Immune complex kinase assays for mitogen-activated protein kinase and MEK

Multiplexing the Quantitation of MAP Kinase Activities Using Differential Sensing

Protein kinases are therapeutic targets for many human diseases, but the lack of user-friendly quantitative assays limits the ability to follow the activities of numerous kinases at once (multiplexing). To develop such an assay, we report an array of sulfonamido-oxine (SOX)-labeled peptides showing cross-reactivity to different mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) for use in a differential sensing scheme. We first verified using linear discriminant analysis that the array could differentiate MAPK isoforms. Then, using principal component analysis, the array was optimized based on the discrimination imparted by each SOX-peptide. Next, the activity of individual MAPK families in ternary mixtures was quantified by support vector machine regression. Finally, we multiplexed the quantification of three MAPK families using partial least squares regression in A549 cell lysates, which has possible interference from other kinase classes. Thus, our method simultaneously quantifies the activity of multiple kinases. The technique could be applied to other protein kinase families and the monitoring of diseases.

Analysis of MAPK activities using MAPK-specific antibodies

Phosphorylation of proteins by mitogen-activated protein kinases is central to many cellular processes, including signal transduction after stress encounter. Thus, assays to identify or characterize MAP kinase activities are a key tool for research in this area. While in-gel kinase assays using isotope-labeled ATP are a powerful tool to investigate the general induction of MAPK activities in any organism, alternative methods using phospho-specific MAPK antibodies are now being established for many model organisms. However, both in-gel kinase assay and phospho-specific western blot analysis do not allow for the unambiguous identification of the activated MAPK. To obtain specificity, initial immunoprecipitation purification of the kinase of interest prior to further analysis can be performed.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling in plants

Eukaryotic mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades have evolved to transduce environmental and developmental signals into adaptive and programmed responses. MAPK cascades relay and amplify signals via three types of reversibly phosphorylated kinases leading to the phosphorylation of substrate proteins, whose altered activities mediate a wide array of responses, including changes in gene expression. Cascades may share kinase components, but their signaling specificity is maintained by spaciotemporal constraints and dynamic protein-protein interactions and by mechanisms that include crossinhibition, feedback control, and scaffolding. Plant MAPK cascades regulate numerous processes, including stress and hormonal responses, innate immunity, and developmental programs. Genetic analyses have uncovered several predominant MAPK components shared by several of these processes including the Arabidopsis thaliana MAPKs MPK3, 4, and 6 and MAP2Ks MKK1, 2, 4, and 5. Future work needs to focus on identifying substrates of MAPKs, and on understanding how specificity is achieved among MAPK signaling pathways.

Rhythmic expression of mitogen activated protein kinase activity in rice

Mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) are known to get activated during various stress signals and transduce the message from the cell membrane to the nucleus for appropriate cellular reorganization. Though, a certain basal activity of MAPK is often observed in the control plants. Prolonged exposure of rice plants to lowered or elevated temperature exhibited a rhythm in the activation of MAPKs. We analyzed existence of a possible endogenous rhythm in the activity of MAPKs in rice plants. The plants growing at constant temperature entrained in 16/8 h day-night cycle showed diurnal rhythm in activity. When the activation of MAPK was tested under continuous conditions by shifting plants to continuous darkness for a period of 72 h, the periodic rhythm persisted and followed a circadian pattern. Analysis of the transcripts of group A, B and C members of MAPKs under above conditions by quantitative real time PCR revealed that the members of group C exhibit periodic rhythm. Our data indicates that the MAP kinase activity in rice follows rhythmic expression in a circadian manner.

Androgen-independent growth and tumorigenesis of prostate cancer cells are enhanced by the presence of PKA-differentiated neuroendocrine cells

The neuroendocrine status of prostatic adenocarcinomas is considered a prognostic indicator for development of aggressive, androgen-independent disease. Neuroendocrine-like cells are thought to function by providing growth and survival signals to surrounding tumor cells, particularly following androgen ablation therapy. To test this hypothesis directly, LNCaP cells were engineered to inducibly express a constitutively activated form of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase A catalytic subunit (caPKA), which was previously found upon transient transfection to be sufficient for acquisition of neuroendocrine-like characteristics and loss of mitotic activity. Clonal cells that inducibly expressed caPKA enhanced the growth of prostate tumor cells in anchorage-dependent and anchorage-independent in vitro assays as well as the growth of prostate tumor xenografts in vivo, with the greatest effects seen under conditions of androgen deprivation. These results suggest that neuroendocrine-like cells of prostatic tumors have the potential to enhance androgen-independent tumor growth in a paracrine manner, thereby contributing to progression of the disease.

c-Src modulates ErbB2 and ErbB3 heterocomplex formation and function

Overexpression and/or gene amplification of c-Src and members of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR/ErbB) family have been implicated in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Although members of the EGFR family are known to form heterocomplexes with one another, c-Src has also been shown to physically interact with members of this family in breast cancer cell lines and tumors. This paper investigates the role of c-Src in modulating the physical and functional interaction between ErbB2 and ErbB3, two family members that preferentially associate with one another and together exhibit high oncogenic potential. We show that overexpressed wild-type c-Src enhances heterocomplex formation of ErbB2 and ErbB3 that results in increased basal and/or heregulin-induced activation of receptors, and their downstream intracellular effectors. Expression of a kinase-inactive form of c-Src (K(-) c-Src) or pharmacological inhibition of c-Src by PP2 negatively affects these events. Furthermore, cellular motility and anchorage-independent growth promoted by the ErbB2/ErbB3 heterocomplex are dependent upon c-Src, as demonstrated by the effects of K(-) c-Src overexpression or treatment with PP2. In contrast to previous studies that defined a role for c-Src downstream of ErbB2/ErbB3, the current work suggests an upstream mechanism, whereby c-Src enhances ErbB2/ErbB3 signaling and biological functions by positively modulating the association between ErbB2 and ErbB3.

