal transmitter efflux. In view of the observed potencies for okadaic acid and calyculin A (pseudo-IC50 values near 3 nM), these data indicate that Type 1 (PP1) or Type 2A (PP2A) enzymes play a permissive role in exocytotic [3H]ACh release. In contrast, the absence of any measurable effect by sodium orthovanadate argues against a similar influence by tyrosine-specific phosphoprotein phosphatases. While the neuronal substrate(s) responsible for PP regulation of [3H]ACh release are unknown, the underlying mechanism clearly differs from that through which muscarinic autoreceptors act since inhibition by okadaic acid and oxotremorine (an autoreceptor agonist) are additive and the former is not blocked by the muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine. Based upon these results, we conclude that dephosphorylation steps catalyzed by okadaic acid-sensitive PP represent an important regulatory mechanism for stimulus-dependent transmitter release in septo-hippocampal cholinergic neurons.

IL-1 beta regulates rat mesangial cyclooxygenase II gene expression by tyrosine phosphorylation

The pro-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-1 beta, induces the mRNA for prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase II gene in renal mesangial cells. This inductive effect is selective for prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase II and not prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase I. In the present experiments IL-1 beta increased COX II mRNA, and this was inhibited by genistein and herbimycin A, both inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinases. The dose dependent effect of genistein on inhibition of mRNA for COX II correlated with the inhibition of the release of PGE2 into the media. Induction of COX II by interleukin-1 beta was mimicked by incubating the cells in the presence of a protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, vanadate. These experiments also illustrate selective induction of COX II mRNA without induction of COX I mRNA. Western analysis utilizing antiphosphotyrosine antibodies demonstrated in whole lysates of mesangial cells treated with interleukin-1 beta that the transient phosphorylation of several proteins occurred. Interleukin-1 beta induced the transient phosphorylation of a protein of about 39/40 kD. Similarly, vanadate also produced a rapid and transient phosphorylation of a protein of about 39/40 kD in addition to other proteins. Immunoprecipitation of mesangial cell lysates with agarose conjugated antiphosphotyrosine antibody and Western analysis of precipitated proteins with anti-ERK2 antibody demonstrate that the 39/40 kD protein phosphorylated on tyrosine is ERK2 and suggests participation of one of the MAP kinase family of extracellular receptor kinases in IL-1 beta stimulated induction of the COX II gene.

cAMP-independent activation of CFTR Cl channels by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein

Genistein, a protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor, activates the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in transfected NIH-3T3 fibroblasts that express the CFTR (3T3-CFTR). CFTR activity was assayed by 125I efflux and by patch clamping in the cell-attached mode. Both forskolin and genistein stimulated 125I efflux and activated a 9-10 pS anion channel in 3T3-CFTR cells but failed to activate 125I efflux in mock-transfected NIH-3T3 cells. Genistein, unlike forskolin and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, did not increase intracellular adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) above control levels. This demonstrates that genistein-dependent activation does not involve inhibition of phosphodiesterase activity and suggests that stimulation does not involve a direct activation of protein kinase A. Genistein stimulated 125I efflux to approximately 50% of the maximal rate with forskolin. Genistein did not increase 125I efflux at saturating forskolin but decreased the concentration of forskolin required for half-maximal stimulation. Orthovanadate (VO4), a phosphotyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, inhibited genistein-induced channel activation with an inhibition constant of approximately 20 microM. These effects suggest that, in addition to activation by protein kinase A, the CFTR is regulated by a tyrosine kinase-dependent pathway.

A G protein is involved in the angiotensin AT2 receptor inhibition of the T-type calcium current in non-differentiated NG108-15 cells

