Neuron-specific splicing of C-SRC RNA in human brain

The N2-Src neuronal splice variant of C-Src has altered SH3 domain ligand specificity and a higher constitutive activity than N1-Src

N2-Src is a poorly understood neuronal splice variant of the ubiquitous C-Src tyrosine kinase, containing a 17 amino acid insert in its Src homology 3 (SH3) domain. To characterise the properties of N2-Src we directly compared its SH3 domain specificity and kinase activity with C- and N1-Src in vitro. N2- and N1-Src had a similar low affinity for the phosphorylation of substrates containing canonical C-Src SH3 ligands and synaptophysin, an established neuronal substrate for C-Src. N2-Src also had a higher basal kinase activity than N1- and C-Src in vitro and in cells, which could be explained by weakened intramolecular interactions. Therefore, N2-Src is a highly active kinase that is likely to phosphorylate alternative substrates to C-Src in the brain.

Effects of halogenation on tyrosine phosphorylation and peptide binding to the SRC homology 2 domain of lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase

Phosphorylation of tyrosine residues by protein tyrosine kinases (PTK) and phosphotyrosine/Src homology 2 (SH2) domain interactions are crucial not only for signal transduction but also for regulation of PTK activity. Tyrosine residues also receive nitration and halogenation under oxidative conditions. It has been reported that nitration of tyrosine residue caused peptides to be a poor substrate for PTK and that nitrotyrosine residues could bind to SH2 domains as a phosphotyrosine mimic to activate Src family kinase. However, the effect of halogenation on tyrosine phosphorylation or SH2 domain binding is not well understood. We examined the phosphorylation of model peptides containing 3-halotyrosine or 3-nitrotyrosine using typical receptor tyrosine kinase, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and nonreceptor tyrosine kinase, lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase (Lck). The EGFR- and Lck-mediated phosphorylation was markedly inhibited by tyrosine halogenation. Iodination showed the strongest inhibition of the phosphorylation among four types of halogenation, and its inhibitory effect was stronger than that of nitration. We also examined the effect of iodination and nitration of tyrosine residues on binding to the SH2 domain of Lck, using a model peptide containing the phosphoTyr-Glu-Glu-Ile motif, which has a high affinity for the SH2 domain. The relative affinities of the modified peptides whose phosphotyrosine was substituted with unphosphorylated tyrosine, 3-nitrotyrosine, and 3-iodotyrosine, and of the model peptide were 0.024, 0.26, 1, and 16, respectively. These results suggest that tyrosine iodination may have an effect on the phosphorylation or binding to the SH2 domain similar to nitration. Tyrosine iodination possibly modulates signal transduction, with the potential impairment of cell function.

Regulation of c-Src activity in glutamate-induced neurodegeneration

c-Src is heavily expressed in the brain and in human neural tissues. Our pursuit for characterization of the neuroprotective mechanisms of tocotrienols led to the first evidence demonstrating that rapid c-Src activation plays a central role in executing glutamate-induced neurodegeneration. It is now known that Src deficiency or blockade of Src activity in mice provides cerebral protection following stroke. Here, we sought to examine the mechanisms that regulate inducible c-Src activity in glutamate-challenged HT4 neural cells and primary cortical neurons. Knockdown of c-Src protected cells against glutamate-induced loss of viability. Consistently, microinjection of siRNA against c-Src protected cells against glutamate. Using overexpression and knockdown approaches, we noted that SHP-1 may be implicated in glutamate-induced c-Src activation. Following such activation, Cbp and caveolin-1 were phosphorylated and associated with Csk. Csk was translocated to the membrane where it down-regulated glutamate-induced c-Src activity by catalyzing the inhibitory phosphorylation of a tyrosine residue in c-Src. Findings of this study present a new paradigm that addresses the regulation of c-Src under neurodegenerative conditions.

Tocotrienols in health and disease: the other half of the natural vitamin E family

Tocochromanols encompass a group of compounds with vitamin E activity essential for human nutrition. Structurally, natural vitamin E includes eight chemically distinct molecules: alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-tocopherol; and alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-tocotrienol. Symptoms caused by alpha-tocopherol deficiency can be alleviated by tocotrienols. Thus, tocotrienols may be viewed as being members of the natural vitamin E family not only structurally but also functionally. Palm oil and rice bran oil represent two major nutritional sources of natural tocotrienol. Taken orally, tocotrienols are bioavailable to all vital organs. The tocotrienol forms of natural vitamin E possesses powerful hypocholesterolemic, anti-cancer and neuroprotective properties that are often not exhibited by tocopherols. Oral tocotrienol protects against stroke-associated brain damage in vivo. Disappointments with outcomes-based clinical studies testing the efficacy of alpha-tocopherol need to be handled with caution and prudence recognizing the untapped opportunities offered by the other forms of natural vitamin E. Although tocotrienols represent half of the natural vitamin E family, work on tocotrienols account for roughly 1% of the total literature on vitamin E. The current state of knowledge warrants strategic investment into investigating the lesser known forms of vitamin E.

