14-3-3Gamma interacts with and is phosphorylated by multiple protein kinase C isoforms in PDGF-stimulated human vascular smooth muscle cells

miR-200a-3p inhibits the PDGF-BB-induced proliferation of VSMCs by affecting their phenotype-associated proteins

Accumulating evidence shows that the abnormal proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) can significantly affect the long-term prognosis of coronary artery bypass grafting. This study aimed to explore the factors affecting the proliferation, migration, and phenotypic transformation of VSMCs. First, we stimulated VSMCs with different platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) concentrations, analyzed the expression of phenotype-associated proteins by Western blotting, and examined cell proliferation by scratch wound healing and the 5-ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay. VSMC proliferation was induced most by PDGF-BB treatment at 20 ng/mL. miR-200a-3p decreased significantly in A7r5 cells stimulated with PDGF-BB. The overexpression of miR-200a-3p reversed the downregulation of α-SMA (p < 0.001) and the upregulation of vimentin (p < 0.001) caused by PDGF-BB. CCK8 and EdU analyses showed that miR-200a-3p overexpression could inhibit PDGF-BB-induced cell proliferation (p < 0.001). However, flow cytometric analysis showed that it did not significantly increase cell apoptosis. Collectively, the overexpression of miR-200a-3p inhibited the proliferation and migration of VSMCs induced by PDGF-BB, partly by affecting phenotypic transformation-related proteins, providing a new strategy for relieving the restenosis of vein grafts.

14-3-3 protein regulation of excitation-contraction coupling

14-3-3 proteins (14-3-3 s) are a family of highly conserved proteins that regulate many cellular processes in eukaryotes by interacting with a diverse array of client proteins. The 14-3-3 proteins have been implicated in several disease states and previous reviews have condensed the literature with respect to their structure, function, and the regulation of different cellular processes. This review focuses on the growing body of literature exploring the important role 14-3-3 proteins appear to play in regulating the biochemical and biophysical events associated with excitation-contraction coupling (ECC) in muscle. It presents both a timely and unique analysis that seeks to unite studies emphasizing the identification and diversity of 14-3-3 protein function and client protein interactions, as modulators of muscle contraction. It also highlights ideas within these two well-established but intersecting fields that support further investigation with respect to the mechanistic actions of 14-3-3 proteins in the modulation of force generation in muscle.

Epileptic Phenotype and Cannabidiol Efficacy in a Williams-Beuren Syndrome Patient With Atypical Deletion: A Case Report

Epilepsy is a rare clinical manifestation in Williams–Beuren syndrome patients. However, some studies report the presence of infantile spasms and epilepsy in patients carrying larger deletions. Herein, we describe a 13-year-old female affected by Williams–Beuren syndrome and pharmacoresistant epilepsy reporting a de novo large heterozygous 7q11.21q21 deletion (19.4 Mb) also including the YWHAG gene. Studies indicate that cannabidiol is effective as adjunctive therapy for seizures associated with tuberous sclerosis complex, and it is under investigation also in focal cortical dysplasia. When treated with cannabidiol, our patient showed a significant reduction in seizure frequency and intensity, and improved motor and social skills. We hypothesized that CBD could exert a gene/disease-specific effect.

Khademul Islam AB. Perversely expressed long noncoding RNAs can alter host response and viral proliferation in SARS-CoV-2 infection

BACKGROUND

Regulatory roles of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) during viral infection has become more evident in last decade, but are yet to be explored for SARS-CoV-2.

MATERIALS & METHODS

We analyzed RNA-seq dataset of SARS-CoV-2 infected lung epithelial cells to identify differentially expressed genes.

RESULTS

Our analyses uncover 21 differentially expressed lncRNAs broadly involved in cell survival and regulation of gene expression. These lncRNAs can directly interact with six differentially expressed protein-coding genes, and ten host genes that interact with SARS-CoV-2 proteins. Also, they can block the suppressive effect of nine microRNAs induced in viral infections.