In non-differentiated NG108-15 cells, both angiotensin II (Ang II) (100 nM) and CGP 42112 (100 nM) decreased the T-type calcium current amplitude by 24 +/- 2% and 21 +/- 3%, respectively. cGMP is not a mediator of the Ang II effect, since loading of cells with 50 microM cGMP did not prevent the inhibitory effects of Ang II. The effects of Ang II involves a non-identified GTPase activity since incubation with GDP beta S (3 mM) completely reversed the inhibitory effect of Ang II while GTP gamma S mimicked its effect. However, Ang II binding was not affected by GTP gamma S, and the effect of Ang II was not modified in pertussis toxin-treated cells. The inhibitory effect of Ang II on the T-type Ca2+ current involves a phosphotyrosine phosphatase activity since sodium orthovanadate prevented the effects of Ang II, although microcystin-LR, a selective Ser/Thr phosphatase 1 and 2A inhibitor, did not modify the effect of Ang II. These results provide the first evidence of a modulation of membrane conductance by Ang II through the AT2 receptor and demonstrate the involvement of a phosphotyrosine phosphatase and a G protein in the AT2 transduction mechanism in NG108-15 cells. Moreover, our data suggest that phosphotyrosine phosphatase activation is proximal to receptor occupation, since sodium orthovanadate inhibits both GTPase activity and T-type current blockage induced by Ang II or CGP 42112, while GTP gamma S inhibition of the T-type calcium current is not impaired.

Cell volume and hepatocellular function

The hepatocellular hydration state, i.e. liver cell volume, is a dynamic parameter, which changes within minutes in response to alterations in the environmental or hormonal milieu. These changes in cell hydration act as a signal which modifies metabolism and gene expression due to complex alterations in protein phosphorylation. The role of cellular hydration as an important determinant of liver cell function and gene expression may shed a new light not only on liver physiology but also on liver pathophysiology.

Role for tyrosine kinases in carbachol-regulated Ca entry into colonic epithelial cells

We studied a possible role of tyrosine kinases in the regulation of Ca entry into colonic epithelial cells HT-29/B6 using digital image processing of fura 2 fluorescence. Both carbachol and thapsigargin increased Ca entry to a similar extent and Ca influx was reduced by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein (50 microM). Further experiments were performed in solutions containing 95 mM K to depolarize the membrane potential, and the effects of different inhibitors on influx of Ca, Mn, and Ba were compared. Genistein, but not the inactive analogue daidzein nor the protein kinase C inhibitor 1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2- methylpiperazine, decreased entry of all three divalent cations by 47-59%. In high-K solutions, carbachol or thapsigargin both caused intracellular Ca to increase to a plateau of 223 +/- 19 nM. This plateau was reduced by the tyrosine kinase inhibitors genistein (to 95 +/- 8 nM), lavendustin A (to 155 +/- 17 nM), and methyl-2,5-dihydroxycinnamate (to 39 +/- 3 nM). Orthovanadate, a protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, prevented the inhibitory effect of genistein. Ca pumping was unaffected by genistein. Carbachol increased tyrosine phosphorylation (immunoblots with anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies) of 110-, 75-, and 70-kDa proteins, and this phosphorylation was inhibited by genistein. We conclude that carbachol and thapsigargin increase Ca entry, and tyrosine phosphorylation of some key proteins may be important for regulating this pathway.

Vanadate-induced oscillatory inward Cl- currents in Xenopus laevis oocytes

Extracellularly applied sodium orthovanadate (30-3000 microM) evoked oscillatory inward Cl- currents in defolliculated Xenopus laevis oocytes. The current responses were attenuated by microinjection of EGTA into the oocytes and by treatment of the oocytes with pertussis toxin (2 micrograms/ml). The vanadate responses were not affected by preceding vanadate (1 mM) responses or an angiotensin II (200 nM) response, or by pre-application of atropine (5 microM). Intracellular injection of vanadate was ineffective. These results suggest that vanadate stimulates Ca2+ mobilization in Xenopus oocytes possibly by activating surface membrane receptors, which is coupled to pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein.

Inhibition of cellular response to platelet-derived growth factor by low M(r) phosphotyrosine protein phosphatase overexpression

The role of low M(r) phosphotyrosine protein phosphatase (PTPase) in the control of cell proliferation was studied. A synthetic gene coding for PTPase was transfected and expressed in NIH/3T3 fibroblasts. The effects of the enzyme were particularly evident when cells were stimulated by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). The mitogenic response to PDGF was decreased and the inhibition reached 90%. This effect was more pronounced with respect to fetal calf serum stimulation. Hormone-dependent autophosphorylation of the PDGF receptor was significantly reduced. These results demonstrate that low M(r) PTPase, a cytosolic enzyme, not only affects cellular response to PDGF but also reduces the membrane receptor autophosphorylation.

