Cell lines and peripheral blood leukocytes derived from individuals with chronic myelogenous leukemia display virtually identical proteins phosphorylated on tyrosine residues

Defective quorum sensing of acute lymphoblastic leukemic cells: evidence of collective behavior of leukemic populations as semi-autonomous aberrant ecosystems

Quorum sensing (QS) is a generic term used to describe cell-cell communication and collective decision making by bacterial and social insects to regulate the expression of specific genes in controlling cell density and other properties of the populations in response to nutrient supply or changes in the environment. QS mechanisms also have a role in higher organisms in maintaining homeostasis, regulation of the immune system and collective behavior of cancer cell populations. In the present study, we used a p190(BCR-ABL) driven pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL3) cell line derived from the pleural fluid of a terminally ill patient with ALL to test the QS hypothesis in leukemia. ALL3 cells don't grow at low density (LD) in liquid media but grow progressively faster at increasingly high cell densities (HD) in contrast to other established leukemic cell lines that grow well at very low starting cell densities. The ALL3 cells at LD are poised to grow but shortly die without additional stimulation. Supernates of ALL3 cells (HDSN) and some other primary cells grown at HD stimulate the growth of the LD ALL3 cells without which they won't survive. To get further insight into the activation processes we performed microarray analysis of the LD ALL3 cells after stimulation with ALL3 HDSN at days 1, 3, and 6. This screen identified several candidate genes, and we linked them to signaling networks and their functions. We observed that genes involved in lipid, cholesterol, fatty acid metabolism, and B cell activation are most up- or down-regulated upon stimulation of the LD ALL3 cells using HDSN. We also discuss other pathways that are differentially expressed upon stimulation of the LD ALL3 cells. Our findings suggest that the Ph+ ALL population achieves dominance by functioning as a collective aberrant ecosystem subject to defective quorum-sensing regulatory mechanisms.

Chronic myelogenous leukemia as a paradigm of early cancer and possible curative strategies

The chronological history of the important discoveries leading to our present understanding of the essential clinical, biological, biochemical, and molecular features of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) are first reviewed, focusing in particular on abnormalities that are responsible for the massive myeloid expansion. CML is an excellent target for the development of selective treatment because of its highly consistent genetic abnormality and qualitatively different fusion gene product, p210(bcr-abl). It is likely that the multiple signaling pathways dysregulated by p210(bcr-abl) are sufficient to explain all the initial manifestations of the chronic phase of the disease, although understanding of the circuitry is still very incomplete. Evidence is presented that the signaling pathways that are constitutively activated in CML stem cells and primitive progenitors cooperate with cytokines to increase the proportion of stem cells that are activated and thereby increase recruitment into the committed progenitor cell pool, and that this increased activation is probably the primary cause of the massive myeloid expansion in CML. The cooperative interactions between Bcr-Abl and cytokine-activated pathways interfere with the synergistic interactions between multiple cytokines that are normally required for the activation of stem cells, while at the same time causing numerous subtle biochemical and functional abnormalities in the later progenitors and precursor cells. The committed CML progenitors have discordant maturation and reduced proliferative capacity compared to normal committed progenitors, and like them, are destined to die after a limited number of divisions. Thus, the primary goal of any curative strategy must be to eliminate all Philadelphia positive (Ph+) primitive cells that are capable of symmetric division and thereby able to expand the Ph+ stem cell pool and recreate the disease. Several highly potent and moderately selective inhibitors of Bcr-Abl kinase have recently been discovered that are capable of killing the majority of actively proliferating early CML progenitors with minimal effects on normal progenitors. However, like their normal counterparts, most of the CML primitive stem cells are quiescent at any given time and are relatively invulnerable to the Bcr-Abl kinase inhibitors as well as other drugs. We propose that survival of dormant Ph+ stem cells may be the most important reason for the inability to cure the disease during initial treatment, while resistance to the inhibitors and other drugs becomes increasingly important later. An outline of a possible curative strategy is presented that attempts to take advantage of the subtle differences in the proliferative behavior of normal and Ph+ stem cells and the newly discovered selective inhibitors of Bcr-Abl. Leukemia (2003) 17, 1211-1262. doi:10.1038/sj.leu.2402912

A possible tyrosine phosphorylation of phytochrome

Red/far-red light signal transduction by the phytochrome family of photoreceptors regulates plant growth and development. We investigated the possibility that tyrosine kinases and/or phosphatases are involved in phytochrome-mediated signal transduction using crude extracts of oat seedlings that are grown in the dark. We found that a 124 kDa protein was tyrosine-phosphorylated as determined by Western blotting with a phosphotyrosine-specific monoclonal antibody. The 124 kDa protein was recognized by the anti-phosphotyrosine antibody in anti-phytochrome A immunoprecipitates. The level of anti-phosphotyrosine antibody binding to the 124 kDa protein(s) in phytochrome immunoprecipitates that had been treated with red light prior to immunoprecipitation decreased relative to dark controls. These results suggest that either phytochrome from dark-grown seedlings is tyrosine phosphorylated or that it co-immunoprecipitates with a phosphotyrosine-containing protein of the same molecular weight. The implications of these results in the regulation of (a) the putative Ser/Thr kinase activity of the photoreceptor and (b) the binding of signaling molecules, such as phospholipase C to phytochrome, are discussed.

