Minimal requirements for the nuclear localization of p27(Kip1), a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor

Nup50 plays more than one instrument

Nup50 is nuclear pore complex component localized to the nuclear side of the pore and in the nucleoplasm. It has been characterized as an auxiliary factor in nuclear transport reactions. Our recent work indicates that it interacts with and stimulates RCC1, the sole guanine nucleotide exchange factor for the GTPase Ran. Here, we discuss how this interaction might contribute to Nup50 function in nuclear transport but also its other functions like control of gene expression, cell cycle and DNA damage repair.

A Beckwith-Wiedemann-Associated CDKN1C Mutation Allows the Identification of a Novel Nuclear Localization Signal in Human p57Kip2

p57^Kip2 protein is a member of the CIP/Kip family, mainly localized in the nucleus where it exerts its Cyclin/CDKs inhibitory function. In addition, the protein plays key roles in embryogenesis, differentiation, and carcinogenesis depending on its cellular localization and interactors. Mutations of CDKN1C, the gene encoding human p57^Kip2, result in the development of different genetic diseases, including Beckwith–Wiedemann, IMAGe and Silver–Russell syndromes. We investigated a specific Beckwith–Wiedemann associated CDKN1C change (c.946 C>T) that results in the substitution of the C-terminal amino acid (arginine 316) with a tryptophan (R316W-p57^Kip2). We found a clear redistribution of R316W-p57^Kip2, in that while the wild-type p57^Kip2 mostly occurs in the nucleus, the mutant form is also distributed in the cytoplasm. Transfection of two expression constructs encoding the p57^Kip2 N- and C-terminal domain, respectively, allows the mapping of the nuclear localization signal(s) (NLSs) between residues 220–316. Moreover, by removing the basic RKRLR sequence at the protein C-terminus (from 312 to 316 residue), p57^Kip2 was confined in the cytosol, implying that this sequence is absolutely required for nuclear entry. In conclusion, we identified an unreported p57^Kip2 NLS and suggest that its absence or mutation might be of relevance in CDKN1C-associated human diseases determining significant changes of p57^Kip2 localization/regulatory roles.

Molecular mechanisms underlying progesterone-induced cytoplasmic retention of p27 in breast cancer cells

It has been reported that progesterone (P4) can contribute to the aggressiveness of human breast cancers through promoting cytoplasmic localization of p27 and stimulating proliferation. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying P4-induced cytoplasmic retention of p27 are still unclear. Here, we demonstrated that P4 (12.5-100 nM) concentration-dependently increased the number of T47D and MCF-7 cells. P4 (50 nM) also time-dependently increased the levels of p27 protein. Knock-down of p27 using the small interfering RNA (siRNA) technique abolished the P4-increased cell number of T47D and MCF-7. The signaling pathway involved in the P4-promoted breast cancer cell proliferation was further investigated. Our results suggest that P4 activated the PI3K/AKT-mediated signaling, subsequently increasing phophorylation of p27 at pT198 and T157, and thereby caused cytoplasmic retention of p27 protein. In addition, P4 activated kinase-interacting stathmin (KIS), subsequently increasing phosphorylation of nuclear p27 at serine 10 (S10), and thereby caused cytoplasmic translocation of p27pS10 from the nucleus. P4 also increased the level of nuclear CDK2pT160, thereby inducing p27 phosphorylation at T187, and hence caused cytosolic translocation of p27pT187 from the nucleus. In the cytosol, both p27pS10 and p27pT187 were degraded via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Taken together, our data suggest that P4 promoted breast cancer cell proliferation through cytoplasmic retention of p27pT157 and p27pT198 and nuclear export of p27pS10 and p27pT187.

Bombyx mori cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor is involved in regulation of the silkworm cell cycle

Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CKIs) are negative regulators of the cell cycle. They can bind to cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)-cyclin complexes and inhibit CDK activities. We identified a single homologous gene of the CDK interacting protein/kinase inhibitory protein (Cip/Kip) family, BmCKI, in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. The gene transcribes two splice variants: a 654-bp-long BmCKI-L (the longer splice variant) encoding a protein with 217 amino acids and a 579-bp-long BmCKI-S (the shorter splice variant) encoding a protein with 192 amino acids. BmCKI-L and BmCKI-S contain the Cip/Kip family conserved cyclin-binding domain and the CDK-binding domain. They are localized in the nucleus and have an unconventional bipartite nuclear localization signal at amino acid residues 181-210. Overexpression of BmCKI-L or BmCKI-S affected cell cycle progression; the cell cycle was arrested in the first gap phase of cell cycle (G1). RNA interference of BmCKI-L or BmCKI-S led to cells accumulating in the second gap phase and the mitotic phase of cell cycle (G2/M). Both BmCKI-L and BmCKI-S are involved in cell cycle regulation and probably have similar effects. The transgenic silkworm with BmCKI-L overexpression (BmCKI-L-OE), exhibited embryonic lethal, larva developmental retardation and lethal phenotypes. These results suggest that BmCKI-L might regulate the growth and development of silkworm. These findings clarify the function of CKIs and increase our understanding of cell cycle regulation in the silkworm.

Loss of p27kip1 increases genomic instability and induces radio-resistance in luminal breast cancer cells

Genomic instability represents a typical feature of aggressive cancers. Normal cells have evolved intricate responses to preserve genomic integrity in response to stress, such as DNA damage induced by γ-irradiation. Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) take crucial part to these safeguard mechanisms, but involvement of CDK-inhibitors, such as p27^Kip1, is less clear. We generated immortalized fibroblasts from p27^kip1 knock-out (KO) mouse embryos and re-expressed p27^kip1 WT, or its mutant forms, to identify the function of different domains. We γ-irradiated fibroblasts and observed that loss of p27^Kip1 was associated to accumulation of residual DNA damage, increased number of mitotic aberration and, eventually, to survival advantage. Nuclear localization and cyclin/CDK-binding of p27^Kip1 were critical to mediate proper response to DNA damage. In human luminal breast cancer (LBC) p27^kip1 is frequently down-modulated and CDKN1B, p27^Kip1 gene, sporadically mutated. We recapitulated results obtained in mouse fibroblasts in a LBC cell line genetically manipulated to be KO for CDKN1B gene. Following γ-irradiation, we confirmed that p27^kip1 expression was necessary to preserve genomic integrity and to recognize and clear-out aberrant cells. Our study provides important insights into mechanisms underlying radio-resistance and unveils the possibility for novel treatment options exploiting DNA repair defects in LBC.