Extracellular matrix modulates epidermal growth factor receptor activation in rat glomerular epithelial cells

To understand how glomerular epithelial cell (GEC) proliferation may be regulated in health and disease, we studied the effects of type I collagen extracellular matrices (ECM) on EGF receptor (EGF-R) activation in cultured rat GEC. EGF stimulated proliferation of GEC adherent to ECM, but not of GEC on a plastic substratum. Significant and prolonged EGF-R tyrosine autophosphorylation (which reflects receptor kinase activation) was induced by EGF in GEC adherent to collagen, but EGF did not stimulate EGF-R autophosphorylation in GEC on plastic (at 37 degrees C). However, EGF-R autophosphorylation increased significantly in plastic-adherent GEC that were stimulated with EGF at 4 degrees C or in the presence of vanadate, an inhibitor of phosphotyrosine phosphatases. Furthermore, dephosphorylation of EGF-R was enhanced in GEC on plastic as compared with collagen. At 4 degrees C, [125I]EGF binding was not different between substrata, and there was negligible accumulation of intracellular [125I]EGF (which reflects EGF-R internalization). At 37 degrees C, EGF-R internalization was reduced significantly in collagen-adherent GEC as compared with GEC on plastic. Thus, contact with ECM facilitates proliferation and EGF-R activation in GEC. The enhanced activity of EGF-R tyrosine kinase may be due to ECM-induced reduction in EGF-R internalization and dephosphorylation by phosphotyrosine phosphatase(s). Signals from ECM to growth factor receptors may regulate cell turnover in the glomerulus under normal conditions and during immune glomerular injury.

Dorsal, a Drosophila Rel-like protein, is phosphorylated upon activation of the transmembrane protein Toll

The nuclear import of dorsal, a Drosophila Rel homolog, is directed by a spatially restricted extracellular ligand in blastoderm embryos. We have demonstrated both that dorsal is an embryonic phosphoprotein and that its phosphorylation state is regulated by an intracellular signaling pathway initiated by the transmembrane receptor Toll. Immunoblot analysis of cytoplasm from precisely staged embryos revealed that the phosphorylation state of dorsal is altered during the time period that Toll is activated. Moreover, mutations that constitutively activate Toll stimulated dorsal phosphorylation, while mutations that block Toll activation reduced the level of dorsal phosphorylation. We further demonstrated that signal-dependent dorsal phosphorylation is modulated by three intracellular proteins, pelle, tube, and cactus. Using double-mutant embryos, we then explored the nature of the kinase activity responsible for dorsal phosphorylation. We found that free dorsal is a substrate for a signal-independent kinase activity. In addition, our results imply that dorsal is a substrate for a Toll-dependent kinase. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that phosphorylation of Rel-related proteins may be required for the proper nuclear localization and transcriptional activity of these proteins.

Dorsal, a Drosophila Rel-like protein, is phosphorylated upon activation of the transmembrane protein Toll

The nuclear import of dorsal, a Drosophila Rel homolog, is directed by a spatially restricted extracellular ligand in blastoderm embryos. We have demonstrated both that dorsal is an embryonic phosphoprotein and that its phosphorylation state is regulated by an intracellular signaling pathway initiated by the transmembrane receptor Toll. Immunoblot analysis of cytoplasm from precisely staged embryos revealed that the phosphorylation state of dorsal is altered during the time period that Toll is activated. Moreover, mutations that constitutively activate Toll stimulated dorsal phosphorylation, while mutations that block Toll activation reduced the level of dorsal phosphorylation. We further demonstrated that signal-dependent dorsal phosphorylation is modulated by three intracellular proteins, pelle, tube, and cactus. Using double-mutant embryos, we then explored the nature of the kinase activity responsible for dorsal phosphorylation. We found that free dorsal is a substrate for a signal-independent kinase activity. In addition, our results imply that dorsal is a substrate for a Toll-dependent kinase. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that phosphorylation of Rel-related proteins may be required for the proper nuclear localization and transcriptional activity of these proteins.

