Protein phosphatase 2A is reversibly modified by methyl esterification at its C-terminal leucine residue in bovine brain

Biased holoenzyme assembly of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A): From cancer to small molecules

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a family of serine threonine phosphatases responsible for regulating protein phosphorylation, thus opposing the activity of cellular kinases. PP2A is composed of a catalytic subunit (PP2A Cα/β) and scaffolding subunit (PP2A Aα/β) and various substrate-directing B regulatory subunits. PP2A biogenesis is regulated at multiple levels. For example, the sequestration of the free catalytic subunit during the process of biogenesis avoids promiscuous phosphatase activity. Posttranslational modifications of PP2A C direct PP2A heterotrimeric formation. Additionally, PP2A functions as a haploinsufficient tumor suppressor, where attenuated PP2A enzymatic activity creates a permissive environment for oncogenic transformation. Recent work studying PP2A in cancer showed that its role in tumorigenesis is more nuanced, with some holoenzymes being tumor suppressive, while others are required for oncogenic transformation. In cancer biology, PP2A function is modulated through various mechanisms including the displacement of specific B regulatory subunits by DNA tumor viral antigens, by recurrent mutations, and through loss of carboxymethyl-sensitive heterotrimeric complexes. In aggregate, these alterations bias PP2A activity away from its tumor suppressive functions and toward oncogenic ones. From a therapeutic perspective, molecular glues and disruptors present opportunities for both the selective stabilization of tumor-suppressive holoenzymes and disruption of holoenzymes that are pro-oncogenic. Collectively, these approaches represent an attractive cancer therapy for a wide range of tumor types. This review will discuss the mechanisms by which PP2A holoenzyme formation is dysregulated in cancer and the current therapies that are aimed at biasing heterotrimer formation of PP2A for the treatment of cancer.

Regulation of PP2A, PP4, and PP6 holoenzyme assembly by carboxyl-terminal methylation

The family of Phosphoprotein Phosphatases (PPPs) is responsible for most cellular serine and threonine dephosphorylation. PPPs achieve substrate specificity and selectivity by forming multimeric holoenzymes. PPP holoenzyme assembly is tightly controlled, and changes in the cellular repertoire of PPPs are linked to human disease, including cancer and neurodegeneration. For PP2A, PP4, and PP6, holoenzyme formation is in part regulated by carboxyl (C)-terminal methyl-esterification (often referred to as "methylation"). Here, we use mass spectrometry-based proteomics, methylation-ablating mutations, and genome editing to elucidate the role of C-terminal methylation on PP2A, PP4, and PP6 holoenzyme assembly. We find that the catalytic subunits of PP2A, PP4, and PP6 are frequently methylated in cancer cells and that deletion of the C-terminal leucine faithfully recapitulates loss of methylation. We observe that loss of PP2A methylation consistently reduced B55, B56, and B72 regulatory subunit binding in cancer and non-transformed cell lines. However, Striatin subunit binding is only affected in non-transformed cells. For PP4, we find that PP4R1 and PP4R3β bind in a methylation-dependent manner. Intriguingly, loss of methylation does not affect PP6 holoenzymes. Our analyses demonstrate in an unbiased, comprehensive, and isoform-specific manner the crucial regulatory function of endogenous PPP methylation in transformed and non-transformed cell lines.

Post-translational Modifications of the Protein Termini

Post-translational modifications (PTM) involve enzyme-mediated covalent addition of functional groups to proteins during or after synthesis. These modifications greatly increase biological complexity and are responsible for orders of magnitude change between the variety of proteins encoded in the genome and the variety of their biological functions. Many of these modifications occur at the protein termini, which contain reactive amino- and carboxy-groups of the polypeptide chain and often are pre-primed through the actions of cellular machinery to expose highly reactive residues. Such modifications have been known for decades, but only a few of them have been functionally characterized. The vast majority of eukaryotic proteins are N- and C-terminally modified by acetylation, arginylation, tyrosination, lipidation, and many others. Post-translational modifications of the protein termini have been linked to different normal and disease-related processes and constitute a rapidly emerging area of biological regulation. Here we highlight recent progress in our understanding of post-translational modifications of the protein termini and outline the role that these modifications play in vivo.

Regulation of Cardiac PKA Signaling by cAMP and Oxidants

Pathologies, such as cancer, inflammatory and cardiac diseases are commonly associated with long-term increased production and release of reactive oxygen species referred to as oxidative stress. Thereby, protein oxidation conveys protein dysfunction and contributes to disease progression. Importantly, trials to scavenge oxidants by systemic antioxidant therapy failed. This observation supports the notion that oxidants are indispensable physiological signaling molecules that induce oxidative post-translational modifications in target proteins. In cardiac myocytes, the main driver of cardiac contractility is the activation of the β-adrenoceptor-signaling cascade leading to increased cellular cAMP production and activation of its main effector, the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). PKA-mediated phosphorylation of substrate proteins that are involved in excitation-contraction coupling are responsible for the observed positive inotropic and lusitropic effects. PKA-actions are counteracted by cellular protein phosphatases (PP) that dephosphorylate substrate proteins and thus allow the termination of PKA-signaling. Both, kinase and phosphatase are redox-sensitive and susceptible to oxidation on critical cysteine residues. Thereby, oxidation of the regulatory PKA and PP subunits is considered to regulate subcellular kinase and phosphatase localization, while intradisulfide formation of the catalytic subunits negatively impacts on catalytic activity with direct consequences on substrate (de)phosphorylation and cardiac contractile function. This review article attempts to incorporate the current perception of the functionally relevant regulation of cardiac contractility by classical cAMP-dependent signaling with the contribution of oxidant modification.

Effects of carboxyl-terminal methylation on holoenzyme function of the PP2A subfamily

Phosphoprotein Phosphatases (PPPs) are enzymes highly conserved from yeast and human and catalyze the majority of the serine and threonine dephosphorylation in cells. To achieve substrate specificity and selectivity, PPPs form multimeric holoenzymes consisting of catalytic, structural/scaffolding, and regulatory subunits. For the Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A)-subfamily of PPPs, holoenzyme assembly is at least in part regulated by an unusual carboxyl-terminal methyl-esterification, commonly referred to as 'methylation'. Carboxyl-terminal methylation is catalyzed by Leucine carboxyl methyltransferase-1 (LCMT1) that utilizes S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM) as the methyl donor and removed by protein phosphatase methylesterase 1 (PME1). For PP2A, methylation dictates regulatory subunit selection and thereby downstream phosphorylation signaling. Intriguingly, there are four families of PP2A regulatory subunits, each exhibiting different levels of methylation sensitivity. Thus, changes in PP2A methylation stoichiometry alters the complement of PP2A holoenzymes in cells and creates distinct modes of kinase opposition. Importantly, selective inactivation of PP2A signaling through the deregulation of methylation is observed in several diseases, most prominently Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this review, we focus on how carboxyl-terminal methylation of the PP2A subfamily (PP2A, PP4, and PP6) regulates holoenzyme function and thereby phosphorylation signaling, with an emphasis on AD.

Cornel Iridoid Glycoside Suppresses Tau Hyperphosphorylation and Aggregation in a Mouse Model of Tauopathy through Increasing Activity of PP2A

BACKGROUND

rTg4510 mice are transgenic mice expressing P301L mutant tau and have been developed as an animal model of tauopathy including Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Cornel Iridoid Glycoside (CIG) is an active ingredient extracted from Cornus officinalis, a traditional Chinese herb. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of CIG on tau pathology and underlying mechanisms using rTg4510 mice.

METHODS

The cognitive functions were detected by Morris water maze and objective recognition tests. Western blotting and immunofluorescence were conducted to measure the levels of phosphorylated tau and related proteins. Serine/threonine phosphatase assay was applied to detect the activity of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A).

