Control of the translational regulators PHAS-I and PHAS-II by insulin and cAMP in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Out of Control: The Role of the Ubiquitin Proteasome System in Skeletal Muscle during Inflammation

The majority of critically ill intensive care unit (ICU) patients with severe sepsis develop ICU-acquired weakness (ICUAW) characterized by loss of muscle mass, reduction in myofiber size and decreased muscle strength leading to persisting physical impairment. This phenotype results from a dysregulated protein homeostasis with increased protein degradation and decreased protein synthesis, eventually causing a decrease in muscle structural proteins. The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) is the predominant protein-degrading system in muscle that is activated during diverse muscle atrophy conditions, e.g., inflammation. The specificity of UPS-mediated protein degradation is assured by E3 ubiquitin ligases, such as atrogin-1 and MuRF1, which target structural and contractile proteins, proteins involved in energy metabolism and transcription factors for UPS-dependent degradation. Although the regulation of activity and function of E3 ubiquitin ligases in inflammation-induced muscle atrophy is well perceived, the contribution of the proteasome to muscle atrophy during inflammation is still elusive. During inflammation, a shift from standard- to immunoproteasome was described; however, to which extent this contributes to muscle wasting and whether this changes targeting of specific muscular proteins is not well described. This review summarizes the function of the main proinflammatory cytokines and acute phase response proteins and their signaling pathways in inflammation-induced muscle atrophy with a focus on UPS-mediated protein degradation in muscle during sepsis. The regulation and target-specificity of the main E3 ubiquitin ligases in muscle atrophy and their mode of action on myofibrillar proteins will be reported. The function of the standard- and immunoproteasome in inflammation-induced muscle atrophy will be described and the effects of proteasome-inhibitors as treatment strategies will be discussed.

Infection by the Protozoan Parasite Toxoplasma gondii Inhibits Host MNK1/2-eIF4E Axis to Promote Its Survival

The obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii reprograms host gene expression through multiple mechanisms that promote infection, including the up-regulation of mTOR-dependent host mRNA translation. In addition to the mTOR-4E-BP1/2 axis, MAPK-interacting kinases 1 and 2 (MNK1/2) control the activity of the mRNA cap-binding protein eIF4E. Herein, we show that T. gondii inhibits the phosphorylation of MNK1/2 and their downstream target eIF4E in murine and human macrophages. Exposure to soluble T. gondii antigens (STAg) failed to fully recapitulate this phenotype indicating the requirement of live infection. Treatment with okadaic acid, a potent phosphatase inhibitor, restored phosphorylation of MNK1/2 and eIF4E regardless of infection. T. gondii replication was higher in macrophages isolated from mice mutated at the residue where eIF4E is phosphorylated (eIF4E S209A knock-in) than in wild-type (WT) control cells despite no differences in infection rates. Similarly, parasitemia in the mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen, as well as brain cyst burden were significantly augmented in infected eIF4E S209A knock-in mice compared to their WT counterparts. Of note, mutant mice were more susceptible to acute toxoplasmosis and displayed exacerbated levels of IFNγ. In all, these data suggest that the MNK1/2-eIF4E axis is required to control T. gondii infection and that its inactivation represents a strategy exploited by the parasite to promote its survival.

Metabolic Association between Leptin and the Corticotropin Releasing Hormone

Objective

In healthy individuals, leptin is produced from adipose tissue and is secreted into the circulation to communicate energy balance status to the brain and control fat metabolism. Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone (CRH) is synthesized in the hypothalamus and regulates stress responses. Among the many adipokines and hormones that control fat metabolism, leptin and CRH both curb appetite and inhibit food intake. Despite numerous reports on leptin and CRH properties and function, little has been actually shown about their association in the adipose tissue environment.

Methods

In this article, we summarized the salient information on leptin and CRH in relation to metabolism. We also investigated the direct effect of recombinant CRH on leptin secretion by primary cultures of human adipocytes isolated from subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue of 7 healthy children and adolescents, and measured CRH and leptin levels in plasma collected from peripheral blood of 24 healthy children and adolescents to assess whether a correlation exists between CRH and leptin levels in the periphery.

Results and Conclusion

The available data indicate that CRH exerts a role in the regulation of leptin in human adipocytes. We show that CRH downregulates leptin production by mature adipocytes and that a strong negative correlation exists between CRH and leptin levels in the periphery, and suggest the possible mechanisms of CRH control of leptin. Delineation of CRH control of leptin production by adipocytes may explain unknown pathogenic mechanisms linking stress and metabolism.

Differential control of ageing and lifespan by isoforms and splice variants across the mTOR network

Ageing can be defined as the gradual deterioration of physiological functions, increasing the incidence of age-related disorders and the probability of death. Therefore, the term ageing not only reflects the lifespan of an organism but also refers to progressive functional impairment and disease. The nutrient-sensing kinase mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) is a major determinant of ageing. mTOR promotes cell growth and controls central metabolic pathways including protein biosynthesis, autophagy and glucose and lipid homoeostasis. The concept that mTOR has a crucial role in ageing is supported by numerous reports on the lifespan-prolonging effects of the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin in invertebrate and vertebrate model organisms. Dietary restriction increases lifespan and delays ageing phenotypes as well and mTOR has been assigned a major role in this process. This may suggest a causal relationship between the lifespan of an organism and its metabolic phenotype. More than 25 years after mTOR's discovery, a wealth of metabolic and ageing-related effects have been reported. In this review, we cover the current view on the contribution of the different elements of the mTOR signalling network to lifespan and age-related metabolic impairment. We specifically focus on distinct roles of isoforms and splice variants across the mTOR network. The comprehensive analysis of mouse knockout studies targeting these variants does not support a tight correlation between lifespan prolongation and improved metabolic phenotypes and questions the strict causal relationship between them.

Inhibition of 4EBP phosphorylation mediates the cytotoxic effect of mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase inhibitors in aggressive B-cell lymphomas

Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1 is a central integrator of nutrient and growth factor inputs that controls cell growth in eukaryotes. The second generation of mTOR kinase inhibitors (TORKi), directly targeting the mTOR catalytic site, are more effective than rapamycin and its analogs in cancer treatment, particularly in inducing apoptosis. However, the mechanism underlying the cytotoxic effect of TORKi remains elusive. Herein, we demonstrate that TORKi-induced apoptosis is predominantly dependent on the loss of mTOR complex 1-mediated 4EBP activation. Knocking out RICTOR, a key component of mTOR complex 2, or inhibiting p70S6K has little effect on TORKi-induced apoptosis. Conversely, increasing the eIF4E:4EBP ratio by either overexpressing eIF4E or knocking out 4EBP1/2 protects lymphoma cells from TORKi-induced cytotoxicity. Furthermore, downregulation of MCL1 expression plays an important role in TORKi-induced apoptosis, whereas BCL-2 overexpression confers resistance to TORKi treatment. We further show that the therapeutic effect of TORKi in aggressive B-cell lymphomas can be predicted by BH3 profiling, and improved by combining it with pro-apoptotic drugs, especially BCL-2 inhibitors, both in vitro and in vivo Taken together, the study herein provides mechanistic insight into TORKi cytotoxicity and identified a potential way to optimize its efficacy in the clinical treatment of aggressive B-cell lymphoma.