Lipopolysaccharide-induced cytokine production in human monocytes: role of tyrosine phosphorylation in transmembrane signal transduction

The signal transduction events that follow the binding of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to the macrophage cell surface are not well defined. In the current studies LPS was found to induce alterations in phosphorylation of monocyte proteins on tyrosine. Herbimycin A and genistein, inhibitors of tyrosine kinases, markedly attenuated LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) protein and mRNA production. Reciprocally, the tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor sodium orthovanadate enhanced LPS-induced production of TNF-alpha. LPS induced a concentration-dependent increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins, which paralleled and preceded the onset of LPS-induced TNF-alpha production. LPS stimulation had different but reproducible effects on three members of the src family of tyrosine kinases. Both Hck and Lyn kinase activity increased before the onset of TNF-alpha production, consistent with their participation in the observed LPS-induced tyrosine phosphoprotein accumulation. In contrast, Yes kinase activity was not affected. These observations were made at concentrations of LPS that required serum rich in LPS-binding protein and the monocyte surface antigen CD14 for TNF-alpha production. These data indicate that tyrosine kinases and phosphatases are involved in the signal transduction cascade by which LPS induces production of TNF-alpha and IL-6 by human monocytes, and suggest that Lyn and Hck are candidate participants in this process.

Ca(2+)-independent arachidonic acid release by vascular endothelium requires protein synthesis de novo

We investigated the mechanism by which the G-protein activators aluminium fluoride and vanadate stimulate arachidonic acid release in pig aortic endothelial cells. Our previous study demonstrated a novel Ca(2+)-independent pathway of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activation stimulated by aluminium fluoride in this model. In the present study, we found that sodium metavanadate stimulated a rapid concentration-dependent release of [3H]arachidonic acid from prelabelled cells. A more than 3-fold enhancement of arachidonic acid release was achieved in cells treated with 1 mM vanadate for 20 min. Synthesis of prostaglandin products was similarly enhanced. The release of arachidonic acid was not dependent on the presence of extracellular Ca2+, but did require protein synthesis de novo. Both cycloheximide and actinomycin D completely blocked aluminium fluoride- and vanadate-stimulated arachidonic acid release. Because fluoride and vanadate are known protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors, it is possible that PLA2 activation occurred secondarily to changes in protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Both aluminium fluoride and vanadate stimulated the rapid phosphorylation of 58, 93 and 120 kDa tyrosine-containing protein substrates. However, in contrast with arachidonic acid release, this response was found to be sensitive to the presence of extracellular Ca2+ and insensitive to blockers of protein synthesis de novo. Furthermore H2O2 treatment resulted in rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of the same substrates without a concomitant increase in arachidonic acid release. These results suggest that the effects of aluminium fluoride and vanadate on PLA2 are not due to changes in protein tyrosine phosphorylation, but do require rapid protein synthesis de novo.

Interaction of tubulin and microtubule proteins with vanadate oligomers

Microtubule assembly is known to be regulated by the phosphorylation of microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs), and is thus sensitive to phosphatase inhibitors. We have investigated the direct interaction between phosphatase inhibitors (vanadate, sodium fluoride, and okadaic acid) and microtubule proteins. Vanadate self-assembles into oligomers, primarily dimer, tetramer, and decamer in 0.1 M Pipes, pH 6.9. Oligomer concentrations and their direct binding to tubulin and MAPs were determined by 51V NMR. The assembly of microtubule protein (MTP) is strongly inhibited by decavanadate binding to MAPs and only weakly inhibited by tetravanadate binding to MAPs. Decavanadate will inhibit both MAP2 and tau-induced assembly. Decavanadate binds to MAP2 at 26 sites [Ka > or = (1.0-1.3) x 10(5) M-1]. The mechanism appears to involve competitive binding to MAPs, presumably at or near the microtubule binding domains, and reduced affinity for microtubules. The assembly of MAP-free, phosphocellulose-purified tubulin (PC-tubulin) is only weakly inhibited by decavanadate, although decavanadate binds to tubulin at four independent sites (Ka > or = 1.0 x 10(5) M-1). Monomeric vanadate, a strong phosphatase inhibitor, does not interact with tubulin or MAPs, and thus does not bind to the exchangeable nucleotide binding site on tubulin. Sodium fluoride stimulates both PC-tubulin and MTP assembly by a nonspecific effect, probably involving water structure formation. Wyman analysis suggests an absence of direct or specific binding to tubulin (d ln K/d ln [NaF] = 0.214). NaCl is nearly as effective in promoting assembly of PC-tubulin, but inhibits MTP assembly.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Vanadate stimulates differentiation and neurite outgrowth in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells and neurite extension in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells

