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Shvartsman SY, McFann S, Wühr M, Rubinstein BY. Phase plane dynamics of ERK phosphorylation. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105234. [PMID: 37690685 PMCID: PMC10616409 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105234] [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: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) controls multiple critical processes in the cell and is deregulated in human cancers, congenital abnormalities, immune diseases, and neurodevelopmental syndromes. Catalytic activity of ERK requires dual phosphorylation by an upstream kinase, in a mechanism that can be described by two sequential Michaelis-Menten steps. The estimation of individual reaction rate constants from kinetic data in the full mechanism has proved challenging. Here, we present an analytically tractable approach to parameter estimation that is based on the phase plane representation of ERK activation and yields two combinations of six reaction rate constants in the detailed mechanism. These combinations correspond to the ratio of the specificities of two consecutive phosphorylations and the probability that monophosphorylated substrate does not dissociate from the enzyme before the second phosphorylation. The presented approach offers a language for comparing the effects of mutations that disrupt ERK activation and function in vivo. As an illustration, we use phase plane representation to analyze dual phosphorylation under heterozygous conditions, when two enzyme variants compete for the same substrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanislav Y Shvartsman
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA; Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA; Center for Computational Biology, Flatiron Institute, New York, New York, USA.
| | - Sarah McFann
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA; Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Martin Wühr
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA; Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
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2
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D’Antona L, Amato R, Brescia C, Rocca V, Colao E, Iuliano R, Blazer-Yost BL, Perrotti N. Kinase Inhibitors in Genetic Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065276. [PMID: 36982349 PMCID: PMC10048847 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the years, several studies have shown that kinase-regulated signaling pathways are involved in the development of rare genetic diseases. The study of the mechanisms underlying the onset of these diseases has opened a possible way for the development of targeted therapies using particular kinase inhibitors. Some of these are currently used to treat other diseases, such as cancer. This review aims to describe the possibilities of using kinase inhibitors in genetic pathologies such as tuberous sclerosis, RASopathies, and ciliopathies, describing the various pathways involved and the possible targets already identified or currently under study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia D’Antona
- Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Graecia” at Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Medical Genetics Unit, University Hospital “Mater Domini” at Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Rosario Amato
- Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Graecia” at Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Medical Genetics Unit, University Hospital “Mater Domini” at Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Carolina Brescia
- Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Graecia” at Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Valentina Rocca
- Medical Genetics Unit, University Hospital “Mater Domini” at Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University “Magna Graecia” at Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Emma Colao
- Medical Genetics Unit, University Hospital “Mater Domini” at Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Rodolfo Iuliano
- Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Graecia” at Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Medical Genetics Unit, University Hospital “Mater Domini” at Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Bonnie L. Blazer-Yost
- Department of Biology, Indiana University Purdue University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Nicola Perrotti
- Department of Health Sciences, University “Magna Graecia” at Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Medical Genetics Unit, University Hospital “Mater Domini” at Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Correspondence:
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3
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CRISPR/Cas9 Edited RAS & MEK Mutant Cells Acquire BRAF and MEK Inhibitor Resistance with MEK1 Q56P Restoring Sensitivity to MEK/BRAF Inhibitor Combo and KRAS G13D Gaining Sensitivity to Immunotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14215449. [PMID: 36358868 PMCID: PMC9655013 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14215449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary BRAF inhibitor drug resistance has been a long-time challenge in the treatment of melanoma with BRAF V600E mutation. This study employed the CRISPR/Cas9 technology to generate three isogenic A375 melanoma cell lines with point mutations of NRAS Q61K, KRAS G13D and MEK1 Q56P, respectively. They recapitulated the resistance to BRAF inhibitors in vitro as such mutations have been found in patients with acquired resistance to BRAF inhibitors during treatment. Hence, these novel isogenic cell lines become extremely useful tools for upcoming research in this field. Additionally, we determined that resistance in the NRAS and MEK isogenic lines is driven by constitutive MEK/ERK signaling, while the resistance in the KRAS isogenic line is driven by EGFR overexpression. The KRAS G13D isogenic line displays elevated PD-L1 expression suggesting the KRAS G13D mutation could be a potential indication for immunotherapy. Abstract BRAF V600E mutation drives uncontrolled cell growth in most melanomas. While BRAF V600E tumors are initially responsive to BRAF inhibitors, prolonged treatment results in inhibitor resistance and tumor regrowth. Clinical data have linked the NRAS Q61K, KRAS G13D and MEK1 Q56P mutations to the BRAF inhibitor resistance. However, development of novel therapeutics is hindered by the lack of relevant isogeneic cell models. We employed CRISPR/Cas9 genome engineering to introduce NRAS Q61K, KRAS G13D and MEK1 Q56P mutations into the A375 melanoma cell line with endogenously high expression of BRAF V600E. The resulting isogenic cell lines are resistant to BRAF inhibitors. The A375 MEK1 Q56P isogenic cells are additionally resistant to MEK inhibitors as single agent, but interestingly, these cells become sensitive to MEK/BRAF inhibitor combo. Our results suggest that resistance in the NRAS and MEK isogenic lines is driven by constitutive MEK/ERK signaling, while the resistance in the KRAS isogenic line is driven by EGFR overexpression. Interestingly, the KRAS G13D isogenic line displays elevated PD-L1 expression suggesting the KRAS G13D mutation could be a potential indication for immunotherapy. Overall, these three novel isogenic cell models with endogenous level RAS and MEK1 point mutations provide direct bio-functional evidence demonstrating that acquiring a drug-resistant gene drives tumor cell survival and may simultaneously introduce new indications for combo therapy or immunotherapy in the clinic.