Insulin elevates leptin secretion and mRNA levels via cyclic AMP in 3T3-L1 adipocytes deprived of glucose

Aims

Leptin plays an important role in the pathogenesis of obesity and diabetes, yet the regulatory mechanisms of this hormone have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we aimed to clarify the roles of insulin and glucose in leptin secretion and mRNA production using inhibitors of insulin signal transduction in adipocytes cultured under glucose-free or normal conditions.

Methods

Differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes were stimulated with insulin in combination with inhibitors for phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), Akt, and phosphodiesterase 3B (PDE3B), as well as epinephrine and a cyclic AMP (cAMP) analog under glucose-free or normal conditions. After 8 h of stimulation, leptin protein levels in the media and leptin mRNA expression levels in the adipocytes were measured.

Results

Insulin significantly increased the secretion and mRNA levels of leptin under the depletion of glucose. Glucose augmented basal leptin secretion without insulin, while glucose nullified insulin-induced leptin mRNA upregulation. The PI3K inhibitor BEZ-235, the Akt inhibitor MK-2206, and the PDE3B inhibitor cilostazol attenuated the insulin stimulation of leptin secretion, but did not suppress the insulin-induced leptin mRNA upregulation with glucose depletion. In contrast to the glucose-free condition, insulin failed to upregulate leptin mRNA in the presence of glucose. The cAMP analog dibutyryl cAMP and epinephrine decreased both leptin secretion and mRNA regardless of glucose supplementation.

Conclusion

Insulin alone stimulates leptin secretion and elevates leptin mRNA levels via cAMP under the lack of glucose metabolism, while glucose is a significant and ambivalent effector on the insulin effects of leptin.

cAMP-Induced Histones H3 Dephosphorylation Is Independent of PKA and MAP Kinase Activations and Correlates With mTOR Inactivation

cAMP is a second messenger well documented to be involved in the phosphorylation of PKA, MAP kinase, and histone H3 (H3). Early, we reported that cAMP also induced H3 dephosphorylation in a variety of proliferating cell lines. Herein, it is shown that cAMP elicits a biphasic H3 dephosphorylation independent of PKA activation in cycling cells. H89, a potent inhibitor of PKA catalytic sub-unite, could not abolish this effect. Additionally, H89 induces a rapid and biphasic H3 serine 10 dephosphorylation, while a decline in the basal phosphorylation of CREB/ATF-1 is observed. Rp-cAMPS, an analog of cAMP and specific inhibitor of PKA, is unable to suppress cAMP-mediated H3 dephosphorylation, whereas Rp-cAMPS effectively blocks CREB/ATF-1 hyper-phosphorylation by cAMP and its inducers. Interestingly, cAMP exerts a rapid and profound H3 dephosphorylation at much lower concentration (50-fold lower, 0.125 mM) than the concentration required for maximal CREB/ATF-1 phosphorylation (5 mM). Much higher cAMP concentration is required to fully induce CREB/ATF-1 gain in phosphate (5 mM), which correlates with the inhibition of H3 dephosphorylation. Also, the dephosphorylation of H3 does not overlap at onset of MAP kinase phosphorylation pathways, p38 and ERK. Surprisingly, rapamycin (an mTOR inhibitor), cAMP, and its natural inducer isoproterenol, elicit identical dephosphorylation kinetics on both S6K1 ribosomal kinase (a downstream mTOR target) and H3. Finally, cAMP-induced H3 dephosphorylation is PP1/2-dependent. The results suggest that a pathway, requiring much lower cAMP concentration to that required for CREB/ATF-1 hyper-phosphorylation, is responsible for histone H3 dephosphorylation and may be linked to mTOR down regulation.

Deficiency in either 4E-BP1 or 4E-BP2 augments innate antiviral immune responses

Genetic deletion of both 4E-BP1 and 4E-BP2 was found to protect cells against viral infections. Here we demonstrate that the individual loss of either 4E-BP1 or 4E-BP2 in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) is sufficient to confer viral resistance. shRNA-mediated silencing of 4E-BP1 or 4E-BP2 renders MEFs resistant to viruses, and compared to wild type cells, MEFs knockout for either 4E-BP1 or 4E-BP2 exhibit enhanced translation of Irf-7 and consequently increased innate immune response to viruses. Accordingly, the replication of vesicular stomatitis virus, encephalomyocarditis virus, influenza virus and Sindbis virus is markedly suppressed in these cells. Importantly, expression of either 4E-BP1 or 4E-BP2 in double knockout or respective single knockout cells diminishes their resistance to viral infection. Our data show that loss of 4E-BP1 or 4E-BP2 potentiates innate antiviral immunity. These results provide further evidence for translational control of innate immunity and support targeting translational effectors as an antiviral strategy.

Catecholamine-induced lipolysis causes mTOR complex dissociation and inhibits glucose uptake in adipocytes

Anabolic and catabolic signaling oppose one another in adipose tissue to maintain cellular and organismal homeostasis, but these pathways are often dysregulated in metabolic disorders. Although it has long been established that stimulation of the β-adrenergic receptor inhibits insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in adipocytes, the mechanism has remained unclear. Here we report that β-adrenergic-mediated inhibition of glucose uptake requires lipolysis. We also show that lipolysis suppresses glucose uptake by inhibiting the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complexes 1 and 2 through complex dissociation. In addition, we show that products of lipolysis inhibit mTOR through complex dissociation in vitro. These findings reveal a previously unrecognized intracellular signaling mechanism whereby lipolysis blocks the phosphoinositide 3-kinase-Akt-mTOR pathway, resulting in decreased glucose uptake. This previously unidentified mechanism of mTOR regulation likely contributes to the development of insulin resistance.

Ethyl pyruvate preserves IGF-I sensitivity toward mTOR substrates and protein synthesis in C2C12 myotubes

Bacterial infection decreases skeletal muscle protein synthesis via inhibition of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a key regulator of translation initiation. To better define the mechanism by which muscle mTOR activity is decreased, we used an in vitro model of C2C12 myotubes treated with endotoxin [lipopolysaccharide (LPS)]and interferon (IFN)-γ to determine whether stable lipophilic pyruvate derivatives restore mTOR signaling. Myotubes treated with a combination of LPS and IFNγ down-regulated the phosphorylation of the mTOR substrates S6 kinase-1 and 4E binding protein-1. The phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 was decreased, whereas phosphorylation of elongation factor-2 was enhanced; all results consistent with defects in both translation initiation and elongation. LPS/IFNγ decreased protein synthesis 60% in myotubes. Treatment with methyl or ethyl pyruvate partially protected against the LPS/IFNγ-induced fall in mTOR signaling. The protective effect of ethyl and methyl pyruvate could not be replicated by an equimolar amount of sodium pyruvate. Although LPS/IFNγ treated myotubes were initially IGF-I responsive, prolonged exposure (≥ 17 h) resulted in IGF-I resistance at the level of mTOR despite normal IGF-I receptor phosphorylation. Ethyl pyruvate treatment restored IGF-I sensitivity as evidenced by the left shift in the IGF-I dose-response curve and maintained IGF-I responsiveness for a prolonged period of time. Ethyl pyruvate also restored IGF-I-stimulated protein synthesis in LPS/IFNγ-treated myotubes. Cotreatment with N-acetyl cysteine or ascorbic acid also preserved IGF-I sensitivity and mTOR activity. The data suggest that the combination of LPS and IFNγ inhibits mTOR activity and that prolonged exposure induces IGF-I resistance in myotubes. Lipophilic pyruvate derivatives and antioxidants show promise at rescuing mTOR activity and muscle protein synthesis by maintaining IGF-I sensitivity in this model.