Tyrosine phosphorylation in the human duodenum

Many growth factor receptors including the epidermal growth factor receptor function through tyrosine kinase activity. The aim of this study was to examine the constitutive level of tyrosine phosphorylation in the normal duodenum and in the hyperproliferative coeliac duodenum. A flow cytometric assay was devised using monoclonal antibody to phosphorylated (but not native) tyrosine residues to determine the levels of tyrosine phosphorylation in both CD3 positive intraepithelial lymphocytes and CD3 negative epithelial cells obtained by EDTA treatment of endoscopically obtained duodenal biopsy specimens. In addition, immunohistochemistry was performed on 18 formalin fixed coeliac duodenal biopsy specimens and eight control specimens. Tyrosine phosphorylation could be detected by flow cytometry on duodenal enterocytes and this expression was up regulated by pretreatment with epidermal growth factor. Tyrosine phosphorylation decreased with progression from the villus to the crypt, however, and was virtually undetectable on crypt enterocytes. Immunohistochemistry of the coeliac duodenum showed virtually absent tyrosine phosphorylation in the crypt. Increased tyrosine phosphorylation was detected in the infiltrating T cells. In conclusion, tyrosine phosphorylation in the duodenum is confined to the non-proliferative villous epithelium and is virtually undetectable in the proliferative crypt compartment. These findings suggest that tyrosine kinase activity is not a significant factor in the regulation of crypt cell proliferation in the human duodenum either in normal subjects or in coeliac disease patients.

Variable activity of protein tyrosine kinase in apparently normal thyroid glands

We examined protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) activity in apparently normal thyroid tissue (n = 22) obtained from patients undergoing thyroid surgery for papillary thyroid cancer or benign disease. The PTK activity in apparently normal thyroid tissue from patients with papillary thyroid cancer progressively was elevated in the cytosolic fraction compared with that from patients without cancer (p < 0.05). The cytosolic proportion of PTK activity was also significantly increased in the normal thyroid tissue of patients with cancer (62% vs. 51%, p < 0.05). These findings suggest that alterations in PTK activity may indicate apparently normal thyroid tissue at increased risk of developing malignancy.

p120 GAP requirement in normal and malignant human hematopoiesis

There is evidence to suggest that the p120 GAP (GAP), originally described as an inhibitor of p21ras, may also serve as a downstream effector of ras-regulated signal transduction. To determine whether GAP expression is required for the growth of human normal and leukemic hematopoietic cells, we used GAP antisense oligodeoxynucleotides to inhibit it and analyzed the effects of this inhibition on the colony-forming ability of nonadherent, T lymphocyte-depleted mononuclear cells and of highly purified progenitors (CD34+ MNC) obtained from the bone marrow and peripheral blood of healthy volunteers or chronic myeloid leukemia (CML, bcr-abl-positive) patients. The acute myelogenous leukemia cell line MO7, the Philadelphia BV173 cell line, and the acute promyelocytic leukemia NB4 and HL-60 cell lines were similarly examined. GAP antisense treatment inhibited colony formation from normal myelo-, erythro-, and megakaryopoietic progenitor cells as well as from CML progenitor cells. Proliferation of MO7 (growth factor-dependent) and BV173 (bcr-abl-dependent) cells, but not that of NB4 and HL-60 (growth factor-independent) cells, was also inhibited, even though a specific downregulation of GAP was observed in each cell line, as analyzed by either or both mRNA and protein expression. Stimulation of MO7 cells with hematopoietic growth factors increased the expression of GAP as well as the levels of active GTP-bound p21ras. Stimulation of GAP expression was inhibited upon GAP antisense treatment. These data indicate that p120 GAP is involved in human normal and leukemic hemopoiesis and strongly suggest that GAP is not only a p21ras inhibitor (signal terminator), but also a positive signal transducer.

Platelet-derived growth factor indirectly stimulates angiogenesis in vitro

We evaluated the effect of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) on capillary formation using an in vitro angiogenesis model system in which microvascular fragments and myofibroblasts (Mfs) isolated from rat epididymal lipid tissues were grown in co-culture. In this system Mfs induce capillary formation by producing an endothelial cell growth factor and by secreting extracellular matrix components that cause endothelial cells to form cordlike structures. Addition of PDGF enhances in vitro capillary growth. Although some recently described microvascular endothelial cells display PDGF receptors and respond to PDGF, we found no evidence for direct PDGF action on the rat epididymal microvascular endothelial cells. Rather, we found that PDGF increased the proliferation of Mfs, as well as the production of Mf-derived endothelial cell growth factor and matrix collagen type I. Our results suggest that even in cases where the microvasculature lacks PDGF receptors, PDGF may accelerate capillary formation by activating connective tissue cells in the vicinity of endothelial cells.

Coexpression of phosphotyrosine-containing proteins, platelet-derived growth factor-B, and fibroblast growth factor-1 in situ in synovial tissues of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and Lewis rats with adjuvant or streptococcal cell wall arthritis

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-1 and PDGF-B-like factors have been implicated in the pathobiology of RA and animal models of this disease. Since the receptors for FGF-1 and PDGF are tyrosine kinases, we examined the expression of tyrosine phosphorylated proteins (phosphotyrosine, P-Tyr) in synovial tissues from patients with RA and osteoarthritis (OA), and rats with streptococcal cell wall (SCW) and adjuvant arthritis (AA). Synovia from patients with RA and LEW/N rats with SCW and AA arthritis, in contrast to controls, stained intensely with anti-P-Tyr antibody. The staining colocalized with PDGF-B and FGF-1 staining. Comparative immunoblot analysis showed markedly enhanced expression of a 45-kD P-Tyr protein in the inflamed synovia. Treatment with physiological concentrations of dexamethasone suppressed both arthritis and P-Tyr expression in AA. P-Tyr was only transiently expressed in athymic nude Lewis rats and was not detected in relatively arthritis-resistant F344/N rats. These data suggest that (a) FGF-1 and PDGF-B-like factors are upregulated and may induce tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins in vivo in inflammatory joint diseases, (b) persistent high level P-Tyr expression is T lymphocyte dependent, correlates with disease severity, and is strain dependent in rats, (c) corticosteroids, in physiological concentrations, downregulate P-Tyr expression in these lesions.

Tyrosine phosphorylated proteins in chronic myelogenous leukemia

An aberrantly expressed and highly active abl tyrosine kinase (p210bcr-abl) appears critical for the development and pathogenesis of chronic myelogenous-leukemia (CML). CML cells and cell lines each displayed a similar spectrum of phosphotyrosyl proteins. Analysis of these proteins by glycerol-gradient ultracentrifugation showed that many apparently existed as multimeric complexes. Confirming this, several of these proteins co-immunoprecipitated, along with the p210bcr-abl, with antibody to abl. Included were co-precipitating proteins identified as the p120 ras GTPase-activating protein (GAP) and the p62 protein that binds both to GAP and to a number of other tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins having peptide regions homologous to the second domain of src. Because p62, ras GAP and ras are involved in growth-factor and oncogene activation of cells, this pathway may also play an important role in CML.

