Activation of Akt is induced by heat shock and involved in suppression of heat-shock-induced apoptosis of NIH3T3 cells

AKT-dependent nuclear localization of EPRS1 activates PARP1 in breast cancer cells

Glutamyl-prolyl-tRNA synthetase (EPRS1) is a bifunctional aminoacyl-tRNA-synthetase (aaRS) essential for decoding the genetic code. EPRS1 resides, with seven other aaRSs and three noncatalytic proteins, in the cytoplasmic multi-tRNA synthetase complex (MSC). Multiple MSC-resident aaRSs, including EPRS1, exhibit stimulus-dependent release from the MSC to perform noncanonical activities distinct from their primary function in protein synthesis. Here, we show EPRS1 is present in both cytoplasm and nucleus of breast cancer cells with constitutively low phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) expression. EPRS1 is primarily cytosolic in PTEN-expressing cells, but chemical or genetic inhibition of PTEN, or chemical or stress-mediated activation of its target, AKT, induces EPRS1 nuclear localization. Likewise, preferential nuclear localization of EPRS1 was observed in invasive ductal carcinoma that were also P-Ser473-AKT+. EPRS1 nuclear transport requires a nuclear localization signal (NLS) within the linker region that joins the catalytic glutamyl-tRNA synthetase and prolyl-tRNA synthetase domains. Nuclear EPRS1 interacts with poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1), a DNA-damage sensor that directs poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation (PARylation) of proteins. EPRS1 is a critical regulator of PARP1 activity as shown by markedly reduced ADP-ribosylation in EPRS1 knockdown cells. Moreover, EPRS1 and PARP1 knockdown comparably alter the expression of multiple tumor-related genes, inhibit DNA-damage repair, reduce tumor cell survival, and diminish tumor sphere formation by breast cancer cells. EPRS1-mediated regulation of PARP1 activity provides a mechanistic link between PTEN loss in breast cancer cells, PARP1 activation, and cell survival and tumor growth. Targeting the noncanonical activity of EPRS1, without inhibiting canonical tRNA ligase activity, provides a therapeutic approach potentially supplementing existing PARP1 inhibitors.

Distinct effects of heat shock temperatures on mitotic progression by influencing the spindle assembly checkpoint

Heat shock is a physiological and environmental stress that leads to the denaturation and inactivation of cellular proteins and is used in hyperthermia cancer therapy. Previously, we revealed that mild heat shock (42 °C) delays the mitotic progression by activating the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC). However, it is unclear whether SAC activation is maintained at higher temperatures than 42 °C. Here, we demonstrated that a high temperature of 44 °C just before mitotic entry led to a prolonged mitotic delay in the early phase, which was shortened by the SAC inhibitor, AZ3146, indicating SAC activation. Interestingly, mitotic slippage was observed at 44 °C after a prolonged delay but not at 42 °C heat shock. Furthermore, the multinuclear cells were generated by mitotic slippage in 44 °C-treated cells. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that heat shock at 44 °C reduces the kinetochore localization of MAD2, which is essential for mitotic checkpoint activation, in nocodazole-arrested mitotic cells. These results indicate that 44 °C heat shock causes SAC inactivation even after full activation of SAC and suggest that decreased localization of MAD2 at the kinetochore is involved in heat shock-induced mitotic slippage, resulting in multinucleation. Since mitotic slippage causes drug resistance and chromosomal instability, we propose that there may be a risk of cancer malignancy when the cells are exposed to high temperatures.

The Impact of Oxidative Stress and AKT Pathway on Cancer Cell Functions and Its Application to Natural Products

Oxidative stress and AKT serine-threonine kinase (AKT) are responsible for regulating several cell functions of cancer cells. Several natural products modulate both oxidative stress and AKT for anticancer effects. However, the impact of natural product-modulating oxidative stress and AKT on cell functions lacks systemic understanding. Notably, the contribution of regulating cell functions by AKT downstream effectors is not yet well integrated. This review explores the role of oxidative stress and AKT pathway (AKT/AKT effectors) on ten cell functions, including apoptosis, autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial morphogenesis, ferroptosis, necroptosis, DNA damage response, senescence, migration, and cell-cycle progression. The impact of oxidative stress and AKT are connected to these cell functions through cell function mediators. Moreover, the AKT effectors related to cell functions are integrated. Based on this rationale, natural products with the modulating abilities for oxidative stress and AKT pathway exhibit the potential to regulate these cell functions, but some were rarely reported, particularly for AKT effectors. This review sheds light on understanding the roles of oxidative stress and AKT pathway in regulating cell functions, providing future directions for natural products in cancer treatment.