Functional characterization of a haplotype in the AKT1 gene associated with glucose homeostasis and metabolic syndrome

A small 12-kb haplotype upstream of the AKT1 gene has been found to be associated with insulin resistance phenotypes. We sought to define the functional consequences of the three component polymorphic loci (rs1130214, rs10141867, rs33925946) on AKT1 and the upstream ZBTB42 gene. 5' RACE analysis of AKT1 transcripts in human skeletal muscle biopsies showed the predominant promoter to be 2.5 kb upstream of exon 2, and distinct from those promoters previously reported in rat. We then studied the effect of each of the three haplotype polymorphisms in transcriptional reporter assays in muscle, bone, and fat cell culture models, and found that each modulated enhancer and repressor activity are in a cell-specific and differentiation-specific manner. Our results in promoter assays are consistent with the human phenotype data; we found an anabolic effect on muscle and bone with increased mRNA expression of AKT1, and catabolic effect on fat with decreased expression. To test the hypothesis that rs10141867 affects transcription levels of the novel zinc finger protein ZBTB42 in vivo, we developed the allele-specific expression assay using Taqman technology to test for allelic differences within heterozygotes. The allele containing the derived polymorphism (haplotype H2) showed a 1.75-fold increase in expression in human skeletal muscle. Our data show a particularly complex effect of the component polymorphisms of a single haplotype on cells and tissues, suggesting that the coordination of different tissue-specific effects may have driven selection for the H2 haplotype. In light of the recent abundance of SNP association studies, our approach can serve as a method for exploring the biological function of polymorphisms that show significant genotype/phenotype associations.

Luteinizing hormone stimulates mammalian target of rapamycin signaling in bovine luteal cells via pathways independent of AKT and mitogen-activated protein kinase: modulation of glycogen synthase kinase 3 and AMP-activated protein kinase

LH stimulates the production of cAMP in luteal cells, which leads to the production of progesterone, a hormone critical for the maintenance of pregnancy. The mammalian target of rapamycin (MTOR) signaling cascade has recently been examined in ovarian follicles where it regulates granulosa cell proliferation and differentiation. This study examined the actions of LH on the regulation and possible role of the MTOR signaling pathway in primary cultures of bovine corpus luteum cells. Herein, we demonstrate that activation of the LH receptor stimulates the phosphorylation of the MTOR substrates ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein 1. The actions of LH were mimicked by forskolin and 8-bromo-cAMP. LH did not increase AKT or MAPK1/3 phosphorylation. Studies with pathway-specific inhibitors demonstrated that the MAPK kinase 1 (MAP2K1)/MAPK or phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT signaling pathways were not required for LH-stimulated MTOR/S6K1 activity. However, LH decreased the activity of glycogen synthase kinase 3Beta (GSK3B) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). The actions of LH on MTOR/S6K1 were mimicked by agents that modulated GSK3B and AMPK activity. The ability of LH to stimulate progesterone secretion was not prevented by rapamycin, a MTOR inhibitor. In contrast, activation of AMPK inhibited LH-stimulated MTOR/S6K1 signaling and progesterone secretion. In summary, the LH receptor stimulates a unique series of intracellular signals to activate MTOR/S6K1 signaling. Furthermore, LH-directed changes in AMPK and GSK3B phosphorylation appear to exert a greater impact on progesterone synthesis in the corpus luteum than rapamycin-sensitive MTOR-mediated events.

cAMP-dependent activation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in thyroid cells. Implication in mitogenesis and activation of CDK4

How cAMP-dependent protein kinases [protein kinase A (PKA)] transduce the mitogenic stimulus elicited by TSH in thyroid cells to late activation of cyclin D3-cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) remains enigmatic. Here we show in PC Cl3 rat thyroid cells that TSH/cAMP, like insulin, activates the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-raptor complex (mTORC1) leading to phosphorylation of S6K1 and 4E-BP1. mTORC1-dependent S6K1 phosphorylation in response to both insulin and cAMP required amino acids, whereas inhibition of AMP-activated protein kinase and glycogen synthase kinase 3 enhanced insulin but not cAMP effects. Unlike insulin, TSH/cAMP did not activate protein kinase B or induce tuberous sclerosis complex 2 phosphorylation at T1462 and Y1571. However, like insulin, TSH/cAMP produced a stable increase in mTORC1 kinase activity that was associated with augmented 4E-BP1 binding to raptor. This could be caused in part by T246 phosphorylation of PRAS40, which was found as an in vitro substrate of PKA. Both in PC Cl3 cells and primary dog thyrocytes, rapamycin inhibited DNA synthesis and retinoblastoma protein phosphorylation induced by TSH and insulin. Although rapamycin reduced cyclin D3 accumulation, the abundance of cyclin D3-CDK4 complexes was not affected. However, rapamycin inhibited the activity of these complexes by decreasing the TSH and insulin-mediated stimulation of activating T172 phosphorylation of CDK4. We propose that mTORC1 activation by TSH, at least in part through PKA-dependent phosphorylation of PRAS40, crucially contributes to mediate cAMP-dependent mitogenesis by regulating CDK4 T172-phosphorylation.

Essential amino acids improve insulin activation of AKT/MTOR signaling in soleus muscle of aged rats

Essential amino acids (EAA) improve basal muscle protein synthesis in the elderly. Nevertheless, in settings of prolonged supplementation, putative signal pathways of EAA are currently unknown. The purpose of this study was to test the effects of prolonged supplementation of EAA enriched mixture (12-L-Amin) on Insulin/Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF1) pathway by measuring total and phosphorylated Akt (Ser473) and its upstream (IRS1 at Ser636) and downstream (mTOR at Ser2448, p70S6K at Thr389) targets in basal conditions and following acute insulin (0.1 U/L) incubation in vitro. To this aim, soleus muscles were dissected from male Wistar rats divided in three groups of 7 each: adults (AD, 10 mo of age), elderly (EL, 22 mo of age) and elderly supplemented (EL-AA, 12-L-Amin 1.5gr/Kg die in drinking water for 3 mo). EL showed reduced basal and post-insulin mTOR and p70S6K activation and reduced post-insulin IRS1 degradation relative to AD. EL-AA showed an increase of post-insulin Akt activation, no change in basal and post-insulin phospho-mTOR, lower reduction of phospho-p70S6K and increased post-insulin IRS1 degradation relative to AD. These results demonstrate that chronic 12-LAmin administration exerts anti-ageing effects on the activation/inactivation of the Insulin/IGF1/mTOR pathway which is identified as putative target of EAA in the elderly.

Postnatal deamidation of 4E-BP2 in brain enhances its association with raptor and alters kinetics of excitatory synaptic transmission

The eIF4E-binding proteins (4E-BPs) repress translation initiation by preventing eIF4F complex formation. Of the three mammalian 4E-BPs, only 4E-BP2 is enriched in the mammalian brain and plays an important role in synaptic plasticity and learning and memory formation. Here we describe asparagine deamidation as a brain-specific posttranslational modification of 4E-BP2. Deamidation is the spontaneous conversion of asparagines to aspartates. Two deamidation sites were mapped to an asparagine-rich sequence unique to 4E-BP2. Deamidated 4E-BP2 exhibits increased binding to the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-binding protein raptor, which effects its reduced association with eIF4E. 4E-BP2 deamidation occurs during postnatal development, concomitant with the attenuation of the activity of the PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway. Expression of deamidated 4E-BP2 in 4E-BP2(-/-) neurons yielded mEPSCs exhibiting increased charge transfer with slower rise and decay kinetics relative to the wild-type form. 4E-BP2 deamidation may represent a compensatory mechanism for the developmental reduction of PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling.