A 41-kilodalton protein is a potential substrate for the p210bcr-abl protein-tyrosine kinase in chronic myelogenous leukemia cells

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is characterized by a translocation involving the c-abl protein-tyrosine kinase gene. A chimeric mRNA is formed containing sequences from a chromosome 22 gene (bcr) at its 5' end and all but the variable exon 1 of c-abl sequence. The product of this mRNA, p210bcr-abl, has constitutively high protein-tyrosine kinase activity. We examined K562 cells and other lines established from CML patients for the presence of phosphotyrosine (P-Tyr)-containing proteins which might be p210bcr-abl substrates. Two-dimensional gel separation of 32P-labeled proteins followed by phosphoamino acid analysis of 25 phosphoproteins, which comprised the major alkali-stable phosphoproteins, indicated that three related proteins of 41 kDa are the most prominent P-Tyr-containing proteins detected by this method. The 41-kDa phosphoproteins are found in two other CML lines that we examined but not in lines of similar lineage isolated from patients with distinct leukemic disease. A protein that comigrates with the major form of pp41 (pp41A) and contains P-Tyr is also found in murine fibroblasts and B-lymphoid cells transformed by Abelson murine leukemia virus, which encodes the v-abl protein, and in platelet-derived growth factor-treated fibroblasts, in which it has been described previously. We analyzed three pairs of Epstein-Barr virus-immortalized B-cell lines from individual CML patients and found that only the lines in which active p210bcr-abl was present contained detectable pp41. We also performed immunoblotting with anti-P-Tyr antibodies on the same CML cell lines and detected at least four other putative substrates of p210bcr-abl, which were undetected with use of the two-dimensional gel technique.

Growth inhibition by anchorage-deficiency is associated with increased level but reduced phosphorylation of mutant p53

Human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells seeded on type I collagen-coated dishes were provided with an anchor via the collagen receptor, integrin, and grew as actively as those in plastic tissue culture dishes. In contrast, cells seeded on a layer of soft agar became anchorage-deficient and their growth was significantly inhibited, although the cell viability and the cell cycle distribution were unaffected. Immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that mutant p53 was phosphorylated at tyrosine in the anchorage-provided cells. In contrast, the p53 in the anchorage-deficient cells was present in 2-fold greater amount, but was phosphorylated to a lesser extent. Addition of a potent protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, herbimycin A, to the anchorage-provided cells caused an elevated level of p53, and inhibitions of cell proliferation and p53 phosphorylation, without interfering with the cell adhesion to the substratum. These results demonstrated that the growth inhibition by anchorage-deficiency or by herbimycin A is associated with an elevated p53 level and reduced p53 phosphorylation at tyrosine.

A 41-kilodalton protein is a potential substrate for the p210bcr-abl protein-tyrosine kinase in chronic myelogenous leukemia cells

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is characterized by a translocation involving the c-abl protein-tyrosine kinase gene. A chimeric mRNA is formed containing sequences from a chromosome 22 gene (bcr) at its 5' end and all but the variable exon 1 of c-abl sequence. The product of this mRNA, p210bcr-abl, has constitutively high protein-tyrosine kinase activity. We examined K562 cells and other lines established from CML patients for the presence of phosphotyrosine (P-Tyr)-containing proteins which might be p210bcr-abl substrates. Two-dimensional gel separation of 32P-labeled proteins followed by phosphoamino acid analysis of 25 phosphoproteins, which comprised the major alkali-stable phosphoproteins, indicated that three related proteins of 41 kDa are the most prominent P-Tyr-containing proteins detected by this method. The 41-kDa phosphoproteins are found in two other CML lines that we examined but not in lines of similar lineage isolated from patients with distinct leukemic disease. A protein that comigrates with the major form of pp41 (pp41A) and contains P-Tyr is also found in murine fibroblasts and B-lymphoid cells transformed by Abelson murine leukemia virus, which encodes the v-abl protein, and in platelet-derived growth factor-treated fibroblasts, in which it has been described previously. We analyzed three pairs of Epstein-Barr virus-immortalized B-cell lines from individual CML patients and found that only the lines in which active p210bcr-abl was present contained detectable pp41. We also performed immunoblotting with anti-P-Tyr antibodies on the same CML cell lines and detected at least four other putative substrates of p210bcr-abl, which were undetected with use of the two-dimensional gel technique.

Activation of a microtubule-associated protein-2 kinase by insulin-like growth factor-I in bovine chromaffin cells

Treatment of bovine chromaffin cells with insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) caused the activation of a protein kinase that phosphorylates microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP-2) in vitro. Activation of MAP-2 kinase by IGF-I varied with the time of treatment (maximal at 10-15 min) and the concentration of IGF-I (maximal at 10 nM). The IGF-I-activated MAP-2 kinase was localized to the soluble fraction of chromaffin cell extracts and required Mg2+ for activity. The IGF-I-activated kinase also phosphorylated myelin basic protein, but had little or no activity toward histones or ribosomal S6 protein. To examine the role of protein tyrosine phosphorylation in the activation of the MAP-2 kinase, we isolated phosphotyrosine (PTyr)-containing proteins from chromaffin cells by immunoaffinity adsorption on anti-PTyr-Sepharose beads. Anti-PTyr-Sepharose eluates from IGF-I-treated cells showed increased MAP-2 kinase activity; thus, the MAP-2 kinase (or a closely associated protein) appears to be a PTyr-containing protein. Treatment of anti-PTyr-Sepharose eluates or crude chromaffin cell extracts with alkaline phosphatase significantly decreased kinase activity toward myelin basic protein, indicating that phosphorylation of the IGF-I-activated kinase is required for its activity.