Signaling through MAP kinase networks in plants

Protein phosphorylation is the most important mechanism for controlling many fundamental cellular processes in all living organisms including plants. A specific class of serine/threonine protein kinases, the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAP kinases) play a central role in the transduction of various extra- and intracellular signals and are conserved throughout eukaryotes. These generally function via a cascade of networks, where MAP kinase (MAPK) is phosphorylated and activated by MAPK kinase (MAPKK), which itself is activated by MAPKK kinase (MAPKKK). Signaling through MAP kinase cascade can lead to cellular responses including cell division, differentiation as well as response to various stresses. In plants, MAP kinases are represented by multigene families and are organized into a complex network for efficient transmission of specific stimuli. Putative plant MAP kinase cascades have been postulated based on experimental analysis of in vitro interactions between specific MAP kinase components. These cascades have been tested in planta following expression of epitope-tagged kinases in protoplasts. It is known that signaling for cell division and stress responses in plants are mediated through MAP kinases and even auxin, ABA and possibly ethylene and cytokinin also utilize a MAP kinase pathway. Most of the biotic (pathogens and pathogen-derived elicitors) including wounding and abiotic stresses (salinity, cold, drought, and oxidative) can induce defense responses in plants through MAP kinase pathways. In this article we have covered the historical background, biochemical assay, activation/inactivation, and targets of MAP kinases with emphasis on plant MAP kinases and the responses regulated by them. The cross-talk between plant MAP kinases is also discussed to bring out the complexity within this three-component module.

Regulation of the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor by SRC family tyrosine kinases

Src family kinases (SFKs) are abundant in chromaffin cells that reside in the adrenal medulla and respond to cholinergic stimulation by secreting catecholamines. Our previous work indicated that SFKs regulate acetylcholine- or nicotine-induced secretion, but the site of modulatory action was unclear. Using whole cell recordings, we found that inhibition of SFK tyrosine kinase activity by PP2 (4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo(3,4-d)pyrimidine) treatment or expression of a kinase-defective c-Src reduced the peak amplitude of nicotine-induced currents in chromaffin cells or in human embryonic kidney cells ectopically expressing functional neuronal alpha3beta4alpha5 acetylcholine receptors (AChRs). Conversely, the phosphotyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, sodium vanadate, or expression of mutationally activated c-Src resulted in enhanced current amplitudes. These results suggest that SFKs and putative phosphotyrosine phosphatases regulate the activity of AChRs by opposing actions. This proposed model was supported further by the findings that SFKs physically associate with the receptor and that the AChR is tyrosine-phosphorylated.

Synergistic cytotoxic effects in myeloid leukemia cells upon cotreatment with farnesyltransferase and geranylgeranyl transferase-I inhibitors

As deregulation of RAS signaling is important in the pathogenesis of myeloid leukemias, molecular targeting of RAS signaling may be a promising therapeutic strategy. Farnesyl transferase inhibitors (FTIs) are the most promising class of these new cancer therapeutics. Several FTIs have entered phase II clinical trials in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Since geranylgeranylation of K-RAS and N-RAS in the presence of FTIs may represent an important mechanism of FTI resistance, 6 geranylgeranyl transferase-I inhibitors (GGTIs) were screened alone and in combination with FTI for growth inhibition of myeloid leukemia cells. Significant growth inhibition (>70%) in myeloid cell lines was observed for GGTI-286 (9/19), GGTI-298 (14/19), GGTI-2147 (16/19) and FTI L-744,832 (17/17). GGTI treatment of NB-4 cells resulted in an accumulation of cells in G(0)/G(1), whereas FTI L-744,832 primarily caused an increase in G(2)/M. FTI and GGTIs both induced apoptosis. In all cases, FTI/GGTI cotreatment led to synergistic cytotoxic effects in both myeloid cell lines (5/5) and primary AML cells (6/6). This synergy coincided with increased apoptosis. FTI/GGTI cotreatment caused an accumulation of unprocessed N-RAS and inactive N-RAS-RAF complexes. Our results suggest that alternative geranylgeranylation of N-RAS may represent an important mechanism of resistance to FTI monotherapy in myeloid leukemia cells.

MAPK mediates PKC-dependent contraction of cat esophageal and lower esophageal sphincter circular smooth muscle

Esophageal (ESO) circular muscle contraction and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) tone are PKC dependent. Because MAPKs may be involved in PKC-dependent contraction, we examined ERK1/ERK2 and p38 MAPKs in ESO and LES. In permeabilized LES muscle cells, ERK1/2 antibodies reduced 1,2-dioctanoylglycerol (DG)- and threshold ACh-induced contraction, which are PKC dependent, but not maximal ACh, which is calmodulin dependent. LES tone was reduced by the ERK1/2 kinase inhibitor PD-98059 and by the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB-203580. In permeable ESO cells, ACh contraction was reduced by ERK1/ERK2 and p38 MAPK antibodies and by PD-98059 and SB-203580. ACh increased MAPK activity and phosphorylation of MAPK and of p38 MAPK. The 27-kDa heat shock protein (HSP27) antibodies reduced ACh contraction. HSP27 and p38 MAPK antibodies together caused no greater inhibition than either one alone. p38 MAPK and HSP27 coprecipitated after ACh stimulation, suggesting that HSP27 is linked to p38 MAPK. These data suggest that PKC-dependent contraction in ESO and LES is mediated by the following two distinct MAPK pathways: ERK1/2 and HSP27-linked p38 MAPK.

Clusterin expression is significantly enhanced in prostate cancer cells following androgen withdrawal therapy

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Progression of prostate cancer to androgen independence (AI) results in part from the upregulation of anti-apoptotic genes following androgen withdrawal, and androgen-independent disease remains the primary obstacle to improved survival. Testosterone-repressed prostate message-2 (TRPM-2) encodes the anti-apoptotic protein clusterin, which is upregulated in response to cellular compromise as observed in normal and malignant tissues undergoing apoptosis. Systemic administration of antisense clusterin oligonucleotides in prostate cancer xenograft models delays progression to AI and enhances chemosensitivity. The objective of this study was to define changes in clusterin expression following neoadjuvant hormone therapy (NHT) in prostate cancer patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Archival radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens were obtained for 128 patients who received either no NHT or treatment for 2-8 weeks, 3 months, or 8 months. Paired needle biopsy specimens were acquired for 30 patients and all tissues were subjected to clusterin immunohistochemistry. Western blot analysis was performed on frozen tissue from 5 untreated and 5 treated patients.

RESULTS

Clusterin expression in malignant prostatic tissue was significantly greater in patients who underwent preoperative NHT (P < 0.001). Needle biopsies obtained prior to NHT consistently demonstrated lower staining intensity than corresponding RP specimens (P < 0.001). Western blot analysis confirmed clusterin levels increased 17-fold beginning within 4 weeks after androgen withdrawal.

