The Csk-binding protein PAG regulates PDGF-induced Src mitogenic signaling via GM1

CSK-mediated signalling by integrins in cancer

Cancer progression and metastasis are processes heavily controlled by the integrin receptor family. Integrins are cell adhesion molecules that constitute the central components of mechanosensing complexes called focal adhesions, which connect the extracellular environment with the cell interior. Focal adhesions act as key players in cancer progression by regulating biological processes, such as cell migration, invasion, proliferation, and survival. Src family kinases (SFKs) can interplay with integrins and their downstream effectors. SFKs also integrate extracellular cues sensed by integrins and growth factor receptors (GFR), transducing them to coordinate metastasis and cell survival in cancer. The non-receptor tyrosine kinase CSK is a well-known SFK member that suppresses SFK activity by phosphorylating its specific negative regulatory loop (C-terminal Y⁵²⁷ residue). Consequently, CSK may play a pivotal role in tumour progression and suppression by inhibiting SFK oncogenic effects in several cancer types. Remarkably, CSK can localise near focal adhesions when SFKs are activated and even interact with focal adhesion components, such as phosphorylated FAK and Paxillin, among others, suggesting that CSK may regulate focal adhesion dynamics and structure. Even though SFK oncogenic signalling has been extensively described before, the specific role of CSK and its crosstalk with integrins in cancer progression, for example, in mechanosensing, remain veiled. Here, we review how CSK, by regulating SFKs, can regulate integrin signalling, and focus on recent discoveries of mechanotransduction. We additionally examine the cross talk of integrins and GFR as well as the membrane availability of these receptors in cancer. We also explore new pharmaceutical approaches to these signalling pathways and analyse them as future therapeutic targets.

Mechanical Control of Cell Migration by the Metastasis Suppressor Tetraspanin CD82/KAI1

The plasma membrane is a key actor of cell migration. For instance, its tension controls persistent cell migration and cell surface caveolae integrity. Then, caveolae constituents such as caveolin-1 can initiate a mechanotransduction loop that involves actin- and focal adhesion-dependent control of the mechanosensor YAP to finely tune cell migration. Tetraspanin CD82 (also named KAI-1) is an integral membrane protein and a metastasis suppressor. Its expression is lost in many cancers including breast cancer. It is a strong inhibitor of cell migration by a little-known mechanism. We demonstrated here that CD82 controls persistent 2D migration of EGF-induced single cells, stress fibers and focal adhesion sizes and dynamics. Mechanistically, we found that CD82 regulates membrane tension, cell surface caveolae abundance and YAP nuclear translocation in a caveolin-1-dependent manner. Altogether, our data show that CD82 controls 2D cell migration using membrane-driven mechanics involving caveolin and the YAP pathway.

Src Family Tyrosine Kinases in Intestinal Homeostasis, Regeneration and Tumorigenesis

Src, originally identified as an oncogene, is a membrane-anchored tyrosine kinase and the Src family kinase (SFK) prototype. SFKs regulate the signalling induced by a wide range of cell surface receptors leading to epithelial cell growth and adhesion. In the intestine, the SFK members Src, Fyn and Yes regulate epithelial cell proliferation and migration during tissue regeneration and transformation, thus implicating conserved and specific functions. In patients with colon cancer, SFK activity is a marker of poor clinical prognosis and a potent driver of metastasis formation. These tumorigenic activities are linked to SFK capacity to promote the dissemination and tumour-initiating capacities of epithelial tumour cells. However, it is unclear how SFKs promote colon tumour formation and metastatic progression because SFK-encoding genes are unfrequently mutated in human cancer. Here, we review recent findings on SFK signalling during intestinal homeostasis, regeneration and tumorigenesis. We also describe the key nongenetic mechanisms underlying SFK tumour activities in colorectal cancer, and discuss how these mechanisms could be exploited in therapeutic strategies to target SFK signalling in metastatic colon cancer.

