Cell-free detection and characterization of a novel nerve growth factor-activated protein kinase in PC12 cells

SOcK, MiSTs, MASK and STicKs: the GCKIII (germinal centre kinase III) kinases and their heterologous protein-protein interactions

The GCKIII (germinal centre kinase III) subfamily of the mammalian Ste20 (sterile 20)-like group of serine/threonine protein kinases comprises SOK1 (Ste20-like/oxidant-stress-response kinase 1), MST3 (mammalian Ste20-like kinase 3) and MST4. Initially, GCKIIIs were considered in the contexts of the regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades and apoptosis. More recently, their participation in multiprotein heterocomplexes has become apparent. In the present review, we discuss the structure and phosphorylation of GCKIIIs and then focus on their interactions with other proteins. GCKIIIs possess a highly-conserved, structured catalytic domain at the N-terminus and a less-well conserved C-terminal regulatory domain. GCKIIIs are activated by tonic autophosphorylation of a T-loop threonine residue and their phosphorylation is regulated primarily through protein serine/threonine phosphatases [especially PP2A (protein phosphatase 2A)]. The GCKIII regulatory domains are highly disorganized, but can interact with more structured proteins, particularly the CCM3 (cerebral cavernous malformation 3)/PDCD10 (programmed cell death 10) protein. We explore the role(s) of GCKIIIs (and CCM3/PDCD10) in STRIPAK (striatin-interacting phosphatase and kinase) complexes and their association with the cis-Golgi protein GOLGA2 (golgin A2; GM130). Recently, an interaction of GCKIIIs with MO25 has been identified. This exhibits similarities to the STRADα (STE20-related kinase adaptor α)-MO25 interaction (as in the LKB1-STRADα-MO25 heterotrimer) and, at least for MST3, the interaction may be enhanced by cis-autophosphorylation of its regulatory domain. In these various heterocomplexes, GCKIIIs associate with the Golgi apparatus, the centrosome and the nucleus, as well as with focal adhesions and cell junctions, and are probably involved in cell migration, polarity and proliferation. Finally, we consider the association of GCKIIIs with a number of human diseases, particularly cerebral cavernous malformations.

A novel non-canonical mechanism of regulation of MST3 (mammalian Sterile20-related kinase 3)

The canonical pathway of regulation of the GCK (germinal centre kinase) III subgroup member, MST3 (mammalian Sterile20-related kinase 3), involves a caspase-mediated cleavage between N-terminal catalytic and C-terminal regulatory domains with possible concurrent autophosphorylation of the activation loop MST3(Thr¹⁷⁸), induction of serine/threonine protein kinase activity and nuclear localization. We identified an alternative ‘non-canonical’ pathway of MST3 activation (regulated primarily through dephosphorylation) which may also be applicable to other GCKIII (and GCKVI) subgroup members. In the basal state, inactive MST3 co-immunoprecipitated with the Golgi protein GOLGA2/gm130 (golgin A2/Golgi matrix protein 130). Activation of MST3 by calyculin A (a protein serine/threonine phosphatase 1/2A inhibitor) stimulated (auto)phosphorylation of MST3(Thr¹⁷⁸) in the catalytic domain with essentially simultaneous cis-autophosphorylation of MST3(Thr³²⁸) in the regulatory domain, an event also requiring the MST3(341–376) sequence which acts as a putative docking domain. MST3(Thr¹⁷⁸) phosphorylation increased MST3 kinase activity, but this activity was independent of MST3(Thr³²⁸) phosphorylation. Interestingly, MST3(Thr³²⁸) lies immediately C-terminal to a STRAD (Sterile20-related adaptor) pseudokinase-like site identified recently as being involved in binding of GCKIII/GCKVI members to MO25 scaffolding proteins. MST3(Thr¹⁷⁸/Thr³²⁸) phosphorylation was concurrent with dissociation of MST3 from GOLGA2/gm130 and association of MST3 with MO25, and MST3(Thr³²⁸) phosphorylation was necessary for formation of the activated MST3–MO25 holocomplex.

Cyclic AMP-protein kinase a and protein kinase C mediate in vitro T activation of brain tyrosine hydroxylase in the female catfish Heteropneustes fossilis

The present in vitro study demonstrates an involvement of both cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) and protein kinase C (PKC) signal transduction mechanisms in the triiodothyronone (T(3))-activation of forebrain (telencephalon and hypothalamus) tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity in the female catfish Heteropneustes fossilis. Incubations of the enzyme preparations with different concentrations of T(3) (0.15-2.4 ng/ml) stimulated TH activity over the concentrations. Similarly, coincubations of the enzyme preparations with T(3) and cAMP (1.0 mM) or cAMP-elevating drugs such as 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine (1.5 mM) or theophylline (1.5 mM) increased TH activity significantly over that of T(3). The stimulatory effect of TH activity with T(3) or cAMP was coincident with a low apparent K(m) and high V(max) for the cofactor, suggesting a higher affinity of the enzyme. Incubation of the enzyme preparations with PKA (H-89) and PKC (calphostin-C) inhibitors decreased basal enzyme activity significantly, with the inhibition being greater in the former group. The incubations of the enzyme preparations with T(3) or T(3) + cAMP, followed by the different inhibitors, also decreased enzyme activity. Although T(3) could not reverse the inhibitory effect of H-89, it could over-ride the effect of calphostin-C to some extent. The suppressive effect of the inhibitors could be related to a high apparent K(m) and low V(max) for the cofactor. The evidence strongly suggests a nongenomic action of T(3) on TH activity via the cell signalling pathways, for which the cAMP-dependent PKA appears to be the major regulatory mechanism.