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4
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Hurley-Novatny AC, Allbritton-King JD, Jha S, Cowen EW, Colbert RA, Navid F, Bhattacharyya T. Fibroblasts from Patients with Melorheostosis Promote Angiogenesis in Healthy Endothelial Cells through Secreted Factors. J Invest Dermatol 2022; 142:2406-2414.e5. [PMID: 35189151 PMCID: PMC9388700 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2022.02.006] [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: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Melorheostosis is a rare sclerosing bone disease with associated vascular abnormalities in skin and bone, which is caused by somatic mosaic single nucleotide variations in the MAP2K1 gene, which encodes MAPK/extracellular signal‒regulated kinase (ERK) kinase 1. However, disease pathogenesis is poorly understood. Using patient-derived cells, we found that affected skin fibroblasts carrying the single nucleotide variations have increased activation of ERK1/2, which results in increased expression and secretion of proangiogenic factors, including VEGF. VEGF secretion was strongly reduced in affected cells after treatment with MAPK/ERK kinase 1 inhibitor trametinib. Treatment of healthy endothelial cells on matrigel with conditioned medium from affected fibroblasts induces the adoption of a proangiogenic phenotype. Direct coculture of fibroblasts and endothelial cells further shows that both secreted factors and extracellular matrix are capable of inducing a proangiogenic phenotype in healthy endothelial cells. Blocking VEGF with bevacizumab reduces the proangiogenic effect of affected fibroblasts in both the matrigel and direct coculture angiogenesis models, indicating that elevated VEGF secretion is a key mediator of increased angiogenesis in melorheostosis tissue. In conclusion, this work identifies the role of several important molecular mediators in the pathogenesis of melorheostosis, including MAPK/ERK kinase 1, phosphorylated ERK1/2, and VEGF, all of which have clinically available pharmacologic inhibitors, which could be further explored as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia C Hurley-Novatny
- Clinical and Investigative Orthopedics Surgery Unit, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Jules D Allbritton-King
- Clinical and Investigative Orthopedics Surgery Unit, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Smita Jha
- Signal Transduction Section, Metabolic Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetic and Digestive and Kidney Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Edward W Cowen
- Dermatology Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert A Colbert
- Pediatric Translational Research Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Fatemeh Navid
- Pediatric Translational Research Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Timothy Bhattacharyya
- Clinical and Investigative Orthopedics Surgery Unit, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
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5
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Kubota Y, Fujioka Y, Patil A, Takagi Y, Matsubara D, Iijima M, Momose I, Naka R, Nakai K, Noda NN, Takekawa M. Qualitative differences in disease-associated MEK mutants reveal molecular signatures and aberrant signaling-crosstalk in cancer. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4063. [PMID: 35831322 PMCID: PMC9279491 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31690-w] [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: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Point-mutations of MEK1, a central component of ERK signaling, are present in cancer and RASopathies, but their precise biological effects remain obscure. Here, we report a mutant MEK1 structure that uncovers the mechanisms underlying abnormal activities of cancer- and RASopathy-associated MEK1 mutants. These two classes of MEK1 mutations differentially impact on spatiotemporal dynamics of ERK signaling, cellular transcriptional programs, gene expression profiles, and consequent biological outcomes. By making use of such distinct characteristics of the MEK1 mutants, we identified cancer- and RASopathy-signature genes that may serve as diagnostic markers or therapeutic targets for these diseases. In particular, two AKT-inhibitor molecules, PHLDA1 and 2, are simultaneously upregulated by oncogenic ERK signaling, and mediate cancer-specific ERK-AKT crosstalk. The combined expression of PHLDA1/2 is critical to confer resistance to ERK pathway-targeted therapeutics on cancer cells. Finally, we propose a therapeutic strategy to overcome this drug resistance. Our data provide vital insights into the etiology, diagnosis, and therapeutic strategy of cancers and RASopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Kubota
- Division of Cell Signaling and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
| | - Yuko Fujioka
- Institute of Microbial Chemistry, Microbial Chemistry Research Foundation, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan.,Division of Biological Molecular Mechanisms, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0815, Japan
| | - Ashwini Patil
- Laboratory of Functional Analysis In Silico, Human Genome Center, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan.,Combinatics Inc., Chiba, Japan
| | - Yusuke Takagi
- Division of Cell Signaling and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
| | - Daisuke Matsubara
- Molecular Pathology Laboratory, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
| | - Masatomi Iijima
- Institute of Microbial Chemistry, Microbial Chemistry Research Foundation, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Isao Momose