We show here that a protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, sodium orthovanadate, induces rat pheochromocytoma cells to express neurites, a prominent morphological marker of neuronal phenotype. Vanadate-induced differentiation and neurite outgrowth in pheochromocytoma cells was not as extensive as that induced by the positive control employed, nerve growth factor. However, neurite outgrowth responses were comparable between nerve growth factor-treated pheochromocytoma cells and cells primed and then restimulated with vanadate. In the human neuroblastoma cell line, SH-SY5Y, a single exposure to vanadate induced neurite extension in this cell line equal to that initiated by nerve growth factor. In both cell lines vanadate treatment resulted in tyrosine phosphorylation of several high-molecular-weight proteins and using anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies, intense fluorescence was observed in the cell body and neurites of pheochromocytoma cells exposed to vanadate. Vanadate mediated differentiation and neurite outgrowth in pheochromocytoma cells could be ablated by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor erbastatin, whereas nerve growth factor-induced neurite outgrowth was only partially inhibited. In SH-SY5Y cells, erbstatin mediated partial inhibition of both vanadate and nerve growth factor-induced neurite elongation with similar kinetics. In contrast, K252b, a trk tyrosine kinase inhibitor, exhibited only a 30% reduction of neurite outgrowth in vanadate treated pheochromocytoma cells but an 80% reduction in nerve growth factor-treated cells. In SH-SY5Y cells, K252a did not have a statistically significant effect on neurite elongation induced by vanadate in contrast to a 60% reduction in nerve growth factor-treated cells. The membrane impermeable analogue K252b, had no effect on neurite elongation induced with either vanadate or nerve growth factor in these cells. The effects of vanadate were not mimicked by ouabain (0.1-50 microM) indicating that vanadate does not induce differentiation and/or neurite extension by inhibiting ion channel Na,K-ATPase, which is one of its other well-characterised inhibitory activities. Evidence for the selective action of vanadate on some but not all neuronal cell lines comes from the fact that it did not induce neurite extension in the human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-MC. These data imply that vanadate-induced neurite outgrowth responses in pheochromocytoma and SH-SY5Y cells can be induced by the inhibition of tyrosine phosphatases and appears not to simply mimic nerve growth factor signals. The target(s) of vanadate action in the two cell lines are currently being sought.

Inhibitors of tyrosine and Ser/Thr phosphatases modulate the heat shock response

Following heat shock the expression of heat shock genes is regulated by the heat shock transcription factor, HSF, known to bind to arrays of the heat shock element, NGAAN, upstream of the heat shock genes. Phosphorylation of HSF is necessary for its activation. We report that the treatment of Chinese hamster HA-1 cells with 250 nM of okadaic acid (OA), a ser/thr phosphatase inhibitor, leads to an increase in activated HSF after heat shock. This is followed by the activation of the transcription of heat shock genes as assayed by the increase in the synthesis of beta-galactosidase in an HA-1 cell line containing the heat shock promoter ligated to the beta-galactosidase gene. To investigate the specificity of OA, we used other phosphatase inhibitors. We found that treatment of HA-1 cells with 500 microM of sodium vanadate, an inhibitor of tyr/phosphatases, resulted in a three to fivefold reduction in HSF activation and binding to the heat shock element following heat shock. Such reduction in HSF activation virtually abolished beta-galactosidase induction. Reduced HSP synthesis was further confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis using anti-HSP-70 and 28 antibodies. Sodium vanadate treatment of heat shocked cells greatly reduced levels of thermotolerance. These results show that ser/thr and specifically tyr/phosphatase inhibitors modulate the signal transduction pathway of HSF activation.

Growth factors and renal regulation of phosphate transport

During the development of vertebrates, the extracellular concentration of inorganic phosphate (Pi) is maintained at a higher level than during adult life. This elevation is probably essential for both cellular growth and mineralization of the skeleton. A high tubular Pi transport capacity (maxTRPi/GFR) and a high plasma level of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 are considered to play a major role in the high Pi retention observed during growth. Experimental studies have shown that the high maxTRPi/GFR observed in growing young compared with adult individuals is not associated with differences in other renal functions, suggesting the existence of a selective homeostatic process. Growth hormone (GH) had no direct effect on renal Pi reabsorption, indicating that GH stimulation of renal Pi transport in various physiological and pathophysiological conditions is induced by insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), the mediator of the anabolic effects of GH. In hypophysectomized rats, administration of IGF-1 mimicked the stimulatory effects of GH on maxTRPi per milliliter glomerular filtrate and on plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. As for GH, the change in maxTRPi per milliliter glomerular filtrate induced by IGF-1 was mediated by a parathyroid hormone-independent mechanism and was selectively expressed at the level of the luminal membrane of proximal tubules. These observations are evidence that IGF-1 mediates the effect of GH on the renal handling of Pi and production of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and might play a significant role in the control of Pi metabolism during growth. Recent observations suggest that other growth factors might be involved in the regulation of tubular Pi transport.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Rat osteoblasts and ROS 17/2.8 cells contain a similar protein tyrosine phosphatase