CONCLUSIONS

Upregulation of clusterin levels following androgen ablation therapy may represent an adaptive cell survival response following apoptotic signals like androgen withdrawal. These findings support clusterin as a valid therapeutic target in strategies employing novel multimodality therapy for advanced prostate cancer.

MAP kinase signal transduction pathways in plants

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) signal transduction cascades are routes through which eukaryotic cells deliver extracellular messages to the cytosol and nucleus. These signalling pathways direct cell division, cellular differentiation, metabolism, and both biotic and abiotic stress responses. In plants, MAP kinases and the upstream components of the cascades are represented by multigene families, organized into different pathways which are stimulated and interact in complex ways. Experimental strategies for the analysis of MAP kinase cascades include the yeast two-hybrid system; using this approach in vitro interactions between specific MAP kinase cascade components have been analysed and putative plant cascades postulated. Transient transformation of protoplasts with epitope-tagged kinases has allowed cascades to be tested in planta. There is clear evidence for the involvement of MAP kinases in plant cell division and in the regulation of auxin signalling. Biotic (pathogens and pathogen-derived elicitors from fungi, bacteria and viruses) and abiotic stresses including wounding, mechanical stimulation, cold, drought and ozone can elicit defence responses in plants through MAP kinase pathways. There are data suggesting that ABA signalling utilizes a MAP kinase pathway, and probably ethylene and perhaps cytokinins do so also. The objective of this paper is to review this rapidly advancing field. Contents Summary 67 I. Introduction 68 II. Background 68 III. MAP kinase targets and targeting specificity 69 IV. Assays and inhibitors 70 V. Two well characterized MAP kinase pathways, Hog1 and Sevenless 71 VI. MAP kinases in plants 73 VII. MAP kinases and cell division 76 VIII. MAP kinases and plant hormones 76 IX. MAP kinase and abiotic stress 78 X. MAP kinase and biotic stress 80 XI. Future perspectives for MAP kinase research in plants 83 Acknowledgements 84 References 84.

Cell-cycle-dependent activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK-1/2) in myeloid leukemia cell lines and induction of growth inhibition and apoptosis by inhibitors of RAS signaling

Disruption of the RAS-to-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK/ERK) signaling pathway, either directly through activating RAS gene mutations or indirectly through other genetic aberrations, plays an important role in the molecular pathogenesis of myeloid leukemias. Constitutive activation of ERK-1/2 and MEK-1/2, which elicit oncogenic transformation in fibroblasts, has recently been observed in acute myeloid leukemias (AML). In this study, the activation of the RAS-to-MAPK cascade in 14 AML and 5 chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cell lines is examined and correlated with the effects of a panel of 9 RAS signaling inhibitors on cell viability, colony formation, cell-cycle progression, and induction of apoptosis. Activation of MEK, ERK, and the transcription factors CREB-1, ATF-1, and c-Myc is demonstrated in the majority of the cell lines (9 of 14 AML and 2 of 5 CML cell lines). Although activation of the ERK cascade did not always correlate with the presence of activating RAS mutations or BCR-Abl, it is linked to the G0/G1 and the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. In contrast to most inhibitors (eg, B581, Cys-4-Abs-Met, FPT-2, FTI-276, and FTS), a significant growth inhibition was only observed for FTI-277 (19 of 19), FPT-3 (10 of 19), and the MEK inhibitors U0126 (19 of 19) and PD098059 (8 of 19). Treatment of NB-4 cells with FTI-277 primarily resulted in a G2/M block, whereas treatment with FPT-3 and U0126 led to induction of apoptosis. FTI-277 revealed strong toxicity toward normal purified CD34+ cells. The results suggest differences in the mechanisms of action and support a potential therapeutic usefulness of these inhibitors in the treatment of myeloid leukemias.

Exercise training increases ERK2 activity in skeletal muscle of obese Zucker rats

Acute exercise and training increase insulin action in skeletal muscle, but the mechanism responsible for this effect is unknown. Activation of the insulin receptor initiates signaling through both the phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase and the mitogen-activated protein kinase [MAPK, also referred to as extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2)] pathways. Acute exercise has no effect on the PI3-kinase pathway signaling elements but does activate the MAPK pathway, which may play a role in the adaptation of muscle to exercise. It is unknown whether training produces a chronic effect on basal activity or insulin response of the MAPK pathway. The present study was undertaken to determine whether exercise training improves the activity of the MAPK pathway or its response to insulin in obese Zucker rats, a well-characterized model of insulin resistance. To accomplish this, obese Zucker rats were studied by using the hindlimb perfusion method with or without 7 wk of treadmill training. Activation of the MAPK pathway was determined in gastrocnemius muscles exposed in situ to insulin. Compared with lean Zucker rats, untrained obese Zucker rats had reduced basal and insulin-stimulated activities of ERK2 and its downstream target p90 ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK2). Seven weeks of training significantly increased basal and insulin-stimulated ERK2 and RSK2 activities, as well as insulin stimulation of MAPK kinase activity. This effect was maintained for at least 96 h in the case of ERK2. The training-induced increase in basal ERK2 activity was correlated with the increase in citrate synthase activity. Therefore, 7 wk of training increases basal and insulin-stimulated ERK2 activity. The increase in basal ERK2 activity may be related to the response of muscle to training.

Overexpression of p97Eps8 leads to cellular transformation: implication of pleckstrin homology domain in p97Eps8-mediated ERK activation

Two isoforms of Eps8, p97Eps8 and p68Eps8, have been identified as the substrates for receptor tyrosine kinases. Our previous studies indicated that both tyrosyl phosphorylation and protein expression of Eps8 were elevated in v-Src transformed cells. In an attempt to examine the role played by p97Eps8 in tumorigenesis, we have first obtained cells overexpressing p97Eps8 and its pleckstrin homology (PH)-truncated variant. We then demonstrated that cells overexpressing p97Eps8 not only exhibited the ability of focus formation in cell culture but also promoted the tumor formation in mice as compared to controls. Furthermore, elevated serum-induced extracellular responsive kinase (ERK) activation was observed in p97Eps8 overexpressors. This enhanced ERK activation was sensitive to a MEK1 specific inhibitor PD98059 and was important for p97Eps8-mediated transformation, since transfection of vectors expressing dominant negative MEK1 and p97Eps8 abrogated focus formation by p97Eps8. In contrast, PH-truncated p97Eps8 failed to localize at the plasma membrane and that the truncated variant also did not elevate ERK activation and cellular transformation in response to serum stimulation. Our results thus indicated that: (i) the gene encoding p97Eps8 was an oncogene; (ii) p97Eps8-induced oncogenesis was partly mediated by ERK activation; and (iii) the PH domain of p97Eps8 was critical for its cellular localization, ERK activation and its ability to transform cells. Oncogene (2001) 20, 106 - 112.

cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) inhibits T cell activation by phosphorylating ser-43 of raf-1 in the MAPK/ERK pathway

cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) has been suggested to interfere with T-cell activation by inhibiting interleukin (IL-2) receptor alpha-chain (CD25) expression and IL-2 production. The Ras/MAP kinase pathway has been found to be necessary for induction of the IL-2 production. In this study, we have scrutinized the Ras/MAP kinase pathway in Jurkat T-cells to attempt to identify any sites for PKA-mediated regulatory phosphorylations. Here we unambiguously demonstrate that PKA directly inhibits anti-CD3-induced MAP kinase activation. In vitro phosphorylation experiments showed that Raf-1 was extensively phosphorylated by PKA, while ERK2 and MEK were not. Phosphopeptide mapping identified Ser-43 of Raf-1 as the only site phosphorylated by PKA in the Ras/MAPK pathway. Transient transfection experiments demonstrated that mutations of Ser-43 of the Raf-1 kinase were rendered insensitive to cAMP-mediated inhibition.

Regulation of MAP kinase pathway activity in vivo in human skeletal muscle

Insulin and exercise potently stimulate glucose metabolism and gene transcription in vivo in skeletal muscle. A single bout of exercise increases the rate of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and metabolism in skeletal muscle in the postexercise period. The nature of the intracellular signaling mechanisms that control responses to exercise is not known. In mammalian tissues, numerous reports have established the existence of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signaling pathway that is activated by a variety of growth factors and hormones. This study was undertaken to determine how a single bout of exercise and physiological hyperinsulinemia activate the MAP kinase pathway. The euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp and cycle ergometer exercise techniques combined with percutaneous muscle biopsies were used to answer this question. In healthy subjects, within 30 min, insulin significantly increased MAP kinase [isoforms p42(MAPK) and p44(MAPK) (ERK1 and ERK2)] phosphorylation (141 +/- 2%, P < 0.05) and activity (177 +/- 5%, P < 0.05), and the activity of its upstream activator MEK1 (161 +/- 16%, P < 0.05). Insulin also increased the activity of the MAP kinase downstream substrate, the p90 ribosomal S6 kinase 2 (RSK2) almost twofold (198 +/- 45%, P < 0.05). In contrast, a single 30-min bout of moderate-intensity exercise had no effect on the MAP kinase pathway activation from MEK to RSK2 in muscle of healthy subjects. However, 60 min of exercise did increase extracellular signal-related kinase activity. Therefore, despite similar effects on glucose metabolism after 30 min, insulin and exercise regulate the MAP kinase pathway differently. Insulin more rapidly activates the MAP kinase pathway.

Insulin resistance differentially affects the PI 3-kinase- and MAP kinase-mediated signaling in human muscle

The broad nature of insulin resistant glucose metabolism in skeletal muscle of patients with type 2 diabetes suggests a defect in the proximal part of the insulin signaling network. We sought to identify the pathways compromised in insulin resistance and to test the effect of moderate exercise on whole-body and cellular insulin action. We conducted euglycemic clamps and muscle biopsies on type 2 diabetic patients, obese nondiabetics and lean controls, with and without a single bout of exercise. Insulin stimulation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) pathway, as measured by phosphorylation of the insulin receptor and IRS-1 and by IRS protein association with p85 and with PI 3-kinase, was dramatically reduced in obese nondiabetics and virtually absent in type 2 diabetic patients. Insulin stimulation of the MAP kinase pathway was normal in obese and diabetic subjects. Insulin stimulation of glucose-disposal correlated with association of p85 with IRS-1. Exercise 24 hours before the euglycemic clamp increased phosphorylation of insulin receptor and IRS-1 in obese and diabetic subjects but did not increase glucose uptake or PI 3-kinase association with IRS-1 upon insulin stimulation. Thus, insulin resistance differentially affects the PI 3-kinase and MAP kinase signaling pathways, and insulin-stimulated IRS-1-association with PI 3-kinase defines a key step in insulin resistance.

Phosphorylation of Shc by Src family kinases is necessary for stem cell factor receptor/c-kit mediated activation of the Ras/MAP kinase pathway and c-fos induction

In this report we show that Tyr568 and Tyr570 are phosphorylated in vivo in the Kit/stem cell factor receptor (Kit/SCFR) following ligand-stimulation. By mutation of Tyr568 and Tyr570 to phenylalanine residues and expression of the mutated receptors in porcine aortic endothelial (PAE) cells, we could demonstrate a loss of activation of members of the Src family of tyrosine kinases when Tyr568 was mutated, while mutation of Tyr570 only led to a minor decrease in activation of Src family members. Mutation of both tyrosine residues led to a complete loss of Src family kinase activation. Phosphorylation of the adapter protein Shc by growth factor receptors provides association sites for Grb2-Sos, thereby activating the Ras/MAP kinase pathway. A much lowered degree of Shc phosphorylation, Ras and Erk2 activation and c-fos induction was seen in the Y568F mutant, while in the Y570F mutant these responses were less affected. In contrast, the mitogenic response was only slightly reduced. In a mutant receptor with both Tyr568 and Tyr570 mutated to phenylalanine residues, no phosphorylation of Shc and no activation of Ras and Erk2 was seen in response to stem cell factor stimulation, very weak induction of c-fos was seen and the mitogenic response was severely depressed. These data show that Ras/MAP kinase activation and c-fos induction by Kit/SCFR are mediated by members of the Src family kinases. However, the mitogenic response is only to a minor extent dependent on Src kinase activity.

SHP-2 binds to Tyr763 and Tyr1009 in the PDGF beta-receptor and mediates PDGF-induced activation of the Ras/MAP kinase pathway and chemotaxis

Activation of the beta-receptor for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) by its ligand leads to autophosphorylation on a number of tyrosine residues. Here we show that Tyr763 in the kinase insert region is a novel autophosphorylation site, which after phosphorylation binds the protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2. SHP-2 has also previously been shown to bind to phosphorylated Tyr1009 in the PDGF beta-receptor. Porcine aortic endothelial (PAE) cells transfected with a PDGF beta-receptor in which Tyr763 and Tyr1009 were mutated to phenylalanine residues failed to associate with SHP-2 after ligand stimulation. Moreover, PDGF-BB-induced Ras GTP-loading and Erk2 activation were severely compromised in the receptor mutant. Whereas the mitogenic response to PDGF-BB remained at the same level as in cells expressing wild-type PDGF beta-receptor, chemotaxis induced by PDGF-BB was significantly decreased in the case of the Y763F/Y1009F mutant cells, suggesting an important role for SHP-2 in chemotactic signaling.