- Institute of Microbial Chemistry, Microbial Chemistry Research Foundation, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Naka
- Division of Cell Signaling and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
| | - Kenta Nakai
- Laboratory of Functional Analysis In Silico, Human Genome Center, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
| | - Nobuo N Noda
- Institute of Microbial Chemistry, Microbial Chemistry Research Foundation, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan.,Division of Biological Molecular Mechanisms, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0815, Japan
| | - Mutsuhiro Takekawa
- Division of Cell Signaling and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan.
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6
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Abstract
The RASopathies are a group of disorders caused by a germline mutation in one of the genes encoding a component of the RAS/MAPK pathway. These disorders, including neurofibromatosis type 1, Noonan syndrome, cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome, Costello syndrome and Legius syndrome, among others, have overlapping clinical features due to RAS/MAPK dysfunction. Although several of the RASopathies are very rare, collectively, these disorders are relatively common. In this Review, we discuss the pathogenesis of the RASopathy-associated genetic variants and the knowledge gained about RAS/MAPK signaling that resulted from studying RASopathies. We also describe the cell and animal models of the RASopathies and explore emerging RASopathy genes. Preclinical and clinical experiences with targeted agents as therapeutics for RASopathies are also discussed. Finally, we review how the recently developed drugs targeting RAS/MAPK-driven malignancies, such as inhibitors of RAS activation, direct RAS inhibitors and RAS/MAPK pathway inhibitors, might be leveraged for patients with RASopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie E Hebron
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Edjay Ralph Hernandez
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Marielle E Yohe
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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7
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Mathien S, Tesnière C, Meloche S. Regulation of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathways by the Ubiquitin-Proteasome System and Its Pharmacological Potential. Pharmacol Rev 2021; 73:263-296. [PMID: 34732541 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.120.000170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades are evolutionarily conserved signaling pathways that play essential roles in transducing extracellular environmental signals into diverse cellular responses to maintain homeostasis. These pathways are classically organized into an architecture of three sequentially acting protein kinases: a MAPK kinase kinase that phosphorylates and activates a MAPK kinase, which in turn phosphorylates and activates the effector MAPK. The activity of MAPKs is tightly regulated by phosphorylation of their activation loop, which can be modulated by positive and negative feedback mechanisms to control the amplitude and duration of the signal. The signaling outcomes of MAPK pathways are further regulated by interactions of MAPKs with scaffolding and regulatory proteins. Accumulating evidence indicates that, in addition to these mechanisms, MAPK signaling is commonly regulated by ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS)-mediated control of the stability and abundance of MAPK pathway components. Notably, the biologic activity of some MAPKs appears to be regulated mainly at the level of protein turnover. Recent studies have started to explore the potential of targeted protein degradation as a powerful strategy to investigate the biologic functions of individual MAPK pathway components and as a new therapeutic approach to overcome resistance to current small-molecule kinase inhibitors. Here, we comprehensively review the mechanisms, physiologic importance, and pharmacological potential of UPS-mediated protein degradation in the control of MAPK signaling. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Accumulating evidence highlights the importance of targeted protein degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome system in regulating and fine-tuning the signaling output of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Manipulating protein levels of MAPK cascade components may provide a novel approach for the development of selective pharmacological tools and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Mathien
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (S.Ma., C.T., S.Me.); and Molecular Biology Program, Faculty of Medicine (C.T., S.Me.) and Department of Pharmacology and Physiology (S.Me.), Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Chloé Tesnière
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (S.Ma., C.T., S.Me.); and Molecular Biology Program, Faculty of Medicine (C.T., S.Me.) and Department of Pharmacology and Physiology (S.Me.), Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sylvain Meloche
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (S.Ma., C.T., S.Me.); and Molecular Biology Program, Faculty of Medicine (C.T., S.Me.) and Department of Pharmacology and Physiology (S.Me.), Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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8
