Signal transduction pathways involving the small G proteins rac and Cdc42 and phosphoinositide kinases

Crosstalk of cell polarity signaling pathways

Cell polarity, the asymmetric organization of cellular components along one or multiple axes, is present in most cells. From budding yeast cell polarization induced by pheromone signaling, oocyte polarization at fertilization to polarized epithelia and neuronal cells in multicellular organisms, similar mechanisms are used to determine cell polarity. Crucial role in this process is played by signaling lipid molecules, small Rho family GTPases and Par proteins. All these signaling circuits finally govern the cytoskeleton, which is responsible for oriented cell migration, cell shape changes, and polarized membrane and organelle trafficking. Thus, typically in the process of cell polarization, most cellular constituents become polarized, including plasma membrane lipid composition, ion concentrations, membrane receptors, and proteins in general, mRNA, vesicle trafficking, or intracellular organelles. This review gives a brief overview how these systems talk to each other both during initial symmetry breaking and within the signaling feedback loop mechanisms used to preserve the polarized state.

Rho GTPases control specific cytoskeleton-dependent functions of hematopoietic stem cells

The Rho family of guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases) is composed of members of the Ras superfamily of proteins. They are GTP-bound molecules with a modest intrinsic GTPase activity that can be accelerated upon activation/localization of specialized guanine nucleotide exchange factors. Members of this family act as molecular switches and are required for coordinated cytoskeletal rearrangements that are crucial in a set of specialized functions of mammalian stem cells. These functions include self-renewal, adhesion, and migration. Mouse gene-targeting studies have provided convincing evidence of the indispensable and dispensable roles of individual members of the Rho GTPase family and the putative upstream and downstream mediators in stem cell-specific functions. The role of Rho GTPases and related signaling pathways previously seen in other cell types and organisms have been confirmed in mammalian hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), and new signaling pathways and unexpected functions unique to HSCs have been identified and dissected. This review summarizes our current understanding of the role of Rho family of GTPases on HSC and progenitor activity through cytoskeleton-mediated signaling pathways, providing insight about relevant signaling pathways that regulate mammalian stem cell self-renewal, adhesion, and migration.

Platelets and cancer: a casual or causal relationship: revisited

Human platelets arise as subcellular fragments of megakaryocytes in bone marrow. The physiologic demand, presence of disease such as cancer, or drug effects can regulate the production circulating platelets. Platelet biology is essential to hemostasis, vascular integrity, angiogenesis, inflammation, innate immunity, wound healing, and cancer biology. The most critical biological platelet response is serving as "First Responders" during the wounding process. The exposure of extracellular matrix proteins and intracellular components occurs after wounding. Numerous platelet receptors recognize matrix proteins that trigger platelet activation, adhesion, aggregation, and stabilization. Once activated, platelets change shape and degranulate to release growth factors and bioactive lipids into the blood stream. This cyclic process recruits and aggregates platelets along with thrombogenesis. This process facilitates wound closure or can recognize circulating pathologic bodies. Cancer cell entry into the blood stream triggers platelet-mediated recognition and is amplified by cell surface receptors, cellular products, extracellular factors, and immune cells. In some cases, these interactions suppress immune recognition and elimination of cancer cells or promote arrest at the endothelium, or entrapment in the microvasculature, and survival. This supports survival and spread of cancer cells and the establishment of secondary lesions to serve as important targets for prevention and therapy.

Radiation enhances the invasive potential of primary glioblastoma cells via activation of the Rho signaling pathway

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is among the most treatment-refractory of all human tumors. Radiation is effective at prolonging survival of GBM patients; however, the vast majority of GBM patients demonstrate progression at or near the site of original treatment. We have identified primary GBM cell lines that demonstrate increased invasive potential upon radiation exposure. As this represents a novel mechanism by which radiation-treated GBMs can fail therapy, we further investigated the identity of downstream signaling molecules that enhance the invasive phenotype of irradiated GBMs. Matrigel matrices were used to compare the extent of invasion of irradiated vs. non-irradiated GBM cell lines UN3 and GM2. The in vitro invasive potential of these irradiated cells were characterized in the presence of both pharmacologic and dominant negative inhibitors of extracellular matrix and cell signaling molecules including MMP, uPA, IGFR, EGFR, PI-3K, AKT, and Rho kinase. The effect of radiation on the expression of these signaling molecules was determined with Western blot assays. Ultimately, the in vitro tumor invasion results were confirmed using an in vivo 9L GBM model in rats. Using the primary GBM cell lines UN3 and GM2, we found that radiation enhances the invasive potential of these cells via activation of EGFR and IGFR1. Our findings suggest that activation of Rho signaling via PI-3K is required for radiation-induced invasion, although not required for invasion under physiologic conditions. This report clearly demonstrates that radiation-mediated invasion is fundamentally distinct from invasion under normal cellular physiology and identifies potential therapeutic targets to overcome this phenomenon.