Low p16INK4a Expression in Early Passage Human Prostate Basal Epithelial Cells Enables Immortalization by Telomerase Expression Alone

BACKGROUND

There are two principal senescence barriers that must be overcome to successfully immortalize primary human epithelial cells in culture, stress-induced senescence, and replicative senescence. The p16^INK4a /retinoblastoma protein (p16/Rb) pathway mediates stress-induced senescence, and is generally upregulated by primary epithelial cells in response to the artificial conditions from tissue culture. Replicative senescence is associated with telomere loss. Following each round of cell division, telomeres progressively shorten. Once telomeres shorten to a critical length, the DNA damage response pathway is activated, and the tumor suppressor p53 pathway triggers replicative senescence. Exogenous expression of telomerase in normal human epithelial cells extends the replicative capacity of cells, and in some cases, immortalizes cells. However reliable immortalization of epithelial cells usually requires telomerase activity coupled with inactivation of the p16/Rb pathway.

METHODS

A lentiviral vector, pLOX-TERT-iresTK (Addgene #12245), containing a CMV promoter upstream of a bicistronic coding cassette that includes loxP sites flanking the catalytic subunit of human telomerase gene (TERT) and herpes simplex virus type-1 thymidine kinase gene (HSV1-tk) was used to transduce normal prostate basal epithelial cells (PrECs) initiated in cell culture from prostate cancer patients undergoing radical prostatectomies.

RESULTS

Transduction of early (i.e., <7) passage PrECs with TERT led to successful immortalization. However, attempts to immortalize late (i.e., >7) passage PrECs were unsuccessful. Late passage PrECs, which acquired elevated p16, were unable to overcome the senescence barrier. Immortalized PrECs (TERT-PrECs) retained a normal male karyotype and low p16 expression. Additionally, TERT-PrECs were non-tumorigenic when inoculated into intact male immunodeficient NSG mice.

CONCLUSIONS

The present studies document that early passage human PrECs have sufficiently low p16 to permit immortalization by TERT expression alone. TERT-PrECs developed using this transduction approach provides an appropriate and experimentally facile model for clarifying the molecular mechanism(s) involved in both immortalization of human PrECs, as well as identifying genetic/epigenetic "drivers" for conversion of these immortalized non-tumorigenic cells into fully lethal prostate cancers. Notably, loxP sites flank the exogenous TERT gene in the TERT-PrECs. Cre recombinase can be used to excise TERT, and resolve whether TERT expression is required for these cells to be fully transformed into lethal cancer. Prostate 77: 374-384, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Role and regulation of p27 in neuronal apoptosis

It is necessary for the cell-cycle machinery of neurons to be suppressed to promote differentiation and maintenance of their terminally differentiated state. Reactivation of the cell cycle in response to neurotoxic insults leads to neuronal cell death and some cell-cycle-related proteins contribute to the process. p27 kip1 (p27), an inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases, prevents unwarranted cyclin-dependent kinase activation. In this study, we have elucidated a novel mechanism via which p27 promotes apoptosis of neurons stimulated by neurotoxic amyloid peptide Aβ₄₂ (Amyloid β_1-42 peptide). Co-immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that p27 promotes interaction between Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) and cyclin D1, which is induced by Aβ₄₂ in cortical neurons. As a result, Cdk5 is sequestered from its neuronal activator p35 resulting in kinase deactivation. The depletion of p27, which was achieved by specific siRNA, restored Cdk5/p35 interaction by preventing association between Cdk5 and cyclin D1 and also abrogated Aβ₄₂ induced apoptosis of cortical neurons. Furthermore, analysis of cell cycle markers suggested that p27 may play a role in Aβ₄₂ induced aberrant cell cycle progression of neurons, which may result in apoptosis_. These findings provide novel insights into how p27, which otherwise performs important neuronal functions, may become deleterious to neurons under neurotoxic conditions.

Nucleostemin/GNL3 promotes nucleolar polyubiquitylation of p27kip1 to drive hepatocellular carcinoma progression

p27^kip, as a cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKI), plays a pivotal role in the regulation of cell cycle progression and hepatocarcinogenesis. Herein, we revealed that p27 exhibited apparent nucleolar distribution and interacted with nucleolar protein nucleostemin (NS) in Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Furthermore, subcellular fractionation experiments demonstrated that nucleolar p27 had significantly higher level of polyubiquitylation, compared with nucleoplasmic fraction. Depletion of NS inhibited nucleolar polyubiquitylation of p27, indicating an involvement of NS in triggering p27 ubiquitylation and inactivation during HCC development. Moreover, we found that knockdown of NS promoted p27 to bind to CDK2-Cyclin E complex and inhibited the activity of CDK2, resulting in consequent cell cycle arrest in HCC cells. Furthermore, silencing NS expression reduced in vitro colony formation and in vivo tumor growth of HCC cells. Finally, we found that NS was upregulated in HCC tissues, compared with adjacent non-tumorous tissues. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated patients with high expression of NS and low expression of p27 had significantly worsened prognosis. Our results suggested NS mediated p27-dependent cell cycle control via inducing nucleolar sequestration and polyubiquitylation of p27 in HCC. These findings help gain an insightful view into the mechanism underlying aberrant cell cycle progression during hepatocarcinogenesis, and thus benefit the development of molecular-targeted therapies in HCC.

Mutant AKT1-E17K is oncogenic in lung epithelial cells

The hotspot E17K mutation in the pleckstrin homology domain of AKT1 occurs in approximately 0.6–2% of human lung cancers. In this manuscript, we sought to determine whether this AKT1 variant is a bona-fide activating mutation and plays a role in the development of lung cancer. Here we report that in immortalized human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B cells) mutant AKT1-E17K promotes anchorage-dependent and -independent proliferation, increases the ability to migrate, invade as well as to survive and duplicate in stressful conditions, leading to the emergency of cells endowed with the capability to form aggressive tumours at high efficiency. We provide also evidence that the molecular mechanism whereby AKT1-E17K is oncogenic in lung epithelial cells involves phosphorylation and consequent cytoplasmic delocalization of the cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) inhibitor p27. In agreement with these results, cytoplasmic p27 is preferentially observed in primary NSCLCs with activated AKT and predicts poor survival.

Molecular mechanisms underlying progesterone-enhanced breast cancer cell migration

Progesterone (P4) was demonstrated to inhibit migration in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), but to enhance migration in T47D breast cancer cells. To investigate the mechanism responsible for this switch in P4 action, we examined the signaling pathway responsible for the P4-induced migration enhancement in breast cancer cell lines, T47D and MCF-7. Here, we demonstrated that P4 activated the cSrc/AKT signaling pathway, subsequently inducing RSK1 activation, which in turn increased phosphorylation of p27 at T198 and formation of the p27pT198-RhoA complex in the cytosol, thereby preventing RhoA degradation, and eventually enhanced migration in T47D cells. These findings were confirmed in the P4-treated MCF-7. Comparing the P4-induced molecular events in between breast cancer cells and VSMCs, we found that P4 increased p27 phosphorylation at T198 in breast cancer cells through RSK1 activation, while P4 increased p27 phosphorlation at Ser10 in VSMCs through KIS activation. P27pT198 formed the complex with RhoA and prevented RhoA degradation in T47D cells, whereas p-p27Ser10 formed the complex with RhoA and caused RhoA degradation in VSMCs. The results of this study highlight the molecular mechanism underlying P4-enhanced breast cancer cell migration, and suggest that RSK1 activation is responsible for the P4-induced migration enhancement in breast cancer cells.