Tyrosine phosphorylation plays a central role in intracellular signaling by many hormones and growth factors. Termination of the signal is thought to involve dephosphorylation of target proteins by phosphotyrosine phosphatases (PTPase). Soluble protein PTPases from neonatal rat osteoblasts (ROBs) and rat osteosarcoma (ROS 17/2.8) cells were chromatographically distinguished and characterized using 32P-labelled glutamate/tyrosine co-polymer as substrate. Two activities from both cell types were chromatographically separable. The dominant PTPase activity in the presence of 60-125 mM salt (E1), was eluted from phosphocellulose by 180-280 mM NaCl, bound weakly to a strong anion exchange column (QAE-trisacryl), had an apparent Km for [32P]glutamate/tyrosine copolymer of 52 micrograms/ml, was enhanced (5-10-fold, ROS; 1.5-3-fold, ROB) by assay in 125 mM NaCl, had no significant alkaline, acid, or serine phosphatase activity and had an M(r) of 53,000. A second activity (E2) was not retained by phosphocellulose but eluted from QAE-trisacryl in a single peak at 90-130 mM NaCl. It had an apparent Km for [32P]glutamate/tyrosine copolymer of 30 micrograms/ml (ROS) and its activity was not enhanced by NaCl in the assay. Activity E1 from both cells was 50% inhibited by 0.05 microM Na3VO4, 20 microM ZnCl2, or 5-10 microM CoCl2, but not by 1 mM NaF; activity E2 had a similar inhibition profile, but was more sensitive to ZnCl2 (IC50, 5 microM). Co2+ is a relatively non-toxic metal which may be a useful tool for investigating the role of phosphotyrosine in osteoblast proliferation and function. The similarity between the E1 activity from ROS cells and ROBs suggests that ROS cells may be useful in studying PTPase regulation by hormones, but molecular approaches will be required to establish the identity of PTPases in ROBs and ROS cells.

CD45-mediated regulation of LFA1 function in human natural killer cells. Anti-CD45 monoclonal antibodies inhibit the calcium mobilization induced via LFA1 molecules

The TA218 and T205 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) were selected on the basis of their ability to inhibit the non-major histocompatibility complex-restricted lysis of the murine mastocytoma P815 cell line mediated by CD3-CD16+ natural killer (NK) cells. Both mAb were found to react with CD45 molecules, as demonstrated by immunoprecipitation after surface iodination and western blot analysis. A panel of tumor target cells susceptible to lysis by polyclonal or clonal CD3-CD16+ NK cells was used to study the mAb-mediated inhibitory effect. The inhibition of cytolysis mediated by TA218 and T205 mAb was found to consistently parallel the inhibition mediated (with the same tumor target cells) by the anti-LFA1 alpha mAb TS.1.22 or by the anti-LFA1 beta mAb TS.1.18. However, different from the anti-LFA1 mAb, T205 or TA218 mAb did not inhibit the binding of activated CD3-CD16+ effector NK cells to the same tumor target cells. This finding supported the concept that the anti-CD45 mAb-mediated inhibition could occur at a post-binding stage. In polyclonal or clonal CD3-CD16+ NK cells T205 or TA218 mAb were found to reduce by 50-70% the intracellular Ca++ ([Ca++]i) mobilization induced by anti-LFA1 alpha or anti-LFA1 beta mAb. On the other hand, TA218 and T205 mAb did not inhibit the Ca++ mobilization induced by anti-CD16 mAb or phytohemagglutinin, thus suggesting that, in NK cells, CD45 molecules may exert a selective inhibitory effect on the signal transduction mediated by LFA1 molecules. In line with this hypothesis, the cytolytic activity of human NK clones was triggered in the presence of the hybridoma cells secreting either anti-CD16 or anti-LFA1 alpha mAb (as "triggering targets"). This effect of anti-LFA1 alpha, but not of anti-CD16 hybridoma was susceptible to inhibition by the anti-CD45 mAb T205 or TA218. Further, experiments on cloned NK cells indicated that T205 or TA218 mAb induced a strong decrease in the constitutive phosphorylation of the LFA1 alpha chain (but not of HLA class I antigens). Taken together, these studies suggest that in human NK lymphocytes, CD45 molecule may regulate both the activation state and the function of the LFA1 molecule.