MEK is a negative regulator of Stat5b in PDGF-stimulated cells

In this study we show that platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced DNA binding as well as transcriptional activation of Stat5b are markedly increased by inhibition of the MAP (mitogen-activated protein) kinase kinase MEK. In addition to the previously demonstrated tyrosine phosphorylation, we show that serine and threonine phosphorylation of Stat5b is increased in response to PDGF stimulation. However, inhibition of MEK had no effect on the phosphorylation level of Stat5b or on the nuclear translocation of Stat5b. These observations indicate that MEK is a negative modulator of PDGF-induced Stat5b activation through a mechanism not involving direct phosphorylation of Stat5b.

Protein kinase C regulates integrin-induced activation of the extracellular regulated kinase pathway upstream of Shc

Adhesion of fibroblasts to extracellular matrices via integrin receptors is accompanied by extensive cytoskeletal rearrangements and intracellular signaling events. The protein kinase C (PKC) family of serine/threonine kinases has been implicated in several integrin-mediated events including focal adhesion formation, cell spreading, cell migration, and cytoskeletal rearrangements. However, the mechanism by which PKC regulates integrin function is not known. To characterize the role of PKC family kinases in mediating integrin-induced signaling, we monitored the effects of PKC inhibition on fibronectin-induced signaling events in Cos7 cells using pharmacological and genetic approaches. We found that inhibition of classical and novel isoforms of PKC by down-regulation with 12-0-tetradeconoyl-phorbol-13-acetate or overexpression of dominant-negative mutants of PKC significantly reduced extracellular regulated kinase 2 (Erk2) activation by fibronectin receptors in Cos7 cells. Furthermore, overexpression of constitutively active PKCalpha, PKCdelta, or PKCepsilon was sufficient to rescue 12-0-tetradeconoyl-phorbol-13-acetate-mediated down-regulation of Erk2 activation, and all three of these PKC isoforms were activated following adhesion. PKC was required for maximal activation of mitogen-activated kinase kinase 1, Raf-1, and Ras, tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc, and Shc association with Grb2. PKC inhibition does not appear to have a generalized effect on integrin signaling, because it does not block integrin-induced focal adhesion kinase or paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation. These results indicate that PKC activity enhances Erk2 activation in response to fibronectin by stimulating the Erk/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway at an early step upstream of Shc.

Differential contribution of the ERK and JNK mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades to Ras transformation of HT1080 fibrosarcoma and DLD-1 colon carcinoma cells

Although an important contribution of ERK and JNK mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation in Ras transformation of rodent fibroblasts has been determined, their role in mediating oncogenic Ras transformation of human tumor cells remains to be established. We have utilized the human HT1080 fibrosarcoma and DLD-1 colon carcinoma cell lines, which contain endogenous mutated and oncogenic N- and K-ras alleles, respectively, to address this role. Study of these cells is advantageous over Ras-transformed rodent model cell systems for two key reasons. First, the ras mutations occurred naturally in the progression of the tumors from which the cell lines were derived, rather than due to overexpression of an exogenously introduced gene. Second, although these tumor cells possess defects in multiple genetic loci, it has been established that mutated Ras contributes significantly to the transformed phenotype of these cells. Clonal variant lines of HT1080 and DLD-1 have been isolated which have lost the oncogenic ras allele and exhibit a corresponding impairment in growth transformation in vitro and in vivo. We found that upregulation of Raf/MEK/ERK and JNK correlated with expression of oncogenic Ras in HT1080, but not DLD-1 cells. Furthermore, inhibition of ERK activation in parental HT1080 cells caused the same changes in cell morphology and actin stress fiber organization seen with loss of expression of activated N-Ras(61K). Thus, we suggest that constitutive activation of the Raf/MEK/ERK and JNK pathways is necessary for Ras-induced transformation of HT1080 but not DLD-1 cells. These results emphasize that cell type differences exist in the signaling pathways by which oncogenic Ras causes transformation.

Expression of c-Myc in response to colony-stimulating factor-1 requires mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase-1

The mitogen-inducible gene c-myc is a key regulator of cell proliferation and transformation. Yet, the signaling pathway(s) that regulate its expression have remained largely unresolved. Using the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK1/2) inhibitor PD98059 and dominant negative forms of Ras (N17) and ERK1 (K71R), we found that activation of Ras and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) is necessary for colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1)-mediated c-Myc expression and DNA synthetic (S) phase entry. Quiescent NIH-3T3 cells expressing a partially defective CSF-1 receptor, CSF-1R (Y809F), exhibited impaired ERK1 activation and c-Myc expression and failed to enter the S phase of the cell division cycle in response to CSF-1 stimulation. Ectopic expression of a constitutively active form of MEK1 in cells expressing CSF-1R (Y809F) rescued c-Myc expression and S phase entry, but only in the presence of CSF-1-induced cooperating signals. Therefore, MEK1 participates in an obligate signaling pathway linking CSF-1R to c-Myc expression, but other signals from CSF-1R must cooperate with the MEK/ERK pathway to induce c-Myc expression and S phase entry in response to CSF-1 stimulation.