RESULTS

Intragastric administration of CIG for 3 months improved learning and memory abilities, prevented neuronal and synapse loss, halted brain atrophy, elevated levels of synaptic proteins, protected cytoskeleton, reduced tau hyperphosphorylation and aggregation in the brain of rTg4510 mice. In the mechanism studies, CIG increased the activity of PP2A, elevated the methylation of PP2A catalytic C (PP2Ac) at leucine 309, decreased the phosphorylation of PP2Ac at tyrosine 307, and increased protein expression of leucine carboxyl methyltransferase 1 (LCMT-1), protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), and protein phosphatase 2A phosphatase activator (PTPA) in the brain of rTg4510 mice.

CONCLUSION

CIG might have the potential to treat tauopathy such as AD via activating PP2A.

Characterization of a phosphotyrosyl phosphatase activator homologue of the parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus and its immunomodulatory effect on goat peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro

Suppression and modulation of the host immune response to parasitic nematodes have been extensively studied. In the present study, we cloned and produced recombinant phosphotyrosyl phosphatase activator protein from Haemonchus contortus (rHCPTPA), a parasitic nematode of small ruminants, and studied the effect of this protein on modulating the immune response of goat peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Enzymatic assays revealed that rHCPTPA enhanced the p-nitrophenylphosphate phosphatase activity of bovine PP2A₁. Immunohistochemical tests verified that the HCPTPA protein was localised mainly in the bowel wall and on the body surface of worms. It was also shown that serum produced by goats artificially infected with H. contortus successfully recognised rHCPTPA, which conjugated with goat peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The rHCPTPA was then co-incubated with goat peripheral blood mononuclear cells to assess its immunomodulatory effects on proliferation, apoptosis, cytokine secretion, migration and nitric oxide production. Our results showed that rHCPTPA suppressed the proliferation of goat peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated by concanavalin A and induced apoptosis in goat peripheral blood mononuclear cells. After rHCPTPA exposure, IFN-γ and IL-2 expression was markedly reduced, whereas secretion of IL-10 and IL-4 was significantly elevated, in goat peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Moreover, rHCPTPA down-regulated nitric oxide production and migration of goat peripheral blood mononuclear cells in a dose-dependent manner. These results illuminate the interaction between parasites and hosts at the molecular level, suggest a possible immunomodulatory target and contribute to the search for innovative proteins that might be candidate targets for drugs and vaccines.

Redox inhibition of protein phosphatase PP2A: Potential implications in oncogenesis and its progression

Cellular processes are dictated by the active signaling of proteins relaying messages to regulate cell proliferation, apoptosis, signal transduction and cell communications. An intricate web of protein kinases and phosphatases are critical to the proper transmission of signals across such cascades. By governing 30–50% of all protein dephosphorylation in the cell, with prominent substrate proteins being key regulators of signaling cascades, the phosphatase PP2A has emerged as a celebrated player in various developmental and tumorigenic pathways, thereby posing as an attractive target for therapeutic intervention in various pathologies wherein its activity is deregulated. This review is mainly focused on refreshing our understanding of the structural and functional complexity that cocoons the PP2A phosphatase, and its expression in cancers. Additionally, we focus on its physiological regulation as well as into recent advents and strategies that have shown promise in countering the deregulation of the phosphatase through its targeted reactivation. Finally, we dwell upon one of the key regulators of PP2A in cancer cells-cellular redox status-its multifarious nature, and its integration into the reactome of PP2A, highlighting some of the significant impacts that ROS can inflict on the structural modifications and functional aspect of PP2A.

Global loss of leucine carboxyl methyltransferase-1 causes severe defects in fetal liver hematopoiesis

Leucine carboxyl methyltransferase-1 (LCMT-1) methylates the C-terminal leucine α-carboxyl group of the catalytic subunits of the protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) subfamily of protein phosphatases, PP2Ac, PP4c, and PP6c. LCMT-1 differentially regulates the formation and function of a subset of the heterotrimeric complexes that PP2A and PP4 form with their regulatory subunits. Global LCMT-1 knockout causes embryonic lethality in mice, but LCMT-1 function in development is unknown. In this study, we analyzed the effects of global LCMT-1 loss on embryonic development. LCMT-1 knockout causes loss of PP2Ac methylation, indicating that LCMT-1 is the sole PP2Ac methyltransferase. PP2A heterotrimers containing the Bα and Bδ B-type subunits are dramatically reduced in whole embryos, and the steady-state levels of PP2Ac and the PP2A structural A subunit are also down ∼30%. Strikingly, global loss of LCMT-1 causes severe defects in fetal hematopoiesis and usually death by embryonic day 16.5. Fetal livers of homozygous lcmt-1 knockout embryos display hypocellularity, elevated apoptosis, and greatly reduced numbers of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell-enriched Kit+Lin-Sca1+ cells. The percent cycling cells and mitotic indices of WT and lcmt-1 knockout fetal liver cells are similar, suggesting that hypocellularity may be due to a combination of apoptosis and/or defects in specification, self-renewal, or survival of stem cells. Indicative of a possible intrinsic defect in stem cells, noncompetitive and competitive transplantation experiments reveal that lcmt-1 loss causes a severe multilineage hematopoietic repopulating defect. Therefore, this study reveals a novel role for LCMT-1 as a key player in fetal liver hematopoiesis.

Eight Kinetically Stable but Thermodynamically Activated Molecules that Power Cell Metabolism

Contemporary analyses of cell metabolism have called out three metabolites: ATP, NADH, and acetyl-CoA, as sentinel molecules whose accumulation represent much of the purpose of the catabolic arms of metabolism and then drive many anabolic pathways. Such analyses largely leave out how and why ATP, NADH, and acetyl-CoA (Figure 1 ) at the molecular level play such central roles. Yet, without those insights into why cells accumulate them and how the enabling properties of these key metabolites power much of cell metabolism, the underlying molecular logic remains mysterious. Four other metabolites, S-adenosylmethionine, carbamoyl phosphate, UDP-glucose, and Δ2-isopentenyl-PP play similar roles in using group transfer chemistry to drive otherwise unfavorable biosynthetic equilibria. This review provides the underlying chemical logic to remind how these seven key molecules function as mobile packets of cellular currencies for phosphoryl transfers (ATP), acyl transfers (acetyl-CoA, carbamoyl-P), methyl transfers (SAM), prenyl transfers (IPP), glucosyl transfers (UDP-glucose), and electron and ADP-ribosyl transfers (NAD(P)H/NAD(P)+) to drive metabolic transformations in and across most primary pathways. The eighth key metabolite is molecular oxygen (O2), thermodynamically activated for reduction by one electron path, leaving it kinetically stable to the vast majority of organic cellular metabolites.

Temporal Analysis of PP2A Phosphatase Activity During Insulin Stimulation Using a Direct Activity Probe

Protein serine/threonine phosphatases (PSPs) are ubiquitously expressed in mammalian cells. In particular, PP2A accounts for up to 1% of the total protein within cells. Despite clear evidence for the role of PP2A in cellular signaling, there is a lack of information concerning the magnitude and temporal dynamics of PP2A catalytic activity during insulin stimulation. Herein, we describe the development of a direct, fluorescent activity probe capable of reporting on global changes in PP2A enzymatic activity in unfractionated cell lysates. Utilizing this new probe, we profiled the magnitude as well as temporal dynamics of PP2A activity during insulin stimulation of liver hepatocytes. These results provide direct evidence for the rapid response of PP2A catalytic activity to extracellular stimulation, as well as insight into the complex regulation of phosphorylation levels by opposing kinase and phosphatase activities within the cell. This study provides a new tool for investigating the chemical biology of PSPs.