Interleukin 2- and polyomavirus middle T antigen-induced modification of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity in activated T lymphocytes

Stimulation of activated T lymphocytes with interleukin 2 (IL-2) results in rapid increases in intracellular protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Both the identity of the protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) activated by IL-2 receptor ligation and the identities of the critical target proteins for this PTK remain largely undefined. In this article, we demonstrate that stimulation of activated murine or human T cells with IL-2 for 10 to 30 min induces two- to threefold increases in the level of phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) 3-kinase activity present in antiphosphotyrosine (p-Tyr) antibody immunoprecipitates from these cells. Furthermore, substantial levels of PtdIns 3-kinase activity were coprecipitated from IL-2-deprived T cells by antibodies to the src-related PTK p59fyn. Cellular stimulation with IL-2 induced a two- to threefold increase in the level of p59fyn-associated PtdIns 3-kinase activity. To examine the effect of a constitutive increase in PtdIns 3-kinase activity on the growth factor responsiveness of activated T cells, murine CTLL-2 cells were transfected with a polyomavirus middle T antigen (MTAg) expression vector. Anti-p-Tyr and anti-p59fyn immunoprecipitates from MTAg-transfected CTLL-2 cells contained three- to sixfold higher levels of PtdIns 3-kinase activity than wild-type cells. Immune complex kinase assays revealed that MTAg expression concomitantly induced a constitutive threefold increase in the PTK activity of p59fyn in these cells. However, stable MTAg expression did not abrogate the dependence of CTLL-2 cells on exogenous IL-2 for continued growth and proliferation.

Tyrosine 706 and 807 phosphorylation site mutants in the murine colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor are unaffected in their ability to bind or phosphorylate phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase but show differential defects in their ability to induce early response gene transcription

The receptor for colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) is a receptor protein-tyrosine kinase. To study the possible function of CSF-1 receptor autophosphorylation, two autophosphorylation sites, Tyr-706, located in the kinase insert, and Tyr-807, a residue conserved in all protein-tyrosine kinases, were changed independently to either phenylalanine or glycine. Wild-type and mutant receptors were stably expressed in Rat-2 cells. In response to CSF-1, cells expressing Phe- or Gly-706 mutant receptors showed increased growth rate and altered cell morphology. Both the Phe- and Gly-706 mutant receptors associated with and phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase at levels comparable with those of wild-type receptors. However, these mutant receptors differed subtly from each other and from the wild-type receptor in their ability to induce different aspects of the response to CSF-1. The Phe-706 mutant receptor was most strongly affected in its ability to increase growth rate or elevate the levels of c-fos and NGF1A mRNAs, whereas the Gly-706 mutant receptor was most markedly affected in its ability to induce a change in cell morphology or increase the levels of c-jun and NGF1A mRNAs. These findings indicate that Tyr-706 itself, or this region of the receptor, may be important for interaction of the CSF-1 receptor with different signalling pathways. Gly-807 mutant receptors lacked protein-tyrosine kinase activity, failed to respond to CSF-1, and were defective in biosynthetic processing. Phe-807 mutant receptors had 40 to 60% reduced protein-tyrosine kinase activity in vitro. Although cells expressing Phe-807 receptors were able to respond to CSF-1, the changes in growth rate and cell morphology were significantly less than seen with wild-type receptors, and the induction of early response genes was also slightly lower than for the wild-type receptor. In contrast, Phe-807 receptors were equivalent to wild-type receptors when tested for their ability to interact with phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase. These findings indicate that phosphorylation of Tyr-807 may be important for full activation of the receptor.

Interleukin 2- and polyomavirus middle T antigen-induced modification of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity in activated T lymphocytes

Stimulation of activated T lymphocytes with interleukin 2 (IL-2) results in rapid increases in intracellular protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Both the identity of the protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) activated by IL-2 receptor ligation and the identities of the critical target proteins for this PTK remain largely undefined. In this article, we demonstrate that stimulation of activated murine or human T cells with IL-2 for 10 to 30 min induces two- to threefold increases in the level of phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) 3-kinase activity present in antiphosphotyrosine (p-Tyr) antibody immunoprecipitates from these cells. Furthermore, substantial levels of PtdIns 3-kinase activity were coprecipitated from IL-2-deprived T cells by antibodies to the src-related PTK p59fyn. Cellular stimulation with IL-2 induced a two- to threefold increase in the level of p59fyn-associated PtdIns 3-kinase activity. To examine the effect of a constitutive increase in PtdIns 3-kinase activity on the growth factor responsiveness of activated T cells, murine CTLL-2 cells were transfected with a polyomavirus middle T antigen (MTAg) expression vector. Anti-p-Tyr and anti-p59fyn immunoprecipitates from MTAg-transfected CTLL-2 cells contained three- to sixfold higher levels of PtdIns 3-kinase activity than wild-type cells. Immune complex kinase assays revealed that MTAg expression concomitantly induced a constitutive threefold increase in the PTK activity of p59fyn in these cells. However, stable MTAg expression did not abrogate the dependence of CTLL-2 cells on exogenous IL-2 for continued growth and proliferation.