Map4k4 negatively regulates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma protein translation by suppressing the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway in cultured adipocytes

The receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) is considered a master regulator of adipocyte differentiation and promotes glucose and lipid metabolism in mature adipocytes. We recently identified the yeast Sterile 20 (Ste20) protein kinase ortholog, Map4k4, in an RNA interference-based screen as an inhibitor of PPARgamma expression in cultured adipocytes. Here, we show that RNA interference-mediated silencing of Map4k4 elevates the levels of both PPARgamma1 and PPARgamma2 proteins in 3T3-L1 adipocytes without affecting PPARgamma mRNA levels, suggesting that Map4k4 regulates PPARgamma at a post-transcriptional step. PPARgamma degradation rates are remarkably rapid as measured in the presence of cycloheximide (t(1/2) = 2 h), but silencing Map4k4 had no effect on PPARgamma degradation. However, depletion of Map4k4 significantly enhances [(35)S]methionine/cysteine incorporation into proteins, suggesting that Map4k4 signaling decreases protein translation. We show a function of Map4k4 is to inhibit rapamycin-sensitive mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activity, decreasing 4E-BP1 phosphorylation. In addition, our results show mTOR and 4E-BP1 are required for the increased PPARgamma protein expression upon Map4k4 knockdown. Consistent with this concept, adenovirus-mediated expression of Map4k4 decreased PPARgamma protein levels and mTOR phosphorylation. These data show that Map4k4 negatively regulates PPARgamma post-transcriptionally, by attenuating mTOR signaling and a 4E-BP1-dependent mechanism.

Atrogin-1, MuRF1, and FoXO, as well as phosphorylated GSK-3beta and 4E-BP1 are reduced in skeletal muscle of chronic spinal cord-injured patients

Chronic complete spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with severe skeletal muscle atrophy as well several atrophy and physical-inactivity-related comorbidity factors such as diabetes, obesity, lipid disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. Intracellular mechanisms associated with chronic complete SCI-related muscle atrophy are not well understood, and thus their characterization may assist with developing strategies to reduce the risk of comorbidity factors. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether there was an increase in catabolic signaling targets, such as atrogin-1, muscle ring finger-1 (MuRF1), forkhead transcription factor (FoXO), and myostatin, and decreases in anabolic signaling targets, such as insulin-like growth factor (IGF), v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene (Akt), glycogen synthase kinase-beta (GSK-3beta), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), eukaryotic initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 (4E-BP1), and p70(s6kinase) in chronic complete SCI patients. In SCI patients, when compared with controls, there was a significant reduction in mRNA levels of atrogin-1 (59%; P < 0.05), MuRF1 (55%; P < 0.05), and myostatin (46%; P < 0.01), and in protein levels of FoXO1 (72%; P < 0.05), FoXO3a (60%; P < 0.05), and atrogin-1 (36%; P < 0.05). Decreases in the protein levels of IGF-1 (48%; P < 0.001) and phosphorylated GSK-3beta (54%; P < 0.05), 4E-BP1 (48%; P < 0.05), and p70(s6kinase) (60%; P = 0.1) were also observed, the latter three in an Akt- and mTOR-independent manner. Reductions in atrogin-1, MuRF1, FoXO, and myostatin suggest the existence of an internal mechanism aimed at reducing further loss of muscle proteins during chronic SCI. The downregulation of signaling proteins that regulate anabolism, such as IGF, GSK-3beta, and 4E-BP1, would reduce the ability to increase protein synthesis rates.

Integration of hormonal and nutrient signals that regulate leptin synthesis and secretion

This review summarizes recent advances in our understanding of the pre- and posttranscriptional mechanisms that regulate leptin production and secretion in adipocytes. Basal leptin production is proportional to the status of energy stores, i.e., fat cell size, and this is mainly regulated by alterations in leptin mRNA levels. Leptin mRNA levels are regulated by hormones, including glucocorticoids and catecholamines, but little is known about the transcriptional mechanisms involved. Leptin synthesis and secretion is also acutely modulated in response to hormones such as insulin and the availability of metabolic fuels. Acute variations in leptin production over a time course of minutes to hours are mediated at the levels of both translation and secretion. Increases in amino acids and insulin after a meal activate the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, leading to an increase in specific rates of leptin biosynthesis. Cross-talk among mTOR, PKA, and AMP-activated protein kinase pathways appears to integrate hormonal and nutrient signals that regulate leptin mRNA translation, at least in part through mechanisms involving its 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions. In addition, the rate of leptin secretion from preformed stores in response to hormonal cues is also regulated. Insulin stimulates, and adrenergic agonists inhibit, leptin secretion, and this likely contributes to variations in the magnitude of nutrition-related leptin excursions and oscillations. Overall, the study of leptin production has contributed to a deepening understanding of leptin biology and, more broadly, to our understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which the adipocyte integrates hormonal and nutrient signals to regulate adipokine production.

Re-programming of translation following cell stress allows IRES-mediated translation to predominate

There is now an overwhelming body of evidence to suggest that internal ribosome entry is required to maintain the expression of specific proteins during patho-physiological situations when cap-dependent translation is compromised, for example, following heat shock or during mitosis, hypoxia, differentiation and apoptosis. Translational profiling has been used by several groups to assess the extent to which alternative mechanisms of translation initiation selectively recruit mRNAs to polysomes during cell stress. The data from these studies have shown that under each condition 3-5% of coding mRNAs remain associated with the polysomes. Importantly, the genes identified in each of these studies do not show a significant amount of overlap, suggesting that 10-15% of all mRNAs have the capability for their initiation to occur via alternative mechanism(s).

TNF-related weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) is a potent skeletal muscle-wasting cytokine

TWEAK cytokine has been implicated in several biological responses including inflammation, angiogenesis, and osteoclastogenesis. We have investigated the role of TWEAK in regulating skeletal muscle mass. Addition of soluble TWEAK protein to cultured myotubes reduced the mean myotube diameter and enhanced the degradation of specific muscle proteins such as CK and MyHCf. The effect of TWEAK on degradation of MyHCf was stronger than its structural homologue, TNF-alpha. TWEAK increased the ubiquitination of MyHCf and the transcript levels of atrogin-1 and MuRF1 ubiquitin ligases. TWEAK inhibited phosphorylation of Akt kinase and its downstream targets GSK-3beta, FOXO1, mTOR, and p70S6K. Furthermore, TWEAK increased the activation of NF-kappaB transcription factor in myotubes. Adenoviral-mediated overexpression of IkappaB alpha deltaN (a degradation-resistant mutant of NF-kappaB inhibitory protein IkappaB alpha) in myotubes blocked the TWEAK-induced degradation of MyHCf. Chronic administration of TWEAK in mice resulted in reduced body and skeletal muscle weight with an associated increase in the activity of ubiquitin-proteasome system and NF-kappaB. Finally, muscle-specific transgenic overexpression of TWEAK decreased the body and skeletal muscle weight in mice. Collectively, our data suggest that TWEAK induces skeletal muscle atrophy through inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and activation of the ubiquitin-proteasome and NF-kappaB systems.