NNMT Silencing Activates Tumor Suppressor PP2A, Inactivates Oncogenic STKs, and Inhibits Tumor Forming Ability

Purpose: To identify potential molecular hubs that regulate oncogenic kinases and target them to improve treatment outcomes for glioblastoma patients.Experimental Design: Data mining of The Cancer Genome Atlas datasets identified nicotinamide-N-methyl transferase (NNMT) as a prognostic marker for glioblastoma, an enzyme linked to the reorganization of the methylome. We tested our hypothesis that NNMT plays a crucial role by modulating protein methylation, leading to inactivation of tumor suppressors and activation of oncogenes. Further experiments were performed to understand the underlying biochemical mechanisms using glioblastoma patient samples, established, primary, and isogenic cells.Results: We demonstrate that NNMT outcompetes leucine carboxyl methyl transferase 1 (LCMT1) for methyl transfer from principal methyl donor SAM in biological systems. Inhibiting NNMT increased the availability of methyl groups for LCMT1 to methylate PP2A, resulting in the inhibition of oncogenic serine/threonine kinases (STK). Further, NNMT inhibition retained the radiosensitizer nicotinamide and enhanced radiation sensitivity. We have provided the biochemical rationale of how NNMT plays a vital role in inhibiting tumor suppressor PP2A while concomitantly activating STKs.Conclusions: We report the intricate novel mechanism in which NNMT inhibits tumor suppressor PP2A by reorganizing the methylome both at epigenome and proteome levels and concomitantly activating prosurvival STKs. In glioblastoma tumors with NNMT expression, activation of PP2A can be accomplished by FDA approved perphenazine (PPZ), which is currently used to treat mood disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, etc. This study forms a foundation for further glioblastoma clinical trials using PPZ with standard of care treatment. Clin Cancer Res; 23(9); 2325-34. ©2016 AACR.

Leucine Carboxyl Methyltransferase 1 (LCMT-1) Methylates Protein Phosphatase 4 (PP4) and Protein Phosphatase 6 (PP6) and Differentially Regulates the Stable Formation of Different PP4 Holoenzymes

The protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) subfamily of phosphatases, PP2A, PP4, and PP6, are multifunctional serine/threonine protein phosphatases involved in many cellular processes. Carboxyl methylation of the PP2A catalytic subunit (PP2Ac) C-terminal leucine is regulated by the opposing activities of leucine carboxyl methyltransferase 1 (LCMT-1) and protein phosphatase methylesterase 1 (PME-1) and regulates PP2A holoenzyme formation. The site of methylation on PP2Ac is conserved in the catalytic subunits of PP4 and PP6, and PP4 is also methylated on that site, but the identities of the methyltransferase enzyme for PP4 are not known. Whether PP6 is methylated is also not known. Here we use antibodies specific for the unmethylated phosphatases to show that PP6 is carboxyl-methylated and that LCMT-1 is the major methyltransferase for PP2A, PP4, and PP6 in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). Analysis of PP2A and PP4 complexes by blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (BN-PAGE) indicates that PP4 holoenzyme complexes, like those of PP2A, are differentially regulated by LCMT-1, with the PP4 regulatory subunit 1 (PP4R1)-containing PP4 complex being the most dramatically affected by the LCMT-1 loss. MEFs derived from LCMT-1 knock-out mouse embryos have reduced levels of PP2A B regulatory subunit and PP4R1 relative to control MEFs, indicating that LCMT-1 is important for maintaining normal levels of these subunits. Finally, LCMT-1 homozygous knock-out MEFs exhibited hyperphosphorylation of HDAC3, a reported target of the methylation-dependent PP4R1-PP4c complex. Collectively, our data suggest that LCMT-1 coordinately regulates the carboxyl methylation of PP2A-related phosphatases and, consequently, their holoenzyme assembly and function.

Protein phosphatases PP2A, PP4 and PP6: mediators and regulators in development and responses to environmental cues

The three closely related groups of serine/threonine protein phosphatases PP2A, PP4 and PP6 are conserved throughout eukaryotes. The catalytic subunits are present in trimeric and dimeric complexes with scaffolding and regulatory subunits that control activity and confer substrate specificity to the protein phosphatases. In Arabidopsis, three scaffolding (A subunits) and 17 regulatory (B subunits) proteins form complexes with five PP2A catalytic subunits giving up to 255 possible combinations. Three SAP-domain proteins act as regulatory subunits of PP6. Based on sequence similarities with proteins in yeast and mammals, two putative PP4 regulatory subunits are recognized in Arabidopsis. Recent breakthroughs have been made concerning the functions of some of the PP2A and PP6 regulatory subunits, for example the FASS/TON2 in regulation of the cellular skeleton, B' subunits in brassinosteroid signalling and SAL proteins in regulation of auxin transport. Reverse genetics is starting to reveal also many more physiological functions of other subunits. A system with key regulatory proteins (TAP46, TIP41, PTPA, LCMT1, PME-1) is present in all eukaryotes to stabilize, activate and inactivate the catalytic subunits. In this review, we present the status of knowledge concerning physiological functions of PP2A, PP4 and PP6 in Arabidopsis, and relate these to yeast and mammals.

Andrographolide induces vascular smooth muscle cell apoptosis through a SHP-1-PP2A-p38MAPK-p53 cascade

The abnormal growth of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is considered a critical pathogenic process in inflammatory vascular diseases. We have previously demonstrated that protein phosphatase 2 A (PP2A)-mediated NF-κB dephosphorylation contributes to the anti-inflammatory properties of andrographolide, a novel NF-κB inhibitor. In this study, we investigated whether andrographolide causes apoptosis, and characterized its apoptotic mechanisms in rat VSMCs. Andrographolide activated the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK), leading to p53 phosphorylation. Phosphorylated p53 subsequently transactivated the expression of Bax, a pro-apoptotic protein. Transfection with pp2a small interfering RNA (siRNA) suppressed andrographolide-induced p38MAPK activation, p53 phosphorylation, and caspase 3 activation. Andrographolide also activated the Src homology 1 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase (SHP-1), and induced PP2A dephosphorylation, both of which were inhibited by the SHP-1 inhibitor sodium stibogluconate (SSG) or shp-1 siRNA. SSG or shp-1 siRNA prevented andrographolide-induced apoptosis. These results suggest that andrographolide activates the PP2A-p38MAPK-p53-Bax cascade, causing mitochondrial dysfunction and VSMC death through an SHP-1-dependent mechanism.

Cytoplasmic SET induces tau hyperphosphorylation through a decrease of methylated phosphatase 2A

BACKGROUND

The neuronal cytoplasmic localization of SET, an inhibitor of the phosphatase 2A (PP2A), results in tau hyperphosphorylation in the brains of Alzheimer patients through mechanisms that are still not well defined.

RESULTS

We used primary neurons and mouse brain slices to show that SET is translocated to the cytoplasm in a manner independent of both its cleavage and over-expression. The localization of SET in the cytoplasm, either by the translocation of endogenous SET or by internalization of the recombinant full-length SET protein, induced tau hyperphosphorylation. Cytoplasmic recombinant full-length SET in mouse brain slices induced a decrease of PP2A activity through a decrease of methylated PP2A levels. The levels of methylated PP2A were negatively correlated with tau hyperphosphorylation at Ser-202 but not with the abnormal phosphorylation of tau at Ser-422.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of full-length SET in the neuronal cytoplasm is sufficient to impair PP2A methylation and activity, leading to tau hyperphosphorylation. In addition, our data suggest that tau hyperphosphorylation is regulated by different mechanisms at distinct sites. The translocation of SET to the neuronal cytoplasm, the low activity of PP2A, and tau hyperphosphorylation are associated in the brains of Alzheimer patients. Our data show a link between the translocation of SET in the cytoplasm and the decrease of methylated PP2A levels leading to a decrease of PP2A activity and tau hyperphosphorylation. This chain of events may contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease.

