Cholecystokinin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of p125FAK and paxillin is mediated by phospholipase C-dependent and -independent mechanisms and requires the integrity of the actin cytoskeleton and participation of p21rho

Group II p21-activated kinase, PAK4, is needed for activation of focal adhesion kinases, MAPK, GSK3, and β-catenin in rat pancreatic acinar cells

PAK4 is the only member of the Group II p21-activated kinases (PAKs) present in rat pancreatic acinar cells and is activated by gastrointestinal hormones/neurotransmitters stimulating PLC/cAMP and by various pancreatic growth factors. However, little is known of the role of PAK4 activation in cellular signaling cascades in pancreatic acinar cells. In the present study, we examined the role of PAK4's participation in five different cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8)-stimulated signaling pathways (PI3K/Akt, MAPK, focal adhesion kinase, GSK3, and β-catenin), which mediate many of its physiological acinar-cell effects, as well as effects in pathophysiological conditions. To define PAK4's role, the effect of two different PAK4 inhibitors, PF-3758309 and LCH-7749944, was examined under experimental conditions that only inhibited PAK4 activation and not activation of the other pancreatic PAK, Group I PAK2. The inhibitors' effects on activation of these five signaling cascades by both physiological and pathophysiological concentrations of CCK, as well as by 12-O-tetradecanoylphobol-13-acetate (TPA), a PKC-activator, were examined. CCK/TPA activation of focal adhesion kinases(PYK2/p125^FAK) and the accompanying adapter proteins (paxillin/p130^CAS), Mek1/2, and p44/42, but not c-Raf or other MAPKs (JNK/p38), were mediated by PAK4. Activation of PI3K/Akt/p70s6K was independent of PAK4, whereas GSK3 and β-catenin stimulation was PAK4-dependent. These results, coupled with recent studies showing PAK4 is important in pancreatic fluid/electrolyte/enzyme secretion and acinar cell growth, show that PAK4 plays an important role in different cellular signaling cascades, which have been shown to mediate numerous physiological and pathophysiological processes in pancreatic acinar cells.NEW & NOTEWORTHY In pancreatic acinar cells, cholecystokinin (CCK) or 12-O-tetradecanoylphobol-13-acetate (TPA) activation of focal adhesion kinases (p125^FAK,PYK2) and its accompanying adapter proteins, p130CAS/paxillin; Mek1/2, p44/42, GSK3, and β-catenin are mediated by PAK4. PI3K/Akt/p70s6K, c-Raf, JNK, or p38 pathways are independent of PAK4 activation.

Cholecystokinin (CCK) Regulation of Pancreatic Acinar Cells: Physiological Actions and Signal Transduction Mechanisms

Pancreatic acinar cells synthesize and secrete about 20 digestive enzymes and ancillary proteins with the processes that match the supply of these enzymes to their need in digestion being regulated by a number of hormones (CCK, secretin and insulin), neurotransmitters (acetylcholine and VIP) and growth factors (EGF and IGF). Of these regulators, one of the most important and best studied is the gastrointestinal hormone, cholecystokinin (CCK). Furthermore, the acinar cell has become a model for seven transmembrane, heterotrimeric G protein coupled receptors to regulate multiple processes by distinct signal transduction cascades. In this review, we briefly describe the chemistry and physiology of CCK and then consider the major physiological effects of CCK on pancreatic acinar cells. The majority of the review is devoted to the physiologic signaling pathways activated by CCK receptors and heterotrimeric G proteins and the functions they affect. The pathways covered include the traditional second messenger pathways PLC-IP3-Ca²⁺ , DAG-PKC, and AC-cAMP-PKA/EPAC that primarily relate to secretion. Then there are the protein-protein interaction pathways Akt-mTOR-S6K, the three major MAPK pathways (ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPK), and Ca²⁺ -calcineurin-NFAT pathways that primarily regulate non-secretory processes including biosynthesis and growth, and several miscellaneous pathways that include the Rho family small G proteins, PKD, FAK, and Src that may regulate both secretory and nonsecretory processes but are not as well understood. © 2019 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 9:535-564, 2019.

P21-activated kinase 4 in pancreatic acinar cells is activated by numerous gastrointestinal hormones/neurotransmitters and growth factors by novel signaling, and its activation stimulates secretory/growth cascades

p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are highly conserved serine/threonine protein kinases, which are divided into two groups: group-I (PAKs1-3) and group-II (PAKs4-6). In various tissues, Group-II PAKs play important roles in cytoskeletal dynamics and cell growth as well as neoplastic development/progression. However, little is known about Group-II PAK's role in a number of physiological events, including their ability to be activated by gastrointestinal (GI) hormones/neurotransmitters/growth factors (GFs). We used rat pancreatic acini to explore the ability of GI hormones/neurotransmitters/GFs to activate Group-II-PAKs and the signaling cascades involved. Only PAK4 was detected in pancreatic acini. PAK4 was activated by endothelin, secretagogues-stimulating phospholipase C (bombesin, CCK-8, and carbachol), by pancreatic GFs (insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1, hepatocyte growth factor, epidermal growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, and platelet-derived growth factor), and by postreceptor stimulants (12-O-tetradecanoylphobol-13-acetate and A23187 ). CCK-8 activation of PAK4 required both high- and low-affinity CCK1-receptor state activation. It was reduced by PKC-, Src-, p44/42-, or p38-inhibition but not with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-inhibitors and only minimally by thapsigargin. A protein kinase D (PKD)-inhibitor completely inhibited CCK-8-stimulated PKD-activation; however, stimulated PAK4 phosphorylation was only inhibited by 60%, demonstrating that it is both PKD-dependent and PKD-independent. PF-3758309 and LCH-7749944, inhibitors of PAK4, decreased CCK-8-stimulated PAK4 activation but not PAK2 activation. Each inhibited ERK1/2 activation and amylase release induced by CCK-8 or bombesin. These results show that PAK4 has an important role in modulating signal cascades activated by a number of GI hormones/neurotransmitters/GFs that have been shown to mediate both physiological/pathological responses in acinar cells. Therefore, in addition to the extensive studies on PAK4 in pancreatic cancer, PAK4 should also be considered an important signaling molecule for pancreatic acinar physiological responses and, in the future, should be investigated for a possible role in pancreatic acinar pathophysiological responses, such as in pancreatitis. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study demonstrates that the only Group-II p21-activated kinase (PAK) in rat pancreatic acinar cells is PAK4, and thus differs from islets/pancreatic cancer. Both gastrointestinal hormones/neurotransmitters stimulating PLC and pancreatic growth factors activate PAK4. With cholecystokinin (CCK), activation is PKC-dependent/-independent, requires both CCK1-R affinity states, Src, p42/44, and p38 activation. PAK4 activation is required for CCK-mediated p42/44 activation/amylase release. These results show PAK4 plays an important role in mediating CCK physiological signal cascades and suggest it may be a target in pancreatic acinar diseases besides cancer.

Src kinases play a novel dual role in acute pancreatitis affecting severity but no role in stimulated enzyme secretion

In pancreatic acinar cells, the Src family of kinases (SFK) is involved in the activation of several signaling cascades that are implicated in mediating cellular processes (growth, cytoskeletal changes, apoptosis). However, the role of SFKs in various physiological responses such as enzyme secretion or in pathophysiological processes such as acute pancreatitis is either controversial, unknown, or incompletely understood. To address this, in this study, we investigated the role/mechanisms of SFKs in acute pancreatitis and enzyme release. Enzyme secretion was studied in rat dispersed pancreatic acini, in vitro acute-pancreatitis-like changes induced by supramaximal COOH-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin (CCK). SFK involvement assessed using the chemical SFK inhibitor (PP2) with its inactive control, 4-amino-7-phenylpyrazol[3,4-d]pyrimidine (PP3), under experimental conditions, markedly inhibiting SFK activation. In CCK-stimulated pancreatic acinar cells, activation occurred of trypsinogen, various MAP kinases (p42/44, JNK), transcription factors (signal transducer and activator of transcription-3, nuclear factor-κB, activator protein-1), caspases (3, 8, and 9) inducing apoptosis, LDH release reflective of necrosis, and various chemokines secreted (monocyte chemotactic protein-1, macrophage inflammatory protein-1α, regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted). All were inhibited by PP2, not by PP3, except caspase activation leading to apoptosis, which was increased, and trypsin activation, which was unaffected, as was CCK-induced amylase release. These results demonstrate SFK activation is playing a dual role in acute pancreatitis, inhibiting apoptosis and promoting necrosis as well as chemokine/cytokine release inducing inflammation, leading to more severe disease, as well as not affecting secretion. Thus, our studies indicate that SFK is a key mediator of inflammation and pancreatic acinar cell death in acute pancreatitis, suggesting it could be a potential therapeutic target in acute pancreatitis.