Novel functions of core cell cycle regulators in neuronal migration

The cerebral cortex is one of the most intricate regions of the brain, which required elaborated cell migration patterns for its development. Experimental observations show that projection neurons migrate radially within the cortical wall, whereas interneurons migrate along multiple tangential paths to reach the developing cortex. Tight regulation of the cell migration processes ensures proper positioning and functional integration of neurons to specific cerebral cortical circuits. Disruption of neuronal migration often lead to cortical dysfunction and/or malformation associated with neurological disorders. Unveiling the molecular control of neuronal migration is thus fundamental to understand the physiological or pathological development of the cerebral cortex. Generation of functional cortical neurons is a complex and stratified process that relies on decision of neural progenitors to leave the cell cycle and generate neurons that migrate and differentiate to reach their final position in the cortical wall. Although accumulating work shed some light on the molecular control of neuronal migration, we currently do not have a comprehensive understanding of how cell cycle exit and migration/differentiation are coordinated at the molecular level. The current chapter tends to lift the veil on this issue by discussing how core cell cycle regulators, and in particular p27(Kip1) acts as a multifunctional protein to control critical steps of neuronal migration through activities that go far beyond cell cycle regulation.

Classic "broken cell" techniques and newer live cell methods for cell cycle assessment

Many common, important diseases are either caused or exacerbated by hyperactivation (e.g., cancer) or inactivation (e.g., heart failure) of the cell division cycle. A better understanding of the cell cycle is critical for interpreting numerous types of physiological changes in cells. Moreover, new insights into how to control it will facilitate new therapeutics for a variety of diseases and new avenues in regenerative medicine. The progression of cells through the four main phases of their division cycle [G(0)/G(1), S (DNA synthesis), G(2), and M (mitosis)] is a highly conserved process orchestrated by several pathways (e.g., transcription, phosphorylation, nuclear import/export, and protein ubiquitination) that coordinate a core cell cycle pathway. This core pathway can also receive inputs that are cell type and cell niche dependent. "Broken cell" methods (e.g., use of labeled nucleotide analogs) to assess for cell cycle activity have revealed important insights regarding the cell cycle but lack the ability to assess living cells in real time (longitudinal studies) and with single-cell resolution. Moreover, such methods often require cell synchronization, which can perturb the pathway under study. Live cell cycle sensors can be used at single-cell resolution in living cells, intact tissue, and whole animals. Use of these more recently available sensors has the potential to reveal physiologically relevant insights regarding the normal and perturbed cell division cycle.

Regulation of p27 (Kip1) by mitogen-induced tyrosine phosphorylation

Extracellular mitogen signal transduction is initiated by ligand binding to specific receptors of target cells. This causes a cellular response that frequently triggers the activation of tyrosine kinases. Non-receptor kinases like Src and Lyn can directly phosphorylate the Cdk inhibitor protein p27 (Kip1) . Tyrosine phosphorylation can cause impaired Cdk-inhibitory activity and decreased stability of p27. In addition to these non-receptor tyrosine kinases, the receptor-associated tyrosine kinase Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) was recently identified to phosphorylate p27. JAK2 becomes activated through binding of various cytokines and growth factors to their corresponding receptors and can directly bind and selectively phosphorylate tyrosine residue 88 (Y88) of the Cdk inhibitor p27. This impairs Cdk inhibition by p27 and promotes its ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal degradation. Via this mechanism, JAK2 can link cytokine and growth factor initiated signal transduction to p27 regulation, whereas oncogenes like JAK2V617F or BCR-Abl can use this mechanism to inactivate the Cdk inhibitor.

RSK1 drives p27Kip1 phosphorylation at T198 to promote RhoA inhibition and increase cell motility

p90 ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK1) is an effector of both Ras/MEK/MAPK and PI3K/PDK1 pathways. We present evidence that RSK1 drives p27 phosphorylation at T198 to increase RhoA-p27 binding and cell motility. RSK1 activation and p27pT198 both increase in early G(1). As for many kinase-substrate pairs, cellular RSK1 coprecipitates with p27. siRNA to RSK1 and RSK1 inhibition both rapidly reduce cellular p27pT198. RSK1 overexpression increases p27pT198, p27-cyclin D1-Cdk4 complexes, and p27 stability. Moreover, RSK1 transfectants show mislocalization of p27 to cytoplasm, increased motility, and reduced RhoA-GTP, phospho-cofilin, and actin stress fibers, all of which were reversed by shRNA to p27. Phosphorylation by RSK1 increased p27pT198 binding to RhoA in vitro, whereas p27T157A/T198A bound poorly to RhoA compared with WTp27 in cells. Coprecipitation of cellular p27-RhoA was increased in cells with constitutive PI3K activation and increased in early G(1). Thus T198 phosphorylation not only stabilizes p27 and mislocalizes p27 to the cytoplasm but also promotes RhoA-p27 interaction and RhoA pathway inhibition. These data link p27 phosphorylation at T198 and cell motility. As for other PI3K effectors, RSK1 phosphorylates p27 at T198. Because RSK1 is also activated by MAPK, the increased cell motility and metastatic potential of cancer cells with PI3K and/or MAPK pathway activation may result in part from RSK1 activation, leading to accumulation of p27T198 in the cytoplasm, p27:RhoA binding, inhibition of RhoA/Rock pathway activation, and loss of actomyosin stability.

Functions, regulation and cellular localization of plant cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors

The cell cycle is regulated by the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK), and CDK inhibitors can bind to CDKs and inhibit their activities. This review examines plant CDK inhibitors, with particular emphasis on their molecular and cellular functions, regulation and cellular localization. In plants, a family of ICK/KRP CDK inhibitors represented by ICK1 is known and another type of CDK inhibitor represented by the SIMESE (SIM) has recently been reported. Considerable understanding has been gained with the ICK/KRP CDK inhibitors. These plant CDK inhibitors share only limited sequence similarity in the C-terminal region with the KIP/CIP family of mammalian CDK inhibitors. The ICK/KRP CDK inhibitors thus provide good tools to understand the basic machinery as well as the unique aspects of the plant cell cycle. The ICK/KRP CDK inhibitors interact with D-type cyclins or A-type CDKs or both. Several functional regions and motifs have been identified in ICK1 for CDK inhibition, nuclear localization and protein instability. Clear evidence shows that ICK/KRP proteins are important for the cell cycle and endoreduplication. Preliminary evidence suggests that they may also be involved in cell differentiation and cell death. Results so far show that plant CDK inhibitors are exclusively localized in the nucleus. The molecular sequences regulating the localization and functional significance will be discussed.