Tyrosine 706 and 807 phosphorylation site mutants in the murine colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor are unaffected in their ability to bind or phosphorylate phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase but show differential defects in their ability to induce early response gene transcription

The receptor for colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) is a receptor protein-tyrosine kinase. To study the possible function of CSF-1 receptor autophosphorylation, two autophosphorylation sites, Tyr-706, located in the kinase insert, and Tyr-807, a residue conserved in all protein-tyrosine kinases, were changed independently to either phenylalanine or glycine. Wild-type and mutant receptors were stably expressed in Rat-2 cells. In response to CSF-1, cells expressing Phe- or Gly-706 mutant receptors showed increased growth rate and altered cell morphology. Both the Phe- and Gly-706 mutant receptors associated with and phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase at levels comparable with those of wild-type receptors. However, these mutant receptors differed subtly from each other and from the wild-type receptor in their ability to induce different aspects of the response to CSF-1. The Phe-706 mutant receptor was most strongly affected in its ability to increase growth rate or elevate the levels of c-fos and NGF1A mRNAs, whereas the Gly-706 mutant receptor was most markedly affected in its ability to induce a change in cell morphology or increase the levels of c-jun and NGF1A mRNAs. These findings indicate that Tyr-706 itself, or this region of the receptor, may be important for interaction of the CSF-1 receptor with different signalling pathways. Gly-807 mutant receptors lacked protein-tyrosine kinase activity, failed to respond to CSF-1, and were defective in biosynthetic processing. Phe-807 mutant receptors had 40 to 60% reduced protein-tyrosine kinase activity in vitro. Although cells expressing Phe-807 receptors were able to respond to CSF-1, the changes in growth rate and cell morphology were significantly less than seen with wild-type receptors, and the induction of early response genes was also slightly lower than for the wild-type receptor. In contrast, Phe-807 receptors were equivalent to wild-type receptors when tested for their ability to interact with phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase. These findings indicate that phosphorylation of Tyr-807 may be important for full activation of the receptor.

Functions of the major tyrosine phosphorylation site of the PDGF receptor beta subunit

Two tyrosine phosphorylation sites in the human platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) beta subunit have been mapped previously to tyrosine (Y)751, in the kinase insert, and Y857, in the kinase domain. Y857 is the major site of tyrosine phosphorylation in PDGF-stimulated cells. To evaluate the importance of these phosphorylations, we have characterized the wild-type (WT) and mutant human PDGF receptor beta subunits in dog kidney epithelial cells. Replacement of either Y751 or Y857 with phenylalanine (F) reduced PDGF-stimulated DNA synthesis to approximately 50% of the WT level. A mutant receptor with both tyrosines mutated was unable to initiate DNA synthesis, as was a kinase-inactive mutant receptor. Transmodulation of the epidermal growth factor receptor required Y857 but not Y751. We also tested the effects of phosphorylation site mutations on PDGF-stimulated receptor kinase activity. PDGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of two cellular proteins, phospholipase C gamma 1 (PLC gamma 1) and the GTPase activating protein of Ras (GAP), was assayed in epithelial cells expressing each of the mutant receptors. Tyrosine phosphorylation of GAP and PLC gamma 1 was reduced markedly by the F857 mutation but not significantly by the F751 mutation. Reduced kinase activity of F857 receptors was also evident in vitro. Immunoprecipitated WT receptors showed a two- to fourfold increase in specific kinase activity if immunoprecipitated from PDGF-stimulated cells. The F751 receptors showed a similar increase in activity, but F857 receptors did not. Our data suggest that phosphorylation of Y857 may be important for stimulation of kinase activity of the receptors and for downstream actions such as epidermal growth factor receptor transmodulation and mitogenesis.

Tyrosine phosphorylation of human urokinase-type plasminogen activator

Immunoblotting analysis of purified human urokinase plasminogen activator (u-PA), gives a positive signal when reacted with anti-phosphotyrosine monoclonal antibodies (MoAb anti-P-Tyr); competition with o-phospho-DL-tyrosine (P-Tyr) but not o-phospho-DL-threonine or serine (P-Treo, P-Ser) completely suppresses this signal. Either the 55 kDa u-PA form and the lower Mw form (33 kDa) derived from the 55 kDa u-PA are Tyr-phosphorylated also the u-PA secreted in the culture media of human fibrosarcoma cells (HT-1080) is phosphorylated in tyrosine as well as u-PA present in tissue extracts of tumors induced in nude mice by HT-1080 cells. These data show that urine purified human u-PA and u-PA produced by human fibrosarcoma cells, in vitro and in vivo, are phosphorylated in tyrosine; furthermore our data show that u-PA is the major Tyr-phosphorylated protein present in these human tumor cells.

Biochemical analysis of the ligand for the neu oncogenic receptor

The neu protooncogene (also called HER2 and c-erbB2) encodes a cell-surface tyrosine kinase structurally related to the receptor for the epidermal growth factor (EGF). We have previously reported that a candidate ligand for the neu receptor is secreted by ras-transformed fibroblasts. Biochemical analyses of the neu stimulatory activity indicate that the ligand is a 35-kDa glycoprotein that is heat stable but sensitive to reduction. The factor is precipitable by either high salt concentrations or acidic alcohol. Partial purification of the molecule by selective precipitation, heparin-agarose chromatography, and gel filtration in dilute acid resulted in an active ligand, which is capable of stimulating the protooncogenic receptor but is ineffective on the oncogenic neu protein, which is constitutively active. The purified fraction, however, retained the ability to stimulate also the related receptor for EGF, suggesting that these two receptors are functionally coupled through a bidirectional mechanism. Alternatively, the presumed ligand interacts simultaneously with both receptors. The presented biochemical characteristics of the factor are expected to enable a completely purified factor with which to explore these possibilities.

Interleukin-6 signals activating junB and TIS11 gene transcription in a B-cell hybridoma

The events in interleukin-6 (IL-6) signal transduction leading to primary response gene activation were analyzed in murine B-cell hybridoma and plasmacytoma cells which require IL-6 for growth. IL-6 stimulation of IL-6-deprived cells resulted in the rapid and transient tyrosine phosphorylation of a 160-kDa cellular protein (p160). This was followed by the highly selective induction of two primary response genes, junB/AP-1 transcription factor and TIS11. junB and TIS11 inductions were unaffected by cycloheximide, suggesting that posttranslational modifications accounted for their activation. Activation of junB and TIS11 transcription required rapid tyrosine kinase activity as well as a different protein kinase activity sensitive to the potent kinase inhibitor, H7, and activated following p160 tyrosine phosphorylation. This H7-sensitive kinase appears to be distinct from any well-characterized protein kinase-second messenger system. On the basis of these findings, we propose that IL-6-induced signal transduction proceeds through a novel protein kinase cascade which activates junB and TIS11 gene transcription.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor T669 peptide kinase from 3T3-L1 cells is an EGF-stimulated "MAP" kinase

The epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor is both an activator and a target of growth factor-stimulated kinases involved in cellular signaling. Threonine-669 (T669) of the EGF receptor is phosphorylated in response to a wide variety of growth-modulating agents. MAP kinase is similarly phosphorylated as well as stimulated by growth activators, including EGF. To determine whether a MAP-type kinase is responsible for T669 kinase activity in EGF-stimulated 3T3-L1 cells, we partially purified and characterized the T669 peptide kinase. The results indicate that a MAP kinase phosphorylates the T669 peptide and raise the possibility that this enzyme may participate in a feedback loop, being activated by the EGF receptor and in turn phosphorylating the receptor.

