Platelet-derived growth factor-induced alterations in vinculin and actin distribution in BALB/c-3T3 cells

The Endothelial Cytoskeleton: Organization in Normal and Regenerating Endothelium*

The components of the endothelial cell cytoskeleton that have been shown to be important in maintaining endothelial structural integrity and in regulating endothelial repair include F-actin microfilament bundles, including stress fibers, and microtubules, and centrosomes. Endothelial cells contain peripheral and central actin microfilaments. The dense peripheral band (DPB) consists of peripheral actin microfilament bundles which are associated with vinculin adhesion plaques and are most prominent in low or no hemodynamic shear stress conditions. The central microfilaments are very prominent in areas of elevated hemodynamic shear stress. There is a redistribution of actin microfilaments characterized by a decrease of peripheral actin and an increase in central microfilaments under a variety of conditions, including exposure to thrombin, phorbol-esters, and hemodynamic shear stress. During reendothelialization, there is a sequential series of cytoskeletal changes. The DPB remains intact during the rapid lamellipodia mediated repair of very small wounds except at the base of the lamellipodia where it is splayed. The DPB is reduced or absent when cell locomotion occurs to repair a wound. In addition, when cell locomotion is required, the centrosome, in the presence of intact microtubules, redistributes to the front of the cell to establish cell polarity and acts as a modulator of the directionality of migration. This occurs prior to the loss of the DPB but does not occur in very small wounds that close without migration. Thus, the cytoskeleton is a dynamic intracellular system which regulates endothelial integrity and repair and is modulated by external stimuli that are present at the vessel wall-blood interface.

New bioactive glass scaffolds with exceptional qualities for bone tissue regeneration: response of osteoblasts and osteoclasts

Tissue regeneration is a significantly improved alternative to tissue replacement by implants. It requires porous bioscaffolds for the restoration of natural tissue rather than relying on bio-inactive, often metallic implants. Recently, we developed technology for fabricating novel, nano-macroporous bioactive 'tailored amorphous multi-porous (TAMP)' hard tissue scaffolds using a 70 mol% SiO₂-30 mol% CaO model composition. The TAMP silicate scaffolds, fabricated by a modified sol-gel process, have shown excellent biocompatibility via the rapid formation of hydroxyapatite in biological fluids as well as in early tests with bone forming cells. Here we report an in depth investigation of the response of MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblast cells and bone marrow derived (BMD) osteoclasts to these TAMP scaffolds. Light and electron microscopic imaging, gene and protein expression, and enzyme activity analyses demonstrate that MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts adhere, proliferate, colonize, and differentiate on and inside the bioactive TAMP scaffolds. Additionally, BMD precursor cells mature into active osteoclasts and remodel the scaffold, highlighting the exceptional qualities of this novel scaffold material for bone tissue regeneration.

Functional proteomic analysis of long-term growth factor stimulation and receptor tyrosine kinase coactivation in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts

In Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts, long-term stimulation with PDGF, but not insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) or EGF, results in the establishment of an elongated migratory phenotype, characterized by the formation of retractile dendritic protrusions and absence of actin stress fibers and focal adhesion complexes. To identify receptor tyrosine kinase-specific reorganization of the Swiss 3T3 proteome during phenotypic differentiation, we compared changes in the pattern of protein synthesis and phosphorylation during long-term exposure to PDGF, IGF-1, EGF, and their combinations using 2DE-based proteomics after (35)S- and (33)P-metabolic labeling. One hundred and five differentially regulated proteins were identified by mass spectrometry and some of these extensively validated. PDGF stimulation produced the highest overall rate of protein synthesis at any given time and induced the most sustained phospho-signaling. Simultaneous activation with two or three of the growth factors revealed both synergistic and antagonistic effects on protein synthesis and expression levels with PDGF showing dominance over both IGF-1 and EGF in generating distinct proteome compositions. Using signaling pathway inhibitors, PI3K was identified as an early site for signal diversification, with sustained activity of the PI3K/AKT pathway critical for regulating late protein synthesis and phosphorylation of target proteins and required for maintaining the PDGF-dependent motile phenotype. Several proteins were identified with novel PI3K/Akt-dependent synthesis and phosphorylations including eEF2, PRS7, RACK-1, acidic calponin, NAP1L1, Hsp73, and fascin. The data also reveal induction/suppression of key F-actin and actomyosin regulators and chaperonins that enable PDGFR to direct the assembly of a motile cytoskeleton, despite simultaneous antagonistic signaling activities. Together, the study demonstrates that long-term exposure to different growth factors results in receptor tyrosine kinase-specific regulation of relatively small subproteomes, and implies that the strength and longevity of receptor tyrosine kinase-specific signals are critical in defining the composition and functional activity of the resulting proteome.

Myosin II directly binds and inhibits Dbl family guanine nucleotide exchange factors: a possible link to Rho family GTPases

The activity of Rho GTPases in migrating cells is regulated by binding of myosin II to GEFs.

Cell migration requires the coordinated spatiotemporal regulation of actomyosin contraction and cell protrusion/adhesion. Nonmuscle myosin II (MII) controls Rac1 and Cdc42 activation, and cell protrusion and focal complex formation in migrating cells. However, these mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we show that MII interacts specifically with multiple Dbl family guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs). Binding is mediated by the conserved tandem Dbl homology–pleckstrin homology module, the catalytic site of these GEFs, with dissociation constants of ∼0.3 µM. Binding to the GEFs required assembly of the MII into filaments and actin-stimulated ATPase activity. Binding of MII suppressed GEF activity. Accordingly, inhibition of MII ATPase activity caused release of GEFs and activation of Rho GTPases. Depletion of βPIX GEF in migrating NIH3T3 fibroblasts suppressed lamellipodial protrusions and focal complex formation induced by MII inhibition. The results elucidate a functional link between MII and Rac1/Cdc42 GTPases, which may regulate protrusion/adhesion dynamics in migrating cells.

The sodium-hydrogen exchanger NHE1 is an Akt substrate necessary for actin filament reorganization by growth factors

The kinase Akt mediates signals from growth factor receptors for increased cell proliferation, survival, and migration, which contribute to the positive effects of Akt in cancer progression. Substrates are generally inhibited when phosphorylated by Akt; however, we show phosphorylation of the plasma membrane sodium-hydrogen exchanger NHE1 by Akt increases exchanger activity (H(+) efflux). Our data fulfill criteria for NHE1 being a bona fide Akt substrate, including direct phosphorylation in vitro, using mass spectrometry and Akt phospho-substrate antibodies to identify Ser(648) as the Akt phosphorylation site and loss of increased exchanger phosphorylation and activity by insulin and platelet-derived growth factor in fibroblasts expressing a mutant NHE1-S648A. How Akt induces actin cytoskeleton remodeling to promote cell migration and tumor cell metastasis is unclear, but disassembly of actin stress fibers by platelet-derived growth factor and insulin and increased proliferation in growth medium are inhibited in fibroblasts expressing NHE1-S648A. We predict that other functions shared by Akt and NHE1, including cell growth and survival, might be regulated by increased H(+) efflux.