The Cdk inhibitor p27 in human cancer: prognostic potential and relevance to anticancer therapy

The cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitor p27 (also known as KIP1) regulates cell proliferation, cell motility and apoptosis. Interestingly, the protein can exert both positive and negative functions on these processes. Diverse post-translational modifications determine the physiological role of p27. Phosphorylation regulates p27 binding to and inhibition of cyclin-Cdk complexes, its localization and its ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. In cancers, p27 is inactivated through impaired synthesis, accelerated degradation and by mislocalization. Moreover, studies in several tumour types indicate that p27 expression levels have both prognostic and therapeutic implications.

Rac1-dependent transcriptional up-regulation of p27Kip1 by homophilic cell-cell contact in vascular endothelial cells

The mechanism for the transcriptional up-regulation of p27Kip1 due to the formation of the cell-cell contact was investigated in vascular endothelial cells. The induction of the cell-cell contact by adding an extra number of endothelial cells activated Rac1, up-regulated p27Kip1 mRNA and protein, and also facilitated the cell cycle arrest. Transduction of the Rac1 inhibitor protein using the cell-penetrating peptide or treatment with a Rac1 inhibitor NSC23766 inhibited the p27Kip1 up-regulation and delayed the cell cycle arrest. Rac1 was therefore suggested to mediate the contact-induced transcriptional up-regulation of p27Kip1. The role of Rac1 in the regulation of the p27Kip1 promoter activity was next examined with a luciferase reporter assay. The promoter activity was increased by inducing the cell-cell contact, which was significantly inhibited by the Rac1 inhibitory protein and NSC23766. The evaluation of various truncated promoter regions determined region -620 to -573 nucleotides from the initiation codon to be responsible for the contact-induced, Rac1-dependent activation of the p27Kip1 promoter. The present study thus demonstrated for the first time that the activation of Rac1 due to the cell-cell contact plays a critical role in the transcriptional up-regulation of p27Kip1 in vascular endothelial cells.

p27 Kip1 localization depends on the tumor suppressor protein tuberin

p27(Kip1) plays an important role in cell cycle regulation by inhibiting cyclin-CDK complex activity in the nucleus. p27(Kip1) is regulated by its concentration as well as by its subcellular localization. Tuberin, encoded by the tuberous sclerosis tumor suppressor gene TSC2, is a potent negative cell cycle regulator. We show herein, that tuberin induces nuclear p27 localization by inhibiting its 14-3-3-mediated cytoplasmic retention. Tuberin interferes with 14-3-3's counteracting effects on p27-mediated cell cycle arrest. Akt-mediated phosphorylation of p27, but not of tuberin, negatively regulates tuberin's potential to trigger p27 nuclear localization. In G0 cells, tuberin binds p27 triggering downregulation of p27's binding to 14-3-3 and of its cytoplasmic retention. At transition to S phase p27 is phosphorylated by Akt, tuberin/p27 complex levels are downregulated and binding of p27 to 14-3-3 increases triggering cytoplasmic retention of p27. These findings demonstrate p27 localization during the mammalian cell cycle to be under the control of the tumor suppressor tuberin.

Aberrant localization of importin alpha1 in hippocampal neurons in Alzheimer disease

Since many nuclear proteins are ectopically localized in the cytoplasm in the vulnerable neurons in Alzheimer disease (AD), we speculated that there is failure of the cytoplasmic-nuclear transport machinery in AD. In support of this notion, we found that importin alpha1, an essential component of cytoplasmic-nuclear transport, is abnormally accumulated in Hirano bodies in vulnerable hippocampal neurons in AD. These data suggest a hindrance in importin-mediated cytoplasmic-nuclear transport in AD.

Molecular control of nuclear and subnuclear targeting of the plant CDK inhibitor ICK1 and ICK1-mediated nuclear transport of CDKA

ICK1 is the first member of a family of plant cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors. It has been shown that ICK1 is localized in the nuclei of transgenic Arabidopsis plants. Since cellular localization is important for the functions of cell cycle regulators, a comprehensive analysis was undertaken to identify specific sequences regulating the cellular localization of ICK1. Deletion and site-specific mutants fused to the green fluorescent protein (GFP) were used in transgenic Arabidopsis plants and transfected tobacco cells. Surprisingly, three separate sequences in the N-terminal, central and C-terminal regions of ICK1 could independently confer nuclear localization of the GFP fusion proteins. The central nuclear localization signal NLS(ICK1) could transport the much larger GUS (beta-glucuronidase)-GFP fusion protein into nuclei, while the other two sequences were unable to. These results suggest that NLS(ICK1) is a strong NLS that actively transports the fusion protein into nuclei, while the other two sequences are either a weaker NLS or confer the nuclear localization of GFP indirectly. It was further observed that the N-terminal sequence specifies a punctate pattern of subnuclear localization, while the C-terminal sequence suppresses it. Furthermore, co-expression of ICK1 and Arabidopsis CDKA, tagged with different GFP variants, showed that ICK1 could mediate the transport of CDKA into nuclei while a mutant ICK1(1-162) that does not interact with CDKA lost this ability. These results illustrate how the nuclear localization of ICK1 is regulated and also suggest a possible role of ICK1 in regulating the cellular distribution of CDKA.

Calpain activation is required for glutamate-induced p27 down-regulation in cultured cortical neurons

Recent evidence suggests that cell cycle-related molecules play pivotal roles in multiple forms of cell death in post-mitotic neurons. Nevertheless, it remains unclear what molecular mechanisms are involved in the regulation of expression levels and activities of these molecules. We showed previously that treatment with extracellular glutamate decreases cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27 before neuronal cell death. In this study, we demonstrate that reductions of both p27 and neuronal viability were dependent on activity of calpain, a Ca(2+)-dependent protease, but not on activity of caspase 3. Interestingly, the glutamate-induced reduction of p27 was not dependent on the ubiquitin-proteasome system. In fact, p27 was present only in the neuronal nucleus, whereas calpain 1, a ubiquitous calpain, was observed both in the neuronal nucleus and cytoplasm in control cultures. Glutamate treatment did not change the localization patterns of p27 and calpain 1. It reduced p27 expression level in the nucleus in a calpain-dependent manner. In vitro experiments using neuronal cell lysate and p27 recombinant protein revealed that p27 was degraded as a substrate of activated calpain 1. These results suggest that calpain(s), activated by glutamate treatment, degrade(s) p27 in the nucleus of neurons, which might promote aberrant cell cycle progression.