CONCLUSION

Our investigation determines that deregulated lncRNAs in SARS-CoV-2 infection are involved in viral proliferation, cellular survival, and immune response, ultimately determining disease outcome.

Fatiguing contractions increase protein S-glutathionylation occupancy in mouse skeletal muscle

Protein S-glutathionylation is an important reversible post-translational modification implicated in redox signaling. Oxidative modifications to protein thiols can alter the activity of metabolic enzymes, transcription factors, kinases, phosphatases, and the function of contractile proteins. However, the extent to which muscle contraction induces oxidative modifications in redox sensitive thiols is not known. The purpose of this study was to determine the targets of S-glutathionylation redox signaling following fatiguing contractions. Anesthetized adult male CB6F1 (BALB/cBy × C57BL/6) mice were subjected to acute fatiguing contractions for 15 min using in vivo stimulations. The right (stimulated) and left (unstimulated) gastrocnemius muscleswere collected 60 min after the last stimulation and processed for redox proteomics assay of S-glutathionylation. Using selective reduction with a glutaredoxin enzyme cocktail and resin-assisted enrichment technique, we quantified the levels of site-specific protein S-glutathionylation at rest and following fatiguing contractions. Redox proteomics revealed over 2200 sites of S-glutathionylation modifications, of which 1290 were significantly increased after fatiguing contractions. Muscle contraction leads to the greatest increase in S-glutathionylation in the mitochondria (1.03%) and the smallest increase in the nucleus (0.47%). Regulatory cysteines were significantly S-glutathionylated on mitochondrial complex I and II, GAPDH, MDH1, ACO2, and mitochondrial complex V among others. Similarly, S-glutathionylation of RYR1, SERCA1, titin, and troponin I2 are known to regulate muscle contractility and were significantly S-glutathionylated after just 15 min of fatiguing contractions. The largest fold changes (> 1.6) in the S-glutathionylated proteome after fatigue occurred on signaling proteins such as 14-3-3 protein gamma and MAP2K4, as well as proteins like SERCA1, and NDUV2 of mitochondrial complex I, at previously unknown glutathionylation sites. These findings highlight the important role of redox control over muscle physiology, metabolism, and the exercise adaptive response. This study lays the groundwork for future investigation into the altered exercise adaptation associated with chronic conditions, such as sarcopenia.

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A single bout of fatiguing contractions increase muscle protein S-glutathionylation.

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Mitochondrial proteins are sensitive to oxidative modifications following fatigue.

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The glutathionylated proteome includes cysteines of known functional importance.

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) regulates Slingshot phosphatase activity via Nox1-dependent auto-dephosphorylation of serine 834 in vascular smooth muscle cells

Migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) contributes to vascular pathology. PDGF induces VSMC migration by a Nox1-based NADPH oxidase mediated mechanism. We have previously shown that PDGF-induced migration in VSMCs requires Slingshot-1L (SSH1L) phosphatase activity. In the present work, the mechanism of SSH1L activation by PDGF is further investigated. We identified a 14-3-3 consensus binding motif encompassing Ser-834 in SSH1L that is constitutively phosphorylated. PDGF induces SSH1L auto-dephosphorylation at Ser-834 in wild type (wt), but not in Nox1(-/y) cells. A SSH1L-S834A phospho-deficient mutant has significantly lower binding capacity for 14-3-3 when compared with the phospho-mimetic SSH1L-S834D mutant, and acts as a constitutively active phosphatase, lacking of PDGF-mediated regulation. Given that Nox1 produces reactive oxygen species, we evaluated their participation in this SSH1L activation mechanism. We found that H(2)O(2) activates SSH1L and this is accompanied by SSH1L/14-3-3 complex disruption and 14-3-3 oxidation in wt, but not in Nox1(-/y) cells. Together, these data demonstrate that PDGF activates SSH1L in VSMC by a mechanism that involves Nox1-mediated oxidation of 14-3-3 and Ser-834 SSH1L auto-dephosphorylation.

