Peroxide(s) of vanadium: a novel and potent insulin-mimetic agent which activates the insulin receptor kinase

Genotoxicity and heating Performance of VxFe3-xO4 nanoparticles in Health applications

The applications of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) as biocatalysts in different biomedical areas have been evolved very recently. One of the main challenges in this field is to design affective MNPs surfaces with catalytically active atomic centres, while producing minimal toxicological side effects on the hosting cell or tissues. MNPs of vanadium spinel ferrite (VFe2O4) are a promising material for mimicking the action of natural enzymes in degrading harmful substrates due to the presence of active V5+ centres. However, the toxicity of this material has not been yet studied in detail enough to grant biomedical safety. In this work, we have extensively measured the structural, compositional, and magnetic properties of a series of VxFe3-xO4 spinel ferrite MNPs to assess the surface composition and oxidation state of V atoms, and also performed systematic and extensive in vitro cytotoxicity and genotoxicity testing required to assess their safety in potential clinical applications. We could establish the presence of V5+ at the particle surface even in water-based colloidal samples at pH 7, as well as different amounts of V2+ and V3+ substitution at the A and B sites of the spinel structure. All samples showed large heating efficiency with Specific Loss Power values up to 400 W/g (H0 = 30 kA/m; f = 700 kHz). Samples analysed for safety in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell line with up to 24h of exposure showed that these MNPs did not induce major genomic abnormalities such as micronuclei, nuclear buds, or nucleoplasmic bridges (MNIs, NBUDs, and NPBs), nor did they cause DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) or aneugenic effects-types of damage considered most harmful to cellular genetic material. The present study is an essential step towards the use of these type of nanomaterials in any biomedical or clinical application.

Metabolic effects of VO(dmpp)2– anex vivo1H-HRMAS NMR study to unveil its pharmacological properties

VO(dmpp)₂ameliorates liver metabolic profile of obese pre-diabetic Zucker rats after 4 weeks of treatment, as demonstrated byex vivo¹H-HRMAS NMR study.

The metal face of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B

A new paradigm in metallobiochemistry describes the activation of inactive metalloenzymes by metal ion removal. Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) do not seem to require a metal ion for enzymatic activity. However, both metal cations and metal anions modulate their enzymatic activity. One binding site is the phosphate binding site at the catalytic cysteine residue. Oxyanions with structural similarity to phosphate, such as vanadate, inhibit the enzyme with nanomolar to micromolar affinities. In addition, zinc ions (Zn2+) inhibit with picomolar to nanomolar affinities. We mapped the cation binding site close to the anion binding site and established a specific mechanism of inhibition occurring only in the closed conformation of the enzyme when the catalytic cysteine is phosphorylated and the catalytic aspartate moves into the active site. We discuss this dual inhibition by anions and cations here for PTP1B, the most thoroughly investigated protein tyrosine phosphatase. The significance of the inhibition in phosphorylation signaling is becoming apparent only from the functions of PTP1B in the biological context of metal cations as cellular signaling ions. Zinc ion signals complement redox signals but provide a different type of control and longer lasting inhibition on a biological time scale owing to the specificity and affinity of zinc ions for coordination environments. Inhibitor design for PTP1B and other PTPs is a major area of research activity and interest owing to their prominent roles in metabolic regulation in health and disease, in particular cancer and diabetes. Our results explain the apparent dichotomy of both cations (Zn2+) and oxyanions such as vanadate inhibiting PTP1B and having insulin-enhancing ("anti-diabetic") effects and suggest different approaches, namely targeting PTPs in the cell by affecting their physiological modulators and considering a metallodrug approach that builds on the knowledge of the insulin-enhancing effects of both zinc and vanadium compounds.

Insulin Signalling: The Inside Story

Insulin signalling begins with binding to its cell surface insulin receptor (IR), which is a tyrosine kinase. The insulin receptor kinase (IRK) is subsequently autophosphorylated and activated to tyrosine phosphorylate key cellular substrates that are essential for entraining the insulin response. Although IRK activation begins at the cell surface, it is maintained and augmented following internalization into the endosomal system (ENS). The peroxovanadium compounds (pVs) were discovered to activate the IRK in the absence of insulin and lead to a full insulin response. Thus, IRK activation is both necessary and sufficient for insulin signalling. Furthermore, this could be shown to occur with activation of only the endosomal IRK. The mechanism of pV action was shown to be the inhibition of IRK-associated phosphotyrosine phosphatases (PTPs). Our studies showed that the duration and intensity of insulin signalling are modulated within ENS by the recruitment of cellular substrates to ENS; intra-endosomal acidification, which promotes dissociation of insulin from the IRK; an endosomal acidic insulinase, which degrades intra-endosomal insulin; and IRK-associated PTPs, which dephosphorylate and, hence, deactivate the IRK. Therefore, the internalization of IRKs is central to insulin signalling and its regulation.

Pervanadate induces Mammalian Ste20 Kinase 3 (MST3) tyrosine phosphorylation but not activation

The yeast Ste20 (sterile) protein kinase, which is a serine/threonine kinase, responds to the stimulation of the G proteincoupled receptor (GPCR) pheromone receptor. Ste20 protein kinase serves as the critical component that links signaling from the GPCR/G proteins to the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade in yeast. The yeast Ste20p functions as a MAP kinase kinase kinase kinase (MAP4K) in the pheromone response. Ste20-like kinases are structurally conserved from yeast to mammals. The mechanism by which MAP4K links GPCR to the MAPK pathway is less clearly defined in vertebrates. In addition to MAP4K, the tyrosine kinase cascade bridges G proteins and the MAPK pathway in vertebrate cells. Mammalian Ste20 Kinase 3 (MST3) has been categorized into the Ste20 family and has been reported to function in the regulation of cell polarity and migration. However, whether MST3 tyrosine phosphorylation regulates diverse signaling pathways is unknown. In this study, the tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor pervanadate was found to induce MST3 tyrosine phosphorylation in intact cells, and the activity of tyrosine-phosphorylated MST3 was measured. This tyrosine-directed phosphorylation was independent of MST3 activity. Parameters including protein conformation, Triton concentration and ionic concentration influenced the sensitivity of MST3 activity. Taken together, our data suggests that the serine/threonine kinase MST3 undergoes tyrosinedirected phosphorylation. The tyrosine-phosphorylated MST3 may create a docking site for the structurally conserved SH2/SH3 (Src Homology 2 and 3) domains within the Src oncoprotein. The unusual tyrosinephosphorylated MST3 may recruit MST3 to various signaling components.

Why Antidiabetic Vanadium Complexes are Not in the Pipeline of "Big Pharma" Drug Research? A Critical Review

Public academic research sites, private institutions as well as small companies have made substantial contributions to the ongoing development of antidiabetic vanadium compounds. But why is this endeavor not echoed by the globally operating pharmaceutical companies, also known as "Big Pharma"? Intriguingly, today's clinical practice is in great need to improve or replace insulin treatment against Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Insulin is the mainstay therapeutically and economically. So, why do those companies develop potential antidiabetic drug candidates without vanadium (vanadium- free)? We gathered information about physicochemical and pharmacological properties of known vanadium-containing antidiabetic compounds from the specialized literature, and converted the data into explanations (arguments, the "pros and cons") about the underpinnings of antidiabetic vanadium. Some discoveries were embedded in chronological order while seminal reviews of the last decade about the Medicinal chemistry of vanadium and its history were also listed for further understanding. In particular, the concepts of so-called "noncomplexed or free" vanadium species (i.e. inorganic oxido-coordinated species) and "biogenic speciation" of antidiabetic vanadium complexes were found critical and subsequently documented in more details to answer the question.