Activated type I TGFbeta receptor kinase enhances the survival of mammary epithelial cells and accelerates tumor progression

We have examined the effects of transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta) signaling on mammary epithelial cell survival. Transgenic mice expressing an active mutant of Alk5 in the mammary gland (MMTV-Alk5(T204D)) exhibited reduced apoptosis in terminal endbuds and during postlactational involution. Transgene-expressing mammary cells contained lower Smad2/3 and higher c-myc levels than controls, high ligand-independent phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) and Akt activities, and were insensitive to TGFbeta-mediated growth arrest. Treatment with a proteasome inhibitor increased Smad2/3 levels and ligand-independent Smad transcriptional reporter activity, as well as reduced both c-myc protein and basal cell proliferation. Treatment with an Alk5 kinase small-molecule inhibitor upregulated Smad2/3 levels, reduced PI3K activity, P-Akt, and c-myc, and inhibited cell survival. Although Alk5(T204D)-expressing mice did not develop mammary tumors, bigenic MMTV-Alk(T204D) x Neu mice developed cancers that were more metastatic than those occurring in MMTV-Neu transgenics. These data suggest that (1) TGFbeta can signal to PI3K/Akt and enhance mammary epithelial cell survival in vivo before cytological or histological evidence of transformation, and (2) TGFbeta signaling can provide epithelial cells with a 'gain-of-function' effect that synergizes with oncogene-induced transformation.

Type I Transforming Growth Factor β Receptor Binds to and Activates Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase

We have examined the interaction of transforming growth factor (TGF)beta receptors with phosphatidylinositol 3-(PI3) kinase in epithelial cells. In COS7 cells, treatment with TGFbeta increased PI3 kinase activity as measured by the ability of p85-associated immune complexes to phosphorylate inositides in vitro. Both type I and type II TGFbeta receptors (TbetaR) associated with p85, but the association of TbetaRII appeared to be constitutive. The interaction of TbetaRI with p85 was induced by treatment with TGFbeta. The receptor association with PI3 kinase was not direct as (35)S-labeled rabbit reticulocyte p85 did not couple with fusion proteins containing type I and type II receptors. A kinase-dead, dominant-negative mutant of TbetaRII blocked ligand-induced p85-TbetaRI association and PI3 kinase activity. In TbetaRI-null R1B cells, TGFbeta did not stimulate PI3 kinase activity. This stimulation was restored upon reconstitution of TbetaRI by transfection. In R1B and NMuMG epithelial cells, overexpression of a dominant active mutant form of TbetaRI markedly enhanced ligand-independent PI3 kinase activity, which was blocked by the addition of the TbetaRI kinase inhibitor LY580276, suggesting a causal link between TbetaRI function and PI3 kinase. Overexpressed Smad7 also prevented ligand-induced PI3 kinase activity. Taken together, these data suggest that 1) TGFbeta receptors can indirectly associate with p85, 2) both receptors are required for ligand-induced PI3 kinase activation, and 3) the activated TbetaRI serine-threonine kinase can potently induce PI3 kinase activity.

ErbB4 Expression in Neural Progenitor Cells (ST14A) Is Necessary to Mediate Neuregulin-1β1-induced Migration