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli Tir is an SH2/3 ligand that recruits and activates tyrosine kinases required for pedestal formation

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) cause intestinal inflammation, severe diarrhoea and mortality, particularly among children in developing nations. Upon attachment to intestinal epithelial cells, EPEC induces actin-filled membrane protrusions called 'pedestals' and disrupts microvilli to form attaching and effacing (A/E) lesions. EPEC also disrupts epithelial barrier function and causes colitis. Here we have investigated how virulence factors which orchestrate formation of actin pedestals interface with host tyrosine kinases. We show that Tec-family tyrosine kinases localize beneath EPEC and, with Abl-family kinases, comprise a set of redundant host kinases utilized by EPEC to form actin pedestals. We also show that Tir, a virulence factor required for pathogenesis, contains a polyproline region (PPR) that interacts with SH3 domains of redundant kinases, and a phosphorylation site (Y474) that interacts with kinase SH2 domains. These interactions are essential for pedestal formation, and mimic activation of kinases by cellular ligands. Our results suggest that a positive feedback loop exists in which initial phosphorylation of Tir on Y474 by tyrosine kinases causes recruitment of additional redundant kinases via PPR-SH3 interactions and PO(3)-Y474-SH2 interactions, which in turn phosphorylate other Tir molecules as well as proteins that catalyse formation of actin pedestals.

Tocotrienols: the emerging face of natural vitamin E

Natural vitamin E includes eight chemically distinct molecules: alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocopherols and alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocotrienols. More than 95% of all studies on vitamin E are directed toward the specific study of alpha-tocopherol. The other forms of natural vitamin E remain poorly understood. The abundance of alpha-tocopherol in the human body and the comparable efficiency of all vitamin E molecules as antioxidants led biologists to neglect the non-tocopherol vitamin E molecules as topics for basic and clinical research. Recent developments warrant a serious reconsideration of this conventional wisdom. The tocotrienol subfamily of natural vitamin E possesses powerful neuroprotective, anticancer, and cholesterol-lowering properties that are often not exhibited by tocopherols. Current developments in vitamin E research clearly indicate that members of the vitamin E family are not redundant with respect to their biological functions. alpha-Tocotrienol, gamma-tocopherol, and delta-tocotrienol have emerged as vitamin E molecules with functions in health and disease that are clearly distinct from that of alpha-tocopherol. At nanomolar concentration, alpha-tocotrienol, not alpha-tocopherol, prevents neurodegeneration. On a concentration basis, this finding represents the most potent of all biological functions exhibited by any natural vitamin E molecule. Recently, it has been suggested that the safe dose of various tocotrienols for human consumption is 200-1000/day. A rapidly expanding body of evidence supports that members of the vitamin E family are functionally unique. In recognition of this fact, title claims in publications should be limited to the specific form of vitamin E studied. For example, evidence for toxicity of a specific form of tocopherol in excess may not be used to conclude that high-dosage "vitamin E" supplementation may increase all-cause mortality. Such conclusion incorrectly implies that tocotrienols are toxic as well under conditions where tocotrienols were not even considered. The current state of knowledge warrants strategic investment into the lesser known forms of vitamin E. This will enable prudent selection of the appropriate vitamin E molecule for studies addressing a specific health need.

Characterization of the potent neuroprotective properties of the natural vitamin E alpha-tocotrienol