The p21-activated kinase, PAK2, is important in the activation of numerous pancreatic acinar cell signaling cascades and in the onset of early pancreatitis events

In a recent study we explored Group-1-p21-activated kinases (GP.1-PAKs) in rat pancreatic acini. Only PAK2 was present; it was activated by gastrointestinal-hormones/neurotransmitters and growth factors in a PKC-, Src- and small-GTPase-mediated manner. PAK2 was required for enzyme-secretion and ERK/1-2-activation. In the present study we examined PAK2's role in CCK and TPA-activation of important distal signaling cascades mediating their physiological/pathophysiological effects and analyzed its role in pathophysiological processes important in early pancreatitis. In rat pancreatic acini, PAK2-inhibition by the specific, GP.1.PAK-inhibitor, IPA-3-suppressed cholecystokinin (CCK)/TPA-stimulated activation of focal-adhesion kinases and mitogen-activated protein-kinases. PAK2-inhibition reversed the dual stimulatory/inhibitory effect of CCK/TPA on the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β pathway. However, its inhibition did not affect PKC activation. PAK2-inhibition protected acini from CCK-induced ROS-generation; caspase/trypsin-activation, important in early pancreatitis; as well as from cell-necrosis. Furthermore, PAK2-inhibition reduced proteolytic-activation of PAK-2p34, which is involved in programmed-cell-death. To ensure that the study did not only rely in the specificity of IPA-3 as a PAK inhibitor, we used two other approaches for PAK inhibition, FRAX597 a ATP-competitive-GP.1-PAKs-inhibitor and infection with a PAK2-dominant negative(DN)-Advirus. Those two approaches confirmed the results obtained with IPA-3. This study demonstrates that PAK2 is important in mediating CCK's effect on the activation of signaling-pathways known to mediate its physiological/pathophysiological responses including several cellular processes linked to the onset of pancreatitis. Our results suggest that PAK2 could be a new, important therapeutic target to consider for the treatment of diseases involving deregulation of pancreatic acinar cells.

Elucidation of the roles of the Src kinases in pancreatic acinar cell signaling

Recent studies report the Src-family kinases (SFK's) are important in a number of physiological and pathophysiological responses of pancreatic acinar cells (pancreatitis, growth, apoptosis); however, the role of SFKs in various signaling cascades important in mediating these cell functions is either not investigated or unclear. To address this we investigated the action of SFKs in these signaling cascades in rat pancreatic acini by modulating SFK activity using three methods: adenovirus-induced expression of an inactive dominant-negative CSK (Dn-CSK-Advirus) or wild-type CSK (Wt-CSK-Advirus), which activate or inhibit SFK, respectively, or using the chemical inhibitor, PP2, with its inactive control, PP3. CCK (0.3, 100 nM) and TPA (1 μM) activated SFK and altered the activation of FAK proteins (PYK2, p125(FAK)), adaptor proteins (p130(CAS), paxillin), MAPK (p42/44, JNK, p38), Shc, PKC (PKD, MARCKS), Akt but not GSK3-β. Changes in SFK activity by using the three methods of altering SFK activity affected CCK/TPAs activation of SFK, PYK2, p125(FAK), p130(CAS), Shc, paxillin, Akt but not p42/44, JNK, p38, PKC (PKD, MARCKS) or GSK3-β. With chemical inhibition the active SFK inhibitor, PP2, but not the inactive control analogue, PP3, showed these effects. For all stimulated changes pre-incubation with both adenoviruses showed similar effects to chemical inhibition of SFK activity. In conclusion, using three different approaches to altering Src activity allowed us to define fully for the first time the roles of SFKs in acinar cell signaling. Our results show that in pancreatic acinar cells, SFKs play a much wider role than previously reported in activating a number of important cellular signaling cascades shown to be important in mediating both acinar cell physiological and pathophysiological responses.

Gastrointestinal hormones/neurotransmitters and growth factors can activate P21 activated kinase 2 in pancreatic acinar cells by novel mechanisms

P-21-activated kinases (PAKs) are serine/threonine kinases comprising six isoforms divided in two groups, group-I (PAK1-3)/group-II (PAK4-6) which play important roles in cell cytoskeletal dynamics, survival, secretion and proliferation and are activated by diverse stimuli. However, little is known about PAKs ability to be activated by gastrointestinal (GI) hormones/neurotransmitters/growth-factors. We used rat pancreatic acini to explore the ability of GI-hormones/neurotransmitters/growth-factors to activate Group-I-PAKs and the signaling cascades involved. Only PAK2 was present in acini. PAK2 was activated by some pancreatic growth-factors [EGF, PDGF, bFGF], by secretagogues activating phospholipase-C (PLC) [CCK, carbachol, bombesin] and by post-receptor stimulants activating PKC [TPA], but not agents only mobilizing cellular calcium or increasing cyclic AMP. CCK-activation of PAK2 required both high- and low-affinity-CCK1-receptor-state activation. It was partially reduced by PKC- or Src-inhibition, but not with PI3K-inhibitors (wortmannin, LY294002) or thapsigargin. IPA-3, which prevents PAK2 binding to small-GTPases partially inhibited PAK2-activation, as well as reduced CCK-induced ERK1/2 activation and amylase release induced by CCK or bombesin. This study demonstrates pancreatic acini, possess only one Group-I-PAK, PAK2. CCK and other GI-hormones/neurotransmitters/growth-factors activate PAK2 via small GTPases (CDC42/Rac1), PKC and SFK but not cytosolic calcium or PI3K. CCK-activation of PAK2 showed several novel features being dependent on both receptor-activation states, having PLC- and PKC-dependent/independent components and small-GTPase-dependent/independent components. These results show that PAK2 is important in signaling cascades activated by numerous pancreatic stimuli which mediate their various physiological/pathophysiological responses and thus could be a promising target for the development of therapies in some pancreatic disorders such as pancreatitis.

The Src kinase Yes is activated in pancreatic acinar cells by gastrointestinal hormones/neurotransmitters, but not pancreatic growth factors, which stimulate its association with numerous other signaling molecules

For growth factors, cytokines, G-protein-coupled receptors and numerous other stimuli, the Src Family of kinases (SFK) play a central signaling role. SFKs also play an important role in pancreatic acinar cell function including metabolism, secretion, endocytosis, growth and cytoskeletal integrity, although the specific SFKs involved are not fully known. In the present study we used specific antibodies for the SFK, Yes, to determine its presence, activation by pancreatic secretagogues or growth factors, and interaction with cellular signaling cascades mediated by CCK in which Yes participates in to cause acinar cell responses. Yes was identified in acini and secretagogues known to activate phospholipase C (PLC) [CCK, carbachol, bombesin] as well as post-receptor stimulants activating PKC [TPA] or mobilizing cellular calcium [thapsigargin/calcium ionophore (A23187)] each activated Yes. Secretin, which activates adenylate cyclase did not stimulate Yes, nor did pancreatic growth factors. CCK activation of Yes required both high- and low-affinity CCK(1)-receptor states. TPA-/CCK-stimulated Yes activation was completely inhibited by thapsigargin and the PKC inhibitor, GF109203X. CCK/TPA stimulated the association of Yes with focal adhesion kinases (Pyk2, FAK) and its autophosphorylated forms (pY397FAK, pY402Pyk2). Moreover, CCK/TPA stimulated Yes interacted with a number of other signaling proteins, including Shc, PKD, p130(Cas), PI3K and PTEN. This study demonstrates that in rat pancreatic acini, the SFK member Yes is expressed and activated by CCK and other gastrointestinal hormones/neurotransmitters. Because its activation results in the direct activation of many cellular signaling cascades that have been shown to mediate CCK's effect in acinar cell function our results suggest that it is one of the important pancreatic SFKs mediating these effects.

PKCθ activation in pancreatic acinar cells by gastrointestinal hormones/neurotransmitters and growth factors is needed for stimulation of numerous important cellular signaling cascades

The novel PKCθ isoform is highly expressed in T-cells, brain and skeletal muscle and originally thought to have a restricted distribution. It has been extensively studied in T-cells and shown to be important for apoptosis, T-cell activation and proliferation. Recent studies showed its presence in other tissues and importance in insulin signaling, lung surfactant secretion, intestinal barrier permeability, platelet and mast-cell functions. However, little information is available for PKCθ activation by gastrointestinal (GI) hormones/neurotransmitters and growth factors. In the present study we used rat pancreatic acinar cells to explore their ability to activate PKCθ and the possible interactions with important cellular mediators of their actions. Particular attention was paid to cholecystokinin (CCK), a physiological regulator of pancreatic function and important in pathological processes affecting acinar function, like pancreatitis. PKCθ-protein/mRNA was present in the pancreatic acini, and T538-PKCθ phosphorylation/activation was stimulated only by hormones/neurotransmitters activating phospholipase C. PKCθ was activated in time- and dose-related manner by CCK, mediated 30% by high-affinity CCK(A)-receptor activation. CCK stimulated PKCθ translocation from cytosol to membrane. PKCθ inhibition (by pseudostrate-inhibitor or dominant negative) inhibited CCK- and TPA-stimulation of PKD, Src, RafC, PYK2, p125(FAK) and IKKα/β, but not basal/stimulated enzyme secretion. Also CCK- and TPA-induced PKCθ activation produced an increment in PKCθ's direct association with AKT, RafA, RafC and Lyn. These results show for the first time the PKCθ presence in pancreatic acinar cells, its activation by some GI hormones/neurotransmitters and involvement in important cell signaling pathways mediating physiological responses (enzyme secretion, proliferation, apoptosis, cytokine expression, and pathological responses like pancreatitis and cancer growth).

