Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases is required for alpha1-adrenergic agonist-induced cell scattering in transfected HepG2 cells

Metastasis suppressors: functional pathways

Metastasis is a complex process and a major contributor of death in cancer patients. Metastasis suppressor genes are identified by their ability to inhibit metastasis at a secondary site without affecting the growth of primary tumor. In this review, we have conducted a survey of the metastasis suppressor literature to identify common downstream pathways. The metastasis suppressor genes mechanistically target MAPK, G-protein-coupled receptor, cell adhesion, cytoskeletal, transcriptional regulatory, and metastasis susceptibility pathways. The majority of the metastasis suppressor genes are functionally multifactorial, inhibiting metastasis at multiple points in the cascade, and many operate in a context-dependent fashion. A greater understanding of common pathways/molecules targeted by metastasis suppressor could improve metastasis treatment strategies.

Receptor- and cellular compartment-specific activation of the cAMP/PKA pathway by α1-adrenergic and ETA endothelin receptors

The signalling functions of many G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) expressed in the myocardium are incompletely understood. Among these are the endothelin receptor (ETR) family and α₁-adrenergic receptor (α₁-AR), which are thought to couple to the G protein Gαq. In this study, we used transcriptome analysis to compare the signalling networks downstream of these receptors in primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. This analysis indicated increased expression of target genes of cAMP responsive element modulator (CREM) after 24 h treatment with the α₁-AR agonist phenylephrine, but not the ETR agonist endothelin-1, suggesting a specific role for the α₁-AR in promoting cAMP production in cardiomyocytes. To validate the difference observed between these two GPCRs, we used heterologous expression of the receptors and genetically encoded biosensors in HEK 293 cell lines. We validated that both α_1A- and α_1B-AR subtypes were able to lead to the accumulation of cAMP in response to phenylephrine in both the nucleus and cytoplasm in a Gαs-dependent manner. However, the ETR subtype ETA did not affect cAMP levels in either compartment. All three receptors were coupled to Gαq signalling as expected. Further, we showed that activation of PKA in different compartments was α₁-AR subtype specific, with α_1B-AR able to activate PKA in the cytoplasm and nucleus and α_1A-AR only able to in the nucleus. We provide evidence for a pathway downstream of the α₁-AR, and show that distinct pools of a receptor lead to differential activation of downstream effector proteins dependent on their cellular compartment.

The potential for chemical mixtures from the environment to enable the cancer hallmark of sustained proliferative signalling

The aim of this work is to review current knowledge relating the established cancer hallmark, sustained cell proliferation to the existence of chemicals present as low dose mixtures in the environment. Normal cell proliferation is under tight control, i.e. cells respond to a signal to proliferate, and although most cells continue to proliferate into adult life, the multiplication ceases once the stimulatory signal disappears or if the cells are exposed to growth inhibitory signals. Under such circumstances, normal cells remain quiescent until they are stimulated to resume further proliferation. In contrast, tumour cells are unable to halt proliferation, either when subjected to growth inhibitory signals or in the absence of growth stimulatory signals. Environmental chemicals with carcinogenic potential may cause sustained cell proliferation by interfering with some cell proliferation control mechanisms committing cells to an indefinite proliferative span.

Discovery of Quinazoline-Based Fluorescent Probes to α1-Adrenergic Receptors

α1-Adrenergic receptors (α1-ARs), as the essential members of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), can mediate numerous physiological responses in the sympathetic nervous system. In the current research, a series of quinazoline-based small-molecule fluorescent probes to α1-ARs (1a-1e), including two parts, a pharmacophore for α1-AR recognition and a fluorophore for visualization, were well designed and synthesized. The biological evaluation results displayed that these probes held reasonable fluorescent properties, high affinity, accepted cell toxicity, and excellent subcellular localization imaging potential for α1-ARs.

ERK1/2 and p38 MAPKs are complementarily involved in estradiol 17ß-D-glucuronide-induced cholestasis: crosstalk with cPKC and PI3K

Objective

The endogenous, cholestatic metabolite estradiol 17ß-d-glucuronide (E₂17G) induces endocytic internalization of the canalicular transporters relevant to bile formation, Bsep and Mrp2. We evaluated here whether MAPKs are involved in this effect.