Activation of the receptor tyrosine kinase ErbB4 leads to various cellular responses such as proliferation, survival, differentiation, and chemotaxis. Two pairs of naturally occurring ErbB4 isoforms differing in their juxtamembrane (JMa/JMb) and C termini (cyt1/cyt2) have been described. To examine the role of ErbB4 in neuron migration, we cloned and stably transfected each of the four ErbB4 isoforms in ST14A cells (a neural progenitor cell line derived from the striatum of embryonic day 14 rats) endogenously expressing the other members of the ErbB family: ErbB1, ErbB2, and ErbB3. Using immunoprecipitation assays, we showed that the neuregulin-1beta1 (NRG1beta1) stimulus induced ErbB4 tyrosine phosphorylation and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) recruitment and activation (as demonstrated by Akt phosphorylation) either directly (ErbB4 cyt1 isoform) or indirectly (ErbB4 cyt2 isoform). We examined the ability of the four ErbB4 isoforms to induce chemotaxis and cell proliferation in response to NRG1beta1 stimulation. Using migration assays, we observed that only ErbB4-expressing cells stimulated with NRG1beta1 showed a significant increase in migration, whereas the growth rate remained unchanged. Additional assays showed that inhibition of PI3K (but not of phospholipase Cgamma) dramatically reduced migratory activity. Our data show that ErbB4 signaling via PI3K activation plays a fundamental role in controlling NRG1beta1-induced migration.

LY-294002 [2-(4-Morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one] Affects Calcium Signaling in Airway Smooth Muscle Cells Independently of Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase Inhibition

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) may potentially influence intracellular [Ca(2+)](i) concentration by several mechanisms. We have investigated the effects of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors wortmannin and LY-294002 [2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one] on Ca(2+) signaling in rat airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells using fura-2 and imaging methodology. Wortmannin (1 microM) and LY-294002 (1 and 10 microM) had opposite effects: wortmannin caused a small increase, whereas LY-294002 caused a significant decrease of peak Ca(2+) responses to serotonin (5-HT). LY-294002 (10 microM) diminished 5-HT-induced ASM cell contraction, measured as a change in cell surface area, and inositol phosphate formation, measured by anion exchange chromatography. Thin layer chromatography revealed that the levels of phospholipase C (PLC) substrate phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate were not affected. SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting have shown that both wortmannin and LY-294002 inhibited platelet-derived growth factor-induced PI3K activation. However, PI3K activation could not be detected after 5-HT stimulation. The specific casein kinase-2 (CK2) inhibitor 5,6-dichloro-1-beta-d-ribofuranosyl-benzimidazole (10-40 microM) reduced 5-HT-triggered responses to a similar extent as LY-294002. We conclude that LY-294002 modulates Ca(2+) signaling in rat ASM independently of its action on PI3K by acting on, or upstream of, PLC, possibly by inhibiting CK2.

Retinoic acid signaling through PI 3-kinase induces differentiation of human endometrial adenocarcinoma cells

The specific signals required for actin polymerization in response to extracellular factors remain unknown. However, in many cell types, there is a correlation between actin polymerization, activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase), and the production of the second messenger phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-triphosphate. Increased levels of PI 3-kinase have been detected during cell growth and transformation. However, PI 3-kinase is also activated during differentiation, suggesting that PI 3-kinase and its lipid products also play a role in the regulation of cellular differentiation. The newly characterized CAC-1 cell line established from a poorly differentiated human endometrial adenocarcinoma (Exp. Mol. Pathol. 69 (2000), 175) was used as a model to investigate the role of PI 3-kinase in differentiation induction. CAC-1 cells differentiated upon treatment with pharmacological doses of retinoids (1 micro M of 13-cis or all-trans), evidenced by actin filament reorganization, and cell enlargement. PI 3-kinase staining is primarily localized to perinuclear regions in untreated cells. However, retinoic acid treatment induced PI 3-kinase to relocalize throughout the cytoplasm. Subcellular fractionation and Western blotting confirmed that PI 3-kinase decreased in the particulate fraction, concurrent with retinoid-induced differentiation. Interestingly, pretreatment with the PI 3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin (100 nM) prior to retinoic acid treatment prevented retinoic acid-induced actin reorganization and cell enlargement. To distinuish whether retinoid regulation of PI 3-kinase is mediated through traditional nuclear retinoic acid receptors, the levels of retinoic acid receptor-beta (RAR-beta) protein were evaluated. Retinoid treatment did not alter RAR-beta protein levels compared to controls. These data suggest that PI 3-kinase activity and cytoplasmic relocalization are required for retinoid-induced differentiation of poorly differentiated human endometrial adenocarcinoma cells.

p38MAPK induces cell surface alpha4 integrin downregulation to facilitate erbB-2-mediated invasion