Akt signalling through GSK-3beta, mTOR and Foxo1 is involved in human skeletal muscle hypertrophy and atrophy

Skeletal muscle size is tightly regulated by the synergy between anabolic and catabolic signalling pathways which, in humans, have not been well characterized. Akt has been suggested to play a pivotal role in the regulation of skeletal muscle hypertrophy and atrophy in rodents and cells. Here we measured the amount of phospho-Akt and several of its downstream anabolic targets (glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta), mTOR, p70(s6k) and 4E-BP1) and catabolic targets (Foxo1, Foxo3, atrogin-1 and MuRF1). All measurements were performed in human quadriceps muscle biopsies taken after 8 weeks of both hypertrophy-stimulating resistance training and atrophy-stimulating de-training. Following resistance training a muscle hypertrophy ( approximately 10%) and an increase in phospho-Akt, phospho-GSK-3beta and phospho-mTOR protein content were observed. This was paralleled by a decrease in Foxo1 nuclear protein content. Following the de-training period a muscle atrophy (5%), relative to the post-training muscle size, a decrease in phospho-Akt and GSK-3beta and an increase in Foxo1 were observed. Atrogin-1 and MuRF1 increased after the hypertrophy and decreased after the atrophy phases. We demonstrate, for the first time in human skeletal muscle, that the regulation of Akt and its downstream signalling pathways GSK-3beta, mTOR and Foxo1 are associated with both the skeletal muscle hypertrophy and atrophy processes.

Activation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) by insulin is associated with stimulation of 4EBP1 binding to dimeric mTOR complex 1

Insulin stimulates protein synthesis by promoting phosphorylation of the eIF4E-binding protein, 4EBP1. This effect is rapamycin-sensitive and mediated by mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1 (mTORC1), a signaling complex containing mTOR, raptor, and mLST8. Here we demonstrate that insulin produces a stable increase in the kinase activity of mTORC1 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The response was associated with a marked increase in 4EBP1 binding to raptor in mTORC1, and it was abolished by disrupting the TOR signaling motif in 4EBP1. The stimulatory effects of insulin on both 4EBP1 kinase activity and binding occurred rapidly and at physiological concentrations of insulin, and both effects required an intact mTORC1. Results of experiments involving size exclusion chromatography and coimmunoprecipitation of epitope-tagged subunits provide evidence that the major insulin-responsive form is dimeric mTORC1, a structure containing two heterotrimers of mTOR, raptor, and mLST8.

Regulation of hepatic insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 gene expression by insulin: central role for mammalian target of rapamycin independent of forkhead box O proteins

The expression of IGF-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) is induced in rat liver by dexamethasone and glucagon and is completely inhibited by 100 nM insulin. Various studies have implicated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, protein kinase B (Akt), phosphorylation of the transcription factors forkhead in rhabdomyosarcoma 1 (Foxo1)/Foxo3, and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in insulin's effect. In this study we examined insulin regulation of IGFBP-1 in both subconfluent and confluent hepatocytes. In subconfluent hepatocytes, insulin inhibition of IGFBP-1 mRNA levels was blocked by inhibiting PI3 kinase activation, and there was a corresponding inhibition of Foxo1/Foxo3 phosphorylation. In these same cells, inhibition of the insulin effect by rapamycin occurred in the presence of insulin-induced Foxo1/Foxo3 phosphorylation. In confluent hepatocytes, insulin could not activate the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3 kinase)-Akt-Foxo1/Foxo3 pathway, but still inhibited IGFBP-1 gene expression in an mTOR-dependent manner. In subconfluent hepatocytes, the serine/threonine phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid (100 nM) partially inhibited IGFBP-1 gene expression by 40%, but did not produce phosphorylation of either Akt or Foxo proteins. In contrast, 1 nm insulin inhibited the IGFBP-1 mRNA level by 40% and correspondingly activated Akt and Foxo1/Foxo3 phosphorylation to a level comparable to that observed with 100 nM insulin. These results suggest a potential role for a serine/threonine phosphatase(s) in the regulation of IGFBP-1 gene transcription, which is not downstream of mTOR and is independent of Akt. In conclusion, we have found that in rat liver, insulin inhibition of IGFBP-1 mRNA levels can occur in the absence of the phosphorylation of Foxo1/Foxo3, whereas activation of the mTOR pathway is both necessary and sufficient.

Regulation of eukaryotic initiation factor 4E by converging signaling pathways during metabotropic glutamate receptor-dependent long-term depression

Long-term depression (LTD) is an activity-dependent decrease in synaptic efficacy that can be induced in hippocampal area CA1 by pharmacological application of the selective group I metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) agonist 3,5-diyhroxyphenylglycine (DHPG). Recent work has demonstrated that DHPG-induced LTD recruits at least two signal transduction pathways known to couple to translation, the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. However, it remains unclear which translation factors are engaged by these two signaling pathways during mGluR-LTD. In this study, we investigated whether the group I mGluRs couple to the cap-dependent translation proteins: Mnk1, eIF4E, and 4E-BP. We found that both the MEK-ERK and PI3K-mTOR signaling pathways are critical for the DHPG-induced regulation of these translation factors. Furthermore, we demonstrate that increasing eIF4F complex availability via the genetic elimination of 4E-BP2 can enhance the degree of LTD achieved by DHPG application in an ERK-dependent manner. Our results provide direct evidence that cap-dependent translation is engaged during mGluR-LTD and demonstrate that the MEK-ERK and PI3K-mTOR signaling pathways converge to regulate eIF4E activity after induction of DHPG-LTD.

The translation repressor 4E-BP2 is critical for eIF4F complex formation, synaptic plasticity, and memory in the hippocampus

Long-lasting synaptic plasticity and memory requires mRNA translation, yet little is known as to how this process is regulated. To explore the role that the translation repressor 4E-BP2 plays in hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) and learning and memory, we examined 4E-BP2 knock-out mice. Interestingly, genetic elimination of 4E-BP2 converted early-phase LTP to late-phase LTP (L-LTP) in the Schaffer collateral pathway, likely as a result of increased eIF4F complex formation and translation initiation. A critical limit for activity-induced translation was revealed in the 4E-BP2 knock-out mice because L-LTP elicited by traditional stimulation paradigms was obstructed. Moreover, the 4E-BP2 knock-out mice also exhibited impaired spatial learning and memory and conditioned fear-associative memory deficits. These results suggest a crucial role for proper regulation of the eIF4F complex by 4E-BP2 during LTP and learning and memory in the mouse hippocampus.

Human skeletal muscle atrophy in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis reveals a reduction in Akt and an increase in atrogin-1

The molecular mechanisms influencing muscle atrophy in humans are poorly understood. Atrogin-1 and MuRF1, two ubiquitin E3-ligases, mediate rodent and cell muscle atrophy and are suggested to be regulated by an Akt/Forkhead (FKHR) signaling pathway. Here we investigated the expression of atrogin-1, MuRF1, and the activity of Akt and its catabolic (FKHR and FKHRL1) and anabolic (p70(s6k) and GSK-3beta) targets in human skeletal muscle atrophy. The muscle atrophy model used was amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). All measurements were performed in biopsies from 22 ALS patients and 16 healthy controls as well as in G93A ALS mice. ALS patients had a significant increase in atrogin-1 mRNA and protein content, which was associated with a decrease in Akt activity. There was no difference in the mRNA and protein content of FKHR, FKHRL1, p70(s6k), and GSK-3beta. Similar observations were made in the G93A ALS mice. Human skeletal muscle atrophy, as seen in the ALS model, is associated with an increase in atrogin-1 and a decrease in Akt. The transcriptional regulation of human atrogin-1 may be controlled by an Akt-mediated transcription factor other than FKHR or via another signaling pathway.