Design

ERK1/2, JNK1/2, and p38 MAPK activation was assessed by the increase in their phosphorylation status. Hepatocanalicular function was evaluated in isolated rat hepatocyte couplets (IRHCs) by quantifying the apical secretion of fluorescent Bsep and Mrp2 substrates, and in isolated, perfused rat livers (IPRLs), using taurocholate and 2,4-dinitrophenyl-S-glutathione, respectively. Protein kinase participation in E₂17G-induced secretory failure was assessed by co-administering selective inhibitors. Internalization of Bsep/Mrp2 was assessed by confocal microscopy and image analysis.

Results

E₂17G activated all kinds of MAPKs. The PI3K inhibitor wortmannin prevented ERK1/2 activation, whereas the cPKC inhibitor Gö6976 prevented p38 activation, suggesting that ERK1/2 and p38 are downstream of PI3K and cPKC, respectively. The p38 inhibitor SB203580 and the ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059, but not the JNK1/2 inhibitor SP600125, partially prevented E₂17G-induced changes in transporter activity and localization in IRHCs. p38 and ERK1/2 co-inhibition resulted in additive protection, suggesting complementary involvement of these MAPKs. In IPRLs, E₂17G induced endocytosis of canalicular transporters and a rapid and sustained decrease in bile flow and biliary excretion of Bsep/Mrp2 substrates. p38 inhibition prevented this initial decay, and the internalization of Bsep/Mrp2. Contrarily, ERK1/2 inhibition accelerated the recovery of biliary secretion and the canalicular reinsertion of Bsep/Mrp2.

Conclusions

cPKC/p38 MAPK and PI3K/ERK1/2 signalling pathways participate complementarily in E₂17G-induced cholestasis, through internalization and sustained intracellular retention of canalicular transporters, respectively.

Sodium hydrogen exchanger and phospholipase D are required for alpha1-adrenergic receptor stimulation of metalloproteinase-9 and cellular invasion in CCL39 fibroblasts

Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) plays a critical role in digesting the extracellular matrix and has a vital function in tumor metastasis and invasion; this protease activity is significantly increased in non-small cell lung cancers. The sodium hydrogen exchanger isoform 1 (NHE1) functions as a focal point for signal coordination and cytoskeletal reorganization. NHE1 is thought to play a central role in establishing signaling components at the leading edge of a migrating cell. Therefore, we studied the relationship between NHE1 and MMP-9 activity in Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (CCL39) stimulated with phenylephrine (PE). We show that PE increases MMP-9 gelatinolytic activity in CCL39 cells. The inhibition of phospholipase D (PLD) signaling abrogated PE-induced MMP-9 activity. The role of PLD as an essential signaling intermediate was confirmed when the addition of permeable phosphatidic acid increased MMP-9 activity in the same cells. PE-induced invasion was increased 1.9-fold over controls and the PE response was lost when 1-butanol was used to block PLD signaling. Cells pre-treated with the NHE1 inhibitor, 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl) amiloride (EIPA) prior to PE addition resulted in a notable decrease in MMP-9 activation and cell invasion as compared to untreated PE-stimulated cells. CCL39 NHE1 null cells demonstrated no increase in MMP-9 protease activity or cell invasion in response to PE treatment. Reconstitution of NHE1 expression recovered the PE-induced activation of protease activity and cell invasion. MMP-9 processing was altered in cells expressing a proton transport defective NHE1 but retained the ability to respond to PE. Conversely, cells expressing an ezrin, radixin, moesin (ERM)-binding deficient NHE1 had a lower MMP-9 activity and the protease did not respond to PE addition. Parallel studies on NCI-H358 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCL) cells showed that PE stimulated both MMP-9 activity and cell invasion in an NHE1 dependent manner. This work describes for the first time a PE-induced relationship between NHE1 and MMP-9 and a new potential mechanism by which NHE1 could promote tumor formation and metastasis.