The natural vitamin E tocotrienols possess properties not shared by tocopherols. Nanomolar alpha-tocotrienol, not alpha-tocopherol, is potently neuroprotective. On a concentration basis, this finding represents the most potent of all biological functions exhibited by any natural vitamin E molecule. We sought to dissect the antioxidant-independent and -dependent neuroprotective properties of alpha-tocotrienol by using two different triggers of neurotoxicity, homocysteic acid (HCA) and linoleic acid. Both HCA and linoleic acid caused neurotoxicity with comparable features, such as increased ratio of oxidized to reduced glutathione GSSG/GSH, raised intracellular calcium concentration and compromised mitochondrial membrane potential. Mechanisms underlying HCA-induced neurodegeneration were comparable to those in the path implicated in glutamate-induced neurotoxicity. Inducible activation of c-Src and 12-lipoxygenase (12-Lox) represented early events in that pathway. Overexpression of active c-Src or 12-Lox sensitized cells to HCA-induced death. Nanomolar alpha-tocotrienol was protective. Knock-down of c-Src or 12-Lox attenuated HCA-induced neurotoxicity. Oxidative stress represented a late event in HCA-induced death. The observation that micromolar, but not nanomolar, alpha-tocotrienol functions as an antioxidant was verified in a model involving linoleic acid-induced oxidative stress and cell death. Oral supplementation of alpha-tocotrienol to humans results in a peak plasma concentration of 3 microm. Thus, oral alpha-tocotrienol may be neuroprotective by antioxidant-independent as well as antioxidant-dependent mechanisms.

Src family kinases play multiple roles in differentiation of trophoblasts from human term placenta

Tyrosine phosphorylation plays a major role in controlling many biological processes in different cell types. Src family kinases (SFKs) are one of the most studied groups of tyrosine kinases and can mediate a variety of signalling pathways. However, little is known about the expression of SFKs in human term placenta and their implication in trophoblast differentiation. Therefore, we examined the expression profile of SFK members over time in culture and their implication in differentiation. In vitro, freshly isolated cytotrophoblast cells, cultured in 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), spontaneously aggregate and fuse to form multinucleated cells that resemble phenotypically mature syncytiotrophoblasts, that concomitantly produce human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and human placental lactogen (hPL). In this study, we showed that trophoblasts expressed all SFK members and some of them are expressed as different splice variants. Moreover, using real-time PCR, this study showed two different expression profiles of SFKs in human trophoblasts during culture. In addition, the protein level and phosphorylation status of Src were evaluated using specific antibodies. Src was rapidly phosphorylated at Tyr-416 and dephosphorylated at Tyr-527 after FBS addition. Surprisingly, inhibition of SFKs by 4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl) pyrazolo[3,4-d] pyrimidine (PP2) or herbimycin A had different effects on trophoblast differentiation. While herbimycin A inhibited morphological and hormonal differentiation, PP2 stimulated hormonal differentiation and inhibited cell adhesion and spreading with no effect on cell fusion. In summary, this study showed that SFKs play different roles in trophoblast differentiation, probably depending on SFK members activated. Thus, this study increases our knowledge and understanding of pathology related to impaired trophoblast differentiation such as pre-eclampsia and trophoblast neoplasm.

Activity-dependent regulation of alternative splicing patterns in the rat brain

Alternative splicing plays an important role in the expression of genetic information. Among the best understood alternative splicing factors are transformer and transformer-2, which regulate sexual differentiation in Drosophila. Like the Drosophila genes, the recently identified mammalian homologues are subject to alternative splicing. Using an antibody directed against the major human transformer-2 beta isoform, we show that it has a widespread expression in the rat brain. Pilocarpine-induced neuronal activity changes the alternative splicing pattern of the human transformer-2-beta gene in the brain. After neuronal stimulation, a variant bearing high similarity to a male-specific Drosophila tra-2179 isoform is switched off in the hippocampus and is detectable in the cortex. In addition, the ratio of another short RNA isoform (htra2-beta2) to htra2-beta1 is changed. Htra2-beta2 is not translated into protein, and probably helps to regulate the relative amounts of htra2-beta1 to beta3. We also observe activity-dependent changes in alternative splicing of the clathrin light chain B, c-src and NMDAR1 genes, indicating that the coordinated change of alternative splicing patterns might contribute to molecular plasticity in the brain.

Antibodies specific for the neuronal form of the Src protein elicited by an antigenized antibody

To elicit antibodies directed specifically against the neuron-specific form of the c-src gene product, pp60c-src(+), we used an antigenized antibody comprising a decamer containing the amino acid sequence specific to pp60c-src(+) inserted into the third hypervariable loop of the heavy (H)-chain variable (V)-region. This was used to raise anti-idiotype antibodies reacting with the peptide epitope in rabbits. The antisera reacted with pp60c-src(+), as judged by immune blotting, immunoprecipitation, immune complex kinase assay, and indirect immunofluorescence staining, but did not react with the fibroblast form of the c-src gene product, pp60c-src. Antigenized antibody is a useful approach for producing antibodies able to distinguish between isoforms of the same gene product and specific for the neuronal form of the Src protein.