We have previously shown that human breast cancer cells that overexpress erbB-2 are growth factor-independent. In order to test the contribution of erbB-2 to this and other transformed phenotypes without the genetic instability of cancer cells, erbB-2 was overexpressed in human mammary epithelial (HME) cells. ErbB-2-overexpressing HME cells exhibit several transformed phenotypes including cell surface alpha(4) integrin downregulation and invasiveness. We formulated a model for invasiveness that depends on a cell's ability to downregulate alpha(4) integrin. As small G-proteins play a role in cytoskeleton remodeling and as this is a likely route for alpha(4) integrin trafficking, we investigated the role of small G-proteins and their downstream signals in mediating alpha(4) integrin downregulation and invasiveness using Rac 1. Dominant-negative Rac 1 blocked erbB-2-mediated invasion and reversed erbB-2-mediated alpha(4) integrin downregulation. In addition, constitutively active Rac 1 induced alpha(4) integrin downregulation and invasiveness. In erbB-2-overexpressing and in constitutively active Rac 1-expressing cells, a p38MAP kinase (p38MAPK) inhibitor blocked invasiveness and reversed alpha(4) integrin downregulation. These data suggest a model in which erbB-2 signaling activates Rac 1, which, in turn, activates p38MAPK, leading to the downregulation of alpha(4) integrin. These data strengthen the model where loss of alpha(4) integrin at the cell surface, leading to reduced alpha(4) integrin binding to plasma fibronectin, plays a role in erbB-2-mediated invasiveness.

A PtdInsP(3)- and Rho GTPase-mediated positive feedback loop regulates neutrophil polarity

When presented with a gradient of chemoattractant, many eukaryotic cells respond with polarized accumulation of the phospholipid PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3). This lipid asymmetry is one of the earliest readouts of polarity in neutrophils, Dictyostelium discoideum and fibroblasts. However, the mechanisms that regulate PtdInsP(3) polarization are not well understood. Using a cationic lipid shuttling system, we have delivered exogenous PtdInsP(3) to neutrophils. Exogenous PtdInsP(3) elicits accumulation of endogenous PtdInsP(3) in a positive feedback loop that requires endogenous phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinases (PI(3)Ks) and Rho family GTPases. This feedback loop is important for establishing PtdInsP(3) polarity in response to both chemoattractant and to exogenous PtdInsP(3); it may function through a self-organizing pattern formation system. Emergent properties of positive and negative regulatory links between PtdInsP(3) and Rho family GTPases may constitute a broadly conserved module for the establishment of cell polarity during eukaryotic chemotaxis.

Mechanism of lovastatin-induced apoptosis in intestinal epithelial cells

We earlier showed that lovastatin potentiated the chemopreventive effects of sulindac against colon neoplasia in a rodent model and augments apoptosis induced by 5-FU and cisplatin in human colon cancer cells. In the present study, we investigated effects of lovastatin in spontaneously immortalized rat intestinal epithelial cells, IEC-18 and their K-ras transformed clones. Lovastatin induced morphologic changes (cell rounding and detachment) and apoptosis that were not influenced by K-ras mutations, but were prevented by geranylgeranyl-pyrophosphate or by mevalonate. Clostridium difficile toxin B, which directly inactivates rho, induced similar morphologic changes and apoptosis. Cycloheximide prevented these effects of lovastatin, but not C. difficile toxin B. Lovastatin decreased the amounts of membrane bound rhoA and rhoB. Cycloheximide and geranylgeranyl-pyrophosphate prevented lovastatin induced morphologic changes and apoptosis but did not inhibit lovastatin-induced changes in membrane translocation of rho. Our data suggest that lovastatin induces morphologic changes and apoptosis by inhibiting geranylgeranylation of small GTPases of the rho family and thereby inactivating them. Restoration of membrane translocation of rho is not necessary for preventing lovastatin-induced morphologic changes or apoptosis.

The evolutionary history of effectors downstream of Cdc42 and Rac

Cdc42 and Rac--ancient, highly conserved, small GTPases--mediate extracellular signals, triggering changes in transcription and in the actin cytoskeleton. Although dozens of proteins act downstream of these GTPases, a comparison of effector proteins from evolutionarily diverse organisms suggests that six groups of proteins serve as the core machinery for signaling from Cdc42 and Rac.

The role of phosphoinositides in membrane transport

Phosphoinositides serve as intrinsic membrane signals that regulate intracellular membrane trafficking. Recently, phosphoinositides have been found to direct the localization and activity of effector proteins containing consensus sequence motifs such as FYVE, PH and ENTH domains. In addition, recent results show that regulated synthesis and turnover of phosphoinositides by membrane-associated phosphoinoside kinases and phosphatases spatially restrict the location of effectors critical for cellular transport processes, such as clathrin-mediated endocytosis, autophagy, phagocytosis, macropinocytosis and biosynthetic trafficking.