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Wakatsuki S, Araki T. Novel Molecular Basis for Synapse Formation: Small Non-coding Vault RNA Functions as a Riboregulator of MEK1 to Modulate Synaptogenesis. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:748721. [PMID: 34630040 PMCID: PMC8498202 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.748721] [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: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Small non-coding vault RNAs (vtRNAs) have been described as a component of the vault complex, a hollow-and-barrel-shaped ribonucleoprotein complex found in most eukaryotes. It has been suggested that the function of vtRNAs might not be limited to simply maintaining the structure of the vault complex. Despite the increasing research on vtRNAs, little is known about their physiological functions. Recently, we have shown that murine vtRNA (mvtRNA) up-regulates synaptogenesis by activating the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. mvtRNA binds to and activates mitogen activated protein kinase 1 (MEK1), and thereby enhances MEK1-mediated extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation. Here, we introduce the regulatory mechanism of MAPK signaling in synaptogenesis by vtRNAs and discuss the possibility as a novel molecular basis for synapse formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuji Wakatsuki
- Department of Peripheral Nervous System Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Araki
- Department of Peripheral Nervous System Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
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9
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Wakatsuki S, Takahashi Y, Shibata M, Adachi N, Numakawa T, Kunugi H, Araki T. Small noncoding vault RNA modulates synapse formation by amplifying MAPK signaling. J Cell Biol 2021; 220:211679. [PMID: 33439240 PMCID: PMC7809882 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201911078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The small noncoding vault RNA (vtRNA) is a component of the vault complex, a ribonucleoprotein complex found in most eukaryotes. Emerging evidence suggests that vtRNAs may be involved in the regulation of a variety of cellular functions when unassociated with the vault complex. Here, we demonstrate a novel role for vtRNA in synaptogenesis. Using an in vitro synapse formation model, we show that murine vtRNA (mvtRNA) promotes synapse formation by modulating the MAPK signaling pathway. mvtRNA is transported to the distal region of neurites as part of the vault complex. Interestingly, mvtRNA is released from the vault complex in the neurite by a mitotic kinase Aurora-A–dependent phosphorylation of MVP, a major protein component of the vault complex. mvtRNA binds to and activates MEK1 and thereby enhances MEK1-mediated ERK activation in neurites. These results suggest the existence of a regulatory mechanism of the MAPK signaling pathway by vtRNAs as a new molecular basis for synapse formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuji Wakatsuki
- Department of Peripheral Nervous System Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoko Takahashi
- Department of Peripheral Nervous System Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Megumi Shibata
- Department of Peripheral Nervous System Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoki Adachi
- Department of Mental Disorder Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Biomedical Chemistry, School of Science and Technology, Kwansei Gakuin University, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Tadahiro Numakawa
- Department of Mental Disorder Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Cell Modulation, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kunugi
- Department of Mental Disorder Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Araki
- Department of Peripheral Nervous System Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
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10
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Frkic RL, Richter K, Bruning JB. The therapeutic potential of inhibiting PPARγ phosphorylation to treat type 2 diabetes. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101030. [PMID: 34339734 PMCID: PMC8387755 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
A promising approach for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is to target the Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ (PPARγ) transcription factor, which regulates the expression of proteins critical for T2DM. Mechanisms involved in PPARγ signaling are poorly understood, yet globally increasing T2DM prevalence demands improvements in drug design. Synthetic, nonactivating PPARγ ligands can abolish the phosphorylation of PPARγ at Ser273, a posttranslational modification correlated with obesity and insulin resistance. It is not understood how these ligands prevent phosphorylation, and the lack of experimental mechanistic information can be attributed to previous ambiguity in the field as well as to limitations in experimental approaches; in silico modeling currently provides the only insight into how ligands block Ser273 phosphorylation. The future availability of experimental evidence is critical for clarifying the mechanism by which ligands prevent phosphorylation and should be the priority of future T2DM-focused research. Following this, the properties of ligands that enable them to block phosphorylation can be improved upon to generate ligands tailored for blocking phosphorylation and therefore restoring insulin sensitivity. This would represent a significant step forward for treating T2DM. This review summarizes current knowledge of the roles of PPARγ in T2DM as well as the effects of synthetic ligands on the modulation of these roles. We hypothesize potential factors that contribute to the reduction in recent developments and summarize what has currently been done to shed light on this critical field of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L Frkic
