Tyrosine phosphorylation of human urokinase-type plasminogen activator

Extracellular phosphorylation converts pigment epithelium-derived factor from a neurotrophic to an antiangiogenic factor

The pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) belongs to the superfamily of serine protease inhibitors (serpin). There have been 2 distinct functions attributed to this factor, which can act either as a neurotrophic or as an antiangiogenic factor. Besides its localization in the eye, PEDF was recently reported to be present also in human plasma. We found that PEDF purified from plasma is a phosphoprotein, which is extracellularly phosphorylated by protein kinase CK2 (CK2) and to a lesser degree, intracellularly, by protein kinase A (PKA). CK2 phosphorylates PEDF on 2 main residues, Ser24 and Ser114, and PKA phosphorylates PEDF on one residue only, Ser227. The physiologic relevance of these phosphorylations was determined using phosphorylation site mutants. We found that both CK2 and PKA phosphorylations of PEDF markedly affect its physiologic function. The fully CK2 phosphorylation site mutant S24, 114E abolished PEDF neurotrophic activity but enhanced its antiangiogenic activity, while the PKA phosphorylation site mutant S227E reduced PEDF antiangiogenic activity. This is a novel role of extracellular phosphorylation that is shown here to completely change the nature of PEDF from a neutrophic to an antiangiogenic factor.

Protein kinase C-dependent in vivo phosphorylation of prourokinase leads to the formation of a receptor competitive antagonist

We recently reported that in vivo phosphorylation of urokinase-type plasminogen activator on Ser138/303 prevents its catalytic-independent ability to promote myelomonocytic cell adherence and motility. We now show that Ca2+ activated, phospholipid-dependent protein kinase C from rat brain phosphorylates in vitro a peptide corresponding to prourokinase residues 133-143 (DGKKPSSPPEE) and the full-length molecule on Ser138/139. The in vivo involvement of the protein kinase C isoenzyme family is supported by the finding that inhibition of kinase C activity prevents prourokinase phosphorylation on Ser138/303 in A431 human carcinoma cells. Conversely, a short treatment of A431 cells with phorbol myristate acetate increases the extent of phosphorylated prourokinase and, concomitantly, affects its function; under these conditions, the capability of prourokinase to up-regulate U937 monocyte-like cell adherence is severely impaired, although receptor binding is unaltered. By the aid of a "phosphorylation-like" variant (Ser138 to Glu) we show that modification of Ser138 is sufficient to confer to prourokinase the antagonistic properties observed following in vivo stimulation of protein kinase C activity. These observations provide the first evidence that protein kinase C directs the formation of a receptor competitive antagonist by regulating the in vivo phosphorylation state of prourokinase.

Serine-578 is a major phosphorylation locus in human plasma plasminogen

It has been reported that human plasminogen (HPg) exists in plasma in a phosphorylated form. We now document that both major glycoforms of plasma HPg contain a phosphoserine residue in their latent protease chains, as revealed by quantitative protein phosphate determinations and 31P-NMR analysis. The sequence location of the phosphoserine residue was established by time-of-flight matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization with delayed extraction mass spectrometric analysis of peptides resulting from complete tryptic and cyanogen bromide digests of the latent protease chain of HPg. Confirmation of the presence of organic phosphate in the identified peptide was obtained by determination of the resulting mass shift after treatment of the peptide with alkaline phosphatase. The data show that Ser578 is a major phosphorylation site in HPg.

Phosphorylation of human pro-urokinase on Ser138/303 impairs its receptor-dependent ability to promote myelomonocytic adherence and motility