Insulin Stimulates Postsynaptic Density-95 Protein Translation via the Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase-Akt-Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Signaling Pathway

Insulin receptors are highly enriched at neuronal synapses, but whose function remains unclear. Here we present evidence that brief incubations of rat hippocampal slices with insulin resulted in an increased protein expression of dendritic scaffolding protein postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95) in area CA1. This insulin-induced increase in the PSD-95 protein expression was inhibited by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, AG1024, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors, LY294002 and wortmannin, translational inhibitors, anisomycin and rapamycin, but not by LY303511 (an inactive analogue of LY294002), and transcriptional inhibitor, actinomycin D, suggesting that insulin regulates the translation of PSD-95 by activating the receptor tyrosine kinase-PI3K-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. A similar insulin-induced increase in the PSD-95 protein expression was detected after stimulation of the synaptic fractions isolated from the hippocampal neurons. Furthermore, insulin treatment did not affect the PSD-95 mRNA levels. In agreement, insulin rapidly induced the phosphorylation of 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK1), protein kinase B (Akt), and mTOR, effects that were prevented by the AG1024 and LY294002. We also show that insulin stimulated the phosphorylation of 4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1) and p70S6 kinase (p70S6K) in a mTOR-dependent manner. Finally, we demonstrate the constitutive expression of PSD-95 mRNA in the synaptic fractions isolated from hippocampal neurons. Taken together, these findings suggest that activation of the PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway is essential for the insulin-induced up-regulation of local PSD-95 protein synthesis in neuronal dendrites and indicate a new molecular mechanism that may contribute to the modulation of synaptic function by insulin in hippocampal area CA1.

Distinct signaling events downstream of mTOR cooperate to mediate the effects of amino acids and insulin on initiation factor 4E-binding proteins

Signaling through the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) controls cell size and growth as well as other functions, and it is a potential therapeutic target for graft rejection, certain cancers, and disorders characterized by inappropriate cell or tissue growth. mTOR signaling is positively regulated by hormones or growth factors and amino acids. mTOR signaling regulates the phosphorylation of several proteins, the best characterized being ones that control mRNA translation. Eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1) undergoes phosphorylation at multiple sites. Here we show that amino acids regulate the N-terminal phosphorylation sites in 4E-BP1 through the RAIP motif in a rapamycin-insensitive manner. Several criteria indicate this reflects a rapamycin-insensitive output from mTOR. In contrast, the insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of the C-terminal site Ser64/65 is generally sensitive to rapamycin, as is phosphorylation of another well-characterized target for mTOR signaling, S6K1. Our data imply that it is unlikely that mTOR directly phosphorylates Thr69/70 in 4E-BP1. Although 4E-BP1 and S6K1 bind the mTOR partner, raptor, our data indicate that the outputs from mTOR to 4E-BP1 and S6K1 are distinct. In cells, efficient phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 requires it to be able to bind to eIF4E, whereas phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 by mTOR in vitro shows no such preference. These data have important implications for understanding signaling downstream of mTOR and the development of new strategies to impair mTOR signaling.

Activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase-Akt-mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway is required for metabotropic glutamate receptor-dependent long-term depression

Hippocampal long-term depression (LTD) is a long-lasting decrease in synaptic strength that is most commonly studied at glutamatergic inputs to pyramidal cells in hippocampal area CA1. Activation of G-protein-coupled group I (including types 1 and 5) metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) by the pharmacological agonist (RS)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) elicits LTD in area CA1 of the hippocampus. Recent reports have shown that de novo protein synthesis is necessary for DHPG-induced LTD. However, relatively little is known about the signaling pathways that couple mGluRs to translation initiation. In this study, we investigated whether the activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, which has been shown to regulate translation initiation, is necessary for mGluR-LTD induced by DHPG. We found that brief incubations of mouse hippocampal slices with DHPG resulted in increased phosphorylation of Akt and mTOR in hippocampal area CA1. Two structurally unrelated PI3K inhibitors, LY294002 and wortmannin, blocked the DHPG-induced increases in phosphorylation of Akt and mTOR. Biochemical fractionation studies showed that the DHPG-induced increase in the phosphorylation of Akt and mTOR could be detected in synaptoneurosome preparations, and immunohistochemical analysis revealed that similar increases could be detected in both stratum pyramidale and stratum radiatum in area CA1. Finally, we observed that both PI3K inhibitors and rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor, prevented mGluR-LTD induced by DHPG. Together, our findings indicate that activation of the PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling cascade is required for mGluR-LTD and suggest that this pathway may couple group I mGluRs to translation initiation in hippocampal area CA1.

Amino acids as regulators of gene expression

The role of amino acids as substrates for protein synthesis is well documented. However, a function for amino acids in modulating the signal transduction pathways that regulate mRNA translation has only recently been described. Interesting, some of the signaling pathways regulated by amino acids overlap with those classically associated with the cellular response to hormones such as insulin and insulin-like growth factors. The focus of this review is on the signaling pathways regulated by amino acids, with a particular emphasis on the branched-chain amino acid leucine, and the steps in mRNA translation controlled by the signaling pathways.

Signaling from Akt to FRAP/TOR targets both 4E-BP and S6K in Drosophila melanogaster

The eIF4E-binding proteins (4E-BPs) interact with translation initiation factor 4E to inhibit translation. Their binding to eIF4E is reversed by phosphorylation of several key Ser/Thr residues. In Drosophila, S6 kinase (dS6K) and a single 4E-BP (d4E-BP) are phosphorylated via the insulin and target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling pathways. Although S6K phosphorylation is independent of phosphoinositide 3-OH kinase (PI3K) and serine/threonine protein kinase Akt, that of 4E-BP is dependent on PI3K and Akt. This difference prompted us to examine the regulation of d4E-BP in greater detail. Analysis of d4E-BP phosphorylation using site-directed mutagenesis and isoelectric focusing-sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated that the regulatory interplay between Thr37 and Thr46 of d4E-BP is conserved in flies and that phosphorylation of Thr46 is the major phosphorylation event that regulates d4E-BP activity. We used RNA interference (RNAi) to target components of the PI3K, Akt, and TOR pathways. RNAi experiments directed at components of the insulin and TOR signaling cascades show that d4E-BP is phosphorylated in a PI3K- and Akt-dependent manner. Surprisingly, RNAi of dAkt also affected insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of dS6K, indicating that dAkt may also play a role in dS6K phosphorylation.

Modulation of the Protein Kinase Activity of mTOR

mTOR is a founding member of a family of protein kinases having catalytic domains homologous to those in phosphatidylinositol 3-OH kinase. mTOR participates in the control by insulin of the phosphorylation of lipin, which is required for adipocyte differentiation, and the two translational regulators, p70S6K and PHAS-I. The phosphorylation of mTOR, itself, is stimulated by insulin in Ser2448, a site that is also phosphorylated by protein kinase B (PKB) in vitro and in response to activation of PKB activity in vivo. Ser2448 is located in a short stretch of amino acids not found in the two TOR proteins in yeast. A mutant mTOR lacking this stretch exhibited increased activity, and binding of the antibody, mTAb-1, to this region markedly increased mTOR activity. In contrast, rapamycin-FKBP12 inhibited mTOR activity towards both PHAS-I and p70S6K, although this complex inhibited the phosphorylation of some sites more than that of others. Mutating Ser2035 to Ile in the FKBP12-rapamycin binding domain rendered mTOR resistant to inhibition by rapamycin. Unexpectedly, this mutation markedly decreased the ability of mTOR to phosphorylate certain sites in both PHAS-I and p70S6K. The results support the hypotheses that rapamycin disrupts substrate recognition instead of directly inhibiting phosphotransferase activity and that mTOR activity in cells is controlled by the phosphorylation of an inhibitory regulatory domain containing the mTAb-1 epitope.