Vanadium compounds in medicine

Vanadium is a transition metal that, being ubiquitously distributed in soil, crude oil, water and air, also found roles in biological systems and is an essential element in most living beings. There are also several groups of organisms which accumulate vanadium, employing it in their biological processes. Vanadium being a biological relevant element, it is not surprising that many vanadium based therapeutic drugs have been proposed for the treatment of several types of diseases. Namely, vanadium compounds, in particular organic derivatives, have been proposed for the treatment of diabetes, of cancer and of diseases caused by parasites. In this work we review the medicinal applications proposed for vanadium compounds with particular emphasis on the more recent publications. In cells, partly due to the similarity of vanadate and phosphate, vanadium compounds activate numerous signaling pathways and transcription factors; this by itself potentiates application of vanadium-based therapeutics. Nevertheless, this non-specific bio-activity may also introduce several deleterious side effects as in addition, due to Fenton's type reactions or of the reaction with atmospheric O2, VCs may also generate reactive oxygen species, thereby introducing oxidative stress with consequences presently not well evaluated, particularly for long-term administration of vanadium to humans. Notwithstanding, the potential of vanadium compounds to treat type 2 diabetes is still an open question and therapies using vanadium compounds for e.g. antitumor and anti-parasitic related diseases remain promising.

Alteration of local adipose tissue trace element homeostasis as a possible mechanism of obesity-related insulin resistance

The mechanisms of association between obesity and the related metabolic disturbances in general and insulin resistance in particular are extensively studied. Taking into account a key role of adipose tissue insulin resistance in the development of systemic obesity-related insulin resistance, the estimation of mechanisms linking increased adiposity and impaired insulin signaling in adipocytes will allow to develop novel prophylactic and therapeutic approaches to treatment of these states. A number of trace elements like chromium, zinc, and vanadium have been shown to take part in insulin signaling via various mechanisms. Taking into account a key role of adipocyte in systemic carbohydrate homeostasis it can be asked if trace element homeostasis in adipose tissue may influence regulatory mechanisms of glucose metabolism. We hypothesize that caloric excess through currently unknown mechanisms results in decreased chromium, vanadium, and zinc content in adipocytes. Decreased content of trace elements in the adipose tissue causes impairment of intra-adipocyte insulin signaling subsequently leading to adipose tissue insulin resistance. The latter significantly contributes to systemic insulin resistance and further metabolic disruption in obesity. It is also possible that decreased adipose tissue trace element content is associated with dysregulation of insulin-sensitizing and proinflammatory adipokines also leading to insulin resistance. We hypothesize that insulin resistance and adipokine dysbalance increase the severity of obesity subsequently aggravating alteration of adipose tissue trace element balance. Single indications of high relative adipose tissue trace element content, decreased Cr, V, and Zn content in obese adipose tissue, and tight association between fat tissue chromium, vanadium, and zinc levels and metabolic parameters in obesity may be useful for hypothesis validation. If our hypothesis will be confirmed by later studies, adipose tissue chromium, vanadium, and zinc content may be used as a prognostic biomarker of metabolic disturbances in obesity. Hypothetically, development and approbation of drugs increasing adipose tissue chromium, vanadium, and zinc content may help to achieve better metabolic control in obesity and obesity-related insulin resistance. However, stronger basis is required to prove our hypothesis. In particular, future studies should investigate the influence of obesity severity of adipose tissue trace element content, estimate the association between adipose tissue metals and metabolic parameters, and highlight the mechanisms involved in these changes. Both in vivo and in vitro studies are required to support the hypothesis.

Physiological roles of peroxido-vanadium complexes: Leitmotif as their signal transduction pathway

Evidence exists that supports the various physiological roles of vanadium compounds, although the amount of vanadium in our body is limited. This limited concentration in our body does not attract much attention of the biological chemists, although the fact is present; even in the 19th century, vanadium derivatives were used for the therapeutic reagents. In the middle of the 20th century, the main focus of vanadium chemistry is mainly on the chemical and material fields. After the first discovery of vanadium compounds expressing ATPase activity, oxidovanadium(IV) sulfate was reported to have insulin mimic activity. Additionally, because some vanadium compounds possess cellular toxicity, trials were also carried out to examine the possible use of vanadium compounds as cancer therapeutics. The application of vanadium complexes was extended in recent years especially in the 21st century. In this review, we briefly explain the historical background of vanadium chemistry and also summarize the physiological role of vanadium complexes mainly focusing on the synthesis and physiological role of peroxidovanadium compounds and their interactions with insulin signal transduction pathways.

Adipose tissue chromium and vanadium disbalance in high-fat fed Wistar rats

The primary objective of the current study is to investigate the relationship between adipose tissue chromium and vanadium content and adipose tissue dysfunction in a model of diet-induced obesity. A total of 26 female Wistar rats were fed either standard or high-fat diet (31.6% of fat from total caloric content) for 3 months. High-fat-feeding resulted in 21 and 33% decrease in adipose tissue chromium and vanadium content, respectively. No change was seen in hair chromium or vanadium levels. Statistical analysis revealed a significant inverse correlation of adipose tissue Cr and V with animal morphometric parameters and adipocyte size. Significant inverse dependence was observed between adipose tissue Cr and V and serum leptin and proinflammatory cytokines' levels. At the same time, adipose tissue Cr and V levels were characterized by positive correlation between serum adiponectin and adiponectin/leptin ratio. Adipose tissue Cr and V were inversely correlated (p<0.05) with insulin and homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) levels. Cr and V concentrations were not correlated with serum glucose in either high-fat fed or control rats; however, both serum glucose and HOMA-IR levels were significantly higher in high-fat fed, compared to control, rats. The results allow to hypothesize that impairment of adipose tissue Cr and V content plays a certain role in the development of adipose tissue endocrine dysfunction in obesity.