Zebrafish gene knockdowns imply roles for human YWHAG in infantile spasms and cardiomegaly

Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder presenting with an elfin-like face, supravalvular aortic stenosis, a specific cognitive-behavioral profile, and infantile hypercalcemia. We encountered two WBS patients presenting with infantile spasms, which is extremely rare in WBS. Array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analyses revealed atypical 5.7-Mb and 4.1-Mb deletions at 7q11.23 in the two patients, including the WBS critical region and expanding into the proximal side and the telomeric side, respectively. On the proximal side, AUTS2 and CALN1 may contribute to the phenotype. On the telomeric side, there are two candidate genes HIP1 and YWHAG. Because detailed information of them was unavailable, we investigated their functions using gene knockdowns of zebrafish. When zebrafish ywhag1 was knocked down, reduced brain size and increased diameter of the heart tube were observed, indicating that the infantile spasms and cardiomegaly seen in the patient with the telomeric deletion may be derived from haploinsufficiency of YWHAG.

Proteomic characterization of HIV-modulated membrane receptors, kinases and signaling proteins involved in novel angiogenic pathways

Background

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), hemangioma, and other angioproliferative diseases are highly prevalent in HIV-infected individuals. While KS is etiologically linked to the human herpesvirus-8 (HHV8) infection, HIV-patients without HHV-8 and those infected with unrelated viruses also develop angiopathies. Further, HIV-Tat can activate protein-tyrosine-kinase (PTK-activity) of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor involved in stimulating angiogenic processes. However, Tat by itself or HHV8-genes alone cannot induce angiogenesis in vivo unless specific proteins/enzymes are produced synchronously by different cell-types. We therefore tested a hypothesis that chronic HIV-replication in non-endothelial cells may produce novel factors that provoke angiogenic pathways.

Methods

Genome-wide proteins from HIV-infected and uninfected T-lymphocytes were tested by subtractive proteomics analyses at various stages of virus and cell growth in vitro over a period of two years. Several thousand differentially regulated proteins were identified by mass spectrometry (MS) and >200 proteins were confirmed in multiple gels. Each protein was scrutinized extensively by protein-interaction-pathways, bioinformatics, and statistical analyses.

Results

By functional categorization, 31 proteins were identified to be associated with various signaling events involved in angiogenesis. 88% proteins were located in the plasma membrane or extracellular matrix and >90% were found to be essential for regeneration, neovascularization and angiogenic processes during embryonic development.

Conclusion

Chronic HIV-infection of T-cells produces membrane receptor-PTKs, serine-threonine kinases, growth factors, adhesion molecules and many diffusible signaling proteins that have not been previously reported in HIV-infected cells. Each protein has been associated with endothelial cell-growth, morphogenesis, sprouting, microvessel-formation and other biological processes involved in angiogenesis (p = 10^-4 to 10^-12). Bioinformatics analyses suggest that overproduction of PTKs and other kinases in HIV-infected cells has suppressed VEGF/VEGFR-PTK expression and promoted VEGFR-independent pathways. This unique mechanism is similar to that observed in neovascularization and angiogenesis during embryogenesis. Validation of clinically relevant proteins by gene-silencing and translational studies in vivo would identify specific targets that can be used for early diagnosis of angiogenic disorders and future development of inhibitors of angiopathies. This is the first comprehensive study to demonstrate that HIV-infection alone, without any co-infection or treatment, can induce numerous "embryonic" proteins and kinases capable of generating novel VEGF-independent angiogenic pathways.

Proteomic analysis of differential protein expression in atherosclerosis

Although recent studies have shown that several pro-inflammatory proteins can be used as biomarkers for atherosclerosis, the mechanism of atherogenesis is unclear and little information is available regarding proteins involved in development of the disease. Atherosclerotic tissue samples were collected from patients in order to identify the proteins involved in atherogenesis. The protein expression profile of atherosclerosis patients was analysed using two-dimensional electrophoresis-based proteomics. Thirty-nine proteins were detected that were differentially expressed in the atherosclerotic aorta compared with the normal aorta. Twenty-seven of these proteins were identified in the MS-FIT database. They are involved in a number of biological processes, including calcium-mediated processes, migration of vascular smooth muscle cells, matrix metalloproteinase activation and regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Confirmation of differential protein expression was performed by Western blot analysis. Potential applications of the results include the identification and characterization of signalling pathways involved in atherogenesis, and further exploration of the role of selected identified proteins in atherosclerosis.