Inosine stimulates axon growth in vitro and in the adult CNS

Unlike mammals, lower vertebrates can regenerate their optic nerves and certain other CNS pathways throughout life. To identify the molecular bases of this phenomenon, we developed a cell culture model and found that goldfish retinal ganglion cells will regenerate their axons in response to the purine nucleoside inosine. Inosine acts through a direct intracellular mechanism and induces many of the changes in gene expression that underlie regenerative growth in vivo, e.g., upregulation of GAP-43, T alpha-1 tubulin, and the cell-adhesion molecule, L1. N-kinase, a 47-49-kDa serine-threonine kinase, may mediate the effects of inosine and serve as part of the modular signal transduction pathway that controls axon growth. In vivo, inosine stimulates extensive axon growth in the mature rat corticospinal tract. Following unilateral transection of the corticospinal tract, inosine applied to the intact sensorimotor cortex stimulated layer 5 pyramidal cells to upregulate GAP-43 expression and to sprout axon collaterals. These collaterals crossed the midline at the level of the cervical enlargement and reinnervated regions whose normal connections had been served. Further understanding of the molecular changes that lie upstream and downstream of N-kinase may lead to new insights into the control of axon growth and to novel methods to improve functional outcome in patients with CNS injury.

Nerve growth factor-activated protein kinase N modulates the cAMP-dependent protein kinase

Protein kinase N (PKN) is a serine/threonine protein kinase rapidly activated by nerve growth factor (NGF) and other agents in various cell lines. The possible involvement of PKN in the multiple pathways of the NGF mechanism of action was previously established through the use of purine analogs, some of which are apparently specific inhibitors of this kinase. Since a PKN-like activity is modulated in several cell lines by cAMP analogs and this activation requires the activity of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, the aim of the present work is to investigate possible interactions between PKN and C-PKA. Pre-incubation of the two kinases in the presence of ATP leads to potentiated phosphorylation of histone HF1, Kemptide (a substrate for C-PKA, but not for PKN), and several additional substrates. This augmented phosphorylating activity is insensitive to 6-thioguanine (an inhibitor for PKN, but not for C-PKA) and is suppressed both by the Walsh inhibitor and by the regulatory subunit of PKA. PKN-pretreated C-PKA shows a significant decrease in Km for Kemptide and a substantial increase in Vmax. C-PKA and PKN are widely expressed enzymes and the possibility of PKN-dependent modulation of PKA in intact cells would therefore have biological implications for signal transduction mechanisms.

NGF protects PC12 cells against ischemia by a mechanism that requires the N-kinase

Nerve growth factor (NGF), which has been shown to act as a morphological and neurochemical differentiating factor in PC12 cells, also protects PC12 cells from the toxicity of serum withdrawal and ischemia. By using a previously established in vitro model of ischemia, which incorporates the combination of anoxia with glucose deprivation (Boniece and Wagner: J Neurosci 13:4220-4228, 1993), we have been able to study the signal transduction pathways upon which NGF-induced survival is dependent. Here we demonstrate that inhibitors of the N-kinase and NGF-induced neuritogenesis, 6-thioguanine and 2-aminopurine, prevent the protective effects of NGF, while they have little, if any, effect on the protection conferred by epidermal growth factor (EGF) or dbcAMP. This suggests that only NGF acts by a mechanism that depends strongly on the N-kinase. Furthermore, the methyltransferase inhibitor 5'-deoxy-5'-methylthioadenosine (MTA), which also inhibits NGF-induced neuritogenesis, inhibits the protective effect of NGF but not the protective effects of EGF or dbcAMP. Thus, the neuroprotective effect of NGF requires some of the same signal transduction steps used by NGF to promote differentiation and neurite formation. Furthermore, we found that exposure of PC12 cells to retinoic acid, which promotes the differentiation and inhibits the growth of PC12 cells, also improves cell survival during ischemia. In addition, a combination of NGF and retinoic acid was more effective than either agent alone. It is likely that these two agents confer protection by independent pathways.

Cellular mechanisms of signal transduction for neurotrophins

The molecular cloning of new neuroactive growth factors and their receptors has greatly enhanced our understanding of important interactions among receptors and signaling molecules. These studies have begun to illuminate some of the mechanisms that allow for specificity in neuronal signaling. Model cell systems, such as the PC-12 pheochromocytoma cell line, express receptors for these different neurotrophic factors, leading to comparisons of signaling pathways for these factors. Upon binding their ligands, these receptors undergo phosphorylation on tyrosine residues, which directs their interaction with signaling proteins containing src homology (SH2) domains, sequences that mediate associations with tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins. These SH2 proteins translate the tyrosine kinase activity of receptors into downstream events that result in the specific cellular response. Investigations such as these have revealed that molecular specificity in signaling pathways may arise from combinatorial diversity in interactions between receptors and key regulatory proteins.