A novel mechanism of resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor antagonism in vivo

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is widely expressed in a number of solid tumors including colorectal cancers. Overexpression of this receptor is one means by which a cell can achieve positive signals for survival and proliferation; another effective means is by constitutive activation of EGFR. We have elucidated the role of constitutive EGFR signaling in malignant progression by stably transfecting colon cancer cells with a human transforming growth factor-alpha cDNA (a ligand for EGFR) under repressible control by tetracycline. We show that constitutive expression of transforming growth factor-alpha and its subsequent constitutive activation of EGFR allows for cancer cell survival in response to environmental stress in vitro and in vivo as well. The reversal of constitutive EGFR activation results in the loss of downstream mitogen-activated protein kinase and Akt activation, and a reduction in xenograft size that is associated with decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis. We used CI-1033, a small molecule antagonist of EGFR, to dissect an activation pathway that shows the ability of ERBb2 to activate Akt, but not Erk in the face of EGFR antagonism. This novel escape mechanism is a possible explanation of why anti-EGFR therapies have shown disappointing results in clinical trials.

Thrombopoietin stimulates migration and activates multiple signaling pathways in hepatoblastoma cells

Thrombopoietin (TPO), a cytokine that participates in the differentiation and maturation of megakaryocytes, is produced in the liver, but only limited information is available on the biological response of liver-derived cells to TPO. In this study, we investigated whether HepG2 cells express c-Mpl, the receptor for TPO, and whether TPO elicits biological responses and intracellular signaling in this cell type. Specific transcripts for c-Mpl were detected in HepG2 cells by RT-PCR, and expression of the protein was demonstrated by Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence. Exposure of HepG2 cells to TPO was associated with a dose-dependent increase in cell migration and chemoinvasion through Matrigel-coated filters. A checkerboard analysis showed that the effects of TPO on cell migration were dependent on both chemotaxis and chemokinesis. Exposure of HepG2 cells to TPO resulted in the activation of different members of the MAPK family, including ERK and JNK, as assessed using phosphorylation-specific antibodies and immune complex kinase assays. TPO also activated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and the downstream kinase Akt in a time-dependent manner. Finally, activation of c-Mpl was associated with increased activation of nuclear factor-kappaB. With the use of specific inhibitors, tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of PI3K were found to be required for the induction of migration in response to TPO. We conclude that TPO exerts biological actions on cultured hepatoblastoma cells via activation of c-Mpl and its downstream signaling.

Translation modulation of acid beta-glucosidase in HepG2 cells: participation of the PKC pathway

Acid beta-glucosidase (GCase) is the enzyme deficient in Gaucher disease, a prototypical inherited metabolic error for enzyme and gene therapy. An 80 kDa mammalian cytoplasmic translational control protein (TCP80) modulates GCase translation in vitro and ex vivo by interacting with the 5' coding region of GCase RNA. Ten predicted PKC phosphorylation sites (Ser- or Thr-) are in the TCP80 protein. Phosphorylation of TCP80 in vitro by PKC greatly enhanced its translational inhibitory function using in vitro translation assays; binding of GCase mRNA to TCP80 was unaltered. Conversely, de-phosphorylation of TCP80 reduced its translational inhibitory function. Phosphorylation-related modulation of GCase mRNA translation also was studied in HepG2 cells. GCase expression (protein and activity levels) in HepG2 cells increased (>2-fold) in cells treated with bisindolylmaleimide (BIM), a highly selective PKC specific inhibitor. This correlated with a 90% reduction in TCP80 phosphorylation in the presence of BIM. The amount of TCP80 protein in cytoplasm and its RNA-binding activity were unchanged. These experiments indicate that GCase mRNA translation is modulated by PKC signaling pathways that are mediated through TCP80. These findings indicate potential broader impacts of the TCP/PKC system on expression of this and other genes of therapeutic interest.

Activation of alpha1A-adrenergic receptor promotes differentiation of rat-1 fibroblasts to a smooth muscle-like phenotype

Background

Fibroblasts, as connective tissue cells, are able to transform into another cell type including smooth muscle cells. α_1A-adrenergic receptor (α_1A-AR) stimulation in rat-1 fibroblasts is coupled to cAMP production. However, the significance of an increase in cAMP produced by α_1A-AR stimulation on proliferation, hypertrophy and differentiation in these cells is not known.

