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Werren EA, Kalsner L, Ewald J, Peracchio M, King C, Vats P, Audano PA, Robinson PN, Adams MD, Kelly MA, Matson AP. A de novo variant in PAK2 detected in an individual with Knobloch type 2 syndrome. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.18.590108. [PMID: 38712026 PMCID: PMC11071314 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.18.590108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
P21-activated kinase 2 (PAK2) is a serine/threonine kinase essential for a variety of cellular processes including signal transduction, cellular survival, proliferation, and migration. A recent report proposed monoallelic PAK2 variants cause Knobloch syndrome type 2 (KNO2)-a developmental disorder primarily characterized by ocular anomalies. Here, we identified a novel de novo heterozygous missense variant in PAK2, NM_002577.4:c.1273G>A, p.(D425N), by whole genome sequencing in an individual with features consistent with KNO2. Notable clinical phenotypes include global developmental delay, congenital retinal detachment, mild cerebral ventriculomegaly, hypotonia, FTT, pyloric stenosis, feeding intolerance, patent ductus arteriosus, and mild facial dysmorphism. The p.(D425N) variant lies within the protein kinase domain and is predicted to be functionally damaging by in silico analysis. Previous clinical genetic testing did not report this variant due to unknown relevance of PAK2 variants at the time of testing, highlighting the importance of reanalysis. Our findings also substantiate the candidacy of PAK2 variants in KNO2 and expand the KNO2 clinical spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Werren
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut, 06032, USA
| | - Louisa Kalsner
- Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, CT 06106, USA
| | - Jessica Ewald
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut, 06032, USA
| | | | - Cameron King
- Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, CT 06106, USA
| | - Purva Vats
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut, 06032, USA
| | - Peter A Audano
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut, 06032, USA
| | - Peter N Robinson
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut, 06032, USA
| | - Mark D Adams
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut, 06032, USA
| | - Melissa A Kelly
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut, 06032, USA
| | - Adam P Matson
- Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, CT 06106, USA
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2
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Scorrano G, D'Onofrio G, Accogli A, Severino M, Buchert R, Kotzaeridou U, Iapadre G, Farello G, Iacomino M, Dono F, Di Francesco L, Fiorile MF, La Bella S, Corsello A, Calì E, Di Rosa G, Gitto E, Verrotti A, Fortuna S, Soler MA, Chiarelli F, Oehl-Jaschkowitz B, Haack TB, Zara F, Striano P, Salpietro V. A PAK1 Mutational Hotspot Within the Regulatory CRIPaK Domain is Associated With Severe Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Children. Pediatr Neurol 2023; 149:84-92. [PMID: 37820543 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2023.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND P-21-activated kinases (PAKs) are protein serine/threonine kinases, part of the RAS/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. PAK1 is highly expressed in the central nervous system and crucially involved in neuronal migration and brain developmental processes. Recently, de novo heterozygous missense variants in PAK1 have been identified as an ultrarare cause of pediatric neurodevelopmental disorders. METHODS We report a series of children affected with postnatal macrocephaly, neurodevelopmental impairment, and drug-resistant epilepsy. Repeated electroencephalographic (EEG) and video-EEG evaluations were performed over a two- to 10-year period during follow-up to delineate electroclinical histories. Genetic sequencing studies and computational evaluation of the identified variants were performed in our patient cohort. RESULTS We identified by whole-exome sequencing three novel de novo variants in PAK1 (NM_001128620: c.427A>G, p.Met143Val; c.428T>C, p.Met143Thr; c.428T>A, p.Met143Lys) as the underlying cause of the disease in our families. The three variants affected the same highly conserved Met143 residue within the cysteine-rich inhibitor of PAK1 (CRIPaK) domain, which was identified before as a PAK1 inhibitor target. Computational studies suggested a defective autoinhibition presumably due to impaired PAK1 autoregulation as a result of the recurrent substitution. CONCLUSIONS We delineated the electroclinical phenotypes of PAK1-related neurological disorders and highlight a novel mutational hotspot that may involve defective autoinhibition of the PAK1 protein. The three novel variants affecting the same hotspot residue within the CRIPaK domain highlight potentially impaired PAK1-CRIPaK interaction as a novel disease mechanism. These findings shed light on possible future treatments targeted at the CRIPaK domain, to modulate PAK1 activity and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Scorrano
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy; Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Gianluca D'Onofrio
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy; Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy; Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Andrea Accogli
- Department of Medical Genetics, Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Rebecca Buchert
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Urania Kotzaeridou
- Division of Child Neurology and Inherited Metabolic Diseases, Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Giulia Iapadre
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Giovanni Farello
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Michele Iacomino
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Genova, Italy
| | - Fedele Dono
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Ludovica Di Francesco
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | | | - Saverio La Bella
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Antonio Corsello
- Department of Clinical Science and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Calì
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Gabriella Di Rosa
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age "Gaetano Barresi", University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Eloisa Gitto
- Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age "Gaetano Barresi", University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Sara Fortuna
- Computational Modelling of Nanoscale and Biophysical Systems Laboratory (CONCEPT), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genova, Italy
| | - Miguel A Soler
- Department of Mathematics, Computer Science and Physics, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | | | | | - Tobias B Haack
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Federico Zara
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy; Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy; Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto "Giannina Gaslini", Genova, Italy
| | - Pasquale Striano
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy; Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy; Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Salpietro
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy; Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.
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3
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Kichina JV, Maslov A, Kandel ES. PAK1 and Therapy Resistance in Melanoma. Cells 2023; 12:2373. [PMID: 37830586 PMCID: PMC10572217 DOI: 10.3390/cells12192373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma claims more lives than any other skin malignancy. While primary melanomas are usually cured via surgical excision, the metastatic form of the disease portents a poor prognosis. Decades of intense research has yielded an extensive armamentarium of anti-melanoma therapies, ranging from genotoxic chemo- and radiotherapies to targeted interventions in specific signaling pathways and immune functions. Unfortunately, even the most up-to-date embodiments of these therapies are not curative for the majority of metastatic melanoma patients, and the need to improve their efficacy is widely recognized. Here, we review the reports that implicate p21-regulated kinase 1 (PAK1) and PAK1-related pathways in the response of melanoma to various therapeutic modalities. Ample data suggest that PAK1 may decrease cell sensitivity to programmed cell death, provide additional stimulation to growth-promoting molecular pathways, and contribute to the creation of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Accordingly, there is mounting evidence that the concomitant inhibition of PAK1 enhances the potency of various anti-melanoma regimens. Overall, the available information suggests that a safe and effective inhibition of PAK1-dependent molecular processes would enhance the potency of the currently available anti-melanoma treatments, although considerable challenges in implementing such strategies still exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia V. Kichina
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm & Carlton St., Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Alexei Maslov
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm & Carlton St., Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Eugene S. Kandel
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elm & Carlton St., Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
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Wang H, Yamahashi Y, Riedl M, Amano M, Kaibuchi K. The Evaluation of Rac1 Signaling as a Potential Therapeutic Target of Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11880. [PMID: 37569255 PMCID: PMC10418761 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241511880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The Small GTPase Rac1 is critical for various fundamental cellular processes, including cognitive functions. The cyclical activation and inactivation of Rac1, mediated by Rac guanine nucleotide exchange factors (RacGEFs) and Rac GTPase-activating proteins (RacGAPs), respectively, are essential for activating intracellular signaling pathways and controlling cellular processes. We have recently shown that the Alzheimer's disease (AD) therapeutic drug donepezil activates the Rac1-PAK pathway in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) for enhanced aversive learning. Also, PAK activation itself in the NAc enhances aversive learning. As aversive learning allows short-term preliminary AD drug screening, here we tested whether sustained Rac1 activation by RacGAP inhibition can be used as an AD therapeutic strategy for improving AD-learning deficits based on aversive learning. We found that the RacGAP domain of breakpoint cluster region protein (Bcr) (Bcr-GAP) efficiently inhibited Rac1 activity in a membrane ruffling assay. We also found that, in striatal/accumbal primary neurons, Bcr knockdown by microRNA mimic-expressing adeno-associated virus (AAV-miRNA mimic) activated Rac1-PAK signaling, while Bcr-GAP-expressing AAV inactivated it. Furthermore, conditional knockdown of Bcr in the NAc of wild-type adult mice enhanced aversive learning, while Bcr-GAP expression in the NAc inhibited it. The findings indicate that Rac1 activation by RacGAP inhibition enhances aversive learning, implying the AD therapeutic potential of Rac1 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanhuan Wang
- Department of Cell Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, 65 Tsurumai, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan; (H.W.); (M.A.)
| | - Yukie Yamahashi
- Division of Cell Biology, International Center for Brain Science, Fujita Health University, Toyoake 470-1192, Japan; (Y.Y.); (M.R.)
| | - Marcel Riedl
- Division of Cell Biology, International Center for Brain Science, Fujita Health University, Toyoake 470-1192, Japan; (Y.Y.); (M.R.)
| | - Mutsuki Amano
- Department of Cell Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, 65 Tsurumai, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan; (H.W.); (M.A.)
| | - Kozo Kaibuchi
- Division of Cell Biology, International Center for Brain Science, Fujita Health University, Toyoake 470-1192, Japan; (Y.Y.); (M.R.)