Structural basis of protein phosphatase 2A stable latency

The catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2Ac) is stabilized in a latent form by α4, a regulatory protein essential for cell survival and biogenesis of all PP2A complexes. Here we report the structure of α4 bound to the N-terminal fragment of PP2Ac. This structure suggests that α4 binding to the full-length PP2Ac requires local unfolding near the active site, which perturbs the scaffold subunit binding site at the opposite surface via allosteric relay. These changes stabilize an inactive conformation of PP2Ac and convert oligomeric PP2A complexes to the α4 complex upon perturbation of the active site. The PP2Ac–α4 interface is essential for cell survival and sterically hinders a PP2A ubiquitination site, important for the stability of cellular PP2Ac. Our results show that α4 is a scavenger chaperone that binds to and stabilizes partially folded PP2Ac for stable latency, and reveal a mechanism by which α4 regulates cell survival, and biogenesis and surveillance of PP2A holoenzymes.

The protein α4 is essential for the formation, stability and activity of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) complexes. Here the authors solve the crystal structure of a truncated PP2A bound to α4 and show that α4 binds to a partially folded form of the protein, stabilizing the enzyme in an inactive state.

Methionine inhibits autophagy and promotes growth by inducing the SAM-responsive methylation of PP2A

Autophagy is a process of cellular self-digestion induced by various forms of starvation. Although nitrogen deficit is a common trigger, some yeast cells induce autophagy upon switch from a rich to minimal media without nitrogen starvation. We show that the amino acid methionine is sufficient to inhibit such non-nitrogen-starvation (NNS)-induced autophagy. Methionine boosts synthesis of the methyl donor, S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). SAM inhibits autophagy and promotes growth through the action of the methyltransferase Ppm1p, which modifies the catalytic subunit of PP2A in tune with SAM levels. Methylated PP2A promotes dephosphorylation of Npr2p, a component of a conserved complex that regulates NNS autophagy and other growth-related processes. Thus, methionine and SAM levels represent a critical gauge of amino acid availability that is sensed via the methylation of PP2A to reciprocally regulate cell growth and autophagy.

Circumventing embryonic lethality with Lcmt1 deficiency: generation of hypomorphic Lcmt1 mice with reduced protein phosphatase 2A methyltransferase expression and defects in insulin signaling

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), the major serine/threonine phosphatase in eukaryotic cells, is a heterotrimeric protein composed of structural, catalytic, and targeting subunits. PP2A assembly is governed by a variety of mechanisms, one of which is carboxyl-terminal methylation of the catalytic subunit by the leucine carboxyl methyltransferase LCMT1. PP2A is nearly stoichiometrically methylated in the cytosol, and although some PP2A targeting subunits bind independently of methylation, this modification is required for the binding of others. To examine the role of this methylation reaction in mammalian tissues, we generated a mouse harboring a gene-trap cassette within intron 1 of Lcmt1. Due to splicing around the insertion, Lcmt1 transcript and LCMT1 protein levels were reduced but not eliminated. LCMT1 activity and methylation of PP2A were reduced in a coordinate fashion, suggesting that LCMT1 is the only PP2A methyltransferase. These mice exhibited an insulin-resistance phenotype, indicating a role for this methyltransferase in signaling in insulin-sensitive tissues. Tissues from these animals will be vital for the in vivo identification of methylation-sensitive substrates of PP2A and how they respond to differing physiological conditions.

PTPA activates protein phosphatase-2A through reducing its phosphorylation at tyrosine-307 with upregulation of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B

Protein phosphatase-2A (PP2A), an important phosphatase in dephosphorylating tau and preserving synapse, is significantly suppressed in Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the mechanism is not well understood. Here, we studied whether phosphotyrosyl phosphatase activator (PTPA) could activate PP2A by reducing its inhibitory phosphorylation at tyrosine 307 (P-PP2AC). We found that overexpression of PTPA activated PP2A by decreasing the level of P-PP2AC with reduced phosphorylation of tau, while knockdown of PTPA inhibited PP2A by increasing the level of P-PP2AC with enhanced tau phosphorylation. We also observed that expression of PTPA could upregulate the protein and mRNA levels of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) and simultaneous downregulation of PTP1B eliminated PTPA-induced PP2A activation. Importantly, we also found that the protein level of PTPA is downregulated in the brains of AD patients, and the AD transgenic mouse models with expression of mutant human amyloid precursor protein (hAPP) or the longest human tau (htau), respectively. Our data indicate that PTPA may activate PP2A through activating PTP1B and thus reducing the level of P-PP2AC, therefore upregulation of PTPA may represent a potential strategy in rescuing PP2A and arresting tau pathology in AD.

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase γ inhibits cardiac GSK-3 independently of Akt

Activation of cardiac phosphoinositide 3-kinase α (PI3Kα) by growth factors, such as insulin, or activation of PI3Kγ downstream of heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein)-coupled receptors stimulates the activity of the kinase Akt, which phosphorylates and inhibits glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3). We found that PI3Kγ inhibited GSK-3 independently of the insulin-PI3Kα-Akt axis. Although insulin treatment activated Akt in PI3Kγ knockout mice, phosphorylation of GSK-3 was decreased compared to control mice. GSK-3 is activated when dephosphorylated by the protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), which is activated when methylated by the PP2A methyltransferase PPMT-1. PI3Kγ knockout mice showed increased activity of PPMT-1 and PP2A and enhanced nuclear export of the GSK-3 substrate NFATc3. GSK-3 inhibits cardiac hypertrophy, and the hearts of PI3Kγ knockout mice were smaller compared to those of wild-type mice. Cardiac overexpression of a catalytically inactive PI3Kγ (PI3Kγ(inact)) transgene in PI3Kγ knockout mice reduced the activities of PPMT-1 and PP2A and increased phosphorylation of GSK-3. Furthermore, PI3Kγ knockout mice expressing the PI3Kγ(inact) transgene had larger hearts than wild-type or PI3Kγ knockout mice. Our studies show that a kinase-independent function of PI3Kγ could directly inhibit GSK-3 function by preventing the PP2A-PPMT-1 interaction and that this inhibition of GSK-3 was independent of Akt.

Glycogen synthase kinase-3β regulates leucine-309 demethylation of protein phosphatase-2A via PPMT1 and PME-1

Protein phosphatase-2A (PP2A) activity is significantly suppressed in Alzheimer's disease. We have reported that glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) inhibits PP2A via upregulating the phosphorylation of PP2A catalytic subunit (PP2A(C)). Here we studied the effects of GSK-3β on the inhibitory demethylation of PP2A at leucine-309 (dmL309-PP2A(C)). We found that GSK-3β regulates dmL309-PP2A(C) level by regulating PME-1 and PPMT1. Knockdown of PME-1 or PPMT1 eliminated the effects of GSK-3β on PP2A(C). GSK-3 could negatively regulate PP2A regulatory subunit protein level. We conclude that GSK-3β can inhibit PP2A by increasing the inhibitory L309-demethylation involving upregulation of PME-1 and inhibition of PPMT1.

The structural basis for tight control of PP2A methylation and function by LCMT-1

Proper formation of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) holoenzymes is essential for the fitness of all eukaryotic cells. Carboxyl methylation of the PP2A catalytic subunit plays a critical role in regulating holoenzyme assembly; methylation is catalyzed by PP2A-specific methyltransferase LCMT-1, an enzyme required for cell survival. We determined crystal structures of human LCMT-1 in isolation and in complex with PP2A stabilized by a cofactor mimic. The structures show that the LCMT-1 active-site pocket recognizes the carboxyl terminus of PP2A, and, interestingly, the PP2A active site makes extensive contacts to LCMT-1. We demonstrated that activation of the PP2A active site stimulates methylation, suggesting a mechanism for efficient conversion of activated PP2A into substrate-specific holoenzymes, thus minimizing unregulated phosphatase activity or formation of inactive holoenzymes. A dominant-negative LCMT-1 mutant attenuates the cell cycle without causing cell death, likely by inhibiting uncontrolled phosphatase activity. Our studies suggested mechanisms of LCMT-1 in tight control of PP2A function, important for the cell cycle and cell survival.

