CDK1-mediated phosphorylation of Abi1 attenuates Bcr-Abl-induced F-actin assembly and tyrosine phosphorylation of WAVE complex during mitosis

The Abl1 tyrosine kinase is a key player in doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy and its p53/p73 cell death mediated signaling differs in atrial and ventricular cardiomyocytes

BACKGROUND

Doxorubicin is an important anticancer drug, however, elicits dose-dependently cardiomyopathy. Given its mode of action, i.e. topoisomerase inhibition and DNA damage, we investigated genetic events associated with cardiomyopathy and searched for mechanism-based possibilities to alleviate cardiotoxicity. We treated rats at clinically relevant doses of doxorubicin. Histopathology and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) defined cardiac lesions, and transcriptomics unveiled cardiomyopathy-associated gene regulations. Genomic-footprints revealed critical components of Abl1-p53-signaling, and EMSA-assays evidenced Abl1 DNA-binding activity. Gene reporter assays confirmed Abl1 activity on p53-targets while immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrated Abl1, p53&p73 signaling.

RESULTS

Doxorubicin treatment caused dose-dependently toxic cardiomyopathy, and TEM evidenced damaged mitochondria and myofibrillar disarray. Surviving cardiomyocytes repressed Parkin-1 and Bnip3-mediated mitophagy, stimulated dynamin-1-like dependent mitochondrial fission and induced anti-apoptotic Bag1 signaling. Thus, we observed induced mitochondrial biogenesis. Transcriptomics discovered heterogeneity in cellular responses with minimal overlap between treatments, and the data are highly suggestive for distinct cardiomyocyte (sub)populations which differed in their resilience and reparative capacity. Genome-wide footprints revealed Abl1 and p53 enriched binding sites in doxorubicin-regulated genes, and we confirmed Abl1 DNA-binding activity in EMSA-assays. Extraordinarily, Abl1 signaling differed in the heart with highly significant regulations of Abl1, p53 and p73 in atrial cardiomyocytes. Conversely, in ventricular cardiomyocytes, Abl1 solely-modulated p53-signaling that was BAX transcription-independent. Gene reporter assays established Abl1 cofactor activity for the p53-reporter PG13-luc, and ectopic Abl1 expression stimulated p53-mediated apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The tyrosine kinase Abl1 is of critical importance in doxorubicin induced cardiomyopathy, and we propose its inhibition as means to diminish risk of cardiotoxicity.

Extracellular Signalling Modulates Scar/WAVE Complex Activity through Abi Phosphorylation

The lamellipodia and pseudopodia of migrating cells are produced and maintained by the Scar/WAVE complex. Thus, actin-based cell migration is largely controlled through regulation of Scar/WAVE. Here, we report that the Abi subunit-but not Scar-is phosphorylated in response to extracellular signalling in Dictyostelium cells. Like Scar, Abi is phosphorylated after the complex has been activated, implying that Abi phosphorylation modulates pseudopodia, rather than causing new ones to be made. Consistent with this, Scar complex mutants that cannot bind Rac are also not phosphorylated. Several environmental cues also affect Abi phosphorylation-cell-substrate adhesion promotes it and increased extracellular osmolarity diminishes it. Both unphosphorylatable and phosphomimetic Abi efficiently rescue the chemotaxis of Abi KO cells and pseudopodia formation, confirming that Abi phosphorylation is not required for activation or inactivation of the Scar/WAVE complex. However, pseudopodia and Scar patches in the cells with unphosphorylatable Abi protrude for longer, altering pseudopod dynamics and cell speed. Dictyostelium, in which Scar and Abi are both unphosphorylatable, can still form pseudopods, but migrate substantially faster. We conclude that extracellular signals and environmental responses modulate cell migration by tuning the behaviour of the Scar/WAVE complex after it has been activated.

The Role of WAVE2 Signaling in Cancer

The Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) and WASP family verprolin-homologous protein (WAVE)—WAVE1, WAVE2 and WAVE3 regulate rapid reorganization of cortical actin filaments and have been shown to form a key link between small GTPases and the actin cytoskeleton. Upon receiving upstream signals from Rho-family GTPases, the WASP and WAVE family proteins play a significant role in polymerization of actin cytoskeleton through activation of actin-related protein 2/3 complex (Arp2/3). The Arp2/3 complex, once activated, forms actin-based membrane protrusions essential for cell migration and cancer cell invasion. Thus, by activation of Arp2/3 complex, the WAVE and WASP family proteins, as part of the WAVE regulatory complex (WRC), have been shown to play a critical role in cancer cell invasion and metastasis, drawing significant research interest over recent years. Several studies have highlighted the potential for targeting the genes encoding either part of or a complete protein from the WASP/WAVE family as therapeutic strategies for preventing the invasion and metastasis of cancer cells. WAVE2 is well documented to be associated with the pathogenesis of several human cancers, including lung, liver, pancreatic, prostate, colorectal and breast cancer, as well as other hematologic malignancies. This review focuses mainly on the role of WAVE2 in the development, invasion and metastasis of different types of cancer. This review also summarizes the molecular mechanisms that regulate the activity of WAVE2, as well as those oncogenic pathways that are regulated by WAVE2 to promote the cancer phenotype. Finally, we discuss potential therapeutic strategies that target WAVE2 or the WAVE regulatory complex, aimed at preventing or inhibiting cancer invasion and metastasis.