A bryostatin-sensitive protein kinase C required for nerve growth factor activity

Nerve growth factor (NGF) stimulates rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC12) to differentiate into a neuronal-like cell that exhibits neurite extensions. The role of protein kinase C in signal transduction has been examined in PC12 cells treated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and bryostatin, a macrocyclic lactone that activates protein kinase C at both the nuclear and the plasma membranes [Hocevar, B. A., & Fields, A. P. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 28-33]. In contrast to PMA down-regulation [Reinhold, D. S., & Neet, K. E. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 3538-3544], chronic (24 h) treatment with bryostatin blocked the formation of neurites in response to NGF or basic fibroblast-derived growth factor stimulation, but, like PMA, bryostatin did not block the induction of c-fos or c-jun protooncogenes by NGF. Chronic bryostatin treatment down-regulated protein kinase C activity in the cytosolic, membrane, and nuclear fractions. Acute (60 min) bryostatin or NGF treatment activated cytosolic and nuclear protein kinase C activity, suggesting possible translocation to the nucleus. Bryostatin did not induce neurite outgrowth, either alone or in combination with PMA. Thus, the bryostatin-sensitive protein kinase C is distinct from PMA- or K252a-sensitive kinases previously described. The bryostatin-sensitive protein kinase C is necessary, but not sufficient, for neurite outgrowth and acts in the nucleus in a manner independent of c-fos and c-jun transcription.

Dexamethasone abolishes the activation by nerve growth factor of protein kinase N: effects of nerve growth factor and dexamethasone on protein kinase N

Protein kinase N (PKN) is a basic 45-47 kDa serine/threonine protein kinase activated by NGF and several other factors in PC12 cells and other cell types. It is inhibited in vitro by purine analogs. In this work, we further characterize the modulation of PKN activity following exposure of PC12 cells to dexamethasone or NGF, which respectively direct these cells towards the chromaffin- or neuron-like phenotype. We show here that the two factors elicit opposite effects on the activation of the kinase: dexamethasone inhibits while NGF stimulates the basal level of PKN activity. Simultaneous addition to the cells of the factors causes no variation from basal kinase activity. Addition of dexamethasone not to the cells, but to partially purified PKN during the kinase assay, causes no modulation of the enzyme.

Early responses of PC-12 cells to NGF and EGF: effect of K252a and 5'-methylthioadenosine on gene expression and membrane protein methylation

Although epidermal growth factor (EGF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) have markedly different biological effects on PC-12 cells, many of the signaling events following ligand binding are similar. Both EGF and NGF result in the induction of the primary response gene egr-1/TIS8 and increased methylation of a variety of membrane-associated proteins as early as 5 min after EGF or NGF treatment using a methylation assay that detects methyl esters as well as methylated arginine residues. At 20 min after stimulation with these factors, the stimulation of methylation by NGF is greater than that of EGF, especially in the polypeptides of 36-42 and 20-22 kDa. To help dissect the pathways involved in these cellular responses, the protein kinase inhibitor K252a and the methyltransferase inhibitor 5'-methylthioadenosine (MTA) were used. Both K252a and MTA inhibit NGF-, but not EGF-mediated, primary response gene expression. In contrast, MTA, but not K252a, can block NGF-induced membrane associated protein methylation. These data suggest a role for differential protein methylation reactions in EGF and NGF signal transduction.

A purine analog-sensitive protein kinase activity associates with Trk nerve growth factor receptors

Previous studies showed that purine analogs block with varying efficiency and specificity certain effects of nerve growth factor (NGF) on PC12 cells. These compounds also inhibit protein kinase activities. The analog 6-thioguanine has thus far been shown to inhibit only protein kinase N, an NGF-activated protein kinase, whereas 2-aminopurine also blocks other kinases. In the present study, immunoprecipitates of Trk NGF receptors from PC12 cells (+/- NGF treatment) were assayed for protein kinase activity by using the substrates myelin basic protein and histone HF1 under phosphorylating conditions optimal for protein kinase N and in the presence or absence of purine analogs. Activity was detected and approximately 50-80% was inhibited by these compounds. The purine analog-sensitive activity was maximally stimulated by NGF within 5 min, was partially decreased by 10 min, and still remained over basal levels after 15 h of NGF treatment. Analysis of myelin basic protein phosphorylated by anti-Trk immunoprecipitates revealed an NGF-stimulated increase in phosphothreonine and phosphotyrosine. Phosphorylation of threonine, but not of tyrosine residues, was inhibited by 6-thioguanine, which therefore inhibits a serine/threonine kinase associated with NGF receptor rather than the receptor kinase itself. Neither 2-aminopurine nor 6-thioguanine inhibited the NGF-dependent induction of Trk-associated kinase activity. Our findings thus indicate association of a purine analog-sensitive serine/threonine protein kinase activity with Trk NGF receptors.

Detection of a purine analogue-sensitive kinase in frog sciatic nerves--possible involvement in nerve regeneration

This study reports the existence of a purine analogue-sensitive protein kinase in adult frog sciatic nerves. Cell-free supernatants of homogenized regenerating sciatic nerves were found to contain a phosphoprotein (MW 90 kDa, referred to as PP90), that was phosphorylated to a much higher degree than in normal, uninjured nerves. The spatial and temporal characteristics of PP90 phosphorylation suggested a relationship with the injury-induced proliferation of support cells of the regenerating nerve, i.e. its appearance and increment over time correlated with that of [3H]thymidine incorporation in the nerve. PP90 was phosphorylated under conditions that excluded enzyme activities due to Ca2+/calmodulin kinases, cyclic nucleotide-dependent kinases or protein kinase C. On the other hand, the phosphorylation could be selectively inhibited by the purine analogues adenosine, 2-aminopurine and 6-thioguanine (6-TG). The latter was the most potent and gave complete inhibition at 50 microM. Addition of histone H1 to the cell-free assay stimulated the phosphorylation of several proteins in both normal and regenerating nerves. The stimulation could be blocked by 6-TG, indicating the presence of a purine-sensitive kinase also in uninjured nerves. Separate experiments showed that in vitro regeneration of the frog sciatic sensory axons, as well as the proliferation of the support cells, was inhibited by 100 microM 6-TG.

