The nuclear appearance of ERK1/2 and p38 determines the sequential induction of ATF2-Thr71 and ATF2-Thr69 phosphorylation by serum in JNK-deficient cells

Aberration of the modulatory functions of intronic microRNA hsa-miR-933 on its host gene ATF2 results in type II diabetes mellitus and neurodegenerative disease development

BACKGROUND

MicroRNAs are ~ 22-nucleotide-long biological modifiers that act as the post-transcriptional modulator of gene expression. Some of them are identified to be embedded within the introns of protein-coding genes, these miRNAs are called the intronic miRNAs. Previous findings state that these intronic miRNAs are co-expressed with their host genes. This co-expression is necessary to maintain the robustness of the biological system. Till to date, only a few experiments are performed discretely to elucidate the functional relationship between few co-expressed intronic miRNAs and their associated host genes.

RESULTS

In this study, we have interpreted the underlying modulatory mechanisms of intronic miRNA hsa-miR-933 on its target host gene ATF2 and found that aberration can lead to several disease conditions. A protein-protein interaction network-based approach was adopted, and functional enrichment analysis was performed to elucidate the significantly over-represented biological functions and pathways of the common targets. Our approach delineated that hsa-miR-933 might control the hyperglycemic condition and hyperinsulinism by regulating ATF2 target genes MAP4K4, PRKCE, PEA15, BDNF, PRKACB, and GNAS which can otherwise lead to the development of type II diabetes mellitus. Moreover, we showed that hsa-miR-933 can regulate a target of ATF2, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), to modulate the optimal expression of ATF2 in neuron cells to render neuroprotection for the inhibition of neurodegenerative diseases.

CONCLUSIONS

Our in silico model provides interesting resources for experimentations in a model organism or cell line for further validation. These findings may extend the common perception of gene expression analysis with new regulatory functionality.

The activating transcription factor 2: an influencer of cancer progression

In contrast to the continuous increase in survival rates for many cancer entities, colorectal cancer (CRC) and pancreatic cancer are predicted to be ranked among the top 3 cancer-related deaths in the European Union by 2025. Especially, fighting metastasis still constitutes an obstacle to be overcome in CRC and pancreatic cancer. As described by Fearon and Vogelstein, the development of CRC is based on sequential mutations leading to the activation of proto-oncogenes and the inactivation of tumour suppressor genes. In pancreatic cancer, genetic alterations also attribute to tumour development and progression. Recent findings have identified new potentially important transcription factors in CRC, among those the activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2). ATF2 is a basic leucine zipper protein and is involved in physiological and developmental processes, as well as in tumorigenesis. The mutation burden of ATF2 in CRC and pancreatic cancer is rather negligible; however, previous studies in other tumours indicated that ATF2 expression level and subcellular localisation impact tumour progression and patient prognosis. In a tissue- and stimulus-dependent manner, ATF2 is activated by upstream kinases, dimerises and induces target gene expression. Dependent on its dimerisation partner, ATF2 homodimers or heterodimers bind to cAMP-response elements or activator protein 1 consensus motifs. Pioneering work has been performed in melanoma in which the dual role of ATF2 is best understood. Even though there is increasing interest in ATF2 recently, only little is known about its involvement in CRC and pancreatic cancer. In this review, we summarise the current understanding of the underestimated ‘cancer gene chameleon’ ATF2 in apoptosis, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and microRNA regulation and highlight its functions in CRC and pancreatic cancer. We further provide a novel ATF2 3D structure with key phosphorylation sites and an updated overview of all so-far available mouse models to study ATF2 in vivo.