CRISPR/CAS9-mediated knockout of Abi1 inhibits p185Bcr-Abl-induced leukemogenesis and signal transduction to ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways

Background

Abl interactor 1 (Abi1) is a downstream target of Abl tyrosine kinases and a component of the WAVE regulatory complex (WRC) that plays an important role in regulating actin cytoskeleton remodeling and membrane receptor signaling. While studies using short hairpin RNA (shRNA) have suggested that Abi1 plays a critical role in Bcr-Abl-induced leukemogenesis, the mechanism involved is not clear.

Methods

In this study, we knocked out Abi1 expression in p185^Bcr-Abl-transformed hematopoietic cells using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing technology. The effects of Abi1 deficiency on actin cytoskeleton remodeling, the Bcr-Abl signaling, IL-3 independent growth, and SDF-induced chemotaxis in these cells were examined by various in vitro assays. The leukemogenic activity of these cells was evaluated by a syngeneic mouse transplantation model.

Results

We show here that Abi1 deficiency reduced the IL3-independent growth and SDF-1α-mediated chemotaxis in p185^Bcr-Abl-transformed hematopoietic cells and inhibited Bcr-Abl-induced abnormal actin remodeling. Depletion of Abi1 also impaired the Bcr-Abl signaling to the ERK and PI3 kinase/Akt pathways. Remarkably, the p185^Bcr-Abl-transformed cells with Abi1 deficiency lost their ability to develop leukemia in syngeneic mice. Even though these cells developed drug tolerance in vitro after prolonged selection with imatinib as their parental cells, the imatinib-tolerant cells remain incapable of leukemogenesis in vivo.

Conclusions

Together, this study highlights an essential role of Abi1 in Bcr-Abl-induced leukemogenesis and provides a model system for dissecting the Abi1 signaling in Bcr-Abl-positive leukemia.

Coupling changes in cell shape to chromosome segregation

Animal cells undergo dramatic changes in shape, mechanics and polarity as they progress through the different stages of cell division. These changes begin at mitotic entry, with cell-substrate adhesion remodelling, assembly of a cortical actomyosin network and osmotic swelling, which together enable cells to adopt a near spherical form even when growing in a crowded tissue environment. These shape changes, which probably aid spindle assembly and positioning, are then reversed at mitotic exit to restore the interphase cell morphology. Here, we discuss the dynamics, regulation and function of these processes, and how cell shape changes and sister chromatid segregation are coupled to ensure that the daughter cells generated through division receive their fair inheritance.

Erianin induces G2/M-phase arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy via the ROS/JNK signaling pathway in human osteosarcoma cells in vitro and in vivo

Erianin, a natural product derived from Dendrobium chrysotoxum, has exhibited potential antitumor activity in various malignancies, including hepatocarcinoma, melanoma, and promyelocytic leukemia. Here we explored the effects of erianin on osteosarcoma (OS) in vitro and in vivo and further elucidated the underlying molecule mechanisms. In this study, we found that erianin potently suppressed cell viability in various OS cell lines. Treatment with erianin induced G2/M-phase arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy in OS cells. Further studies showed that erianin-induced apoptosis and autophagy was attributed to reactive oxygen species (ROS), as N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), an ROS scavenger, attenuated them. Moreover, we found that erianin induced activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signal pathway, which was also blocked by NAC. Downregulation of JNK by its specific inhibitor SP600125 could attenuate apoptosis and autophagy induced by erianin. Finally, erianin in vivo markedly reduced the growth with little organ-related toxicity. In conclusion, erianin induced cell cycle G2/M-phase arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy via the ROS/JNK signaling pathway in human OS. In light of these results, erianin may be a promising agent for anticancer therapy against OS.

Loss of Wave1 gene defines a subtype of lethal prostate cancer

Genetic alterations involving TMPRSS2-ERG alterations and deletion of key tumor suppressor genes are associated with development and progression of prostate cancer (PCa). However, less defined are early events that may contribute to the development of high-risk metastatic prostate cancer. Bioinformatic analysis of existing tumor genomic data from PCa patients revealed that WAVE complex gene alterations are associated with a greater likelihood of prostate cancer recurrence. Further analysis of primary vs. castration resistant prostate cancer indicate that disruption of WAVE complex gene expression, and particularly WAVE1 gene (WASF1) loss, is also associated with castration resistance, where WASF1 is frequently co-deleted with PTEN and resists androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Hence, we propose that WASF1 status defines a subtype of ADT-resistant patients. Better understanding of the effects of WAVE pathway disruption will lead to development of better diagnostic and treatment modalities.