Mechanism of biological synergy between cellular Src and epidermal growth factor receptor

Overexpression of both cellular Src (c-Src) and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) occurs in many of the same human tumors, suggesting that they may functionally interact and contribute to the progression of cancer. Indeed, in murine fibroblasts, overexpression of c-Src has been shown to potentiate the mitogenic and tumorigenic capacity of the overexpressed EGFR. Potentiation correlated with the ability of c-Src to physically associate with the activated EGFR and the appearance of two unique in vivo phosphorylations on the receptor (Tyr-845 and Tyr-1101). Using stable cell lines of C3H10T1/2 murine fibroblasts that contain kinase-deficient (K-) c-Src and overexpressed wild-type EGFR, we show that the kinase activity of c-Src is required for both the biological synergy with the receptor and the phosphorylations on the receptor, but not for the association of c-Src with the receptor. In transient transfection assays, not only epidermal growth factor but also serum- and lysophosphatidic acid-induced DNA synthesis was ablated in a dominant-negative fashion by a Y845F mutant of the EGFR, indicating that c-Src-induced phosphorylation of Y845 is critical for the mitogenic response to both the EGFR and a G protein-coupled receptor (lysophosphatidic acid receptor). Unexpectedly, the Y845F mutant EGFR was found to retain its full kinase activity and its ability to activate the adapter protein SHC and extracellular signal-regulated kinase ERK2 in response to EGF, demonstrating that the mitogenic pathway involving phosphorylation of Y845 is independent of ERK2-activation. The application of these findings to the development of novel therapeutics for human cancers that overexpress c-Src and EGFR is discussed.

Increased constitutive activity of mitogen-activated protein kinase and renaturable 85 kDa kinase in human-colorectal cancer

Protein kinases play a key role in intracellular signalling, participating at multiple levels along the transduction cascades that trigger mitogenic response. Because protein kinases are involved in mitogenic pathways, they are likely to play a role in the abnormal proliferation of malignant cells. In this study we compared activity of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and several renaturable kinases in homogenates of 30 surgically resected colorectal cancers and their adjacent normal tissues. Using sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and membrane autophosphorylation assay on homogenates obtained from normal colon mucosa and adenocarcinoma, we identified at least four renaturable kinases (50, 55, 85, 200 kDa). Compared with adjacent tissue, in most of the cancer samples only the 85-kDa kinase exhibited a higher level of autophosphorylation activity than those in normal matched tissue (P < 0.001). Moreover, the 85-kDa kinase from nearly all cancer homogenates showed faster electrophoretic mobility than the 85-kDa kinase from normal tissue homogenates. Interestingly, the 50-kDa kinase had significantly lower autophosphorylation activity in cancer tissues than those of normal tissue (P< 0.05). To assess p42-p44 MAP kinase activity, proteins were immunoprecipitated from adjacent colon mucosa and adenocarcinoma with anti-extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) 1/2 antibodies, and MAP kinase activity was measured using MBP as a substrate. These studies revealed that MAP kinase activity in colorectal cancer was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than that in adjacent mucosa. Thus, the constitutive activity of MAP kinase and autophosphorylation activity of 85-kDa kinase are increased, whereas the autophosphorylation activity of another kinase, 50 kDa, is decreased in colorectal adenocarcinoma. However, although signal transduction pathways are markedly altered in this cancer, neither p42/p44 MAP kinase activity nor 85-kDa autokinase activity could be correlated with the established prognostic indicators.

The src homology 2 and phosphotyrosine binding domains of the ShcC adaptor protein function as inhibitors of mitogenic signaling by the epidermal growth factor receptor

Upon ligand activation, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) becomes tyrosine-phosphorylated, thereby recruiting intracellular signaling proteins such as Shc. EGFR binding of Shc proteins results in their tyrosine phosphorylation and subsequent activation of the Ras and Erk pathways. Shc interaction with activated receptor tyrosine kinases is mediated by two distinct phosphotyrosine interaction domains, an NH2-terminal phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) domain and a COOH-terminal Src homology 2 (SH2) domain. The relative importance of these two domains for EGFR binding was examined by determining if expression of the isolated SH2 or PTB domain of ShcC would inhibit EGFR signaling. The SH2 domain potently inhibited numerous aspects of EGFR signaling including activation of Erk2 and the Elk-1 transcription factor as well as EGFR-dependent transformation. Furthermore, the SH2 domain inhibited focus formation by the Neu oncoprotein, another EGFR family member. Surprisingly, inhibition of the EGFR by the SH2 domain did not involve stable association with the receptor. In contrast, the PTB domain associated quite well with the receptor yet had little effect on EGFR signaling. Although the EGFR cytoplasmic tail contains consensus binding sites for the PTB and SH2 domains of ShcC, and both domains of ShcC interact with the receptor in vitro, the SH2 domain is more potent for inhibiting receptor function in vivo. However, inhibition is not due to stable association with the receptor, suggesting that the SH2 domain is binding to a heretofore unknown protein(s) necessary for proper EGFR function.

Elevated expression of Ets2 or distinct portions of Ets2 can reverse Ras-mediated cellular transformation

Ets transcription factors are important downstream targets of oncogenic Ras. The transcriptional activity of several Ets family members is regulated by Ras, and interfering with Ets-dependent transcription by expression of just the Ets2 DNA binding domain can inhibit or reverse Ras-mediated cellular transformation. To better understand the role of Ets proteins in Ras transformation, we have now analyzed the effects of stably expressing a variety of Ets2 constructs in Ras-transformed NIH3T3 (DT) cells. Expression of only the Ets2 transactivation domains, which also inhibits Ras or Neu/ErbB-2-mediated activation of Ets-dependent transcription, strongly inhibited anchorage-independent growth, but did not revert the transformed DT cell morphology. Unexpectedly, high expression of full-length Ets2, a transcriptional activator, broadly reversed the transformed properties of DT cells, including anchorage-independent growth, transformed morphology, and tumorigenicity, but did not impair attached cell growth. Increasing full-length Ets2 transcriptional activity by fusing it to the VP16 transactivation domain enhanced its ability to reverse DT cell transformation. Mutational analysis revealed that the mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation site required for Ras-mediated activation, Ets2(T72), was not essential for Ets2 reversion activity. The distinct reversion activities of the highly expressed Ets2 transactivation domains or full-length Ets2, along with the specific reversion activity by Ets2 constructs that either inhibit or activate Ets-dependent transcription, suggests multiple roles for Ets factors in cellular transformation. These results indicate that several distinct approaches for modulating Ets activity may be useful for intervention in human cancers.

Characterization of a mitogen-activated protein kinase from Pneumocystis carinii

The pathogenic fungus Pneumocystis carinii causes severe pneumonia in patients with impaired immunity, particularly patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The life cycle of P. carinii is poorly understood, and the inability to continuously culture P. carinii is a major limitation in understanding its cell biology. In fungi homologous to P. carinii, pheromone mating factors signal through a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal transduction cascade, resulting in mitotic cell cycle arrest and entry into a pathway of conjugation, cellular differentiation, and proliferation. Using degenerate PCR and library screening, we have identified a MAPK cDNA in P. carinii that is highly homologous to fungal MAPKs involved in the pheromone mating signal transduction cascade, and we demonstrate MAPK activity in P. carinii lysates with a specific antiserum derived from the translated P. carinii MAPK cDNA sequence.