Adverse Effects of High Temperature On Mammary Alveolar Development In Vitro

In the mammary glands during pregnancy, the alveolar buds are first branched from the mammary ducts after which they form the alveolar luminal structure for milk production postparturition. Body temperature could increase for several reasons, such as infectious disease and heat stress. We have previously reported that high temperature adversely effects on the lactation capacity of mouse mammary epithelial cells (MECs). However, it remains unclear how high temperature influences mammary morophogenesis during pregnancy. In this study, we investigated the effects of high temperature on this mammary alveolar development process using two types of culture models including embedded organoids of MECs in Matrigel; these models reproduced mammary alveolar bud induction and alveolar luminal formation. Results showed that a culture temperature of 41 °C repressed alveolar bud induction and inhibited alveolar luminal formation. In addition, the treatment at 41 °C decreased the number of proliferating mammary epithelial cells but did not affect cell migration. Levels of phosphorylated Akt, -ERK1/2, -HSP90, and -HSP27 were increased in organoids cultured at 41 °C. The specific inhibitors of HSP90 and HSP27 exacerbated the disruption of organoids at 41 °C but not at 37 °C. Furthermore, the organoids precultured at 37 and 41 °C in the alveolar luminal formation model showed differences in the expression levels of caseins and tight junction proteins, which express in MECs in lactating mammary glands, after induction of MEC differentiation by prolactin and dexamethasone treatment in vitro. These results suggest that elevated temperature directly hinders mammary alveolar development; however, heat shock proteins may mitigate the adverse effects of high temperatures.

Effect of incubation temperature on lactogenic function of goat milk-derived mammary epithelial cells

In general, goat mammary epithelial cells (MECs) are cultured in vitro under 37 °C. We demonstrated previously that goat MECs differentiate under 37 °C although their body temperature is approximately 39 °C. This study aimed to investigate the influence of 39 °C on lactogenic differentiation of goat milk-derived MECs. The results revealed that HSP70 gene was significantly elevated at 1 h after an exposure to 39 °C but declined at 48 h thereafter. Oxidative stress status was not significantly affected by 39 °C. Expressions of CSN2, β-GALT1, α-LA, and Akt genes tended to increase after the differentiation under 39 °C. Secretion of lactose under 39 °C was not significantly lower than 37 °C. In conclusion, incubation temperature at 39 °C does not dramatically affect lactogenic function of goat milk-derived MECs.

Direct exposure to mild heat stress stimulates cell viability and heat shock protein expression in primary cultured broiler fibroblasts

Fibroblasts produce collagen which is mainly essential for repairing tissue damage and maintaining the structural integrity of tissues. However, studies have given scientific evidence about harmful effect of thermal manipulation in fibroblast. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the mild heat stress temperature which increased broiler fibroblast viability. The experiment was divided into two groups (37 °C and 41 °C), and each group was divided into five subgroups based on different incubation times (6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h) with three replications. In experimental group (41 °C), fibroblast viability increased significantly in 12 h but decreased in 72 h compared with control (37 °C). At 41 °C, live cell increased significantly in 24 h and then declined in 48 h as well as 72 h than control. Moreover, the S phase lengthened in shorter incubation time of experimental group compared with control. Protein and mRNA (HSP70, HSP60, and HSP47) expressions were significantly higher at 41 °C compared with 37 °C, but at the end of the experiment, HSP expression level was higher in both groups. Finally, this study recommended 41 °C as a mild heat stress temperature for increasing broiler fibroblast viability.

