NIP1/XB51/NECAB3 is a potential substrate of Nek2, suggesting specific roles of Nek2 in Golgi

Nek2 Kinase Signaling in Malaria, Bone, Immune and Kidney Disorders to Metastatic Cancers and Drug Resistance: Progress on Nek2 Inhibitor Development

Cell cycle kinases represent an important component of the cell machinery that controls signal transduction involved in cell proliferation, growth, and differentiation. Nek2 is a mitotic Ser/Thr kinase that localizes predominantly to centrosomes and kinetochores and orchestrates centrosome disjunction and faithful chromosomal segregation. Its activity is tightly regulated during the cell cycle with the help of other kinases and phosphatases and via proteasomal degradation. Increased levels of Nek2 kinase can promote centrosome amplification (CA), mitotic defects, chromosome instability (CIN), tumor growth, and cancer metastasis. While it remains a highly attractive target for the development of anti-cancer therapeutics, several new roles of the Nek2 enzyme have recently emerged: these include drug resistance, bone, ciliopathies, immune and kidney diseases, and parasitic diseases such as malaria. Therefore, Nek2 is at the interface of multiple cellular processes and can influence numerous cellular signaling networks. Herein, we provide a critical overview of Nek2 kinase biology and discuss the signaling roles it plays in both normal and diseased human physiology. While the majority of research efforts over the last two decades have focused on the roles of Nek2 kinase in tumor development and cancer metastasis, the signaling mechanisms involving the key players associated with several other notable human diseases are highlighted here. We summarize the efforts made so far to develop Nek2 inhibitory small molecules, illustrate their action modalities, and provide our opinion on the future of Nek2-targeted therapeutics. It is anticipated that the functional inhibition of Nek2 kinase will be a key strategy going forward in drug development, with applications across multiple human diseases.

NECAB3 Promotes Activation of Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 during Normoxia and Enhances Tumourigenicity of Cancer Cells

Unlike most cells, cancer cells activate hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) to use glycolysis even at normal oxygen levels, or normoxia. Therefore, HIF-1 is an attractive target in cancer therapy. However, the regulation of HIF-1 during normoxia is not well characterised, although Mint3 was recently found to activate HIF-1 in cancer cells and macrophages by suppressing the HIF-1 inhibitor, factor inhibiting HIF-1 (FIH-1). In this study, we analysed Mint3-binding proteins to investigate the mechanism by which Mint3 regulates HIF-1. Yeast two-hybrid screening using Mint3 as bait identified N-terminal EF-hand calcium binding protein 3 (NECAB3) as a novel factor regulating HIF-1 activity via Mint3. NECAB3 bound to the phosphotyrosine-binding domain of Mint3, formed a ternary complex with Mint3 and FIH-1, and co-localised with Mint3 at the Golgi apparatus. Depletion of NECAB3 decreased the expression of HIF-1 target genes and reduced glycolysis in normoxic cancer cells. NECAB3 mutants that binds Mint3 but lacks an intact monooxygenase domain also inhibited HIF-1 activation. Inhibition of NECAB3 in cancer cells by either expressing shRNAs or generating a dominant negative mutant reduced tumourigenicity. Taken together, the data indicate that NECAB3 is a promising new target for cancer therapy.

Expression of the calcium binding proteins Necab-1,-2 and -3 in the adult mouse hippocampus and dentate gyrus

The family of EF-hand calcium binding proteins is composed of more than 250 members. In search for other neuronal markers, we studied the expression pattern of Necab-1, -2 and -3 in the Ammons horn of adult mice at the gene- and protein levels using in-situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. The genes for the three Necab's were expressed in specific, non-overlapping areas of the hippocampus. A minority of the Necab-positive interneurons were GABA-ergic, and they virtually never coexpressed one of the classical calcium binding proteins (calretinin, calbindin D-28k and parvalbumin). Necab's are promising new neuronal markers in the brain.

NEK7 is essential for centriole duplication and centrosomal accumulation of pericentriolar material proteins in interphase cells

The centrosomes in dividing cells follow a series of cyclical events of duplication and separation, which are tightly linked to the cell cycle. Serine/threonine-protein kinase NEK7 (NEK7) is a centrosomal kinase that is required for proper spindle formation during mitosis. In this study, we observed that centriole duplication was inhibited in NEK7-depleted cells. Ectopic expression of centrosome-directed NEK7 led to the formation of extra centrioles in a kinase-activity-dependent manner. We also observed extra centriole formation in centrosome-directed NEK6-expressing cells, suggesting that NEK6 and NEK7 might share biological activities that induce centriole duplication. The centrosomal pericentriolar material (PCM) proteins were significantly reduced in NEK7-depleted cells. The PCM proteins in NEK7-depleted cells did not accumulate at the centrosomes, even if the cells exited mitosis and progressed to the G2 phase. These results revealed that NEK7 is essential for PCM accumulation in a cell cycle stage-specific manner. Furthermore, HeLa cells depleted of NEK7 during S phase retained a higher quantity of PCM proteins and exhibited a less severe mitotic phenotype. On the basis of these results, we propose that NEK7 is involved in the recruitment of PCM proteins, which are necessary for both centriole duplication and spindle pole formation. Our study revealed that NEK7 activity is required for centrosome cycle progression not only at M phase, but also at G1 phase.