The Structural Basis of Action of Vanadyl (VO2+) Chelates in Cells

Much emphasis has been given to vanadium compounds as potential therapeutic reagents for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Thus far, no vanadium compound has proven efficacious for long-term treatment of this disease in humans. Therefore, in review of the research literature, our goal has been to identify properties of vanadium compounds that are likely to favor physiological and biochemical compatibility for further development as therapeutic reagents. We have, therefore, limited our review to those vanadium compounds that have been used in both in vivo experiments with small, laboratory animals and in in vitro studies with primary or cultured cell systems and for which pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics results have been reported, including vanadium tissue content, vanadium and ligand lifetime in the bloodstream, structure in solution, and interaction with serum transport proteins. Only vanadyl (VO²⁺) chelates fulfill these requirements despite the large variety of vanadium compounds of different oxidation states, ligand structure, and coordination geometry synthesized as potential therapeutic agents. Extensive review of research results obtained with use of organic VO²⁺-chelates shows that the vanadyl chelate bis(acetylacetonato)oxidovanadium(IV) [hereafter abbreviated as VO(acac)₂], exhibits the greatest capacity to enhance insulin receptor kinase activity in cells compared to other organic VO²⁺-chelates, is associated with a dose-dependent capacity to lower plasma glucose in diabetic laboratory animals, and exhibits a sufficiently long lifetime in the blood stream to allow correlation of its dose-dependent action with blood vanadium content. The properties underlying this behavior appear to be its high stability and capacity to remain intact upon binding to serum albumin. We relate the capacity to remain intact upon binding to serum albumin to the requirement to undergo transcytosis through the vascular endothelium to gain access to target tissues in the extravascular space. Serum albumin, as the most abundant transport protein in the blood stream, serves commonly as the carrier protein for small molecules, and transcytosis of albumin through capillary endothelium is regulated by a Src protein tyrosine kinase system. In this respect it is of interest to note that inorganic VO²⁺ has the capacity to enhance insulin receptor kinase activity of intact 3T3-L1 adipocytes in the presence of albumin, albeit weak; however, in the presence of transferrin no activation is observed. In addition to facilitating glucose uptake, the capacity of VO²⁺- chelates for insulin-like, antilipolytic action in primary adipocytes has also been reviewed. We conclude that measurement of inhibition of release of only free fatty acids from adipocytes stimulated by epinephrine is not a sufficient basis to ascribe the observations to purely insulin-mimetic, antilipolytic action. Adipocytes are known to contain both phosphodiesterase-3 and phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE3 and PDE4) isozymes, of which insulin antagonizes lipolysis only through PDE3B. It is not known whether the other isozyme in adipocytes is influenced directly by VO²⁺- chelates. In efforts to promote improved development of VO²⁺- chelates for therapeutic purposes, we propose synergism of a reagent with insulin as a criterion for evaluating physiological and biochemical specificity of action. We highlight two organic compounds that exhibit synergism with insulin in cellular assays. Interestingly, the only VO²⁺- chelate for which this property has been demonstrated, thus far, is VO(acac)₂.

PTMScan direct: identification and quantification of peptides from critical signaling proteins by immunoaffinity enrichment coupled with LC-MS/MS

Proteomic studies of post-translational modifications by metal affinity or antibody-based methods often employ data-dependent analysis, providing rich data sets that consist of randomly sampled identified peptides because of the dynamic response of the mass spectrometer. This can complicate the primary goal of programs for drug development, mutational analysis, and kinase profiling studies, which is to monitor how multiple nodes of known, critical signaling pathways are affected by a variety of treatment conditions. Cell Signaling Technology has developed an immunoaffinity-based LC-MS/MS method called PTMScan Direct for multiplexed analysis of these important signaling proteins. PTMScan Direct enables the identification and quantification of hundreds of peptides derived from specific proteins in signaling pathways or specific protein types. Cell lines, tissues, or xenografts can be used as starting material. PTMScan Direct is compatible with both SILAC and label-free quantification. Current PTMScan Direct reagents target key nodes of many signaling pathways (PTMScan Direct: Multipathway), serine/threonine kinases, tyrosine kinases, and the Akt/PI3K pathway. Validation of each reagent includes score filtering of MS/MS assignments, filtering by identification of peptides derived from expected targets, identification of peptides homologous to expected targets, minimum signal intensity of peptide ions, and dependence upon the presence of the reagent itself compared with a negative control. The Multipathway reagent was used to study sensitivity of human cancer cell lines to receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors and showed consistent results with previously published studies. The Ser/Thr kinase reagent was used to compare relative levels of kinase-derived phosphopeptides in mouse liver, brain, and embryo, showing tissue-specific activity of many kinases including Akt and PKC family members. PTMScan Direct will be a powerful quantitative method for elucidation of changes in signaling in a wide array of experimental systems, combining the specificity of traditional biochemical methods with the high number of data points and dynamic range of proteomic methods.

Nck2 promotes human melanoma cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro and primary melanoma-derived tumor growth in vivo

Background

Nck1 and Nck2 adaptor proteins are involved in signaling pathways mediating proliferation, cytoskeleton organization and integrated stress response. Overexpression of Nck1 in fibroblasts has been shown to be oncogenic. Through the years this concept has been challenged and the consensus is now that overexpression of either Nck cooperates with strong oncogenes to transform cells. Therefore, variations in Nck expression levels in transformed cells could endorse cancer progression.

Methods

Expression of Nck1 and Nck2 proteins in various cancer cell lines at different stages of progression were analyzed by western blots. We created human primary melanoma cell lines overexpressing GFP-Nck2 and investigated their ability to proliferate along with metastatic characteristics such as migration and invasion. By western blot analysis, we compared levels of proteins phosphorylated on tyrosine as well as cadherins and integrins in human melanoma cells overexpressing or not Nck2. Finally, in mice we assessed tumor growth rate of human melanoma cells expressing increasing levels of Nck2.

Results

We found that expression of Nck2 is consistently increased in various metastatic cancer cell lines compared with primary counterparts. Particularly, we observed significant higher levels of Nck2 protein and mRNA, as opposed to no change in Nck1, in human metastatic melanoma cell lines compared with non-metastatic melanoma and normal melanocytes. We demonstrated the involvement of Nck2 in proliferation, migration and invasion in human melanoma cells. Moreover, we discovered that Nck2 overexpression in human primary melanoma cells correlates with higher levels of proteins phosphorylated on tyrosine residues, assembly of Nck2-dependent pY-proteins-containing molecular complexes and downregulation of cadherins and integrins. Importantly, we uncovered that injection of Nck2-overexpressing human primary melanoma cells into mice increases melanoma-derived tumor growth rate.

Conclusions

Collectively, our data indicate that Nck2 effectively influences human melanoma phenotype progression. At the molecular level, we propose that Nck2 in human primary melanoma promotes the formation of molecular complexes regulating proliferation and actin cytoskeleton dynamics by modulating kinases or phosphatases activities that results in increased levels of proteins phosphorylated on tyrosine residues. This study provides new insights regarding cancer progression that could impact on the therapeutic strategies targeting cancer.

Metal-based anti-diabetic drugs: advances and challenges

The current status and likely future directions of complexes of V(V/IV), Cr(III), Mo(VI), W(VI), Zn(II), Cu(II), and Mn(III) as potential oral drugs against type 2 diabetes are reviewed. We propose a unified model of extra- and intracellular mechanisms of anti-diabetic efficacies of V(V/IV), Mo(VI), W(VI), and Cr(III), centred on high-oxidation-state oxido/peroxido species that inhibit protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) involved in insulin signalling. The postulated oxidative mechanism of anti-diabetic activity of Cr(III) via carcinogenic Cr(VI/V) (which adds to safety concerns) is consistent with recent clinical trials on Cr(III) picolinate, where activity was apparent only in patients with poorly controlled diabetes (high oxidative stress), and the correlation between the anti-diabetic activities and ease of oxidation of Cr(III) supplements and their metabolites in vivo. Zn(II) and Cu(II) anti-diabetics act via different mechanisms and are unlikely to be used as specific anti-diabetics due to their diverse and unpredictable biological activities. Hence, future research directions are likely to centre on enhancing the bioavailability and selectivity of V(V/IV), Mo(VI), or W(VI) drugs. The strategy of potentiating circulating insulin with metal ions has distinct therapeutic advantages over interventions that stimulate the release of more insulin, or use insulin mimetics, because of many adverse side-effects of increased levels of insulin, including increased risks of cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

Spectroscopic behavior and biological activity of K3[VO(O2)2CO3]∙H2O

The potassium salt of the carbonato oxodiperoxovanadate(V) complex, obtained by a known synthetic procedure, was thoroughly characterized by infrared, Raman, and electronic spectroscopy. The bioactivity of the complex on the cell proliferation was tested on osteoblast-like cells (MC3T3E1 osteoblastic mouse calvaria-derived cells and UMR106 rat osteosarcoma-derived cells) in culture. At low doses, the complex is more toxic for the nontransformed osteoblasts than for the tumoral ones, whereas at higher doses the deleterious effects are similar for both cell lines. This peroxo complex seems to be the most toxic compound that has so far been tested on osteoblast-like cells in culture.