A sequence compilation and comparison of exons that are alternatively spliced in neurons

Alternative splicing is an important regulatory mechanism to create protein diversity. In order to elucidate possible regulatory elements common to neuron specific exons, we created and statistically analysed a database of exons that are alternatively spliced in neurons. The splice site comparison of alternatively and constitutively spliced exons reveals that some, but not all alternatively spliced exons have splice sites deviating from the consensus sequence, implying diverse patterns of regulation. The deviation from the consensus is most evident at the -3 position of the 3' splice site and the +4 and -3 position of the 5' splice site. The nucleotide composition of alternatively and constitutively spliced exons is different, with alternatively spliced exons being more AU rich. We performed overlapping k-tuple analysis to identify common motifs. We found that alternatively and constitutively spliced exons differ in the frequency of several trinucleotides that cannot be explained by the amino acid composition and may be important for splicing regulation.

Specific expressions of Fyn and Lyn, lymphocyte antigen receptor-associated tyrosine kinases, in the central nervous system

The Src-like protein-tyrosine kinases Fyn and Lyn are expressed in lymphocytes. Fyn is expressed in T cells at elevated levels and is associated with the T cell antigen receptor complex, whereas Lyn is expressed in B cells and is associated with membrane-bound immunoglobulin. Thus, these kinases are suggested to participate in antigen-mediated signal transduction in lymphocytes. Previous report showed that fyn was also expressed in brain, but its cellular distribution was not examined. Expression of Lyn in neural tissues was not previously reported. Here we report that both fyn and lyn are expressed in discrete regions of the brain. To throw light on their functions in the brain, we investigated their expressions during brain ontogenesis in mice. In situ hybridization analysis showed that Fyn mRNA was specifically expressed in neurons of embryos and newborn mice. In adult animals, fyn mRNA was expressed in oligodendrocytes as well as neurons. In contrast, the expression of lyn mRNA was relatively low in brains of embryos and newborn mice, but in adults the transcript was specifically expressed in the granular layer of the cerebellum. Therefore, the Fyn and Lyn kinases may regulate distinct functions of specific cells during brain development. The specific expressions of Fyn and Lyn in both lymphatic and neural tissues could suggest common signalling mechanisms in the immune system and central nervous system.

Identification and developmental expression of Src+ mRNAs in Xenopus laevis

Alternative splicing of src mRNA has been demonstrated in several vertebrate species to yield a neuron-specific form of src protein termed pp60+. The function of pp60+ is unknown. The early developmental expression pattern of src+ RNA has not been previously examined. We have identified and characterized src+ transcripts corresponding to the two src genes in Xenopus laevis using a reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction (RT/PCR) method. Both Xenopus pp60+ proteins have a 5-amino-acid insert in contrast to the 6-amino-acid insert in fish, birds, and mammals. Src+ mRNA first appears in neural plate stage Xenopus embryos, after neural induction signaling events but prior to neural differentiation. Analysis of dissected neural plate stage embryos showed that src+ mRNAs are localized to the neural plate. These findings suggest that pp60+ may play a role in elaboration of neuron structure.

Nerve growth factor stimulates the tyrosine phosphorylation of MAP2 kinase in PC12 cells

NGF treatment of PC12 cells results in the rapid activation of MAP2 kinase. We report here that the induction of enzyme activity was correlated with the phosphorylation of MAP2 kinase, detected by metabolic labeling of the enzyme and with anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies. NGF stimulated the phosphorylation of MAP2 kinase on tyrosine, as well as serine and threonine residues. Western blot analysis using a polyclonal anti-phosphotyrosine antibody demonstrated that the tyrosine phosphorylation of MAP2 kinase was maximal within 2 min following NGF exposure and preceded the induction of MAP2 kinase activity. The NGF-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of an identified substrate provides direct evidence for the participation of a tyrosine kinase in the mechanism of action of NGF.

Protein tyrosine kinases and phosphatases in the nervous system

Evidence in the past year has provided support for a prominent role of tyrosine phosphorylation in the regulation of neuronal function. The discovery that many novel forms of protein tyrosine kinases and phosphatases are expressed in the brain has revealed that the regulation of tyrosine phosphorylation is highly complex. The recent identification of substrate proteins in the brain for the protein tyrosine kinases and phosphatases has begun to clarify the functional role of tyrosine phosphorylation in the development and modulation of the nervous system.

trkB, a neural receptor protein-tyrosine kinase: evidence for a full-length and two truncated receptors