The pericentriolar satellite protein CEP90 is crucial for integrity of the mitotic spindle pole

Pericentriolar satellites are electron-dense granules that are concentrated around the centrosome. They are involved in the recruitment of centrosomal proteins and microtubule organization in interphase cells, but their mitotic functions are largely unknown. In this study, we characterize CEP90 as a component of pericentriolar satellites. CEP90 is present both in the centrosome and in the cytoplasm, but is transiently concentrated at the centrosome once cells enter mitosis. Depletion of CEP90 caused mitotic arrest with misaligned chromosomes. Spindle pole fragmentation was the most characteristic phenotype in CEP90-depleted cells. Spindle poles were fragmented as soon as the spindles attached, suggesting that the mechanical forces of spindle microtubules physically stress the structure of CEP90-depleted spindle poles. Based on these results, we propose that CEP90 is crucial for maintaining the integrity of spindle poles during mitosis.

Centrobin/NIP2 is a microtubule stabilizer whose activity is enhanced by PLK1 phosphorylation during mitosis

Centrobin/NIP2 is a centrosomal protein that is required for centrosome duplication. It is also critical for microtubule organization in both interphase and mitotic cells. In the present study, we observed that centrobin is phosphorylated in a cell cycle stage-specific manner, reaching its maximum at M phase. PLK1 is a kinase that is responsible for M phase-specific phosphorylation of centrobin. The microtubule forming activity of centrobin was enhanced by PLK1 phosphorylation. Furthermore, mitotic spindles were not assembled properly with the phospho-resistant mutant of centrobin. Based on these results, we propose that centrobin functions as a microtubule stabilizing factor and PLK1 enhances centrobin activity for proper spindle formation during mitosis.

Adenosine receptors interacting proteins (ARIPs): Behind the biology of adenosine signaling

Adenosine is a well known neuromodulator in the central nervous system. As a consequence, adenosine can be beneficial in certain disorders and adenosine receptors will be potential targets for therapy in a variety of diseases. Adenosine receptors are G protein-coupled receptors, and are also expressed in a large variety of cells and tissues. Using these receptors as a paradigm of G protein-coupled receptors, the present review focus on how protein-protein interactions might contribute to neurotransmitter/neuromodulator regulation, based on the fact that accessory proteins impinge on the receptor/G protein interaction and therefore modulate receptor functioning. Besides affecting receptor signaling, these accessory components also play a key role in receptor trafficking, internalization and desensitization, as it will be reviewed here. In conclusion, the finding of an increasing number of adenosine receptors interacting proteins, and specially the molecular and functional integration of these accessory proteins into receptorsomes, will open new perspectives in the understanding of particular disorders where these receptors have been proved to be involved.

A novel function of CEP135 as a platform protein of C-NAP1 for its centriolar localization

A proteomic study predicted that about one hundred kinds of proteins constitute a basic structure of the centrosome. Most of the core centrosomal proteins contain extensive coiled-coil domains, suggesting that the protein-protein interaction is a critical force for the core centrosome configuration. In the present study, we investigated a novel interaction between CEP135 and C-NAP1, two core centriolar proteins. Depletion of CEP135 caused a premature centrosome splitting. Reduction of the centrosomal C-NAP1 level was accompanied in a specific manner. Ectopic expression of the CEP135 mutant proteins also caused centrosome splitting in association with the reduction of the centrosomal C-NAP1 levels. Based on these results, we propose that CEP135 acts as a platform protein for C-NAP1 at the centriole.

The neuronal Ca2+-binding protein 2 (NECAB2) interacts with the adenosine A2A receptor and modulates the cell surface expression and function of the receptor

Heptaspanning membrane also known as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) do interact with a variety of intracellular proteins whose function is regulate receptor traffic and/or signaling. Using a yeast two-hybrid screen, NECAB2, a neuronal calcium binding protein, was identified as a binding partner for the adenosine A(2A) receptor (A(2A)R) interacting with its C-terminal domain. Co-localization, co-immunoprecipitation and pull-down experiments showed a close and specific interaction between A(2A)R and NECAB2 in both transfected HEK-293 cells and also in rat striatum. Immunoelectron microscopy detection of NECAB2 and A(2A)R in the rat striatopallidal structures indicated that both proteins are co-distributed in the same glutamatergic nerve terminals. The interaction of NECAB2 with A(2A)R modulated the cell surface expression, the ligand-dependent internalization and the receptor-mediated activation of the MAPK pathway. Overall, these results show that A(2A)R interacts with NECAB2 in striatal neurones co-expressing the two proteins and that the interaction is relevant for A(2A)R function.