Arylalkylamine vanadium salts as new anti-diabetic compounds

Vanadium compounds show insulin-like effects in vivo and in vitro. Several clinical studies have shown the efficacy of vanadium compounds in type 2 diabetic subjects. However, a major concern is safety, which calls for the development of more potent vanadium compounds. For that reason different laboratories develop strategies to decrease the therapeutic dose of vanadate. One of these strategies use substrates of semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO)/vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1), a bifunctional protein with amine oxidase activity and adhesive properties implicated in lymphocyte homing at inflammation sites. Substrates of SSAO combined with low concentrations of vanadate strongly stimulate glucose transport and GLUT4 glucose transporter recruitment to the plasma membrane in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and in rat adipocytes. This combination also shows anti-diabetic effects in various animal models of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Benzylamine/vanadate administration generates peroxovanadium locally in pancreatic islets, which stimulates insulin secretion, and also produces peroxovanadium in adipose tissue, thereby activating glucose metabolism in adipocytes and in neighboring muscle. This opens up the possibility of using the SSAO/VAP-1 activity as a local generator of protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors in anti-diabetic therapy. More recently a novel class of arylalkylaminevanadium salts have shown potent insulin-mimetic effects downstream of the insulin receptor. Administration of these compounds lowers glycemia and normalizes the plasma lipid profile in type 1 and type 2 models of diabetes. The combination of different approaches to decrease vanadium doses, among them chelating agents and SSAO substrates, should permit to develop safe and efficient vanadium based agents safe for diabetes treatment.

Oxidative stress stimulates skeletal muscle glucose uptake through a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-dependent pathway

We determined the acute effects of oxidative stress on glucose uptake and intracellular signaling in skeletal muscle by incubating muscles with reactive oxygen species (ROS). Xanthine oxidase (XO) is a superoxide-generating enzyme that increases ROS. Exposure of isolated rat extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles to Hx/XO (Hx/XO) for 20 min resulted in a dose-dependent increase in glucose uptake. To determine whether the mechanism leading to Hx/XO-stimulated glucose uptake is associated with the production of H2O2, EDL muscles from rats were preincubated with the H2O2 scavenger catalase or the superoxide scavenger superoxide dismutase (SOD) prior to incubation with Hx/XO. Catalase treatment, but not SOD, completely inhibited the increase in Hx/XO-stimulated 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) uptake, suggesting that H2O2 is an intermediary leading to Hx/XO-stimulated glucose uptake with incubation. Direct H2O2 also resulted in a dose-dependent increase in 2-DG uptake in isolated EDL muscles, and the maximal increase was threefold over basal levels at a concentration of 600 micromol/l H2O2. H2O2-stimulated 2-DG uptake was completely inhibited by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor wortmannin, but not the nitric oxide inhibitor NG-monomethyl-l-arginine. H2O2 stimulated the phosphorylation of Akt Ser473 (7-fold) and Thr308 (2-fold) in isolated EDL muscles. H2O2 at 600 micromol/l had no effect on ATP concentrations and did not increase the activities of either the alpha1 or alpha2 catalytic isoforms of AMP-activated protein kinase. These results demonstrate that acute exposure of muscle to ROS is a potent stimulator of skeletal muscle glucose uptake and that this occurs through a PI3K-dependent mechanism.

Capacitative Calcium Entry Contributes to the Differential Transactivation of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Response to Thiazolidinediones

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are synthetic ligands for the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) but also elicit PPARgamma-independent effects, most notably activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Ciglitazone rapidly activates extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) MAPK, an event requiring c-Src kinase-dependent epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) transactivation, whereas troglitazone only weakly activates Erk and does not induce EGFR transactivation; the mechanism underlying this difference remains unclear. In this study, both ciglitazone and troglitazone increased Src activation. Similar effects were observed with Delta2-derivatives of each TZD, compounds that bind PPARgamma but do not lead to its activation, further indicating a PPARgamma-independent mechanism. Neither EGFR kinase nor Pyk2 inhibition prevented Src activation; however, inhibition of Src kinase activity prevented Pyk2 activation. Intracellular calcium chelation blocks TZD-induced Pyk2 activation; here, Src activation by both TZDs and ciglitazone-induced EGFR transactivation were prevented by calcium chelation. Accordingly, both TZDs increased calcium concentrations from intracellular stores; however, only ciglitazone produced a secondary calcium influx in the presence of extracellular calcium. Removal of extracellular calcium or inhibition of capacitative calcium entry by 2-APB prevented ciglitazone-induced EGFR transactivation and Erk activation but did not affect upstream kinase signaling pathways. These results demonstrate that upstream kinases (i.e., Src and Pyk2) are required but not sufficient for EGFR transactivation by TZDs. Moreover, influx of extracellular calcium through capacitative calcium entry may be an unrecognized component that provides a mechanism for the differential induction of EGFR transactivation by these compounds.

The vanadyl (VO2+) chelate bis(acetylacetonato)oxovanadium(IV) potentiates tyrosine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor

We have compared the insulin-like activity of bis(acetylacetonato)oxovanadium(IV) [VO(acac)2], bis(maltolato)oxovanadium(IV) [VO(malto)2], and bis(1-N-oxide-pyridine-2-thiolato)oxovanadium(IV) [VO(OPT)2] in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The insulin-like influence of VO(malto)2 and VO(OPT)2 was decreased compared with that of VO(acac)2. Also, serum albumin enhanced the insulin-like activity of all three chelates more than serum transferrin. Each of the three VO2+ chelates increased the tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins in response to insulin, including the beta-subunit of the insulin receptor (IRbeta) and the insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS1). However, VO(acac)2 exhibited the greatest synergism with insulin and was therefore further investigated. Treatment of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with 0.25 mM VO(acac)2 in the presence of 0.25 mM serum albumin synergistically increased glycogen accumulation stimulated by 0.1 and 1 nM insulin, and increased the phosphorylation of IRbeta, IRS1, protein kinase B, and glycogen synthase kinase-3beta. Wortmannin suppressed all of these classical insulin-signaling activities exerted by VO(acac)2 or insulin, except for tyrosine phosphorylation of IRbeta and IRS1. Additionally, VO(acac)2 enhanced insulin signaling and metabolic action in insulin-resistant 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Cumulatively, these results provide evidence that VO(acac)2 exerts its insulin-enhancing properties by directly potentiating the tyrosine phosphorylation of the insulin receptor, resulting in the initiation of insulin metabolic signaling cascades in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