Protein carboxyl methylation and the biochemistry of memory

Bacterial chemotaxis is mediated by two reversible protein modification chemistries: phosphorylation and carboxyl methylation. Attractants bind to membrane chemoreceptors that control the activity of a protein kinase which acts in turn to control flagellar motor activity. Coordinate changes in receptor carboxyl methylation provide a negative feedback mechanism that serves a memory function. Protein carboxyl methylation might play an analogous role in the nervous system. Two protein carboxyl methyltransferases serve to regulate signal transduction pathways in eukaryotic cells. One is highly expressed in the Purkinje layer of the cerebellum where it methyl esterifies prenylated cysteine residues at the carboxyl-termini of Ras-related and heterotrimeric G-proteins. The other is abundant throughout the brain where it methylates the carboxyl-terminus of protein phosphatase 2A. The phosphatase methyltransferase and the protein methylesterase that reverses phosphatase methylation are structurally related to the corresponding bacterial chemotaxis methylating and demethylating enzymes. Recent results indicate that deficiencies in phosphatase methylation play an important role in the etiology of Alzheimer's disease.

Assembly and structure of protein phosphatase 2A

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) represents a conserved family of important protein serine/threonine phosphatases in species ranging from yeast to human. The PP2A core enzyme comprises a scaffold subunit and a catalytic subunit. The heterotrimeric PP2A holoenzyme consists of the core enzyme and a variable regulatory subunit. The catalytic subunit of PP2A is subject to reversible methylation, mediated by two conserved enzymes. Both the PP2A core and holoenzymes are regulated through interaction with a large number of cellular cofactors. Recent biochemical and structural investigation reveals critical insights into the assembly and function of the PP2A core enzyme as well as two families of holoenzyme. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms revealed by these latest advances.

Tau hyperphosphorylation correlates with reduced methylation of protein phosphatase 2A

The down-regulation of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity is thought to play an important role in the formation of tau hyperphosphorylation in the Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain. Methylation of the PP2A catalytic subunit at the L309 site can potently activate PP2A for some substrates via the increasing recruitment of its regulatory subunits into the holoenzyme. Abeta is overproduced yet estrogen is deficient in the brains of the menopausal AD patients. Both Abeta and estrogen deficiency can interact with tau kinases such as protein kinase B and glycogen synthase kinase 3. In the current study, levels of demethylated (-m) PP2A (L309) were significantly increased, and methylated (+m) PP2A (L309) were significantly decreased, which corresponded with the increased tau phosphorylation at the Tau-1 and PHF-1 sites in both mouse N2a cells carrying the human APP with Swedish mutation (APPswe) and transgenic APPswe/presenilin (PS) 1 (A246E) mice. These findings were replicated in wild-type N2a cells treated with Abeta25-35, and to a relatively larger extent, in both wild-type N2a cells and APPswe treated by okadaic acid, as well as in the brains of estrogen receptor (ER) alpha-/- and ERbeta-/- mice that mimic the status of estrogen deficiency in menopausal AD patients. Together, these findings suggested that the increased demethylation of PP2A (L309) mediated by Abeta overproduction or estrogen deficiency (ERalpha-/- and ERbeta-/-) may contribute to the reduced PP2A activity observed in the AD brain, resulting in the compromised dephosphorylation of abnormally hyperphosphorylated tau.

Structural mechanism of demethylation and inactivation of protein phosphatase 2A

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is an important serine/threonine phosphatase that plays a role in many biological processes. Reversible carboxyl methylation of the PP2A catalytic subunit is an essential regulatory mechanism for its function. Demethylation and negative regulation of PP2A is mediated by a PP2A-specific methylesterase PME-1, which is conserved from yeast to humans. However, the underlying mechanism of PME-1 function remains enigmatic. Here we report the crystal structures of PME-1 by itself and in complex with a PP2A heterodimeric core enzyme. The structures reveal that PME-1 directly binds to the active site of PP2A and that this interaction results in the activation of PME-1 by rearranging the catalytic triad into an active conformation. Strikingly, these interactions also lead to inactivation of PP2A by evicting the manganese ions that are required for the phosphatase activity of PP2A. These observations identify a dual role of PME-1 that regulates PP2A activation, methylation, and holoenzyme assembly in cells.

Phosphorylated PP2A (tyrosine 307) is associated with Alzheimer neurofibrillary pathology

Down-regulation of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is thought to play a critical role in tau hyperphosphorylation in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In vitro phosphorylation of PP2A catalytic subunit at Y307 efficiently inactivates PP2A. A specific antibody against phosphorylated (p) PP2A (Y307) (PP2Ac-Yp307) was used to investigate possible PP2A down-regulation by known pathophysiological changes associated with AD, such as Abeta accumulation and oestrogen deficiency. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence confocal microscopy showed an aberrant accumulation of PP2Ac-Yp307 in neurons that bear pretangles or tangles in the susceptible brain regions, such as the entorhinal cortical cortex and the hippocampus. Experimentally, increased PP2Ac-Yp307 was observed in mouse N2a neuroblastoma cells that stably express the human amyloid precursor protein with Swedish mutation (APPswe) compared with wild-type, and in the brains of transgenic APPswe/ presenilin (PS1, A246E) mice, which corresponded to the increased tau phosphorylation. Treating N2a cells with Abeta25-35 mimicked the changes of PP2Ac-Yp307 and tau phosphorylation in N2a APPswe cells. Knockout of oestrogen receptor (ER) alpha or ERbeta gave similar changes of PP2Ac-Yp307 level and tau phosphorylation in the mouse brain. Taken together, these findings suggest that increased PP2A phosphorylation (Y307) can be mediated by Abeta deposition or oestrogen deficiency in the AD brain, and consequently compromise dephosphorylation of abnormally hyperphosphorylated tau, and lead to neurofibrillary tangle formation.

Ceramide induces mitochondrial abnormalities in insulin-secreting INS-1 cells: potential mechanisms underlying ceramide-mediated metabolic dysfunction of the beta cell

C2-ceramide, a cell permeable analogue of ceramide [CER] markedly reduced mitochondrial membrane potential [MMP] in insulin-secreting INS cells, which was followed by a significant accumulation of cytochrome c [Cyt c] into the cytosolic compartment. In a manner akin to CER, exposure of these cells to interleukin-1beta [IL-1beta] also resulted in reduction in MMP and cytosolic accumulation of Cyt c. Further, long-term exposure of these cells to either CER [but not its inactive analogue] or IL-1beta caused a marked reduction in their metabolic viability. However, unlike IL-1beta, which increased nitric oxide [NO] release, CER-treatment of INS cells had no effects of CER on NO release were demonstrable. Together, these findings suggest that CER-induced mitochondrial effects may not be mediated via iNOS gene expression and NO production. CER also activated an okadaic acid -sensitive protein phosphatase [CAPP] in the purified mitochondrial fraction, suggesting that CAPP might represent one of the target proteins for CER in the beta cell mitochondria. Together, our findings suggest direct detrimental effects of CER on mitochondrial function in beta cells leading to their dysfunction and demise via apoptosis. Moreover, our findings provide evidence for a potential difference in the mechanisms underlying CER- and IL-1beta-induced mitochondrial defects and apoptotic demise of the effete beta cell.