EBP50 phosphorylation by Cdc2/Cyclin B kinase affects actin cytoskeleton reorganization and regulates functions of human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231

The actin cytoskeleton plays an important role in cell shape determination, adhesion and cell cycle progression. Ezrinradixin-moesin (ERM)-binding phosphoprotein 50 (EBP50), also known as Na(+)-H(+) exchanger regulatory factor 1 (NHERF1), associates with actin cytoskeleton and is related to cell cycle progression. Its Ser279 and Ser301 residues are phosphorylated by cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (cdc2)/cyclin B during the mitosis phase. However, the biological significance of EBP50 phosphorylation mediated by cdc2/cyclin B is not clear. In the present study, MDA-MB-231 cells with low levels of endogenous EBP50 protein were stably transfected with constructs of EBP50 wild type (WT), phosphodeficient (serine 279 and serine 301 mutated to alanine-S279A/S301A) or phospho-mimetic (serine 279 and serine 301 mutated to aspartic acid-S279D/S301D) mutants. Subsequently, multiple phenotypes of these cells were characterized. Failure of cdc2/cyclin B-mediated EBP50 phosphorylation in cells expressing S279A/S301A (AA cells) significantly increased F-actin content, enhanced the adherence of cells to the extracellular matrix, altered cell morphology and caused defects in cytokinesis, as reflected in the formation of giant cells with heteroploid DNA and multinucleation or giant nuclei. Furthermore, knockdown of EBP50 expression in AA cells rescued cell defects such as the cytokinesis failure and abnormal cell morphology. EBP50 S279A/ S301A had a weaker binding affinity with actin than EBP50 S279D/S301D, which might explain the increase of F-actin content in the AA cells. The present results suggest that cdc2/cyclin B-mediated EBP50 phosphorylation may play a role in the regulation of various cell functions by affecting actin cytoskeleton reorganization.

Phosphoregulation of the WAVE regulatory complex and signal integration

The WAVE2 regulatory complex (WRC) induces actin polymerization by activating the actin nucleator Arp2/3. Polymerizing actin pushes against the cell membrane and induces dramatic edge protrusions. In order to properly control such changes in cell morphology and function, cells have evolved multiple methods to tightly regulate WRC and Arp2/3 activity in space and time. Of these mechanisms, phosphorylation plays a fundamental role in transmitting extracellular and intracellular signals to the WRC and the actin cytoskeleton. This review discusses the phosphorylation-based regulatory inputs into the WRC. Signaling pathways that respond to growth factors, chemokines, hormones, and extracellular matrix converge upon the WAVE and ABI components of the WRC. The Abl, Src, ERK, and PKA kinases promote complex activation through a WRC conformation change that permits interaction with the Arp2/3 complex and through WRC translocation to the cell edge. The neuron-specific CDK5 and constitutively active CK2 kinases inhibit WRC activation. These regulatory signals are integrated in space and time as they coalesce upon the WRC. The combination of WRC phosphorylation events and WRC activity is controlled by stimulus, cell type, and cell cycle-specific pathway activation and via pathway cross-inhibition and cross-activation.

Structure and dynamic regulation of Abl kinases

The c-abl proto-oncogene encodes a unique protein-tyrosine kinase (Abl) distinct from c-Src, c-Fes, and other cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases. In normal cells, Abl plays prominent roles in cellular responses to genotoxic stress as well as in the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. Abl is also well known in the context of Bcr-Abl, the oncogenic fusion protein characteristic of chronic myelogenous leukemia. Selective inhibitors of Bcr-Abl, of which imatinib is the prototype, have had a tremendous impact on clinical outcomes in chronic myelogenous leukemia and revolutionized the field of targeted cancer therapy. In this minireview, we focus on the structural organization and dynamics of Abl kinases and how these features influence inhibitor sensitivity.

Abi1, a critical molecule coordinating actin cytoskeleton reorganization with PI-3 kinase and growth signaling

Coordination of actin cytoskeletal reorganization with growth and proliferation signals is a key cellular process that is not fully understood. PI-3 kinase is one of the central nodes for distributing growth and proliferation signals downstream from growth factor receptors to the nucleus. Although PI-3 kinase function has been associated with actin cytoskeleton remodeling, satisfactory explanations of the mechanisms mediating this regulation have been elusive. Here we propose that interaction of the Abi1 protein with the p85 regulatory subunit of PI-3 kinase represents the link between growth receptor signaling and actin cytoskeleton remodeling. This function of Abi1, which involves WAVE complex, was initially observed in macropinocytosis, and may explain the coincident dysregulation of PI-3 kinase and actin cytoskeleton in cancer.