Human microvascular endothelial cells express receptors for platelet-derived growth factor

Endothelial cells have been widely thought to be unresponsive to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF, a major growth factor released from stimulated platelets at the sites of vascular insults) and devoid of PDGF receptors. Nevertheless, in examining the growth-factor responses of microvascular endothelial cells isolated from human omental adipose tissue, we were surprised to detect PDGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of a 180-kDa glycoprotein, subsequently identified as the cellular receptor for PDGF by specific immunoprecipitation. Scatchard analysis of 125I-labeled PDGF binding to human microvascular endothelial cells revealed 30,000 PDGF receptors per cell with a Kd of 0.14 nM. PDGF stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of PDGF receptors and other cellular proteins in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with half-maximal receptor phosphorylation occurring at 0.3 nM recombinant human PDGF (B chain) and a less than or equal to 1-min exposure to PDGF. Normal cellular consequences of receptor activation were also observed, including tyrosine phosphorylation of a 42-kDa protein and serine phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6. Furthermore, PDGF was mitogenic for these cells. Microvascular endothelial cells play a central role in neovascularization required for wound healing and solid tumor growth. Thus, the discovery of functional PDGF receptors on human microvascular endothelial cells suggests a direct role for PDGF in this process.

Interleukin-6 signals activating junB and TIS11 gene transcription in a B-cell hybridoma

The events in interleukin-6 (IL-6) signal transduction leading to primary response gene activation were analyzed in murine B-cell hybridoma and plasmacytoma cells which require IL-6 for growth. IL-6 stimulation of IL-6-deprived cells resulted in the rapid and transient tyrosine phosphorylation of a 160-kDa cellular protein (p160). This was followed by the highly selective induction of two primary response genes, junB/AP-1 transcription factor and TIS11. junB and TIS11 inductions were unaffected by cycloheximide, suggesting that posttranslational modifications accounted for their activation. Activation of junB and TIS11 transcription required rapid tyrosine kinase activity as well as a different protein kinase activity sensitive to the potent kinase inhibitor, H7, and activated following p160 tyrosine phosphorylation. This H7-sensitive kinase appears to be distinct from any well-characterized protein kinase-second messenger system. On the basis of these findings, we propose that IL-6-induced signal transduction proceeds through a novel protein kinase cascade which activates junB and TIS11 gene transcription.

Density-dependent regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor expression in DU 145 human prostate cancer cells

Androgen-independent prostate cancer cells may rely on an autocrine loop for growth stimulation, and have been shown to express both the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its stimulatory ligands. We have shown here that DU 145 prostate cancer cells have a decreased amount of EGFR in confluent cultures when compared to levels seen in subconfluent cultures. This down-regulation of EGFR numbers is not due to cell proliferation or nutrient depletion, but can be correlated only with whether cell-cell contact exists throughout the culture. This is reminiscent of the situation existing in some tumors whereby EGFR expression is higher in cells at the invading margins of the tumor.

Protein tyrosine kinases in human breast cancer: kinetic properties and evidence for the presence of two forms of native enzyme

The protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) of human breast tumors classified as positive (TM+) or negative (TM-) according to their estrogen and progestin receptor levels was partially characterized with regard to its distribution, kinetic parameters, molecular size, and ability to phosphorylate endogenous mammary proteins. For both types of tumors, PTK activity depended upon the presence of Mn++ (2-5 mM) and/or Mg++ (10-20 mM). The activities, total (per g of tissue) and specific (per mg of protein), were similar for both types of tumors, and an average of 60% of activity was located in cytosolic fractions. The autoradiographic detection of alkali-resistant phosphoproteins after SDS-PAGE showed very similar patterns between corresponding fractions from both types of tumors. Upon gel filtration, two peaks of activity of apparent Mr 245 kDa (peak I) and 47 kDa (peak II) were observed. Peak II was found in both cytosols and extracts from particulate fractions, while peak I was present only in the latter fraction for both TM+ and TM- tumors. The apparent Km's for ATP ranged from 4.1 to 6.6 microM, and from 11 to 34 micrograms/ml for the synthetic substrate poly [Glu80, Tyr20], at an optimal pH of 6.5-7.5. When endogenous alkali-resistant phosphorylation of peaks I and II was determined by autoradiography after SDS-PAGE, two major mammary proteins of Mr 60 and 45 kDa were phosphorylated by peak II and three, Mr 145, 74, and 62 kDa, by peak I.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Temperature-sensitive mutants of Abelson murine leukemia virus deficient in protein tyrosine kinase activity

The effect of two missense mutations in abl on transformation by Abelson murine leukemia virus was evaluated. These mutations led to the substitution of a histidine for Tyr-590 and a glycine for Lys-536. Both changes gave rise to strains that were temperature dependent for transformation of both NIH 3T3 cells and lymphoid cells when expressed in the context of a truncated Abelson protein. In the context of the prototype P120 v-abl protein, the Gly-536 substitution generated a host range mutant that induced conditional transformation in lymphoid cells but had only a subtle effect on NIH 3T3 cells. The combination of both substitutions gave rise to a P120 strain that was temperature sensitive for both NIH 3T3 and lymphoid cell transformation. The Abelson proteins encoded by the temperature-sensitive strain displayed in vitro kinase activities that were reduced when compared with those of wild-type proteins. In vivo, levels of phosphotyrosine were reduced only at the restrictive temperature. Analysis of cells expressing either the wild-type P160 v-abl protein or the P210 bcr/abl protein and an Abelson protein encoded by a temperature-sensitive strain failed to correct this defect, suggesting either that tyrosine phosphorylation in vivo is an intramolecular reaction or that the protein encoded by the temperature-sensitive strain is a poor substrate for tyrosine phosphorylation in vivo. These results raise the possibility that tyrosine phosphorylation of Abelson protein plays a role in transformation.

