cDNA cloning, sequencing and characterization of bovine pim-1

Systematic analysis of the Hmga2 3' UTR identifies many independent regulatory sequences and a novel interaction between distal sites

The 3' untranslated regions (3' UTRs) of mRNAs regulate transcripts by serving as binding sites for regulatory factors, including microRNAs and RNA binding proteins. Binding of such trans-acting factors can control the rates of mRNA translation, decay, and other aspects of mRNA biology. To better understand the role of 3' UTRs in gene regulation, we performed a detailed analysis of a model mammalian 3' UTR, that of Hmga2, with the principal goals of identifying the complete set of regulatory elements within a single 3' UTR, and determining the extent to which elements interact with and affect one another. Hmga2 is an oncogene whose overexpression in cancers often stems from mutations that remove 3'-UTR regulatory sequences. We used reporter assays in cultured cells to generate maps of cis-regulatory information across the Hmga2 3' UTR at different resolutions, ranging from 50 to 400 nt. We found many previously unidentified regulatory sites, a large number of which were up-regulating. Importantly, the overall location and impact of regulatory sites was conserved between different species (mouse, human, and chicken). By systematically comparing the regulatory impact of 3'-UTR segments of different sizes we were able to determine that the majority of regulatory sequences function independently; only a very small number of segments showed evidence of any interactions. However, we discovered a novel interaction whereby terminal 3'-UTR sequences induced internal up-regulating elements to convert to repressive elements. By fully characterizing one 3' UTR, we hope to better understand the principles of 3'-UTR-mediated gene regulation.

Screening of cell cycle fusion proteins to identify kinase signaling networks

Kinase signaling networks are well-established mediators of cell cycle transitions. However, how kinases interact with the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) to elicit protein turnover is not fully understood. We sought a means of identifying kinase-substrate interactions to better understand signaling pathways controlling protein degradation. Our prior studies used a luciferase fusion protein to uncover kinase networks controlling protein turnover. In this study, we utilized a similar approach to identify pathways controlling the cell cycle protein p27(Kip1). We generated a p27(Kip1)-luciferase fusion and expressed it in cells incubated with compounds from a library of pharmacologically active compounds. We then compared the relative effects of the compounds on p27(Kip1)-luciferase fusion stabilization. This was combined with in silico kinome profiling to identify potential kinases inhibited by each compound. This approach effectively uncovered known kinases regulating p27(Kip1) turnover. Collectively, our studies suggest that this parallel screening approach is robust and can be applied to fully understand kinase-ubiquitin pathway interactions.

Pim-1 mediated signaling during the process of cardiac remodeling following myocardial infarction in ovine hearts

The serine/threonine kinase Pim-1 was recently identified as a cardiomyocyte survival regulator downstream of Akt. The present study aims to examine Pim-1 activity and its association with the post MI remodeling myocardium in a clinically relevant large animal model. Apical myocardial infarction of approximately 25% left ventricular mass was created in an ovine model. Regional post-infarction deformation of the left ventricle was monitored by sonomicrometry and quantified using areal remodeling strain (i.e., areal expansion). Myocardial tissues were harvested at 12weeks from the adjacent and remote regions of the infarct for analysis of Pim-1 mediated survival signaling proteins as well as apoptotic activity. The cDNA coding sequences of two ovine Pim-1 kinase isoforms, 44 and 33kDa, were identified. Both isoforms were detected in heart tissue and the overall Pim-1 expression was found to be tightly controlled at multiple molecular levels. Pim-1 as well as the Pim-1 mediated survival signaling proteins Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, and phospho-Bad (Ser112) were upregulated in the adjacent region at 12weeks post-infarction and their expression correlated positively with the degree of the remodeling, which was accompanied by significant upregulations of the PP2A/BAD mediated apoptotic signaling proteins. However these upregulations were imbalanced, such that p-BAD (Ser112)/BAD decreased in the adjacent region of the infarcted hearts. Apoptotic activity also increased with remodeling strain. Despite an observed intrinsic upregulation of survival proteins, the imbalanced activation of apoptotic pathways resulted in evident apoptosis in the adjacent region.

ULTRAMINI-ABSTRACT

Pim-1 mediated survival signaling in myocardial tissues from infarcted ovine hearts was studied. It was shown that the adjacent region of the infarct experienced higher remodeling strain and exhibited increased levels of Pim-1 and related anti-apoptotic proteins. Despite this elevation of survival activity, however, the imbalanced activation of PP2A/BAD mediated apoptotic pathway resulted in evident apoptosis in the adjacent region.

Pim-1 kinase stability is regulated by heat shock proteins and the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway

Elevated expression of the serine/threonine kinase Pim-1 increases the incidence of lymphomas in Pim-1 transgenic mice and has also been found to occur in some human cancers. Pim-1 acts as a cell survival factor and may prevent apoptosis in malignant cells. It was therefore of interest to understand to what extent maintenance and degradation of Pim-1 protein is affected by heat shock proteins (Hsp) and the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in K562 and BV173 human leukemic cells. The half-life of Pim-1 protein in these cells was found to increase from 1.7 to 3.1 hours when induced by heat shock or by treating the cells with the proteasome inhibitor PS-341 (bortezomib). The Hsp90 inhibitor geldanamycin prevented the stabilization of Pim-1 by heat shock. Using immunoprecipitation, it was determined that Pim-1 is targeted for degradation by ubiquitin and that Hsp70 is associated with Pim-1 under these circumstances. Conversely, Hsp90 was found to protect Pim-1 from proteasomal degradation. A luminescence-based kinase assay showed that Pim-1 kinase bound to Hsp70 or Hsp90 remains active, emphasizing the importance of its overall cellular levels. This study shows how Pim-1 levels can be modulated in cells through degradation and stabilization.

Cryptic promoter activity in the DNA sequence corresponding to the pim-1 5'-UTR

The serine/threonine kinase pim-1 mRNA contains a long and G/C rich 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR). Previous work suggested that the pim-1 5'-UTR harbors an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) allowing for internal initiation of translation. However, several previously reported eukaryotic IRES elements actually contain cryptic promoter activity. To test whether an IRES or a cryptic promoter is present in the pim-1 5'-UTR, the 5'-UTR was re-examined using stringent test procedures. Our results show the presence of strong promoter activity in the DNA sequence corresponding to the pim-1 5'-UTR. Both promoterless dicistronic test and northern blot analysis show transcripts being derived from the cryptic promoter in the pim-1 5'-UTR sequence. This cryptic promoter is active in all cell types tested, including Cos-7, NIH3T3, HEK293, Jurkat and K562 cells. When a dicistronic mRNA containing the pim-1 5'-UTR was translated in vitro or in vivo, no IRES activity could be detected. However, the control IRESs from both human rhinovirus and encephalomyocarditis virus exhibited strong IRES activities. In addition, both the RNase protection assay and the 5'-RACE assay detected endogenous pim-1 transcripts with shorter 5'-UTRs. Our data strongly suggest that the IRES activity reported earlier for the pim-1 5'-UTR sequence is due to cryptic promoter activity.