Direct exposure to mild heat promotes proliferation and neuronal differentiation of neural stem/progenitor cells in vitro

Heat acclimation in rats is associated with enhanced neurogenesis in thermoregulatory centers of the hypothalamus. To elucidate the mechanisms for heat acclimation, we investigated the effects of direct mild heat exposure on the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem/progenitor cells (NSCs/NPCs). The NSCs/NPCs isolated from forebrain cortices of 14.5-day-old rat fetuses were propagated as neurospheres at either 37.0°C (control) or 38.5°C (mild heat exposure) for four days, and the effects on proliferation were investigated by MTS cell viability assay, measurement of neurosphere diameter, and counting the total number of cells. The mRNA expressions of heat shock proteins (HSPs) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cAMP response element-binding (CREB) protein and Akt phosphorylation levels, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were analyzed using real time PCR, Western blotting and CM-H₂DCFDA assay respectively. Heat exposure under proliferation condition increased NSC/NPC viability, neurosphere diameter, and cell count. BDNF mRNA expression, CREB phosphorylation, and ROS level were also increased by heat exposure. Heat exposure increased HSP27 mRNA expression concomitant with enhanced p-Akt level. Moreover, treatment with LY294002 (a PI3K inhibitor) abolished the effects of heat exposure on NSC/NPC proliferation. Furthermore, heat exposure under differentiation conditions increased the proportion of cells positive for Tuj1 (a neuronal marker). These findings suggest that mild heat exposure increases NSC/NPC proliferation, possibly through activation of the Akt pathway, and also enhances neuronal differentiation. Direct effects of temperature on NSCs/NPCs may be one of the mechanisms involved in hypothalamic neurogenesis in heat-acclimated rats. Such heat-induced neurogenesis could also be an effective therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases.

Mild heat induces a distinct "eustress" response in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells but does not induce heat shock protein synthesis

The current research on cellular heat stress management focuses on the roles of heat shock proteins (HSPs) and the proteostasis network under severe stress conditions. The mild, fever-type stress and the maintenance of membrane homeostasis are less well understood. Herein, we characterized the acute effect of mild, fever-range heat shock on membrane organization, and HSP synthesis and localization in two mammalian cell lines, to delineate the role of membranes in the sensing and adaptation to heat. A multidisciplinary approach combining ultrasensitive fluorescence microscopy and lipidomics revealed the molecular details of novel cellular “eustress”, when cells adapt to mild heat by maintaining membrane homeostasis, activating lipid remodeling, and redistributing chaperone proteins. Notably, this leads to acquired thermotolerance in the complete absence of the induction of HSPs. At higher temperatures, additional defense mechanisms are activated, including elevated expression of molecular chaperones, contributing to an extended stress memory and acquired thermotolerance.

Heat stress inhibits proliferation, promotes growth, and induces apoptosis in cultured Lantang swine skeletal muscle satellite cells

Proliferation suppression and apoptosis are the prominent characteristics induced by heat stress (HS) in cells, whereas the effects of HS on cell growth (mass accumulation) are unknown. In this study, Lantang swine (an indigenous breed of China) skeletal muscle satellite cells (SCs) were pre-cultured at 37 °C for 24 h. The HS group was subjected to HS at 41 °C, while the control group was maintained at 37 °C. Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) expression and SC size are significantly increased (P<0.05) by HS, but cell proliferation is suppressed (P<0.05) and apoptosis is induced (P<0.05). HS led to a lower percentage of SCs in the G0/G1 phase (P<0.05) together with a higher percentage of SCs in the S phase (P<0.05). However, the percentage of SCs in the G2/M phase was decreased (P<0.05) at 48 h but then increased (P<0.05) at 72 h with HS. In addition, the phosphorylation ratios of protein kinase b (Akt), ribosomal protein S6 kinase (S6K), and ribosomal protein S6 were increased (P<0.05) by HS. Nevertheless, the phosphorylation ratios of the 4E binding protein 1 and the eukaryotic initiation factor-4E were indistinguishable (P>0.05) from those of the control group. The phosphorylation ratio of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) (Ser(2448)) increased (P<0.05) within 48 h, and apparent differences were abrogated at 72 h (P>0.05). Moreover, cleaved caspase-3 expression was increased at 72 h (P<0.05). These findings indicate that HS induces apoptosis and disrupts cell cycle distribution to decrease the number of cells. Additionally, HS can promote SC growth via an activated Akt/mTOR/S6K signaling pathway.