- The Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing, and School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Katharina Richter
- Richter Lab, Department of Surgery, Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - John B Bruning
- The Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing, and School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
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11
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Das TK, Gatto J, Mirmira R, Hourizadeh E, Kaufman D, Gelb BD, Cagan R. Drosophila RASopathy models identify disease subtype differences and biomarkers of drug efficacy. iScience 2021; 24:102306. [PMID: 33855281 PMCID: PMC8026909 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
RASopathies represent a family of mostly autosomal dominant diseases that are caused by missense variants in the rat sarcoma viral oncogene/mitogen activated protein kinase (RAS/MAPK) pathway including KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, RAF1, and SHP2. These variants are associated with overlapping but distinct phenotypes that affect the heart, craniofacial, skeletal, lymphatic, and nervous systems. Here, we report an analysis of 13 Drosophila transgenic lines, each expressing a different human RASopathy isoform. Similar to their human counterparts, each Drosophila line displayed common aspects but also important differences including distinct signaling pathways such as the Hippo and SAPK/JNK signaling networks. We identified multiple classes of clinically relevant drugs-including statins and histone deacetylase inhibitors-that improved viability across most RASopathy lines; in contrast, several canonical RAS pathway inhibitors proved less broadly effective. Overall, our study compares and contrasts a large number of RASopathy-associated variants including their therapeutic responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tirtha K. Das
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York NY, USA
- The Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Genetics and Genomic Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York NY, USA
| | - Jared Gatto
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York NY, USA
- The Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Genetics and Genomic Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York NY, USA
| | - Rupa Mirmira
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York NY, USA
| | - Ethan Hourizadeh
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York NY, USA
| | - Dalia Kaufman
- The Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Genetics and Genomic Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York NY, USA
| | - Bruce D. Gelb
- The Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Genetics and Genomic Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York NY, USA
| | - Ross Cagan
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York NY, USA
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12
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Allosteric and ATP-Competitive MEK-Inhibition in a Novel Spitzoid Melanoma Model with a RAF- and Phosphorylation-Independent Mutation. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040829. [PMID: 33669371 PMCID: PMC7920251 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Spitzoid melanoma is a rare tumor type and so far preclinical models for translational research have also been also lacking. We established a cell line from a metastatic spitzoid melanoma that is, according to our knowledge, the first cell model from this tumor type. The cells carried a novel activating mutation in the region of the MEK1 protein that influences the sensitivity of the mutant protein to MEK inhibitors. We tested the cells’ sensitivity to clinically used and newly developed MEK inhibitors in both in vitro and in vivo models. The clinically approved MEK inhibitor strongly reduced both in vitro and in vivo tumor growth and might be an effective therapy for tumors with this kind of MEK mutation. Abstract Spitzoid melanoma is a rare malignancy with histological characteristics similar to Spitz nevus. It has a diverse genetic background and in adults, a similarly grim clinical outcome as conventional malignant melanoma. We established a spitzoid melanoma cell line (PF130) from the pleural effusion sample of a 37-year-old male patient. We found that the cell line carries a rare MEK1 mutation (pGlu102_Lys104delinsGln) that belongs to the RAF- and phosphorylation-independent subgroup of MEK1 alternations supposedly insensitive to allosteric MEK inhibitors. The in vivo tumorigenicity was tested in three different models by injecting the cells subcutaneously, intravenously or into the thoracic cavity of SCID mice. In the intrapleural model, macroscopic tumors formed in the chest cavity after two months, while subcutaneously and intravenously delivered cells showed limited growth. In vitro, trametinib—but not selumentinib—and the ATP-competitive MEK inhibitor MAP855 strongly decreased the viability of the cells and induced cell death. In vivo, trametinib but not MAP855 significantly reduced tumor growth in the intrapleural model. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first patient-derived melanoma model with RAF- and phosphorylation-independent MEK mutation and we demonstrated its sensitivity to trametinib.