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5
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Reinhardt R, Leonard TA. A critical evaluation of protein kinase regulation by activation loop autophosphorylation. eLife 2023; 12:e88210. [PMID: 37470698 PMCID: PMC10359097 DOI: 10.7554/elife.88210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphorylation of proteins is a ubiquitous mechanism of regulating their function, localization, or activity. Protein kinases, enzymes that use ATP to phosphorylate protein substrates are, therefore, powerful signal transducers in eukaryotic cells. The mechanism of phosphoryl-transfer is universally conserved among protein kinases, which necessitates the tight regulation of kinase activity for the orchestration of cellular processes with high spatial and temporal fidelity. In response to a stimulus, many kinases enhance their own activity by autophosphorylating a conserved amino acid in their activation loop, but precisely how this reaction is performed is controversial. Classically, kinases that autophosphorylate their activation loop are thought to perform the reaction in trans, mediated by transient dimerization of their kinase domains. However, motivated by the recently discovered regulation mechanism of activation loop cis-autophosphorylation by a kinase that is autoinhibited in trans, we here review the various mechanisms of autoregulation that have been proposed. We provide a framework for critically evaluating biochemical, kinetic, and structural evidence for protein kinase dimerization and autophosphorylation, and share some thoughts on the implications of these mechanisms within physiological signaling networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronja Reinhardt
- Max Perutz Labs, Vienna Biocenter Campus (VBC)ViennaAustria
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Medical BiochemistryViennaAustria
| | - Thomas A Leonard
- Max Perutz Labs, Vienna Biocenter Campus (VBC)ViennaAustria
- Medical University of Vienna, Center for Medical BiochemistryViennaAustria
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6
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Somanath PR, Chernoff J, Cummings BS, Prasad SM, Homan HD. Targeting P21-Activated Kinase-1 for Metastatic Prostate Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2236. [PMID: 37190165 PMCID: PMC10137274 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15082236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa) has limited therapeutic options and a high mortality rate. The p21-activated kinase (PAK) family of proteins is important in cell survival, proliferation, and motility in physiology, and pathologies such as infectious, inflammatory, vascular, and neurological diseases as well as cancers. Group-I PAKs (PAK1, PAK2, and PAK3) are involved in the regulation of actin dynamics and thus are integral for cell morphology, adhesion to the extracellular matrix, and cell motility. They also play prominent roles in cell survival and proliferation. These properties make group-I PAKs a potentially important target for cancer therapy. In contrast to normal prostate and prostatic epithelial cells, group-I PAKs are highly expressed in mPCA and PCa tissue. Importantly, the expression of group-I PAKs is proportional to the Gleason score of the patients. While several compounds have been identified that target group-I PAKs and these are active in cells and mice, and while some inhibitors have entered human trials, as of yet, none have been FDA-approved. Probable reasons for this lack of translation include issues related to selectivity, specificity, stability, and efficacy resulting in side effects and/or lack of efficacy. In the current review, we describe the pathophysiology and current treatment guidelines of PCa, present group-I PAKs as a potential druggable target to treat mPCa patients, and discuss the various ATP-competitive and allosteric inhibitors of PAKs. We also discuss the development and testing of a nanotechnology-based therapeutic formulation of group-I PAK inhibitors and its significant potential advantages as a novel, selective, stable, and efficacious mPCa therapeutic over other PCa therapeutics in the pipeline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Payaningal R. Somanath
- Department of Clinical & Administrative Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
- MetasTx LLC, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920, USA
| | - Jonathan Chernoff
- MetasTx LLC, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920, USA
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Brian S. Cummings
- MetasTx LLC, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Sandip M. Prasad
- Morristown Medical Center, Atlantic Health System, Morristown, NJ 07960, USA
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7
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Kan Y, Paung Y, Seeliger MA, Miller WT. Domain Architecture of the Nonreceptor Tyrosine Kinase Ack1. Cells 2023; 12:900. [PMID: 36980241 PMCID: PMC10047419 DOI: 10.3390/cells12060900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The nonreceptor tyrosine kinase (NRTK) Ack1 comprises a distinct arrangement of non-catalytic modules. Its SH3 domain has a C-terminal to the kinase domain (SH1), in contrast to the typical SH3-SH2-SH1 layout in NRTKs. The Ack1 is the only protein that shares a region of high homology to the tumor suppressor protein Mig6, a modulator of EGFR. The vertebrate Acks make up the only tyrosine kinase (TK) family known to carry a UBA domain. The GTPase binding and SAM domains are also uncommon in the NRTKs. In addition to being a downstream effector of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and integrins, Ack1 can act as an epigenetic regulator, modulate the degradation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), confer drug resistance, and mediate the progression of hormone-sensitive tumors. In this review, we discuss the domain architecture of Ack1 in relation to other protein kinases that possess such defined regulatory domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yagmur Kan
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8661, USA
| | - YiTing Paung
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8661, USA
| | - Markus A. Seeliger
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8661, USA
| | - W. Todd Miller
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8661, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Northport, NY 11768-2200, USA
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8
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Kunimura K, Akiyoshi S, Uruno T, Matsubara K, Sakata D, Morino K, Hirotani K, Fukui Y. DOCK2 regulates MRGPRX2/B2-mediated mast cell degranulation and drug-induced anaphylaxis. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2023:S0091-6749(23)00209-9. [PMID: 36804596 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2023.01.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drug-induced anaphylaxis is triggered by the direct stimulation of mast cells (MCs) via Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 (MRGPRX2; mouse ortholog MRGPRB2). However, the precise mechanism that links MRGPRX2/B2 to MC degranulation is poorly understood. Dedicator of cytokinesis 2 (DOCK2) is a Rac activator predominantly expressed in hematopoietic cells. Although DOCK2 regulates migration and activation of leukocytes, its role in MCs remains unknown. OBJECTIVE We aimed to elucidate whether-and if so, how-DOCK2 is involved in MRGPRX2/B2-mediated MC degranulation and anaphylaxis. METHODS Induction of drug-induced systemic and cutaneous anaphylaxis was compared between wild-type and DOCK2-deficient mice. In addition, genetic or pharmacologic inactivation of DOCK2 in human and murine MCs was used to reveal its role in MRGPRX2/B2-mediated signal transduction and degranulation. RESULTS Induction of MC degranulation and anaphylaxis by compound 48/80 and ciprofloxacin was severely attenuated in the absence of DOCK2. Although calcium influx and phosphorylation of several signaling molecules were unaffected, MRGPRB2-mediated Rac activation and phosphorylation of p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) were impaired in DOCK2-deficient MCs. Similar results were obtained when mice or MCs were treated with small-molecule inhibitors that bind to the catalytic domain of DOCK2 and inhibit Rac activation. CONCLUSION DOCK2 regulates MRGPRX2/B2-mediated MC degranulation through Rac activation and PAK1 phosphorylation, thereby indicating that the DOCK2-Rac-PAK1 axis could be a target for preventing drug-induced anaphylaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazufumi Kunimura
- Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Division of Immunogenetics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
| | - Sayaka Akiyoshi
- Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Division of Immunogenetics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Takehito Uruno
- Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Division of Immunogenetics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Keisuke Matsubara
- Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Division of Immunogenetics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Daiji Sakata
- Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Division of Immunogenetics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kenji Morino
- Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Division of Immunogenetics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kenichiro Hirotani
- Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Division of Immunogenetics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Fukui
- Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience, Division of Immunogenetics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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9
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Dobrigna M, Poëa-Guyon S, Rousseau V, Vincent A, Toutain A, Barnier JV. The molecular basis of p21-activated kinase-associated neurodevelopmental disorders: From genotype to phenotype. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1123784. [PMID: 36937657 PMCID: PMC10017488 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1123784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the identification of numerous genes involved in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) has reshaped our understanding of their etiology, there are still major obstacles in the way of developing therapeutic solutions for intellectual disability (ID) and other NDDs. These include extensive clinical and genetic heterogeneity, rarity of recurrent pathogenic variants, and comorbidity with other psychiatric traits. Moreover, a large intragenic mutational landscape is at play in some NDDs, leading to a broad range of clinical symptoms. Such diversity of symptoms is due to the different effects DNA variations have on protein functions and their impacts on downstream biological processes. The type of functional alterations, such as loss or gain of function, and interference with signaling pathways, has yet to be correlated with clinical symptoms for most genes. This review aims at discussing our current understanding of how the molecular changes of group I p21-activated kinases (PAK1, 2 and 3), which are essential actors of brain development and function; contribute to a broad clinical spectrum of NDDs. Identifying differences in PAK structure, regulation and spatio-temporal expression may help understanding the specific functions of each group I PAK. Deciphering how each variation type affects these parameters will help uncover the mechanisms underlying mutation pathogenicity. This is a prerequisite for the development of personalized therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon Dobrigna
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Saclay, France
| | - Sandrine Poëa-Guyon
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Saclay, France
| | - Véronique Rousseau
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Saclay, France
| | - Aline Vincent
- Department of Genetics, EA7450 BioTARGen, University Hospital of Caen, Caen, France
| | - Annick Toutain
- Department of Genetics, University Hospital of Tours, UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, INSERM, Tours, France
| | - Jean-Vianney Barnier
- Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, UMR 9197, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Saclay, France
- *Correspondence: Jean-Vianney Barnier,
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10
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Chetty AK, Ha BH, Boggon TJ. Rho family GTPase signaling through type II p21-activated kinases. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:598. [PMID: 36401658 PMCID: PMC10105373 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04618-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Signaling from the Rho family small GTPases controls a wide range of signaling outcomes. Key among the downstream effectors for many of the Rho GTPases are the p21-activated kinases, or PAK group. The PAK family comprises two types, the type I PAKs (PAK1, 2 and 3) and the type II PAKs (PAK4, 5 and 6), which have distinct structures and mechanisms of regulation. In this review, we discuss signal transduction from Rho GTPases with a focus on the type II PAKs. We discuss the role of PAKs in signal transduction pathways and selectivity of Rho GTPases for PAK family members. We consider the less well studied of the Rho GTPases and their PAK-related signaling. We then discuss the molecular basis for kinase domain recognition of substrates and for regulation of signaling. We conclude with a discussion of the role of PAKs in cross talk between Rho family small GTPases and the roles of PAKs in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwin K Chetty
- Yale College, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Byung Hak Ha
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Titus J Boggon
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
- Yale Cancer Center, Yale University, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
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11
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Ha BH, Yigit S, Natarajan N, Morse EM, Calderwood DA, Boggon TJ. Molecular basis for integrin adhesion receptor binding to p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4). Commun Biol 2022; 5:1257. [PMID: 36385162 PMCID: PMC9669019 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04157-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Integrin adhesion receptors provide links between extracellular ligands and cytoplasmic signaling. Multiple kinases have been found to directly engage with integrin β tails, but the molecular basis for these interactions remain unknown. Here, we assess the interaction between the kinase domain of p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) and the cytoplasmic tail of integrin β5. We determine three crystal structures of PAK4-β5 integrin complexes and identify the PAK-binding site. This is a region in the membrane-proximal half of the β5 tail and confirmed by site-directed mutagenesis. The β5 tail engages the kinase substrate-binding groove and positions the non-phosphorylatable integrin residue Glu767 at the phosphoacceptor site. Consistent with this, integrin β5 is poorly phosphorylated by PAK4, and in keeping with its ability to occlude the substrate-binding site, weakly inhibits kinase activity. These findings demonstrate the molecular basis for β5 integrin-PAK4 interactions but suggest modifications in understanding the potential cellular role of this interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byung Hak Ha
- The Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, 333 Cedar St., New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Sezin Yigit
- The Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, 333 Cedar St., New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Nalini Natarajan
- The Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, 333 Cedar St., New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Morse
- The Department of Cell Biology, Yale University, 333 Cedar St., New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - David A Calderwood
- The Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, 333 Cedar St., New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
- The Department of Cell Biology, Yale University, 333 Cedar St., New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
| | - Titus J Boggon
- The Department of Pharmacology, Yale University, 333 Cedar St., New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
- The Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, 333 Cedar St., New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
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12
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DiRusso CJ, Dashtiahangar M, Gilmore TD. Scaffold proteins as dynamic integrators of biological processes. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102628. [PMID: 36273588 PMCID: PMC9672449 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Scaffold proteins act as molecular hubs for the docking of multiple proteins to organize efficient functional units for signaling cascades. Over 300 human proteins have been characterized as scaffolds, acting in a variety of signaling pathways. While the term scaffold implies a static, supportive platform, it is now clear that scaffolds are not simply inert docking stations but can undergo conformational changes that affect their dependent signaling pathways. In this review, we catalog scaffold proteins that have been shown to undergo actionable conformational changes, with a focus on the role that conformational change plays in the activity of the classic yeast scaffold STE5, as well as three human scaffold proteins (KSR, NEMO, SHANK3) that are integral to well-known signaling pathways (RAS, NF-κB, postsynaptic density). We also discuss scaffold protein conformational changes vis-à-vis liquid-liquid phase separation. Changes in scaffold structure have also been implicated in human disease, and we discuss how aberrant conformational changes may be involved in disease-related dysregulation of scaffold and signaling functions. Finally, we discuss how understanding these conformational dynamics will provide insight into the flexibility of signaling cascades and may enhance our ability to treat scaffold-associated diseases.