Phosphoinositides: key players in cell signalling, in time and space

Over the last few years, many reports have extended our knowledge of the inositol lipid metabolism and brought out some exciting information about the location, the variety and the role of phosphoinositides (PIs). Besides the so-called "canonical PI pathway" leading to the production of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P2), the precursor of the intracellular second messengers inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and diacylglycerol (DAG), many other metabolic pathways have been identified to produce seven different polyphosphoinositides. Several of these quantitatively minor lipid molecules appear to be specifically involved in the control of cellular events, such as the spatial and temporal organisation of key signalling pathways, the rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton or the intracellular vesicle trafficking. This is consistent with the fact that many of the enzymes, such as kinases and phosphatases, involved in the tight control of the intracellular level of polyphosphoinositides, are regulated and/or relocated through cell surface receptors for extracellular ligands. The remarkable feature of PIs, which can be rapidly synthesised and degraded in discrete membrane domains or even subnuclear structures, places them as ideal regulators and integrators of very dynamic mechanisms of cell regulation. In this review, we will summarise recent studies on the potential location, the metabolic pathways and the role of the different PIs. Some aspects of the temporal synthesis of D3 PIs will also be discussed.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activation and interaction with focal adhesion kinase in Escherichia coli K1 invasion of human brain microvascular endothelial cells

Invasion of brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC) is a prerequisite for successful crossing of the blood-brain barrier by Escherichia coli K1. We have previously demonstrated the requirement of cytoskeletal rearrangements and activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in E. coli K1 invasion of human BMEC (HBMEC). The current study investigated the role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) activation and PI3K interaction with FAK in E. coli invasion of HBMEC. PI3K inhibitor LY294002 blocked E. coli K1 invasion of HBMEC in a dose-dependent manner, whereas an inactive analogue LY303511 had no such effect. In HBMEC, E. coli K1 increased phosphorylation of Akt, a downstream effector of PI3K, which was completely blocked by LY294002. In contrast, non-invasive E. coli failed to activate PI3K. Overexpression of PI3K mutants Deltap85 and catalytically inactive p110 in HBMEC significantly inhibited both PI3K/Akt activation and E. coli K1 invasion of HBMEC. Stimulation of HBMEC with E. coli K1 increased PI3K association with FAK. Furthermore, PI3K/Akt activation was blocked in HBMEC-overexpressing FAK dominant-negative mutants (FRNK and Phe397FAK). These results demonstrated the involvement of PI3K signaling in E. coli K1 invasion of HBMEC and identified a novel role for PI3K interaction with FAK in the pathogenesis of E. coli meningitis.

Constitutive macropinocytosis in oncogene-transformed fibroblasts depends on sequential permanent activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase and phospholipase C

Macropinocytosis results from the closure of lamellipodia generated by membrane ruffling, thereby reflecting cortical actin dynamics. Both transformation of Rat-1 fibroblasts by v-Src or K-Ras and stable transfection for expression of dominant-positive, wild-type phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) regulatory subunit p85 alpha constitutively led to stress fiber disruption, cortical actin recruitment, extensive ruffling, and macropinosome formation, as measured by a selective acceleration of fluid-phase endocytosis. These alterations closely correlated with activation of PI3K and phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC), as assayed by 3-phosphoinositide synthesis in situ and in vitro and inositol 1, 4,5 trisphosphate steady-state levels, respectively; they were abolished by stable transfection of v-Src-transformed cells for dominant-negative truncated p85 alpha expression and by pharmacological inhibitors of PI3K and PI-PLC, indicating a requirement for both enzymes. Whereas PI3K activation resisted PI-PLC inhibition, PI-PLC activation was abolished by a PI3K inhibitor and dominant-negative transfection, thus placing PI-PLC downstream of PI3K. Together, these data suggest that permanent sequential activation of both PI3K and PI-PLC is necessary for the dramatic reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton in oncogene-transformed fibroblasts, resulting in constitutive ruffling and macropinocytosis.