The effects of peroxovanadate and peroxovanadyl on glucose metabolism in vivo and identification of signal transduction proteins involved in the mechanism of action in isolated soleus muscle

The insulin-like effects of peroxovanate (POV) and peroxovanadyl (PSV) on rates of lactate formation and glycogen synthesis were measured in isolated incubated soleus muscle preparations. In another experiment rats were made insulin deficient by streptozotocin injection and treated with POV and PSV (0.25 mM) administered in the drinking water and in the course of 7 days glycemia were determined. Also, signal transduction proteins ERK 1 and ERK 2 involved in the insulin signaling were measured in soleus muscle of diabetic rats treated with POV and PSV. Peroxides of vanadate and vanadyl significantly stimulated glucose utilization in soleus muscle preparations in vitro. The stimulation of glycogen synthesis and lactate formation by POV and PSV was similar to insulin stimuli. Rats treated with POV or PSV presented reduction of glycemia, food and fluid intake with amelioration of the diabetic state during the short period of treatment (7 days). POV and PSV modulated ERK1/2 phosphorilation and the insulin administration in these rats caused an addictive effect on phosphorilation state of these proteins.

Speciation in the aqueous H+/H2VO4-/H2O2/citrate system of biomedical interest

The speciation in the quaternary aqueous H+/H2VO4-/H2O2/citrate (Cit3-) and H+/H2VO4-/Cit3-/L-(+)-lactate (Lac-) systems has been determined at 25 degrees C in the physiological medium of 0.150 M Na(Cl). A combination of 51V NMR integral intensities and chemical shift (Bruker AMX500) as well as potentiometric data (glass electrode) have been collected and evaluated with the computer program LAKE, which is able to treat multimethod data simultaneously. The pKa-values for citric acid have been determined as 2.94, 4.34 and 5.61. Altogether six vanadate-citrate species have been found in the ternary H+/H2VO4-/Cit3- system in the pH region 2-10, only two of which are mononuclear. Reduction of vanadium(V) becomes more pronounced at pH < 2. Solutions, in which reduction occurred to any extent, were excluded from all calculations. In the quaternary H+/H2VO4-/H2O2/Cit3- system, eight complexes have been found in addition to all binary and ternary complexes over the pH region 2-10, including three mononuclear species. Equilibria in general are fast, but the significant and rapid decomposition of peroxide in acidic solutions limited the final model to pH > 4. In the quaternary H+/H2VO4-/Cit3-/Lac- system, two mixed-ligand species have been determined, with the compositions V2CitLac2- and V2CitLac3- (pKa = 5.0). To our knowledge, this is the first time such complexes have been reported for vanadium(V). 51V NMR chemical shifts, compositions and formation constants are given, and equilibrium conditions are illustrated in distribution diagrams as well as the fit of the model to the experimental data. When suitable, structural proposals are given, based on 13C NMR measurements and available literature data of related compounds.

Requirement of protein tyrosine kinase and phosphatase activities for human sperm exocytosis

The acrosome is a membrane-limited granule that overlies the nucleus of the mature spermatozoon. In response to physiological or pharmacological stimuli, sperm undergo calcium-dependent exocytosis termed the acrosome reaction, which is an absolute prerequisite for fertilization. Protein tyrosine phosphorylation and dephosphorylation are a mechanisms by which multiple cellular events are regulated. Here we report that calcium induces tyrosine phosphorylation in streptolysin O (SLO)-permeabilized human sperm. As expected, pretreatment with tyrphostin A47-a tyrosine kinase inhibitor-abolishes the calcium effect. Interestingly, the calcium-induced increase in tyrosine phosphorylation has a functional correlate in sperm exocytosis. Masking of phosphotyrosyl groups with a specific antibody or inhibition of tyrosine kinases with genistein, tyrphostin A47, and tyrphostin A51 prevent the acrosome reaction. By reversibly sequestering intra-acrosomal calcium with a photo-inhibitable chelator, we show a requirement for protein tyrosine phosphorylation late in the exocytotic pathway, after the efflux of intra-acrosomal calcium. Both mouse and human sperm contain highly active tyrosine phosphatases. Importantly, this activity declines when sperm are incubated under capacitating conditions. Inhibition of tyrosine phosphatases with pervanadate, bis(N,N-dimethylhydroxoamido)hydroxovanadate, ethyl-3,4-dephostatin, and phenylarsine oxide prevents the acrosome reaction. Our results show that both tyrosine kinases and phosphatases play a central role in sperm exocytosis.

Speciation in the aqueous H+/H2VO4-/H2O2/picolinate system relevant to diabetes research

A detailed study of the quaternary aqueous H+/H2VO4-/H2O2/picolinate (Pi-) system has been performed at 25 degrees C in 0.150 M Na(Cl) medium using quantitative 51 V NMR (500 MHz) and potentiometric data (glass electrode). In the ternary H+/H2VO4-/Pi- system, six complexes have been found in the pH region 1-10. In the quaternary H+/H2VO4-/H2O2/Pi- system, eight additional complexes have been found. Generally, equilibria are fast in both systems. The rate of peroxide decomposition depends on the species in solution. Chemical shifts, compositions and formation constants for the species are given. Equilibrium conditions and the fit of the model to the experimental data are illustrated in distribution diagrams. Possible formation of mixed ligand species with imidazole, lactic acid and citric acid have been investigated and ruled out under the same experimental conditions. Structural proposals are given, based on 1)C NMR data and available crystal structures.

Kinetics and Mechanistic Studies of Anticarcinogenic Bisperoxovanadium(V) Compounds: Ligand Substitution Reactions at Physiological pH and Relevance to DNA Interactions

Bisperoxovanadium(V) compounds with bidentate ligands have shown tumor growth inhibition by cleaving DNA. The kinetics and mechanisms of ligand substitution reactions of two bisperoxovanadium(V) compounds [VO(O(2))(2)(bpy)](-) (bpVbpy) and [VO(O(2))(2)(phen)](-) (bpVphen) with entering ligands picolinic acid (pic) and dipicolinic acid (dipic) at physiological pH are reported, and its relevance to their DNA-cleavage activities are discussed. The products of the ligand substitution reactions with pic and dipic are the monoperoxo complexes [VO(O(2))(pic)(2)](-) and [VO(O(2))(dipic)(H(2)O)](-), respectively. (51)V NMR experiments indicate that bpVphen is substantially more inert in aqueous solution than bpVbpy. As a result, bpVbpy is more prone to ligand substitution and subsequent conversion to monoperoxo species. The rate of reaction for bpVbpy was faster than that of bpVphen by an order of magnitude, indicating that the ancillary ligand plays an important role in ligand substitution reactions. The ligand substitution reactions of bpVbpy feature first-order dependence on both [pic](T) and [dipic](T) whereas the substitution kinetics of bpVphen feature saturation behavior with dipic. The substitution reactions of both bpVbpy and bpVphen with pic showed first-order dependence on [H(+)] whereas no acid dependence was observed for the reactions with dipic. Hydrogen peroxide was determined to be a competitive inhibitor with respect to dipic. The ligand substitution reaction mechanisms and the rate laws consistent with these results are presented. The substitution reactions with pic and dipic proceed through different mechanisms; the substitution reactions with dipic proceed via solvolysis as the first step in the mechanisms whereas the reactions with pic bypass solvolysis to go through a mixed ligand monoperoxo vanadium intermediate.