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13
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McGarry DJ, Castino G, Lilla S, Carnet A, Kelly L, Micovic K, Zanivan S, Olson MF. MICAL1 activation by PAK1 mediates actin filament disassembly. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111442. [PMID: 36198272 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The MICAL1 monooxygenase is an important regulator of filamentous actin (F-actin) structures. Although MICAL1 has been shown to be regulated via protein-protein interactions at the autoinhibitory carboxyl terminus, a link between actin-regulatory RHO GTPase signaling pathways and MICAL1 has not been established. We show that the CDC42 GTPase effector PAK1 associates with and phosphorylates MICAL1 on two serine residues, leading to accelerated F-actin disassembly. PAK1 binds to the amino-terminal catalytic monooxygenase and calponin homology domains, distinct from the autoinhibitory carboxyl terminus. Extracellular ligand stimulation leads to PAK-dependent phosphorylation, linking external signals to MICAL1 phosphorylation. Mass spectrometry indicates that MICAL1 co-expression with CDC42 and PAK1 increases MICAL1 association with hundreds of proteins, including the previously described MICAL1-interacting proteins RAB10 and RAB7A. These results provide insights into a redox-mediated pathway linking extracellular signals to cytoskeleton regulation via a RHO GTPase and indicate a means of communication between RHO and RAB GTPases.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J McGarry
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
| | - Giovanni Castino
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
| | - Sergio Lilla
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
| | - Alexandre Carnet
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
| | - Loughlin Kelly
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
| | - Katarina Micovic
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
| | - Sara Zanivan
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK; Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Michael F Olson
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada.
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14
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Li X, Li F. p21-Activated Kinase: Role in Gastrointestinal Cancer and Beyond. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14194736. [PMID: 36230657 PMCID: PMC9563254 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14194736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Gastrointestinal tumors are the most common tumors with a high mortality rate worldwide. Numerous protein kinases have been studied in anticipation of finding viable tumor therapeutic targets, including PAK. PAK is a serine/threonine kinase that plays an important role in the malignant phenotype of tumors. The function of PAK in tumors is highlighted in cell proliferation, survival, motility, tumor cell plasticity and the tumor microenvironment, therefore providing a new possible target for clinical tumor therapy. Based on the current research works of PAK, we summarize and analyze the PAK features and signaling pathways in cells, especially the role of PAK in gastrointestinal tumors, thereby hoping to provide a theoretical basis for both the future studies of PAK and potential tumor therapeutic targets. Abstract Gastrointestinal tumors are the most common tumors, and they are leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, but their mechanisms are still unclear, which need to be clarified to discover therapeutic targets. p21-activating kinase (PAK), a serine/threonine kinase that is downstream of Rho GTPase, plays an important role in cellular signaling networks. According to the structural characteristics and activation mechanisms of them, PAKs are divided into two groups, both of which are involved in the biological processes that are critical to cells, including proliferation, migration, survival, transformation and metabolism. The biological functions of PAKs depend on a large number of interacting proteins and the signaling pathways they participate in. The role of PAKs in tumors is manifested in their abnormality and the consequential changes in the signaling pathways. Once they are overexpressed or overactivated, PAKs lead to tumorigenesis or a malignant phenotype, especially in tumor invasion and metastasis. Recently, the involvement of PAKs in cellular plasticity, stemness and the tumor microenvironment have attracted attention. Here, we summarize the biological characteristics and key signaling pathways of PAKs, and further analyze their mechanisms in gastrointestinal tumors and others, which will reveal new therapeutic targets and a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of gastrointestinal cancer.
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15
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La Serra MA, Vidossich P, Acquistapace I, Ganesan AK, De Vivo M. Alchemical Free Energy Calculations to Investigate Protein-Protein Interactions: the Case of the CDC42/PAK1 Complex. J Chem Inf Model 2022; 62:3023-3033. [PMID: 35679463 PMCID: PMC9241073 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c00348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
![]()
Here, we show that
alchemical free energy calculations can quantitatively
compute the effect of mutations at the protein–protein interface.
As a test case, we have used the protein complex formed by the small
Rho-GTPase CDC42 and its downstream effector PAK1, a serine/threonine
kinase. Notably, the CDC42/PAK1 complex offers a wealth of structural,
mutagenesis, and binding affinity data because of its central role
in cellular signaling and cancer progression. In this context, we
have considered 16 mutations in the CDC42/PAK1 complex and obtained
excellent agreement between computed and experimental data on binding
affinity. Importantly, we also show that a careful analysis of the
side-chain conformations in the mutated amino acids can considerably
improve the computed estimates, solving issues related to sampling
limitations. Overall, this study demonstrates that alchemical free
energy calculations can conveniently be integrated into the design
of experimental mutagenesis studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Antonietta La Serra
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego 30, Genoa 16163, Italy
| | - Pietro Vidossich
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego 30, Genoa 16163, Italy
| | - Isabella Acquistapace
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego 30, Genoa 16163, Italy
| | - Anand K Ganesan
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States.,Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Marco De Vivo
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego 30, Genoa 16163, Italy
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16
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Yu X, Huang C, Liu J, Shi X, Li X. The significance of PAK4 in signaling and clinicopathology: A review. Open Life Sci 2022; 17:586-598. [PMID: 35800076 PMCID: PMC9210989 DOI: 10.1515/biol-2022-0064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
P21-activated protein kinases (PAKs) are thought to be at the center of tumor signaling pathways. As a representative member of the group II PAK family, P21-activated protein kinase 4 (PAK4) plays an important role in the development of tumors, with several biological functions such as participating in oncogenic transformation, promoting cell division, resisting aging and apoptosis, regulating cytoskeleton and adhesion, as well as suppressing antitumor immune responses. PAK4 is also crucial in biological processes, including the occurrence, proliferation, survival, migration, invasion, drug resistance, and immune escape of tumor cells. It is closely related to poor prognosis and tumor-related pathological indicators, which have significant clinical and pathological significance. Therefore, this article offers a review of the structure, activation, and biological functions of PAK4 and its clinical and pathological importance. This overview should be of assistance for future research on PAK4 and tumors and provide new ideas for tumor treatment and prognostic evaluation of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinbo Yu
- The First Clinical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110122, China
| | - Changwei Huang
- The First Clinical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110122, China
| | - Jiyuan Liu
- The First Clinical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110122, China
| | - Xinyu Shi
- The Second Clinical College, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110122, China
| | - Xiaodong Li
- Department of Cell Biology, Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, National Health Commission of the PRC and Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education of the PRC, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110122, China
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17
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D’Incal C, Broos J, Torfs T, Kooy RF, Vanden Berghe W. Towards Kinase Inhibitor Therapies for Fragile X Syndrome: Tweaking Twists in the Autism Spectrum Kinase Signaling Network. Cells 2022; 11:cells11081325. [PMID: 35456004 PMCID: PMC9029738 DOI: 10.3390/cells11081325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Absence of the Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP) causes autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disability, commonly referred to as the Fragile X syndrome. FMRP is a negative regulator of protein translation and is essential for neuronal development and synapse formation. FMRP is a target for several post-translational modifications (PTMs) such as phosphorylation and methylation, which tightly regulate its cellular functions. Studies have indicated the involvement of FMRP in a multitude of cellular pathways, and an absence of FMRP was shown to affect several neurotransmitter receptors, for example, the GABA receptor and intracellular signaling molecules such as Akt, ERK, mTOR, and GSK3. Interestingly, many of these molecules function as protein kinases or phosphatases and thus are potentially amendable by pharmacological treatment. Several treatments acting on these kinase-phosphatase systems have been shown to be successful in preclinical models; however, they have failed to convincingly show any improvements in clinical trials. In this review, we highlight the different protein kinase and phosphatase studies that have been performed in the Fragile X syndrome. In our opinion, some of the paradoxical study conclusions are potentially due to the lack of insight into integrative kinase signaling networks in the disease. Quantitative proteome analyses have been performed in several models for the FXS to determine global molecular processes in FXS. However, only one phosphoproteomics study has been carried out in Fmr1 knock-out mouse embryonic fibroblasts, and it showed dysfunctional protein kinase and phosphatase signaling hubs in the brain. This suggests that the further use of phosphoproteomics approaches in Fragile X syndrome holds promise for identifying novel targets for kinase inhibitor therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio D’Incal
- Protein Chemistry, Proteomics and Epigenetic Signaling (PPES), Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium; (C.D.); (J.B.); (T.T.)
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium;
| | - Jitse Broos
- Protein Chemistry, Proteomics and Epigenetic Signaling (PPES), Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium; (C.D.); (J.B.); (T.T.)
| | - Thierry Torfs
- Protein Chemistry, Proteomics and Epigenetic Signaling (PPES), Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium; (C.D.); (J.B.); (T.T.)
| | - R. Frank Kooy
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium;
| | - Wim Vanden Berghe
- Protein Chemistry, Proteomics and Epigenetic Signaling (PPES), Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium; (C.D.); (J.B.); (T.T.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +0032-(0)-32-652-657
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18
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Vasileva NS, Ageenko AB, Richter VA, Kuligina EV. The Signaling Pathways Controlling the Efficacy of Glioblastoma Therapy. Acta Naturae 2022; 14:62-70. [PMID: 35923561 PMCID: PMC9307987 DOI: 10.32607/actanaturae.11623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The resistance of glioblastoma to existing therapies puts limits on quality-of-life improvements and patient survival with a glioblastoma diagnosis. The development of new effective glioblastoma therapies is based on knowledge about the mechanisms governing tumor resistance to therapeutic agents. Virotherapy is one of the most actively developing approaches to the treatment of malignant neoplasms: glioblastoma in particular. Previously, we demonstrated that the recombinant vaccinia virus VV-GMCSF-Lact exhibits in vitro cytotoxic activity and in vivo antitumor efficacy against human glioblastoma. However, the studied glioblastoma cell cultures had different sensitivities to the oncotoxic effect of the virus. In this study, we investigated cancer stem cell (CSC) surface markers in glioblastoma cells with different sensitivities to VV-GMCSFLact using flow cytometry and we assessed the levels of proteins affecting viral entry into cells and virus infection efficiency by western blotting. We showed that cell cultures more sensitive to VV-GMCSF-Lact are characterized by a greater number of cells with CSC markers and a lower level of activated Akt kinase. Akt probably inhibits lactaptin-induced apoptosis in virus-resistant cells. Hence, we suggest that the sensitivity of glioblastoma cells to the oncotoxic effect of VV-GMCSF-Lact is determined by the nature and extent of the disturbances in cell death regulation in various cultures. Further investigation of the factors affecting glioblastoma resistance to virotherapy will test this hypothesis and identify targets for antitumor therapy, combined with VV-GMCSF-Lact.