The effect of lysophosphatidic acid and Rho-associated kinase patterning on adhesion of dental pulp cells

AIM

To investigate the effects of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and the Rho/Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) pathway on adhesion of dental pulp cells (DPCs).

METHODOLOGY

Human DPCs were cultured ex vivo. After treatment of LPA and Y-27632, a specific ROCK inhibitor, changes in focal contacts (FCs) were examined by immunofluorescent staining. Activation of FCs proteins was examined by measuring tyrosine 397 phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and paxillin using immunoblotting. The data were analysed by Student's t-test.

RESULTS

The immunofluorescent staining indicated LPA stimulation induced larger focal adhesion in the cell periphery, compared with the control. Inhibition of ROCK by Y-27632 decreased the formation of FCs markedly, even in the LPA-stimulated cells. LPA also increased the level of tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin at 30min (P<0.05) and FAK at 5 and 30min (P<0.05). Furthermore, p-paxillin levels declined immediately after Y-27632 treatment and remained low at 5, 30, 60min. Y-27632 also suppressed the effects of LPA on p-paxillin and p-FAK at 5 and 30min (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

LPA activated Rho and then subsequently activated ROCK, suggesting that LPA influences the FCs of DPCs by modulating tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK and paxillin via the Rho/ROCK pathway.

Gastrointestinal growth factors and hormones have divergent effects on Akt activation

Akt is a central regulator of apoptosis, cell growth and survival. Growth factors and some G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) regulate Akt. Whereas growth-factor activation of Akt has been extensively studied, the regulation of Akt by GPCR's, especially gastrointestinal hormones/neurotransmitters, remains unclear. To address this area, in this study the effects of GI growth factors and hormones/neurotransmitters were investigated in rat pancreatic acinar cells which are high responsive to these agents. Pancreatic acini expressed Akt and 5 of 7 known pancreatic growth-factors stimulate Akt phosphorylation (T308, S473) and translocation. These effects are mediated by p85 phosphorylation and activation of PI3K. GI hormones increasing intracellular cAMP had similar effects. However, GI-hormones/neurotransmitters [CCK, bombesin, carbachol] activating phospholipase C (PLC) inhibited basal and growth-factor-stimulated Akt activation. Detailed studies with CCK, which has both physiological and pathophysiological effects on pancreatic acinar cells at different concentrations, demonstrated CCK has a biphasic effect: at low concentrations (pM) stimulating Akt by a Src-dependent mechanism and at higher concentrations (nM) inhibited basal and stimulated Akt translocation, phosphorylation and activation, by de-phosphorylating p85 resulting in decreasing PI3K activity. This effect required activation of both limbs of the PLC-pathway and a protein tyrosine phosphatase, but was not mediated by p44/42 MAPK, Src or activation of a serine phosphatase. Akt inhibition by CCK was also found in vivo and in Panc-1 cancer cells where it inhibited serum-mediated rescue from apoptosis. These results demonstrate that GI growth factors as well as gastrointestinal hormones/neurotransmitters with different cellular basis of action can all regulate Akt phosphorylation in pancreatic acinar cells. This regulation is complex with phospholipase C agents such as CCK, because both stimulatory and inhibitory effects can be seen, which are mediated by different mechanisms.

CCK1 and 2 receptors are expressed in immortalized rat brain neuroblasts: Intracellular signals after cholecystokinin stimulation

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is one of the most abundant neuropeptides in the central nervous system (CNS) where it promotes important functions by activation of receptors CCK1 and CCK2. Our aim was to investigate CCK receptors expression and their downstream intracellular signaling in immortalized rat brain neuroblasts. Results show that CCK1 and CCK2 receptor mRNAs and CCK2 receptor protein are expressed in neuroblasts. CCK incubation of neuroblasts leads to stimulation in a time-dependent manner of several signaling pathways, such as tyrosine phosphorylation of adaptor proteins paxillin and p130(Cas), phosphorylation of p44/p42 ERKs as well as PKB (Ser473). Moreover, CCK-8 stimulates the DNA-binding activity of the transcription factor AP-1. The CCK2 receptor agonist gastrin stimulates ERK1/2 phosphorylation in a comparable degree as CCK does. ERK1/2 phosphorylation activated by CCK-8 was markedly inhibited by the CCK2 receptor antagonist CR2945. Incubation for 48 h with CCK-8 increases neuroblasts viability in a similar degree as EGF. In summary, our data clearly identify CCK1 and CCK2 receptor mRNAs and CCK2 receptor protein in brain neuroblasts and show that incubation with CCK promotes cell proliferation and activates the phosphorylation of survival transduction pathways. Stimulation of ERK1/2 phosphorylation by CCK is mainly mediated by the CCK2 receptor. Moreover, this work might provide a novel model of proliferating neuronal cells to further study the biochemical mechanisms by which the neuropeptide CCK exerts its actions in the CNS.

Gastrointestinal Hormones Cause Rapid c-Met Receptor Down-regulation by a Novel Mechanism Involving Clathrin-mediated Endocytosis and a Lysosome-dependent Mechanism

The activated c-Met receptor has potent effects on normal tissues and tumors. c-Met levels are regulated by hepatocyte growth factor (HGF); however, it is unknown if they can be regulated by gastrointestinal (GI) hormones. c-Met is found in many GI tissues/tumors that possess GI hormone receptors. We studied the effect of GI hormones on c-Met in rat pancreatic acini, which possess both receptors. CCK-8, carbachol, and bombesin, but not VIP/secretin, decreased c-Met. CCK-8 caused rapid and potent c-Met down-regulation and abolished HGF-induced c-Met and Gab1 tyrosine phosphorylation, while stimulating c-Met serine phosphorylation. The effect of cholecystokinin (CCK) was also seen in intact acini using immunofluorescence, in a biotinylated fraction representing membrane proteins, in single acinar cells, in Panc-1 tumor cells, and in vivo in rats injected with CCK. CCK-8 did not decrease cell viability or overall responsiveness. GF109203X, thapsigargin, or their combination partially reversed the effect of CCK-8. In contrast to HGF-induced c-Met down-regulation, the effect of CCK was decreased by a lysosome inhibitor (concanamycin) but not the proteasome inhibitor lactacystin. Inhibitors of clathrin-mediated endocytosis blocked the effect of CCK. HGF but not CCK-8 caused c-Met ubiquitination. These results show CCK and other GI hormones can cause rapid c-Met down-regulation, which occurs by a novel mechanism. These results could be important for c-Met regulation in normal as well as in neoplastic tissue in the GI tract.

Cholecystokinin and gastrin receptors

Cholecystokinin and gastrin receptors (CCK1R and CCK2R) are G protein-coupled receptors that have been the subject of intensive research in the last 10 years with corresponding advances in the understanding of their functioning and physiology. In this review, we first describe general properties of the receptors, such as the different signaling pathways used to exert short- and long-term effects and the structural data that explain their binding properties, activation, and regulation. We then focus on peripheral cholecystokinin receptors by describing their tissue distribution and physiological actions. Finally, pathophysiological peripheral actions of cholecystokinin receptors and their relevance in clinical disorders are reviewed.

Activation of Gab1 in pancreatic acinar cells: Effects of gastrointestinal growth factors/hormones on stimulation, phosphospecific phosphorylation, translocation and interaction with downstream signaling molecules

The scaffolding/adapter protein, Gab1, is a key signaling molecule for numerous stimuli including growth factors and G protein-coupled-receptors (GPCRs). A number of questions about Gab1 signaling remain and little is known about the ability of gastrointestinal (GI) hormones/neurotransmitters/growth factors to activate Gab1. Therefore, we examined their ability to activate Gab1 and explored the mechanisms involved using rat pancreatic acini. HGF and EGF stimulated total Gab1 tyrosine phosphorylation (TyrP) and TyrP of Gab1 phospho-specific sites (Y307, Y627), but not other pancreatic growth factors, GI GPCRs (CCK, bombesin, carbachol, VIP, secretin), or agents directly activating PKC or increasing Ca2+. HGF-stimulated Y307 Gab1 TyrP differed in kinetics from total and Y627. Neither GF109203X, nor inhibition of Ca2+ increases altered HGF's effect. In unstimulated cells>95% of Gab1 was cytosolic and HGF stimulated a 3-fold increase in membrane Gab1. HGF stimulated equal increases in pY307 and pY627 Gab1 in cytosol/membrane. HGF stimulated Gab1 association with c-Met, Grb2, SHP2, PI3K, Shc, Crk isoforms and CrkL, but not with PLCgamma1. These results demonstrate that only a subset of pancreatic growth factors (HGF/EGF) stimulates Gab1 signaling and no pancreatic hormones/neurotransmitters. Our results with Gab1 activation with different growth factors, the role of PKC, and its interaction with distant signaling molecules suggest the cellular mechanisms of Gab1 signaling show important differences in different cells. These results show that Gab1 activation plays a central role in HGF's ability to stimulate intracellular transduction cascades in pancreatic acinar cells and this action likely plays a key role in HGF's ability to alter pancreatic cell function (i.e., growth/regeneration).