Characterization of NIP2/centrobin, a novel substrate of Nek2, and its potential role in microtubule stabilization

Nek2 is a mitotic kinase whose activity varies during the cell cycle. It is well known that Nek2 is involved in centrosome splitting, and a number of studies have indicated that Nek2 is crucial for maintaining the integrity of centrosomal structure and microtubule nucleation activity. In the present study, we report that NIP2, previously identified as centrobin, is a novel substrate of Nek2. NIP2 was daughter-centriole-specific, but was also found in association with a stable microtubule network of cytoplasm. Ectopic NIP2 formed aggregates but was dissolved by Nek2 into small pieces and eventually associated with microtubules. Knockdown of NIP2 showed significant reduction of microtubule organizing activity, cell shrinkage, defects in spindle assembly and abnormal nuclear morphology. Based on our results, we propose that NIP2 has a role in stabilizing the microtubule structure. Phosphorylation may be crucial for mobilization of the protein to a new microtubule and stabilizing it.

HSP70 binds to SHP2 and has effects on the SHP2-related EGFR/GAB1 signaling pathway

The Src homology phosphotyrosyl phosphatase, SHP2, is a positive effector of EGFR signaling. However, the molecular mechanism and biological functions of SHP2 regulation are still not completely known. To better understand the cellular processes in which SHP2 participates, we carried out mass spectrometry to find SHP2 binding proteins. FLAG-SHP2 complexes were isolated by affinity purification, and associated proteins were identified by in-gel trypsin digestion followed by LC/MS/MS mass spectrometry. Among the identified proteins, we focus in this report on the heat shock protein 70 (HSP70). Physical interactions of SHP2 with HSP70 were confirmed in vivo. Further experiments demonstrate that EGF does not activate binding of SHP2 with HSP70 rather the binding appears to be constitutive. However, the formation of an HSP70/SHP2 complex affected the binding of SHP2 with EGFR and (or) GAB1. These data suggest that binding of HSP70 with SHP2 regulates to some extent the EGF signaling pathway. In addition, immunostaining experiments indicated that SHP2 and HSP70 co-localized in the cell membrane region after EGF treatment. Our findings propose a possible involvement of HSP70 in the regulation of EGF signaling pathway by SHP2.

Nek2A specifies the centrosomal localization of Erk2

Nek2A is a cell-cycle-regulated protein kinase that localizes to the centrosome and kinetochore. Our recent studies provide a link between Nek2A and spindle checkpoint signaling [J. Biol. Chem. 279 (2004) 20049]. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (Erk2) is an important kinase, which belongs to mitogen activating protein (MAP) kinase family. Here we demonstrated that Nek2A binds specifically to Erk2. Erk2 interacts with Nek2A via a conserved Erk2 docking site located to the C-terminus of Nek2A. Our studies indicate this docking site is essential and sufficient for a direct Nek2A-Erk2 interaction. In addition, our immunocytochemical studies show that Nek2A and Erk2 are co-localized to centrosome. Significantly, elimination of Nek2A by RNA interference delocalized Erk2 from its centrosomal location, while inhibition of Erk2 kinase activity did not affect the localization of Nek2A in centrosome. We propose that Erk2 links extracellular signaling to centrosome dynamics by Nek2A.

Molecular and functional analysis of the dictyostelium centrosome

The centrosome is a nonmembranous, nucleus-associated organelle that functions not only as the main microtubule-organizing center but also as a cell cycle control unit. How the approximately 100 different proteins that make up a centrosome contribute to centrosome function is still largely unknown. Considerable progress in the understanding of centrosomal functions can be expected from comparative cell biology of morphologically different centrosomal structures fulfilling conserved functions. Dictyostelium is an alternative model organism for centrosome research in addition to yeast and animal cells. With the elucidation of morphological changes and dynamics of centrosome duplication, the establishment of a centrosome isolation protocol, and the identification of many centrosomal components, there is a solid basis for understanding the biogenesis and function of this fascinating organelle. Here we give an overview of the prospective protein inventory of the Dictyostelium centrosome based on database searches. Moreover, we focus on the comparative cell biology of known components of the Dictyostelium centrosome including the gamma-tubulin complex and the homologues of centrin, Nek2, XMAP215, and EB1.