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Affiliation(s)
- N. S. Vasileva
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, Novosibirsk, 630090 Russia
| | - A. B. Ageenko
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, Novosibirsk, 630090 Russia
| | - V. A. Richter
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, Novosibirsk, 630090 Russia
| | - E. V. Kuligina
- Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, Novosibirsk, 630090 Russia
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19
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Luo M, Wang Z, Wu J, Xie X, You W, Yu Z, Shen H, Li X, Li H, Liu Y, Wang Z, Chen G. Effects of PAK1/LIMK1/Cofilin-mediated Actin Homeostasis on Axonal Injury after Experimental Intracerebral Hemorrhage. Neuroscience 2022; 490:155-170. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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20
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Umarao P, Rath PP, Gourinath S. Cdc42/Rac Interactive Binding Containing Effector Proteins in Unicellular Protozoans With Reference to Human Host: Locks of the Rho Signaling. Front Genet 2022; 13:781885. [PMID: 35186026 PMCID: PMC8847673 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.781885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Small GTPases are the key to actin cytoskeleton signaling, which opens the lock of effector proteins to forward the signal downstream in several cellular pathways. Actin cytoskeleton assembly is associated with cell polarity, adhesion, movement and other functions in eukaryotic cells. Rho proteins, specifically Cdc42 and Rac, are the primary regulators of actin cytoskeleton dynamics in higher and lower eukaryotes. Effector proteins, present in an inactive state gets activated after binding to the GTP bound Cdc42/Rac to relay a signal downstream. Cdc42/Rac interactive binding (CRIB) motif is an essential conserved sequence found in effector proteins to interact with Cdc42 or Rac. A diverse range of Cdc42/Rac and their effector proteins have evolved from lower to higher eukaryotes. The present study has identified and further classified CRIB containing effector proteins in lower eukaryotes, focusing on parasitic protozoans causing neglected tropical diseases and taking human proteins as a reference point to the highest evolved organism in the evolutionary trait. Lower eukaryotes’ CRIB containing proteins fall into conventional effector molecules, PAKs (p21 activated kinase), Wiskoit-Aldrich Syndrome proteins family, and some have unique domain combinations unlike any known proteins. We also highlight the correlation between the effector protein isoforms and their selective specificity for Cdc42 or Rac proteins during evolution. Here, we report CRIB containing effector proteins; ten in Dictyostelium and Entamoeba, fourteen in Acanthamoeba, one in Trypanosoma and Giardia. CRIB containing effector proteins that have been studied so far in humans are potential candidates for drug targets in cancer, neurological disorders, and others. Conventional CRIB containing proteins from protozoan parasites remain largely elusive and our data provides their identification and classification for further in-depth functional validations. The tropical diseases caused by protozoan parasites lack combinatorial drug targets as effective paradigms. Targeting signaling mechanisms operative in these pathogens can provide greater molecules in combatting their infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Preeti Umarao
- Structural Biology Lab, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Pragyan Parimita Rath
- Structural Biology Lab, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Samudrala Gourinath
- Structural Biology Lab, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
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21
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Merz KE, Tunduguru R, Ahn M, Salunkhe VA, Veluthakal R, Hwang J, Bhattacharya S, McCown EM, Garcia PA, Zhou C, Oh E, Yoder SM, Elmendorf JS, Thurmond DC. Changes in Skeletal Muscle PAK1 Levels Regulate Tissue Crosstalk to Impact Whole Body Glucose Homeostasis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:821849. [PMID: 35222279 PMCID: PMC8881144 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.821849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle accounts for ~80% of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. The Group I p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) is required for the non-canonical insulin-stimulated GLUT4 vesicle translocation in skeletal muscle cells. We found that the abundances of PAK1 protein and its downstream effector in muscle, ARPC1B, are significantly reduced in the skeletal muscle of humans with type 2 diabetes, compared to the non-diabetic controls, making skeletal muscle PAK1 a candidate regulator of glucose homeostasis. Although whole-body PAK1 knockout mice exhibit glucose intolerance and are insulin resistant, the contribution of skeletal muscle PAK1 in particular was unknown. As such, we developed inducible skeletal muscle-specific PAK1 knockout (skmPAK1-iKO) and overexpression (skmPAK1-iOE) mouse models to evaluate the role of PAK1 in skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis. Using intraperitoneal glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance testing, we found that skeletal muscle PAK1 is required for maintaining whole body glucose homeostasis. Moreover, PAK1 enrichment in GLUT4-myc-L6 myoblasts preserves normal insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation under insulin resistance conditions. Unexpectedly, skmPAK1-iKO also showed aberrant plasma insulin levels following a glucose challenge. By applying conditioned media from PAK1-enriched myotubes or myoblasts to β-cells in culture, we established that a muscle-derived circulating factor(s) could enhance β-cell function. Taken together, these data suggest that PAK1 levels in the skeletal muscle can regulate not only skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity, but can also engage in tissue crosstalk with pancreatic β-cells, unveiling a new molecular mechanism by which PAK1 regulates whole-body glucose homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla E. Merz
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Endocrinology, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Ragadeepthi Tunduguru
- Department of Diabetes Complications and Metabolism, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Miwon Ahn
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Endocrinology, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Vishal A. Salunkhe
- Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Metabolism Research Unit, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Rajakrishnan Veluthakal
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Endocrinology, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Jinhee Hwang
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Endocrinology, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Supriyo Bhattacharya
- Division of Translational Bioinformatics, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Erika M. McCown
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Endocrinology, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Pablo A. Garcia
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Endocrinology, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Chunxue Zhou
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Endocrinology, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Eunjin Oh
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Endocrinology, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Stephanie M. Yoder
- Global Scientific Communications, Eli Lilly & Company, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Jeffrey S. Elmendorf
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Disease, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Debbie C. Thurmond
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Endocrinology, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
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22
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Rajendran S, Swaroop SS, Roy J, Inemai E, Murugan S, Rayala SK, Venkatraman G. p21 activated kinase-1 and tamoxifen - A deadly nexus impacting breast cancer outcomes. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2021; 1877:188668. [PMID: 34896436 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Tamoxifen is a commonly used drug in the treatment of ER + ve breast cancers since 1970. However, development of resistance towards tamoxifen limits its remarkable clinical success. In this review, we have attempted to provide a brief overview of multiple mechanism that may lead to tamoxifen resistance, with a special emphasis on the roles played by the oncogenic kinase- PAK1. Analysing the genomic data sets available in the cBioPortal, we found that PAK1 gene amplification significantly affects the Relapse Free Survival of the ER + ve breast cancer patients. While PAK1 is known to promote tamoxifen resistance by phosphorylating ERα at Ser305, existing literature suggests that PAK1 can fuel up tamoxifen resistance obliquely by phosphorylating other substrates. We have summarised some of the approaches in the mass spectrometry based proteomics, which would enable us to study the tamoxifen resistance specific phosphoproteomic landscape of PAK1. We also propose that elucidating the multiple mechanisms by which PAK1 promotes tamoxifen resistance might help us discover druggable targets and biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swetha Rajendran
- Department of Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
| | - Srikanth Swamy Swaroop
- Department of Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India
| | - Joydeep Roy
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, Chennai, India
| | - Ezhil Inemai
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, Chennai, India
| | - Sowmiya Murugan
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, Chennai, India
| | - Suresh K Rayala
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, Chennai, India.
| | - Ganesh Venkatraman
- Department of Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India.
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Scala M, Nishikawa M, Nagata KI, Striano P. Pathophysiological Mechanisms in Neurodevelopmental Disorders Caused by Rac GTPases Dysregulation: What's behind Neuro-RACopathies. Cells 2021; 10:3395. [PMID: 34943902 PMCID: PMC8699292 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Rho family guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases) regulate cellular signaling and cytoskeletal dynamics, playing a pivotal role in cell adhesion, migration, and cell cycle progression. The Rac subfamily of Rho GTPases consists of three highly homologous proteins, Rac 1-3. The proper function of Rac1 and Rac3, and their correct interaction with guanine nucleotide-exchange factors (GEFs) and GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) are crucial for neural development. Pathogenic variants affecting these delicate biological processes are implicated in different medical conditions in humans, primarily neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). In addition to a direct deleterious effect produced by genetic variants in the RAC genes, a dysregulated GTPase activity resulting from an abnormal function of GEFs and GAPs has been involved in the pathogenesis of distinctive emerging conditions. In this study, we reviewed the current pertinent literature on Rac-related disorders with a primary neurological involvement, providing an overview of the current knowledge on the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the neuro-RACopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Scala
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy
| | - Masashi Nishikawa
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute for Developmental Research, Aichi Developmental Disability Center, 713-8 Kamiya, Kasugai 480-0392, Japan; (M.N.); (K.-i.N.)
| | - Koh-ichi Nagata
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute for Developmental Research, Aichi Developmental Disability Center, 713-8 Kamiya, Kasugai 480-0392, Japan; (M.N.); (K.-i.N.)
- Department of Neurochemistry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Pasquale Striano
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy
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Magne N, Rousseau V, Duarte K, Poëa-Guyon S, Gleize V, Mutel A, Schmitt C, Castel H, Idbaih A, Huillard E, Sanson M, Barnier JV. PAK3 is a key signature gene of the glioma proneural subtype and affects its proliferation, differentiation and growth. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2021; 44:1257-1271. [PMID: 34550532 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-021-00635-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Gliomas are the most lethal adult primary brain cancers. Recent advances in their molecular characterization have contributed to a better understanding of their pathophysiology, but there is still a need to identify key genes controling glioma cell proliferation and differentiation. The p21-activated kinases PAK1 and PAK2 play essential roles in cell division and brain development and are well-known oncogenes. In contrast, the role of PAK3 in cancer is poorly understood. It is known, however, that this gene is involved in brain ontogenesis and has been identified as a gene of the proneural subtype signature in glioblastomas. METHODS To better understand the role of PAK kinases in the pathophysiology of gliomas, we conducted expression analyses by querying multiple gene expression databases and analyzing primary human glioma samples. We next studied PAK3 expression upon differentiation in patient-derived cell lines (PDCLs) and the effects of PAK3 inhibition by lentiviral-mediated shRNA on glioma cell proliferation, differentiation and tumor growth. RESULTS We show that contrary to PAK1 and PAK2, high PAK3 expression positively correlates with a longer survival of glioma patients. We also found that PAK3 displays differential expression patterns between glioma sub-groups with a higher expression in 1p/19q-codeleted oligodendrogliomas, and is highly expressed in tumors and PDCLs of the proneural subtype. In PDCLs, high PAK3 expression negatively correlated with proliferation and positively correlated with neuronal differentiation. Inhibition of PAK3 expression increased PDCL proliferation and glioma tumor growth in nude mice. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that PAK3 plays a unique role among PAKs in glioma development and may represent a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Magne
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, 91190, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Véronique Rousseau
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, 91190, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Kévin Duarte
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, 91190, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Sandrine Poëa-Guyon
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, 91190, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Vincent Gleize
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, UMR S 1127, Institut du Cerveau, ICM, AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires La Pitié Salpêtrière - Charles Foix, Service de Neurologie 2-Mazarin, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Alexandre Mutel
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, INSERM, U1239, Laboratoire Différenciation Et Communication Neuronale Et Neuroendocrine, Institut de Recherche Et D'Innovation Biomédicale de Normandie, 76000, Rouen, France
| | - Charlotte Schmitt
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, UMR S 1127, Institut du Cerveau, ICM, AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires La Pitié Salpêtrière - Charles Foix, Service de Neurologie 2-Mazarin, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Hélène Castel
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, INSERM, U1239, Laboratoire Différenciation Et Communication Neuronale Et Neuroendocrine, Institut de Recherche Et D'Innovation Biomédicale de Normandie, 76000, Rouen, France
| | - Ahmed Idbaih
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, UMR S 1127, Institut du Cerveau, ICM, AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires La Pitié Salpêtrière - Charles Foix, Service de Neurologie 2-Mazarin, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Emmanuelle Huillard
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, UMR S 1127, Institut du Cerveau, ICM, AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires La Pitié Salpêtrière - Charles Foix, Service de Neurologie 2-Mazarin, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Marc Sanson
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, UMR S 1127, Institut du Cerveau, ICM, AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires La Pitié Salpêtrière - Charles Foix, Service de Neurologie 2-Mazarin, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Vianney Barnier
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, 91190, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
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Wang Y, Guo F. Group I PAKs in myelin formation and repair of the central nervous system: what, when, and how. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2021; 97:615-639. [PMID: 34811887 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are a family of cell division control protein 42/ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Cdc42/Rac1)-activated serine/threonine kinases. Group I PAKs (PAK1-3) have distinct activation mechanisms from group II PAKs (PAK4-6) and are the focus of this review. In transformed cancer cells, PAKs regulate a variety of cellular processes and molecular pathways which are also important for myelin formation and repair in the central nervous system (CNS). De novo mutations in group I PAKs are frequently seen in children with neurodevelopmental defects and white matter anomalies. Group I PAKs regulate virtually every aspect of neuronal development and function. Yet their functions in CNS myelination and remyelination remain incompletely defined. Herein, we highlight the current understanding of PAKs in regulating cellular and molecular pathways and discuss the status of PAK-regulated pathways in oligodendrocyte development. We point out outstanding questions and future directions in the research field of group I PAKs and oligodendrocyte development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- Department of Neurology, Shriners Hospitals for Children/School of Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine (IPRM), University of California, Davis, 2425 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, U.S.A
| | - Fuzheng Guo
- Department of Neurology, Shriners Hospitals for Children/School of Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine (IPRM), University of California, Davis, 2425 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, U.S.A
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26
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p21-Activated kinase 1 (PAK1) in aging and longevity: An overview. Ageing Res Rev 2021; 71:101443. [PMID: 34390849 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The p21-activated kinases (PAKs) belong to serine/threonine kinases family, regulated by ∼21 kDa small signaling G proteins RAC1 and CDC42. The mammalian PAK family comprises six members (PAK1-6) that are classified into two groups (I and II) based on their domain architecture and regulatory mechanisms. PAKs are implicated in a wide range of cellular functions. PAK1 has recently attracted increasing attention owing to its involvement in oncogenesis, tumor progression, and metastasis as well as several life-limiting diseases and pathological conditions. In Caenorhabditis elegans, PAK1 functions limit the lifespan under basal conditions by inhibiting forkhead transcription factor DAF-16. Interestingly, PAK depletion extended longevity and attenuated the onset of age-related phenotypes in a premature-aging mouse model and delayed senescence in mammalian fibroblasts. These observations implicate PAKs as not only oncogenic but also aging kinases. Therefore, PAK-targeting genetic and/or pharmacological interventions, particularly PAK1-targeting, could be a viable strategy for developing cancer therapies with relatively no side effects and promoting healthy longevity. This review describes PAK family proteins, their biological functions, and their role in regulating aging and longevity using C. elegans. Moreover, we discuss the effect of small-molecule PAK1 inhibitors on the lifespan and healthspan of C. elegans.