Leucine carboxyl methyltransferase-1 is necessary for normal progression through mitosis in mammalian cells

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a multifunctional phosphatase that plays important roles in many cellular processes including regulation of cell cycle and apoptosis. Because PP2A is involved in so many diverse processes, it is highly regulated by both non-covalent and covalent mechanisms that are still being defined. In this study we have investigated the importance of leucine carboxyl methyltransferase-1 (LCMT-1) for PP2A methylation and cell function. We show that reduction of LCMT-1 protein levels by small hairpin RNAs causes up to a 70% reduction in PP2A methylation in HeLa cells, indicating that LCMT-1 is the major mammalian PP2A methyltransferase. In addition, LCMT-1 knockdown reduced the formation of PP2A heterotrimers containing the Balpha regulatory subunit and, in a subset of the cells, induced apoptosis, characterized by caspase activation, nuclear condensation/fragmentation, and membrane blebbing. Knockdown of the PP2A Balpha regulatory subunit induced a similar amount of apoptosis, suggesting that LCMT-1 induces apoptosis in part by disrupting the formation of PP2A(BalphaAC) heterotrimers. Treatment with a pan-caspase inhibitor partially rescued cells from apoptosis induced by LCMT-1 or Balpha knockdown. LCMT-1 knockdown cells and Balpha knockdown cells were more sensitive to the spindle-targeting drug nocodazole, suggesting that LCMT-1 and Balpha are important for spindle checkpoint. Treatment of LCMT-1 and Balpha knockdown cells with thymidine dramatically reduced cell death, presumably by blocking progression through mitosis. Consistent with these results, homozygous gene trap knock-out of LCMT-1 in mice resulted in embryonic lethality. Collectively, our results indicate that LCMT-1 is important for normal progression through mitosis and cell survival and is essential for embryonic development in mice.

Regulation of vascular endothelial cell barrier function and cytoskeleton structure by protein phosphatases of the PPP family

Reversible phosphorylation of cytoskeletal and cytoskeleton-associated proteins is a significant element of endothelial barrier function regulation. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms of phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of endothelial cell cytoskeletal proteins is vital to the treatment of severe lung disorders such as high permeability pulmonary edema. In vivo, there is a controlled balance between the activities of protein kinases and phosphatases. Due to various external or internal signals, this balance may be shifted. The actual balances at a given time alter the phosphorylation level of certain proteins with appropriate physiological consequences. The latest information about the structure and regulation of different types of Ser/Thr protein phosphatases participating in the regulation of endothelial cytoskeletal organization and barrier function will be reviewed here.

Spatial control of protein phosphatase 2A (de)methylation

Reversible methylation of the protein phosphatase 2A catalytic subunit (PP2A(C)(1)) is an important regulatory mechanism playing a crucial role in the selective recruitment of regulatory B subunits. Here, we investigated the subcellular localization of leucine carboxyl methyltransferase (LCMT1) and protein phosphatase methylesterase (PME-1), the two enzymes catalyzing this process. The results show that PME-1 is predominantly localized in the nucleus and harbors a functional nuclear localization signal, whereas LCMT1 is underrepresented in the nucleus and mainly localizes to the cytoplasm, Golgi region and late endosomes. Indirect immunofluorescence with methylation-sensitive anti-PP2A(C) antibodies revealed a good correlation with the methylation status of PP2A(C), demethylated PP2A(C) being substantially nuclear. Throughout mitosis, demethylated PP2A(C) is associated with the mitotic spindle and during cytokinesis with the cleavage furrow. Overexpression of PME-1, but not of an inactive mutant, results in increased demethylation of PP2A(C) in the nucleus, whereas overexpression of a cytoplasmic PME-1 mutant lacking the NLS results in increased demethylation in the cytoplasm-in all cases, however, without any obvious functional consequences. PME-1 associates with an inactive PP2A population, regardless of its esterase activity or localization. We propose that stabilization of this inactive, nuclear PP2A pool is a major in vivo function of PME-1.

11 Reversible methylation of protein phosphatase 2A

PP2A has been shown to be methylated at the C-terminal leucine residue of the catalytic subunit by a specific 38 kDa methyltransferase (LCMT1) and demethylated by a specific 44-kDa methylesterase (PME-1). This reversible methylation does not seem to drastically change the PP2A activity but is shown to be a modulating factor in the binding of the third regulatory subunit. The structure of LCMT1 is solved and a model for the catalysis of the methylation reaction is presented. By purifying the PP2A-methylesterase, inactive dimeric (PP2AiD) and trimeric (PP2AiT55) holoenzymes were found to be associated with PME-1. Activation of this inactive complex is possible by the action of a ubiquitous and highly conserved activatory protein, PTPA. The function of PME-1in this system seems to be independent of its demethylating activity. A large proportion of cellular PP2A is found methylated and the subject of regulation. Aberrant (de)methylation seems to be involved in the causes of diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and diabetes.

Depletion of the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase-2A (PP2Ac) markedly attenuates glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in pancreatic beta-cells

Among various phosphatases, the protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is relatively well studied in the islet. Previously, we have demonstrated that the catalytic subunit of PP2A (PP2Ac) undergoes okadaic acid (OKA)-sensitive, reversible carboxylmethylation (CML), which appears to be requisite for glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). Using the siRNA approach, we examined, herein, the contributory roles of PP2Ac in GSIS from insulin-secreting pancreatic beta-(INS-1 832/13) cells. Immunologically, PP2Ac was detectable in all the subcellular fractions studied in rank order of: cytosol > microsomes > secretory granules = nucleus > mitochondria. Transfection of PP2Ac-specific, but not scrambled-siRNA, markedly attenuated PP2A activity and GSIS in these cells. Together, our findings provide a direct evidence for a positive modulatory role for PP2Ac in signaling steps leading to GSIS.

Methylation of the C-terminal leucine residue of the PP2A catalytic subunit is unnecessary for the catalytic activity and the binding of regulatory subunit (PR55/B)

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is composed of structural (A), catalytic (C), and regulatory (B) subunits. The catalytic subunit (PP2A(C)) undergoes reversible carboxyl-methylation and -demethylation at its C-terminal leucine residue (Leu309), catalyzed by PP2A-methyltransferase (PMT) and PP2A methylesterase (PME-1), respectively. In this study, we observed that the activity of PP2A was largely unaffected by the addition of PME-1, and that the regulatory subunit (PR55/B) could bind demethylated PP2A(D). Furthermore, to study the precise effect of Leu309 demethylation on PP2A activity, we generated two His(8)-tagged mutant versions of PP2A(C) containing an alanine residue in place of Leu309, and a deletion of Leu309. Both recombinant mutants exhibited phosphatase activity. In addition, we demonstrated that both mutants could constitute a holoenzyme with the regulatory A and B subunits. Our collective results indicate that methylation of Leu309 of PP2A(C) is unnecessary for the PP2A activity and the binding of PR55/B.