Characterization of human epidermal growth factor receptor and c-Src interactions in human breast tumor cells

In C3H/10T1/2 murine fibroblasts, overexpression of both c-Src and the human epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor 1 (HER1) is required for detection of stable complexes between the two molecules and results in hyperactivation of the receptor and synergistic increases in tumor formation in nude mice, as compared with cells that overexpress only one of the pair. Elevated levels or activities of c-Src and HER1 also occur in a subset of later-stage breast cancers, suggesting that interactions between these two molecules could contribute to a more aggressive clinical course. To determine whether stable complexes between c-Src and HER1 occur in human breast cancers under the same conditions as in murine fibroblasts and whether the appearance of such complexes correlates with enhanced signaling through the EGF receptor and increased tumor growth, human breast tumor cell lines and tumor tissues were analyzed for a number of c-Src/HER1-mediated signaling events and tumorigenicity. In a panel of 14 cell lines, 10 overexpressed c-Src, and of these, five contained elevated levels of HER1 and exhibited an EGF-dependent association between HER1 and c-Src. This association was also present in a HER1/c-Src-overexpressing tumor sample from a breast cancer patient. Further analysis of signaling events revealed that phosphorylation of the HER1 substrate, Shc, and its downstream effector, mitogen-activated protein kinase, was increased in EGF-stimulated MDA-MB-468, MDA-MB-231, and BT-549 cells (which overexpress both c-Src and HER1) as compared with MCF7 and ZR-75-1 cells (which only overexpress c-Src). Furthermore, MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 cells displayed increased tumorigenicity in nude mice. These results support the hypothesis that c-Src/HER1 interactions contribute to tumor progression in certain late-stage breast tumor cells.

Assembly of cyclin D-dependent kinase and titration of p27Kip1 regulated by mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK1)

A constitutively active form of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK1) was synthesized under control of a zinc-inducible promoter in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. Zinc treatment of serum-starved cells activated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERKs) and induced expression of cyclin D1. Newly synthesized cyclin D1 assembled with cyclin-dependent kinase-4 (CDK4) to form holoenzyme complexes that phosphorylated the retinoblastoma protein inefficiently. Activation of the MEK1/ERK pathway neither triggered degradation of the CDK inhibitor kinase inhibitory protein-1 (p27(Kip1)) nor led to activation of cyclin E- and A-dependent CDK2, and such cells did not enter the DNA synthetic (S) phase of the cell division cycle. In contrast, zinc induction of active MEK1 in cells also engineered to ectopically overexpress cyclin D1 and CDK4 subunits generated levels of cyclin D-dependent retinoblastoma protein kinase activity approximating those achieved in cells stimulated by serum. In this setting, p27(Kip1) was mobilized into complexes containing cyclin D1; cyclin E- and A-dependent CDK2 complexes were activated; and serum-starved cells entered S phase. Thus, although the activity of p27(Kip1) normally is canceled through a serum-dependent degradative process, overexpressed cyclin D1-CDK complexes sequestered p27(Kip1) and reduced the effective inhibitory threshold through a stoichiometric mechanism. A fraction of these cells completed S phase and divided, but they were unable to continuously proliferate, indicating that other serum-responsive factors ultimately became rate limiting for cell cycle progression. Therefore, the MEK/ERK pathway not only acts transcriptionally to induce the cyclin D1 gene but functions posttranslationally to regulate cyclin D1 assembly with CDK4 and to thereby help cancel p27(Kip1)-mediated inhibition.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase is required for integrin-stimulated AKT and Raf-1/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway activation

Cell attachment to fibronectin stimulates the integrin-dependent interaction of p85-associated phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase with integrin-dependent focal adhesion kinase (FAK) as well as activation of the Ras/mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway. However, it is not known if this PI 3-kinase-FAK interaction increases the synthesis of the 3-phosphorylated phosphoinositides (3-PPIs) or what role, if any, is played by activated PI 3-kinase in integrin signaling. We demonstrate here the integrin-dependent accumulation of the PI 3-kinase products, PI 3,4-bisphosphate [PI(3,4)P2] and PI(3,4,5)P3, as well as activation of AKT kinase, a serine/threonine kinase that can be stimulated by binding of PI(3,4)P2. The PI 3-kinase inhibitors wortmannin and LY294002 significantly decreased the integrin-induced accumulation of the 3-PPIs and activation of AKT kinase, without having significant effects on the levels of PI(4,5)P2 or tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin. These inhibitors also reduced cell adhesion/spreading onto fibronectin but had no effect on attachment to polylysine. Interestingly, integrin-mediated Erk-2, Mek-1, and Raf-1 activation, but not Ras-GTP loading, was inhibited at least 80% by wortmannin and LY294002. In support of the pharmacologic results, fibronectin activation of Erk-2 and AKT kinases was completely inhibited by overexpression of a dominant interfering p85 subunit of PI 3-kinase. We conclude that integrin-mediated adhesion to fibronectin results in the accumulation of the PI 3-kinase products PI(3,4)P2 and PI(3,4,5)P3 as well as the PI 3-kinase-dependent activation of the kinases Raf-1, Mek-1, Erk-2, and AKT and that PI 3-kinase may function upstream of Raf-1 but downstream of Ras in integrin activation of Erk-2 MAP and AKT kinases.