Pleiotropic signaling from receptor tyrosine kinases

The molecular cloning of genes encoding new neuroactive growth factors and their receptors has greatly enhanced our understanding of important interactions between receptors and signaling molecules. These studies have begun to illuminate some of the mechanisms that allow for specificity in neuronal signaling.

The tyrosine kinase inhibitor tyrphostin blocks the cellular actions of nerve growth factor

A series of the synthetic protein kinase inhibitors known as tyrphostins were examined for their effects on the tyrosine autophosphorylation of the pp140c-trk, nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor. One of the tyrphostins, AG879, inhibited NGF-dependent pp140c-trk tyrosine phosphorylation, but did not affect tyrosine phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor or platelet-derived growth factor receptors. In addition, the tyrosine phosphorylation of the receptor-associated protein pp38 was also attenuated by the tyrphostin. This effect was time- and dose-dependent, although inhibition of pp38 phosphorylation occurred earlier and at lower concentrations of the compound. AG879 also inhibited NGF-induced PLC-gamma 1 phosphorylation, phosphatidylinositol-3 (PI3) kinase activation, the association of the tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins pp100 and pp110 with the p85 subunit of PI-3 kinase, mitogen activated protein and raf-1 kinases, and c-fos induction. In addition, AG879 inhibited NGF-induced neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells. These data indicate that tyrosine kinase activity of the pp140c-trk NGF receptor is essential for the cellular actions of this growth factor.

Ecto-protein kinase and surface protein phosphorylation in PC12 cells: interactions with nerve growth factor

The phosphorylation of surface proteins by ecto-protein kinase has been proposed to play a role in mechanisms underlying neuronal differentiation and their responsiveness to nerve growth factor (NGF). PC12 clones represent an optimal model for investigating the mode of action of NGF in a homogeneous cell population. In the present study we obtained evidence that PC12 cells possess ecto-protein kinase and characterized the endogenous phosphorylation of its surface protein substrates. PC12 cells maintained in a chemically defined medium exhibited phosphorylation of proteins by [gamma-32P]ATP added to the medium at time points preceding the intracellular phosphorylation of proteins in cells labeled with 32Pi. This activity was abolished by adding apyrase or trypsin to the medium but was not sensitive to addition of an excess of unlabeled Pi. As also expected from ecto-protein kinase activity, PC12 cells catalyzed the phosphorylation of an exogenous protein substrate added to the medium, dephospho-alpha-casein, and this activity competed with the endogenous phosphorylation for extracellular ATP. Based on these criteria, three protein components migrating in sodium dodecyl sulfate gels with apparent molecular weights of 105K, 39K, and 20K were identified as exclusive substrates of ecto-protein kinase in PC12 cells. Of the phosphate incorporated into these proteins from extracellular ATP, 75-87% was found in phosphothreonine. The phosphorylation of the 39K protein by ecto-protein kinase did not require Mg2+, implicating this activity in the previously demonstrated regulation of Ca(2+)-dependent, high-affinity norepinephrine uptake in PC12 cells by extracellular ATP. The protein kinase inhibitor K-252a inhibited both intra- and extracellular protein phosphorylation in intact PC12 cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A casein kinase-like kinase phosphorylates beta-tubulin and may be a microtubule-associated protein

The hypothesis that casein kinase II (CKII) is a microtubule-associated protein kinase was investigated using a neuronal cell line and bovine brain. Heparin, an inhibitor of CKII, inhibited the phosphorylation of a PC12 cytosolic protein whose molecular weight was similar to that of beta-tubulin. Partially purified PC12 CKII was immunoreactive to an antibody directed against bovine CKII and was able to phosphorylate purified beta-tubulin in a heparin-inhibitable manner when the concentration of tubulin was less than 50 micrograms/ml. To better determine if CKII is a microtubule-associated protein kinase, bovine brain tubulin was chromatographed on FPLC Mono Q and phosphocellulose columns. Several tubulin casein kinase (TCK) activities were apparent. All TCK activities phosphorylated tubulin and casein, but none was able to phosphorylate the CKII-specific synthetic peptide RRREEETEEE. One of these TCK fractions was immunoreactive to the antibody directed against CKII, and this antibody labeled a 50-kDa molecular mass band that had a molecular mass distinctly different from those of the subunits of CKII. Thus, we suggest that a CKII-like protein, but not CKII, might be a microtubule-associated protein.

NGF and other growth factors induce an association between ERK1 and the NGF receptor, gp140prototrk

As detected by coimmunoprecipitation from PC12 cells, NGF induces rapid association between ERK1 (a growth factor-activated serine/threonine protein kinase) and gp140prototrk NGF receptors. In contrast, no such association is found with the closely related ERK2. Anti-trk immunocomplexes generated from NGF-treated cells also contain protein kinase activity that shares many properties with soluble ERK1. The association of both ERK1 protein and ERK-like kinase activity with gp140prototrk is maximal by 5 min of NGF treatment, persists for approximately 1 hr, and subsequently declines by 18 hr. Treatment with either basic fibroblast growth factor, epidermal growth factor, or orthovanadate also leads to association of ERK1 with gp140prototrk without tyrosine phosphorylation of the latter. The interaction between ERK1 and gp140prototrk may prove relevant to the NGF mechanism.