Ser-64 and Ser-111 in PHAS-I are dispensable for insulin-stimulated dissociation from eIF4E

Insulin stimulates phosphorylation of multiple sites in the eIF4E-binding protein, PHAS-I, leading to dissociation of the PHAS-I.eIF4E complex and to an increase in cap-dependent translation. The Ser-64 and Ser-111 sites have been proposed to have key roles in controlling the association of PHAS-I and eIF4E. To determine whether the effects of insulin require these sites, we assessed the control of PHAS-I proteins having Ala-64 or Ala-111 mutations. The results indicate that phosphorylation of neither site is required for insulin to promote release of PHAS-I from eIF4E. Also, the mutation of Ser-111, which has been proposed to serve as a necessary priming site for the phosphorylation of other sites in PHAS-I, did not affect the phosphorylation of Thr-36/45, Ser-64, or Thr-69. Insulin promoted the release of eIF4E from PHAS-II, a PHAS isoform that lacks the Ser-111 site, but it was without effect on the amount of eIF4E bound to the third isoform, PHAS-III. The results demonstrate that contrary to widely accepted models, Ser-64 and Ser-111 are not required for the control of PHAS-I binding to eIF4E in cells, implicating phosphorylation of the Thr sites in dissociation of the PHAS-I.eIF4E complex. The findings also indicate that PHAS-II, but not PHAS-III, contributes to the control of protein synthesis by insulin.

Cyclic AMP inhibits translation of cyclin D3 in T lymphocytes at the level of elongation by inducing eEF2-phosphorylation

The purpose of the present study was to understand the mechanism by which activated protein kinase A (PKA) leads to down-regulation of cyclin D3 in lymphocytes. By using Jurkat cells as a model system, we have been able to demonstrate that cyclin D3 is reduced at the level of translation by inhibition of elongation. One of the important factors involved in translational elongation is the eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2). eEF2 promotes translation in its unphosphorylated form, and we observed a rapid phosphorylation of the eEF2-protein upon forskolin treatment. When using specific inhibitors of the eEF2-kinase prior to forskolin treatment, we were able to inhibit the increased phosphorylation of eEF2. Furthermore, inhibition of eEF2-kinase prevented the forskolin-mediated down-regulation of cyclin D3. Taken together, it appears that activation of PKA in Jurkat cells reduces the expression of cyclin D3 at the level of translational elongation by increasing the phosphorylation of eEF2 and thereby inhibiting its activity.

Regulation of targets of mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signalling by intracellular amino acid availability

In mammalian cells, amino acids affect the phosphorylation state and function of several proteins involved in mRNA translation that are regulated via the rapamycin-sensitive mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) pathway. These include ribosomal protein S6 kinase, S6K1, and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein, 4E-BP1. Amino acids, especially branched-chain amino acids, such as leucine, promote phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 and S6K1, and permit insulin to further increase their phosphorylation. However, it is not clear whether these effects are exerted by extracellular or intracellular amino acids. Inhibition of protein synthesis is expected to increase the intracellular level of amino acids, whereas inhibiting proteolysis has the opposite effect. We show in the present study that inhibition of protein synthesis by any of several protein synthesis inhibitors tested allows insulin to regulate 4E-BP1 or S6K1 in amino-acid-deprived cells, as does the addition of amino acids to the medium. In particular, insulin activates S6K1 and promotes initiation factor complex assembly in amino-acid-deprived cells treated with protein synthesis inhibitors, but cannot do so in the absence of these compounds. Their effects occur at concentrations commensurate with their inhibition of protein synthesis and are not due to activation of stress-activated kinase cascades. Inhibition of protein breakdown (autophagy) impairs the ability of insulin to regulate 4E-BP1 or S6K1 under such conditions. These and other data presented in the current study are consistent with the idea that it is intracellular amino acid levels that regulate mTOR signalling.

Localisation and regulation of the eIF4E-binding protein 4E-BP3

The cap-binding protein eIF4E-binding protein 3 (4E-BP3) was identified some years ago, but its properties have not been investigated in detail. In this report, we investigated the regulation and localisation of 4E-BP3. We show that 4E-BP3 is present in the nucleus as well as in the cytoplasm in primary T cells, HEK293 cells and HeLa cells. 4E-BP3 was associated with eIF4E in both cell compartments. Furthermore, 4E-BP3/eIF4E association in the cytoplasm was regulated by serum or interleukin-2 starvation in the different cell types. Rapamycin did not affect the association of eIF4E with 4E-BP3 in the cytoplasm or in the nucleus.

IGF-I and insulin regulate eIF4F formation by different mechanisms in muscle and liver in the ovine fetus

The mechanisms by which insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and insulin regulate eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF)4F formation were examined in the ovine fetus. Insulin infusion increased phosphorylation of eIF4E-binding protein (4E-BP1) in muscle and liver. IGF-I infusion did not alter 4E-BP1 phosphorylation in liver. In muscle, IGF-I increased 4E-BP1 phosphorylation by 27%; the percentage in the gamma-form in the IGF-I group was significantly lower than that in the insulin group. In liver, only IGF-I increased eIF4G. Both IGF-I and insulin increased eIF4E. eIF4G binding in muscle, but only insulin decreased the amount of 4E-BP1 associated with eIF4E. In liver, only IGF-I increased eIF4E. eIF4G binding. Insulin increased the phosphorylation of p70 S6 kinase (p70(S6k)) in both muscle and liver and protein kinase B (PKB/Akt) in muscle, two indicative signal proteins in the phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase pathway. IGF-I increased PKB/Akt phosphorylation in muscle but had no effect on p70(S6k) phosphorylation in muscle or liver. We conclude that insulin and IGF-I modulate eIF4F formation; however, the two hormones have different regulatory mechanisms. Insulin increases phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 and eIF4E. eIF4G binding in muscle, whereas IGF-I regulates eIF4F formation by increasing total eIF4G. Insulin, but not IGF-I, decreased 4E-BP1 content associated with eIF4E. Insulin regulates translation initiation via the PI 3-kinase-p70(S6k) pathway, whereas IGF-I does so mainly via mechanisms independent of the PI 3-kinase-p70(S6k) pathway.