TORC2 mediates the heat stress response in Drosophila by promoting the formation of stress granules

The kinase TOR is found in two complexes, TORC1, which is involved in growth control, and TORC2, whose roles are less well defined. Here, we asked whether TORC2 has a role in sustaining cellular stress. We show that TORC2 inhibition in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a reduced tolerance to heat stress, whereas sensitivity to other stresses is not affected. Accordingly, we show that upon heat stress, both in the animal and Drosophila cultured S2 cells, TORC2 is activated and is required for maintaining the level of its known target, Akt1 (also known as PKB). We show that the phosphorylation of the stress-activated protein kinases is not modulated by TORC2 nor is the heat-induced upregulation of heat-shock proteins. Instead, we show, both in vivo and in cultured cells, that TORC2 is required for the assembly of heat-induced cytoprotective ribonucleoprotein particles, the pro-survival stress granules. These granules are formed in response to protein translation inhibition imposed by heat stress that appears to be less efficient in the absence of TORC2 function. We propose that TORC2 mediates heat resistance in Drosophila by promoting the cell autonomous formation of stress granules.

Gene silencing mediated by endogenous microRNAs under heat stress conditions in mammalian cells

Heat shock, sudden change in temperature, triggers various responses in cells for protecting the cells from such a severe circumstance. Here we investigated gene silencing mediated by endogenous microRNAs (miRNAs) in mammalian cells exposed to a mild hyperthermia, by means of miRNA activity assay using a luciferase reporter gene as well as miRNA expression analysis using a DNA microarray. Our findings indicated that the gene silencing activities involving miRNAs were enhanced without increasing in their expression levels under heat-stress conditions. Additionally, the gene silencing activity appeared to be independent of the cytoprotective action involving heat shock proteins that are immediately activated in heat-shocked cells and that function as molecular chaperons for restoring heat-denatured proteins to normal proteins. Our current findings suggested the possibility that gene silencing involving endogenous miRNAs might play a subsidiary role in heat-shocked cells for an aggressive inhibition of the expression of heat-denatured proteins.

SUMOylation regulates AKT1 activity

Serine threonine kinase AKT has a central role in the cell, controlling survival, proliferation, metabolism and angiogenesis. Deregulation of its activity underlies a wide range of pathological situations, including cancer. Here we show that AKT is post-translationally modified by the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) protein. Interestingly, neither SUMO conjugation nor activation of SUMOylated AKT is regulated by the classical AKT targeting to the cell membrane or by the phosphoinositide 3-kinase pathway. We demonstrate that SUMO induces the activation of AKT, whereas, conversely, down-modulation of the SUMO machinery diminishes AKT activation and cell proliferation. Furthermore, an AKT SUMOylation mutant shows reduced activation, and decreased anti-apoptotic and pro-tumoral activities in comparison with the wild-type protein. These results identify SUMO as a novel key regulator of AKT phosphorylation and activity.

Plasma membranes as heat stress sensors: from lipid-controlled molecular switches to therapeutic applications

The classic heat shock (stress) response (HSR) was originally attributed to protein denaturation. However, heat shock protein (Hsp) induction occurs in many circumstances where no protein denaturation is observed. Recently considerable evidence has been accumulated to the favor of the "Membrane Sensor Hypothesis" which predicts that the level of Hsps can be changed as a result of alterations to the plasma membrane. This is especially pertinent to mild heat shock, such as occurs in fever. In this condition the sensitivity of many transient receptor potential (TRP) channels is particularly notable. Small temperature stresses can modulate TRP gating significantly and this is influenced by lipids. In addition, stress hormones often modify plasma membrane structure and function and thus initiate a cascade of events, which may affect HSR. The major transactivator heat shock factor-1 integrates the signals originating from the plasma membrane and orchestrates the expression of individual heat shock genes. We describe how these observations can be tested at the molecular level, for example, with the use of membrane perturbers and through computational calculations. An important fact which now starts to be addressed is that membranes are not homogeneous nor do all cells react identically. Lipidomics and cell profiling are beginning to address the above two points. Finally, we observe that a deregulated HSR is found in a large number of important diseases where more detailed knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved may offer timely opportunities for clinical interventions and new, innovative drug treatments. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Membrane Structure and Function: Relevance in the Cell's Physiology, Pathology and Therapy.