Serine phosphorylation of human pro-urokinase (pro-uPA) by A431 human carcinoma cells results in a catalytically active molecule with reduced sensitivity to plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1. We mapped the phosphorylated seryl residues by analyzing the in vivo phosphorylation state of engineered pro-uPA variants carrying a COOH-terminal poly-histidine tag. Stably transfected A431 cells do not incorporate radioactive phosphate into tagged pro-uPA in which the serines 138 and 303 have been replaced with glutamic residues, although endogenous nontagged pro-uPA is 32P-labeled on A and B chains. Moreover, the catalytic-independent ability of the mono- and di-substituted "phosphorylation-like" variants to bind to the GPI-anchored urokinase receptor (uPAR) and promote adherence of differentiating U937, HL-60, and THP-1 myelomonocytic cells was examined. We found that glutamic residues as well as the naturally occurring phosphoserines at positions 138 and 303 abolish proadhesive ability, although they do not interfere with receptor binding. In addition, pro-uPA carrying Glu138/303 lacks the capability to induce a chemotactic response of THP-1 cells. The exclusive presence of Glu138 reduces pro-uPA proadhesive and chemotactic ability by 70-80%, indicating that a phosphoserine residue at the same position plays a major inhibitory role of myeloid cell response to pro-urokinase. The di-substitution does not affect pro-uPA ability to interact with vitronectin or to enhance binding of urea-denatured vitronectin to uPAR. However, unlike wild-type tagged pro-uPA, the di-substituted variant does not induce receptor polarization in pre-adherent U937 cells. Taken together, the data support the possibility that pro-uPA phosphorylation on Ser138/303 can modulate uPAR transducing ability.

The urokinase/urokinase-receptor system and cancer invasion

u-PA binds with high affinity to its specific GPI-anchored receptor on the cell surface. The binding has at least two important consequences: (1) it enhances the rate of plasminogen activation on the cell surface; and (2) it focuses the u-PA proteolytic activity at the leading front of migrating cells. Several recent findings suggest that surface-bound u-PA is essential for the invasive ability of tumour cells, even if a picture is emerging indicating a concerted action with other proteases, like collagenases and cathepsin B (Kobayashi et al, 1992; Ossowski, 1992; Schmitt et al, 1992; (Danø et al, 1994). In some tumours, e.g. colon, breast and skin cancer, in situ hybridization studies have given an insight into the u-PA/u-PAR tumour biology showing a complex interplay between stromal and cancer cells Danø et al, 1994). u-PA, u-PAR, and PAI-1 tumour content are now well established prognostic factor in breast cancer. This body of knowledge could be used for theurapeutic purposes. For example, a large study with 671 patients has allowed the identification of node-negative patients which, according to their u-PA levels, would need adjuvant therapy (Foekens et al, 1992). Many other tumours, especially colorectal cancer, expect a direct clinical evaluation of u-PA, u-PAR and serpins as prognostic factors.

Plasminogen activators and plasminogen activator inhibitors: biochemical aspects

Although this chapter does not represent a historical review, it will be clear how the biochemistry of t-PA, u-PA, PAI-1 and PAI-2 has evolved and where we stand in 1994. While the functional activities of the proteins were recognized at least three to four decades ago, highly purified preparations became available around 1980. In the mid-eighties the cDNAs of the proteins were cloned, representing a major breakthrough in the biochemistry of the four proteins. Amino acid sequences were derived from the nucleotide sequences, homologies with other proteins were recognized and larger amounts of (recombinant) proteins became available for research. In addition, mutant proteins were prepared by recombinant DNA technology, enabling investigation of structure-function relationships. This report is mainly based on the latter studies. Detailed information about three-dimensional structures of the proteins and the mode of interaction with other macromolecules is still lacking. To obtain this information will be the goal for biochemists in the coming years.

Phosphorylation of human plasminogen activators and plasminogen

Plasminogen (PG), urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) and tissue-type PA (t-PA) are the main molecules involved in fibrinolysis and in many other physiological and pathological processes. In the present study we report that human t-PA, purified from human melanoma cells, and PG, purified from human plasma, both contain P-Tyr residues, as revealed by immunoblotting analyses with monoclonal anti-P-Tyr antibodies. In addition HPLC amino acid analysis of acid-hydrolyzed t-PA, PG and u-PA, shows that: (i) P-Ser and P-Tyr residues are present in t-PA; (ii) P-Thr and P-Tyr are present in PG; (iii) P-Ser, P-Thr and P-Tyr are present in u-PA. The utilization of monoclonal anti-P-Ser and anti-P-Thr antibodies in immunoblotting experiments has confirmed these data which indicate that phosphorylation is a common feature of PAs and of PG.