The Src family kinase, Lyn, is activated in pancreatic acinar cells by gastrointestinal hormones/neurotransmitters and growth factors which stimulate its association with numerous other signaling molecules

Src family kinases (SFK) play a central signaling role for growth factors, cytokines, G-protein-coupled receptors and other stimuli. SFKs play important roles in pancreatic acinar cell secretion, endocytosis, growth, cytoskeletal integrity and apoptosis, although little is known of the specific SFKs involved. In this study we demonstrate the SFK, Lyn, is present in rat pancreatic acini and investigate its activation/signaling. Ca(2+)-mobilizing agents, cAMP-mobilizing agents and pancreatic growth factors activated Lyn. CCK, a physiological regulator of pancreatic function, rapidly activated Lyn. The specific SFK inhibitor, PP2, decreased Lyn activation; however, the inactive analogue, PP3, had no effect. Inhibition of CCK-stimulated changes in [Ca(2+)](i) decreased Lyn activation by 55%; GFX, a PKC inhibitor by 36%; and the combination by 95%. CCK activation of Lyn required stimulation of high and low affinity CCK(A) receptor states. CCK stimulated an association of Lyn with PKC-delta, Shc, p125(FAK) and PYK2 as well as with their autophosphorylated forms, but not with Cbl, p85, p130(CAS) or ERK 1/2. These results show Lyn is activated by diverse pancreatic stimulants. CCK's activation of Lyn is likely an important mediator of its ability to cause tyrosine phosphorylation of numerous important cellular mediators such as p125(FAK), PYK2, PKC-delta and Shc, which play central roles in CCK's effects on acinar cell function.

Adapter protein CRKII signaling is involved in the rat pancreatic acini response to reactive oxygen species

Recent studies demonstrate that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important mediators of acute pancreatitis, whether induced experimentally or in necrotizing pancreatitis in humans; however, the cellular processes involved remain unclear. Adapter protein CrkII, plays a central role for convergence of cellular signals from different stimuli. Cholecystokinin (CCK), which induces pancreatitis, stimulates CrkII tyrosine phosphorylation and CrkII protein complexes, raising the possibility it can be important in the acinar cell responses to ROS. Therefore, our aim was to investigate whether CrkII signaling is involved in the biological response of rat pancreatic acini to H2O2 and the intracellular mediators implicated. Treatment of isolated rat pancreatic acini with H2O2 rapidly stimulates CrkII phosphorylation, measured as electrophoretic mobility shift and by using a phosphospecific antibody (pTyr221). Tyrosine kinase blocker B44 inhibits the higher phosphorylation state, demonstrating that it occurs mainly in tyrosine residues. H2O2-induced CrkII phosphorylation is time- and concentration-dependent, showing maximal effect with 3 mM H2O2 at 5 min. The intracellular pathways induced by H2O2 leading to CrkII tyrosine phosphorylation do not involve PKC, intracellular calcium, PI3-K or the actin cytoskeleton integrity. ROS generation clearly promotes the formation of protein complex CrkII-PYK2. In conclusion, ROS clearly affect the key adapter protein CrkII signaling by two ways: stimulation of CkII phosphorylation and a functional consequence: formation of CrkII-protein complexes. Because of its central role in activating more distal pathways, CrkII might likely play an important role in the ability of ROS to induce pancreatic cellular injury and pancreatitis.

Cholecystokinin stimulates the recruitment of the Src–RhoA–phosphoinositide 3-kinase pathway by Vav-2 downstream of Gα13 in pancreatic acini

In isolated rat pancreatic acini, Src, RhoA, PI3-K, Vav-2, G(alpha12), and G(alpha13) were detected by immunoblotting. CCK enhanced the levels of these proteins, and the levels of Src and RhoA were reduced by the Src inhibitor herbimycin A and the Rho inhibitor pravastatin. The PI3-K inhibitor wortmannin reduced the level of PI3-K. These inhibitors also decreased amylase secretion in CCK-treated pancreatic acini without altering basal secretion. Immunoprecipitation studies indicated that CCK caused Src to associate with Vav-2, RhoA, and PI3-K and RhoA and Src to associate with Vav-2. Ras, RasGAP, and SOS did not coimmunoprecipitate with Vav-2, and RasGAP and SOS did not coimmunoprecipitate with RhoA. CCK also enhanced Vav-2 and RhoA to coimmunoprecipitate with G(alpha13). We conclude that CCK stimulates the recruitment of the Src-RhoA-PI3-K signaling pathway by Vav-2 downstream of G(alpha13) in pancreatic acini.

Rottlerin inhibits stimulated enzymatic secretion and several intracellular signaling transduction pathways in pancreatic acinar cells by a non-PKC-delta-dependent mechanism

Protein kinase C-delta (PKC-delta) becomes activated in pancreatic acini in response to cholecystokinin (CCK) and plays a pivotal role in the exocrine pancreatic secretion. Rottlerin, a polyphenolic compound, has been widely used as a potent and specific PKC-delta inhibitor. However, some recent studies showed that rottlerin was not effective in inhibiting PKCdelta activity in vitro and that may display unspecific effects. The aims of this work were to investigate the specificity of rottlerin as an inhibitor of PKC-delta activity in intact cells and to elucidate the biochemical causes of its unspecificity. Preincubation of pancreatic acini with rottlerin (6 microM) inhibited CCK-stimulated translocation, tyrosine phosphorylation (TyrP) and activation of PKC-delta in pancreatic acini in a time-dependent manner. Rottlerin inhibited amylase secretion stimulated by both PKC-dependent pathways (CCK, bombesin, carbachol, TPA) and also by PKC-independent pathways (secretin, VIP, cAMP analogue). CCK-stimulation of MAPK activation and p125(FAK) TyrP which are mediated by PKC-dependent and -independent pathways were also inhibited by rottlerin. Moreover, rottlerin rapidly depleted ATP content in pancreatic acini in a similar way as the mitochondrial uncouplers CCCP and FCCP. All studied inhibitory effects of rottlerin in pancreatic acini were mimicked by FCCP (agonists-stimulated amylase secretion, p125(FAK) TyrP, MAPK activation and PKC-delta TyrP and translocation). Finally, rottlerin as well as FCCP display a potent inhibitory effect on the activation of other PKC isoforms present in pancreatic acini. Our results suggest that rottlerin effects in pancreatic acini are not due to a specific PKC-delta blockade, but likely due to its negative effect on acini energy resulting in ATP depletion. Therefore, to study the role of PKC-delta in cellular processes using rottlerin it is essential to keep in mind that may deplete ATP levels and inhibit different PKC isoforms. Our results give reasons for a more careful choice of rottlerin for PKC-delta investigation.

Paxillin: adapting to change

Molecular scaffold or adaptor proteins facilitate precise spatiotemporal regulation and integration of multiple signaling pathways to effect the optimal cellular response to changes in the immediate environment. Paxillin is a multidomain adaptor that recruits both structural and signaling molecules to focal adhesions, sites of integrin engagement with the extracellular matrix, where it performs a critical role in transducing adhesion and growth factor signals to elicit changes in cell migration and gene expression.

Receptor-operated Ca2+ influx and its association with the Src family in secretagogue-stimulated pancreatic acini

We investigated signal transduction between receptor-operated Ca(2+) influx (ROCI) and Src-related nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) in rat pancreatic acini. CCK and the Ca(2+) ionophore enhanced the Src-related PTK activity, whereas the high-affinity CCK-A receptor agonists, fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and the protein kinase C (PKC) activator had no or little effect. This increase was abolished by eliminating [Ca(2+)](o), loading of the intracellular Ca(2+) chelator, and administering the PTK inhibitor genistein. While genistein inhibited extracellular Ca(2+) or Mn(2+) entry induced by CCK and carbachol, it did not affect intracellular Ca(2+) release and oscillations. CCK dose-dependently increased the Src phosphotransferase activity, which was abolished by inhibitors of G(q) protein, phospholipase C (PLC), and Src, but not by the calmodulin kinase (CaMK) inhibitor. Intensities of the Src band and amounts of tyrosine phosphorylated Src were enhanced by CCK stimulation. Thus, Src cascades appear to be coupled to the low-affinity CCK-A receptor and utilize G(q)-PLC pathways for their activation, independent of PKC and CaMK cascades. The low-affinity CCK-A receptor regulates ROCI via mediation of Src-related PTK and activates Src pathways to cause [Ca(2+)](o)-dependent pancreatic exocytosis.

Ethanol modifies the actin cytoskeleton in rat pancreatic acinar cells--comparison with effects of CCK

BACKGROUND

One of the early events leading to alcoholic pancreatitis seems to be the effect of ethanol on stimulus-secretion coupling. This study examines ethanol-induced modifications of filamentous actin (F-actin) content and localization in acini, the resulting alpha-amylase secretion and the role of protein kinase C (PKC) activity in these processes.

METHODS

Freshly isolated acini were treated with different concentrations of ethanol or cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) for different periods. F-actin was localized by confocal laser scanning microscopy; its quantity was determined fluorometrically, and the alpha-amylase secretion was measured.