Control of intramolecular interactions between the pleckstrin homology and Dbl homology domains of Vav and Sos1 regulates Rac binding

Vav and Sos1 are Dbl family guanine nucleotide exchange factors, which activate Rho family GTPases in response to phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase products. A pleckstrin homology domain adjacent to the catalytic Dbl homology domain via an unknown mechanism mediates the effects of phosphoinositides on guanine nucleotide exchange activity. Here we tested the possibility that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase substrates and products control an interaction between the pleckstrin homology domain and the Dbl homology domain, thereby explaining the inhibitory effects of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase substrates and stimulatory effects of the products. Binding studies using isolated fragments of Vav and Sos indicate phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase substrate promotes the binding of the pleckstrin homology domain to the Dbl homology domain and blocks Rac binding to the DH domain, whereas phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase products disrupt the Dbl homology/pleckstrin homology interactions and permit Rac binding. Additionally, Lck phosphorylation of Vav, a known activating event, reduces the affinities between the Vav Dbl homology and pleckstrin homology domains and permits Rac binding. We also show Vav activation in cells, as monitored by phosphorylation of Vav, Vav association with phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate, and Vav guanine nucleotide exchange activity, is blocked by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin. These results suggest the molecular mechanisms for activation of Vav and Sos1 require disruption of inhibitory intramolecular interactions involving the pleckstrin homology and Dbl homology domains.

Molecular requirements for the effect of neuregulin on cell spreading, motility and colony organization

Neuregulin can trigger morphogenetic signals in cells both in vivo and in culture through the activation of receptors from the ErbB family. We have ectopically expressed various ErbB-receptors in 32D myeloid cells lacking endogenous ErbB-proteins, and in CHO cells, which express only ErbB-2. We show here that activation of ErbB-3/ErbB-2 heterodimeric receptors triggers PI3-kinase-dependent lamellipodia formation and spreading, while individual ErbB-receptor homodimers as well as ErbB-3/ErbB-1 heterodimers are much less effective. CHO cells expressing ErB-3/ErbB-2 together with N-cadherin, an adhesion receptor, form epithelioid colonies. Neuregulin activates cell motility leading to transition of these colonies into ring-shaped multicellular arrays, similar to those induced by neuregulin in epithelial cells of different types (Chausovsky et al., 1998). This process requires both PI3-kinase and MAP kinase kinase activity and depends on coordinated changes in the actin- and microtubule-based cytoskeleton. Transactivation of ErbB-2 is not sufficient for the activation of cell motility and ring formation, and the C-terminal domain of ErbB-3 bearing the docking sites for the p85 subunit of PI3-kinase is essential for these morphogenetic effects. Thus, ErbB-3 in conjunction with ErbB-2 mediates, via its C-terminal domain, cytoskeletal and adhesion alterations which activate cell spreading and motility, leading to the formation of complex structures such as multicellular rings. Oncogene (2000) 19, 878 - 888.

Regulation of F-actin binding to platelet moesin in vitro by both phosphorylation of threonine 558 and polyphosphatidylinositides

Activation of human platelets with thrombin transiently increases phosphorylation at (558)threonine of moesin as determined with phosphorylation state-specific antibodies. This specific modification is completely inhibited by the kinase inhibitor staurosporine and maximally promoted by the phosphatase inhibitor calyculin A, making it possible to purify the two forms of moesin to homogeneity. Blot overlay assays with F-actin probes labeled with either [32P]ATP or 125I show that only phosphorylated moesin interacts with F-actin in total platelet lysates, in moesin antibody immunoprecipitates, and when purified. In the absence of detergents, both forms of the isolated protein are aggregated. Phosphorylated, purified moesin co-sediments with alpha- or beta/gamma-actin filaments in cationic, but not in anionic, nonionic, or amphoteric detergents. The interaction affinity is high (Kd, approximately 1.5 nM), and the maximal moesin:actin stoichiometry is 1:1. This interaction is also observed in platelets extracted with cationic but not with nonionic detergents. In 0.1% Triton X-100, F-actin interacts with phosphorylated moesin only in the presence of polyphosphatidylinositides. Thus, both polyphosphatidylinositides and phosphorylation can activate moesin's high-affinity F-actin binding site in vitro. Dual regulation by both mechanisms may be important for proper cellular control of moesin-mediated linkages between the actin cytoskeleton and the plasma membrane.