Cell signaling pathways involved in drug-mediated fetal hemoglobin induction: Strategies to treat sickle cell disease

The developmental regulation of globin gene expression has shaped research efforts to establish therapeutic modalities for individuals affected with sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia. Fetal hemoglobin has been shown to block sickle hemoglobin S polymerization to improve symptoms of sickle cell disease; moreover, fetal hemoglobin functions to replace inadequate hemoglobin A synthesis in β-thalassemia thus serving as an effective therapeutic target. In the perinatal period, fetal hemoglobin is synthesized at high levels followed by a decline to adult levels by one year of age. It is known that naturally occurring mutations in the γ-globin gene promoters and distant cis-acting transcription factors produce persistent fetal hemoglobin synthesis after birth to ameliorate clinical symptoms. Major repressor proteins that silence γ-globin during development have been targeted for gene therapy in β-hemoglobinopathies patients. In parallel effort, several classes of pharmacological agents that induce fetal hemoglobin expression through molecular and cell signaling mechanisms have been identified. Herein, we reviewed the progress made in the discovery of signaling molecules targeted by pharmacologic agents that enhance γ-globin expression and have the potential for future drug development to treat the β-hemoglobinopathies.

The unfolded protein response and the phosphorylations of activating transcription factor 2 in the trans-activation of il23a promoter produced by β-glucans

Current views on the control of IL-23 production focus on the regulation of il23a, the gene encoding IL-23 p19, by NF-κB in combination with other transcription factors. C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), X2-Box-binding protein 1 (XBP1), activator protein 1 (AP1), SMAD, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBPβ), and cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) have been involved in response to LPS, but no data are available regarding the mechanism triggered by the fungal mimic and β-glucan-containing stimulus zymosan, which produces IL-23 and to a low extent the related cytokine IL-12 p70. Zymosan induced the mobilization of CHOP from the nuclear fractions to phagocytic vesicles. Hypha-forming Candida also induced the nuclear disappearance of CHOP. Assay of transcription factor binding to the il23a promoter showed an increase of Thr(P)-71-Thr(P)-69-activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2) binding in response to zymosan. PKC and PKA/mitogen- and stress-activated kinase inhibitors down-regulated Thr(P)-71-ATF2 binding to the il23a promoter and il23a mRNA expression. Consistent with the current concept of complementary phosphorylations on N-terminal Thr-71 and Thr-69 of ATF2 by ERK and p38 MAPK, MEK, and p38 MAPK inhibitors blunted Thr(P)-69-ATF2 binding. Knockdown of atf2 mRNA with siRNA correlated with inhibition of il23a mRNA, but it did not affect the expression of il12/23b and il10 mRNA. These data indicate the following: (i) zymosan decreases nuclear proapoptotic CHOP, most likely by promoting its accumulation in phagocytic vesicles; (ii) zymosan-induced il23a mRNA expression is best explained through coordinated κB- and ATF2-dependent transcription; and (iii) il23a expression relies on complementary phosphorylation of ATF2 on Thr-69 and Thr-71 dependent on PKC and MAPK activities.

The ROS/JNK/ATF2 pathway mediates selenite-induced leukemia NB4 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in vitro and in vivo

It has previously been shown that selenite can act as an antitumor agent and inhibit cancer cell growth, although the mechanism responsible for this effect is not well understood. In this study, we have shown that selenite can induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in NB4 cells. Selenite treatment of these cells also inhibited the JNK/ATF2 axis. Further experiments demonstrated that selenite-induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) worked as an upstream of the JNK/ATF2 axis, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Inactivation of ATF2 resulted in decreased affinity of this transcription factor for the promoters of cyclin A, cyclin D3 and CDK4, which led to the arrest of the NB4 cells in the G0/G1 phase. Finally, in vivo experiments confirmed the antitumor activity of selenite and the mechanisms that were described in vitro. Taken together, our results indicate that selenite-induced ROS arrest NB4 cells at G0/G1 phase through inhibiting the JNK/ATF2 axis in vitro and in vivo.