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Marmion RA, Yang L, Goyal Y, Jindal GA, Wetzel JL, Singh M, Schüpbach T, Shvartsman SY. Molecular mechanisms underlying cellular effects of human MEK1 mutations. Mol Biol Cell 2021; 32:974-983. [PMID: 33476180 PMCID: PMC8108529 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e20-10-0625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Terminal regions of Drosophila embryos are patterned by signaling through ERK, which is genetically deregulated in multiple human diseases. Quantitative studies of terminal patterning have been recently used to investigate gain-of-function variants of human MEK1, encoding the MEK kinase that directly activates ERK by dual phosphorylation. Unexpectedly, several mutations reduced ERK activation by extracellular signals, possibly through a negative feedback triggered by signal-independent activity of the mutant variants. Here we present experimental evidence supporting this model. Using a MEK variant that combines a mutation within the negative regulatory region with alanine substitutions in the activation loop, we prove that pathogenic variants indeed acquire signal-independent kinase activity. We also demonstrate that signal-dependent activation of these variants is independent of kinase suppressor of Ras, a conserved adaptor that is indispensable for activation of normal MEK. Finally, we show that attenuation of ERK activation by extracellular signals stems from transcriptional induction of Mkp3, a dual specificity phosphatase that deactivates ERK by dephosphorylation. These findings in the Drosophila embryo highlight its power for investigating diverse effects of human disease mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Marmion
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544
| | - Liu Yang
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544
| | - Yogesh Goyal
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544.,Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544.,Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Granton A Jindal
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544.,Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544.,Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093
| | - Joshua L Wetzel
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544.,Department of Computer Science, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540
| | - Mona Singh
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544.,Department of Computer Science, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540
| | - Trudi Schüpbach
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544
| | - Stanislav Y Shvartsman
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544.,Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544.,Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544.,Flatiron Institute, Simons Foundation, New York, NY 10010
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Schröder M, Tan L, Wang J, Liang Y, Gray NS, Knapp S, Chaikuad A. Catalytic Domain Plasticity of MKK7 Reveals Structural Mechanisms of Allosteric Activation and Diverse Targeting Opportunities. Cell Chem Biol 2020; 27:1285-1295.e4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2020.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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De Ridder R, Boudin E, Zillikens MC, Ibrahim J, van der Eerden BCJ, Van Hul W, Mortier G. A multi-omics approach expands the mutational spectrum of MAP2K1-related melorheostosis. Bone 2020; 137:115406. [PMID: 32387835 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2020.115406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Melorheostosis is a very rare sclerosing bone dysplasia characterized by asymmetrical and progressive cortical hyperostosis, usually with involvement of soft tissues surrounding the lesions. Recently Kang et al. identified somatic mosaicism for variants (p.Gln56Pro, p.Lys57Asn, or p.Lys57Glu) in the negative regulatory domain of MAP2K1, resulting in increased ERK1/2 signalling in affected tissues. In our study, we employed several sequencing technologies to unravel genetic variants (only present in affected tissues) from four sporadic melorheostosis patients. In the exome of two patients, we identified the same variants (p.K57N and p.K57E) as previously described by Kang et al. WGS and RNAseq analysis in a third patient demonstrated the presence of a novel variant (p.Cys121Ser) in the catalytic domain of MAP2K1. In addition, gene set enrichment analysis of the transcriptome data demonstrated upregulation of proliferative pathways. Interestingly, increased proliferation of MAP2K1 p.Lys57Asn-positive osteoblasts has been reported by Kang et al. The variants located in the hotspot region of the negative regulatory domain as well as this newly identified p.Cys121Ser variant have all been classified as MAP2K1 variants that can constitutively activate the downstream effector Erk. Finally, in a fourth patient with classical radiographic features of melorheostosis, no pathogenic variants could be identified in MAP2K1 or the other candidate genes for melorheostosis (SMAD3; LEMD3; KRAS). In conclusion, our study strongly suggests that not only somatic variants in the regulatory domain of MAP2K1 but also in the catalytic domain can cause melorheostosis. Our observations confirm that mutations in MAP2K1 are a major cause of melorheostosis and also suggest further locus heterogeneity for this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphaël De Ridder
- Center of Medical Genetics, Antwerp University Hospital and University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Eveline Boudin
- Center of Medical Genetics, Antwerp University Hospital and University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - M Carola Zillikens
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Joe Ibrahim
- Center of Medical Genetics, Antwerp University Hospital and University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Bram C J van der Eerden
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Wim Van Hul
- Center of Medical Genetics, Antwerp University Hospital and University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Geert Mortier
- Center of Medical Genetics, Antwerp University Hospital and University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
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Abstract
MEK, a central component of the Ras/MAPK cascade, is mutated in human tumors and developmental disorders. Recent studies are beginning to dissect the mechanisms that make these MEK mutants hyperactive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee Bardwell
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, 2208 Natural Sciences I, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-2300, USA.