Construction of network for protein kinases that play a role in acute pancreatitis

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to search for protein kinases that play a role in acute pancreatitis and analyze their potential connection with each other.

METHODS

Information of human protein kinases were collected in protein kinase database, and then a systematic search was performed using PubMed for studies addressing the association between these kinases and acute pancreatitis. Gene Ontology Annotations were used to build interactions network for acute pancreatitis-associated protein kinases.

RESULTS

A total of 570 human protein kinases were found, in which 28 kinases play a role in acute pancreatitis. Among the 28 kinases, RIPK1, JAK2, SRC, EGFR, FYN, MET, JAK1, TYK2, and MTOR were annotated in Gene Ontology database. A gene ontology interactions network was built to visualize the common biological process these kinases participated in.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides observations that protein kinases participate in all the sequential events in the exocrine pancreas in acute pancreatitis and that protein kinases are potential therapeutical target for acute pancreatitis.

Critical role of H2O2 generated by NOX4 during cellular response under glucose deprivation

Glucose is the most efficient energy source, and various cancer cells depend on glycolysis for energy production. For maintenance of survival and proliferation, glucose sensing and adaptation to poor nutritional circumstances must be well organized in cancer cells. While the glucose sensing machinery has been well studied in yeasts, the molecular mechanism of glucose sensing in mammalian cells remains to be elucidated. We have reported glucose deprivation rapidly induces AKT phosphorylation through PI3K activation. We assumed that regulation of AKT is relevant to glucose sensing and further investigated the underlying mechanisms. In this study, AKT phosphorylation under glucose deprivation was inhibited by galactose and fructose, but induced by 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG). Both 2-DG treatment and glucose deprivation were found to induce AKT phosphorylation in HepG2 cells. These findings suggested that glucose transporter may not be involved in the sensing of glucose and induction of AKT phosphorylation, and that downstream metabolic events may have important roles. A variety of metabolic stresses reportedly induce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the present study, glucose deprivation was found to induce intracellular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production in HepG2 cells. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant reagent, reduced both the increase in cellular H2O2 levels and AKT phosphorylation induced by glucose deprivation. These results strongly suggest that the glucose deprivation-induced increase of H2O2 in the cells mediated the AKT phosphorylation. RNA interference of NOX4, but not of NOX5, completely suppressed the glucose deprivation-induced AKT phosphorylation as well as increase of the intracellular levels of ROS, whereas exogenous H2O2 could still induce AKT phosphorylation in the NOX4-knockdown cells. In this study, we demonstrated that the ROS generated by NOX4 are involved in the intracellular adaptive responses by recognizing metabolic flux.

Epidermal growth factor receptor expression and signaling are essential in glutamine's cytoprotective mechanism in heat-stressed intestinal epithelial-6 cells

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression and signaling can induce cellular protection after intestinal inflammation. L-Glutamine (GLN) is known to prevent apoptosis after intestinal injury by activating MAPK and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K)/Akt pathways. However, the role of EGFR expression and signaling in GLN-mediated cellular protection in intestinal epithelial-6 (IEC-6) cells after heat stress (HS) is unknown. To address the role of EGFR in GLN-mediated protection, IEC-6 cells were treated with GLN in the presence or absence of EGFR small interfering RNA, the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor AG1478, the ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059, the p38MAPK inhibitor SB203580, or the PI3-K/Akt inhibitor LY294002 under basal and HS conditions. GLN-mediated cell survival was measured using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium assay. Phosphorylated and/or total levels of EGFR, cleaved caspase-3, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1, ERK1/2, p38MAPK, and Akt were assessed by Western blotting. We showed that HS induced a decrease in total, cytoplasmic, and nuclear EGFR levels in IEC-6 cells, which was prevented by GLN supplementation, leading to attenuated apoptosis via EGFR small interfering RNA. Furthermore, the protective effect of GLN was lessened by AG1478, PD98059, and LY294002 but was not affected by SB203580. AG1478 attenuated GLN-mediated increases in ERK1/2 and decreases in p38MAPK phosphorylation. However, AG1478 had no effect on GLN-mediated augmentations in Akt phosphorylation. In summary, EGFR expression was important in the protective mechanism of GLN, as well as GLN-mediated activation of EGFR tyrosine kinase activity. GLN-mediated EGFR signaling activated ERK1/2 and decreased p38MAPK signaling. However, GLN-mediated Akt phosphorylation after HS seems to be independent of EGFR signaling.