The role of a cell-associated hyaluronan-binding protein in fibroblast behaviour

In a model culture system hyaluronan has been shown to promote cell ruffling and random cell locomotion. At the same time it promotes both protein tyrosine phosphorylation and phospholipid breakdown. These results indicate that this glycosaminoglycan, in addition to its previously described role as a regulator of adhesion and cytoskeletal organization, may also influence cell behaviour via second messenger formation. A cell-associated hyaluronan-binding protein (cell-HABP) has been isolated from locomoting fibroblasts that may represent one binding site that transduces these effects of hyaluronan. This protein is concentrated in the lamellae and ruffles of migrating fibroblasts but is lost from the cell surface as cell locomotion slows. It is a large (molecular mass estimated at 1-2 x 10(6) daltons) complex of proteins that includes a hyaluronan-binding site and a protein kinase. The protein kinase is responsive to hyaluronan and is related, antigenically, to the pp60src protein kinase. The function of cell-HABP has not been characterized but its location, regulated distribution and enzyme characteristics suggest that it may be involved in hyaluronan-regulated cell locomotion.

Muscle costameric protein, Chisel/Smpx, associates with focal adhesion complexes and modulates cell spreading in vitro via a Rac1/p38 pathway

The murine X-linked gene Chisel (Csl/Smpx) encodes a 9-kDa protein that associates in heart and skeletal muscle cells with the costameric cytoskeleton, implicated in maintaining muscle integrity and responses to biomechanical stress. After expression in C2C12 myoblasts, MYC epitope-tagged Csl co-localized with actin networks at peripheral membranes, and with focal adhesion proteins vinculin, paxillin, integrin beta1, and the small GTPase Rac1. Csl could be co-immunoprecipitated with vinculin from extracts of C2C12 cells and native muscle. MYC-Csl induced cell spreading and lamellipodia formation in C2C12 cells at the expense of filopodia, suggestive of modulation of Rac1 activity. Lamellipodia formation was indeed Rac1-dependent, and in MYC-Csl cells replated on fibronectin, Rac1 activity was increased relative to controls. Expression of MYC-Csl led to an increased association between vinculin and p34, a subunit of the Arp2/3 actin nucleation complex, a Rac1-dependent event. Induced cell spreading was also dependent upon p38 kinases that act downstream of Rac1 to control the actin capping activity of heat shock protein 27. Our data suggest that Csl localizes to the costameric cytoskeleton of muscle cells through an association with focal adhesion proteins, where it may participate in regulation of cytoskeletal dynamics through the Rac1-p38 pathway.

Platelet-derived growth factor-BB modulates membrane mobility of beta1 integrins

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB elicits a migratory response including reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton in different cell types. Here we have investigated the effects of PDGF-BB stimulation on beta(1) integrin containing focal adhesions in human diploid fibroblasts adhered to collagen type I. Stimulation with PDGF-BB dissociated focal adhesions and relocated beta(1) integrins from focal adhesions to the periphery of the cells. These changes were rapid and transient in character. Relocation of beta(1) integrins was prevented by inhibitors of phosphoinositide-3-kinase and protein kinase C. PDGF-BB stimulated fibroblasts exhibited an increased diffusion coefficient of cell surface beta(1) integrins as determined by fluorescence recovery of photobleaching. The cell surface expression of beta(1) integrins was not changed after stimulation with PDGF-BB. Our data suggest that PDGF-BB increases the dynamic properties of cell-surface beta(1) integrins, which most likely are important for the migratory response elicited by PDGF-BB.

Accumulation of PDGF+ cells and internalisation of the PDGF receptor at myotendinous junction following modified hindlimb muscle use in the rat

Morphological observations have shown previously that myotendinous junctions (MTJs) are sites where the associations between the cytoskeleton and the cell membrane are extensively remodelled during muscle growth and modified mechanical loading. The platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) molecule has been shown to induce cytoskeletal remodelling at focal contact sites of myoblasts in culture, the analogous structures of MTJs. The goals of the study were to determine whether PDGF is synthesised by mononuclear cells and whether PDGF receptors are internalised at the MTJs of the soleus muscle experiencing reloading. We also examined whether ED2+ macrophages that are nonphagocytic and activated inflammatory cells at MTJs during reloading secrete PDGF. Results obtained by immunohistochemistry showed that there was an increase in the number of cells expressing PDGF at remodelling MTJs and that the ED2+ macrophage population does not express PDGF at MTJs. According to morphological criteria, fibroblasts would be the logical candidates to secrete PDGF molecules near MTJs. Furthermore, the modification in muscle loading resulted in internalisation of PDGF receptors concentrated at the MTJ which accumulated predominantly around muscle nuclei. The enrichment of PDGF receptors and PDGF+ cells at MTJs and the internalisation of PDGF receptors during remodelling of MTJs suggest that PDGF may influence remodelling of MTJs following modified muscle use.

Platelet-derived growth factor-stimulated migration of murine fibroblasts is associated with epidermal growth factor receptor expression and tyrosine phosphorylation

Previous studies have shown that epidermal growth factor (EGF) synergizes with various extracellular matrix components in promoting the migration of B82L fibroblasts expressing wild-type EGF receptors and that functional EGF receptors are critical for the conversion of B82L fibroblasts to a migratory cell type (). In the present study, we examined the effects of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) on the motility of B82L fibroblasts using a microchemotaxis chamber. We found that PDGF can enhance fibronectin-induced migration of B82L fibroblasts expressing wild-type EGF receptors (B82L-clone B3). However, B82L cells that lack the EGF receptor (B82L-parental) or that express an EGF receptor that is kinase-inactive (B82L-K721M) or C-terminally truncated (B82L-c'973) exhibit little PDGF-stimulated migration. In addition, none of these three cell lines exhibit the capacity to migrate to fibronectin alone. These observations indicate that, similar to cell migration toward fibronectin, PDGF-induced cell migration of B82L fibroblasts is augmented by the expression of an intact EGF receptor kinase. The loss of PDGF-stimulated motility in B82L cells that do not express an intact EGF receptor does not appear to result from a gross dysfunction of PDGF receptors, because ligand-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of the PDGF-beta receptor and the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases are readily detectable in these cells. Moreover, an interaction between EGF and PDGF receptor systems is supported by the observation that the EGF receptor exhibits an increase in phosphotyrosine content in a time-dependent fashion upon the addition of PDGF. Altogether, these studies demonstrate that the expression of EGF receptor is critical for PDGF-stimulated migration of murine B82L fibroblasts and suggest a role for the EGF receptor downstream of PDGF receptor activation in the signaling events that lead to PDGF-stimulated cell motility.

Degraded collagen fragments promote rapid disassembly of smooth muscle focal adhesions that correlates with cleavage of pp125(FAK), paxillin, and talin

Active matrix metalloproteinases and degraded collagen are observed in disease states, such as atherosclerosis. To examine whether degraded collagen fragments have distinct effects on vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC), collagenase-digested type I collagen was added to cultured human arterial SMC. After addition of collagen fragments, adherent SMC lose their focal adhesion structures and round up. Analysis of components of the focal adhesion complex demonstrates rapid cleavage of the focal adhesion kinase (pp125(FAK)), paxillin, and talin. Cleavage is suppressed by inhibitors of the proteolytic enzyme, calpain I. In vitro translated pp125(FAK) is a substrate for both calpain I- and II-mediated processing. Mapping of the proteolytic cleavage fragments of pp125(FAK) predicts a dissociation of the focal adhesion targeting (FAT) sequence and second proline-rich domain from the tyrosine kinase domain and integrin-binding sequence. Coimmunoprecipitation studies confirm that the ability of pp125(FAK) to associate with paxillin, vinculin, and p130cas is significantly reduced in SMC treated with degraded collagen fragments. Further, there is a significant reduction in the association of intact pp125(FAK) with the cytoskeletal fraction, while pp125(FAK) cleavage fragments appear in the cytoplasm in SMC treated with degraded collagen fragments. Integrin-blocking studies indicate that integrin-mediated signals are involved in degraded collagen induction of pp125(FAK) cleavage. Thus, collagen fragments induce distinct integrin signals that lead to initiation of calpain-mediated cleavage of pp125(FAK), paxillin, and talin and dissolution of the focal adhesion complex.