Cellular stresses profoundly inhibit protein synthesis and modulate the states of phosphorylation of multiple translation factors

We have examined the effects of widely used stress-inducing agents on protein synthesis and on regulatory components of the translational machinery. The three stresses chosen, arsenite, hydrogen peroxide and sorbitol, exert their effects in quite different ways. Nonetheless, all three rapidly ( approximately 30 min) caused a profound inhibition of protein synthesis. In each case this was accompanied by dephosphorylation of the eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1) and increased binding of this repressor protein to eIF4E. Binding of 4E-BP1 to eIF4E correlated with loss of eIF4F complexes. Sorbitol and hydrogen peroxide each caused inhibition of the 70-kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase, while arsenite activated it. The effects of stresses on the phosphorylation of eukaryotic elongation factor 2 also differed: oxidative stress elicited a marked increase in eEF2 phosphorylation, which is expected to contribute to inhibition of translation, while the other stresses did not have this effect. Although all three proteins (4E-BP1, p70 S6 kinase and eEF2) can be regulated through the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), our data imply that stresses do not interfere with mTOR function but act in different ways on these three proteins. All three stresses activate the p38 MAP kinase pathway but we were able to exclude a role for this in their effects on 4E-BP1. Our data reveal that these stress-inducing agents, which are widely used to study stress-signalling in mammalian cells, exert multiple and complex inhibitory effects on the translational machinery.

Caspase cleavage of initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 yields a dominant inhibitor of cap-dependent translation and reveals a novel regulatory motif

Eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) binding proteins (4E-BPs) regulate the assembly of initiation complexes required for cap-dependent mRNA translation. 4E-BP1 undergoes insulin-stimulated phosphorylation, resulting in its release from eIF4E, allowing initiation complex assembly. 4E-BP1 undergoes caspase-dependent cleavage in cells undergoing apoptosis. Here we show that cleavage occurs after Asp24, giving rise to the N-terminally truncated polypeptide Delta4E-BP1, which possesses the eIF4E-binding site and all the known phosphorylation sites. Delta4E-BP1 binds to eIF4E and fails to become sufficiently phosphorylated upon insulin stimulation to bring about its release from eIF4E. Therefore, Delta4E-BP1 acts as a potent inhibitor of cap-dependent translation. Using a mutagenesis approach, we identify a novel regulatory motif of four amino acids (RAIP) which lies within the first 24 residues of 4E-BP1 and which is necessary for efficient phosphorylation of 4E-BP1. This motif is conserved among sequences of 4E-BP1 and 4E-BP2 but is absent from 4E-BP3. Insulin increased the phosphorylation of 4E-BP3 but not sufficiently to cause its release from eIF4E. However, a chimeric protein that was generated by replacing the N terminus of 4E-BP3 with the N-terminal sequence of 4E-BP1 (containing this RAIP motif) underwent a higher degree of phosphorylation and was released from eIF4E. This suggests that the N-terminal sequence of 4E-BP1 is required for optimal regulation of 4E-BPs by insulin.

Akt/mTOR pathway is a crucial regulator of skeletal muscle hypertrophy and can prevent muscle atrophy in vivo

Skeletal muscles adapt to changes in their workload by regulating fibre size by unknown mechanisms. The roles of two signalling pathways implicated in muscle hypertrophy on the basis of findings in vitro, Akt/mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) and calcineurin/NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells), were investigated in several models of skeletal muscle hypertrophy and atrophy in vivo. The Akt/mTOR pathway was upregulated during hypertrophy and downregulated during muscle atrophy. Furthermore, rapamycin, a selective blocker of mTOR, blocked hypertrophy in all models tested, without causing atrophy in control muscles. In contrast, the calcineurin pathway was not activated during hypertrophy in vivo, and inhibitors of calcineurin, cyclosporin A and FK506 did not blunt hypertrophy. Finally, genetic activation of the Akt/mTOR pathway was sufficient to cause hypertrophy and prevent atrophy in vivo, whereas genetic blockade of this pathway blocked hypertrophy in vivo. We conclude that the activation of the Akt/mTOR pathway and its downstream targets, p70S6K and PHAS-1/4E-BP1, is requisitely involved in regulating skeletal muscle fibre size, and that activation of the Akt/mTOR pathway can oppose muscle atrophy induced by disuse.

Protein-protein interaction panel using mouse full-length cDNAs

We have developed a novel assay system for systematic analysis of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) that is characteristic of a PCR-mediated rapid sample preparation and a high-throughput assay system based on the mammalian two-hybrid method. Using gene-specific primers, we successfully constructed the assay samples by two rounds of PCR with up to 3.6 kb from the first-round PCR fragments. In the assay system, we designed all the steps to be performed by adding only samples, reagents, and cells into 384-well assay plates using two types of semiautomatic multiple dispensers. The system enabled us examine more than 20,000 assay wells per day. We detected 145 interactions in our pilot study using 3500 samples derived from mouse full-length enriched cDNAs. Analysis of the interaction data showed both several significant interaction clusters and predicted functions of a few uncharacterized proteins. In combination with our comprehensive mouse full-length cDNA clone bank covering a large part of the whole genes, our high-throughput assay system will discover many interactions to facilitate understanding of the function of uncharacterized proteins and the molecular mechanism of crucial biological processes, and also enable completion of a rough draft of the entire PPI panel in certain cell types or tissues of mouse within a short time.

Adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent inhibition of IL-5 from human T lymphocytes is not mediated by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase A

IL-5 is implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma and is predominantly released from T lymphocytes of the Th2 phenotype. In anti-CD3 plus anti-CD28-stimulated PBMC, albuterol, isoproterenol, rolipram, PGE2, forskolin, cholera toxin, and the cAMP analog, 8-bromoadenosine cAMP (8-Br-cAMP) all inhibited the release of IL-5 and lymphocyte proliferation. Although all of the above compounds share the ability to increase intracellular cAMP levels and activate protein kinase (PK) A, the PKA inhibitor H-89 failed to ablate the inhibition of IL-5 production mediated by 8-Br-cAMP, rolipram, forskolin, or PGE2. Similarly, H-89 had no effect on the cAMP-mediated inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation. Significantly, these observations occurred at a concentration of H-89 (3 microM) that inhibited both PKA activity and CREB phosphorylation in intact cells. Additional studies showed that the PKA inhibitors H-8, 8-(4-chlorophenylthio) adenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate Rp isomer, and a myristolated PKA inhibitor peptide also failed to block the 8-Br-cAMP-mediated inhibition of IL-5 release from PBMC. Likewise, a role for PKG was considered unlikely because both activators and inhibitors of this enzyme had no effect on IL-5 release. Western blotting identified Rap1, a downstream target of the cAMP-binding proteins, exchange protein directly activated by cAMP/cAMP-guanine nucleotide exchange factors 1 and 2, in PBMC. However, Rap1 activation assays revealed that this pathway is also unlikely to be involved in the cAMP-mediated inhibition of IL-5. Taken together, these results indicate that cAMP-elevating agents inhibit IL-5 release from PBMC by a novel cAMP-dependent mechanism that does not involve the activation of PKA.

Brief treatments with forskolin enhance s-phase entry in balance epithelia from the ears of rats

In the ears of mammals, hair cell loss results in permanent hearing and balance deficits, whereas in fish, amphibians, and birds, the production of replacement hair cells can restore those modalities. In avian ears, continuous exposures to forskolin trigger cell proliferation and the regeneration of hair cells, so we investigated the effect of forskolin on sensory epithelia cultured from the ears of mammals. Continuous 72 hr exposures to forskolin failed to induce proliferation in neonatal rat utricles, but brief (</=1 hr) exposures to forskolin or Br-cAMP did. Proliferation occurred only in media that contained serum. Forskolin also augmented the mitogenic effects of glial growth factor 2. The S-phase entry induced by forskolin was blocked by monensin and bafilomycin, two compounds that can inhibit the recycling of membrane receptors. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that in mammalian vestibular epithelia elevated cAMP induces S-phase entry by increasing the number of growth factor receptors at the plasma membrane.