Precisely ordered phosphorylation reactions in the p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascade

The MAP kinase cascades, composed of a MAP3K, a MAP2K, and a MAPK, control switch responses to extracellular stimuli and stress in eukaryotes. The most important feature of these modules is thought to be the two double phosphorylation reactions catalyzed by MAP3Ks and MAP2Ks. We addressed whether the reactions are sequential or random in the p38 MAP kinase module. Mass spectrometry was used to track the phosphorylation of the MAP2K MEK6 by two MAP3Ks, TAO2 and ASK1, and the subsequent phosphorylation of p38α by MEK6/S*T* (where S (Ser) and T (Thr) are the two phosphorylation sites and * denotes phosphorylation). Both double phosphorylation reactions are precisely ordered. MEK6 is phosphorylated first on Thr-211 and then on Ser-207 by both MAP3Ks. This is the first demonstration of a precise reaction order for a MAP2K. p38α is phosphorylated first on Tyr-182 and then on Thr-180, the same reaction order observed previously in ERK2. Thus, intermediates were MEK6/ST* and p38α/TY*. Similarly, the phosphorylation of the p38α transcription factor substrate ATF2 occurs in a precise sequence. Progress curves for the appearance of intermediates were fit to kinetic models. The models confirmed the reaction order, revealed processivity in the phosphorylation of MEK6 by ASK1, and suggested that the order of phosphorylation is dictated by both binding and catalysis rates.

Proline-rich Akt substrate of 40-kDa contains a nuclear export signal

The proline-rich Akt substrate of 40-kDa (PRAS40) has been linked to the regulation of the activity of the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 as well as insulin action. Despite these cytosolic functions, PRAS40 was originally identified as nuclear phosphoprotein in Hela cells. This study aimed to detail mechanisms and consequences of the nucleocytosolic trafficking of PRAS40. Sequence analysis identified a potential leucine-rich nuclear export signal (NES) within PRAS40. Incubation of A14 fibroblasts overexpressing human PRAS40 (hPRAS40) resulted in nuclear accumulation of the protein. Furthermore, mutation of the NES mimicked the effects of leptomycin B, a specific inhibitor of nuclear export, on the subcellular localization of hPRAS40. Finally, A14 cells expressing the NES-mutant showed impaired activation of components of the Akt-pathway as well as of the mTORC1 substrate p70 S6 kinase after insulin stimulation. This impaired insulin signaling could be ascribed to reduced protein levels of insulin receptor substrate 1 in cells expressing mutant NES. In conclusion, PRAS40 contains a functional nuclear export signal. Furthermore, enforced nuclear accumulation of PRAS40 impairs insulin action, thereby substantiating the function of this protein in the regulation of insulin sensitivity.

Oxidative stress and MAPK involved into ATF2 expression in immortalized human urothelial cells treated by arsenic

ATF2 is a subfamily member of AP-1 and has an important role in cellular stress responses. ATF2 has been implicated in a transcriptional response leading to cell migration and malignant tumor progression. However, little is known about the effect of arsenic on expression of ATF2 and regulatory pathways in human urothelial cells. In this study, ATF2 expression was measured in NaAsO(2)-treated human uroepithelial cell line (SV-HUC-1) with 1, 2, 4, 8 and 10 μM concentrations in order to provide some basis data for the study on mechanism of bladder cancer induced by arsenic. We found that ATF2 expression levels at 2, 4, 8 and 10 μM arsenic-treated cells were significantly higher than those of control cells, and the strongest expression occurred in 4 μM NaAsO(2)-treated cells. Antioxidants (melatonin) and JNK or p38 inhibitors decreased significantly arsenic-induced ATF2 expression. Taken together, these data indicated that the increasing of ATF2 expression is mediated via oxidative stress induced by arsenic in SV-HUC-1 cells, and JNK or p38 rather than ERK is responsible for arsenic-induced ATF2 expression. ROS were also involved in arsenic induced the activation of JNK and p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

Inhibition of p38-MAPK alters SRC coactivation and estrogen receptor phosphorylation