Cloning of aSchizosaccharomyces pombehomologue of elongation factor 1 alpha by two-hybrid selection of calmodulin-binding proteins

This study reports the cloning and characterization of a cDNA encoding elongation factor 1-alpha (EF1alpha) from the yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The cDNA was cloned from an Schizosaccharomyces pombe expression library by a two-hybrid selection for clones encoding calmodulin (CaM)-binding proteins. The predicted protein is highly homologous to mammalian EF1alpha, indicating a strong tendency towards conservation of the primary amino acid sequence. The protein was expressed as a glutathione S-transferase fusion in both bacteria and in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The bacterial protein was shown by solution assay to compete with CaM kinase II for CaM. The CaM binding domain was localized to the C-terminus of the protein by this method. Expression of full-length EF1alpha in vivo caused an increase in cell cycle length and a decreased rate of growth as evidenced by a lack of elongated cells in slowly dividing cultures. This effect appears to involve CaM binding because a truncation mutant version of EF1alpha lacking the CaM binding domain did not cause cell cycle delay.Key words: calmodulin, two-hybrid selection, calmodulin-binding protein, yeast, cell proliferation.

Nitric oxide synthase inhibitors reduce sarcomere addition in rat skeletal muscle

1. Mechanical stimuli are thought to modulate the number of sarcomeres in series (sarcomere number) in skeletal muscle fibres. However, the mechanisms by which muscle cells transduce mechanical signals into serial sarcomere addition have not been explored. In this study, we test the hypothesis that nitric oxide positively modulates sarcomere addition. 2. The soleus muscle was cast-immobilized in a shortened position in 3-week-old female Wistar rats. After 4 weeks, the casts were removed, creating a period of rapid sarcomere addition. During the remobilization period, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors or substrate were administered. 3. Rats treated with the non-isoform-specific NOS inhibitor L-nitro-arginine methyl ester during 3 weeks of remobilization had smaller soleus sarcomere numbers than control rats. Rats treated with 1-(2-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazole, which has greater specificity for the neuronal isoform than for the endothelial isoform of NOS, also had smaller soleus sarcomere numbers than control rats. These results suggest that inhibition of the neuronal isoform of NOS reduces sarcomere addition during remobilization. 4. Rats treated with L-arginine, the substrate for NOS, during 1 week of remobilization had soleus sarcomere numbers for the immobilized-remobilized muscle which were closer to that for the contralateral, non-immobilized muscle than did rats that were not treated with L-arginine. 5. These results support the hypothesis that nitric oxide derived from the neuronal isoform of NOS positively modulates sarcomere addition.

ARF1 mediates paxillin recruitment to focal adhesions and potentiates Rho-stimulated stress fiber formation in intact and permeabilized Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts

Focal adhesion assembly and actin stress fiber formation were studied in serum-starved Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts permeabilized with streptolysin-O. Permeabilization in the presence of GTPgammaS stimulated rho-dependent formation of stress fibers, and the redistribution of vinculin and paxillin from a perinuclear location to focal adhesions. Addition of GTPgammaS at 8 min after permeabilization still induced paxillin recruitment to focal adhesion-like structures at the ends of stress fibers, but vinculin remained in the perinuclear region, indicating that the distributions of these two proteins are regulated by different mechanisms. Paxillin recruitment was largely rho-independent, but could be evoked using constitutively active Q71L ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF1), and blocked by NH2-terminally truncated Delta17ARF1. Moreover, leakage of endogenous ARF from cells was coincident with loss of GTPgammaS- induced redistribution of paxillin to focal adhesions, and the response was recovered by addition of ARF1. The ability of ARF1 to regulate paxillin recruitment to focal adhesions was confirmed by microinjection of Q71LARF1 and Delta17ARF1 into intact cells. Interestingly, these experiments showed that V14RhoA- induced assembly of actin stress fibers was potentiated by Q71LARF1. We conclude that rho and ARF1 activate complimentary pathways that together lead to the formation of paxillin-rich focal adhesions at the ends of prominent actin stress fibers.

Signaling of de-adhesion in cellular regulation and motility

Adhesion is a process that can be divided into three separate stages: (1) cell attachment, (2) cell spreading, and (3) the formation of focal adhesions and stress fibers. With each stage the adhesive strength of the cell increases. De-adhesion can be defined as the process involving the transition of the cell from a strongly adherent state, characterized by focal adhesions and stress fibers, to a state of intermediate adherence, represented by a cell that is spread, but that lacks stress fibers terminating at adhesion plaques. We propose that this modification of the structural link between the actin cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix results in a more malleable cellular state conducive for dynamic processes such as cytokinesis, mitogenesis, and motility. Anti-adhesive proteins, including thrombospondin, tenascin, and SPARC, rapidly signal de-adhesion, potentially mediating proliferation and migration during development and wound healing. Intracellular signaling molecules involved in the regulation of de-adhesion are only beginning to be identified. Interestingly, many of the same signaling proteins recognized to play important roles during the process of adhesion have also been found to act during de-adhesion. Characterization of the precise mechanisms by which these signals modulate adhesive structures and the cytoskeleton will further our understanding of the regulation of adhesive strength and its function in cellular physiology.

Thrombospondin signaling of focal adhesion disassembly requires activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase

Thrombospondin is an extracellular matrix protein involved in modulating cell adhesion. Thrombospondin stimulates a rapid loss of focal adhesion plaques and reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton in cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells. The focal adhesion labilizing activity of thrombospondin is localized to the amino-terminal domain, specifically amino acids 17-35. Use of a synthetic peptide (hep I), containing amino acids 17-35 of thrombospondin, enables us to examine the signaling mechanisms specifically involved in thrombospondin-induced disassembly of focal adhesions. We tested the hypothesis that activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase is a necessary step in the thrombospondin-induced signaling pathway regulating focal adhesion disassembly. Both wortmannin and LY294002, membrane permeable inhibitors of phosphoinositide 3-kinase activity, blocked hep I-induced disassembly of focal adhesions. Similarly, wortmannin inhibited hep I-mediated actin microfilament reorganization and the hep I-induced translocation of alpha-actinin from focal adhesion plaques. Hep I also stimulated phosphoinositide 3-kinase activity approximately 2-3-fold as measured in anti-phosphoinositide 3-kinase and anti-phosphotyrosine immunoprecipitates. Increased immunoreactivity for the 85-kDa regulatory subunit in anti-phosphotyrosine immunoprecipitates suggests that the p85/p110 form of phosphoinositide 3-kinase is involved in this pathway. In 32Pi-labeled cells, hep I increased levels of phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate, the major product of phosphoinositide 3-kinase phosphorylation. These results suggest that thrombospondin signals the disassembly of focal adhesions and reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton by a pathway involving stimulation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase activity.