Endothelin-1 signalling in vascular smooth muscle: pathways controlling cellular functions associated with atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is the primary ischaemic vascular condition underlying a majority of cardiovascular disease related deaths. Endothelin-1 is a vasoactive peptide agent upregulated in atherosclerosis and in conjunction with its G protein-coupled receptors exerts diverse actions on all cells of the vasculature in particular vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). The effects of endothelin-1 include cell proliferation, migration and contraction, and the induction of extracellular matrix components and growth factors. VSMC as the major component of the neointima in atherosclerotic plaques accordingly play a key role in atherogenesis. In this review we examine classic and novel signalling pathways activated by endothelin-1 in VSMC (including phospholipase C, adenylate cyclase, Rho kinase, transactivation of receptor tyrosine kinases, mitogen activated protein kinase cascades and beta-arrestin) and their likely impact on the development and progression of atherosclerosis.

Biomphalaria glabrata transcriptome: identification of cell-signalling, transcriptional control and immune-related genes from open reading frame expressed sequence tags (ORESTES)

Biomphalaria glabrata is the major intermediate snail host for Schistosoma mansoni, one of the important schistosomes infecting man. Much remains to be discovered concerning specific molecules mediating the defence events in these intermediate hosts, triggered by invading schistosomes. An expressed sequence tag (EST) gene discovery strategy known as ORESTES has been employed to identify transcripts that might be involved in snail-schistosome interactions in order to examine gene expression patterns in infected B. glabrata. Over 3930 ESTs were sequenced from cDNA libraries made from both schistosome-exposed and unexposed snails using different tissue types, producing a database of 1843 non-redundant clones. The non-redundant set has been assessed for gene ontology and KEGG pathway assignments. This approach has revealed a number of signalling, antioxidant and immune-related gene homologues that, based on current understanding of molluscan and other comparative systems, might play an important role in the molluscan defence response towards infection.

Large Scale Identification and Quantitative Profiling of Phosphoproteins Expressed during Seed Filling in Oilseed Rape

Seed filling is a dynamic, temporally regulated phase of seed development that determines the composition of storage reserves in mature seeds. Although the metabolic pathways responsible for storage reserve synthesis such as carbohydrates, oils, and proteins are known, little is known about their regulation. Protein phosphorylation is a ubiquitous form of regulation that influences many aspects of dynamic cellular behavior in plant biology. Here a systematic study has been conducted on five sequential stages (2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 weeks after flowering) of seed development in oilseed rape (Brassica napus L. Reston) to survey the presence and dynamics of phosphoproteins. High resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis in combination with a phosphoprotein-specific Pro-Q Diamond phosphoprotein fluorescence stain revealed approximately 300 phosphoprotein spots. Of these, quantitative expression profiles for 234 high quality spots were established, and hierarchical cluster analyses revealed the occurrence of six principal expression trends during seed filling. The identity of 103 spots was determined using LC-MS/MS. The identified spots represented 70 non-redundant phosphoproteins belonging to 10 major functional categories including energy, metabolism, protein destination, and signal transduction. Furthermore phosphorylation within 16 non-redundant phosphoproteins was verified by mapping the phosphorylation sites by LC-MS/MS. Although one of these sites was postulated previously, the remaining sites have not yet been reported in plants. Phosphoprotein data were assembled into a web database. Together this study provides evidence for the presence of a large number of functionally diverse phosphoproteins, including global regulatory factors like 14-3-3 proteins, within developing B. napus seed.