Mechanism of insulin sensitization by BMOV (bis maltolato oxo vanadium); unliganded vanadium (VO4) as the active component

Organovanadium compounds have been shown to be insulin sensitizers in vitro and in vivo. One potential biochemical mechanism for insulin sensitization by these compounds is that they inhibit protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) that negatively regulate insulin receptor activation and signaling. In this study, bismaltolato oxovanadium (BMOV), a potent insulin sensitizer, was shown to be a reversible, competitive phosphatase inhibitor that inhibited phosphatase activity in cultured cells and enhanced insulin receptor activation in vivo. NMR and X-ray crystallographic studies of the interaction of BMOV with two different phosphatases, HCPTPA (human low molecular weight cytoplasmic protein tyrosine phosphatase) and PTP1B (protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B), demonstrated uncomplexed vanadium (VO(4)) in the active site. Taken together, these findings support phosphatase inhibition as a mechanism for insulin sensitization by BMOV and other organovanadium compounds and strongly suggest that uncomplexed vanadium is the active component of these compounds.

Keratinocyte adherens junctions initiate nuclear signaling by translocation of plakoglobin from the membrane to the nucleus

Because changes in cell-cell adhesion have profound effects on cellular behavior, we hypothesized a link between the adhesion and signaling functions of plakoglobin and beta-catenin. To investigate the existence of adherens-junction-mediated signaling, we used peroxovanadate to tyrosine phosphorylate plakoglobin and beta-catenin and to dissociate adherens junctions. The distribution of plakoglobin and beta-catenin was determined by immunofluorescence, western blot analysis, pulse-chase radiolabeling, and biochemical subcellular fractionation. Coimmunoprecipitation studies from nuclear fractions, gel-shift assays, and transient transfections with T cell factor (TCF)/lymphoid enhancer factor (LEF) optimized promoter reporter constructs were used to investigate the ability of plakoglobin and beta-catenin that had redistributed from the membrane to the nucleus to form functional transcriptional regulatory complexes with TCF/LEF family member transcription factors. Tyrosine phosphorylation of plakoglobin and beta-catenin resulted in their rapid translocation from the cell membrane to the nucleus. Nuclear translocation was associated with increased plakoglobin and decreased beta-catenin binding to nuclear TCF/LEF and downregulation of gene transcription from TCF/LEF reporter constructs. These results are consistent with a signaling pathway initiated by structural changes in the adherens junction in which adherens-junction-derived plakoglobin regulates nuclear transcription by antagonizing the binding of beta-catenin to TCF/LEF proteins.

Different Forms of Vanadate on Sugar Transport in Insulin Target and Nontarget Cells

The effects of several vanadates (ie, orthovanadate, pervanadate, and two stable peroxovanadium compounds) on basal and insulin-stimulated 2-DG transport in insulin target and nontarget cell lines are reported, herein. In nontarget cells, exposure to vanadates (5 x 10(-6) to 10(-4) mol/L) resulted in 2-DG transport stimulatory responses similar to those observed in 2-DG transport post exposure to 667 nmol/L insulin alone, or insulin in combination with vanadates. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes and L6 myotubes, exposure to a vanadate compound or 67 nmol/L insulin, stimulated 2-DG transport dramatically. Again, this effect on stimulated transport was similar to 2-DG transport post-treatment with the effective vanadates in combination with insulin. While pervanadate or stable peroxovanadates stimulated 2-DG transport at 10(-5) to 10(-6) mol/L, orthovanadate up to 10(-4) mol/L was not effective in stimulating 2-DG transport in any of the cell lines tested. The data indicate that the various peroxovanadates are clearly superior insulin mimetics while a more limited insulin mimesis is observed with orthovanadate over a wide variety of cell types.

Tyrosine phosphorylation of human keratinocyte beta-catenin and plakoglobin reversibly regulates their binding to E-cadherin and alpha-catenin

We show that tyrosine phosphorylation, produced by incubation of normal human keratinocytes with the tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor peroxovanadate, directly and reversibly regulates the association of beta-catenin and plakoglobin with E-cadherin and alpha-catenin. Prior studies have demonstrated a correlative, but not causal, association between increased tyrosine phosphorylation and decreased adherens junction mediated cell-cell adhesion. We observed that (i) binding of tyrosine phosphorylated beta-catenin and plakoglobin to E-cadherin and to alpha-catenin was substantially reduced, but could be restored in vitro by removal of phosphate from beta-catenin and plakoglobin with added tyrosine phosphatase, and (ii) tyrosine phosphorylation of beta-catenin and plakoglobin was associated with decreased cell-cell adhesion. These findings support a direct and causal role for tyrosine phosphorylation of beta-catenin and plakoglobin in regulating adherens junction mediated cell-cell adhesion. We propose that tyrosine phosphorylation of specific and probably different residues is responsible for regulating the binding of beta-catenin or plakoglobin to (i) E-cadherin and (ii) alpha-catenin. Additionally, because beta-catenin and plakoglobin have both structural and regulatory functions, the data raise the possibility that beta-catenin or plakoglobin released from the adherens junctions by tyrosine phosphorylation may transduce a signal to the nucleus regarding the adhesive state of the cell.

Syntheses, structures, stability, and insulin-like activities of peroxovanadium(V) complexes with a heteroligand

Several peroxovanadium(V) complexes were prepared with a tripodal or a quasi-tripodal tetradentate ligand. The structures of K(2)[VO(O(2))(nta)].2H(2)O and K[VO(O(2))(DL-cmhist)].H(2)O have been determined by X-ray crystallography (nta, nitrilotriacetate; cmhist, N-carboxymethylhistidinate). The structure of Cs[VO(O(2))(pda)].2H(2)O (pda, N-pyridylmethyliminodiacetate) has been estimated to be similar to that of K[VO(O(2))(DL-cmhist)].H(2)O. Each complex anion in these compounds adopts a distorted pentagonal bipyramidal structure, which is typical for heptacoordinate oxoperoxovanadium(V) complexes. The peroxide ion binds in a side-on fashion to the vanadium(V) center in the pentagonal plane. The peroxide anion in the cmhist complex dissociates rather easily in an acidic solution (pH approximately 3), while that in the other complexes stays intact under similar conditions. The in vitro insulin mimetic effect of the peroxovanadium(V) complexes has been evaluated by the inhibitory effect on free fatty acid (FFA) release in isolated rat adipocytes treated with epinephrine. The cmhist complex is effective, while the others are almost totally ineffective.