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Regulation of Rac1 Activation in Choroidal Endothelial Cells: Insights into Mechanisms in Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Cells 2021; 10:cells10092414. [PMID: 34572063 PMCID: PMC8469925 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. Vision loss from the neovascular form is associated with the invasion of choroidal endothelial cells into the neural retina to form vision-threatening macular neovascularization (MNV). Anti-angiogenic agents are the current standard of care but are effective in only ~50% of AMD cases. The molecular mechanisms involved in invasive MNV point to the importance of regulating signaling pathways that lead to pathologic biologic outcomes. In studies testing the effects of AMD-related stresses, activation of the Rho GTPase, Rac1, was found to be important for the choroidal endothelial cell invasion into the neural retina. However, current approaches to prevent Rac1 activation are inefficient and less effective. We summarize active Rac1-mediated mechanisms that regulate choroidal endothelial cell migration. Specifically, we discuss our work regarding the role of a multidomain protein, IQ motif containing GTPase activating protein 1 (IQGAP1), in sustaining pathologic Rac1 activation and a mechanism by which active Rap1, a Ras-like GTPase, may prevent active Rac1-mediated choroidal endothelial cell migration.
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28
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Shahinozzaman M, Ahmed S, Emran R, Tawata S. Molecular modelling approaches predicted 1,2,3-triazolyl ester of ketorolac (15K) to be a novel allosteric modulator of the oncogenic kinase PAK1. Sci Rep 2021; 11:17471. [PMID: 34471161 PMCID: PMC8410820 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-96817-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
P21-activated kinases (PAKs) are serine/threonine protein kinase which have six different isoforms (PAK1-6). Of those, PAK1 is overexpressed in many cancers and considered to be a major chemotherapeutic target. Most of the developed PAK1 inhibitor drugs work as pan-PAK inhibitors and show undesirable toxicity due to having untargeted kinase inhibition activities. Selective PAK1 inhibitors are therefore highly desired and oncogenic drug hunters are trying to develop allosteric PAK1 inhibitors. We previously synthesized 1,2,3-triazolyl ester of ketorolac (15K) through click chemistry technique, which exhibits significant anti-cancer effects via inhibiting PAK1. Based on the selective anticancer effects of 15K against PAK1-dependent cancer cells, we hypothesize that it may act as an allosteric PAK1 inhibitor. In this study, computational analysis was done with 15K to explore its quantum chemical and thermodynamic properties, molecular interactions and binding stability with PAK1, physicochemical properties, ADMET, bioactivities, and druglikeness features. Molecular docking analysis demonstrates 15K as a potent allosteric ligand that strongly binds to a novel allosteric site of PAK1 (binding energy ranges - 8.6 to - 9.2 kcal/mol) and does not target other PAK isoforms; even 15K shows better interactions than another synthesized PAK1 inhibitor. Molecular dynamics simulation clearly supports the stable binding properties of 15K with PAK1 crystal. Density functional theory-based calculations reveal that it can be an active drug with high softness and moderate polarity, and ADMET predictions categorize it as a non-toxic drug as evidenced by in vitro studies with brine shrimp and fibroblast cells. Structure-activity relationship clarifies the role of ester bond and triazol moiety of 15K in establishing novel allosteric interactions. Our results summarize that 15K selectively inhibits PAK1 as an allosteric inhibitor and in turn shows anticancer effects without toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Shahinozzaman
- PAK Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan.
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of the Ryukyus, Senbaru 1, Nishihara-cho, Okinawa, 903-0213, Japan.
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA.
| | - Sinthyia Ahmed
- Division of Computer Aided Drug Design, The Red-Green Research Center, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Rashiduzzaman Emran
- Bioscience and Bioinformatics Research Center (BBRC), 5/2, Shehora, Dhaka Road, Mymensingh, 2200, Bangladesh
- Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Khamarbari, Farmgate, Dhaka, 1215, Bangladesh
| | - Shinkichi Tawata
- PAK Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan.
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of the Ryukyus, Senbaru 1, Nishihara-cho, Okinawa, 903-0213, Japan.
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29
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Davidson A, Tyler J, Hume P, Singh V, Koronakis V. A kinase-independent function of PAK is crucial for pathogen-mediated actin remodelling. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009902. [PMID: 34460869 PMCID: PMC8432889 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The p21-activated kinase (PAK) family regulate a multitude of cellular processes, including actin cytoskeleton remodelling. Numerous bacterial pathogens usurp host signalling pathways that regulate actin reorganisation in order to promote Infection. Salmonella and pathogenic Escherichia coli drive actin-dependent forced uptake and intimate attachment respectively. We demonstrate that the pathogen-driven generation of both these distinct actin structures relies on the recruitment and activation of PAK. We show that the PAK kinase domain is dispensable for this actin remodelling, which instead requires the GTPase-binding CRIB and the central poly-proline rich region. PAK interacts with and inhibits the guanine nucleotide exchange factor β-PIX, preventing it from exerting a negative effect on cytoskeleton reorganisation. This kinase-independent function of PAK may be usurped by other pathogens that modify host cytoskeleton signalling and helps us better understand how PAK functions in normal and diseased eukaryotic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Davidson
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Joe Tyler
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Hume
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Vikash Singh
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Vassilis Koronakis
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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30
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Vicente-Soler J, Soto T, Franco A, Cansado J, Madrid M. The Multiple Functions of Rho GTPases in Fission Yeasts. Cells 2021; 10:1422. [PMID: 34200466 PMCID: PMC8228308 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The Rho family of GTPases represents highly conserved molecular switches involved in a plethora of physiological processes. Fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe has become a fundamental model organism to study the functions of Rho GTPases over the past few decades. In recent years, another fission yeast species, Schizosaccharomyces japonicus, has come into focus offering insight into evolutionary changes within the genus. Both fission yeasts contain only six Rho-type GTPases that are spatiotemporally controlled by multiple guanine-nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs), and whose intricate regulation in response to external cues is starting to be uncovered. In the present review, we will outline and discuss the current knowledge and recent advances on how the fission yeasts Rho family GTPases regulate essential physiological processes such as morphogenesis and polarity, cellular integrity, cytokinesis and cellular differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - José Cansado
- Yeast Physiology Group, Departamento de Genética y Microbiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (J.V.-S.); (T.S.); (A.F.)
| | - Marisa Madrid
- Yeast Physiology Group, Departamento de Genética y Microbiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain; (J.V.-S.); (T.S.); (A.F.)
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31
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Habault J, Thonnart N, Pasquereau-Kotula E, Bagot M, Bensussan A, Villoutreix BO, Marie-Cardine A, Poyet JL. PAK1-Dependent Antitumor Effect of AAC-11‒Derived Peptides on Sézary Syndrome Malignant CD4 + T Lymphocytes. J Invest Dermatol 2021; 141:2261-2271.e5. [PMID: 33745910 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2021.01.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Sézary syndrome is an aggressive form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma characterized by the presence of a malignant CD4+ T-cell clone in both blood and skin. Its pathophysiology is still poorly understood, and the development of targeted therapies is hampered by the absence of specific target proteins. AAC-11 plays important roles in cancer cell progression and survival and thus has been considered as an anticancer therapeutic target. In this study, we show that a peptide called RT39, comprising a portion of AAC-11‒binding site to its protein partners coupled to the penetratin sequence, induces the specific elimination of the malignant T-cell clone both ex vivo on the circulating cells of patients with Sézary syndrome and in vivo in a subcutaneous xenograft mouse model. RT39 acts by direct binding to PAK1 that is overexpressed, located in the plasma membrane, and constitutively activated in Sézary cells, resulting in their selective depletion by membranolysis. Along with the absence of toxicity, our preclinical efficacy evidence suggests that RT39 might represent a promising alternative therapeutic tool for Sézary syndrome because it spares the nonmalignant immune cells and, contrary to antibody-based immunotherapies, does not require the mobilization of the cellular immunity that shows heavy deficiencies at advanced stages of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine Habault
- Onco-Dermatology and Therapies, INSERM UMRS976, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France; Institut de Recherche Saint Louis, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Thonnart
- Onco-Dermatology and Therapies, INSERM UMRS976, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France; Institut de Recherche Saint Louis, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Ewa Pasquereau-Kotula
- Onco-Dermatology and Therapies, INSERM UMRS976, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France; Institut de Recherche Saint Louis, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Martine Bagot
- Onco-Dermatology and Therapies, INSERM UMRS976, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France; Institut de Recherche Saint Louis, Université de Paris, Paris, France; Département de Dermatologie, Hôpital Saint Louis, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Armand Bensussan
- Onco-Dermatology and Therapies, INSERM UMRS976, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France; Institut de Recherche Saint Louis, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Bruno O Villoutreix
- INSERM U1141, NeroDiderot, Hôpital Robert-Debré, Paris, France; c-Dithem, Inserm Consortium for Discovery and Innovation in Therapy and Medicine, Paris, France
| | - Anne Marie-Cardine
- Onco-Dermatology and Therapies, INSERM UMRS976, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France; Institut de Recherche Saint Louis, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Luc Poyet
- Onco-Dermatology and Therapies, INSERM UMRS976, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France; Institut de Recherche Saint Louis, Université de Paris, Paris, France; c-Dithem, Inserm Consortium for Discovery and Innovation in Therapy and Medicine, Paris, France.