Agonistic antibodies stimulate the kinase encoded by the neu protooncogene in living cells but the oncogenic mutant is constitutively active

The neu protooncogene (also called c-erbB2 and HER-2) undergoes oncogenic activation through a single mutation. The product of the protooncogene, p185neu, probably functions as a receptor for a peptide growth factor. To circumvent the absence of a well-characterized ligand, I generated ligand-mimicking monoclonal antibodies directed to the presumed receptor. These antibodies stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of p185neu in living cells and also accelerated the rate of endocytosis and degradation of p185neu. A monovalent Fab fragment of such an antibody was ineffective, suggesting a role for receptor dimerization in signal transduction. Unlike the product of the protooncogene, the transforming mutant was not affected by the ligand-like antibodies. However, it undergoes constitutively high phosphorylation on tyrosine residues in living cells, and its turnover rate is remarkably rapid. Nevertheless, the pattern of phosphorylation of the mutant protein is similar to the one exhibited by an antibody-stimulated p185neu, suggesting that the mutation mimics activation by the antibody. These results suggest that the kinase of p185neu is under allosteric control that may involve ligand-induced dimerization of receptors. This mechanism is deregulated in the oncogenic mutant, which is functionally equivalent to ligand-stimulated receptor.

Frequency and mechanisms of factor independence in IL-3-dependent cell lines

Interleukin-3 (IL-3) -dependent cell lines were tested for spontaneous mutation frequency with respect to two markers, growth factor-independent growth and 8-azaguanine-resistant growth. The mutation frequency for the growth factor-independent growth was approximately equal to that of 8-azaguanine-resistant growth. Investigation of the growth factor-independent phenotypes indicated that at least two different mechanisms for growth factor independence existed. One mechanisms was the activation of the IL-3 gene by mutation resulting in the constitutive expression of IL-3 and autocrine regulated growth. A second mechanisms results in IL-3-independent growth in a manner in which (1) constitutive tyrosine kinase activity was not seen and (2) c-myc transcription was constitutively activated. Interestingly, in these cells both the tyrosine phosphorylation and c-myc transcriptional pathways are still activatable following IL-3 stimulation. At present, the exact nature of the mutation that results in this phenotype is not known.

Preliminary characterization of phosphotyrosine phosphatase activities in human peripheral blood lymphocytes: identification of CD45 as a phosphotyrosine phosphatase

A preliminary characterization of the protein phosphotyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) activity in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) has been made using two tyrosine-containing peptides and the epidermal growth factor receptor from A-431 cells as substrates. High PTPase activity with a pH optimum near 7.4 was observed in both the membrane and the cytosolic fractions. At least three distinct fractions with PTPase activity were separated on DEAE cellulose columns, indicating that the enzyme is heterogeneous. Vanadate, molybdate, and salts of zinc, copper, and mercury were all effective enzyme inhibitors, although the inhibition was generally incomplete and showed some variation with the enzyme preparation. The difficulty in completely inhibiting PTPase activity in lymphocytes may help explain the variation between laboratories in studies of tyrosine phosphorylation in these cells. Studies with highly purified T lymphocytes obtained by filtration of PBL through nylon wool columns indicated that the activity is present in T cells. Absorption with agarose containing anti-HLe-1, a mouse monoclonal IgG1 antibody specific for the leukocyte-specific surface protein T-200 (CD45), removed up to 40% of the PTPase activity. Enzyme activity was recovered on the immunoadsorbent after extensive washing, confirming that the enzyme was being bound to the beads. Immunoabsorbents containing other mouse IgG1 antibodies failed to bind PTPase activity, indicating that the binding to beads with anti-HLe-1 antibody is specific. Further characterization of the CD45 and PTPase activities in lymphocytes may provide a better understanding of the role of protein tyrosine phosphorylation in the regulation of proliferation and differentiation in these cells.

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) binding promotes physical association of PDGF receptor with phospholipase C

Phospholipase C (PLC)-mediated production of inositol trisphosphate and diacylglycerol is stimulated by binding of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) to cell-surface receptors. Antibodies recognizing native PDGF receptors through peptide-domain epitopes coprecipitated 4-fold more PLC activity with receptors from PDGF-stimulated than from unstimulated BALB/c 3T3 cells, despite equivalent PDGF receptor recovery. Activity coprecipitated from unstimulated cells was comparable to nonspecific activity recovered with preimmune sera or in the presence of competing peptide immunogen. PLC activity coprecipitating with PDGF receptors represented 60% of anti-phosphotyrosine antibody-recovered activity from PDGF-stimulated cells. Coprecipitation was rapidly induced in cells treated with PDGF at 4 degrees C, reversibly lost with acid dissociation of PDGF from receptors, and recovered with PDGF readdition. PDGF concentrations effecting coprecipitation correlated with stimulation of intact-cell inositol phosphate production. Monoclonal antibodies to PLC gamma (145 kDa) coprecipitated from PDGF-stimulated cell lysates (but not from unstimulated cell lysates) tyrosine kinase activity that phosphorylated PDGF receptor and PLC gamma. Stable physical association of PDGF receptors with PLC may participate in coupling ligand binding to increased PLC activity.