RESULTS

Ethanol caused F-actin reorganization resembling the effects of supramaximal CCK-8 stimulation and of direct PKC activation by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate. The polyphasic time course of the F-actin content also resembled that under supramaximal CCK-8 stimulation and was counteracted by inhibition of PKC. The PKC inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide I did not increase the ethanol- induced alpha-amylase secretion, but the suboptimally CCK-8-stimulated secretion via high-affinity receptors.

CONCLUSION

Ethanol, like supramaximal CCK-8 concentrations, inhibits acinar secretion by reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton via PKC activation. This effect is suggested to be mediated by low-affinity CCK-A receptors. Together with the ethanol-induced stimulation of early steps of stimulus-secretion coupling, this may be a pancreas-damaging mechanism resembling that in experimental hyperstimulation pancreatitis.

CCK-A receptor activates RhoA through G alpha 12/13 in NIH3T3 cells

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a major regulator of pancreatic acinar cells and was shown previously to be capable of inducing cytoskeletal changes in these cells. In the present study, using NIH3T3 cells stably transfected with CCK-A receptors as a model cell, we demonstrate that CCK can induce actin stress fibers through a G13- and RhoA-dependent mechanism. CCK induced stress fibers within minutes similar to those induced by lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), the active component of serum. The effects of CCK were mimicked by active RhoV14 and blocked by dominant-negative RhoN19, Clostridium botulinum C3 transferase, and the Rho-kinase inhibitor Y-27632. CCK rapidly induced active Rho in cells as shown with a pull-down assay using the Rho binding domain of rhotekin and by a serum response element (SRE)-luciferase reporter assay. To evaluate the G protein mediating the action of CCK, cells were transfected with active alpha-subunits; Galpha13 and Galpha12 but not Galphaq induced stress fibers and in some cases cell rounding. A p115 Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) domain known to interact with G12/13 inhibited active alpha12/13-and CCK-induced stress fibers, whereas RGS2 and RGS4, which are known to inhibit Gq, had no effect. Cotransfection with plasmids coding for the G protein alpha-subunit carboxy-terminal peptide from alpha13 and, to a lesser extent alpha12, also inhibited the effect of CCK, whereas the peptide from alphaq did not. These results show that in NIH3T3 cells bearing CCK-A receptors, CCK activates Rho primarily through G13, leading to rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton.

Cholecystokinin-stimulated protein kinase C-delta kinase activation, tyrosine phosphorylation, and translocation are mediated by Src tyrosine kinases in pancreatic acinar cells

Protein kinase C-delta (PKC-delta) is involved in growth, differentiation, tumor suppression, and regulation of other cellular processes. PKC-delta activation causes translocation, tyrosine phosphorylation, and serine-threonine kinase activity. However, little is known about the ability of G protein-coupled receptors to activate these processes or the mediators involved. In the present study, we explored the ability of the neurotransmitter/hormone, CCK, to stimulate these changes in PKC-delta and explored the mechanisms. In rat pancreatic acini under basal conditions, PKC-delta is almost exclusively located in cytosol. CCK and TPA stimulated a rapid PKC-delta translocation to membrane and nuclear fractions, which was transient with CCK. CCK stimulated rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of PKC-delta and increased kinase activity. Using tyrosine kinase (B44) and a tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor (orthovanadate), changes in both CCK- and TPA-stimulated PKC-delta tyrosine phosphorylation were shown to correlate with changes in its kinase activity but not translocation. Both PKC-delta tyrosine phosphorylation and activation occur exclusively in particulate fractions. The Src kinase inhibitors, SU6656 and PP2, but not the inactive related compound, PP3, inhibited CCK- and TPA-stimulated PKC-delta tyrosine phosphorylation and activation. In contrast, PP2 also had a lesser effect on CCK- but not TPA-stimulated PKC-delta translocation. CCK stimulated the association of Src kinases with PKC-delta, demonstrated by co-immunoprecipitation. These results demonstrate that CCKA receptor activation results in rapid translocation, tyrosine phosphorylation, and activation of PKC-delta. Stimulation of PKC-delta translocation precedes tyrosine phosphorylation, which is essential for activation to occur. Activation of Src kinases is essential for the tyrosine phosphorylation and kinase activation to occur and plays a partial role in translocation.

Phosphospecific site tyrosine phosphorylation of p125FAK and proline-rich kinase 2 is differentially regulated by cholecystokinin receptor type A activation in pancreatic acini

The focal adhesion kinases, p125FAK and proline-rich kinase 2 (PYK2), are involved in numerous processes as adhesion, cytoskeletal changes, and growth. These kinases have 45% homology and share three tyrosine phosphorylation (TyrP) sites. Little information exists on the ability of stimulants to cause TyrP of each kinase site and the cellular mechanism involved. We explored the ability of the neurotransmitter/hormone, CCK, to stimulate TyrP at each site. In rat pancreatic acini, CCK stimulated TyrP at each site in both kinases. TyrP was rapid except for pY397FAK. The magnitude of TyrP differed with the different FAK and PYK2 sites. The CCK dose-response curve for TyrP for sites in each kinase was similar. CCK-JMV, an agonist of the high affinity receptor state and antagonist of the low affinity receptor state, was less efficacious than CCK at each FAK/PYK2 site and inhibited CCK maximal stimulation. Thapsigargin decreased CCK-stimulated TyrP of pY402PYK2 and pY925FAK but not the other sites. GF109203X reduced TyrP of only the PYK2 sites, pY402 and pY580. GF109203X with thapsigargin decreased TyrP of pY402PYK2 and the three FAK sites more than either inhibitor alone. Basal TyrP of pY397FAK was greater than other sites. These results demonstrate that CCK stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation of each of the three homologous phosphorylation sites in FAK and PYK2. However, CCK-stimulated TyrP at these sites differs in kinetics, magnitude, and participation of the high/low affinity receptor states and by protein kinase C and [Ca2+]i. These results show that phosphorylation of these different sites is differentially regulated and involves different intracellular mechanisms in the same cell.

Evidence for secretion-like coupling involving pp60src in the activation and maintenance of store-mediated Ca2+ entry in mouse pancreatic acinar cells

Store-mediated Ca2+ entry (SMCE) is one of the main pathways for Ca2+ influx in non-excitable cells. Recent studies favour a secretion-like coupling mechanism to explain SMCE, where Ca2+ entry is mediated by an interaction of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) with the plasma membrane (PM) and is modulated by the actin cytoskeleton. To explore this possibility further we have now investigated the role of the actin cytoskeleton in the activation and maintenance of SMCE in pancreatic acinar cells, a more specialized secretory cell type which might be an ideal cellular model to investigate further the properties of the secretion-like coupling model. In these cells, the cytoskeletal disrupters cytochalasin D and latrunculin A inhibited both the activation and maintenance of SMCE. In addition, stabilization of a cortical actin barrier by jasplakinolide prevented the activation, but not the maintenance, of SMCE, suggesting that, as for secretion, the actin cytoskeleton plays a double role in SMCE as a negative modulator of the interaction between the ER and PM, but is also required for this mechanism, since the cytoskeleton disrupters impaired Ca2+ entry. Finally, depletion of the intracellular Ca2+ stores induces cytoskeletal association and activation of pp60(src), which is independent on Ca2+ entry. pp60(src) activation requires the integrity of the actin cytoskeleton and participates in the initial phase of the activation of SMCE in pancreatic acinar cells.

Cholecystokinin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of PKC-delta in pancreatic acinar cells is regulated bidirectionally by PKC activation

PKC-delta is important in cell growth, apoptosis, and secretion. Recent studies show its stability is regulated by tyrosine phosphorylation (TYR-P), which can be stimulated by a number of agents. Many of these stimuli also activate phospholipase C (PLC) cascades and little is known about the relationship between these cascades and PKC-delta TYR-P. Cholecystokinin (CCK) stimulates PKCs but it is unknown if it causes PKC-delta TYR-P and if so, the relationship between these cascades is unknown. In rat pancreatic acini, CCK-8 stimulated rapid PKC-delta TYR-P by activation of the low affinity CCK(A) receptor state. TPA had a similar effect. BAPTA did not decrease CCK-stimulated PKC-delta TYR-P but instead, increased it. A23187 did not stimulate PKC-delta TYR-P. Wortmannin and LY 294002 did not alter CCK-stimulated PKC-delta TYR-P. GF 109203X, at low concentrations, increased PKC-delta TYR-P stimulated by CCK or TPA and at higher concentrations, inhibited it. The cPKC inhibitors, Gö 6976 and safingol, caused a similar increase in TPA- and CCK-stimulated PKC-delta TYR-P. These results demonstrate that CCK(A) receptor activation causes PKC-delta TYR-P through activation of only one of its two receptor affinity states. This PKC-delta TYR-P is not directly influenced by changes in [Ca(2+)](i); however, the resultant activation of PKC-alpha has an inhibitory effect. Therefore, CCK activates both stimulatory and inhibitory PKC cascades regulating PKC-delta TYR-P and, hence, likely plays an important role in regulating PKC-delta degradation and cellular abundance.