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Yeung E, McFann S, Marsh L, Dufresne E, Filippi S, Harrington HA, Shvartsman SY, Wühr M. Inference of Multisite Phosphorylation Rate Constants and Their Modulation by Pathogenic Mutations. Curr Biol 2020; 30:877-882.e6. [PMID: 32059766 PMCID: PMC7085240 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2019.12.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Multisite protein phosphorylation plays a critical role in cell regulation [1-3]. It is widely appreciated that the functional capabilities of multisite phosphorylation depend on the order and kinetics of phosphorylation steps, but kinetic aspects of multisite phosphorylation remain poorly understood [4-6]. Here, we focus on what appears to be the simplest scenario, when a protein is phosphorylated on only two sites in a strict, well-defined order. This scenario describes the activation of ERK, a highly conserved cell-signaling enzyme. We use Bayesian parameter inference in a structurally identifiable kinetic model to dissect dual phosphorylation of ERK by MEK, a kinase that is mutated in a large number of human diseases [7-12]. Our results reveal how enzyme processivity and efficiencies of individual phosphorylation steps are altered by pathogenic mutations. The presented approach, which connects specific mutations to kinetic parameters of multisite phosphorylation mechanisms, provides a systematic framework for closing the gap between studies with purified enzymes and their effects in the living organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eyan Yeung
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Carl Icahn Laboratory, Washington Road, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Washington Road, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Sarah McFann
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Carl Icahn Laboratory, Washington Road, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Engineering Quad, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Lewis Marsh
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Andrew Wiles Building, Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 6GG, UK
| | - Emilie Dufresne
- Department of Mathematics, James College, Campus West, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Sarah Filippi
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Imperial College London, Medical School Building, St Mary's Campus, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, UK; Department of Mathematics, South Kensington Campus, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Heather A Harrington
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Andrew Wiles Building, Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 6GG, UK
| | - Stanislav Y Shvartsman
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Carl Icahn Laboratory, Washington Road, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Washington Road, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Flatiron Institute, Simons Foundation, New York, NY 10010, USA.
| | - Martin Wühr
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Carl Icahn Laboratory, Washington Road, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Washington Road, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA.
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Smolko CM, Janes KA. An ultrasensitive fiveplex activity assay for cellular kinases. Sci Rep 2019; 9:19409. [PMID: 31857650 PMCID: PMC6923413 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-55998-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein kinases are enzymes whose abundance, protein-protein interactions, and posttranslational modifications together determine net signaling activity in cells. Large-scale data on cellular kinase activity are limited, because existing assays are cumbersome, poorly sensitive, low throughput, and restricted to measuring one kinase at a time. Here, we surmount the conventional hurdles of activity measurement with a multiplexing approach that leverages the selectivity of individual kinase-substrate pairs. We demonstrate proof of concept by designing an assay that jointly measures activity of five pleiotropic signaling kinases: Akt, IκB kinase (IKK), c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-extracellular regulated kinase kinase (MEK), and MAPK-activated protein kinase-2 (MK2). The assay operates in a 96-well format and specifically measures endogenous kinase activation with coefficients of variation less than 20%. Multiplex tracking of kinase-substrate pairs reduces input requirements by 25-fold, with ~75 µg of cellular extract sufficient for fiveplex activity profiling. We applied the assay to monitor kinase signaling during coxsackievirus B3 infection of two different host-cell types and identified multiple differences in pathway dynamics and coordination that warrant future study. Because the Akt–IKK–JNK–MEK–MK2 pathways regulate many important cellular functions, the fiveplex assay should find applications in inflammation, environmental-stress, and cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian M Smolko
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Kevin A Janes
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA. .,Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA.
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