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Up-regulation of P21-activated kinase 1 in osteoarthritis chondrocytes is responsible for osteoarthritic cartilage destruction. Biosci Rep 2021; 40:221716. [PMID: 31868209 PMCID: PMC6954364 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20191017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteoarthritis is mainly caused by a degenerative joint disorder, which is characterized by the gradual degradation of articular cartilage and synovial inflammation. The chondrocyte, the unique resident cell type of articular cartilage, is crucial for the development of osteoarthritis. Previous studies revealed that P21-activated kinase-1 (PAK1) was responsible for the initiation of inflammation. The purpose of the present study was to determine the potential role of PAK1 in osteoarthritis. The level of PAK1 expression was measured by Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR in articular cartilage from osteoarthritis model rats and patients with osteoarthritis. In addition, the functional role of aberrant PAK1 expression was detected in the chondrocytes. We found that the expression of PAK1 was significantly increased in chondrocytes treated with osteoarthritis-related factors. Increased expression of PAK1 was also observed in knee articular cartilage samples from patients with osteoarthritis and osteoarthritis model rats. PAK1 was found to inhibit chondrocytes proliferation and to promote the production of inflammatory cytokines in cartilages chondrocytes. Furthermore, we found that PAK1 modulated the production of extracellular matrix and cartilage degrading enzymes in chondrocytes. Results of the present studies demonstrated that PAK1 might play an important role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis.
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Zhang G, Wu P, Zhou K, He M, Zhang X, Qiu C, Li T, Zhang T, Xie K, Dai G, Wang J. Study on the transcriptome for breast muscle of chickens and the function of key gene RAC2 on fibroblasts proliferation. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:157. [PMID: 33676413 PMCID: PMC7937270 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07453-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Growth performance is significant in broiler production. In the growth process of broilers, gene expression varies at different growth stages. However, limited research has been conducted on the molecular mechanisms of muscle growth and development in yellow-feathered male chickens. RESULTS In the study, we used RNA-seq to study the transcriptome of the breast muscle of male Jinghai yellow chickens at 4 (M4F), 8 (M8F) and 12 weeks (M12F) of age. The results showed that 4608 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained by comparison in pairs of the three groups with Fold Change (FC) ≥ 2 and False Discovery Rate (FDR) ≤ 0.05, and 83, 3445 and 3903 DEGs were obtained separately from M4FvsM8F, M4FvsM12F and M8FvsM12F. Six genes were found as co-differentially expressed in the three age groups, namely SNCG, MYH1A, ARHGDIB, ENSGALG00000031598, ENSGALG00000035660 and ENSGALG00000030559. The GO analysis showed that 0, 304 and 408 biological process (BP) were significantly enriched in M4FvsM8F, M4FvsM12F and M8FvsM12F groups, respectively. KEGG pathway enrichment showed that 1, 2, 4 and 4 pathways were significantly enriched in M4FvsM8F, M4FvsM12F, M8FvsM12F and all DEGs, respectively. They were steroid biosynthesis, carbon metabolism, focal adhesion, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, biosynthesis of amino acids and salmonella infection. We constructed short hairpin RNA (shRNA) to interfere the differentially expressed gene RAC2 in DF-1 cells and detected mRNA and protein expression of the downstream genes PAK1 and MAPK8. Results of qPCR showed that RAC2, PAK1 and MAPK8 mRNA expression significantly decreased in the shRAC2-2 group compared with the negative control (NC) group. Western Blot (WB) results showed that the proteins of RAC2, PAK1 and MAPK8 also decreased in the shRAC2-2 group. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay both showed that the proliferation of DF-1 cells was significantly inhibited after transfection of shRAC2-2. CONCLUSIONS The results of RNA-seq revealed genes, BP terms and KEGG pathways related to growth and development of male Jinghai yellow chickens, and they would have important guiding significance to our production practice. Further research suggested that RAC2 might regulate cell proliferation by regulating PAKs/MAPK8 pathway and affect growth of chickens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genxi Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture & Agri-Product Safety, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Pengfei Wu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China.
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture & Agri-Product Safety, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China.
| | - Kaizhi Zhou
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture & Agri-Product Safety, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Mingliang He
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture & Agri-Product Safety, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Xinchao Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture & Agri-Product Safety, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Cong Qiu
- Jiangsu Jinghai Poultry Group Co. Ltd., Nantong, 226100, China
| | - Tingting Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture & Agri-Product Safety, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture & Agri-Product Safety, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Kaizhou Xie
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture & Agri-Product Safety, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Guojun Dai
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture & Agri-Product Safety, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
| | - Jinyu Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture & Agri-Product Safety, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China
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PAK1 Positively Regulates Oligodendrocyte Morphology and Myelination. J Neurosci 2021; 41:1864-1877. [PMID: 33478987 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0229-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The actin cytoskeleton is crucial for oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination. Here we show that p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1), a well-known actin regulator, promotes oligodendrocyte morphologic change and myelin production in the CNS. A combination of in vitro and in vivo models demonstrated that PAK1 is expressed throughout the oligodendrocyte lineage with highest expression in differentiated oligodendrocytes. Inhibiting PAK1 early in oligodendrocyte development decreased oligodendrocyte morphologic complexity and altered F-actin spreading at the tips of oligodendrocyte progenitor cell processes. Constitutively activating AKT in oligodendrocytes in male and female mice, which leads to excessive myelin wrapping, increased PAK1 expression, suggesting an impact of PAK1 during active myelin wrapping. Furthermore, constitutively activating PAK1 in oligodendrocytes in zebrafish led to an increase in myelin internode length while inhibiting PAK1 during active myelination decreased internode length. As myelin parameters influence conduction velocity, these data suggest that PAK1 may influence communication within the CNS. These data support a model in which PAK1 is a positive regulator of CNS myelination.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Myelin is a critical component of the CNS that provides metabolic support to neurons and also facilitates communication between cells in the CNS. Recent data demonstrate that actin dynamics drives myelin wrapping, but how actin is regulated during myelin wrapping is unknown. The authors investigate the role of the cytoskeletal modulator PAK1 during differentiation and myelination by oligodendrocytes, the myelinating cells of the CNS. They demonstrate that PAK1 promotes oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination by modulating the cytoskeleton and thereby internode length, thus playing a critical role in the function of the CNS.
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35
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Zhang K, Wang Y, Fan T, Zeng C, Sun ZS. The p21-activated kinases in neural cytoskeletal remodeling and related neurological disorders. Protein Cell 2020; 13:6-25. [PMID: 33306168 PMCID: PMC8776968 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-020-00812-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The serine/threonine p21-activated kinases (PAKs), as main effectors of the Rho GTPases Cdc42 and Rac, represent a group of important molecular switches linking the complex cytoskeletal networks to broad neural activity. PAKs show wide expression in the brain, but they differ in specific cell types, brain regions, and developmental stages. PAKs play an essential and differential role in controlling neural cytoskeletal remodeling and are related to the development and fate of neurons as well as the structural and functional plasticity of dendritic spines. PAK-mediated actin signaling and interacting functional networks represent a common pathway frequently affected in multiple neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Considering specific small-molecule agonists and inhibitors for PAKs have been developed in cancer treatment, comprehensive knowledge about the role of PAKs in neural cytoskeletal remodeling will promote our understanding of the complex mechanisms underlying neurological diseases, which may also represent potential therapeutic targets of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaifan Zhang
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,Institute of Genomic Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Tianda Fan
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Cheng Zeng
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.,CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhong Sheng Sun
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China. .,Institute of Genomic Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China. .,CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
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36
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Li S, Xiong GJ, Huang N, Sheng ZH. The cross-talk of energy sensing and mitochondrial anchoring sustains synaptic efficacy by maintaining presynaptic metabolism. Nat Metab 2020; 2:1077-1095. [PMID: 33020662 PMCID: PMC7572785 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-020-00289-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondria supply ATP essential for synaptic transmission. Neurons face exceptional challenges in maintaining energy homoeostasis at synapses. Regulation of mitochondrial trafficking and anchoring is critical for neurons to meet increased energy consumption during sustained synaptic activity. However, mechanisms recruiting and retaining presynaptic mitochondria in sensing synaptic ATP levels remain elusive. Here we reveal an energy signalling axis that controls presynaptic mitochondrial maintenance. Activity-induced presynaptic energy deficits can be rescued by recruiting mitochondria through the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-p21-activated kinase (PAK) energy signalling pathway. Synaptic activity induces AMPK activation within axonal compartments and AMPK-PAK signalling triggers phosphorylation of myosin VI, which drives mitochondrial recruitment and syntaphilin-mediated anchoring on presynaptic filamentous actin. This pathway maintains presynaptic energy supply and calcium clearance during intensive synaptic activity. Disrupting this signalling cross-talk triggers local energy deficits and intracellular calcium build-up, leading to impaired synaptic efficacy during trains of stimulation and reduced recovery from synaptic depression after prolonged synaptic activity. Our study reveals a mechanistic cross-talk between energy sensing and mitochondria anchoring to maintain presynaptic metabolism, thus fine-tuning short-term synaptic plasticity and prolonged synaptic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunan Li
- Synaptic Function Section, The Porter Neuroscience Research Center, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Gui-Jing Xiong
- Synaptic Function Section, The Porter Neuroscience Research Center, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ning Huang
- Synaptic Function Section, The Porter Neuroscience Research Center, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Zu-Hang Sheng
- Synaptic Function Section, The Porter Neuroscience Research Center, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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37
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Bautista L, Knippler CM, Ringel MD. p21-Activated Kinases in Thyroid Cancer. Endocrinology 2020; 161:bqaa105. [PMID: 32609833 PMCID: PMC7417880 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqaa105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The family of p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are oncogenic proteins that regulate critical cellular functions. PAKs play central signaling roles in the integrin/CDC42/Rho, ERK/MAPK, PI3K/AKT, NF-κB, and Wnt/β-catenin pathways, functioning both as kinases and scaffolds to regulate cell motility, mitosis and proliferation, cytoskeletal rearrangement, and other cellular activities. PAKs have been implicated in both the development and progression of a wide range of cancers, including breast cancer, pancreatic melanoma, thyroid cancer, and others. Here we will discuss the current knowledge on the structure and biological functions of both group I and group II PAKs, as well as the roles that PAKs play in oncogenesis and progression, with a focus on thyroid cancer and emerging data regarding BRAF/PAK signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Bautista
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, and Cancer Biology Program, The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Christina M Knippler
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, and Cancer Biology Program, The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University and Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Matthew D Ringel
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, and Cancer Biology Program, The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Arthur G. James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio
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38
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Yao D, Li C, Rajoka MSR, He Z, Huang J, Wang J, Zhang J. P21-Activated Kinase 1: Emerging biological functions and potential therapeutic targets in Cancer. Am J Cancer Res 2020; 10:9741-9766. [PMID: 32863957 PMCID: PMC7449905 DOI: 10.7150/thno.46913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The p21-Activated kinase 1 (PAK1), a member of serine-threonine kinases family, was initially identified as an interactor of the Rho GTPases RAC1 and CDC42, which affect a wide range of processes associated with cell motility, survival, metabolism, cell cycle, proliferation, transformation, stress, inflammation, and gene expression. Recently, the PAK1 has emerged as a potential therapeutic target in cancer due to its role in many oncogenic signaling pathways. Many PAK1 inhibitors have been developed as potential preclinical agents for cancer therapy. Here, we provide an overview of essential roles that PAK1 plays in cancer, including its structure and autoactivation mechanism, its crucial function from onset to progression to metastasis, metabolism, immune escape and even drug resistance in cancer; endogenous regulators; and cancer-related pathways. We also summarize the reported PAK1 small-molecule inhibitors based on their structure types and their potential application in cancer. In addition, we provide overviews on current progress and future challenges of PAK1 in cancer, hoping to provide new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