Phospholipases and phagocytosis: the role of phospholipid-derived second messengers in phagocytosis

Phagocytosis, the process by which leukocytes recognize and destroy invading pathogens, is essential for host defense. The binding of foreign organisms to phagocytic leukocytes initiates a complex signaling cascade which ultimately results in the entrapment and destruction of the pathogen. The signal transduction pathway mediating phagocytosis is the subject of intense investigation and is known to include protein tyrosine kinases, GTP-binding proteins, protein kinase C (PKC), actin polymerization and membrane movement. A rapidly expanding body of evidence suggests that phospholipases play an integral role in phagocytosis by generating essential second messengers. Here we review the data linking activation of phospholipase A2 (PLA2), phospholipase C (PLC) phospholipase D (PLD), and phosphoinositide 3-OH kinase (PI(3)K) to antibody (IgG)-mediated phagocytosis. Evidence is presented that (1) PLA2-derived arachidonic acid (AA) stimulates NADPH oxidase and membrane redistribution during phagocytosis, (2) the inositol-3,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol (DAG) products of PLC activate NADPH oxidase and PKC, and (3) sequential activation of PLD and phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase may provide an alternative pathway for generation of DAG. Additionally, considerable evidence exists that wortmannin, a PI(3)K inhibitor, depresses phagocytosis. This finding is discussed in the context of the extensive effects PI(3)K products have on endocytosis and exocytosis and the potential role of membrane redistribution in phagocytosis. Finally, a model is presented which integrates data obtained from a variety of phagocytic systems and illustrates potential interactions that may exist between phospholipase-derived second messengers and signaling events required for phagocytosis.

Phosphoinositide lipids as signaling molecules: common themes for signal transduction, cytoskeletal regulation, and membrane trafficking

Signaling roles for phosphoinositides that involve their regulated hydrolysis to generate second messengers have been well characterized. Recent work has revealed additional signaling roles for phosphoinositides that do not involve their hydrolysis. PtdIns 3-P, PtdIns 3,4,5-P3, and PtdIns 4,5-P2 function as site-specific signals on membranes that recruit and/or activate proteins for the assembly of spatially localized functional complexes. A large number of phosphoinositide-binding proteins have been identified as the potential effectors for phosphoinositide signals. Common themes of localized signal generation and the spatially localized recruitment of effector proteins appear to underlie mechanisms employed in signal transduction, cytoskeletal, and membrane trafficking events.

Measuring actin dynamics in endothelial cells

Cytoplasmic actin distributes between monomeric and filamentous phases in cells. As cells crawl, actin polymerizes near the plasma membrane of expanding peripheral cytoplasm and depolymerizes elsewhere. Thus, the finite actin filament lifetime, the diffusivity of actin monomer, and the distribution of actin between the polymer and monomer phases are key parameters in cell motility. The dynamics of cellular actin can be determined by following the evolution of fluorescence in the techniques of photoactivated fluorescence (PAF) or fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) of microinjected actin derivatives. A mathematical model is discussed that measures monomer diffusion coefficients, filament turnover rates, and the fraction of actin polymerized from measurements of the evolution of fluorescence from a photoactivated band [Tardy et al. (1995) Biophys. J., 69:1674-1682; McGrath et al. (1998) Biophys. J., in press]. Applying this model to subconfluent endothelial cells shows that approximately 40% of the actin is polymer and that these filaments turn over on average every 6 minutes. This report discusses how PAF and FRAP can be combined with more traditional biochemistry to probe actin cytoskeleton remodeling in endothelial cells.

Chemoattractant-induced lamellipod extension

The mammary adenocarcinoma cell line MTLn3 is chemotactic towards epidermal growth factor (EGF), and this induced motility is thought to promote breast cancer invasion and metastasis. Stimulation of MTLn3 cells with EGF results in the extension of a flat, thin structure filled with filamentous actin and termed a lamellipod. Lamellipod extension is dependent on actin polymerization and is localized to the border of adherent cells. The structure of EGF-stimulated lamellipods in MTLn3 cells is well suited to analysis of chemoattractant-stimulated protrusion. Actin polymerization occurs within 200 nm of the extending edge of the lamellipod. Although extension of the lamellipod is not dependent upon interaction with the substratum, stabilization of the extended lamellipod is dependent on an adhesive substratum. Dorsal ruffling is suppressed during lamellipod extension. Tyrosine phosphorylation is reduced in preexisting focal contacts compared to new contacts induced by EGF stimulation. The coordination of turnover of focal contacts with lamellipod extension is proposed to result in polarized cell motility in response to gradients of chemoattractants.