Chronic alcohol exposure alters transcription broadly in a key integrative brain nucleus for homeostasis: the nucleus tractus solitarius

Chronic exposure to alcohol modifies physiological processes in the brain, and the severe symptoms resulting from sudden removal of alcohol from the diet indicate that these modifications are functionally important. We investigated the gene expression patterns in response to chronic alcohol exposure (21–28 wk) in the rat nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), a brain nucleus with a key integrative role in homeostasis and cardiorespiratory function. Using methods and an experimental design optimized for detecting transcriptional changes less than twofold, we found 575 differentially expressed genes. We tested these genes for significant associations with physiological functions and signaling pathways using Gene Ontology terms and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database, respectively. Chronic alcohol exposure resulted in significant NTS gene regulation related to the general processes of synaptic transmission, intracellular signaling, and cation transport as well as specific neuronal functions including plasticity and seizure behavior that could be related to alcohol withdrawal symptoms. The differentially expressed genes were also significantly enriched for enzymes of lipid metabolism, glucose metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, MAP kinase signaling, and calcium signaling pathways from KEGG. Intriguingly, many of the genes we found to be differentially expressed in the NTS are known to be involved in alcohol-induced oxidative stress and/or cell death. The study provides evidence of very extensive alterations of physiological gene expression in the NTS in the adapted state to chronic alcohol exposure.

Transcriptional Profiling of Pig Embryogenesis by Using a 15-K Member Unigene Set Specific for Pig Reproductive Tissues and Embryos1

Differential mRNA expression patterns were evaluated between germinal vesicle oocytes (pgvo), four-cell (p4civv), blastocyst (pblivv), and in vitro-produced four-cell (p4civp) and in vitro-produced blastocyst (pblivp) stage embryos to determine key transcripts responsible for early embryonic development in the pig. Five comparisons were made: pgvo to p4civv, p4civv to pblivv, pgvo to pblivv, p4civv to p4civp, and pblivv to pblivp. ANOVA (P < 0.05) was performed with the Benjamini and Hochberg false-discovery-rate multiple correction test on each comparison. A comparison of pgvo to p4civv, p4civv to pblivv, and pgvo to pblivv resulted in 3214, 1989, and 4528 differentially detected cDNAs, respectively. Real-time PCR analysis on seven transcripts showed an identical pattern of changes in expression as observed on the microarrays, while one transcript deviated at a single cell stage. There were 1409 and 1696 differentially detected cDNAs between the in vitro- and in vivo-produced embryos at the four-cell and blastocyst stages, respectively, without the Benjamini and Hochberg false-discovery-rate multiple correction test. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis on four genes at the four-cell stage showed an identical pattern of gene expression as found on the microarrays. Real-time PCR analysis on four of five genes at the blastocyst stage showed an identical pattern of gene expression as found on the microarrays. Thus, only 1 of the 39 comparisons of the pattern of gene expression exhibited a major deviation between the microarray and the real-time PCR. These results illustrate the complex mechanisms involved in pig early embryonic development.

Global effects of BCR/ABL and TEL/PDGFRbeta expression on the proteome and phosphoproteome: identification of the Rho pathway as a target of BCR/ABL

Many leukemic oncogenes form as a consequence of gene fusions or mutation that result in the activation or overexpression of a tyrosine kinase. To identify commonalities and differences in the action of two such kinases, breakpoint cluster region (BCR)/ABL and TEL/PDGFRbeta, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was employed to characterize their effects on the proteome. While both oncogenes affected expression of specific proteins, few common effects were observed. A number of proteins whose expression is altered by BCR/ABL, including gelsolin and stathmin, are related to cytoskeletal function whereas no such changes were seen in TEL/PDGFRbeta-transfected cells. Treatment of cells with the kinase inhibitor STI571 for 4-h reversed changes in expression of some of these cytoskeletal proteins. Correspondingly, BCR/ABL-transfected cells were less responsive to chemotactic and chemokinetic stimuli than non-transfected cells and TEL/PDGFRbeta-transfected Ba/F3 cells. Decreased motile response was reversed by a 16-h treatment with STI571. A phosphoprotein-specific gel stain was used to identify TEL/PDGFRbeta and BCR/ABL-mediated changes in the phosphoproteome. These included changes on Crkl, Ras-GAP-binding protein 1, and for BCR/ABL, cytoskeletal proteins such as tubulin, and Nedd5. Decreased phosphorylation of Rho-GTPase dissociation inhibitor (Rho GDI) was also observed in BCR/ABL-transfected cells. This results in the activation of the Rho pathway, and treatment of cells with Y27632, an inhibitor of Rho kinase, inhibited DNA synthesis in BCR/ABL-transfected Ba/F3 cells but not TEL/PDGFRbeta-expressing cells. Expression of a dominant-negative RhoA inhibited both DNA synthesis and transwell migration, demonstrating the significance of this pathway in BCR/ABL-mediated transformation.