Activation of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase by nerve growth factor involves indirect coupling of the trk proto-oncogene with src homology 2 domains

Growth factor receptor tyrosine kinases can form stable associations with intracellular proteins that contain src homology (SH) 2 domains, including the p85 regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol (PI)-3 kinase. The activation of this enzyme by growth factors is evaluated in PC12 pheochromocytoma cells and NIH 3T3 fibroblasts expressing the pp140c-trk nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor (3T3-c-trk). NGF causes the rapid stimulation of PI-3 kinase activity detected in anti-phosphotyrosine, but not in anti-trk, immunoprecipitates. This effect coincides with the tyrosine phosphorylation of two proteins, with molecular masses of of 100 kd and 110 kd, that coimmunoprecipitate with p85. Similar phosphorylation patterns are induced when an immobilized fusion protein containing the amino-terminal SH2 domain of p85 is used to precipitate tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins. Thus, although NGF produces the rapid activation of PI-3 kinase through a mechanism that involves tyrosine phosphorylation, there is no evidence for tyrosine phosphorylation of p85, or for its ligand-dependent association with the NGF receptor. Perhaps another phosphoprotein may link the NGF receptor to this enzyme.

Activation of second-messenger pathways reactivates latent herpes simplex virus in neuronal cultures

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) establishes latent infections in neurons of sympathetic and sensory ganglia in humans, and reactivation of latent virus results in recurrent disease. Previously, we reported establishment of latent HSV-1 infections in neuronal cultures derived from rats, monkeys, and humans; reactivation occurs following nerve growth factor (NGF) deprivation. The processes controlling HSV latency are not understood. Using the in vitro neuronal latency system, we have shown that latent HSV-1 reactivated in response to stimulation of at least two second-messenger pathways. Stimulation of cAMP-dependent pathways by several mechanisms or activation of protein kinase C by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) resulted in reactivation of latent HSV-1. The reactivation kinetics following treatment with activators of protein kinase A and C were accelerated compared with those following NGF deprivation. 2-Aminopurine, which inhibits NGF-stimulated protein kinases and other classes of protein kinases, but does not effect protein kinase A or C, blocked reactivation produced by NGF deprivation or treatment with a cAMP analog, but not reactivation by PMA treatment. These results demonstrate that latent HSV-1 reactivates in neurons in vitro in response to activation of second-messenger pathways.

Inhibition of the cellular actions of nerve growth factor by staurosporine and K252A results from the attenuation of the activity of the trk tyrosine kinase

The protein kinase inhibitors staurosporine and K252A inhibit some of the cellular actions of nerve growth factor (NGF). To explore the molecular mechanisms involved, we test the ability of these agents to block one of the earliest cellular responses to NGF, protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Concentrations of 10-100 nM staurosporine and K252A inhibit NGF-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation in PC12 cells and inhibit trk oncogene-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation in trk-transformed NIH3T3 (trk-3T3 cells). In contrast, these compounds are without effect on epidermal growth factor (EGF)-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation in PC12 cells. NGF-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of the pp140c-trk NGF receptor and tyrosine phosphorylation of pp70trk are also inhibited by similar concentrations of staurosporine and K252A, whereas tyrosine phosphorylation of the EGF receptor, insulin receptor, and v-src is not affected. Both staurosporine and K252A inhibit the autophosphorylation of pp70trk on tyrosine residues in an in vitro immune complex kinase reaction. Incubation of trk-3T3 cells with 10 nM staurosporine causes rounded transformed cells to revert to a normal flattened phenotype, whereas src-transformed cells are unaffected by this agent. These data suggest that staurosporine and K252A specifically inhibit the trk tyrosine kinase activity through a direct mechanism, probably accounting for the attenuation by these agents of the cellular actions of NGF.

6-Methylmercaptopurine riboside is a potent and selective inhibitor of nerve growth factor-activated protein kinase N

Protein kinase N (PKN) is a soluble, apparently novel serine protein kinase that is activated by nerve growth factor (NGF) and other agents in PC12 pheochromocytoma cells as well as in several nonneuronal cell lines. Purine analogs, such as 6-thioguanine and 2-aminopurine, have been found to inhibit PKN in vitro. When applied to intact cells, these compounds suppress certain biological responses to NGF, but not others, a findings suggesting the presence of multiple pathways in the NGF mechanism. We report here that 6-methylmercaptopurine riboside (6-MMPR) inhibits NGF-stimulated PKN activity in vitro with an apparent Ki of approximately 5 nM. This is approximately 1,000-fold lower than the Ki of the most potent purine inhibitor of PKN. Compounds similar to 6-MMPR, but lacking the methyl or riboside groups, were much less potent as PKN inhibitors. A survey of six additional purified protein kinases shows no inhibitory effect of 6-MMPR, thus indicating a good degree of specificity of this compound for PKN. In contrast to NGF-stimulated PKN, a PKN-like activity stimulated in PC12 cells in response to activation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase was nearly insensitive to 6-MMPR. Application of 6-MMPR to intact PC12 cells resulted in blockade of several responses to NGF (neurite regeneration and ornithine decarboxylase induction) but not of several others (rapid enhancement of tyrosine hydroxylase phosphorylation and PKN activation). These findings suggest that 6-MMPR is a potent and selective agent for characterizing PKN in vitro and for assessing its potential role in the multiple pathways of the NGF mechanism of action.