Alterations in endothelial F-actin microfilaments in rabbit aorta in hypercholesterolemia

The current study tests whether hypercholesterolemia influences the distribution of endothelial cell microfilaments during the initiation and growth of fatty streak-type lesions. We classified the lesions occurring over a 20-week period into four types based on the location and extent of macrophage infiltration observed microscopically. The earliest lesion was characterized by leukocytes adherent to the endothelial surface. Minimal lesions were characterized by a few cells in the subendothelium. Intermediate lesions consisted of numerous subendothelial leukocytes in a minimally raised lesion. Advanced fatty streak lesions were elevated, with several layers of leukocytes. The organization of peripheral junctional actin (the dense peripheral band) and of central endothelial cell actin microfilament bundles was studied in each of these lesions by using fluorescent microscopy. We found that in the aorta away from branch sites and in areas away from lesions, the central microfilament distribution was unaffected by hypercholesterolemia. The macrophages entered the wall without any identifiable reorganization in the microfilaments. During the accumulation of subendothelial macrophages in minimal and intermediate lesions, stress fibers were initially increased in comparison to lesion-free areas. In raised advanced lesions, the central microfilaments became thinner and disappeared. However, at flow dividers, where central stress fibers are normally prominent, endothelial cells on the surface of intermediate lesions showed a reduction in central fibers, and peripheral bands became prominent. This finding was associated with changes in cell shape from elongated to cobblestone type. Thus, actin microfilament bundles in endothelial cells underwent substantial changes in distribution during the accumulation of subendothelial macrophages, forming hypercholesterolemia-induced fatty streak-type lesions. These changes may influence endothelial substrate adhesion, permeability, or repair after injury.

Protein phosphorylation in response to PDGF stimulation in cultured neurons and astrocytes

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is an important growth factor for a variety of cells, including neurons and glial cells. PDGF signal transduction pathways have been studied primarily in mesenchyme-derived cells (such as fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells). However, little is known about these pathways in the central nervous system (CNS). It is believed that phosphorylation is a critical aspect of several steps in the signal transduction pathway. In this study, neurons and type 1 astrocytes in vitro were radiolabeled with 32P-orthophosphate (32P-Pi). The cells were lysed, and labeled proteins were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Autoradiograms of PDGF-stimulated and control samples were compared. We found that in neurons and type 1 astrocytes in vitro, PDGF-BB greatly enhances protein phosphorylation while PDGF-AA has less of an effect on protein phosphorylation. Furthermore, because PDGF signal transduction pathways are likely to affect the cytoskeleton, we studied changes in actin-binding proteins induced by PDGF-BB. We found that PDGF-BB alters the expression, migration pattern and/or avidity of some actin-binding proteins in neurons. In conclusion, protein phosphorylation is up-regulated by PDGF in mouse cortical neurons and type 1 astrocytes in vitro. PDGF's effects on phosphorylation of cytoskeletal proteins might be a important mechanism by which PDGF affects the development and normal functions of central nervous system cells.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha activates smooth muscle cell migration in culture and is expressed in the balloon-injured rat aorta

In experimental models of atherosclerosis, activation of smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration from the media to the intima is preceded by intimal accumulation of inflammatory cells, suggesting that cytokines may be involved in this process. The present study demonstrates that tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) regulates cytoskeletal organization of SMCs by inducing depolymerization of actin stress fibers and dispersion of vinculin from sites of focal adhesion and stimulates the migration of cultured human SMCs in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, TNF-alpha induces rapid activation of the c-ets-1 gene, which codes a transcription factor known to regulate enzymes important for matrix degradation during cell migration. Balloon catheter injury of the rat femoral artery resulted in medial expression of TNF-alpha within 6 hours. This expression appeared to be localized to SMCs and remained elevated until SMCs began to migrate into the intima 7 days after injury. These findings demonstrate that TNF-alpha has a stimulatory effect on SMC migration and suggest that TNF-alpha may be involved in the intimal recruitment of SMCs during plaque formation.

Cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase is required for thrombospondin and tenascin mediated focal adhesion disassembly

Focal adhesions are specialized regions of cell membranes that are foci for the transmission of signals between the outside and the inside of the cell. Intracellular signaling events are important in the organization and stability of these structures. In previous work, we showed that the counter-adhesive extracellular matrix proteins, thrombospondin, tenascin, and SPARC, induce the disassembly of focal adhesion plaques and we identified the active regions of these proteins. In order to determine the mechanisms whereby the anti-adhesive matrix proteins modulate cytoskeletal organization and focal adhesion integrity, we examined the role of protein kinases in mediating the loss of focal adhesions by these proteins. Data from these studies show that cGMP-dependent protein kinase is necessary to mediate focal adhesion disassembly triggered by either thrombospondin or tenascin, but not by SPARC. In experiments using various protein kinase inhibitors, we observed that selective inhibitors of cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase, KT5823 and Rp-8-Br-cGMPS, blocked the effects of both the active sequence of thrombospondin 1 (hep I) and the alternatively-spliced segment (TNfnA-D) of tenascin-C on focal adhesion disassembly. Moreover, early passage rat aortic smooth muscle cells which have high levels of cGMP-dependent protein kinase were sensitive to hep I treatment, in contrast to passaged cGMP-dependent protein kinase deficient cells which were refractory to hep I or TNfnA-D treatment, but were sensitive to SPARC. Transfection of passaged smooth muscle cells with the catalytic domain of PKG I alpha restored responsiveness to hep I and TNfnA-D. While these studies show that cGMP-dependent protein kinase activity is necessary for thrombospondin and tenascin-mediated focal adhesion disassembly, kinase activity alone is not sufficient to induce disassembly as transfection of the catalytic domain of the kinase in the absence of additional stimuli does not result in loss of focal adhesions.

Detergent solubility defines an alternative itinerary for a subpopulation of PDGF beta receptors

Current models of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) beta receptor itinerary are based upon the properties of receptors recovered from nonionic detergent-solubilized cellular extracts. Comparing several commonly used cell extraction procedures, we have determined that up to 50% of immunoreactive PDGF beta receptors, reside in a Triton X-100 insoluble pool in a wide distribution of cultured cell lines, including Balb/c-3T3, NIH 3T3, and Swiss fibroblasts, primary murine and human fibroblasts, and primary human glial cells. Many properties of Triton insoluble receptors are distinct from the well-characterized PDGF beta receptors, including 1) delayed arrival of newly synthesized receptors into the Triton insoluble fraction, 2) prolonged half-life in the presence of PDGF, 3) increased abundance with increasing cell density, 4) inaccessibility to modification by extracellular compartment enzymes, 5) cofractionation with cytoskeletal proteins, and 6) a higher basal tyrosine phosphorylation state. PDGF stimulates accumulation of tyrosine phosphorylated PDGF beta receptors in the Triton X-100 insoluble fraction. Cell surface PDGF beta receptors modified by enzymatic desialylation redistribute to the insoluble fraction. These findings distinguish the itinerary of a large subpopulation of PDGF beta receptors from those characterized previously. Receptors in this fraction represent a long-lived tyrosine phosphorylated population that may effect responses for extended periods following ligand activation.