Inducible expression of the signal transduction protein 14-3-3gamma in injured arteries and stimulated human vascular smooth muscle cells

Although the 14-3-3 family of proteins have been shown to be key signal transduction proteins involved in regulation of cellular growth and proliferation, little has been reported on their expression in pathophysiological states. We hypothesized that expression of one isoform, 14-3-3gamma, would also be increased in vascular proliferative diseases. We observed 14-3-3gamma expression induced in human coronary artery vasculopathy (CAV) as compared with coronary arteries isolated from normal and end-stage heart failure patients. 14-3-3gamma is acutely expressed in aortic medial smooth muscle cells in experimental models of arterial injury including rat cardiac allografts balloon angioplasty-injured swine coronary arteries. In each case, 14-3-3gamma protein expression is induced by 3 days and peaks at 7-10 days post-injury. Expression of this protein in cultured human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) is associated with cytokine-induced VSMC activation, rather than direct injury to the VSMC themselves, and is unique among other 14-3-3 family proteins. Potential 14-3-3gamma protein-protein interactions are also differentially regulated by cytokine stimulation. This study indicates that 14-3-3gamma expression is induced in arterial trauma by cytokines, and suggests that this protein may play an important role in progression of vascular proliferative diseases.

Differential proteome analysis of TRAP-activated platelets: involvement of DOK-2 and phosphorylation of RGS proteins

We have applied a proteomics approach to analyze signaling cascades in human platelets stimulated by thrombin receptor activating peptide (TRAP). By analyzing basal and TRAP-activated platelets using 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE), we detected 62 differentially regulated protein features. From these, 41 could be identified by liquid chromatography–coupled tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and were found to derive from 31 different genes, 8 of which had not previously been reported in platelets, including the adapter downstream of tyrosine kinase 2 (Dok-2). Further studies revealed that the change in mobility of Dok-2 was brought about by tyrosine phosphorylation. Dok-2 tyrosine phosphorylation was also found to be involved in collagen receptor, glycoprotein VI (GPVI), signaling as well as in outside-in signaling through the major platelet integrin, αIIbβ3. These studies also provided the first demonstration of posttranslational modification of 2 regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins, RGS10 and 18. Phosphorylation of RGS18 was mapped to Ser49 by MS/MS analysis. This study provides a new approach for the identification of novel signaling molecules in activated platelets, providing new insights into the mechanisms of platelet activation and building the basis for the development of therapeutic agents for thrombotic diseases.

Comparison of proteomic and genomic analyses of the human breast cancer cell line T47D and the antiestrogen-resistant derivative T47D-r

In search of novel mechanisms leading to the development of antiestrogen-resistance in human breast tumors, we analyzed differences in the gene and protein expression pattern of the human breast carcinoma cell line T47D and its derivative T47D-r, which is resistant toward the pure antiestrogen ZM 182780 (Faslodex trade mark, fulvestrant). Affymetrix DNA chip hybridizations on the commercially available HuGeneFL and Hu95A arrays were carried out in parallel to the proteomics analysis where the total cellular protein content of T47D or T47D-r was separated on two-dimensional gels. Thirty-eight proteins were found to be reproducibly up- or down-regulated more than 2-fold in T47D-r versus T47D in the proteomics analysis. Comparison with differential mRNA analysis revealed that 19 of these were up- or down-regulated in parallel with the corresponding mRNA molecules, among which are the protease cathepsin D, the GTPases Rab11a and MxA, and the secreted protein hAG-2. For 11 proteins, the corresponding mRNA was not found to be differentially expressed, and for eight proteins an inverse regulation was found at the mRNA level. In summary, mRNA expression data, when combined with proteomic information, provide a more detailed picture of how breast cancer cells are altered in their antiestrogen-resistant compared with the antiestrogen-sensitive state.