Effect of hydrogen sulfide on the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B pathway and on caerulein-induced cytokine production in isolated mouse pancreatic acinar cells

We have shown earlier that mouse pancreatic acinar cells produce hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) and play a role in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis. It is noteworthy that recent evidence indicates that H(2)S has anti-inflammatory effects. To date, the mechanism by which H(2)S directly reduces inflammation has not been elucidated. In the present study, we hypothesized that H(2)S inhibits the production of proinflammatory cytokines by activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathway. Pancreatic acinar cells were treated with the H(2)S donor, sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS) (5, 10, and 30 microM). To better understand the effect of H(2)S in inflammation, pancreatic acinar cells were stimulated with caerulein after the addition of NaHS (5, 10, and 30 microM). We observed that H(2)S at the 5 microM concentration down-regulates the activation of NF-kappaB and degradation of IkappaB alpha. However, H(2)S (5 microM) activates PI3K as reflected by AKT phosphorylation. We found that H(2)S-mediated activation of PI3K in caerulein-treated acinar cells correlated with the down-regulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation, whereas phosphorylation of p38 and c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinases was unchanged. The PI3K inhibitor LY294002 [2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-1(4H)-benzopyran-4-one hydrochloride] abolished the H(2)S-mediated activation of AKT and increases tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 1beta levels in caerulein-treated acinar cells. These findings indicate that the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase plays a negative role in NaHS-treated pancreatic acinar cells and suggest a role for H(2)S in the PI3K/AKT pathway in acute pancreatitis.

Akt depletion is an important determinant of L929 cell death following heat stress

Exposure of mammalian cells to heat stress causes impairment of numerous physiological functions and activates a number of signaling pathways. Some of these pathways, such as induction of heat-shock proteins and activation of Akt, enhance the ability of cells to survive heat stress. On the other hand, heat stress can trigger cell-death signaling via activation of the stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (SAPK/Jnk). Recently, it has been shown that kinases activated by heat stress can regulate synthesis and functioning of the molecular chaperones, and these chaperones modulate the activity of the cell death and survival pathways. We have found that Akt plays a central role in determining the fate of L929 fibroblast cells exposed to heat stress. In our experiments heat stress causes Akt depletion and L929 cells to undergo cell death. Heat-shock protein 70 (Hsp70) is known to prevent stress-induced cell death by interfering with the SAPK/Jnk signaling pathway. In our study, there is a very high level of induction of Hsp70, yet this is not sufficient to rescue Akt depletion and L929 from cell death. The Akt depletion is specific, since actin protein level does not change during the heat stress. Moreover, our studies show that L929 cells can recover from a short-term heat shock, whereby, Akt level is returned to normal following recovery from heat shock. Therefore, it appears that the fate of the prolonged heat-stressed fibroblast cells is determined by Akt level, and that return of Akt protein level to normal prevents cell death.

Interleukin (IL) 1beta induction of IL-6 is mediated by a novel phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-dependent AKT/IkappaB kinase alpha pathway targeting activator protein-1