Acute modulation of PP2a and troponin I phosphorylation in ventricular myocytes: studies with a novel PP2a peptide inhibitor

The present study demonstrates that acute activation with either beta-adrenergic receptor agonists or H(2)O(2) treatment increases protein phosphatase 2a (PP2a) activity in ventricular myocytes. PP2a activation occurs concomitant with an increase in methylation of PP2a, changes in localization of a PP2a targeting subunit PP2aB56alpha, and a decrease in phosphorylation of PP2a substrates, such as troponin I (TnI) and ERK in ventricular myocytes. Okadaic acid, a well-established pharmacological inhibitor of PP2a, and the peptide Thr-Pro-Asp-Tyr-Phe-Leu (TPDYFL) were used to block PP2a methylation, localization, and phosphorylations. TPDYFL is a highly conserved sequence of the PP2a catalytic subunit COOH-terminus. Specifically, both okadaic acid and the peptide increased beta-adrenergic-cAMP-dependent phosphorylation of TnI and blocked the beta-adrenergic-cAMP-dependent translocation of PP2aB56alpha. TPDYFL, but not a scrambled version of this sequence, blocked H(2)O(2)-induced changes in PP2a methylation and TnI dephosphorylation. Okadaic acid produces similar inhibition of H(2)O(2) effects. Thus we propose that the novel peptide TPDYFL acts as an inhibitor of PP2a activity and may be a useful tool to increase our understanding of how PP2a is regulated and the role of PP2a in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. In addition, the present study is consistent with acute beta-adrenergic receptor activation and H(2)O(2) exposure, simultaneously activating kinases and PP2a to work on common substrates, such as TnI. We hypothesize that dual activation of opposing enzymes provides for a tighter regulation of substrate phosphorylations in ventricular myocytes.

Immunoglobulin can be functionally regulated by protein carboxylmethylation in Fc region

Protein carboxylmethylation methylates the free carboxyl groups in various substrate proteins by protein carboxyl O-methyltransferase (PCMT) and is one of the post-translational modifications. There have been many studies on protein carboxylmethylation. However, the precise functional role in mammalian systems is unclear. In this study, immunoglobulin, a specific form of gamma-globulin, which is a well-known substrate for PCMT, was chosen to investigate the regulatory roles of protein carboxylmethylation in the immune system. It was found that the anti-BSA antibody could be carboxylmethylated via spleen PCMT to a level similar to gamma-globulin. This carboxylmethylation increased the hydrophobicity of the anti-BSA antibody up to 11.4%, and enhanced the antigen-binding activity of this antibody up to 24.6%. In particular, the Fc region showed a higher methyl accepting capacity with 80% of the whole structure level. According to the amino acid sequence alignment, indeed, 7 aspartic acids and 5 glutamic acids, as potential carboxylmethylation sites, were found to be conserved in the Fc portion in the human, mouse and rabbit. The carboxylmethylation of the anti-BSA antibody was reversibly demethylated under a higher pH and long incubation time. Therefore, these results suggest that protein carboxylmethylation may reversibly regulate the antibody-mediated immunological events via the Fc region.

Localization of a nuclear serine/threonine protein phosphatase in insulin-secreting INS-1 cells: potential regulation by IL-1β

Emerging evidence suggests critical roles for protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) in islet beta cell function, including survival and demise (Kowluru A: Biochemical Pharmacol 69:1681-1691, 2005). Herein, we identified an okadaic acid (OKA)-sensitive PP2A-like phosphatase in the nuclear fraction from insulin-secreting INS-1 cells. Western blot analysis indicated relatively higher abundance of the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 4 (PP4c) compared to PP2Ac in this fraction. Autoradiographic and vapor-phase equilibration analyses suggested that the nuclear PP4c undergoes OKA-sensitive carboxylmethylation (CML) when S-adenosyl-L-((3)H-methyl) methionine (SAM) was used as the methyl donor. Exposure of INS cells to interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta; 600 pM; 48 h) resulted in a marked increase in nitric oxide (NO) release with concomitant reduction in the degree of expression, the CML and the catalytic activity of only PP4, but not PP2A, in the nuclear fraction. Immunoprecipitation studies suggested potential complexation of PP4c with nuclear lamin-B, a key regulatory protein involved in the nuclear envelope assembly. Based on these findings, we propose that IL-1beta-mediated inhibition of PP4 activity might result in the retention of lamin-B in its phosphorylated state, which is a requisite for its degradation by caspases leading to the apoptotic demise of the beta cell (Veluthakal et al.: Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 287:C1152-C1162, 2004).

Lithium inhibits ceramide- and etoposide-induced protein phosphatase 2A methylation, Bcl-2 dephosphorylation, caspase-2 activation, and apoptosis

Lithium confers cell protection against stress and toxic stimuli. Although lithium inhibits a number of enzymes, the antiapoptotic mechanisms of lithium remain unresolved. Here, we report a novel role of lithium on the blockage of ceramide- and etoposide-induced apoptosis via inhibition of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity. Overexpression of PP2A resulted in caspase-2 activation, mitochondrial damage, and cell apoptosis that were inhibited by okadaic acid (OA) and lithium. Lithium and OA abrogated ceramide- and etoposide-induced Bcl-2 dephosphorylation at serine 70. Furthermore, ceramide- and etoposide-induced PP2A activation involved methylation of PP2A C subunit, which lithium suppressed. Lithium caused dissociation of PP2A B subunit from the PP2A core enzyme, whereas ceramide caused recruitment of the B subunit. Taken together, lithium exhibited an antiapoptotic effect by inhibiting Bcl-2 dephosphorylation and caspase-2 activation, which involved, at least in part, a mechanism of down-regulating PP2A methylation and PP2A activity.

Downregulation of protein phosphatase 2A carboxyl methylation and methyltransferase may contribute to Alzheimer disease pathogenesis

ABalphaC, a major protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) heterotrimeric enzyme, binds to and regulates the microtubule cytoskeleton and tau. We have shown that ABalphaC protein expression levels are selectively reduced in Alzheimer disease (AD). Notably, the carboxyl methylation of PP2A catalytic subunit (PP2A(C)) is critically required for ABalphaC holoenzyme assembly, and catalyzed by a specific methyltransferase (PPMT). Here, we provide the first analysis of human PPMT and methylated PP2A(C) in brain regions from AD, non-AD demented, and aged control autopsy cases. Immunoblotting analyses revealed that PPMT protein expression and PP2A(C) methylation levels were quantitatively decreased in AD-affected brain regions. Immunohistochemical studies showed that PPMT was abundant in neurons throughout the cortex in normal control and non-AD demented cases. However, in AD, there was a regional loss of PPMT immunoreactivity that closely paralleled the severity of tau pathology, but not amyloid plaque burden. We propose that the deregulation of PPMT and PP2A methylation/demethylation cycles contributes to AD pathogenesis, by inducing changes in PP2A heteromultimeric composition and substrate specificity. In turn, PP2A dysfunction compromises the mechanisms that control tau, neuronal plasticity, and survival.

Inhibitors of protein phosphatase-2A: topography and subcellular localization

The mRNA and protein expressions of I1(PP2A) and I2(PP2A), the two inhibitors of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) were investigated in adult rat brain. The rat brain and human brain inhibitors showed similar molecular weights by Western blots. The cDNA probes for human brain I1(PP2A) and I2(PP2A) readily hybridized with the corresponding mRNAs of rat brain inhibitors in Northern blots. We detected 3.7 and 2.1 kb transcripts of I1(PP2A) and 2.9 and 2.0 kb transcripts of I2(PP2A) in rat brain. In situ hybridization revealed that the mRNAs of the two inhibitors were mainly localized in neurons. Strong expression of both I1(PP2A) and I2(PP2A) mRNAs were observed in the olfactory bulb, hippocampal pyramidal and dentate granule cell layers, and cerebellar Purkinje cell, granular and molecular layers. Moderate expression of I1(PP2A) and I2(PP2A) mRNAs were observed in the cerebral cortex, caudate putamen, thalamus, hypothalamus, amygdala and pontine nucleus. The expression of I1(PP2A) and I2(PP2A) and as well as of PP-2A was also investigated by immunohistochemistry using antibodies to each protein. The distribution patterns of the two inhibitor proteins were similar to those of their corresponding mRNAs and to the expression of PP-2A. While PP-2A was localized to neuronal perikarya, I1(PP2A) was observed both in the neuronal cytoplasm and the nucleus. I2(PP2A) had mainly nuclear localization but it could also be seen in the neuronal cytoplasm. All three proteins were also expressed in the neuropil. These studies suggest that PP-2A activity is probably regulated by I1(PP2A) and I2(PP2A) in the adult mammalian central nervous system, and that these inhibitors are conserved between rat and human brains.