Akt1 sequentially phosphorylates p27kip1 within a conserved but non-canonical region

BACKGROUND

p27kip1 (p27) is a multifunctional protein implicated in regulation of cell cycling, signal transduction, and adhesion. Its activity is controlled in part by Phosphatylinositol-3-Kinase (PI3K)/Akt1 signaling, and disruption of this regulatory connection has been identified in human breast cancers. The serine/threonine protein kinase Akt1 directly phosphorylates p27, so identifying the modified residue(s) is essential for understanding how it regulates p27 function. Various amino acids have been suggested as potential targets, but recent attention has focused on threonine 157 (T157) because it is located in a putative Akt1 consensus site. However, T157 is not evolutionarily conserved between mouse and human. We therefore re-evaluated Akt1 phosphorylation of p27 using purified proteins and in cells.

RESULTS

Here we show purified Akt1 phosphorylates human and mouse p27 equally well. Phospho-peptide mapping indicates Akt1 targets multiple sites conserved in both species, while phospho-amino acid analysis identifies the targeted residues as serine rather than threonine. P27 deletion mutants localized these sites to the N-terminus, which contains the major p27 phosphorylation site in cells (serine 10). P27 phosphorylated by Akt1 was detected by a phospho-S10 specific antibody, confirming this serine was targeted. Akt1 failed to phosphorylate p27S10A despite evidence of a second site from mapping experiments. This surprising result suggested S10 phosphorylation might be required for targeting the second site. We tested this idea by replacing S10 with threonine, which as expected led to the appearance of phospho-threonine. Phospho-serine was still present, however, confirming Akt1 sequentially targets multiple serines in this region. We took two approaches in an attempt to explain why different residues were previously implicated. A kinetic analysis revealed a putative Akt1 binding site in the C-terminus, which may explain why mutations in this region affect p27 phosphorylation. Furthermore, commercially available recombinant Akt1 preparations exhibit striking differences in substrate specificity and site selectivity. To confirm S10 is a relevant site, we first showed that full-length wild type Akt1 purified from mammalian cells phosphorylates both human and mouse p27 on S10. Finally, we found that in cultured cells under physiologically relevant conditions such as oxidative stress or growth factor deprivation, endogenous Akt1 causes p27 accumulation by phosphorylating S10.

CONCLUSION

Identifying where Akt1 phosphorylates p27 is essential for understanding its functional implications. We found that full-length wild type Akt1--whether purified, transiently overexpressed in cells, or activated in response to cellular stress--phosphorylates p27 at S10, a noncanonical but evolutionarily conserved site known to regulate p27 activity and stability. Using recombinant Akt1 recapitulating this specificity, we showed modification of p27S10 also leads to phosphorylation of an adjacent serine. These results integrate PI3K/Akt1 signaling in response to stress with p27 regulation through its major phosphorylation site in cells, and thus identify new avenues for understanding p27 deregulation in human cancers.

Dynamic Green Fluorescent Protein Sensors for High‐Content Analysis of the Cell Cycle

We have developed two dynamic sensors that report cell cycle position in living mammalian cells. The sensors use well-characterized components from proteins that are spatially and temporally regulated through the cell cycle. Coupling of these components to Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (EGFP) has been used to engineer fusion proteins that report G1/S and G2/M transitions during the cell cycle without perturbing cell cycle progression. Expression of these sensors in stable cell lines allows high content analysis of the effects of drugs and gene knockdown on the cell cycle using automated image analysis to determine cell cycle position and to abstract correlative data from multiplexed sensors and morphological analysis.

Tyrosine phosphorylation modulates binding preference to cyclin-dependent kinases and subcellular localization of p27Kip1 in the acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line NB4

We have investigated the role of tyrosine phosphorylation of the cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) inhibitor p27Kip1 using the acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line NB4 together with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). Short-term G-CSF stimulation resulted in a rapid tyrosine dephosphorylation of p27Kip1 accompanied by a change in its binding preferences to cdks. On G-CSF stimulation, p27Kip1 dissociated from cdk4 and associated with cdk2. Binding assays with recombinant p27Kip1 confirmed that tyrosine-phosphorylated p27Kip1 preferentially bound to cdk4, whereas unphosphorylated protein preferentially associated with cdk2. In addition, studies with p27Kip1 point mutations revealed a decisive role of Tyr88 and Tyr89 in binding to cdk4. Furthermore, phosphorylation of Tyr88 and Tyr89 was accompanied by strong nuclear translocation of p27Kip1. Taken together, this report provides the first evidence that tyrosine phosphorylation of p27Kip1 plays a crucial role in binding to cdks and its subcellular localization. Moreover, both effects are mediated by application of G-CSF.

Farnesyltransferase Inhibitor, ABT-100, Is a Potent Liver Cancer Chemopreventive Agent

PURPOSE

Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma raised on cirrhotic liver represents a major endeavor because surgery and chemotherapeutic management fail to improve the clinical course of the disease. Chemoprevention could represent an important means to inhibit the process of hepatocarcinogenesis. Farnesyltransferase inhibitors are a class of drugs blocking the growth of tumor cells with minimal toxicity towards normal cells.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

In the present study, we investigated the effects of a novel farnesyltransferase inhibitor, ABT-100, on human liver cancer cell lines, HepG2 and Huh7, and on an animal model of hepatocarcinogenesis.

RESULTS

ABT-100 inhibited HepG2 and Huh7 cell growth as well as the invading ability of Huh7 on Matrigel. In HepG2 and Huh7 cells, ABT-100 inhibited growth factor-stimulated phosphoinositide 3-kinase and Akt/protein kinase B activity. Furthermore, ABT-100 inhibited Akt-dependent p27(Kip1) phosphorylation and this event was associated with increased levels of p27(Kip1) in the nucleus and reduced activity of the cyclin-dependent kinase 2. Moreover, ABT-100 treatment resulted in a significant reduction in tumor incidence and multiplicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, these findings identify a mechanism of ABT-100 function and show the efficacy of ABT-100 as a chemopreventive agent of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Complex regulation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27kip1 in thyroid cancer cells by the PI3K/AKT pathway: regulation of p27kip1 expression and localization

Functional inactivation of the tumor suppressor p27(kip1) in human cancer occurs either through loss of expression or through phosphorylation-dependent cytoplasmic sequestration. Here we demonstrate that dysregulation of the PI3K/AKT pathway is important in thyroid carcinogenesis and that p27(kip1) is a key target of the growth-regulatory activity exerted by this pathway in thyroid cancer cells. Using specific PI3K inhibitors (LY294002, wortmannin, and PTEN) and a dominant active AKT construct (myrAKT), we demonstrated that the PI3K/AKT pathway controlled thyroid cell proliferation by regulating the expression and subcellular localization of p27. Results obtained with phospho-specific antibodies and with transfection of nonphosphorylable p27(kip1) mutant constructs demonstrated that PI3K/AKT-dependent regulation of p27(kip1) mislocalization in thyroid cancer cells occurred via phosphorylation of p27(kip1) at T157 and T198 (but not at S10 or T187). Finally, we evaluated whether these results were applicable to human tumors. Analysis of 100 thyroid carcinomas indicated that p27(kip1) phosphorylation at T157/T198 and cytoplasmic mislocalization were preferentially associated with activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway. Thus the PI3/AKT pathway and its effector p27(kip1) play major roles in thyroid carcinogenesis.