The intracellular functions of alpha6beta4 integrin are regulated by EGF

Upon ligand binding, the alpha6beta4 integrin becomes phosphorylated on tyrosine residues and combines sequentially with the adaptor molecules Shc and Grb2, linking to the ras pathway, and with cytoskeletal elements of hemidesmosomes. Since alpha6beta4 is expressed in a variety of tissues regulated by the EGF receptor (EGFR), we have examined the effect of EGF on the cytoskeletal and signaling functions of alpha6beta4. Experiments of immunoblotting with anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies and immunoprecipitation followed by phosphoamino acid analysis and phosphopeptide mapping showed that activation of the EGFR causes phosphorylation of the beta4 subunit at multiple tyrosine residues, and this event requires ligation of the integrin by laminins or specific antibodies. Immunoprecipitation experiments indicated that stimulation with EGF does not result in association of alpha6beta4 with Shc. In contrast, EGF can partially suppress the recruitment of Shc to ligated alpha6beta4. Immunofluorescent analysis revealed that EGF treatment does not induce increased assembly of hemidesmosomes, but instead causes a deterioration of these adhesive structures. Finally, Boyden chamber assays indicated that exposure to EGF results in upregulation of alpha6beta4-mediated cell migration toward laminins. We conclude that EGF-dependent signals suppress the association of activated alpha6beta4 with both signaling and cytoskeletal molecules, but upregulate alpha6beta4-dependent cell migration. The changes in alpha6beta4 function induced by EGF may play a role during wound healing and tumorigenesis.

Src, ras, and rac mediate the migratory response elicited by NGF and PMA in PC12 cells

The combination of nerve growth factor (NGF) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) rapidly induced the locomotion of PC12 cells by sequentially stimulating lamellar spreading, ruffling with pinocytosis, and polarization by retraction from the substratum. During migration, cells acquired long processes as a result of several undisrupted cell-substratum attachment points. The effect of NGF on PC12 migration was blocked by K-252a, a selective inhibitor of the trk family of receptor tyrosine kinases. When PMA was added to cells expressing pp60v-src, the cells displayed the same morphological behavior as they did with NGF and PMA addition. Activated ras only partially substituted for the effects of NGF; but, when ras was inhibited, the number of migrating cells decreased significantly due to a defect in spreading and retraction. Expression of an activated form of rac stimulated spontaneous growth of lamellipodia and enhanced cell migration in response to PMA. Expression of a dominant negative form of rac inhibited cell spreading and motility. Also, as a later effect, rac-inhibited cells extended much shorter neurites than wild type cells in response to NGF alone. These results indicate that the cytoarchitectural changes induced by NGF and PMA in PC12 cells are mediated by src, ras, and rac. Whereas ras and rac activation affect lamellipodia extension and retraction but not pinocytotic ruffling, src activation is involved in all three events.

Regulation of beta1-integrin function in cultured human vascular smooth muscle cells

Avidity modulation and function of beta1-integrin receptors in cultured human vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were investigated using monoclonal antibody (mAb) 8A2, which binds to the beta1 subunit of integrin heterodimers and induces a high avidity state. The adhesion of SMCs to extracellular matrix proteins, but not to poly-L-lysine, was enhanced by pretreatment with mAb 8A2. A qualitative alteration of beta1 integrin was assessed with mAb 15/7, which binds to an activation-dependent epitope on the beta1 subunit. Binding of mAb 15/7 was enhanced by mAb 8A2 in a dose-dependent manner. Arg-Gly-Asp peptide and soluble fibronectin also enhanced expression of the 15/7 epitope, suggesting that the 15/7 epitope is closely related to the ligand-occupied state of beta1 integrin. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AA and -BB increased SMC adhesion to type I collagen but did not augment mAb 15/7 binding, suggesting that PDGFs increase binding avidity by a postreceptor mechanism. In addition, mAb 8A2 inhibited PDGF-BB-induced SMC migration through Matrigel-coated filters. These results suggest that avidity modulation of beta1 integrin may play an important role in the function of SMCs.

Acidic phospholipids inhibit the intramolecular association between the N- and C-terminal regions of vinculin, exposing actin-binding and protein kinase C phosphorylation sites

Chick vinculin polypeptides expressed in Escherichia coli as glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion proteins have been used to identify the sites involved in the intramolecular association between the 90 kDa N-terminal head and the 30 kDa C-terminal tail region of the vinculin molecule. Fusion proteins spanning vinculin residues 1-258 and 1-398, immobilized on glutathione-agarose beads, were shown to bind a C-terminal vinculin polypeptide spanning residues 881-1066 (liberated from GST by thrombin cleavage). However, the C-terminal polypeptide did not bind to a fusion protein spanning residues 399-881 or to itself. Binding was dependent on residues 167-207 within the N-terminal polypeptide, a sequence also essential for talin binding. Conversely, the 90 kDa head polypeptide was shown to bind to residues 1029-1036 in the tail region of vinculin. The association of the head and tail was inhibited by acidic, but not neutral, phospholipids. Pre-incubation of vinculin with acidic phospholipids exposed the binding site for F-actin and a phosphorylation site for protein kinase C. The phosphorylation site was located in the tail region of the vinculin molecule. These results raise the possibility that acidic phospholipids play a role in regulating the activity of vinculin and therefore the assembly of both cell-cell and cell-matrix adherens-type junctions.

Auxins and Cytokinins as Antipodal Modulators of Elasticity within the Actin Network of Plant Cells

The cytoskeleton of plant and animal cells serves as a transmitter, transducer, and effector of cell signaling mechanisms. In plants, pathways for proliferation, differentiation, intracellular vesicular transport, cell-wall biosynthesis, symbiosis, secretion, and membrane recycling depend on the organization and dynamic properties of actin- and tubulin-based structures that are either associated with the plasma membrane or traverse the cytoplasm. Recently, a new in vivo cytoskeletal assay (cell optical displacement assay) was introduced to measure the tension within subdomains (cortical, transvacuolar, and perinuclear) of the actin network in living plant cells. Cell optical displacement assay measurements within soybean (Glycine max [L.]) root cells previously demonstrated that lipophilic signals, e.g. linoleic acid and arachidonic acid or changes in cytoplasmic pH gradients, could induce significant reductions in the tension within the actin network of transvacuolar strands. In contrast, enhancement of cytoplasmic free Ca2+ resulted in an increase in tension. In the present communication we have used these measurements to show that a similar antipodal pattern of activity exists for auxins and cytokinins (in their ability to modify the tension within the actin network of plant cells). It is suggested that these growth substances exert their effect on the cytoskeleton through the activation of signaling cascades, which result in the production of lipophilic and ionic second messengers, both of which have been demonstrated to directly effect the tension within the actin network of soybean root cells.