We have screened an adult rat cerebellar cDNA library in search of novel protein tyrosine-kinase (PTK) cDNAs. A cDNA for a putative PTK, trkB, was cloned, and its sequence indicates that it is likely to be derived from a gene for a ligand-regulated receptor closely related to the human trk oncogene. Northern (RNA) analysis showed that the trkB gene is expressed predominantly in the brain and that trkB expresses multiple mRNAs, ranging from 0.7 to 9 kb. Hybridization of cerebral mRNAs with a variety of probes indicates that there are mRNAs encoding truncated trkB receptors. Two additional types of cDNA were isolated, and their sequences are predicted to encode two distinct C-terminally truncated receptors which have the complete extracellular region and transmembrane domain, but which differ in their short cytoplasmic tails.

trkB, a neural receptor protein-tyrosine kinase: evidence for a full-length and two truncated receptors

We have screened an adult rat cerebellar cDNA library in search of novel protein tyrosine-kinase (PTK) cDNAs. A cDNA for a putative PTK, trkB, was cloned, and its sequence indicates that it is likely to be derived from a gene for a ligand-regulated receptor closely related to the human trk oncogene. Northern (RNA) analysis showed that the trkB gene is expressed predominantly in the brain and that trkB expresses multiple mRNAs, ranging from 0.7 to 9 kb. Hybridization of cerebral mRNAs with a variety of probes indicates that there are mRNAs encoding truncated trkB receptors. Two additional types of cDNA were isolated, and their sequences are predicted to encode two distinct C-terminally truncated receptors which have the complete extracellular region and transmembrane domain, but which differ in their short cytoplasmic tails.

Identification of a novel neuronal C-SRC exon expressed in human brain

Neuronal cells are known to express at least two different forms of the C-SRC proto-oncogene as a consequence of alternative splicing events which add an 18-nucleotide exon (the NI exon) between C-SRC exons 3 and 4. Here we report that a second neuronal exon of C-SRC is also present between C-SRC exons 3 and 4. This neuronal exon (the NII exon) of C-SRC was isolated from human adult and fetal brain-derived cDNAs and contains 33 nucleotides capable of encoding 11 amino acids (Gln-Thr-Trp-Phe-Thr-Phe-Arg-Trp-Leu-Gln-Arg). The human NI exon was located approximately 390 nucleotides from the end of C-SRC exon 3, whereas the NII exon was approximately 1,000 nucleotides from the beginning of C-SRC exon 4. Analysis of human brain RNA revealed that the NII exon is utilized primarily in conjunction with the NI exon to yield transcripts capable of encoding C-SRC products possessing 17 additional amino acids. These splicing events, which occur between the NI and NII exons, are predicted to alter the sixth amino acid encoded by the NI exon from an arginine to a serine residue, producing a potentially novel phosphorylation site. Analysis of the different C-SRC RNA transcripts revealed that the level of C-SRC RNA containing both NI and NII exons is similar in adult and fetal brain tissue, whereas the level of C-SRC RNA containing only the NI exon or the nonneuronal form of C-SRC RNAs is significantly higher in fetal brain tissues. These results indicate that the expression and splicing pattern of the C-SRC gene are developmentally regulated in the human brain.

Identification of a novel neuronal C-SRC exon expressed in human brain

Neuronal cells are known to express at least two different forms of the C-SRC proto-oncogene as a consequence of alternative splicing events which add an 18-nucleotide exon (the NI exon) between C-SRC exons 3 and 4. Here we report that a second neuronal exon of C-SRC is also present between C-SRC exons 3 and 4. This neuronal exon (the NII exon) of C-SRC was isolated from human adult and fetal brain-derived cDNAs and contains 33 nucleotides capable of encoding 11 amino acids (Gln-Thr-Trp-Phe-Thr-Phe-Arg-Trp-Leu-Gln-Arg). The human NI exon was located approximately 390 nucleotides from the end of C-SRC exon 3, whereas the NII exon was approximately 1,000 nucleotides from the beginning of C-SRC exon 4. Analysis of human brain RNA revealed that the NII exon is utilized primarily in conjunction with the NI exon to yield transcripts capable of encoding C-SRC products possessing 17 additional amino acids. These splicing events, which occur between the NI and NII exons, are predicted to alter the sixth amino acid encoded by the NI exon from an arginine to a serine residue, producing a potentially novel phosphorylation site. Analysis of the different C-SRC RNA transcripts revealed that the level of C-SRC RNA containing both NI and NII exons is similar in adult and fetal brain tissue, whereas the level of C-SRC RNA containing only the NI exon or the nonneuronal form of C-SRC RNAs is significantly higher in fetal brain tissues. These results indicate that the expression and splicing pattern of the C-SRC gene are developmentally regulated in the human brain.