Combined treatment with benzylamine and low dosages of vanadate enhances glucose tolerance and reduces hyperglycemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) is highly expressed in adipose cells, and substrates of SSAO, such as benzylamine, in combination with low concentrations of vanadate strongly stimulate glucose transport and GLUT4 recruitment in 3T3-L1 and rat adipocytes. Here we examined whether acute and chronic administration of benzylamine and vanadate in vivo enhances glucose tolerance and reduces hyperglycemia in diabetic rats. Acute intravenous administration of these drugs enhanced glucose tolerance in nondiabetic rats and in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. This occurred in the absence of changes in plasma insulin concentrations. However, the administration of benzylamine or vanadate alone did not improve glucose tolerance. The improvement caused by benzylamine plus vanadate was abolished when rats were pretreated with the SSAO-inhibitor semicarbazide. Chronic administration of benzylamine and vanadate exerted potent antidiabetic effects in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Although daily administration of vanadate alone (50 and 25 micromol x kg(-1) x day(-1) i.p.) for 2 weeks had little or no effect on glycemia, vanadate plus benzylamine reduced hyperglycemia in diabetic rats, enhanced basal and insulin-stimulated glucose transport, and upregulated GLUT4 expression in isolated adipocytes. In all, our results substantiated that acute and chronic administration of benzylamine with low dosages of vanadate have potent antidiabetic effects in rats.

Oncogenic mutants of RON and MET receptor tyrosine kinases cause activation of the beta-catenin pathway

beta-Catenin is an oncogenic protein involved in regulation of cell-cell adhesion and gene expression. Accumulation of cellular beta-catenin occurs in many types of human cancers. Four mechanisms are known to cause increases in beta-catenin: mutations of beta-catenin, adenomatous polyposis coli, or axin genes and activation of Wnt signaling. We report a new cause of beta-catenin accumulation involving oncogenic mutants of RON and MET receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). Cells transfected with oncogenic RON or MET were characterized by beta-catenin tyrosine phosphorylation and accumulation; constitutive activation of a Tcf transcriptional factor; and increased levels of beta-catenin/Tcf target oncogene proteins c-myc and cyclin D1. Interference with the beta-catenin pathway reduced the transforming potential of mutated RON and MET. Activation of beta-catenin by oncogenic RON and MET constitutes a new pathway, which might lead to cell transformation by these and other mutant growth factor RTKs.

Vanadium(V) complexes in enzyme systems: aqueous chemistry, inhibition and molecular modeling in inhibitor design

Vanadate in aqueous solution is known to influence a number of enzyme-catalyzed reactions. Such effects are well known to carry over to living systems where numerous responses to the influence of vanadium have been well-documented; perhaps the most studied being the insulin-mimetic effect. Studies of the aqueous chemistry of vanadate provide an insight into the mechanisms by which vanadate affects enzyme systems and suggests methods for the elucidation of specific types of responses. Studies of the corresponding enzymes provide complementary information that suggests model vanadate systems be studied and provides clues as to functional groups that might be utilized in the development of selective enzyme inhibition. The insulin-mimetic effect is thought by many workers to originate in the effectiveness of vanadium as an inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) activity. One, or more PTPases regulate the phosphotyrosine levels of the insulin receptor kinase domain. Appropriate ligands allow modification of the reactivity and function of vanadate. For instance, although the complex, ((CH(3))(2)NO)(2)V(O)OH, is not quite as good an inhibitor of PTPase activity as is vanadate, it is much more effective in cell cultures for increasing glucose transport and glycogen synthesis. Studies of the chemistry of this complex provide an explanation of the efficacy of this compound as a PTPase inhibitor that is supported by computer modeling studies. Computer calculations using X-ray data of known PTPases as a basis for homology modeling then suggests functionality that needs to be addressed in developing selective PTPase inhibitors.

pH-dependent investigations of vanadium(V)-peroxo-malate complexes from aqueous solutions. In search of biologically relevant vanadium(V)-peroxo species

The established biochemical potential of vanadium has spurred considerable research interest in our lab, with specific focus on pertinent synthetic studies of vanadium(III) with a biologically relevant, organic, dicarboxylic acid, malic acid, in aqueous solutions. Simple reactions between VCl3 and malic acid in water, at different pH values, in the presence of H2O2, led to the crystalline dimeric complexes (Cat)4[VO(O2)(C4H3O5)]2*nH2O (Cat = K+, n = 4, 1; Cat = NH4+, n = 3, 2) and K2[VO(O2)(C4H4O5)]2*2H2O (3). All three complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, and UV/visible spectroscopies. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c, with a = 8.380(5) A, b = 9.252(5) A, c = 13.714(8) A, beta = 93.60(2) degrees, V = 1061(1) A3, and Z = 4. Compound 2 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1, with a = 9.158(4) A, b = 9.669(4) A, c = 14.185(6) A, alpha = 104.81(1) degrees, beta = 90.31(1) degrees, gamma = 115.643(13) degrees, V = 1085.0(7) A(3), and Z = 2. Compound 3 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c, with a = 9.123(8) A, b = 9.439(8) A, c = 10.640(9) A, beta = 104.58(3) degrees, V = 887(1) A3, and Z = 2. The X-ray structures showed that, in 1 and 2, the dimers consist of two (V(V)=O)2O2 rhombic units to which two malate ligands are attached. The ligands are triply deprotonated and, as such, they coordinate to vanadium(V), promoting a pentagonal bipyramidal geometry. In 3, the dimeric (V(V)=O)2O2 rhombic unit persists, with the two doubly deprotonated malate ligands coordinated to the vanadium(V) ions. UV/vis and EPR spectroscopic studies on the intermediate blue solutions of the synthesis reactions of 1-3 support the existence of vanadyl-containing dimeric species. These species further react with H2O2 to yield oxidation of V(IV)2O2 to V(V)2O2 and coordination of the peroxide to vanadium(V). From the collective data on 1-3, it appears that pH acts as a decisive factor in dictating the structural features of the isolated complexes. The details of the introduced structural differentiation in the reported complexes, and their potential relevance to vanadium(V) dicarboxylate systems in biological media are dwelled on.

Growth cone steering by receptor tyrosine phosphatase delta defines a distinct class of guidance cue

Receptor-type tyrosine phosphatases (RPTPs) are involved in pathfinding decisions by elongating axons, but how they function in these decisions remains unclear. A vertebrate RPTP, PTP-delta, is a neurite-promoting homophilic adhesion molecule; here we demonstrate chemoattraction of CNS growth cones by a locally applied gradient of soluble PTP-delta. The attractive effect of PTP-delta was abolished by inhibition of tyrosine phosphatase activity, but in contrast to other guidance proteins was unaffected by inhibition of cyclic nucleotide activities. Gradients of PTP-delta or of laminin-1 also promoted increases in the speed of growth cone migration, but laminin-1 did not steer growth cones. Our results indicate that PTP-delta is a chemoattractant for vertebrate CNS neurons in vitro and suggest that it represents a distinct class of guidance protein from those previously defined. Further, our data indicate that growth cone attraction is mechanistically distinct from increases in the speed of growth cone movement.