The association of focal adhesion kinase with a 200-kDa protein that is tyrosine phosphorylated in response to platelet-derived growth factor

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase implicated in the signal transduction pathways initiated by integrins. However, we have previously found that platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) could stimulate the association of FAK with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in NIH 3T3 cells [Chen, H.-C. & Guan, J.-L. (1994) J. Biol. Chem 269, 31229-31223], suggesting that FAK might participate in some of the cellular effects of the growth factors in modulating cell morphology and migration. In this report, we describe the association of FAK with a 200-kDa protein (pp200) that is tyrosine phosphorylated in response to PDGF stimulation in NIH 3T3 cells. Although the identity of pp200 is unknown at present, we have excluded the possibilities that it is the PDGF receptor beta, tension, talin, myosin or the guanosine-triophosphatase-activating-protein-associated p190 protein. Furthermore, we found that the tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK-associated pp200 upon PDGF stimulation is largely independent of cell adhesion or the integrity of the cytoskeleton. Therefore, pp200 and its interaction with FAK may also be involved in growth-factor-induced cellular effects such as the modulation of cell adhesion or cell migration via cytoskeletal reorganization or disruption of focal adhesions.

G10BP, an E1A-inducible negative regulator of Sp1, represses transcription of the rat fibronectin gene

Downregulation of the fibronectin (FN) gene in a rat 3Y1 derivative cell line, XhoC, transformed by the adenovirus E1A and E1B genes seems to be caused by the induction of a negative regulator, G10BP, which binds to three G-rich sequences in the promoter (T. Nakamura, T. Nakajima, S. Tsunoda, S. Nakada, K. Oda, H. Tsurui, and A. Wada, J. Virol. 66:6436-6450, 1992). These are the G10 stretch and two GC boxes consisting of the G10 stretch with one internal C residue insertion. The recognition sequences of G10BP and Sp1 (GGGCGG) overlap in these GC boxes. To analyze the mechanism of the downregulation, G10BP was purified by DNA affinity chromatography, and its molecular mass was estimated to be about 30 kDa. The promoter was modified by substituting the sequence GGGG with ATCC or CTTA in these G-rich sequences, leaving the Sp1 motif intact, and by replacing the Sp1 motif by the T stretch. Transcription of FN promoter-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase fusion genes carrying the base substitution in one or more of these G-rich sequences both in vivo and in vitro revealed that the base substitution in any G-rich sequence results in reduction of promoter activity, although the downstream GC box (GCd) plays a primary role. The addition of G10BP severely inhibited the activities of the FN promoters carrying the wild-type GCd in vitro, while the promoters carrying the mutant GCd were unaffected. The binding affinity of G10BP and Sp1 to each of the G-rich sequences, analyzed by gel shift assays, indicated that G10BP binds strongly to the GCd, moderately to the G10 stretch, and weakly to GCu, while Sp1 binds strongly to GCu, moderately to GCd, and weakly to the G10 stretch. Sp1 binding to GCd and the G10 stretch was inhibited by G10BP, while binding to GCu was unaffected. These results indicate that FN gene transcription is inhibited in XhoC cells primarily by exclusion of Sp1 binding to GCd by G10BP and that G10BP is a new class of Sp1 negative regulator.

Targeted disruption of vinculin genes in F9 and embryonic stem cells changes cell morphology, adhesion, and locomotion

Vinculin, a major constituent of focal adhesions and zonula adherens junctions, is thought to be involved in linking the microfilaments to areas of cell-substrate and cell-cell contacts. To test the role of vinculin in cell adhesion and motility, we used homologous recombination to generate F9 embryonal carcinoma and embryonic stem cell clones homozygous for a disrupted vinculin gene. When compared to wild-type cells, vinculin-mutant cells displayed a rounder morphology and a reduced ability to adhere and spread on plastic or fibronectin. Decreased adhesion of the mutant cells was associated with a reduction in lamellipodial extensions, as observed by time-lapse video microscopy. The locomotive activities of control F9 and the vinculin-null cells were compared in two assays. Loss of vinculin resulted in a 2.4-fold increase in cell motility. These results demonstrate an important role for vinculin in determining cell shape, adhesion, surface protrusive activity, and cell locomotion.

Impact of altered actin gene expression on vinculin, talin, cell spreading, and motility

Previous studies have demonstrated a strong correlation between the expression of vinculin and the shape and motility of a cell (Rodriguez Fernandez et al., 1992a, b, 1993). This hypothesis was tested by comparing the expression of vinculin and talin with the motility of morphologically altered myoblasts. These mouse C2 myoblasts were previously generated by directly perturbing the cell cytoskeleton via the stable transfection of a mutant-form of the beta-actin gene (beta sm) and three different forms of the gamma-actin gene; gamma, gamma minus 3'UTR (gamma delta'UTR), and gamma minus intron III (gamma delta IVSIII) (Schevzov et al., 1992; Lloyd and Gunning, 1993). In the case of the beta sm and gamma-actin transfectants, a two-fold decrease in the cell surface area was coupled, as predicted, with a decrease in vinculin and talin expression. In contrast, the gamma delta IVSIII transfectants with a seven-fold decrease in the cell surface area showed an unpredicted slight increase in vinculin and talin expression and the gamma delta 3'-UTR transfectants with a slight increase in the cell surface area showed no changes in talin expression and a decrease in vinculin expression. We conclude that changes in actin gene expression alone can impact on the expression of vinculin and talin. Furthermore, we observed that these actin transfectants failed to show a consistent relationship between cell shape, motility, and the expression of vinculin. However, a relationship between talin and cell motility was found to exist, suggesting a role for talin in the establishment of focal contacts necessary for motility.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate inhibits PDGF-induced chemotaxis of human arterial smooth muscle cells: spatial and temporal modulation of PDGF chemotactic signal transduction

Activation of the PDGF receptor on human arterial smooth muscle cells (SMC) induces migration and proliferation via separable signal transduction pathways. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (Sph-1-P) can be formed following PDGF receptor activation and therefore may be implicated in PDGF-receptor signal transduction. Here we show that Sph-1-P does not significantly affect PDGF-induced DNA synthesis, proliferation, or activation of mitogenic signal transduction pathways, such as the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascade and PI 3-kinase, in human arterial SMC. On the other hand, Sph-1-P strongly mimics PDGF receptor-induced chemotactic signal transduction favoring actin filament disassembly. Although Sph-1-P mimics PDGF, exogenously added Sph-1-P induces more prolonged and quantitatively greater PIP2 hydrolysis compared to PDGF-BB, a markedly stronger calcium mobilization and a subsequent increase in cyclic AMP levels and activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. This excessive and prolonged signaling favors actin filament disassembly by Sph-1-P, and results in inhibition of actin nucleation, actin filament assembly and formation of focal adhesion sites. Sph-1-P-induced interference with the dynamics of PDGF-stimulated actin filament disassembly and assembly results in a marked inhibition of cell spreading, of extension of the leading lamellae toward PDGF, and of chemotaxis toward PDGF. The results suggest that spatial and temporal changes in phosphatidylinositol turnover, calcium mobilization and actin filament disassembly may be critical to PDGF-induced chemotaxis and suggest a possible role for endogenous Sph-1-P in the regulation of PDGF receptor chemotactic signal transduction.