Gangliosides prevent the inhibition by K-252a of NGF responses in PC12 cells

K-252a, a general kinase inhibitor, selectively blocks the actions of nerve growth factor (NGF) in PC12 cells. Since gangliosides have been reported to modulate neuronal cell responsiveness to NGF and to regulate several protein kinases, the ability of these compounds to reverse the inhibition by K-252a was tested. Parameters at both short- and long-term times following treatment of PC12 cells with NGF were analyzed which are known to be either transcription-dependent or -independent events. Gangliosides were found to completely prevent the inhibition by K-252a of NGF-induced neurite regeneration and c-fos induction, and partially also that of protein kinase N activation. The ganglioside protective effects were concentration-dependent and required the intact molecule. These findings raise the possibility that gangliosides might affect a specific pathway of NGF responses sensitive to inhibition by K-252a.

Nerve growth factor binds to the 140 kd trk proto-oncogene product and stimulates its association with the src homology domain of phospholipase C gamma 1

The cellular actions of nerve growth factor (NGF) involve regulation of protein phosphorylation. In PC-12 pheochromocytoma cells, exposure of [125I]NGF followed by crosslinking indicates that the ligand binds to two discreet receptors, the previously described 75 kd protein, as well as the trk proto-oncogene product pp140c-trk. Competition experiments reveal that of the two, pp 140c-trk binds to NGF with higher affinity. Following exposure to NGF, pp140c-trk undergoes a rapid autophosphorylation on tyrosine residues, and concomitantly phosphorylates and associates with phospholipase C gamma 1 (PLC gamma 1), through interaction with its src homology domains. The binding of NGF to pp140c-trk with high affinity, the NGF-dependent homology domains. The binding of NGF to pp140c-trk with high affinity, the NGF-dependent activation of its tyrosine kinase activity and the specific association with the effector molecule, PLC gamma 1, suggests that this is the biologically relevant signaling receptor for NGF.

Alcohols synergize with NGF to induce early differentiation of PC12 cells

The role of alcohols in affecting neuromorphogenesis was investigated in a single cell type, pheochromocytoma (PC12). The effect of ethanol at physiological concentrations in this system leads to enhanced morphological and functional differentiation in combination with nerve growth factor (NGF). PC12 cells treated with a suboptimal concentration of NGF (30 ng/ml) and an alcohol (87 mM) underwent rapid morphological differentiation which was dependent upon the side chain length of the alcohol MeOH less than EtOH less than PrOH less than BuOH. Pyrazole at either 5 or 10 mM had no effect on alcohol induced neurite extension. Assessment of the degree of differentiation promoted by the various alcohols was quantified by an increase in neurite extension, a decrease in the incorporation of [3H]thymidine, an increase in acetylcholine esterase (AChE) activity and immunostaining with neuron specific enolase. Thus, alcohols may function in a specific manner by interacting with transmembrane signalling pathways which promote gene expression and neuronal differentiation.

Chick sympathetic neurons in culture respond differentially to nerve growth factor and conditioned medium from activated splenic lymphocytes

Chicken splenic cells, stimulated by concanavalin A, secreted a factor or factors into the culture medium which supported the survival of neurons from sympathetic ganglia of chick embryos. The effect of this conditioned medium (CM) was similar to the effect of nerve growth factor (NGF). However, the enhanced survival effect of CM was unaffected by K-252a, a protein kinase inhibitor which completely abolished the effect of NGF. 6-Thioguanine, an inhibitor of NGF-activated protein kinase N, blocked the survival effects of both NGF and CM on sympathetic neurons, but a dose required for the half-maximal inhibition for the survival effect of CM was 10 times higher than that for NGF. H-7, an inhibitor of protein kinase C, did not block the effect of either CM or NGF. On the other hand, the survival effect of both CM and NGF was blocked to the same extent by 5'-deoxy-5'-methylthioadenosine and LiCl. These results suggest that activated splenic cells secreted neuronal survival-promoting factor(s) into CM and that the cellular mechanisms promoting neuronal survival by CM are different from those promoting neuronal survival induced by NGF.

Characterization of two neuroblastoma cell lines expressing recombinant nerve growth factor receptors

In earlier studies, a 75,000-dalton glycoprotein (gp75) has been identified as a component of both low- and high-affinity nerve growth factor (NGF) receptors (NGFRs). Using an amphoteric expression vector, we have introduced the cDNA encoding the human gp75 into two neuroblastoma cell lines. SHEP is a human neuroblastoma cell line that lacks most neuronal characteristics and does not express NGFRs. The transformant line SHEP/NGFR expressed a single affinity class of NGF binding sites, did not display NGF-induced up-regulation of fos oncogene expression, and did not efficiently internalize NGF. LAN5 is a neuroblastoma cell line with neuronal characteristics, including expression of neurofilament and display of short neurites. This cell line expresses a small number of high-affinity NGFRs but no detectable low-affinity sites. The transformant line LAN5/NGFR expressed both high- and low-affinity NGFRs, displayed NGF-induced up-regulation of fos oncogene, and efficiently internalized NGF. The number of high-affinity NGF binding sites was nearly the same for LAN5 and LAN5/NGFR, a finding suggesting that there is a limiting number of some separately coded factor or subunit that is required for high-affinity NGFRs. Because NGF induction of fos oncogene expression correlated with expression of high-affinity NGFRs, the putative second factor may also limit NGF responsiveness.