Antiapoptotic signalling by the insulin-like growth factor I receptor, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and Akt

We have found that insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) can protect fibroblasts from apoptosis induced by UV-B light. Antiapoptotic signalling by the IGF-I receptor depended on receptor kinase activity, as cells overexpressing kinase-defective receptor mutants could not be protected by IGF-I. Overexpression of a kinase-defective receptor which contained a mutation in the ATP binding loop functioned as a dominant negative and sensitized cells to apoptosis. The antiapoptotic capacity of the IGF-I receptor was not shared by other growth factors tested, including epidermal growth factor (EGF) and thrombin, although the cells expressed functional receptors for all the agonists. However, EGF was antiapoptotic for cells overexpressing the EGF receptor, and expression of activated pp60v-src also was protective. There was no correlation between protection from apoptosis and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase, p38/HOG1, or p70S6 kinase. On the other hand, protection by any of the tyrosine kinases against UV-induced apoptosis was blocked by wortmannin, implying a role for phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3 kinase). To test this, we transiently expressed constitutively active or kinase-dead PI3 kinase and found that overexpression of activated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3 kinase) was sufficient to provide protection against apoptosis. Because Akt/PKB is believed to be a downstream effector for PI3 kinase, we also examined the role of this serine/threonine protein kinase in antiapoptotic signalling. We found that membrane-targeted Akt was sufficient to protect against apoptosis but that kinase-dead Akt was not. We conclude that the endogenous IGF-I receptor has a specific antiapoptotic signalling capacity, that overexpression of other tyrosine kinases can allow them also to be antiapoptotic, and that activation of PI3 kinase and Akt is sufficient for antiapoptotic signalling.

p120 GAP modulates Ras activation of Jun kinases and transformation

Although recent evidence demonstrates that Ras causes transformation by activation of multiple downstream pathways, the specific role of non-Raf effector pathways is presently unknown. Although Ras causes activation of the Jun NH2-terminal kinases (JNKs) via a Raf-independent pathway, the contribution of JNK activation to Ras transformation and the effector that mediates JNK activation have not been established. We observed that a dominant negative mutant of SEK1/JNKK, an activator of JNKs, selectively inhibited oncogenic Ras activation of JNK and Ras transformation, but not Ras activation of the p42 mitogen-activated protein kinase. In contrast, overexpression of wild type SEK1 enhanced Ras activation of JNK and transforming activity. Thus, JNK activation promotes Ras transformation. Furthermore, a dominant negative mutant of p120 GAP (designated N-GAP), a candidate Ras effector, blocked Ras, but not Raf, transformation and blocked Ras, but not Rac, activation of JNK. Since N-GAP overexpression reduced the association of p190 Rac/Rho GAP with endogenous p120 GAP, N-GAP may form nonproductive complexes with components critical for p120 GAP function. In summary, p120 GAP may function as an effector for Ras activation of JNK and Ras transformation.

TC21 causes transformation by Raf-independent signaling pathways

Although the Ras-related protein TC21/R-Ras2 has only 55% amino acid identity with Ras proteins, mutated forms of TC21 exhibit the same potent transforming activity as constitutively activated forms of Ras. Therefore, like Ras, TC21 may activate signaling pathways that control normal cell growth and differentiation. To address this possibility, we determined if regulators and effectors of Ras are also important for controlling TC21 activity. First, we determined that Ras guanine nucleotide exchange factors (SOS1 and RasGRF/CDC25) synergistically enhanced wild-type TC21 activity in vivo and that Ras GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs; p120-GAP and NF1-GAP) stimulated wild-type TC21 GTP hydrolysis in vitro. Thus, extracellular signals that activate Ras via SOS1 activation may cause coordinate activation of Ras and TC21. Second, we determined if Raf kinases were effectors for TC21 transformation. Unexpectedly, yeast two-hybrid binding analyses showed that although both Ras and TC21 could interact with the isolated Ras-binding domain of Raf-1, only Ras interacted with full-length Raf-1, A-Raf, or B-Raf. Consistent with this observation, we found that Ras- but not TC21-transformed NIH 3T3 cells possessed constitutively elevated Raf-1 and B-Raf kinase activity. Thus, Raf kinases are effectors for Ras, but not TC21, signaling and transformation. We conclude that common upstream signals cause activation of Ras and TC21, but activated TC21 controls cell growth via distinct Raf-independent downstream signaling pathways.

Induction of acetylcholine receptor gene expression by ARIA requires activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase

Transcription of genes encoding nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) subunits (alpha, beta, gamma or epsilon, and delta) is highest in nuclei localized to the synaptic region of the muscle, which contributes to maintain a high density of AChRs at the postjunctional membrane. ARIA (AChR inducing activity) is believed to be the trophic factor utilized by motor neurons to stimulate AChR synthesis in the subsynaptic area. To elucidate the signaling mechanism initiated by ARIA, we established stable C2C12 cell lines carrying the nuclear lacZ gene under the control of the mouse epsilon subunit promoter or chicken alpha subunit promoter. ARIA stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of erbB proteins in these C2C12 cells within 15 s with a peak at 5 min. Immediately following tyrosine phosphorylation of erbB proteins, mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase was activated which occurred within 30 s and peaked at 8 min after ARIA stimulation. Concomitantly, expression of AChR genes was induced by ARIA. ARIA-induced AChR subunit transgene expression was observed only in differentiated myotubes and not in myoblasts, suggesting that downstream signaling component(s) are regulated in a manner dependent on the myogenic program. Inhibition of the MAP kinase activity by using a specific MAP kinase kinase inhibitor or by overexpressing dominant negative mutants of Raf or MAP kinase kinase attenuated or abolished the ARIA-induced activation of AChR alpha and epsilon subunit gene expression. These results indicate that regulation of AChR gene expression by ARIA in C2C12 cells requires activation of the MAP kinase signaling pathway.

An incomplete program of cellular tyrosine phosphorylations induced by kinase-defective epidermal growth factor receptors

Although signaling by the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor is thought to be dependent on receptor tyrosine kinase activity, it is clear that mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase can be activated by receptors lacking kinase activity. Since analysis of the signaling pathways used by kinase-defective receptors could reveal otherwise masked capabilities, we examined in detail the tyrosine phosphorylations and enzymes of the MAP kinase pathway induced by kinase-defective EGF receptors. Following EGF stimulation of B82L cells expressing a kinase-defective EGF receptor mutant (K721M), we found that ERK2 and ERK1 MAP kinases, as well as MEK1 and MEK2 were all activated, and SHC became prominently tyrosine-phosphorylated. By contrast, kinase-defective receptors failed to induce detectable phosphorylations of GAP (GTPase-activating protein), p62, JAK1, or p91STAT1, all of which were robustly phosphorylated by wild-type receptors. These data demonstrate that kinase-defective receptors induce several protein tyrosine phosphorylations, but that these represent only a subset of those seen with wild-type receptors. This suggests that kinase-defective receptors activate a heterologous tyrosine kinase with a specificity different from the EGF receptor. We found that kinase-defective receptors induced ErbB2/c-Neu enzymatic activation and ErbB2/c-Neu binding to SHC at a level even greater than that induced by wild-type receptors. Thus, heterodimerization with and activation of endogenous ErbB2/c-Neu is a possible mechanism by which kinase-defective receptors stimulate the MAP kinase pathway.