Divergent insulin and platelet-derived growth factor regulation of focal adhesion kinase (pp125FAK) tyrosine phosphorylation, and rearrangement of actin stress fibers

Insulin treatment of Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing high levels of the human insulin receptor resulted in the tyrosine dephosphorylation of the 125-kDa focal adhesion kinase (pp125FAK). The decrease in pp125FAK tyrosine phosphorylation paralleled a decrease in the cellular content of actin stress fibers, and these changes were independent of the extracellular matrix on which the cells were grown. The reduction in both pp125FAK tyrosine phosphorylation and actin stress fibers occurred in an insulin concentration-dependent manner, with significant effects at approximately 0.3 nM and a maximal effect at 3 nM. However, in the continuous presence of insulin, the decreases in the tyrosine phosphorylation state of pp125FAK and actin stress fiber content were transient. Maximal reduction of pp125FAK tyrosine phosphorylation was observed following 15 min of insulin treatment, with a return to unstimulated control levels by 60 min. Similarly, actin stress fiber content was maximally reduced by 15 min of insulin treatment and fully recovered by 60 min. In contrast to insulin, platelet-derived growth factor stimulation increased actin stress fiber content and enhanced pp125FAK tyrosine phosphorylation. These data demonstrate a novel signaling role for insulin in inducing the tyrosine dephosphorylation of pp125FAK and a concomitant reorganization of actin stress fibers, which underlies at least one aspect of signaling divergence between the insulin and platelet-derived growth factor receptor tyrosine kinases.

The state of actin assembly regulates actin and vinculin expression by a feedback loop

Actin filaments are major determinants of cell shape, motility and adhesion, which control important biological processes including embryonic development and wound healing. These processes are associated with changes in actin assembly, which is regulated by controlling the balance between polymerized and non-polymerized actin. To maintain a significant pool of non-polymerized actin, mechanism(s) linking actin synthesis to its state of polymerization were proposed. We have studied this relationship between actin synthesis and organization by modulating actin assembly using different drugs. Unassembled actin was increased in 3T3 cells using either the Clostridium botulinum C2 toxin, which ADP-ribosylates actin, or by latrunculin A, a Red Sea sponge product, which binds monomeric actin. The synthesis of actin was dramatically reduced in these cells owing to a concomitant decrease in actin RNA level. Similar results were obtained with HeLa cells grown in both monolayer and in suspension, suggesting that cell shape changes associated with drug treatment are not the primary cause for the effect on actin synthesis. In contrast, the scrape-loading of 3T3 cells with phalloidin, a stabilizer of polymerized actin that increased the level of assembled actin, resulted in elevated actin synthesis and RNA content. The expression of vinculin, a major component of adhesion plaques and cell-cell junctions, which is involved in actin-membrane associations, was altered in parallel with that of actin in cells treated with these drugs. The decrease in actin RNA resulted from destabilization of actin mRNA in cells where unassembled actin level was elevated. This is suggested by the unchanged transcription of actin in isolated nuclei from drug-treated cells, and by demonstrating that actin mRNA was degraded faster in cells after C2 toxin treatment than in control cells. This feedback control mechanism is mainly confined to the cytoplasm, as it remained active in enucleated cells. The results suggest the existence of an autoregulatory pathway for the expression of actin and other microfilament-associated proteins which is linked to the state of actin polymerization in the cell.

Macrophage activation and muscle remodeling at myotendinous junctions after modifications in muscle loading

Modifications in muscle loading have been reported previously to result in increased numbers of mononucleated cells and changes in myofibril organization at myotendinous junctions (MTJs). The goals of this study were to determine the identity of those mononucleated cells and to examine the relationships between changes in their structure, location, and number with structural aspects of remodeling at MTJs experiencing modified loading. Soleus muscles from rats subjected to 10 days of hindlimb suspension were analyzed 0, 2, 4, and 7 days after return to weight bearing. Immunohistochemistry showed that ED1+, ED2+ and Ia+ macrophages were present at the MTJ and microtendon of control muscle. After reloading, ED2+ macrophages increased in number and size at MTJs and microtendons, indicating their activation. ED1+ cells showed no change in size or number whereas Ia+ cells were increased in size at day 7 of reloading. Electron microscopic observations showed that mononucleated cells near MTJs of control or suspended muscle were not highly active in protein synthesis or secretion. However, in reloaded muscle, mononucleated cells were found to be in close proximity to MTJs and to contain a high concentration of organelles associated with protein secretion. During these stages of reloading, extensive remodeling of myofibril-membrane associations occurred and nascent sarcomeres appeared in the MTJ regions of muscle fibers. Immunohistochemistry showed that during these stages of nascent sarcomere formation, there was renewed expression of developmental myosin heavy chain at MTJs, with this heavy chain appearing most prominently at the MTJ at day 7 of reloading. The activation and increased numbers of macrophages at MTJs and the close apposition of secretory cells to the MTJ membrane during remodeling lead us to propose that macrophage-derived factors may influence remodeling of MTJs in muscles experiencing modified loading.

Tensin: a potential link between the cytoskeleton and signal transduction

Cytoskeletal proteins provide the structural foundation that allows cells to exist in a highly organized manner. Recent evidence suggests that certain cytoskeletal proteins not only maintain structural integrity, but might also be associated with signal transduction and suppression of tumorigenesis. Since the time of the discovery of tensin, a fair amount of data has been gathered which supports the notion that tensin is one such protein possessing these characteristics. In this review, we discuss recent studies that: (1) elucidate a role for tensin in maintenance of cellular structure and signal transduction; (2) implicate tensin as the anchor for actin filaments at the focal adhesion; (3) describe the phosphorylation of tensin; (4) describe potential targets for its Src homology region 2 domain; (5) describe the association between tensin and the nuclear protein p130; and (6) demonstrate that increased tensin expression in a cell line appears to reduce its transformation potential.

Selective interferon-alpha/beta effects on platelet-derived growth factor-stimulated processes in quiescent BALB/c-3T3 fibroblasts

Interferon-alpha/beta (IFN-alpha/beta) suppresses cell cycle activation by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) as well as the induction of the 31-kD (pI) and the 35-kD (pII) proteins in density-arrested BALB/c-3T3 cells. We report that elevation of [Ca2+]i by ionomycin induces the synthesis of the 31-kD protein, but not that of the 35-kD protein. Since IFN blocks the PDGF-induced elevation of [Ca2+]i, these results suggest that IFN treatment may suppress pI induction by impairing this PDGF-activated signal transduction pathway. In contrast, because ionomycin did not induce the 35-kD protein, the suppression by IFN of PDGF-induced pII appears to be mediated via a pathway distinct from that operating in the suppression of pI. In BALB/c-3T3 cells, IFN-alpha/beta did not itself affect the turnover or de novo synthesis of inositol phospholipids and the cellular content of diacylglycerol, nor did IFN block the enhancement of these parameters by PDGF.

Beta-actin mRNA localization is regulated by signal transduction mechanisms

Beta-actin mRNA is localized in the leading lamellae of chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEFs) (Lawrence, J., and R. Singer. 1986. Cell. 45:407-415), close to where actin polymerization in the lamellipodia drives cellular motility. During serum starvation beta-actin mRNA becomes diffuse and non-localized. Addition of FCS induces a rapid (within 2-5 min) redistribution of beta-actin mRNA into the leading lamellae. A similar redistribution was seen with PDGF, a fibroblast chemotactic factor. PDGF-induced beta-actin mRNA redistribution was inhibited by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor herbimycin, indicating that this process requires intact tyrosine kinase activity, similar to actin filament polymerization and chemotaxis. Lysophosphatidic acid, which has been shown to rapidly induce actin stress fiber formation (Ridley, A., and A. Hall. 1992. Cell. 790:389-399), also increases peripheral beta-actin mRNA localization within minutes. This suggests that actin polymerization and mRNA localization may be regulated by similar signaling pathways. Additionally, activators or inhibitors of kinase A or C can also delocalize steady-state beta-actin mRNA in cells grown in serum, and can inhibit the serum induction of peripherally localized beta-actin mRNA in serum-starved CEFs. These data show that physiologically relevant extracellular factors operating through a signal transduction pathway can regulate spatial sites of actin protein synthesis, which may in turn affect cellular polarity and motility.