GM1 Ganglioside Promotes Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Tendon Stem Cells

Gangliosides, the sialic acid-conjugated glycosphingolipids present in the lipid rafts, have been recognized as important regulators of cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. Due to their peculiar localization in the cell membrane, they modulate the activity of several key cell receptors, and increasing evidence supports their involvement also in stem cell differentiation. In this context, herein we report the role played by the ganglioside GM1 in the osteogenic differentiation of human tendon stem cells (hTSCs). In particular, we found an increase of GM1 levels during osteogenesis that is instrumental for driving the process. In fact, supplementation of the ganglioside in the medium significantly increased the osteogenic differentiation capability of hTSCs. Mechanistically, we found that GM1 supplementation caused a reduction in the phosphorylation of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFR-β), which is a known inhibitor of osteogenic commitment. These results were further corroborated by the observation that GM1 supplementation was able to revert the inhibitory effects on osteogenesis when the process was inhibited with exogenous PDGF.

Role of Cytokine-Induced Glycosylation Changes in Regulating Cell Interactions and Cell Signaling in Inflammatory Diseases and Cancer

Glycosylation is one of the most important modifications of proteins and lipids, and cell surface glycoconjugates are thought to play important roles in a variety of biological functions including cell-cell and cell-substrate interactions, bacterial adhesion, cell immunogenicity and cell signaling. Alterations of glycosylation are observed in number of diseases such as cancer and chronic inflammation. In that context, pro-inflammatory cytokines have been shown to modulate cell surface glycosylation by regulating the expression of glycosyltransferases involved in the biosynthesis of carbohydrate chains. These changes in cell surface glycosylation are also known to regulate cell signaling and could contribute to disease pathogenesis. This review summarizes our current knowledge of the glycosylation changes induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines, with a particular focus on cancer and cystic fibrosis, and their consequences on cell interactions and signaling.

YES oncogenic activity is specified by its SH4 domain and regulates RAS/MAPK signaling in colon carcinoma cells

Members of the SRC family of tyrosine kinases (SFK) display important functions in human cancer, but their specific role in tumorigenesis remains unclear. We previously demonstrated that YES regulates a unique oncogenic signaling important for colorectal cancer (CRC) progression that is not shared with SRC. Here, we addressed the underlying mechanism involved in this process. We show that YES oncogenic signaling relies on palmitoylation of its SH4 domain that controls YES localization in cholesterol-enriched membrane micro-domains. Specifically, deletion of the palmitoylation site compromised YES transforming activity, while addition of a palmitoylation site in the SH4 domain of SRC was sufficient for SRC to restore the transforming properties of cells in which YES had been silenced. Subsequently, SILAC phosphoproteomic analysis revealed that micro-domain-associated cell adhesive components and receptor tyrosine kinases are major YES substrates. YES also phosphorylates upstream regulators of RAS/MAPK signaling, including EGFR, SHC and SHP2, which were not targeted by SRC due to the absence of palmitoylation. Accordingly, EGFR-induced MAPK activity was attenuated by YES down-regulation, while increased RAS activity significantly restored cell transformation that was lost upon YES silencing. Collectively, these results uncover a critical role for the SH4 domain in the specification of SFK oncogenic activity and a selective role for YES in the induction of RAS/MAPK signaling in CRC cells.

ATP1A1-mediated Src signaling inhibits coronavirus entry into host cells

In addition to transporting ions, the multisubunit Na(+),K(+)-ATPase also functions by relaying cardiotonic steroid (CTS)-binding-induced signals into cells. In this study, we analyzed the role of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase and, in particular, of its ATP1A1 α subunit during coronavirus (CoV) infection. As controls, the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and influenza A virus (IAV) were included. Using gene silencing, the ATP1A1 protein was shown to be critical for infection of cells with murine hepatitis virus (MHV), feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV), and VSV but not with IAV. Lack of ATP1A1 did not affect virus binding to host cells but resulted in inhibited entry of MHV and VSV. Consistently, nanomolar concentrations of the cardiotonic steroids ouabain and bufalin, which are known not to affect the transport function of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase, inhibited infection of cells with MHV, FIPV, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)-CoV, and VSV, but not IAV, when the compounds were present during virus inoculation. Cardiotonic steroids were shown to inhibit entry of MHV at an early stage, resulting in accumulation of virions close to the cell surface and, as a consequence, in reduced fusion. In agreement with an early block in infection, the inhibition of VSV by CTSs could be bypassed by low-pH shock. Viral RNA replication was not affected when these compounds were added after virus entry. The antiviral effect of ouabain could be relieved by the addition of different Src kinase inhibitors, indicating that Src signaling mediated via ATP1A1 plays a crucial role in the inhibition of CoV and VSV infections.