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39
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Horn S, Au M, Basel-Salmon L, Bayrak-Toydemir P, Chapin A, Cohen L, Elting MW, Graham JM, Gonzaga-Jauregui C, Konen O, Holzer M, Lemke J, Miller CE, Rey LK, Wolf NI, Weiss MM, Waisfisz Q, Mirzaa GM, Wieczorek D, Sticht H, Abou Jamra R. De novo variants in PAK1 lead to intellectual disability with macrocephaly and seizures. Brain 2020; 142:3351-3359. [PMID: 31504246 PMCID: PMC6821231 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awz264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Using trio exome sequencing, we identified de novo heterozygous missense variants in PAK1 in four unrelated individuals with intellectual disability, macrocephaly and seizures. PAK1 encodes the p21-activated kinase, a major driver of neuronal development in humans and other organisms. In normal neurons, PAK1 dimers reside in a trans-inhibited conformation, where each autoinhibitory domain covers the kinase domain of the other monomer. Upon GTPase binding via CDC42 or RAC1, the PAK1 dimers dissociate and become activated. All identified variants are located within or close to the autoinhibitory switch domain that is necessary for trans-inhibition of resting PAK1 dimers. Protein modelling supports a model of reduced ability of regular autoinhibition, suggesting a gain of function mechanism for the identified missense variants. Alleviated dissociation into monomers, autophosphorylation and activation of PAK1 influences the actin dynamics of neurite outgrowth. Based on our clinical and genetic data, as well as the role of PAK1 in brain development, we suggest that gain of function pathogenic de novo missense variants in PAK1 lead to moderate-to-severe intellectual disability, macrocephaly caused by the presence of megalencephaly and ventriculomegaly, (febrile) seizures and autism-like behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Horn
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Margaret Au
- Department of Pediatrics, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Lina Basel-Salmon
- Raphael Recanati Genetic Institute, Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Hospital, Petach Tikva, Israel.,Pediatric Genetics Clinic, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikva, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Rabin Medical Center, Petach Tikva, Israel
| | - Pinar Bayrak-Toydemir
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; ARUP Laboratories, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | | | - Lior Cohen
- Raphael Recanati Genetic Institute, Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Hospital, Petach Tikva, Israel.,Pediatric Genetics Clinic, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikva, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Rabin Medical Center, Petach Tikva, Israel
| | - Mariet W Elting
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Clinical Genetics, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - John M Graham
- Department of Pediatrics, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - Osnat Konen
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Pediatric Radiology, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikva, Israel
| | - Max Holzer
- Department for Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration, Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Johannes Lemke
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Linda K Rey
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Nicole I Wolf
- Department of Child Neurology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marjan M Weiss
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Clinical Genetics, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Quinten Waisfisz
- Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Clinical Genetics, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ghayda M Mirzaa
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Dagmar Wieczorek
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Heinrich Sticht
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Rami Abou Jamra
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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40
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Computational insight into the mechanisms of action and selectivity of Afraxis PAK inhibitors. Future Med Chem 2020; 12:367-385. [PMID: 32064922 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2019-0273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: The p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are involved in many important biological activity regulations. FRAX019, FRAX414, FRAX597, FRAX1036 and G-5555 were identified as PAKs inhibitors. Their detailed inhibitory mechanisms deserve further investigation. Results: Molecular dynamics simulations and further calculations for the PAK1/inhibitor and PAK4/inhibitor complexes indicate that their binding free energies are basically consistent with the trend of experimental activity data. Conclusion: The anchoring of residues Leu347PAK1 and Leu398PAK4 is the structural basis for designing Afraxis PAK inhibitors. This study discloses the inhibitory mechanisms of FRAX019, FRAX414, FRAX597, FRAX1036 and G-5555 toward PAK1 and PAK4 and some clues to enhance kinase activities and selectivities, which will provide valuable information to the development of more potent and selective PAK inhibitors.
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41
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Chen KJ, Chiang TC, Yu CJ, Lee FJS. Cooperative recruitment of Arl4A and Pak1 to the plasma membrane contributes to sustained Pak1 activation for cell migration. J Cell Sci 2020; 133:jcs233361. [PMID: 31932503 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.233361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell migration requires the coordination of multiple signaling pathways involved in membrane dynamics and cytoskeletal rearrangement. The Arf-like small GTPase Arl4A has been shown to modulate actin cytoskeleton remodeling. However, evidence of the function of Arl4A in cell migration is insufficient. Here, we report that Arl4A acts with the serine/threonine protein kinase Pak1 to modulate cell migration through their cooperative recruitment to the plasma membrane. We first observed that Arl4A and its isoform Arl4D interact with Pak1 and Pak2 and showed that Arl4A recruits Pak1 and Pak2 to the plasma membrane. The fibronectin-induced Pak1 localization at the plasma membrane is reduced in Arl4A-depleted cells. Unexpectedly, we found that Pak1, but not Arl4A-binding-defective Pak1, can recruit a cytoplasmic myristoylation-deficient Arl4A-G2A mutant to the plasma membrane. Furthermore, we found that the Arl4A-Pak1 interaction, which is independent of Rac1 binding to Pak1, is required for Arl4A-induced cell migration. Thus, we infer that there is feedback regulation between Arl4A and Pak1, in which they mutually recruit each other to the plasma membrane for Pak1 activation, thereby modulating cell migration through direct interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuan-Jung Chen
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10002, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 10002, Taiwan
| | - Tsai-Chen Chiang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10002, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 10002, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Jung Yu
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
- Department of Thoracic Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan
| | - Fang-Jen S Lee
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10002, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 10002, Taiwan
- Center of Precision Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10002, Taiwan
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42
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A novel PAK1 variant causative of neurodevelopmental disorder with postnatal macrocephaly. J Hum Genet 2020; 65:481-485. [PMID: 32005903 DOI: 10.1038/s10038-020-0728-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are protein serine/threonine kinases stimulated by Rho-family p21 GTPases such as CDC42 and RAC. PAKs have been implicated in several human disorders, with pathogenic variants in PAK3 associated with intellectual disability and several PAK members, especially PAK1 and PAK4, overexpressed in human cancer. Recently, de novo PAK1 variants were reported to be causative of neurodevelopmental disorder (ND) with secondary macrocephaly in three patients. We herein report a fourth patient with ND, epilepsy, and macrocephaly caused by a de novo PAK1 missense variant. Two previously reported missense PAK1 variants functioned as activating alleles by reducing PAK1 homodimerization. To examine the pathogenicity of the identified novel p.Ser110Thr variant, we carried out in silico structural analysis. Our findings suggest that this variant also prevents PAK1 homodimerization, leading to constitutive PAK1 activation.
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43
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Mierke CT, Puder S, Aermes C, Fischer T, Kunschmann T. Effect of PAK Inhibition on Cell Mechanics Depends on Rac1. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:13. [PMID: 32047750 PMCID: PMC6997127 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Besides biochemical and molecular regulation, the migration and invasion of cells is controlled by the environmental mechanics and cellular mechanics. Hence, the mechanical phenotype of cells, such as fibroblasts, seems to be crucial for the migratory capacity in confined 3D extracellular matrices. Recently, we have shown that the migratory and invasive capacity of mouse embryonic fibroblasts depends on the expression of the Rho-GTPase Rac1, similarly it has been demonstrated that the Rho-GTPase Cdc42 affects cell motility. The p21-activated kinase (PAK) is an effector down-stream target of both Rho-GTPases Rac1 and Cdc42, and it can activate via the LIM kinase-1 its down-stream target cofilin and subsequently support the cell migration and invasion through the polymerization of actin filaments. Since Rac1 deficient cells become mechanically softer than controls, we investigated the effect of group I PAKs and PAK1 inhibition on cell mechanics in the presence and absence of Rac1. Therefore, we determined whether mouse embryonic fibroblasts, in which Rac1 was knocked-out, and control cells, displayed cell mechanical alterations after treatment with group I PAKs or PAK1 inhibitors using a magnetic tweezer (adhesive cell state) and an optical cell stretcher (non-adhesive cell state). In fact, we found that group I PAKs and Pak1 inhibition decreased the stiffness and the Young’s modulus of fibroblasts in the presence of Rac1 independent of their adhesive state. However, in the absence of Rac1 the effect was abolished in the adhesive cell state for both inhibitors and in their non-adhesive state, the effect was abolished for the FRAX597 inhibitor, but not for the IPA3 inhibitor. The migration and invasion were additionally reduced by both PAK inhibitors in the presence of Rac1. In the absence of Rac1, only FRAX597 inhibitor reduced their invasiveness, whereas IPA3 had no effect. These findings indicate that group I PAKs and PAK1 inhibition is solely possible in the presence of Rac1 highlighting Rac1/PAK I (PAK1, 2, and 3) as major players in cell mechanics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Tanja Mierke
- Faculty of Physics and Earth Science, Peter Debye Institute of Soft Matter Physics, Biological Physics Division, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stefanie Puder
- Faculty of Physics and Earth Science, Peter Debye Institute of Soft Matter Physics, Biological Physics Division, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christian Aermes
- Faculty of Physics and Earth Science, Peter Debye Institute of Soft Matter Physics, Biological Physics Division, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Tony Fischer
- Faculty of Physics and Earth Science, Peter Debye Institute of Soft Matter Physics, Biological Physics Division, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Tom Kunschmann
- Faculty of Physics and Earth Science, Peter Debye Institute of Soft Matter Physics, Biological Physics Division, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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Huang J, Huang A, Poplawski A, DiPino F, Traugh JA, Ling J. PAK2 activated by Cdc42 and caspase 3 mediates different cellular responses to oxidative stress-induced apoptosis. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2020; 1867:118645. [PMID: 31926209 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2020.118645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
p21-activated protein kinase (PAK2) is a unique member of the PAK family kinases that plays important roles in stress signaling. It can be activated by binding to the small GTPase, Cdc42 and Rac1, or by caspase 3 cleavage. Cdc42-activated PAK2 mediates cytostasis, whereas caspase 3-cleaved PAK2 contributes to apoptosis. However, the relationship between these two states of PAK2 activation remains elusive. In this study, through protein biochemical analyses and various cell-based assays, we demonstrated that full-length PAK2 activated by Cdc42 was resistant to the cleavage by caspase 3 in vitro and within cells. When mammalian cells were treated by oxidative stress using hydrogen peroxide, PAK2 was highly activated through caspase 3 cleavage that led to apoptosis. However, when PAK2 was pre-activated by Cdc42 or by mild stress such as serum deprivation, it was no longer able to be cleaved by caspase 3 upon hydrogen peroxide treatment, and the subsequent apoptosis was also largely inhibited. Furthermore, cells expressing active mutants of full-length PAK2 became more resistant to hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis than inactive mutants. Taken together, this study identified two states of PAK2 activation, wherein Cdc42- and autophosphorylation-dependent activation inhibited the constitutive activation of PAK2 by caspase cleavage. The regulation between these two states of PAK2 activation provides a new molecular mechanism to support PAK2 as a molecular switch for controlling cytostasis and apoptosis in response to different types and levels of stress with broad physiological and pathological relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Huang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, United States of America
| | - Allen Huang
- Canyon Crest Academy, San Diego, CA 92130, United States of America
| | - Amelia Poplawski
- Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Scranton, PA 18509, United States of America; Misericordia University, Dallas, PA 18612, United States of America
| | - Frank DiPino
- Misericordia University, Dallas, PA 18612, United States of America
| | - Jolinda A Traugh
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, United States of America
| | - Jun Ling
- California University of Science and Medicine, Colton, CA 92324, United States of America; Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Scranton, PA 18509, United States of America; Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, United States of America.