In vitro activation of a transcription factor by gamma interferon requires a membrane-associated tyrosine kinase and is mimicked by vanadate

Gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) activates the formation of a DNA-binding protein complex (FcRF gamma) that recognizes the gamma response region (GRR) of the promoter for the human high-affinity Fc gamma receptor. In a membrane-enriched fraction prepared from human peripheral blood monocytes, IFN-gamma activation of FcRF gamma occurred within 1 min and was ATP dependent. Activation of FcRF gamma required a tyrosine kinase activity, and recognition of the GRR sequence by FcRF gamma could be abrogated by treatment with a tyrosine-specific protein phosphatase. Treatment of cells with vanadate alone resulted in the formation of FcRF gamma without the need for IFN-gamma. UV cross-linking and antibody competition experiments demonstrated that the FcRF gamma complex was composed of at least two components: the 91-kDa protein of the IFN-alpha-induced transcription complex ISGF3 and a 43-kDa component that bound directly to the GRR. Therefore, specificity for IFN-induced transcriptional activation of early response genes requires at least two events: (i) ligand-induced activation of membrane-associated protein by tyrosine phosphorylation and (ii) formation of a complex composed of an activated membrane protein(s) and a sequence-specific DNA-binding component.

Involvement of a phosphotyrosine protein phosphatase in the suppression of platelet-derived growth factor receptor autophosphorylation in ras-transformed cells

The nature of the suppression of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor autophosphorylation in ras-transformed NIH 3T3 fibroblasts was investigated. The PDGF receptor from ras-transformed cells that had been purified by wheatgerm-lectin affinity chromatography displayed normal PDGF-induced autophosphorylation, indicating that the receptor is not irreversibly modified. Various phosphotyrosine-protein-phosphatase inhibitors did not reverse the inhibition of PDGF-receptor kinase in crude membrane preparations from ras-transformed cells. However, treatment of intact ras-transformed cells both with 2 mM sodium orthovanadate and with 20 microM phenylarsine oxide restored PDGF-receptor tyrosine-kinase activity to a level similar to that observed in normal cells. Direct measurement of the phosphatase activities in crude cellular fractions revealed a 2.5-fold higher membrane-associated phosphotyrosine-protein-phosphatase activity in ras-transformed cells, whereas phosphoserine-protein-phosphatase activity remained unchanged between the cell lines. These data suggest that the suppression of the PDGF-receptor tyrosine-kinase activity in ras-transformed cells is mediated via an inhibitory component, distinct from the receptor, that may be positively regulated by the dephosphorylation of tyrosine residue(s).

In vitro activation of a transcription factor by gamma interferon requires a membrane-associated tyrosine kinase and is mimicked by vanadate

Gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) activates the formation of a DNA-binding protein complex (FcRF gamma) that recognizes the gamma response region (GRR) of the promoter for the human high-affinity Fc gamma receptor. In a membrane-enriched fraction prepared from human peripheral blood monocytes, IFN-gamma activation of FcRF gamma occurred within 1 min and was ATP dependent. Activation of FcRF gamma required a tyrosine kinase activity, and recognition of the GRR sequence by FcRF gamma could be abrogated by treatment with a tyrosine-specific protein phosphatase. Treatment of cells with vanadate alone resulted in the formation of FcRF gamma without the need for IFN-gamma. UV cross-linking and antibody competition experiments demonstrated that the FcRF gamma complex was composed of at least two components: the 91-kDa protein of the IFN-alpha-induced transcription complex ISGF3 and a 43-kDa component that bound directly to the GRR. Therefore, specificity for IFN-induced transcriptional activation of early response genes requires at least two events: (i) ligand-induced activation of membrane-associated protein by tyrosine phosphorylation and (ii) formation of a complex composed of an activated membrane protein(s) and a sequence-specific DNA-binding component.