Phosphorylation of p27Kip1 at Thr-157 interferes with its association with importin alpha during G1 and prevents nuclear re-entry

We have studied mechanisms of Akt-mediated phosphorylation and regulation of cellular localization of p27. Akt phosphorylates Thr-157 in p27 and retains it in the cytosol. In cells arrested in G(1) and then synchronized to enter into S phase, Akt-mediated phosphorylation of Thr-157 p27 occurred in the cytosol during G(1) phase of the cell cycle. Both T157A and S10A p27 mutants localized in the nucleus in all phases of the cell cycle regardless of the expression of active Akt. Thr-157 phosphorylation was undetectable in S10A-p27, suggesting that Ser-10 phosphorylation is required for p27 localization in the cytosol and subsequent phosphorylation at Thr-157. Phosphorylation at Thr-157 interrupted the association of p27 with importin alpha. A T157A-p27 mutant protein exhibited higher association with importin alpha than wild-type-p27. Treatment of transfected and endogenous p27 with alkaline phosphatase rescued its association with importin alpha. Leptomycin B inhibited cytosolic Thr-157 P-p27 staining, implying that CRM1-dependent nuclear export is required for Akt-mediated Thr-157 phosphorylation. Heterokaryon shuttling assays with NIH3T3 (mouse) cells transfected with FLAG-p27 and HeLa (human) cells revealed that both wild type and T157A-p27 shuttled from NIH3T3 to HeLa cell nuclei with similar frequencies. However, S10A-p27 was found only in the NIH3T3 nuclei of NIH3T3-HeLa cell fusions. These results suggest that 1) Ser-10 phosphorylation is required for nuclear export of p27, 2) subsequent Akt-mediated phosphorylation at Thr-157 during G(1) phase corrals p27 in the cytosol, and 3) Thr-157 phosphorylation inhibits the association of p27 with importin alpha thus preventing its re-entry into the nucleus.

NPM/ALK downregulates p27Kip1 in a PI-3K-dependent manner

OBJECTIVES

Anaplastic large-cell lymphomas (ALCL) are frequently associated with the chromosomal translocation t(2;5) (p23;q35) resulting in the NPM/ALK fusion gene that encodes a constitutively activated tyrosine kinase. We showed that NPM/ALK stimulated cell proliferation and that PI-3K/AKT pathway played an important role in this effect. p27Kip1 is a member of the CDK family inhibitory proteins regulating the entry into S phase. It was reported that p27Kip1 function is impaired in many tumors. In this study we investigated the role of PI-3K/AKT in NPM/ALK-dependent downregulation of p27Kip1 protein.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To investigate this phenomenon the pro-B cell line BaF3, BaF3 cell line stably expressing NPM/ALK, and ALCL SUP-M2 cell line were used. The p27Kip1 protein expression before and after LY294002, wortmannin, or epoxomicin treatment and phosphorylation status of AKT were measured in parental and NPM/ALK+ cells by Western analysis. Also, the localization of p27Kip1 protein was analyzed by fractionation and immunoblotting.

RESULTS

p27Kip1 was found to be downregulated in NPM/ALK-transformed hematopoietic cells, but inhibition of proteasome-dependent degradation pathway by epoxomicin reversed this effect. In addition, treatment of NPM/ALK+ cells with LY294002, the PI-3K inhibitor, caused elevation of p27Kip1 protein expression and its nuclear localization.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, we postulate that NPM/ALK-PI-3K pathway stimulates cell proliferation by regulation of the expression and nuclear localization of p27Kip1.

Facilitation of proteasomal degradation of p27Kip1by N-terminal cleavage and their sequence requirements

The sequence requirement for N-terminal cleavage and the proteasomal degradation of p27Kip1 and their relationship was investigated. Residues 5-8 were required for the cleavage and the mutation of S10 to E inhibited the cleavage. The C-terminal PEST sequence was necessary for the degradation and residue R165 was found to play an important role in the degradation. The inhibition of the cleavage by deleting residues 5-8 inhibited the degradation, while the fragment mimicking the cleavage product accelerated the degradation. Both the cleavage and degradation demonstrated a similar sensitivity toward proteasome inhibitors and ATP depletion. These two processes are thus suggested to be tightly linked and sequential.

Identification of nuclear localisation sequences in spastin (SPG4) using a novel Tetra-GFP reporter system

Mutations in the human spastin gene (SPG4) cause the most prevalent form of autosomal dominant hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), a neurodegenerative disorder characterised by progressive weakness and spasticity of the lower limbs. We address the question of intracellular localisation of spastin. Using polyclonal antibodies against N-terminal spastin sequences, we find that the native protein is localised in both the perinuclear cytoplasm and the nucleus. To identify structural motifs within the protein that can explain entry into the nucleus, we developed a reporter system to test nuclear localisation sequence (NLS)-functionality based on four in-frame fused copies of green fluorescent protein. Using this novel tool we demonstrate that spastin carries two NLSs located in exons 1 and 6. Both are independently functional in mediating nuclear entry.

Inactivation of protease-activated receptor-1 by proteolytic removal of the ligand region in vascular endothelial cells

Proteolysis plays an important role in inactivating protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR1). We aimed to determine the cleavage site(s) responsive for the proteolytic inactivation of PAR1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Fura-2 fluorometry revealed that the preceding stimulation with trypsin abolished the subsequent [Ca(2+)](i) response to thrombin, while the responses to PAR1-activating peptides remained intact. On the other hand, thrombin had no effect on the subsequent response to trypsin. The immunostaining with antibodies against the residues 35-46 (SPAN12) and 51-64 (WEDE15) revealed the broad boundaries of cleavage. Trypsin removed both epitopes from the cell surface within 3 min, while thrombin removed the epitope of SPAN12. The longer incubation with thrombin removed the epitope of WEDE15. However, PAR1-activating peptides thereafter induced an attenuated but significant elevation of [Ca(2+)](i). Not only the receptor internalization as observed with a confocal microscope, but also an additional cleavage was thus suggested to contribute to the thrombin-induced removal of the epitope of WEDE15. The analyses of the PAR1 mutants identified three cleavage sites for trypsin; residues 41-42, 70-71 and 82-83. The cleavage at the latter two sites was suggested to dominate that at the former, and thus remove the ligand region (residues 42-47). The inactivation of PAR1 due to proteolytic removal of the ligand region may contribute not only to the inactivation of PAR1 by proteases such as trypsin, but also to the termination of the intracellular signaling initiated by thrombin in the vascular endothelial cells.