Here we describe a novel role for the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT pathway in mediating induction of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in response to IL-1. Pharmacological inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibited IL-6 mRNA and protein production. Overexpression of either dominant-negative AKT or IkappaB kinase alpha mutant, IKKalphaT23A, containing a mutation in a functional AKT phosphorylation site, shown previously to be important for NFkappaB activation, completely abrogated IL-6 promoter activation in response to IL-1. However, mutation of the consensus NFkappaB site on the IL-6 promoter did not abrogate promoter activation by IL-1 in contrast to the AP-1 site mutation. IL-1 induces phosphorylation of IKKalpha on the NFkappaB inducing kinase (NIK) phosphorylation sites Ser(176)/Ser(180) and on the Thr(23) site, and although phosphorylation of IKKalphaT23 is inhibited both by LY294002 and wortmannin, phosphorylation of Ser(176)/Ser(180) is not. Neither inhibition of PI 3-kinase/AKT nor IKKalphaT23A overexpression affected IkappaBalpha degradation in response to IL-1. Only partial inhibition by dominant-negative AKT and no inhibitory effect of IKKalphaT23A was observed on an IL-6 promoter-specific NFkappaB site in contrast to significant inhibitory effects on the AP-1 site. Taken together, we have discovered a novel PI 3-kinase/AKT-dependent pathway in response to IL-1, encompassing PI 3-kinase/AKT/IKKalphaT23 upstream of AP-1. This novel pathway is a parallel pathway to the PI 3-kinase/AKT upstream of NFkappaB and both are involved in IL-6 gene transcription in response to IL-1.

Mechanisms of Activation and Regulation of the Heat Shock-Sensitive Signaling Pathways

Heat shock (HS), like many other stresses, induces specific and highly regulated signaling cascades that promote cellular homeostasis. The three major mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and protein kinase B (PKB/Akt) are the most notable of these HS-stimulated pathways. Their activation occurs rapidly and sooner than the transcriptional upregulation of heat shock proteins (Hsp), which generate a transient state of extreme resistance against subsequent thermal stress. The direct connection of these signaling pathways to cellular death or survival mechanisms suggests that they contribute importantly to the HS response. Some of them may counteract early noxious effects of heat, while others may bolster key apoptosis events. The triggering events responsible for activating these pathways are unclear. Protein denaturation, specific and nonspecific receptor activation, membrane alteration and chromatin structure perturbation are potential initiating factors.

Regulation of PrPC expression: Nerve growth factor (NGF) activates the prion gene promoter through the MEK1 pathway in PC12 cells

A high expression of PrP(C) in cells is one factor that increases the risk of conversion to the misfolded, disease-associated form (PrP(Sc)) characteristic of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. Thus, developing a method to control the level of PrP(C) expression in cells could be one way to delay or prevent the onset of clinical signs of these diseases. In this study the mechanisms controlling the expression of the Prnp gene in PC12 cells and in rat brain were examined. We observed a slight activation of a cloned fragment of the human PRNP gene promoter using the luciferase reporter system in PC12 cells stimulated with nerve growth factor (NGF). The activating effect of NGF was enhanced by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK1) and suppressed by myristylated serine/threonine kinase (myrAKT). These results suggest that MEK1 is a positive activator of the PRNP promoter that inhibits the AKT pathway. Independent experiments suggested that high expression of PrP(C) in the brain depends on the rate of translation and/or the efficiency of PrP(C) stabilization. We also investigated the epigenic status of the Prnp promoter. We observed no increase of PrP(C) or Prnp mRNA levels in PC12 cells after treatment with the DNA-demethylating agent. The Prnp promoter did not display methylation either in NGF-treated and untreated PC12 cells, or in the rat brain. These results improve the understanding of the regulation of the Prnp gene promoter, a DNA regulatory element controlling the expression of PrP(C), a protein involved in several neurological diseases.

Insulin-like growth factor I receptor does not contribute to heat shock-induced Activation of Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in mouse embryo fibroblasts

We have investigated the role of insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-IR) in heat shock-induced activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol-3 ' kinase (PI3-K) pathways. We utilized mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) devoid of endogenous IGF-IR (R-) and MEFs overexpressing human IGF-IR (WT) and examined the activation kinetics of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and Akt following heat shock treatment. There were no differences in the kinetics or temperature dependence of activation of either ERK or Akt between the cell lines. As expected, heat shock failed to induce autophosphorylation of IGF-IR overexpressed in WT cells. Surprisingly, the autophosphorylation of endogenous epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which is thought to play an important role in heat shock-induced activation of the MAPK and PI3-K pathways, was not observed in either WT or R-cells. These results suggest that neither IGF-IR nor EGFR contributes to the heat shock -induced activation of ERK and Akt in these cell lines.