Transformation of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts by an activated form of p59hck

Phosphorylation of a tyrosine residue near the carboxy terminus of src-family protein tyrosine kinases is believed to regulate the biological activity of these gene products. Conversion of this tyrosine in p59hck (Tyr-501) to a phenylalanine residue by using oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis yielded a product (p59hckF501) with very potent transforming activity. Quantitative analysis by a soft-agar cloning assay revealed that p59hckF501 was more than 100-fold more effective than a closely related transforming element, p56lckF505, in colony formation. Cells bearing p59hckF501 had increased levels of protein phosphotyrosine. The ability of p59hckF501 to transform NIH 3T3 cells was abolished by a second mutation believed to destroy the ATP-binding domain.

Transformation of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts by an activated form of p59hck

Phosphorylation of a tyrosine residue near the carboxy terminus of src-family protein tyrosine kinases is believed to regulate the biological activity of these gene products. Conversion of this tyrosine in p59hck (Tyr-501) to a phenylalanine residue by using oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis yielded a product (p59hckF501) with very potent transforming activity. Quantitative analysis by a soft-agar cloning assay revealed that p59hckF501 was more than 100-fold more effective than a closely related transforming element, p56lckF505, in colony formation. Cells bearing p59hckF501 had increased levels of protein phosphotyrosine. The ability of p59hckF501 to transform NIH 3T3 cells was abolished by a second mutation believed to destroy the ATP-binding domain.

Experimental approaches to hypothetical hormones: detection of a candidate ligand of the neu protooncogene

There is a growing list of oncogenes encoding transmembrane tyrosine kinases that have structures reminiscent of growth factor receptors. In most cases, the ligands for these putative receptors are unknown. Using the neu oncogene as a model system, we have developed several experimental approaches for the detection of such hypothetical ligands. The following lines of evidence collectively imply that a candidate ligand of the neu-encoded oncoprotein is secreted by ras-transformed fibroblasts: Medium conditioned by ras transformants is able to induce down-modulation of the neu-encoded p185 and to activate its intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity in vitro. In addition, a rapid increase in the phosphorylation in vivo of tyrosine residues of the neu-encoded protein is induced by the conditioned medium. Finally, transfer of the neu gene into hematopoietic cells renders them mitogenically responsive to the conditioned medium. The possibility of indirect activation of the oncoprotein through other known receptors, especially the receptor for the epidermal growth factor, was experimentally excluded.

Polyomavirus transforms rat F111 and mouse NIH 3T3 cells by different mechanisms

Polyomavirus middle tumor antigen (mT) was expressed in a line of mouse NIH 3T3 cells under control of the dexamethasone-regulatable mouse mammary tumor virus promotor. Contrary to rat F111 cells which were rendered anchorage independent by mT expression alone (L. Raptis, H. Lamfrom, and T.L. Benjamin, Mol. Cell. Biol. 5:2476-2487, 1985), mT-producing NIH 3T3 cells were unable to grow in agar even after full mT induction. The mT:pp60c-src-associated phosphatidylinositol kinase was activated in these cells to a degree similar to that in fully transformed cells expressing the small and large T antigens, in addition to mT. We therefore propose that the stimulation of this phosphatidylinositol kinase, although apparently necessary, is not sufficient for transformation of NIH 3T3 cells by polyomavirus.

Identification of tyrosine-phosphorylated colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1) receptor and a 56-kilodalton protein phosphorylated in intact human cells in response to CSF-1

Colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1) selectively supports the survival, proliferation, and maturation of hemopoietic cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage. Although the cellular receptor for CSF-1, (the c-fms protein) is a protein-tyrosine kinase activated by the binding of CFS-1, the role of phosphorylation of cellular proteins in CSF-1 signal transduction is poorly understood. Therefore, we examined the CSF-1-stimulated phosphorylation of cellular proteins in human BeWo choriocarcinoma cell line (known to express the c-fms protein). BeWo cells were metabolically labeled with 32Pi, stimulated with recombinant human CSF-1, and extracted with detergent. Phosphotyrosyl proteins were isolated from detergent extracts by affinity chromatography on a highly specific antibody to phosphotyrosine. Rapid phosphorylation of 170-kd protein, followed closely by the phosphorylation of a 56-kd protein, was observed in response to CSF-1. The 170-kd phosphotyrosyl protein bound to wheat germ agglutinin and was secondarily immunoprecipitated with a specific anti-fms serum, consistent with its identity as the CSF-1 receptor. Although purified human macrophages that proliferate in culture in response to CSF-1 are not generally accessible, CSF-1 did stimulate the phosphorylation of a 56-kd protein in intact mononuclear leukocytes from human peripheral blood. Thus, the BeWo cell line may represent a good model for the study of CSF-1-stimulated cellular protein phosphorylation.

Identification and subcellular localization of proteins that are rapidly phosphorylated in tyrosine in response to colony-stimulating factor 1

To investigate growth factor-mediated signal transduction, we have studied phosphorylation events that take place within seconds of the binding of colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1) to its cell-surface receptor. CSF-1 stimulated rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins in murine BAC1.2F5 macrophages at 37 degrees C and 4 degrees C. The pattern of CSF-1-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of at least 15 different proteins at both temperatures was similar and unchanged by treatment of the lysate with reducing agent. With the exception of the 185-kDa CSF-1 receptor, a 260-kDa protein and a 133-kDa protein, the proteins were predominantly cytoplasmic. At 37 degrees C, all the proteins were phosphorylated within 30 sec of addition of growth factor. At 4 degrees C, CSF-1 receptor sites were saturated after 2 min of incubation in the presence of high concentrations of CSF-1 and differences in the order of appearance of phosphorylated proteins were observed: 185 kDa (CSF-1 receptor) (by 2 min); 99 kDa (by 4 min); 125 kDa (by 10 min); 61 kDa (by 30 min); and 260 kDa, 84 kDa, and 41 kDa (by 180 min). In addition to stimulating the phosphorylation of these proteins in tyrosine, CSF-1 caused dephosphorylation of phosphorylated serine residues on the receptor. As neither CSF-1 nor its receptor is internalized at 4 degrees C, analysis of these early reactions and the phosphotyrosine-containing proteins in intact cells under these conditions should lead to an understanding of the early events in growth factor receptor-mediated signal transduction.