14-3-3 suppresses the nuclear localization of threonine 157-phosphorylated p27(Kip1)

p27(Kip1) (p27), a CDK inhibitor, migrates into the nucleus, where it controls cyclin-CDK complex activity for proper cell cycle progression. We report here that the classical bipartite-type basic amino-acid cluster and the two downstream amino acids of the C-terminal region of p27 function as a nuclear localization signal (NLS) for its full nuclear import activity. Importin alpha3 and alpha5, but not alpha1, transported p27 into the nucleus in conjunction with importin beta, as evidenced by an in vitro transport assay. It is known that Akt phosphorylates Thr 157 of p27 and this reduces the nuclear import activity of p27. Using a pull-down experiment, 14-3-3 was identified as the Thr157-phosphorylated p27NLS-binding protein. Although importin alpha5 bound to Thr157-phosphorylated p27NLS, 14-3-3 competed with importin alpha5 for binding to it. Thus, 14-3-3 sequestered phosphorylated p27NLS from importin alpha binding, resulting in cytoplasmic localization of NLS-phosphorylated p27. These findings indicate that 14-3-3 suppresses importin alpha/beta-dependent nuclear localization of Thr157-phosphorylated p27, suggesting implications for cell cycle disorder in Akt-activated cancer cells.

p27 deregulation in breast cancer: prognostic significance and implications for therapy

p27 is a key regulator of G1-to-S phase progression. It prevents premature activation of cyclin E-cdk2 in G1 and promotes the assembly and activation of D-type cyclin-cdks. While the p27 gene is rarely mutated in human cancers, the action of p27 is impaired in breast and other human cancers through accelerated p27 proteolysis, sequestration by cyclin D-cdks, and by p27 mislocalization in tumor cell cytoplasm. Reduced p27 protein is strongly associated with high histopathologic tumor grade, reflecting a lack of tumor differentiation. Loss of p27 is also an indicator of poor patient outcome in a majority of breast cancer studies, including node negative disease. The broad application of p27 in the clinical evaluation of breast cancer prognosis will require a consensus on methods of tumor fixation, staining, and scoring. This review will focus on mechanisms of p27 regulation in normal cells and how deregulation of p27 may arise in breast and other human cancers. The prognostic significance of p27 in human breast cancer and the possible therapeutic implications of these findings will also be reviewed.

Deregulation of p27 by oncogenic signaling and its prognostic significance in breast cancer

p27 is a key regulator of progression from G1 to S phase. Although the gene encoding p27 is rarely mutated in human cancers, p27 is functionally inactivated in a majority of human cancers through accelerated p27 proteolysis, through sequestration by cyclin D-cyclin-dependent kinase complexes and by cytoplasmic mislocalization. Here we review mechanisms whereby oncogenic activation of receptor tyrosine kinase and Ras pathways lead to accelerated p27 proteolysis and p27 mislocalization in cancer cells. The prognostic significance of p27 in human breast cancer is also reviewed.

Phosphorylation of p27Kip1 at threonine 198 by p90 ribosomal protein S6 kinases promotes its binding to 14-3-3 and cytoplasmic localization

The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27Kip1 plays an important role in cell cycle regulation. The cyclin-dependent kinase-inhibitory activity of p27Kip1 is regulated by changes in its concentration and its subcellular localization. Several reports suggest that phosphorylation of p27Kip1 at serine 10, threonine 157, and threonine 187 regulate its localization. We have previously identified that carboxyl-terminal threonine 198 (Thr198) in p27Kip1 is a novel phosphorylation site and that Akt is associated with the phosphorylation at the site (Fujita, N., Sato, S., Katayama, K., and Tsuruo, T. (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 277, 28706-28713). We show herein that activation of the Ras/Raf/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPK kinase/MEK) pathway also regulates phosphorylation of p27Kip1 at Thr198. MAPKs were not directly associated with p27Kip1 phosphorylation at Thr198, but the p90 ribosomal protein S6 kinases (RSKs) could bind to and directly phosphorylate p27Kip1 at Thr198 in a Ras/Raf/MEK-dependent manner. RSK-dependent phosphorylation promoted the p27Kip1 binding to 14-3-3 and its cytoplasmic localization. To prove the direct relationship between 14-3-3 binding and cytoplasmic localization, we constructed a p27Kip1-R18 fusion protein in which the R18 peptide was fused to the carboxyl-terminal region of p27Kip1. The R18 peptide is known to interact with 14-3-3 independent of phosphorylation. The p27Kip1-R18 distributed mainly in the cytosol, whereas mutant p27Kip1-R18 (p27Kip1-R18-K2) that had no 14-3-3 binding capability existed mainly in the nucleus. These results indicate that RSKs play a crucial role in cell cycle progression through translocation of p27Kip1, in addition to Akt, to the cytoplasm in a phosphorylation and 14-3-3 binding-dependent manner.

The plant cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor ICK1 has distinct functional domains for in vivo kinase inhibition, protein instability and nuclear localization

Interactor/inhibitor 1 of Cdc2 kinase (ICK1) from Arabidopsis thaliana is the first plant cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor, and overexpression of ICK1 inhibits CDK activity, cell division and plant growth in transgenic plants. In this study, ICK1 and deletion mutants were expressed either alone or as green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion proteins in transgenic Arabidopsis plants. Deletion of the C-terminal 15 or 29 amino acids greatly reduced or completely abolished the effects of ICK1 on the transgenic plants, and recombinant proteins lacking the C-terminal residues lost the ability to bind to CDK complex and the kinase inhibition activity, demonstrating the role of the conserved C-terminal domain in in vivo kinase inhibition. In contrast, the mutant ICK1DeltaN108 with the N-terminal 108 residues deleted had much stronger effects on plants than the full-length ICK1. Analyses demonstrated that this effect was not because of an enhanced ability of ICK1DeltaN108 protein to inhibit CDK activity, but a result of a much higher level of ICK1DeltaN108 protein in the plants, indicating that the N-terminal domain contains a sequence or element increasing protein instability in vivo. Furthermore, GFP-ICK1 protein was restricted to the nuclei in roots of transgenic plants, even with the C-terminal or the N-terminal domain deleted, suggesting that a sequence in the central domain of ICK1 is responsible for nuclear localization. These results provide mechanistic understanding about the function and regulation of this cell cycle regulator in plants.

p27Kip1 inhibition of GRB2-SOS formation can regulate Ras activation

p27(Kip1) (p27) is often inappropriately downregulated in aggressive human cancers. Although p27 can inhibit cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), low p27 does not always correlate with increased CDK activity. Furthermore, cells derived from p27(-/-) mice respond to antimitogens, maintain restriction point control, and do not deregulate CDKs. Thus, disruption of a p27 function other than CDK inhibition may contribute to the disease state. A yeast two-hybrid screen identified growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (GRB2) as a p27 binding partner. We now demonstrate that p27 can inhibit GRB2 function by blocking its association with the guanine nucleotide exchange factor SOS. Endogenous p27 is rapidly exported from the nucleus to the cytoplasm in response to mitogen stimulation, where it binds GRB2 concomitant with a decrease in GRB2-associated SOS. As predicted, mitogen-stimulated p27(-/-) cells maintained their GRB2-SOS complexes for significantly longer. The Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway does not appear to be deregulated in cells lacking p27 despite excess GRB2-SOS, suggesting that additional control mechanisms are present. A transient-transfection approach was employed to show that p27 can inhibit Ras activation by targeting GRB2 and further revealed that the CDK and GRB2 inhibitory functions of p27 are separable and distinct. Thus, p27 downregulation may compromise control of Ras, one of the most common oncogenic events in human cancer.