Tyrosine phosphorylation/dephosphorylation controls capping of Fcgamma receptor II in U937 cells

In the capping of cell-surface receptors two stages can be distinguished: 1) clustering of the receptors (patching) induced by cross-linking with specific antibodies and 2) subsequent assembly of patches into a cap which is driven by the actin-based cytoskeleton. We found that patching of Fcgamma receptor II in U937 cells was correlated with tyrosine phosphorylation of certain proteins, most prominently those of 130, 110, 75 and 28 kDa. The phosphotyrosine-bearing proteins were accumulated at the receptor patches. Formation of the receptor caps was coincident with dephosphorylation of these proteins. Inhibition of protein tyrosine kinases with herbimycin A and genistein attenuated the protein tyrosine hyperphosphorylation and blocked capping in a dose-dependent manner. Phenylarsine oxide and pervanadate, inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatases, also suppressed capping of Fcgamma receptor II in a concentration-dependent fashion. Simultaneously, tyrosine hyperphosphorylation of proteins occurred. In the presence of the tyrosine kinase and phosphatase inhibitors the receptors were arrested at the patching stage. In contrast, okadaic acid, a serine/threonine phosphatase blocker, did not affect assembly of the receptor caps. The inhibitory effect of phenylarsine oxide was rapidly reversed by dithiols, 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanoldithiol and dithiotreitol, and was coincident with dephosphorylation of protein tyrosine residues. Extensive washing of pervanadate-exposed cells also resulted in progressive restoration of the cap assembly. Using streptolysin O-permeabilized cells we confirmed regulatory function played by dephosphorylation of tyrosine residues in capping of Fcgamma receptor II. Exogenous phosphatases, applied to permeabilized cells in which activity of endogenous tyrosine phosphatases was blocked, evoked dephosphorylation of protein tyrosine residues that was accompanied by recovery of capping ability in the cells.

Restrictive endothelial barrier function during normal angiogenesis in vivo: partial dependence on tyrosine dephosphorylation of beta-catenin

Differentiation of a restrictive endothelial barrier in the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) occurs between Day 4.5 and Day 5.0 of the normal 21-day gestation. Whether molecular changes in the endothelial cell-cell junctional protein complex contribute to the ontogeny of barrier function represents the principal focus of this study. VE-cadherin has been shown to contribute to the regulation of endothelial cell monolayer permeability in vitro. Accordingly, VE-cadherin is complexed to the cytosolic catenins, and changes in monolayer permeability have been linked to alterations of the cadherin/catenin complex. Currently, a CAM endothelial VE-cadherin/beta-catenin complex was identified, and phosphotyrosine labeling of beta-catenin was decreased concurrently with the abrupt increase in CAM endothelial selectivity between Day 4.5 and Day 5.0. Further, inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatases impeded regular tyrosine dephosphorylation of beta-catenin at Day 5.0 and this served to partially restore macromolecular extravasation to elevated levels normally present at Day 4.5. Thus, differentiation of selective barrier function in the angiogenic CAM endothelium in vivo is dependent, in part, on tyrosine dephosphorylation of beta-catenin.

Chemistry and insulin-mimetic properties of bis(acetylacetonate)oxovanadium(IV) and derivatives

The syntheses and the solid state structural and spectroscopic solution characterizations of VO(Me-acac)2 and VO(Et-acac)2 (where Me-acac is 3-methyl-2,4-pentanedionato and Et-acac is 3-ethyl-2,4-pentanedionato) have been conducted since both VO(acac)2 and VO(Et-acac)2 have long-term in vivo insulin-mimetic effects in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats. X-ray structural characterizations of VO(Me-acac)2 and VO(Et-acac)2 show that both contain five-coordinate vanadium similar to the parent VO(acac)2. The unit cells for VO(Et-acac)2 and VO(Me-acac)2 are both triclinic, P1, with a = 9.29970(10) A, b = 13.6117(2) A, c = 13.6642(2) A, alpha = 94.1770(10) degrees, beta = 106.4770(10) degrees, gamma = 106.6350(10) degrees for VO(Et-acac)2 and a = 7.72969(4) A, b = 8.1856(5) A, c = 11.9029(6) A, alpha = 79.927(2) degrees, beta = 73.988(2)degrees, gamma = 65.1790(10)degrees for VO(Me-acac)2. The total concentration of EPR-observable vanadium(IV) species for VO(acac)2 and derivatives in water solution at 20 degreesC was determined by double integration of the EPR spectra and apportioned between individual species on the basis of computer simulations of the spectra. Three species were observed, and the concentrations were found to be time, pH, temperature, and salt dependent. The three complexes are assigned as the trans-VO(acac)2.H2O adduct, cis-VO(acac)2.H2O adduct, and a hydrolysis product containing one vanadium atom and one R-acac- group. The reaction rate for conversion of species was slower for VO(acac)2 than for VO(malto)2, VO(Et-acac)2, and VO(Me-acac)2; however, in aqueous solution the rates for all of these species are slow compared to those of other vanadium species. The concentration of vanadium(V) species was determined by 51V NMR. The visible spectra were time dependent, consistent with the changes in species concentrations that were observed in the EPR and NMR spectra. EPR and visible spectroscopic studies of solutions prepared as for administration to diabetic rats documented both a salt effect on speciation and formation of a new halogen-containing complex. Compound efficacy with respect to long-term lowering of plasma glucose levels in diabetic rats traces the concentration of the hydrolysis product in the administration solution.

Vanadate induces calcium signaling, Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ channel activation, and gene expression in T lymphocytes and RBL-2H3 mast cells via thiol oxidation

Using ratiometric Ca2+ imaging and patch-clamp measurement of Ca2+ channel activity, we investigated Ca2+ signaling induced by vanadium compounds in Jurkat T lymphocytes and rat basophilic leukemia cells. In the presence of external Ca2+, vanadium compounds produced sustained or oscillatory Ca2+ elevations; in nominally Ca2+-free medium, a transient Ca2+ rise was generated. Vanadate-induced Ca2+ signaling was blocked by heparin, a competitive inhibitor of the 1,4, 5-inositol trisphosphate (IP3) receptor, suggesting that Ca2+ influx is secondary to depletion of IP3-sensitive Ca2+ stores. In Jurkat T cells, vanadate also activated the Ca2+-dependent transcription factor, NF-AT. Intracellular dialysis with vanadate activated Ca2+ influx through Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channels with kinetics comparable to those of dialysis with IP3. Neither phosphatase inhibitors nor nonhydrolyzable nucleotide analogues modified CRAC channel activation. The action of vanadate, but not IP3, was prevented by the thiol-reducing agent DTT. In addition, the activation of CRAC channels by vanadate was mimicked by the thiol-oxidizing agent chloramine T. These results suggest that vanadate enhances Ca2+ signaling via thiol oxidation of a proximal element in the signal transduction cascade.

Development and validation of an intact cell assay for protein tyrosine phosphatases using recombinant baculoviruses

We have developed an intact cell assay to be used in the direct quantitation of protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) activity. Utilizing the baculovirus expression system, the assay readily allows for a direct activity readout for PTPs such as PTP1B or CD45. Infected Sf9 cells expressing either full-length PTP1B, full-length CD45, CD45 catalytic domain, or hCOX-1 (mock-infected) are harvested 29 hr post-infection, at which time cells are viable and the expressed proteins are processed, as well as localized to their predicted subcellular compartments. Assays are carried out in a 96-well format, with cells expressing the PTP of interest. Cells are preincubated with or without inhibitor and challenged with substrate, and the phosphatase activity is determined spectrophotometrically by monitoring the conversion of p-nitrophenyl phosphate to p-nitrophenol at OD405. Documented PTP inhibitors have been used to validate this assay system. This study demonstrates that a direct readout of PTP activity in intact cells can be achieved, thus providing a useful cell-based screen for determining selective inhibitors of PTPs.