IMPORTANCE

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are important pathogens of animals and humans, as demonstrated by the recent emergence of new human CoVs of zoonotic origin. Antiviral drugs targeting CoV infections are lacking. In the present study, we show that the ATP1A1 subunit of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase, an ion transporter and signaling transducer, supports CoV infection. Targeting ATP1A1 either by gene silencing or by low concentrations of the ATP1A1-binding cardiotonic steroids ouabain and bufalin resulted in inhibition of infection with murine, feline, and MERS-CoVs at an early entry stage. Infection with the control virus VSV was also inhibited. Src signaling mediated by ATP1A1 was shown to play a crucial role in the inhibition of virus entry by ouabain and bufalin. These results suggest that targeting the Na(+),K(+)-ATPase using cardiotonic steroids, several of which are FDA-approved compounds, may be an attractive therapeutic approach against CoV and VSV infections.

How Do Gangliosides Regulate RTKs Signaling?

Gangliosides, the glycosphingolipids carrying one or several sialic acid residues, are located on the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane in glycolipid-enriched microdomains, where they interact with molecules of signal transduction pathways including receptors tyrosine kinases (RTKs). The role of gangliosides in the regulation of signal transduction has been reported in many cases and in a large number of cell types. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the biosynthesis of gangliosides and the mechanism by which they regulate RTKs signaling.

Oncogenic signaling by tyrosine kinases of the SRC family in advanced colorectal cancer

The non-receptor tyrosine kinases of the SRC family (SFK) play important roles in signal transduction induced by a large variety of extracellular stimuli, including growth factors and Integrins. When deregulated, SFKs show oncogenic activity, as originally reported for v-Src, the transforming product of the avian retrovirus RSV, and then, in many human cancers, particularly colorectal cancer (CRC). In CRC, SFK deregulation largely occurs in the absence of mutations of the corresponding genes, but the underlying molecular mechanisms involved are still unclear. In addition to a role in early tumor progression, SFK deregulation may also be important in advanced CRC, as suggested by the association between increased SFK activity and poor clinical outcome. However, SFK contribution to CRC metastasis formation is still poorly documented. Here, we will review recent findings that broaden our understanding of the mechanisms underlying SFK deregulation and signaling in advanced CRC. We will also discuss the implication of these observations for SFK-based therapy in metastatic CRC.

Mammalian sialidases: physiological and pathological roles in cellular functions

Sialic acids are terminal acidic monosaccharides, which influence the chemical and biological features of glycoconjugates. Their removal catalyzed by a sialidase modulates various biological processes through change in conformation and creation or loss of binding sites of functional molecules. Sialidases exist widely in vertebrates and also in a variety of microorganisms. Recent research on mammalian sialidases has provided evidence for great importance of these enzymes in various cellular functions, including lysosomal catabolism, whereas microbial sialidases appear to play roles limited to nutrition and pathogenesis. Four types of mammalian sialidases have been identified and characterized to date, designated as NEU1, NEU2, NEU3 and NEU4. They are encoded by different genes and differ in major subcellular localization and enzymatic properties including substrate specificity, and each has been found to play a unique role depending on its particular properties. This review is an attempt to concisely summarize current knowledge concerning mammalian sialidases, with a special focus on their properties and physiological and pathological roles in cellular functions.

Structure and Function of Mammalian Sialidases

The removal of sialic acids, catalyzed by sialidase, is the initial step in degradation of oligosaccharides, glycoproteins, and glycolipids. The catalytic reaction may greatly influence biological processes through changing the conformation of glycoproteins and create or mask binding sites of functional molecules. Recent progress in sialidase research has clarified that mammalian sialidases indeed contribute to the regulation of various cellular functions as well as lysosomal catabolism, unlike the sialidases of microbial origin that probably play roles limited to nutrition and pathogenesis. However, the mammalian enzymes contain consensus sequences in the six-blade β-propeller structural organization typical of microbial sialidases, despite the low degree of similarity to the amino acid sequences of the microbial enzymes. The present review briefly summarizes structural and functional features of mammalian sialidases.