Stimulatory action of Ba2+ on catecholamine biosynthesis in cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells: possible relation to protein kinase C

The effect of Ba2+ on the catecholamine biosynthetic activity was studied by measuring the formation of [14C]catecholamines from L-[14C]tyrosine in cultured adrenal chromaffin cells. In the absence of Ca2+, [14C]catecholamine formation was markedly stimulated by Ba2+, and this stimulation was observed in a manner dependent on its concentration. The stimulation of [14C]catecholamine formation by relatively low concentrations of Ba2+ was suppressed by polymyxin B, a typical inhibitor of Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C); and this inhibitory action of polymyxin B was attenuated by increasing the Ba2+ concentration. On the other hand, a tendency toward the enhancement of Ba2+-stimulated [14C]catecholamine formation was observed by a protein kinase C activator, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA). In contrast to the acute effect of TPA, [14C]catecholamine formation stimulated by Ba2+ was reduced by long-term exposure of chromaffin cells to a high concentration of TPA, which has already been reported to cause the reduction of protein kinase C activity as a result of the down-regulation of this enzyme. These findings suggest that Ba2+ stimulates catecholamine biosynthesis, probably through its direct action on protein kinase C in adrenal chromaffin cells.

Mimicry and inhibition of nerve growth factor effects: interactions of staurosporine, forskolin, and K252a in PC12 cells and normal rat chromaffin cells in vitro

The structurally similar compounds staurosporine and K252a are potent inhibitors of protein kinases. K252a has previously been reported to inhibit most or all of the effects of nerve growth factor (NGF) on PC12 pheochromocytoma cells, and staurosporine has been reported both to inhibit and to mimic NGF-induced neurite outgrowth from a PC12 cell subclone in a dose-dependent manner. We have studied the interactions of these agents with each other, with NGF, and with forskolin, an activator of adenylate cyclase, on the parent PC12 cell line and on normal neonatal and adult rat chromaffin cells. Staurosporine alone or in conjunction with forskolin induces outgrowth of short neurites from PC12 cells but does not substitute for NGF in promoting cell survival. It does not abolish NGF-induced neurite outgrowth but does reverse the effects of NGF on catecholamine synthesis. K252a abolishes NGF-induced neurite outgrowth but only partially decreases outgrowth induced by NGF plus forskolin. It does not inhibit neurite outgrowth produced by staurosporine or staurosporine plus forskolin. These findings with PC12 cells suggest that staurosporine might act downstream from K252a and NGF on components of one or more signal transduction pathways by which NGF selectively affects the expression of certain traits. Both neonatal and adult rat chromaffin cells show dramatic flattening and extension of filopodia in response to staurosporine, an observation suggesting that some of the same pathways might remain active in cells that do not exhibit a typical NGF response. Only a small amount of neurite outgrowth is observed, however, and only in neonatal cultures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Nerve growth factor-induced transient increase in the phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 mediated through a mechanism independent of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and protein kinase C

Treatment of PC12h cells with nerve growth factor (NGF) induced a transient increase in the phosphorylation of a 35,000-dalton protein. This transient increase was observed also when extracts of NGF-treated cells were incubated with [gamma-32P]ATP. In the intact-cell phosphorylation system, treatment with N,2'-dibutyryladenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (dBcAMP) or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) also induced a transient increase in the phosphorylation of the 35,000-dalton protein, but the effect was less than that of NGF. An effect comparable to that of NGF was obtained by the combination of dBcAMP and TPA. Pretreatment of PC12h cells with dBcAMP plus TPA for 3 days, which deprived the cells of their ability to respond to a rechallenge with dBcAMP, TPA, or dBcAMP plus TPA by increasing the rate of 35,000-dalton protein phosphorylation, caused only a slight attenuation of the NGF effect, directly indicating a minimal role of cyclic AMP (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase and protein kinase C in the mechanism of the NGF action. Pretreatment of the cells with K-252a, a protein kinase inhibitor, at a concentration of 300 nM almost completely blocked the action of NGF, but scarcely affected the action of dBcAMP, TPA, or dBcAMP plus TPA in intact-cell phosphorylation experiments. This NGF-sensitive 35,000-dalton protein was a ribosomal protein and identified as ribosomal protein S6. The results lead us to conclude that NGF activates some NGF-sensitive component(s), probably some specific protein kinase(s) other than cAMP-dependent protein kinase or protein kinase C, which is suppressed by K-252a and directly or indirectly activates a 35,000-dalton protein kinase(s) [S6 kinase(s)] to increase the rate of phosphorylation of the 35,000-dalton ribosomal protein (S6).

A nerve growth factor-dependent protein kinase that phosphorylates microtubule-associated proteins in vitro: possible involvement of its activity in the outgrowth of neurites from PC12 cells

We have established a subline of PC12 cells (PC12D) that extend neurites very quickly in response not only to nerve growth factor (NGF) but also to cyclic AMP (cAMP) in the same way as primed PC12 cells (NGF-pretreated cells). When phosphorylation of brain microtubule proteins by extracts of these cells was monitored, two distinct kinase activities were found to be increased [from three-to eightfold in terms of phosphorylation of microtubule-associated protein (MAP) 2] by a brief exposure of cells to NGF or to dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP). The effect of the combined stimulation with both NGF and dbcAMP was additive in terms of the phosphorylation of MAP2. The apparent molecular mass of the kinase activated by dbcAMP was 40 kDa, and this kinase appears to be cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The molecular mass of the kinase activated by NGF was 50 kDa. The latter was activated to a measurable extent after 5 min of exposure of cells to NGF: it required Mg2+ for activity but not Mn2+ or Ca2+. This kinase appears to be distinct from previously reported kinases in PC12 cells, and it has been designated as NGF-dependent MAP kinase, although its physiological substrates are not known at present. An inhibitor of protein kinases, K-252a, selectively inhibited the outgrowth of neurites from PC12D cells in response to NGF but not to dbcAMP. When this inhibitor was added to the incubation medium of cells exposed simultaneously to NGF or dbcAMP, the increase in activity of the NGF-dependent MAP kinase was selectively abolished.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Characterization of a nerve growth factor-stimulated protein kinase in PC12 cells which phosphorylates microtubule-associated protein 2 and pp250