Protein kinase C-alpha and ERK1/2 mediate mitochondrial dysfunction, decreases in active Na+ transport, and cisplatin-induced apoptosis in renal cells

Initiation of apoptosis by many agents is preceded by mitochondrial dysfunction and depolarization of the mitochondrial inner membrane. Here we demonstrate that, in renal proximal tubular cells (RPTC), cisplatin induces mitochondrial dysfunction associated with hyperpolarization of the mitochondrial membrane and that these events are mediated by protein kinase C (PKC)-alpha and ERK1/2. Cisplatin induced sustained decreases in RPTC respiration, oxidative phosphorylation, and increases in the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (deltaPsi(m)), which were preceded by the inhibition of F(0)F(1)-ATPase and cytochrome c release from the mitochondria, accompanied by caspase-3 activation, and followed by RPTC apoptosis. Cisplatin also decreased active Na+ transport as a result, in part, of the inhibition of Na+/K(+)-ATPase. These changes were preceded by PKC-alpha and ERK1/2 activation. Inhibition of cisplatin-induced PKC-alpha and ERK1/2 activation using Go6976 and PD98059, respectively, abolished increases in deltaPsi(m), diminished decreases in oxidative phosphorylation, active Na+ transport, and decreased caspase-3 activation without blocking cytochrome c release. Caspase inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone (zVAD-fmk) did not prevent increases in deltaPsi(m). Furthermore, inhibition of PKC-alpha did not prevent cisplatin-induced ERK1/2 activation. We concluded that in RPTC: 1) cisplatin-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, decreases in active Na+ transport, and apoptosis are mediated by PKC-alpha and ERK1/2; 2) PKC-alpha and ERK1/2 mediate activation of caspase-3 by acting downstream of cytochrome c release from mitochondria; and 3) ERK1/2 activation by cisplatin occurs through a PKC-alpha-independent pathway.

Identification of 14-3-3zeta as a protein kinase B/Akt substrate

Protein kinase B/Akt (PKB/Akt) is a member of the ACG kinase family, which also includes protein kinase C, that phosphorylates a number of 14-3-3-binding proteins. 14-3-3 protein regulation of protein kinase C activity is modulated by 14-3-3 phosphorylation. We examined the hypothesis that PKB/Akt interacts with and phosphorylates 14-3-3zeta, leading to modulation of dimerization. By glutathione S-transferase pull-down, Akt precipitated recombinant 14-3-3zeta and endogenous 14-3-3zeta from HEK293 cell lysates. Recombinant active PKB/Akt phosphorylated recombinant 14-3-3zeta in an in vitro kinase assay. Transfection of active PKB/Akt into HEK293 cells resulted in phosphorylation of 14-3-3zeta. Based on a motif search of 14-3-3zeta, a potential PKB/Akt phosphorylation site, Ser-58, was mutated to alanine. PKB/Akt was unable to phosphorylate this mutant protein. Incubation of 14-3-3zeta with recombinant active PKB/Akt resulted in phosphorylation of 45% of the protein, as determined by a pI shift on two-dimensional electrophoresis, but 14-3-3zeta dimerization was not altered. These data indicate that PKB/Akt phosphorylates Ser-58 on 14-3-3zeta both in vitro and in intact cells. The functional relevance of this phosphorylation remains to be determined.

The Raf signal transduction cascade as a target for chemotherapeutic intervention in growth factor-responsive tumors

This review focuses on the Ras-Raf-mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signal transduction pathway and the consequences of its unregulation in the development of cancer. The roles of some of the cell membrane receptors involved in the activation of this pathway, the G-protein Ras, the Raf, MEK and ERK kinases, the phosphatases that regulate these kinases, as well as the downstream transcription factors that become activated, are discussed. The roles of the Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK pathway in the regulation of apoptosis and cell cycle progression are also analyzed. In addition, potential targets for pharmacological intervention in growth factor-responsive cells are evaluated.