A HIF-regulated VHL-PTP1B-Src signaling axis identifies a therapeutic target in renal cell carcinoma

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a molecularly heterogeneous disease that is intrinsically resistant to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Although therapies targeted to the molecules vascular endothelial growth factor and mammalian target of rapamycin have shown clinical effectiveness, their effects are variable and short-lived, underscoring the need for improved treatment strategies for RCC. Here, we used quantitative phosphoproteomics and immunohistochemical profiling of 346 RCC specimens and determined that Src kinase signaling is elevated in RCC cells that retain wild-type von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) protein expression. RCC cell lines and xenografts with wild-type VHL exhibited sensitivity to the Src inhibitor dasatinib, in contrast to cell lines that lacked the VHL protein, which were resistant. Forced expression of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) in RCC cells with wild-type VHL diminished Src signaling output by repressing transcription of the Src activator protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), conferring resistance to dasatinib. Our results suggest that a HIF-regulated VHL-PTP1B-Src signaling pathway determines the sensitivity of RCC to Src inhibitors and that stratification of RCC patients with antibody-based profiling may identify patients likely to respond to Src inhibitors in RCC clinical trials.

Phosphoprotein associated with glycosphingolipid-enriched microdomains differentially modulates SRC kinase activity in brain maturation

Src family kinases (SFK) control multiple processes during brain development and function. We show here that the phosphoprotein associated with glycosphigolipid-enriched microdomains (PAG)/Csk binding protein (Cbp) modulates SFK activity in the brain. The timing and localization of PAG expression overlap with Fyn and Src, both of which we find associated to PAG. We demonstrate in newborn (P1) mice that PAG negatively regulates Src family kinases (SFK). P1 Pag1^-/- mouse brains show decreased recruitment of Csk into lipid rafts, reduced phosphorylation of the inhibitory tyrosines within SFKs, and an increase in SFK activity of >/ = 50%. While in brain of P1 mice, PAG and Csk are highly and ubiquitously expressed, little Csk is found in adult brain suggesting altered modes of SFK regulation. In adult brain Pag1-deficiency has no effect upon Csk-distribution or inhibitory tyrosine phosphorylation, but kinase activity is now reduced (−20–30%), pointing to the development of a compensatory mechanism that may involve PSD93. The distribution of the Csk-homologous kinase CHK is not altered. Importantly, since the activities of Fyn and Src are decreased in adult Pag1^-/- mice, thus presenting the reversed phenotype of P1, this provides the first in vivo evidence for a Csk-independent positive regulatory function for PAG in the brain.

Lipidomics era: accomplishments and challenges

Lipid mediators participate in signal transduction pathways, proliferation, apoptosis, and membrane trafficking in the cell. Lipids are highly complex and diverse owing to the various combinations of polar headgroups, fatty acyl chains, and backbone structures. This structural diversity continues to pose a challenge for lipid analysis. Here we review the current state of the art in lipidomics research and discuss the challenges facing this field. The latest technological developments in mass spectrometry, the role of bioinformatics, and the applications of lipidomics in lipid metabolism and cellular physiology and pathology are also discussed.

Gangliosides as regulators of cell membrane organization and functions

Gangliosides, characteristic complex lipids present in the external layer of plasma membranes, deeply influence the organization of the membrane as a whole and the function of specific membrane associated proteins due to lipid-lipid and lipid-protein lateral interaction. Here we discuss the basis for the membrane-organizing potential of gangliosides, examples of ganglioside-regulated membrane protein complexes and the mechanisms for the regulation of ganglioside membrane composition.

Sphingolipids and gangliosides of the nervous system in membrane function and dysfunction

Simple sphingolipids such as ceramide and sphingomyelin (SM) as well as more complex glycosphingolipids play very important roles in cell function under physiological conditions and during disease development and progression. Sphingolipids are particularly abundant in the nervous system. Due to their amphiphilic nature they localize to cellular membranes and many of their roles in health and disease result from membrane reorganization and from lipid interaction with proteins within cellular membranes. In this review we discuss some of the functions of sphingolipids in processes that entail cellular membranes and their role in neurodegenerative diseases, with an emphasis on SM, ceramide and gangliosides.