Differential activation of p42ERK2 and p125FAK by cholecystokinin and bombesin in the secretion and proliferation of the pancreatic amphicrine cell line AR42J

BACKGROUND

AR42J rat pancreatic acinar carcinoma cells have retained the potential to secrete digestive enzymes in addition to their ability to proliferate upon stimulation with regulatory peptides. We investigated the involvement of p42ERK2 and p125FAK (extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase and focal adhesion protein kinase, respectively) by cholecystokinin and bombesin stimulation with regard to secretion and mitogenesis.

METHODS

The p42ERK2 activity was measured by kinase assay and the activation of p125FAK by antiphosphotyrosine Western blot analysis of p125FAK immunoprecipitates. The expression of both kinases was determined by Western blot analysis, the amylase secretion by colorimetry, and the DNA synthesis by [3H]thymidine incorporation.

RESULTS

p42ERK2 and p125FAK were activated by cholecystokinin and bombesin with maximum stimulation at concentrations above 10 nM. Bombesin was a weaker activator of p42ERK2 and p125FAK, causing only half of the kinase activity induced by stimulation with cholecystokinin. PD98059 was shown to inhibit p42ERK2, while tyrphostin 25 blocked p125FAK tyrosine phosphorylation. Preincubation of AR42J cells with PD98059 or tyrphostin 25 was without influence on cholecystokinin- or bombesin-stimulated secretion in normal or 72-hour dexamethasone-pretreated cells. In contrast, inhibition of both protein kinases leads to reduced cholecystokinin-stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation rates.

CONCLUSIONS

Cholecystokinin induced proliferation of AR42J cells by strong activation of p42ERK2 and p125FAK. Bombesin failed to stimulate DNA synthesis, probably due to its reduced potency to stimulate these kinases. Both protein kinases are not implicated in the process of enzyme secretion.

Alpha4 integrins and the immune response

The alpha4 integrins (alpha4beta1 and alpha4beta7) play multiple roles in the immune system. Alpha4 integrins impact hematopoiesis, leukocyte trafficking in immune surveillance and inflammation, and leukocyte activation and survival. To perform these functions, alpha4 integrins act as both adhesive and signaling receptors. Paxillin, a signaling adapter molecule, binds directly to the alpha4 subunit cytoplasmic domain, and its binding is regulated by serine phosphorylation of the alpha4 subunit. This regulated interaction of paxillin with the alpha4 subunit is likely to regulate the diverse functions of alpha4 integrins in the immune system. Furthermore, this protein-protein interaction may provide novel targets for the modulation of the immune response.

Effects of reactive oxygen species on actin filament polymerisation and amylase secretion in mouse pancreatic acinar cells

The present study investigates the effect of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on actin filament reorganisation and its relevance to exocytosis in pancreatic acinar cells. Treatment of pancreatic acini with cholecystokinin (CCK-8) induced spatial and temporal changes in actin filament reorganisation with an initial depolymerisation of the apical actin barrier followed by an increase in the actin filament content in the subapical area leading to amylase release. Hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) increased actin filament content and potentiated the polymerizing effects of CCK-8 in these cells but abolished the disruption of the apical actin layer and amylase release induced by CCK-8. Similar to CCK-8, ROS generated by the oxidation of hypoxanthine (HX) with xanthine oxidase (XOD) induced an initial decrease in actin filaments located under the apical membrane followed by a smaller increase in the content of actin filaments in the subapical area. XOD-generated ROS are able to increase amylase release in pancreatic acini although combination with CCK-8 leads to abnormal exocytosis. We provide evidence that indicates that CCK-8- and ROS-induced actin reorganisation is entirely dependent on Ca(2+) mobilisation and independent of PKC activation. The regulation of the actin cytoskeleton by ROS might be involved in radical-induced cell injury in pancreatic acinar cells.

Glutamate induces focal adhesion kinase tyrosine phosphorylation and actin rearrangement in heterologous mGluR1-expressing CHO cells via calcium/calmodulin signaling

Group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR1 and mGluR5) stimulate phospholipase C (PLC) and lead to mobilization of intracellular Ca(2+) and activation of protein kinase C (PKC). In this investigation, using heterologous receptor-expressing Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, we showed that stimulation of mGluR1 or mGluR5 with glutamate rapidly increases tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) (maximum at 1-3 min) in a dose-dependent manner (half-maximal responses at approximately 2 microM). In mGluR1-expressing cells, the glutamate-induced increase of FAK tyrosine phosphorylation was blocked by not only the PLC inhibitor, U73122, but also depletion of intracellular Ca(2+) and effectively abrogated by calmodulin (CaM) inhibitors, calmidazolium and fluphenazine. However, neither the PKC inhibitor, GF109203X, nor the CaM kinase II inhibitor, KN-62, inhibited glutamate-stimulated FAK tyrosine phosphorylation. Stimulation of mGluR1 caused a marked increase in actin stress fiber formation. Importantly, this actin rearrangement was prevented by the CaM inhibitor, but not by the PKC inhibitor and is thus in a good agreement with the signaling cascade of the mGluR1-FAK pathway. These results suggest that the Ca(2+)/CaM signaling and its downstream FAK tyrosine phosphorylation play an important role in cellular function of mGluR1.

Intracellular signaling mechanisms activated by cholecystokinin-regulating synthesis and secretion of digestive enzymes in pancreatic acinar cells

The intracellular signaling mechanisms by which cholecystokinin (CCK) and other secretagogues regulate pancreatic acinar function are more complex than originally realized. CCK couples through heterotrimeric G proteins of the Gq family to lead to an increase in intracellular free Ca2+, which shows spatial and temporal patterns of signaling. The actions of Ca2+ are mediated in part by activation of a number of Ca2+-activated protein kinases and the protein phosphatase calcineurin. By the process of exocytosis the intracellular messengers Ca2+, diacylglycerol, and cAMP activate the release of the zymogen granule content in a manner that is poorly understood. This fusion event most likely involves SNARE and Rab proteins present on zymogen granules and cellular membrane domains. More likely related to nonsecretory aspects of cell function, CCK also activates three MAPK cascades leading to activation of ERKs, JNKs, and p38 MAPK. Although the function of these pathways is not well understood, ERKs are probably related to cell growth, and through phosphorylation of hsp27, p38 can affect the actin cytoskeleton. The PI3K (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase)-mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) pathway is important for regulation of acinar cell protein synthesis because it leads to both activation of p70S6K and regulation of the availability of eIF4E in response to CCK. CCK also activates a number of tyrosyl phosphorylation events including that of p125FAK and other proteins associated with focal adhesions.

The paradox of smooth muscle physiology

Vascular smooth muscle tone is controlled by a balance between the cellular signaling pathways that mediate the generation of force (contraction) and the release of force (relaxation). The signaling events that activate contraction include Ca(2+)-dependent myosin light chain phosphorylation. The signaling events that mediate relaxation include the removal of a contractile agonist (passive relaxation) and activation of cyclic nucleotide-dependent signaling pathways in the continued presence of a contractile agonist (active relaxation). The major questions that remain in contractile physiology include (1) how is tonic force maintained when intracellular Ca(2+) levels and myosin light chain phosphorylation have returned to basal levels; and (2) what is the mechanism of cyclic nucleotide-dependent relaxation? This review focuses on these specific controversies surrounding the molecular mechanisms of contraction and relaxation of vascular smooth muscle.

Depletion of focal adhesion kinase by antisense depresses contractile activation of smooth muscle

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) undergoes tyrosine phosphorylation in response to the contractile stimulation of tracheal smooth muscle. We hypothesized that FAK may play an important role in signaling pathways that regulate smooth muscle contraction. FAK antisense or FAK sense was introduced into muscle strips by reversible permeabilization, and strips were incubated with antisense or sense for 7 days. Antisense decreased FAK expression compared with that in untreated and sense-treated tissues, but it did not affect the expression of vinculin or myosin light chain kinase. Increases in force, intracellular free Ca2+ and myosin light chain phosphorylation in response to stimulation with ACh or KCl were depressed in FAK-depleted tissues, but FAK depletion did not affect the activation of permeabilized tracheal muscle strips with Ca2+. The tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin, a substrate for FAK, was also significantly reduced in FAK-depleted strips. We conclude that FAK is a necessary component of the signaling pathways that regulate smooth muscle contraction and that FAK plays a role in regulating intracellular free Ca2+ and myosin light chain phosphorylation.