Lipids trigger changes in the elasticity of the cytoskeleton in plant cells: a cell optical displacement assay for live cell measurements

An assay has been developed to quantitatively measure the tension and elasticity of the cytoskeleton in living plant cells. The cell optical displacement assay (CODA) uses a focused laser beam to optically trap and displace transvacuolar and cortical strands through a defined distance within the cell. Results from these experiments provide evidence for the classification of at least two rheologically distinct cytoskeletal assemblies, cortical and transvacuolar, that differ in their tension and response to both signaling molecules and reagents that perturb the cytoskeleton. It is further demonstrated that the tension of the transvacuolar strands can be significantly decreased by the addition of either linoleic acid, 1,2 dioctanoyl-sn-glycerol, or 1,3 dioctanoylglycerol. These decreases in tension could also be induced by lowering the cytoplasmic pH. In contrast, addition of Ca2+, Mg2+, or the ionophore A23187 to the cells caused a considerable increase in the tension of the transvacuolar strands. The data provides evidence that: (a) linoleic acid may be a signaling molecule in plant cells; (b) diacylglycerol functions as a signaling molecule through a protein kinase C-independent pathway mediated by PLA2; and (c) Ca2+ and pH have regulatory roles for controlling cytoskeleton tension and organization.

Altered shape and cell cycle characteristics of fibroblasts expressing the E2F1 transcription factor

To gain an understanding of the role the E2F1 transcription factor plays in cell physiology, the full length protein (E2F1) and an amino terminal deletion of 87 amino acids (E2F1d87) were constitutively expressed in NIH3T3 fibroblasts. Multiple cell lines were generated for each construct. These cells do not proliferate in media containing low serum and do not proliferate in soft agar, indicating that they are likely not transformed. However, both sets of cell lines show increased DNA synthesis and increased numbers of cells in S phase when cultured in media containing low serum, compared to the control cell lines. Cells expressing E2F1d87 (but not E2F1) have an extremely rounded morphology when cultured in 10% serum-containing media. These rounded cells lack detectable microfilaments, microtubules, and focal contacts. However, when these cells are cultured in low serum-containing media (0.5%), they attain the flattened morphology and cytoskeletal structure of normal NIH3T3 cells.

Phosphorylation of the growth arrest-specific protein Gas2 is coupled to actin rearrangements during Go-->G1 transition in NIH 3T3 cells

Growth arrest-specific (Gas2) protein has been shown to be a component of the microfilament system, that is highly expressed in growth arrested mouse and human fibroblasts and is hyperphosphorylated upon serum stimulation of quiescent cells. (Brancolini, C., S. Bottega, and C. Schneider. 1992. J. Cell Biol. 117:1251-1261). In this study we demonstrate that the kinetics of Gas2 phosphorylation, during Go-->G1 transition, as induced by addition of 20% FCS to serum starved NIH 3T3 cells, is temporally coupled to the reorganization of actin cytoskeleton. To better dissect the relationship between Gas2 phosphorylation and the modification of the microfilament architecture we used specific stimuli for both membrane ruffling (PDGF and PMA) and stress fiber formation (L-alpha-lysophosphatidic acid LPA) (Ridley, A. J., and A. Hall. 1992. Cell. 70:389-399). All of them, similarly to 20% FCS, are able to downregulate Gas2 biosynthesis. PDGF and PMA induce Gas2 hyperphosphorylation that is temporally coupled with the appearance of membrane ruffling where Gas2 localizes. On the other hand LPA, a specific stimulus for stress fiber formation, fails to induce a detectable Gas2 hyperphosphorylation. Thus, Gas2 hyperphosphorylation is specifically correlated with the formation of membrane ruffling possibly implying a role of Gas2 in this process.

Effect of protein kinase inhibitor H-7 on the contractility, integrity, and membrane anchorage of the microfilament system

Addition of protein kinase inhibitor H-7 leads to major changes in cell structure and dynamics. In previous studies [Citi, 1992: J. Cell Biol. 117:169-178] it was demonstrated that intercellular junctions in H-7-treated epithelial cells become calcium independent. To elucidate the mechanism responsible for this effect we have examined the morphology, dynamics, and cytoskeletal organization of various cultured cells following H-7-treatment. We show here that drug treated cells display an enhanced protrusive activity. Focal contact-attached stress fibers and the associated myosin, vinculin, and talin deteriorated in such cells while actin, vinculin, and N-cadherin associated with cell-cell junctions were retained. Furthermore, we demonstrate that even before these cytoskeletal changes become apparent, H-7 suppresses cellular contractility. Thus, short pretreatment with H-7 leads to strong inhibition of the ATP-induced contraction of saponin permeabilized cells. Comparison of H-7 effects with those of other kinase inhibitors revealed that H-7-induced changes in cell shape, protrusional activity, and actin cytoskeleton structure are very similar to those induced by selective inhibitor of myosin light chain kinase, KT5926. Specific inhibitors of protein kinase C (Ro31-8220 and GF109203X), on the other hand, did not induce similar alterations. These results suggest that the primary effect of H-7 on cell morphology, motility, and junctional interactions may be attributed to the inhibition of actomyosin contraction. This effect may have multiple effects on cell behavior, including general reduction in cellular contractility, destruction of stress fibers, and an increase in lamellipodial activity. It is proposed that this reduction in tension also leads to the apparent stability of cell-cell junctions in low-calcium medium.

Regulation of motility and cytoskeletal organization of rat bladder carcinoma cells by cyclic AMP

Cyclic AMP (cAMP) has been implicated in the regulation of movement of certain cultured cell types. We have studied the effects of cAMP on epithelial cell motility using serum-free NBT-II cells, derived from a rat bladder carcinoma. The random movement of these cells on type I collagen was reduced upon elevation of intracellular cAMP by several means and this effect was reversible. Alterations in the organization of the cytoskeletal proteins F-actin and alpha-actinin occurred concurrently with the reduction in motility, and the arrangement of these proteins resembled that seen in non-motile cells on glass. In addition, pretreatment of cells with KT5720, a cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA)-specific inhibitor, prevented the dibutyryl cAMP-induced reduction in cell movement as well as the associated cytoskeletal changes. These results suggest that elevation of PKA is responsible for the observed effects on cell motility and cytoskeletal reorganization and demonstrate a role for PKA in the regulation of cell motility in this system.

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptors in the developing mouse optic pathway

The molecules which control the patterns of cell division, growth, and precise interconnections characteristic of the central nervous system still remain largely unidentified. The protein platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) has been shown to mediate interactions among glial cells in vitro. More recent evidence has indicated that PDGF may also be involved in controlling communication between neurons and glial cells and among neurons. The presence of receptors for PDGF on neurons of the developing nervous system is an essential piece of evidence in this chain of events. Ganglion cells are labeled with antibodies to PDGF receptor only during the period of active process outgrowth. These findings suggest that PDGF is used as a mediator of intercellular signaling during neuronal development.