Src family tyrosine kinases-driven colon cancer cell invasion is induced by Csk membrane delocalization

The nonreceptor tyrosine kinases of the Src family (SFK) are frequently deregulated in human colorectal cancer (CRC), and they have been implicated in tumour growth and metastasis. How SFK are activated in this cancer has not been clearly established. Here, we show that the SFK-dependent invasion is induced by inactivation of the negative regulator C-terminal Src kinase, Csk. While the level of Csk was inconsistent with SFK activity in colon cancer cells, its membrane translocation, needed for efficient regulation of membrane-localized SFK activity, was impaired. Accordingly, Csk downregulation did not affect SFK oncogenic activity in these cells, whereas expression of a membrane-localized form of this kinase affected their invasive activity. Downregulation of the transmembrane and rafts-localized Csk-binding protein/phosphoprotein associated with glycosphingolipid-enriched microdomain (PAG), was instrumental for the cytoplasmic accumulation of Csk. Re-expression of PAG in cells from late-stage CRC inhibited SFK invasive activity in a Csk-dependent manner. Conversely, inactivation of its residual expression in early-stage CRC cells promoted SFK invasive activity. Finally, this mechanism was specific to CRC as Csk coupling to SFK was readily detected in breast cancer cells. Therefore, Csk mis-localization defines a novel mechanism for SFK oncogenic activation in CRC cells.

The transmembrane protein CBP plays a role in transiently anchoring small clusters of Thy-1, a GPI-anchored protein, to the cytoskeleton

It remains unclear how GPI-anchored proteins (GPIAPs), which lack cytoplasmic domains, transduce signals triggered by specific ligation. Such signal transduction has been speculated to require the ligated GPIAP to associate with membrane-spanning proteins that communicate with obligate cytoplasmic proteins. Transient anchorage of crosslinked proteins on the cell surface was previously characterized by single-particle tracking, and temporary association with the actin cytoskeleton was hypothesized to cause regulated anchorage. GPIAPs, such as Thy-1, require clustering, cholesterol and Src-family kinase (SFK) activity to become transiently anchored. By contrast, a transmembrane protein, the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), which has a PDZ-binding motif in its cytoplasmic C-terminus that binds the ERM adaptor EBP50, exhibits anchorage that strictly requires EBP50 but has little dependence on cholesterol or SFK. We hypothesized that a transmembrane protein would be required to mediate the linkage between Thy-1 and the cytoskeleton. Here, we present evidence, obtained by shRNA knockdown, that the transmembrane protein Csk-binding protein (CBP) plays an obligatory role in the transient anchorage of Thy1. Furthermore, either a dominant-negative form of CBP that did not bind EBP50 or a dominant-negative EBP50 drastically reduced transient anchorage of Thy-1, indicating the involvement of this adaptor. Finally, we speculate on the role of phosphorylation in the regulation of transient anchorage.

Endocytosis and spatial restriction of cell signaling

Endocytosis and recycling are essential components of the wiring enabling cells to perceive extracellular signals and transduce them in a temporally and spatially controlled fashion, directly influencing not only the duration and intensity of the signaling output, but also their correct location. Here, we will discuss key experimental evidence that support how different internalization routes, the generation of diverse endomembrane platforms, and cycles of internalization and recycling ensure polarized compartmentalization of signals, regulating a number of physiological and pathologically-relevant processes in which the resolution of spatial information is vital for their execution.

Csk-binding protein can regulate Lyn signals controlling cell morphology

The Src family kinase Lyn is involved in differentiation signals emanating from activated erythropoietin (Epo) receptors, it interacts with COOH-terminal Src kinase-binding protein (Cbp), an adaptor protein that recruits negative regulators COOH-terminal Src kinase (Csk) and suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 (SOCS1). Lyn phosphorylates Cbp on several tyrosine residues, including Tyr314, which recruits Csk/SOCS1, as well as Tyr381 and Tyr409 that bind Lyns own SH2 domain. We show that Cbp alters not only the ability of erythroid cells to differentiate but also their colony morphology. Consequently, we detailed the ability of Cbp to interact with and influence Lyns ability to initiate changes in cellular architecture, which affect cell-cell and cell-substratum interactions. Over-expression of active Lyn promotes filopodia formation while inactive Lyn promotes lamellipodia formation. Conversely, Cbp over-expression, which inhibits Lyn activity, promotes lamellipodia formation, while Cbp mutants preventing its interaction/signaling consequently allow Lyn to promote filopodia formation. Thus, the Lyn-Cbp pathway and subsequent regulation of Lyn signaling and cell morphology involves a dynamic and complex series of interactions.