Treatment of PC12 cells with nerve growth factor (NGF) resulted in the rapid, but transient, activation of a protein kinase which specifically phosphorylated an endogenous 250-kDa cytoskeletal protein (pp250). We report that the microtubule-associated protein, MAP2, is an alternative substrate for the NGF-activated kinase. NGF treatment maximally activated the kinase within 5 min; however, the activity declined with longer exposure to NGF. The enzyme was localized predominantly in microsomal and soluble fractions and phosphorylated MAP2 on serine and threonine residues. The soluble enzyme was fractionated by DEAE chromatography and gel filtration and had an apparent Mr of 45,000. The enzyme was purified to near homogeneity by chromatofocussing and had a pI of 4.9. Kinetic analysis revealed that NGF treatment caused a sevenfold increase in Vmax for MAP2. The Km with respect to the MAP2 substrate was approximately 50 nM and was not altered by NGF treatment. A novel feature of the NGF-stimulated enzyme was its sharp dependence on Mn2+ concentration. The active enzyme is likely to be phosphorylated, because inclusion of phosphatase inhibitors was required for recovery of optimal activity and the activity was lost on treatment of the enzyme with alkaline phosphatase. Histones, tubulin, casein, bovine serum albumin, and the ribosomal subunit protein S-6 were not phosphorylated by this enzyme. The NGF-stimulated kinase was distinct from A kinase, C kinase, or other NGF-stimulated kinases. The rapid and transient activation of the protein kinase upon NGF treatment suggests that the enzyme may play a role in signal transduction in PC12 cells.

Nerve growth factor and K-252a increase catecholamine release from PC12 cells

PC12 cells are a nerve growth factor-responsive clone derived from a rat pheochromocytoma. The cells contain catecholamines and secrete them in response to depolarizing stimuli and cholinergic agonists. Treatment of the cells with nerve growth factor produces a number of very rapid changes, including the structural rearrangement of the cell membrane, the generation of a number of different second messengers, and the phosphorylation of several proteins. The present studies show that nerve growth factor treatment increases the release of dopamine and norepinephrine from the cells within a few minutes and does so independently of its effect on their metabolism. The experiments indicate that this effect on nerve growth factor is dependent on the presence of extracellular calcium and can be blocked by calcium channel antagonists. K-252a, an alkaloid-like material, usually found to inhibit the actions of nerve growth factor on PC12 cells, also increases the release of catecholamines under these conditions.

Production of 1,2-diacylglycerol in PC12 cells by nerve growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor

The addition of nerve growth factor (NGF) or basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) to PC12 cells prelabeled with [3H]inositol and preincubated for 15 min in the presence of 10 mM LiCl stimulated the production of inositol phosphates with maximal increases of 120-180% in inositol monophosphate (IP), 130-200% in inositol bisphosphate (IP2), and 45-50% in inositol trisphosphate (IP3) within 30 min. The majority of the overall increase (approximately 85%) was in IP; the remainder was recovered as IP2 and IP3 (approximately 10% as IP2 and 5% as IP3). Under similar conditions, carbachol (0.5 mM) stimulated about a 10-fold increase in IP, a sixfold increase in IP2, and a fourfold increase in IP3. The mass level of 1,2-diacylglycerol (DG) in PC12 cells was found to be dependent on the incubation conditions; in growth medium [Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DME) plus serum], it was around 6.2 mol %, in DME without serum, 2.5 mol %, and after a 15-min incubation in Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline, 0.62 mol %. The addition of NGF and bFGF induced an increase in the mass level of DG of about twofold within 1-2 min, often rising to two- to threefold by 15 min, and then decreasing slightly by 30 min. This increase was dependent on the presence of extracellular Ca2+, and was inhibited by both phenylarsine oxide (25 microM) and 5'-deoxy-5'-methylthioadenosine (3 mM). Under similar conditions, 0.5 mM carbachol stimulated the production of DG to the same extent as 200 ng/ml NGF and 50 ng/ml bFGF. Because carbachol is much more effective in stimulating the production of inositol phosphates, the results suggest that both NGF and bFGF stimulate the production of DG primarily from phospholipids other than the phosphoinositides.

Nerve growth factor-induced down-regulation of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase III in PC12 cells involves cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase

Treatment of PC12 cells with nerve growth factor (NGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), or agents that raise intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels (e.g., forskolin) reduces the activity of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase III (CaM-PK III) over a period of 8 h. The mechanism of this effect of NGF has now been examined in more detail, making use of a mutant PC12 cell line (A126-1B2) that is deficient in cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity. Control experiments showed that A126-1B2 cells retain other NGF-mediated responses (e.g., the induction of ornithine decarboxylase, a cAMP-independent event) and contain a complement of CaM-PK III and its substrate, elongation factor-2, comparable to that of wild-type cells. The ability of NGF or forskolin, but not of EGF, to down-regulate CaM-PK III was markedly attenuated in A126-1B2 compared to wild-type cells. Treatment of wild-type cells with the cAMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor, isobutylmethylxanthine, enhanced the effects of NGF, but not of EGF. The possibility that NGF led to a stimulation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity in wild-type cells was assessed by measurement of the "activation ratio" (-cAMP/+cAMP) of this enzyme before and at various times after NGF addition. A small, but significant, increase in the activation ratio from 0.3 to 0.48 was observed, reaching a peak 5 min after NGF treatment. EGF had no effect on the activation ratio in wild-type cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)