Expression of allograft inflammatory factor-1 is a marker of activated human vascular smooth muscle cells and arterial injury

The cytokine-induced activation and proliferation of medial vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) leading to intimal hyperplasia is one of the most critical cellular events in the formation of transplant arteriopathy and balloon angioplasty-induced restenosis. Allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1) is a calcium-binding protein that we have previously shown to be expressed in balloon angioplasty-injured rat carotid arteries. We hypothesized that AIF-1 expression may be associated with the VSMC response to injury. In this study, we examined AIF-1 expression in immunologic and mechanical models of arterial injury. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western analysis demonstrated that AIF-1 is acutely and transiently expressed in aortic medial smooth muscle cells of rat cardiac allografts, with mRNA and protein peaking at 3 to 7 days after transplant and declining by 10 days after transplant. Immunohistochemical analysis identified abundant AIF-1 in the medial VSMCs of these vessels. Immunohistochemical analysis of balloon angioplasty-injured swine coronary arteries also demonstrates an acute AIF-1 expression detectable by 24 hours and continuing up to 14 days after the procedure. AIF-1 in these vessels also localizes to the medial VSMCs and cells of the developing neointima. AIF-1 protein is not expressed in quiescent cultured human VSMCs but is induced in cells challenged with various inflammatory cytokines, primarily by interferon-gamma, interleukin-1beta, and T-cell-conditioned media. Transfection and overexpression of AIF-1 in human VSMCs result in enhanced growth of these cells. Taken together, these data indicate that AIF-1 expression is associated with vascular trauma and suggest that this protein may play a role in VSMC activation subsequent to arterial injury.

14-3-3 isotypes facilitate coupling of protein kinase C-zeta to Raf-1: negative regulation by 14-3-3 phosphorylation

14-3-3 Proteins may function as adapters or scaffold in signal-transduction pathways. We found previously that protein kinase C-zeta (PKC-zeta) can phosphorylate and activate Raf-1 in a signalling complex [van Dijk, Hilkmann and van Blitterswijk (1997) Biochem. J. 325, 303-307]. We report now that PKC-zeta-Raf-1 interaction is mediated by 14-3-3 proteins in vitro and in vivo. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments in COS cells revealed that complex formation between PKC-zeta and Raf-1 is mediated strongly by the 14-3-3beta and -theta; isotypes, but not by 14-3-3zeta. Far-Western blotting revealed that 14-3-3 binds PKC-zeta directly at its regulatory domain, where a S186A mutation in a putative 14-3-3-binding domain strongly reduced the binding and the complex formation with 14-3-3beta and Raf-1. Treatment of PKC-zeta with lambda protein phosphatase also reduced its binding to 14-3-3beta in vitro. Preincubation of an immobilized Raf-1 construct with 14-3-3beta facilitated PKC-zeta binding. Together, the results suggest that 14-3-3 binds both PKC-zeta (at phospho-Ser-186) and Raf-1 in a ternary complex. Complex formation was much stronger with a kinase-inactive PKC-zeta mutant than with wild-type PKC-zeta, supporting the idea that kinase activity leads to complex dissociation. 14-3-3beta and -&theta; were substrates for PKC-zeta, whereas 14-3-3zeta was not. Phosphorylation of 14-3-3beta by PKC-zeta negatively regulated their physical association. 14-3-3beta with its putative PKC-zeta phosphorylation sites mutated enhanced co-precipitation between PKC-zeta and Raf-1, suggesting that phosphorylation of 14-3-3 by PKC-zeta weakens the complex in vivo. We conclude that 14-3-3 facilitates coupling of PKC-zeta to Raf-1 in an isotype-specific and phosphorylation-dependent manner. We suggest that 14-3-3 is a transient mediator of Raf-1 phosphorylation and activation by PKC-zeta.