Results

Activation of the α_1A-AR in rat-1 fibroblasts by phenylephrine (PE) inhibited DNA synthesis by 67% and blocked the re-entry of 81% of the cells into S phase of the cell cycle. This cell cycle blockage was associated with hypertrophy characterized by an increase in protein synthesis (64%) and cell size. Elevation of cAMP levels decreased both DNA and protein synthesis. Inhibition of adenylyl cyclase or protein kinase A reversed the antiproliferative effect of cAMP analogs but not PE; the hypertrophic effect of PE was also not altered. The functional response of rat-1 cells to PE was accompanied by increased expression of cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitors p27^kip1 and p21^cip1/waf1, which function as negative regulators of the cell cycle. Stimulation of α_1A-AR also upregulated the cell cycle regulatory proteins pRb, cyclin D1, Cdk 2, Cdk 4, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen. The antiproliferative effect of PE was blocked by p27^kip1 antisense but not sense oligonucleotide. PE also promoted expression of smooth muscle cell differentiation markers (smooth muscle alpha actin, caldesmon, and myosin heavy chain) as well as the muscle development marker MyoD.

Conclusions

Stimulation of α_1A-AR promotes cell cycle arrest, hypertrophy and differentiation of rat-1 fibroblasts into smooth muscle-like cells and expression of negative cell cycle regulators by a mechanism independent of the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway.

alpha 1-Adrenergic receptor subtypes differentially control the cell cycle of transfected CHO cells through a cAMP-dependent mechanism involving p27Kip1

Three distinct subtypes of alpha(1)-adrenergic receptors (alpha(1)A-, alpha(1)B-, and alpha(1)D-AR) play a prominent role in cell growth. However, little is known about subtype-specific effects on cell proliferation. The activation of alpha(1)A- or alpha(1)B-AR inhibits serum-promoted cell proliferation, whereas alpha(1)D-AR activation does not show such an inhibitory effect. Notably, cell-cycle progression was blocked at G(1)/S transition after activation of alpha(1)A/alpha(1)B-AR but not of alpha(1)D-AR. In agreement with the differential cell proliferation effect, cAMP production was increased after activation of alpha(1)A/alpha(1)B-AR but not alpha(1)D-AR, whereas all alpha(1)-AR subtypes are associated with inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate production and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in a similar fashion. Furthermore, the serum-induced reduction in the levels of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, p27(Kip1), was blocked after activation of alpha(1)A/alpha(1)B-AR but not alpha(1)D-AR. These results show that alpha(1)-AR subtypes differentially activate the cAMP/p27(Kip1) pathway and thereby have differential inhibitory effects on cell proliferation. Subtype-dependent effects should be taken into consideration when assessing the physiological response of native cells where alpha(1)-AR subtypes are generally co-expressed.

Metastasis suppressors alter the signal transduction of cancer cells

Tumour metastasis is a significant contributor to death in cancer patients. Eight metastasis-suppressor genes that reduce the metastatic propensity of a cancer cell line in vivo without affecting its tumorigenicity have been identified. These affect important signal-transduction pathways, including mitogen-activated protein kinases, RHO, RAC and G-protein-coupled and tyrosine-kinase receptors. So how might we use this knowledge to improve the treatment of patients with cancer?

Key amino acids for differential coupling of alpha1-adrenergic receptor subtypes to Gs

We have established that differing effects of alpha1-adrenergic receptor (AR) subtypes on cell proliferation are due to differential coupling to the Gs/cAMP pathway; thus, both alpha1A- and alpha1B-ARs couple to Gs, while alpha1D-AR does not. To identify the region responsible for this difference in subtype-specific Gs coupling, we constructed a series of chimeric and a set of point-mutated human alpha1A- and alpha1D-ARs, and examined their signaling ability. Here, we show that the amino acid residues Thr 136 and Val138 in the intracellular loop II of the human alpha1A-AR are intimately involved with Gs coupling.