Plasminogen activation by human keratinocytes: molecular pathways and cell-biological consequences

Keratinocytes are the major cellular constituent of stratified epithelia. Defects in these epithelia are re-epithelialized by keratinocytes migrating from the edge of the defect into the wound. The cells form a monolayer with subsequent differentiation into a multilayered epithelium. It is thought that plasminogen activation by migrating keratinocytes is an important event during re-epithelialization. In the present report we summarize the studies on plasminogen activation by human keratinocytes in vitro and in vivo. Under the aspect of pericellular proteolysis the discussion is focused on the molecular mechanisms of plasminogen activation at the keratinocyte surface and on the cell-biological consequences of pericellular plasmin formation. We describe a cell surface-associated pathway of plasminogen activation which crucially depends on cell surface receptors for (pro)-uPA and plasmin(ogen). uPA bound to its receptor converts cell-bound plasminogen into the active protease plasmin. Compared to plasminogen activation in solution, activation at the keratinocyte cell surface is accelerated by a factor of approx. 7-10, and the plasmin generated and bound at the cell surface is protected against its specific inhibitor alpha 2-antiplasmin. Plasmin thus provided in the pericellular space leads to detachment of cultured keratinocytes from the growth substratum. Plasmin interferes with the adhesion of keratinocytes to fibrin, but not with the adhesion to collagen type I. By demonstrating that keratinocytes of the epithelial outgrowth in healing skin wounds express uPA and the uPA-R and that plasmin(ogen) is colocalized with uPA and/or uPA-R, indirect evidence is provided that this pathway may be operative in vivo. In view of previous findings that plasminogen activation is also observed under certain pathologic conditions in the epidermis, we conclude that plasminogen activation by keratinocytes is rather related to tissue damage and subsequent repair mechanisms than to a specific pathologic situation.

The concomitant augmentation of urokinase-type plasminogen activator and collagenase-like proteinase activities in X-ray irradiated cells of a human metastatic carcinomatous line

The enzymatic activities of uPA, and a collagenase-like proteinase in the post-nuclear fraction of cell homogenates of a metastatic carcinomatous cell line following X-ray irradiation were examined by the use of chromogenic substrates and by casein- or gelatin-containing zymographies and electrophoretic gel stained with avidin-conjugated peroxidase. Enhanced activities were observed in these cells, while those of 5'nucleotidase and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase were attenuated. A partial purification and characterization of the collagenase showed that it was able to hydrolyze the heat-denatured type-I collagen more efficiently than the native one. The activation of both uPA and collagenase enables an efficient degradation of matrix barrier proteins. These findings suggest that following a certain dose range of X-ray irradiation, tumor cells may increase their ability to migrate and invade through the enhancement of uPA and collagenase activities.

Enzymatic properties of the phosphorylated urokinase-type plasminogen activator isolated from a human carcinomatous cell line

Enzymatic properties of phosphorylated urokinase plasminogen activator (P-uPA) (1) extracted from human carcinomatous cell line Detroit 562 cells were compared with those of non-phosphorylated uPA of urinary origin (nP-uPA). Using plasminogen as a substrate, the Km and Kcat of P-uPA were higher than that of nP-uPA while the Kcat/Km was lower. By zymography, a greater degree of plasminogen activation was observed. Concanavalin A reacted to both the enzymes. P-uPA had a low affinity for the inhibitors of plasminogen activator PAI-1 and PAI-2, and was inhibited only by the excess amounts of inhibitors. For PAI-1, and the KIs of P-uPA was greater and for PAI-2, KI was higher for P-uPA. These alterations by phosphorylation enable uPA to be more efficient in a focal proteolysis through plasminogen activation.

Phosphorylation of a surface receptor bound urokinase-type plasminogen activator in a human metastatic carcinomatous cell line

The 32P-labeled urokinase (uPA) bound to surface receptors of Detroit 562 cells was immunoprecipitated by anti-uPA antibody. Amino acid analysis showed that tyrosines and serines were the acceptors. Inhibition of protein kinases greatly reduced the 32P incorporation, suggesting that the respective cellular src gene product and protein kinase C were involved in the phosphorylations. Proteins purified on chromatographic columns contained two forms of uPA, a high (HMW) and a low (LMW) molecular weight. Tyrosine-phosphorylation occurs in the HMW and A-chain. Such modifications might modulate the extracellular activities of uPA.