Involvement of phosphoinositide 3-kinase and its association with pp60src in cholecystokinin-stimulated pancreatic acinar cells

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) is a lipid kinase which phosphorylates the D3 position of the phosphoinositide derivatives and is known to be activated by a host of protein tyrosine kinases. PI3K has been demonstrated to play an important role in mitogenesis and cell transformation in several cell systems. However, the functional roles of PI3K in pancreatic acinar cells remain to be determined. The objective of this study was to identify and characterize the PI3K pathway and its relation to other non-receptor protein tyrosine kinases in mediating signal transduction of pancreatic acinar cells. Intact acini isolated from the rat pancreas were incubated with or without cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8). A Triton X-100-soluble and 10000 rpm supernatant of the cell sonicates was used for immunoprecipitation and Western immunoblotting. When a monoclonal anti-phosphotyrosine antibody (clone 4G10) was used, two major tyrosine-phosphorylated bands were observed at the location of p85 and p60. CCK (10 pM and 10 nM) significantly enhanced the tyrosine phosphorylation of these two bands. Furthermore, when a monoclonal anti-PI3K antibody (clone UB93-3) which recognizes the N-terminal SH2 domain of the p85 regulatory subunit of PI3K was used, CCK (10 pM-10 nM) dose-dependently increased the amount of the immunodetectable PI3K band with a peak occurring at 5 min. The increase in the immunodetectable PI3K band elicited by CCK did not require the presence of extracellular Ca2+. The pp60src inhibitor, herbimycin A (6 microM), and the PI3K inhibitor, wortmannin (6 microM), both decreased intensities of the PI3K band elicited by CCK. Herbimycin A abolished phosphotransferase activities of the Src kinase following stimulation with CCK, whereas wortmannin had no effect, suggesting that Src is an upstream regulator of PI3K. Wortmannin (3-6 microM) abolished CCK-stimulated pancreatic amylase secretion. Immunoprecipitation studies using an anti-Src antibody (clone CD11) or PI3K antibody in conjunction with the anti-phosphotyrosine antibody showed that, in response to CCK, tyrosine phosphorylations of Src and PI3K were enhanced at the location of p60 and p85, respectively. Src was co-immunoprecipitated with PI3K following stimulation with CCK, suggesting that pp60src forms an immunocomplex with PI3K via the N-SH2 domain of the p85 regulatory subunit. Thus PI3K and its association with Src appear to be involved in mediating CCK-stimulated pancreatic exocytosis.

Tyrosine kinases activate store-mediated Ca2+ entry in human platelets through the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton

We have recently reported that store-mediated Ca(2+) entry in platelets is likely to be mediated by a reversible trafficking and coupling of the endoplasmic reticulum with the plasma membrane, a model termed 'secretion-like coupling'. In this model the actin cytoskeleton plays a key regulatory role. Since tyrosine kinases have been shown to be important for Ca(2+) entry in platelets and other cells, we have now investigated the possible involvement of tyrosine kinases in the secretion-like-coupling model. Treatment of platelets with thrombin or thapsigargin induced actin polymerization by a calcium-independent pathway. Methyl 2,5-dihydroxycinnamate, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, prevented thrombin- or thapsigargin-induced actin polymerization. The effects of tyrosine kinases in store-mediated Ca(2+) entry were found to be entirely dependent on the actin cytoskeleton. PP1, an inhibitor of the Src family of proteins, partially inhibited store-mediated Ca(2+) entry. In addition, depletion of intracellular Ca(2+) stores stimulated cytoskeletal association of the cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase pp60(src), a process that was sensitive to treatment with cytochalasin D and PP1, but not to inhibition of Ras proteins using prenylcysteine analogues. Finally, combined inhibition of both Ras proteins and tyrosine kinases resulted in complete inhibition of Ca(2+) entry, suggesting that these two families of proteins have independent effects in the activation of store-mediated Ca(2+) entry in human platelets.

Nitric oxide stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation of p125(FAK) and paxillin in rat pancreatic acini

Some of the effects of several oncogenes, integrins, growth factors, and neuropeptides are mediated by tyrosine phosphorylation of the non-receptor tyrosine kinase p125(FAK) and the cytoskeletal protein paxillin. We have demonstrated that different stimuli cause tyrosine phosphorylation of p125(FAK) and paxillin in rat pancreatic acini. The aim of the present study was to determine whether exogenous NO activates this pathway. We demonstrate that in isolated rat pancreatic acini, a NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP) stimulates, in a dose- and time-dependent way, tyrosine phosphorylation of p125(FAK) and paxillin. The same effects could be observed after incubating acini with 8-Br-cGMP. Moreover, the stimulation caused by SNP was completely abolished by two different guanylyl cyclase inhibitors, methylene blue, and LY-83583. These inhibitors also diminished unstimulated phosphorylation of p125(FAK) and paxillin. We conclude that in rat pancreatic acini exogenous NO causes p125(FAK) and paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation that is mediated by a guanylyl cyclase-dependent pathway.

Role of Rho in Ca(2+)-insensitive contraction and paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation in smooth muscle

We investigated whether Rho activation is required for Ca(2+)-insensitive paxillin phosphorylation, myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation, and contraction in tracheal muscle. Tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins have been implicated in the Ca(2+)-insensitive contractile activation of smooth muscle tissues. The contractile activation of tracheal smooth muscle increases tyrosine phosphorylation of the cytoskeletal proteins paxillin and focal adhesion kinase. Paxillin is implicated in integrin-mediated signal transduction pathways that regulate cytoskeletal organization and cell motility. In fibroblasts and other nonmuscle cells, paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation depends on the activation of Rho and is inhibited by cytochalasin, an inhibitor of actin polymerization. In permeabilized muscle strips, we found that ACh induced Ca(2+)-insensitive contraction, MLC phosphorylation, and paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation. Ca(2+)-insensitive contraction and MLC phosphorylation induced by ACh were inhibited by C3 transferase, an inhibitor of Rho activation; however, C3 transferase did not inhibit paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation. Ca(2+)-insensitive paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation was also not inhibited by the Rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632, by cytochalasin D, or by the inhibition of MLC phosphorylation. We conclude that, in tracheal smooth muscle, Rho mediates Ca(2+)-insensitive contraction and MLC phosphorylation but that Rho is not required for Ca(2+)-insensitive paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation. Paxillin phosphorylation also does not require actomyosin activation, nor is it inhibited by the actin filament capping agent cytochalasin D.

Alpha4 integrins in cardiovascular development and diseases

Alpha4 integrins (alpha4beta1 and alpha4beta7) have a restricted distribution pattern and are critical for the development and diseases of the cardiovascular system. alpha4 integrins support unique biological properties such as promoting cell migration and inhibiting cell spreading and focal adhesion formation. We have found that the alpha4 integrin subunit directly and tightly binds to a signaling adapter molecule, paxillin, and disruption of the alpha4-paxillin interaction interferes with many of alpha4-dependent biological functions. Consequently, the interaction of alpha4 integrins with paxillin may play an important role in regulating alpha4-mediated functions. This review focuses on what we have known about the alpha4-paxillin interaction and discusses the possible mechanism of regulation for this interaction.

Activation of m3 muscarinic receptors induces rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of p125(FAK), p130(cas), and paxillin in rat pancreatic acini

Tyrosine phosphorylation plays a key role in transmembrane and cytoplasmic signal transduction mechanisms stimulated by oncogenes, integrins, growth factors, neuropeptides, and bioactive lipids. Moreover, recent studies show that stimulation of odd-numbered muscarinic receptors increases the tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins in different cellular types. The present study was aimed at examining whether activation of m3 muscarinic receptors in rat pancreatic acini evokes tyrosine phosphorylation of p125(FAK), and its substrates, p130(cas) and paxillin. Results show that stimulation of pancreatic acini with carbachol resulted in a rapid and transient increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of p125(FAK), p130(cas), and paxillin. Tyrosine phosphorylation of these proteins occurred in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Simultaneous blockage of both PKC activation and increases in [Ca(2+)](i) partially decreased p125(FAK), p130(cas), and paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation stimulated by carbachol. Pretreatment of pancreatic acini with Clostridium botulinum C3 transferase, which specifically inactivates p21(rho), partially inhibited carbachol-induced p125(FAK), p130(cas), and paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation. In contrast, this treatment had no effect on amylase release stimulated by carbachol. Cytochalasin D, which disrupts actin microfilaments network, completely inhibited carbachol stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of these proteins without having significant effects in carbachol-stimulated amylase secretion. These results dissociate tyrosine phosphorylation of p125(FAK), p130(cas), and paxillin from amylase secretion after m3 muscarinic receptors occupation in rat pancreatic acini. Taken together, these data suggest that (a) activation of m3 muscarinic receptors in rat pancreatic acini increases tyrosine phosphorylation of p125(FAK) and its substrates, p130(cas) and paxillin by diacylglycerol-activated PKC- and calcium- dependent, and independent pathways, (b) these responses require activation of p21(rho) and an intact actin cytoskeleton, and (c) p125(FAK), p130(cas), and paxillin are unlikely related to secretion in rat pancreatic acinar cells.

A role for phosphoinositides in tyrosine phosphorylation of p125 focal adhesion kinase in rat pancreatic acini

Previous studies have shown that different agonists increase tyrosine phosphorylation of the focal adhesion related proteins p125(FAK), p130(Cas), and paxillin in different cell types and that tyrosine phosphorylation depends on the integrity of the actin cytoskeleton. Because phosphoinositides are important for the maintenance of the cytoskeleton, the role of phosphoinositides in the tyrosine phosphorylation of these proteins in response to occupancy of m3 muscarinic and CCK(A) receptors has been investigated in pancreatic acini. Addition of carbachol or CCK-8 to pancreatic acini resulted in rapid increases in the tyrosine phosphorylation of p125(FAK), p130(Cas), and paxillin. Pretreatment of pancreatic acini with LY294002 or wortmannin resulted in a concentration-dependent inhibition of tyrosine phosphorylation of p125(FAK), p130(Cas), and paxillin stimulated by carbachol or CCK-8. Carbachol- or CCK-8-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of these proteins was not inhibited by rapamycin, PD 98059 or SB 203580, and thus it was dissociated from the activation of p70 S6 or MAP kinases. These results indicate that m3 muscarinic and CCK(A) receptor-mediated increase in p125(FAK), p130(Cas), and paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation in pancreatic acini depends on the ability of these cells to synthesise phosphoinositides.