CAIR-1/BAG-3 abrogates heat shock protein-70 chaperone complex-mediated protein degradation: accumulation of poly-ubiquitinated Hsp90 client proteins

BAG family proteins are regulatory co-chaperones for heat shock protein (Hsp) 70. Hsp70 facilitates the removal of injured proteins by ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal degradation. This process can be driven by geldanamycin, an irreversible blocker of Hsp90. We hypothesize that CAIR-1/BAG-3 inhibits Hsp-mediated proteasomal degradation. Human breast cancer cells were engineered to overexpress either full-length CAIR-1 (FL), which binds Hsp70, or a BAG domain-deletion mutant (dBAG) that cannot bind Hsp70. FL overexpression prevented geldanamycin-mediated loss of total and phospho-Akt and other Hsp client proteins. dBAG provided no protection, indicating a requirement for Hsp70 binding. Ubiquitinated Akt accumulated in FL-expressing cells, mimicking the effect of lactacystin proteasomal inhibition, indicating that CAIR-1 inhibits proteasomal degradation distal to protein ubiquitination in a BAG domain-dependent manner. Protein protection in FL cells was generalizable to downstream Akt targets, GSK3beta, P70S6 kinase, CREB, and other Hsp client proteins, including Raf-1, cyclin-dependent kinase 4, and epidermal growth factor receptor. These findings suggest that Hsp70 is a chaperone driving a multiprotein degradation complex and that the inhibitory co-chaperone CAIR-1 functions distal to client ubiquitination. Furthermore, poly-ubiquitination is not sufficient for efficient proteasomal targeting of Hsp client proteins.

Expression of the serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible protein kinase, Sgk, is a cell survival response to multiple types of environmental stress stimuli in mammary epithelial cells

The effects of multiple stress stimuli on the cellular utilization of the serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible protein kinase (Sgk) were examined in NMuMg mammary epithelial cells exposed to hyperosmotic stress induced by the organic osmolyte sorbitol, heat shock, ultraviolet irradiation, oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide, or to dexamethasone, a synthetic glucocorticoid that represents a general class of physiological stress hormones. Each of the stress stimuli induced Sgk protein expression with differences in the kinetics and duration of induction and in subcellular localization. The environmental stresses, but not dexamethasone, stimulated Sgk expression through a p38/MAPK-dependent pathway. In each case, a hyperphosphorylated active Sgk protein was produced under conditions in which Akt, the close homolog of Sgk, remained in its non-phosphorylated state. Ectopic expression of wild type Sgk or of the T256D/S422D mutant Sgk that mimics phosphorylation conferred protection against stress-induced cell death in NMuMg cells. In contrast, expression of the T256A/S422A Sgk phosphorylation site mutant has no effect on cell survival. Sgk is known to phosphorylate and negatively regulate pro-apoptotic forkhead transcription factor FKHRL1. The environmental stress stimuli that induce Sgk, but not dexamethasone, strongly inhibited the nuclear transcriptional activity and increased the cytoplasmic retention of FKHRL1. Also, the conditional IPTG inducible expression of wild type Sgk, but not of the kinase dead T256A mutant Sgk, protected Con8 mammary epithelial tumor cells from serum starvation-induced apoptosis. Taken together, our study establishes that induction of enzymatically active Sgk functions as a key cell survival component in response to different environmental stress stimuli.

Mild heat shock induces cyclin D1 synthesis through multiple Ras signal pathways

Hyperthermia such as that occurring during fever may improve cell survival during infection, although its mechanism of action is largely unknown. Here we show that acute exposure to mild, but not severe, heat shock induces the synthesis of cyclin D1 that plays a critical role(s) in G1 progression of the cell cycle. This induction seemed to be regulated through multiple Ras signal pathways involving extracellular signal-regulated kinase, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and Rac1/NADPH oxidase, all of which have well been documented to be responsible for growth factor-induced cyclin D1 expression. In a physiological sense, mild heat shock may regulate cell proliferation through inducing cyclin D1 along with growth factors.