CRM1/Ran-mediated nuclear export of p27(Kip1) involves a nuclear export signal and links p27 export and proteolysis

We show that p27 localization is cell cycle regulated and we suggest that active CRM1/RanGTP-mediated nuclear export of p27 may be linked to cytoplasmic p27 proteolysis in early G1. p27 is nuclear in G0 and early G1 and appears transiently in the cytoplasm at the G1/S transition. Association of p27 with the exportin CRM1 was minimal in G0 and increased markedly during G1-to-S phase progression. Proteasome inhibition in mid-G1 did not impair nuclear import of p27, but led to accumulation of p27 in the cytoplasm, suggesting that export precedes degradation for at least part of the cellular p27 pool. p27-CRM1 binding and nuclear export were inhibited by S10A mutation but not by T187A mutation. A putative nuclear export sequence in p27 is identified whose mutation reduced p27-CRM1 interaction, nuclear export, and p27 degradation. Leptomycin B (LMB) did not inhibit p27-CRM1 binding, nor did it prevent p27 export in vitro or in heterokaryon assays. Prebinding of CRM1 to the HIV-1 Rev nuclear export sequence did not inhibit p27-CRM1 interaction, suggesting that p27 binds CRM1 at a non-LMB-sensitive motif. LMB increased total cellular p27 and may do so indirectly, through effects on other p27 regulatory proteins. These data suggest a model in which p27 undergoes active, CRM1-dependent nuclear export and cytoplasmic degradation in early G1. This would permit the incremental activation of cyclin E-Cdk2 leading to cyclin E-Cdk2-mediated T187 phosphorylation and p27 proteolysis in late G1 and S phase.

PKB/Akt phosphorylates p27, impairs nuclear import of p27 and opposes p27-mediated G1 arrest

Mechanisms linking mitogenic and growth inhibitory cytokine signaling and the cell cycle have not been fully elucidated in either cancer or in normal cells. Here we show that activation of protein kinase B (PKB)/Akt, contributes to resistance to antiproliferative signals and breast cancer progression in part by impairing the nuclear import and action of p27. Akt transfection caused cytoplasmic p27 accumulation and resistance to cytokine-mediated G1 arrest. The nuclear localization signal of p27 contains an Akt consensus site at threonine 157, and p27 phosphorylation by Akt impaired its nuclear import in vitro. Akt phosphorylated wild-type p27 but not p27T157A. In cells transfected with constitutively active Akt(T308DS473D)(PKB(DD)), p27WT mislocalized to the cytoplasm, but p27T157A was nuclear. In cells with activated Akt, p27WT failed to cause G1 arrest, while the antiproliferative effect of p27T157A was not impaired. Cytoplasmic p27 was seen in 41% (52 of 128) of primary human breast cancers in conjunction with Akt activation and was correlated with a poor patient prognosis. Thus, we show a novel mechanism whereby Akt impairs p27 function that is associated with an aggressive phenotype in human breast cancer.

Akt-dependent phosphorylation of p27Kip1 promotes binding to 14-3-3 and cytoplasmic localization

In many human cancers, the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(Kip1) is expressed at low or undetectable levels. The decreased p27(Kip1) expression allows cyclin-dependent kinase activity to cause cells to enter into S phase and correlates with poor patient survival. Inhibition of serine/threonine kinase Akt signaling by some pharmacological agents or by PTEN induces G(1) arrest, in part by up-regulating p27(Kip1). However, the role of Akt-dependent phosphorylation in p27(Kip1) regulation is not clear. Here, we show that Akt bound directly to and phosphorylated p27(Kip1). Screening p27(Kip1) phosphorylation sites identified the COOH-terminal Thr(198) residue as a novel site. Further analysis revealed that 14-3-3 proteins bound to p27(Kip1) through Thr(198) only when it was phosphorylated by Akt. Although Akt also phosphorylated p27(Kip1) at Ser(10) and Thr(187), these two sites were not involved in the binding to 14-3-3 proteins. p27(Kip1) phosphorylated at Thr(198) exists only in the cytoplasm. Therefore, Akt promotes cell-cycle progression through the mechanisms of phosphorylation-dependent 14-3-3 binding to p27(Kip1) and cytoplasmic localization.

p27 cytoplasmic localization is regulated by phosphorylation on Ser10 and is not a prerequisite for its proteolysis

The activity of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27 is controlled by its concentration and subcellular localization. However, the mechanisms that regulate its intracellular transport are poorly understood. Here we show that p27 is phosphorylated on Ser10 in vivo and that mutation of Ser10 to Ala inhibits p27 cytoplasmic relocalization in response to mitogenic stimulation. In contrast, a fraction of wild-type p27 and a p27(S10D)-phospho-mimetic mutant translocates to the cytoplasm in the presence of mitogens. G1 nuclear export of p27 and its Ser10 phosphorylation precede cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (Cdk2) activation and degradation of the bulk of p27. Interestingly, leptomycin B-mediated nuclear accumulation accelerates the turnover of endogenous p27; the p27(S10A) mutant, which is trapped in the nucleus, has a shorter half-life than wild-type p27 and the p27(S10D) mutant. In summary, p27 is efficiently degraded in the nucleus and phosphorylation of Ser10 is necessary for the nuclear to cytoplasmic redistribution of a fraction of p27 in response to mitogenic stimulation. This cytoplasmic localization may serve to decrease the abundance of p27 in the nucleus below a certain threshold required for activation of cyclin-Cdk2 complexes.

Rapid evolution of a cyclin A inhibitor gene, roughex, in Drosophila

The recent sequencing of the complete genome of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster has yielded about 30% of the predicted genes with no obvious counterparts in other organisms. These rapidly evolving genes remain largely unexplored. Here, we present evidence for a striking variability in an important Drosophila cell cycle regulator encoded by the gene roughex (rux) in closely related fly species. The unusual level of Rux protein variability indicates that there are very low overall constraints on amino acid substitutions. Despite the lack of sequence similarity, certain common features, including the presence of a C-terminal nuclear localization signal and a functionally important N-terminal RXL cyclin-binding motif, exist between Rux and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors of the Cip/Kip family. These results indicate that even some genes involved in key regulatory processes in eukaryotes evolve at extremely high rates.