Regulation of adherens junction protein p120(ctn) by 10 nM CCK precedes actin breakdown in rat pancreatic acini

The initial pathophysiological events that characterize CCK-hyperstimulation pancreatitis include the breakdown of the actin filament system and disruption of cadherin-catenin protein complexes. Cadherins and catenins are part of adherens junctions, which may act as anchor for the cellular actin filament system. We examined the composition and regulation of adherens junctions during CCK-induced acinar cell damage. Freshly isolated CCK-stimulated rat pancreatic acini were examined for actin filaments and functional adherens junctions by immunocytology and laser confocal scanning microscopy or by coprecipitation and immunoblotting for E-cadherin, beta- and alpha-catenin, p120(ctn), and phosphotyrosine. In addition to E-cadherin and beta-catenin, acinar cells express the cadherin-regulatory protein p120(ctn) and the attachment protein alpha-catenin. Both colocalize and coimmunoprecipitate with E-cadherin in one complex, and all colocalize with the terminal actin web. Supramaximal secretory CCK concentrations (10 nM) initiated tyrosine phosphorylation of p120(ctn) but not of beta-catenin within 2 min, preceding the breakdown of the terminal actin web by several minutes. Under these conditions, the cadherin-catenin association within the adherens junction complex remained intact. We describe for the first time supramaximal CCK-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of the adherens junction protein p120(ctn) and demonstrate the presence of an intact adherens junction protein complex in acinar cells. p120(ctn) may participate in the actin filament breakdown during experimental conditions mimicking pancreatitis.

Regulation of signaling by protein-tyrosine phosphatases: potential roles in the nervous system

During neuronal development, cells respond to a variety of environmental cues through cell surface receptors that are coupled to a signaling transduction machinery based on protein tyrosine phosphorylation and dephosphorylation. Receptor and non-receptor tyrosine kinases have received a great deal of attention; however, in the last few years, receptor (plasma membrane associated) and non-receptor protein-tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) have also been shown to play important roles in development of the nervous system. In many cases PTPs have provocative distribution patterns or have been shown to be associated with specific cell adhesion and growth factor receptors. Additionally, altering PTP expression levels or activity impairs neuronal behavior. In this review we outline what is currently known about the role of PTPs in development, differentiation and neuronal physiology.

Activation of tyrosine kinases by alpha1A-adrenergic and growth factor receptors in transfected PC12 cells

We compared the role of tyrosine kinases in alpha(1A)-adrenergic receptor (AR) and growth factor receptor stimulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways in PC12 cells. Norepinephrine (NE) (noradrenaline), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) caused different patterns of tyrosine phosphorylation in PC12 cells stably expressing alpha(1A)-ARs. NE increased tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion-related kinase Pyk2 and a 70 kDa protein, probably paxillin, whereas EGF strongly stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of the EGF receptor and cytokine-activated kinase Jak2. The EGF receptor inhibitor AG1478 inhibited activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) by EGF but not by NE. EGF and NGF strongly activated tyrosine phosphorylation of Shc and caused association of Src-homology collagen (Shc) with growth-factor-receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2); however, neither NE nor UTP caused substantial activation of the Shc/Grb2 pathway. NE, UTP, EGF and NGF all increased tyrosine phosphorylation of Src, and this was inhibited by the Src inhibitor PP2. However, PP2 inhibited ERK activation in response to NE and UTP, but not in response to EGF or NGF. PP2 also completely blocked NE-induced PC12 cell differentiation, but had no measurable effect on NGF-induced differentiation. These studies show that activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways by G-protein-coupled receptors and tyrosine kinase receptors proceed through distinct molecular pathways in PC12 cells, and support an obligatory role for Src activation in mitogenic responses to alpha(1A)-ARs in these cells.

Why do so many stimuli induce tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK?

Engagement of integrins and other adhesion receptors can induce tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a tyrosine kinase present in focal adhesions. Furthermore, in addition to adhesion receptors, a surprising variety of stimuli, acting either on specific surface receptors or on intracellular molecules, such as PKC or Rho, can induce also tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK. I suggest that a potential mechanism by which such distinct factors may modulate the tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK is the promotion of integrin or other adhesion receptor clustering at focal adhesions.

Cholecystokinin activates PYK2/CAKbeta by a phospholipase C-dependent mechanism and its association with the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway in pancreatic acinar cells

PYK2/CAKbeta is a recently described cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase related to p125 focal adhesion kinase (p125(FAK)) that can be activated by a number of stimuli including growth factors, lipids, and some G protein-coupled receptors. Studies suggest PYK2/CAKbeta may be important for coupling various G protein-coupled receptors to the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade. The hormone neurotransmitter cholecystokinin (CCK) is known to activate both phospholipase C-dependent cascades and MAPK signaling pathways; however, the relationship between these remain unclear. In rat pancreatic acini, CCK-8 (10 nM) rapidly stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of PYK2/CAKbeta by both activation of high affinity and low affinity CCK(A) receptor states. Blockage of CCK-stimulated increases in protein kinase C activity or CCK-stimulated increases in [Ca(2+)](i), inhibited by 40-50% PYK2/CAKbeta but not p125(FAK) tyrosine phosphorylation. Simultaneous blockage of both phospholipase C cascades inhibited PYK2/CAKbeta tyrosine phosphorylation completely and p125(FAK) tyrosine phosphorylation by 50%. CCK-8 stimulated a rapid increase in PYK2/CAKbeta kinase activity assessed by both an in vitro kinase assay and autophosphorylation. Total PYK2/CAKbeta under basal conditions was largely localized (77 +/- 7%) in the membrane fraction, whereas total p125(FAK) was largely localized (86 +/- 3%) in the cytosolic fraction. With CCK stimulation, both p125(FAK) and PYK2/CAKbeta translocated to the plasma membrane. Moreover CCK stimulation causes a rapid formation of both PYK2/CAKbeta-Grb2 and PYK2/CAKbeta-Crk complexes. These results demonstrate that PYK2/CAKbeta and p125(FAK) are regulated differently by CCK(A) receptor stimulation and that PYK2/CAKbeta is probably an important mediator of downstream signals by CCK-8, especially in its ability to activate the MAPK signaling pathway, which possibly mediates CCK growth effects in normal and neoplastic tissues.

Intracellular regulatory mechanisms in pancreatic acinar cellular function

The intracellular mechanisms regulating pancreatic acinar cell function are more complex than previously realized. This is probably due in part to the need to match the biosynthetic and secretory functions of the cells. Much information is available on how secretagogue receptors acutely couple through heterotrimeric G proteins to increase intracellular messengers, particularly cytoplasmic free Ca(2+), although details are still being worked out. Less is known about how Ca(2+) signals to induce fusion of zymogen granules with the apical plasma membrane. Investigation has focused on the proteins of the zymogen granule membrane, and several novel proteins have recently been identified. In addition, understanding of the three MAP kinase cascades, the mTOR-p70S6 kinase pathway, and the focal adhesion kinase pathway in acinar cells is increasing. The functions of these pathways in acini have been linked to mitogenesis, protein synthesis, and regulation of the cytoskeleton.

Signaling through focal adhesion kinase

Integrin receptor binding to extracellular matrix proteins generates intracellular signals via enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation events that are important for cell growth, survival, and migration. This review will focus on the functions of the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) protein-tyrosine kinase (PTK) and its role in linking integrin receptors to intracellular signaling pathways. FAK associates with several different signaling proteins such as Src-family PTKs, p130Cas, Shc, Grb2, PI 3-kinase, and paxillin. This enables FAK to function within a network of integrin-stimulated signaling pathways leading to the activation of targets such as the ERK and JNK/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. Focus will be placed on the structural domains and sites of FAK tyrosine phosphorylation important for FAK-mediated signaling events and how these sites are conserved in the FAK-related PTK, Pyk2. We will review what is known about FAK activation by integrin receptor-mediated events and also non-integrin stimuli. In addition, we discuss the emergence of a consensus FAK substrate phosphorylation sequence. Emphasis will also be placed on the role of FAK in generating cell survival signals and the cleavage of FAK during caspase-mediated apoptosis. An in-depth discussion will be presented of integrin-stimulated signaling events occurring in the FAK knockout fibroblasts (FAK-) and how these cells exhibit deficits in cell migration. FAK re-expression in the FAK- cells confirms the role of this PTK in the regulation of cell morphology and in promoting cell migration events. In addition, these results reinforce the potential role for FAK in promoting an invasive phenotype in human tumors.