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45
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Grebeňová D, Holoubek A, Röselová P, Obr A, Brodská B, Kuželová K. PAK1, PAK1Δ15, and PAK2: similarities, differences and mutual interactions. Sci Rep 2019; 9:17171. [PMID: 31748572 PMCID: PMC6868145 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53665-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
P21-activated kinases (PAK) are key effectors of the small GTPases Rac1 and Cdc42, as well as of Src family kinases. In particular, PAK1 has several well-documented roles, both kinase-dependent and kinase-independent, in cancer-related processes, such as cell proliferation, adhesion, and migration. However, PAK1 properties and functions have not been attributed to individual PAK1 isoforms: besides the full-length kinase (PAK1-full), a splicing variant lacking the exon 15 (PAK1Δ15) is annotated in protein databases. In addition, it is not clear if PAK1 and PAK2 are functionally overlapping. Using fluorescently tagged forms of human PAK1-full, PAK1Δ15, and PAK2, we analyzed their intracellular localization and mutual interactions. Effects of PAK inhibition (IPA-3, FRAX597) or depletion (siRNA) on cell-surface adhesion were monitored by real-time microimpedance measurement. Both PAK1Δ15 and PAK2, but not PAK1-full, were enriched in focal adhesions, indicating that the C-terminus might be important for PAK intracellular localization. Using coimmunoprecipitation, we documented direct interactions among the studied PAK group I members: PAK1 and PAK2 form homodimers, but all possible heterocomplexes were also detected. Interaction of PAK1Δ15 or PAK2 with PAK1-full was associated with extensive PAK1Δ15/PAK2 cleavage. The impedance measurements indicate, that PAK2 depletion slows down cell attachment to a surface, and that PAK1-full is involved in cell spreading. Altogether, our data suggest a complex interplay among different PAK group I members, which have non-redundant functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Grebeňová
- Department of Proteomics, Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, U Nemocnice 1, 128 20, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Aleš Holoubek
- Department of Proteomics, Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, U Nemocnice 1, 128 20, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pavla Röselová
- Department of Proteomics, Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, U Nemocnice 1, 128 20, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Adam Obr
- Department of Proteomics, Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, U Nemocnice 1, 128 20, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Brodská
- Department of Proteomics, Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, U Nemocnice 1, 128 20, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kateřina Kuželová
- Department of Proteomics, Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, U Nemocnice 1, 128 20, Prague, Czech Republic.
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Phosphorylation-dependent activity-based conformational changes in P21-activated kinase family members and screening of novel ATP competitive inhibitors. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0225132. [PMID: 31738805 PMCID: PMC6860928 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
P21-activated kinases (PAKs) are serine/threonine protein kinases that are subdivided into two groups on the basis of their domain architecture: group-I (PAK1–3) and group-II (PAK4–6). PAKs are considered as attractive drug targets that play vital role in cell proliferation, survival, motility, angiogenesis and cytoskeletal dynamics. In current study, molecular dynamics simulation-based comparative residual contributions and differential transitions were monitored in both active and inactive states of human PAK homologs for therapeutic intervention. Due to their involvement in cancer, infectious diseases, and neurological disorders, it is inevitable to develop novel therapeutic strategies that specifically target PAKs on the basis of their activity pattern. In order to isolate novel inhibitors that are able to bind at the active sites of PAK1 and PAK4, high throughput structure-based virtual screening was performed. Multiple lead compounds were proposed on the basis of their binding potential and targeting region either phosphorylated (active) or unphosphorylated PAK isoform (inactive). Thus, ATP-competitive inhibitors may prove ideal therapeutic choice against PAK family members. The detailed conformational readjustements occurring in the PAKs upon phosphorylation-dephosphorylation events may serve as starting point for devising novel drug molecules that are able to target on activity basis. Overall, the observations of current study may add valuable contribution in the inventory of novel inhibitors that may serve as attractive lead compounds for targeting PAK family members on the basis of activity-based conformational changes.
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Xu T, He BS, Pan B, Pan YQ, Sun HL, Liu XX, Xu XN, Chen XX, Zeng KX, Xu M, Wang SK. MiR-142-3p functions as a tumor suppressor by targeting RAC1/PAK1 pathway in breast cancer. J Cell Physiol 2019; 235:4928-4940. [PMID: 31674013 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNA-142-3p (miR-142-3p) was previously investigated in various cancers, whereas, it's role in breast cancer (BC) remains far from understood. In this study, we found that miR-142-3p was markedly decreased both in cell lines and BC tumor tissues. Elevated miR-142-3p expression suppressed growth and metastasis of BC cell lines via gain-of-function assay in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, miR-142-3p could regulate the ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (RAC1) expression in protein level, which simultaneously suppressed the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition related protein levels and the activity of PAK1 phosphorylation, respectively. In addition, rescue experiments revealed RAC1 overexpression could reverse tumor-suppressive role of miR-142-3p. Our results showed miR-142-3p could function as a tumor suppressor via targeting RAC1/PAK1 pathway in BC, suggesting a potent therapeutic target for BC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Xu
- General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bang-Shun He
- General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bei Pan
- General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yu-Qin Pan
- General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hui-Ling Sun
- General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiang-Xiang Liu
- General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xue-Ni Xu
- General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Medical College, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiao-Xiang Chen
- General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Medical College, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Kai-Xuan Zeng
- General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Medical College, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mu Xu
- General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shu-Kui Wang
- General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center on Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Targeting PKCι-PAK1 signaling pathways in EGFR and KRAS mutant adenocarcinoma and lung squamous cell carcinoma. Cell Commun Signal 2019; 17:137. [PMID: 31660987 PMCID: PMC6819333 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-019-0446-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) stimulates growth and metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Protein kinase C iota (PKCι) is an enzyme highly expressed in NSCLC, regulating PAK1 signaling. In the present study we explored whether the PKCι-PAK1 signaling pathway approach can be an efficient target in different types of NSCLC cell and mouse models. Methods The effect of IPA-3 (PAK1 inhibitor) plus auranofin (PKCι inhibitor) combination was evaluated by cell viability assay, colony formation and western blotting assay, using three types of NSCLC cell lines: EGFR or KRAS mutant adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma with PAK1 amplification. In addition, for clinical availability, screening for new PAK1 inhibitors was carried out and the compound OTSSP167 was evaluated in combination with auranofin in cell and mice models. Results The combination of IPA-3 or OTSSP167 plus auranofin showed high synergism for inhibiting cell viability and colony formation in three cell lines. Mechanistic characterization revealed that this drug combination abrogated expression and activation of membrane receptors and downstream signaling proteins crucial in lung cancer: EGFR, MET, PAK1, PKCι, ERK1/2, AKT, YAP1 and mTOR. A nude mouse xenograft assay demonstrated that this drug combination strongly suppressed tumor volume compared with single drug treatment. Conclusions Combination of IPA-3 or OTSSP167 and auranofin was highly synergistic in EGFR or KRAS mutant adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma cell lines and decreased tumor volume in mice models. It is of interest to further test the targeting of PKCι-PAK1 signaling pathways in EGFR mutant, KRAS mutant and squamous NSCLC patients.
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Sun X, Su VL, Calderwood DA. The subcellular localization of type I p21-activated kinases is controlled by the disordered variable region and polybasic sequences. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:14319-14332. [PMID: 31391252 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.007692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are serine/threonine kinase effectors of the small GTPases Rac and Cdc42 and major participants in cell adhesion, motility, and survival. Type II PAKs (PAK4, -5, and -6) are recruited to cell-cell boundaries, where they regulate adhesion dynamics and colony escape. In contrast, the type I PAK, PAK1, does not localize to cell-cell contacts. We have now found that the other type I PAKs (PAK2 and PAK3) also fail to target to cell-cell junctions. PAKs contain extensive similarities in sequence and domain organization; therefore, focusing on PAK1 and PAK6, we used chimeras and truncation mutants to investigate their differences in localization. We observed that a weakly conserved sequence region (the variable region), located between the Cdc42-binding CRIB domain and the kinase domain, inhibits PAK1 targeting to cell-cell junctions. Accordingly, substitution of the PAK1 variable region with that from PAK6 or removal of this region of PAK1 resulted in its localization to cell-cell contacts. We further show that Cdc42 binding is required, but not sufficient, to direct PAKs to cell-cell contacts and that an N-terminal polybasic sequence is necessary for PAK1 recruitment to cell-cell contacts, but only if the variable region-mediated inhibition is released. We propose that all PAKs contain cell-cell boundary-targeting motifs but that the variable region prevents type I PAK accumulation at junctions. This highlights the importance of this poorly conserved, largely disordered region in PAK regulation and raises the possibility that variable region inhibition may be released by cellular signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowen Sun
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520
| | - Valerie L Su
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520
| | - David A Calderwood
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520.,Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520
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Bhattacharya A, Paul A, Chakrabarti D, DasGupta M. Gatekeeper-Activation Loop Cross-Talk Determines Distinct Autoactivation States of Symbiosis Receptor Kinase. Biochemistry 2019; 58:2419-2431. [PMID: 31021099 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.9b00071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Plant receptor-like kinases (RLKs) have a Tyr in the "gatekeeper" position adjacent to the hinge region. The gatekeeper is phosphorylated in several RLKs, including symbiosis receptor kinase (SYMRK), but the significance of this remains unknown. Gatekeeper substitution did not inactivate Arachis hypogaea SYMRK but affected autophosphorylation at selected sites. Herein, we show that nonphosphorylatable gatekeepers (Y670F and Y670A) restrict SYMRK to be a Ser/Thr kinase with a basal level of phosphorylation (∼5 P/polypeptide, termed state I) whereas phosphorylatable gatekeepers (Y670 and Y670T) allowed SYMRK to be dual specific (Ser/Thr/Tyr) with a maximal level of phosphorylation (∼10 P/polypeptide, termed state II). State II SYMRKs were phosphorylated on gatekeeper residues, and the phosphocode in their activation segment was distinct from state I. The kcat/ Km for substrate phosphorylation was ∼10-fold higher for state II, though for autophosphorylation, it was comparable with those of state I SYMRKs. To identify other determinants of state I features, we mutagenized all nine sites where phosphorylation was affected by nonphosphorylatable gatekeepers (Y670F and Y670A). Only two such mutants, S754A and S757A, located on the activation loop failed to phosphorylate gatekeeper Tyr and restricted SYMRK in state I. Double mutants like Y670F/S754A retained the features of state I, but Y670F/S757A was significantly inactivated, indicating a nonphosphorylatable gatekeeper can bypass phosphorylation of S754 but not S757 in the activation segment. We propose a working model for the hierarchical phosphorylation of SYMRK on gatekeeper and activation segments for its pS757-mediated activation as a Ser/Thr kinase in selfie mode (autophosphorylation) to a pS754/pY670-mediated activation as a Ser/Thr/Tyr kinase that functions in dual mode (both autophosphorylation and substrate phosphorylation).
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Affiliation(s)
- Avisek Bhattacharya
- Department of Biochemistry , University of Calcutta , Kolkata 700019 , India
| | - Anindita Paul
- Department of Biochemistry , University of Calcutta , Kolkata 700019 , India
| | | | - Maitrayee DasGupta
- Department of Biochemistry , University of Calcutta , Kolkata 700019 , India
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