The p38 mitogen activated protein kinase pathway (MAPK) is known to promote cell survival, endocrine therapy resistance and hormone independent breast cancer cell proliferation. Therefore, we utilized the novel p38 inhibitor RWJ67657 to investigate the relevance of targeting this pathway in the ER (+) breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Our results show that RWJ67657 inhibits both basal and estrogen stimulated phosphorylation of p38α, resulting in decreased activation of the downstream p38α targets hsp27 and MAPAPK. Furthermore, inhibition of p38α by RWJ67657 blocks clonogenic survival of MCF-7 cells with little effect on non-cancerous breast epithelial cells. Even though p38α is known to phosphorylate ERα at residue within ER's hinge region at Thr311, resulting in increased ERα transcriptional activation, our results suggest RWJ67657 inhibits the p38α-induced activation of ER by targeting both the AF-1 and AF-2 activation domains within ERα. We further show that RWJ67657 decreases the transcriptional activity of the ER coactivators SRC-1, SRC-2 and SRC-3. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that in addition to phosphorylating Thr311 within ERα, p38α indirectly activates the ER by phosphorylation and stimulation of the known ERα coactivators, SRC-1, -2 and-3. Overall, our data underscore the therapeutic potential of targeting the p38 MAPK pathway in the treatment of ER (+) breast cancer.

A cytoplasmic negative regulator isoform of ATF7 impairs ATF7 and ATF2 phosphorylation and transcriptional activity

Alternative splicing and post-translational modifications are processes that give rise to the complexity of the proteome. The nuclear ATF7 and ATF2 (activating transcription factor) are structurally homologous leucine zipper transcription factors encoded by distinct genes. Stress and growth factors activate ATF2 and ATF7 mainly via sequential phosphorylation of two conserved threonine residues in their activation domain. Distinct protein kinases, among which mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), phosphorylate ATF2 and ATF7 first on Thr71/Thr53 and next on Thr69/Thr51 residues respectively, resulting in transcriptional activation. Here, we identify and characterize a cytoplasmic alternatively spliced isoform of ATF7. This variant, named ATF7-4, inhibits both ATF2 and ATF7 transcriptional activities by impairing the first phosphorylation event on Thr71/Thr53 residues. ATF7-4 indeed sequesters the Thr53-phosphorylating kinase in the cytoplasm. Upon stimulus-induced phosphorylation, ATF7-4 is poly-ubiquitinated and degraded, enabling the release of the kinase and ATF7/ATF2 activation. Our data therefore conclusively establish that ATF7-4 is an important cytoplasmic negative regulator of ATF7 and ATF2 transcription factors.

Phosphorylation of PRAS40 on Thr246 by PKB/AKT facilitates efficient phosphorylation of Ser183 by mTORC1

Type 2 diabetes is associated with alterations in protein kinase B (PKB/Akt) and mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signalling. The proline-rich Akt substrate of 40-kDa (PRAS40) is a component of mTORC1, which has a regulatory function at the intersection of the PKB/Akt and mTORC1 signalling pathway. Phosphorylation of PRAS40-Thr246 by PKB/Akt, and PRAS40-Ser183 and PRAS40-Ser221 by mTORC1 results in dissociation from mTORC1, and its binding to 14-3-3 proteins. Although all phosphorylation sites within PRAS40 have been implicated in 14-3-3 binding, substitution of Thr246 by Ala alone is sufficient to abolish 14-3-3 binding under conditions of intact mTORC1 signalling. This suggests that phosphorylation of PRAS40-Thr246 may facilitate efficient phosphorylation of PRAS40 on its mTORC1-dependent sites. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism of PRAS40-Ser183 phosphorylation in response to insulin. Insulin promoted PRAS40-Ser183 phosphorylation after a euglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic clamp in human skeletal muscle. The insulin-induced PRAS40-Ser183 phosphorylation was further evidenced in vivo in rat skeletal and cardiac muscle, and in vitro in A14 fibroblasts, 3T3L1 adipocytes and L6 myotubes. Inhibition of mTORC1 by rapamycin or amino acid deprivation partially abrogated insulin-mediated PRAS40-Ser183 phosphorylation in cultured cell lines. However, lowering insulin-induced PRAS40-Thr246 phosphorylation using wortmannin or palmitate in cell lines, or by feeding rats a high-fat diet, completely abolished insulin-mediated PRAS40-Ser183 phosphorylation. In addition, replacement of Thr246 by Ala reduced insulin-mediated PRAS40-Ser183 phosphorylation. We conclude that PRAS40-Ser183 is a component of insulin action, and that efficient phosphorylation of PRAS40-Ser183 by mTORC1 requires the phosphorylation of PRAS40-Thr246 by PKB/Akt.