Regulation by glucose and calcium of the carboxylmethylation of the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 2A in insulin-secreting INS-1 cells

Previously, we reported that the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2Ac) undergoes carboxylmethylation (CML) at its COOH-terminal leucine, and that inhibitors of such a posttranslational modification markedly attenuate nutrient-induced insulin secretion from isolated beta-cells. More recent studies have suggested direct inhibitory effects of glucose metabolites on PP2A activity in isolated beta-cells, implying that inhibition of PP2A leads to stimulation of insulin secretion. Because the CML of PP2Ac has been shown to facilitate the holoenzyme assembly and subsequent functional activation of PP2A, we investigated putative regulation by glucose of the CML of PP2Ac in insulin-secreting (INS)-1 cells. Our data indicated a marked inhibition by specific intermediates of glucose metabolism (e.g., citrate and phosphoenolpyruvate) of the CML of PP2Ac in INS-1 cell lysates. Such inhibitory effects were also demonstrable in intact cells by glucose. Mannoheptulose, an inhibitor of glucose metabolism, completely prevented inhibitory effects of glucose on the CML of PP2Ac. Moreover, glucose-mediated inhibition of the CML of PP2Ac was resistant to diazoxide, suggesting that glucose metabolism and the generation of glucose metabolites might control inhibition of the CML of PP2Ac. A membrane-depolarizing concentration of KCl also induced inhibition of the CML of PP2Ac in intact INS cells. On the basis of these data, we propose that glucose metabolism and increase in intracellular calcium facilitate inhibition of the CML of PP2Ac, resulting in functional inactivation of PP2A. This, in turn, might retain the key signaling proteins of the insulin exocytotic cascade in their phosphorylated state, leading to stimulated insulin secretion.

Protein carboxylmethylation in porcine spleen is mainly mediated by class I protein carboxyl O-methyltransferase

The functional role of protein carboxylmethylation (PCM) has not yet been clearly elucidated in the tissue level. The biochemical feature of PCM in porcine spleen was therefore studied by investigating the methyl accepting capacity (MAC) of natural endogenous substrate proteins for protein carboxyl O-methyltransferase (PCMT) in various conditions. Strong acidic and alkaline-conditioned (at pH 11.0) analyses of the MAC indicated that approximately 65% of total protein methylation seemed to be mediated by spleen PCMT. The hydrolytic kinetics of the PCM products, such as carboxylmethylesters (CMEs), under mild alkaline conditions revealed that there may be three different kinds of CMEs [displaying half-times (T1/2) of 1.1 min (82.7% of total CMEs), 13.9 min (4.6%), and 478.0 min (12.7%)], assuming that the majority of CME is base-labile and may be catalyzed by class I PCMT. In agreement with these results, several natural endogenous substrate proteins (14, 31 and 86 kDa) were identified strikingly by acidic-conditioned electrophoresis, and their MAC was lost upon alkaline conditions. On the other hand, other proteins (23 and 62 kDa) weakly appeared under alkaline conditions, indicating that PCM mediated by class II or III PCMT may be a minor reaction. The MAC of an isolated endogenous substrate protein (23-kDa) was also detected upon acidic-conditioned electrophoresis. Therefore, our data suggest that most spleen PCM may be catalyzed by class I PCMT, which participates in repairing aged proteins.

Identification of Two Distinct Pathways of Protein Kinase Cα Down-regulation in Intestinal Epithelial Cells

Signal transduction pathways are controlled by desensitization mechanisms, which can affect receptors and/or downstream signal transducers. It has long been recognized that members of the protein kinase C (PKC) family of signal transduction molecules undergo down-regulation in response to activation. Previous reports have indicated that key steps in PKCalpha desensitization include caveolar internalization, priming site dephosphorylation, ubiquitination of the dephosphorylated protein, and degradation by the proteasome. In the current study, comparative analysis of PKCalpha processing induced by the PKC agonists phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and bryostatin 1 in IEC-18 rat intestinal epithelial cells demonstrates that: (a) at least two pathways of PKCalpha down-regulation can co-exist within cells, and (b) a single PKC agonist can activate both pathways at the same time. Using a combined biochemical and morphological approach, we identify a novel pathway of PKCalpha desensitization that involves ubiquitination of mature, fully phosphorylated activated enzyme at the plasma membrane and subsequent down-regulation by the proteasome. The phosphatase inhibitors okadaic acid and calyculin A accelerated PKCalpha down-regulation and inhibitors of vesicular trafficking did not prevent degradation of the protein, indicating that neither internalization nor priming site dephosphorylation are requisite intermediate steps in this ubiquitin/proteasome dependent pathway of PKCalpha down-regulation. Instead, caveolar trafficking and dephosphorylation are involved in a second, proteasome-independent mechanism of PKCalpha desensitization in this system. Our findings highlight subcellular distribution and phosphorylation state as critical determinants of PKCalpha desensitization pathways.

Identification and characterization of B"-subunits of protein phosphatase 2 A in Xenopus laevis oocytes and adult tissues

Protein phosphatase 2A is a phosphoserine/threonine phosphatase implicated in many cellular processes. The core enzyme comprises a catalytic and a PR65/A-subunit. The substrate specificity and subcellular localization are determined by a third regulatory B-subunit (PR55/B, PR61/B' and PR72/130/B"). To identify the proteins of the B" family in Xenopus laevis oocytes, a prophase Xenopus oocyte cDNA library was screened using human PR130 cDNA as a probe. Three different classes of cDNAs were isolated. One class is very similar to human PR130 and is probably the Xenopus orthologue of PR130 (XPR130). A second class of clones (XN73) is identical to the N-terminal part of XPR130 but ends a few amino acids downstream of the putative splicing site of PR130. To investigate how this occurs, the genomic structure of the human PR130 gene was determined. This novel protein does not act as a PP2A subunit but might compete with the function of PR130. The third set of clones (XPR70) is very similar to human PR48 but has an N-terminal extension. Further analysis of the human EST-database and the human PR48 gene structure, revealed that the human PR48 clone published is incomplete. The Xenopus orthologue of PR48 encodes a protein of 70 kDa which like the XPR130, interacts with the A-subunit in GST pull-down assays. XPR70 is ubiquitously expressed in adult tissues and oocytes whereas expression of XPR130 is very low in brain and oocytes. Expression of XN73 mainly parallels XPR130 with the exception of the brain.

Localization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae protein phosphatase 2A subunits throughout mitotic cell cycle

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) regulates a broad spectrum of cellular processes. This enzyme is a collection of varied heterotrimeric complexes, each composed of a catalytic (C) and regulatory (B) subunit bound together by a structural (A) subunit. To understand the cell cycle dynamics of this enzyme population, we carried out quantitative and qualitative analyses of the PP2A subunits of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We found the following: the level of each subunit remained constant throughout the cell cycle; there is at least 10 times more of one of the regulatory subunits (Rts1p) than the other (Cdc55p); Tpd3p, the structural subunit, is limiting for both catalytic and regulatory subunit binding. Using green fluorescent protein-tagged forms of each subunit, we monitored the sites of significant accumulation of each protein throughout the cell cycle. The two regulatory subunits displayed distinctly different dynamic localization patterns that overlap with the A and C subunits at the bud tip, kinetochore, bud neck, and nucleus. Using strains null for single subunit genes, we confirmed the hypothesis that regulatory subunits determine sites of PP2A accumulation. Although Rts1p and Tpd3p required heterotrimer formation to achieve normal localization, Cdc55p achieved its normal localization in the absence of either an A or C subunit.