Prolonged nuclear retention of activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 is required for hepatocyte growth factor-induced cell motility

We examined the signaling pathway by which hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) induces cell motility, with special focus on the role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in the nucleus. We used Madin-Darby canine kidney cells overexpressing ERK2 because of their prominent motility response to HGF. HGF stimulation of the cells induces not only a rapid, marked, and sustained activation and rapid nuclear accumulation of ERK1/2, but also a prolonged nuclear retention of the activated ERK1/2. Interruption of the ERK1/2 activation by PD98059 treatment of the cells 30 min after HGF stimulation abolishes the HGF-induced cell motility. Enforced cytoplasmic retention of the activated ERK1/2 by the expression of an inactive form of MKP-3 cytoplasmic phosphatase inhibits the cell motility response. Although epidermal growth factor stimulation of the cells induces the activation and nuclear accumulation of ERK1/2, it does not induce the prolonged nuclear retention of the activated ERK1/2, and fails to induce cell motility. In the nucleus, activated ERK1/2 continuously phosphorylate Elk-1, leading to the prolonged expression of c-fos, which results in the expression of several genes such as matrix metalloproteinase (mmp)-9; MMP-9 activity is required for the induction of the cell motility response. Our results indicate that the sustained activity of ERK1/2 in the nucleus is required for the induction of HGF-induced cell motility.

Hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor activates proliferation in melanoma cells through p38 MAPK, ATF-2 and cyclin D1

Members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) superfamily, including p38 kinase and SAPK/JNK, play a central role in mediating cellular response to environmental stress, growth factors and cytokines. Hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) is a multifunctional cytokine capable of eliciting mitogenic, motogenic and morphogenetic activities in responsive cells, and has been implicated in tumor development and metastasis. Binding of HGF/SF to its tyrosine kinase receptor c-Met stimulates multiple signal transduction pathways, leading to the activation of numerous transcription factors. We here report that HGF/SF can induce cyclin D1 expression in mouse melanoma cells, and that this up-regulation is mediated in part by the activating transcription factor-2 (ATF-2). HGF/SF-mediated phosphorylation of ATF-2 was reduced in the presence of either the p38 kinase-specific inhibitor SB203580, a dominant negative p38 mutant, the SAPK/JNK inhibitor JNK-interacting protein-1 (JIP-1), or the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-specific inhibitor LY294002. Activation of p38 kinase by HGF/SF was partially blocked by the PI3K-specific inhibitor as well. The upstream kinases for p38, MKK3/6, did not become activated following HGF/SF exposure, and ATF-2 activation was undiminished by transient transfection of a dominant negative MKK6 mutant. However, transcriptional up-regulation of cyclin D1 by HGF/SF was partially inhibited by the p38 kinase-specific inhibitor, and cyclin D1 protein induction was partially blocked by a dominant negative ATF-2 mutant. Notably, the p38 kinase-specific inhibitor was able to block melanoma cell proliferation but not motility. We conclude that the ATF-2 transcription factor becomes activated by HGF/SF through p38 MAPK and SAPK/JNK. Moreover, the p38-ATF-2 pathway can help mediate proliferation signals in tumor cells through transcriptional activation of key cell cycle regulators.

Gastrin-induced DNA synthesis requires p38-MAPK activation via PKC/Ca(2+) and Src-dependent mechanisms

We present evidence that gastrin, binding to a G protein-coupled receptor, activates the p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Blockage of protein kinase C (PKC) by GF109203X, depletion of intracellular calcium by thapsigargin or inhibition of Src family kinases by PP2 prevented p38-MAPK activation and the Src kinase activity stimulated by gastrin. Inhibition of the PI 3-kinase by wortmannin or LY294002 did not affect these responses. In addition, the p38-MAPK inhibitor, SB203580, repressed gastrin-induced [(3)H]thymidine incorporation, indicating a major role of p38-MAPK in the growth-promoting effect of gastrin. Our results demonstrate that gastrin-induced DNA synthesis requires p38-MAPK activation through mechanisms that involve calcium mobilization, PKC and Src family kinases.