Detection of distinct pools of the adapter protein p130CAS using a panel of monoclonal antibodies

Breast cancer antiestrogen resistance 3-p130Cas interactions promote adhesion disassembly and invasion in breast cancer cells

Adhesion turnover is critical for cell motility and invasion. We previously demonstrated that the adaptor molecule Breast Cancer Antiestrogen Resistance 3 (BCAR3) promotes adhesion disassembly and breast tumor cell invasion. One of two established binding partners of BCAR3 is the adaptor molecule, p130^Cas. In this study, we sought to determine whether signaling through the BCAR3/Cas complex was responsible for the cellular functions of BCAR3. We show that the entire pool of BCAR3 is in complex with Cas in invasive breast tumor cells and that these proteins co-localize in dynamic cellular adhesions. While accumulation of BCAR3 in adhesions did not require Cas binding, a direct interaction between BCAR3 and Cas was necessary for efficient dissociation of BCAR3 from adhesions. The dissociation rates of Cas and two other adhesion molecules, α-actinin and talin, were also significantly slower in the presence of a Cas-binding mutant of BCAR3, suggesting that turnover of the entire adhesion complex was delayed under these conditions. As was the case for adhesion turnover, BCAR3-Cas interactions were found to be important for BCAR3-mediated breast tumor cell chemotaxis toward serum and invasion in Matrigel. Previous work demonstrated that BCAR3 is a potent activator of Rac1, which in turn is an important regulator of adhesion dynamics and invasion. However, in contrast to wildtype BCAR3, ectopic expression of the Cas-binding mutant of BCAR3 failed to induce Rac1 activity in breast cancer cells. Together, these data show that the ability of BCAR3 to promote adhesion disassembly, tumor cell migration and invasion, and Rac1 activity is dependent on its ability to bind to Cas. The activity of BCAR3-Cas complexes as a functional unit in breast cancer is further supported by the co-expression of these molecules in multiple subtypes of human breast tumors.

Expression of a phosphorylated substrate domain of p130Cas promotes PyMT-induced c-Src-dependent murine breast cancer progression

Elevated expression of p130Cas (Crk-associated substrate)/BCAR1 (breast cancer antiestrogen resistance 1) in human breast tumors is a marker of poor prognosis and poor overall survival. p130Cas is a downstream target of the tyrosine kinase c-Src. Signaling mediated by p130Cas through its phosphorylated substrate domain (SD) and interaction with effector molecules directly promotes tumor progression. We previously developed a constitutively phosphorylated p130Cas SD molecule, Src*/SD (formerly referred to as Src*/CasSD), which acts as decoy molecule and attenuates the transformed phenotype in v-crk-transformed murine fibroblasts and human breast cancer cells. To test the function of this molecule in vivo, we established mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)-long terminal repeat-Src*/SD transgenic mice in which mammary gland development and tumor formation were analyzed. Transgenic expression of the Src*/SD molecule under the MMTV-long terminal repeat promoter did not interfere with normal mammary gland development or induce tumors in mice observed for up to 11 months. To evaluate the effects of the Src*/SD molecule on tumor development in vivo, we utilized the MMTV-polyoma middle T-antigen (PyMT) murine breast cancer model that depends on c-Src. PyMT mice crossed with Src*/SD mice displayed accelerated tumor formation. The earlier onset of tumors can be explained by the interaction of the Src* domain with PyMT and targeting the fused phosphorylated SD to the membrane. At membrane compartments, it might integrate membrane-associated active signaling complexes leading to increased proliferation measured by phospho-Histone H3 staining. Although these results were unexpected, they emphasize the importance of preventing the membrane association of Src*/SD when employed as decoy molecule.

Breast cancer antiestrogen resistance 3 (BCAR3) promotes cell motility by regulating actin cytoskeletal and adhesion remodeling in invasive breast cancer cells

Metastatic breast cancer is incurable. In order to improve patient survival, it is critical to develop a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate metastasis and the underlying process of cell motility. Here, we focus on the role of the adaptor molecule Breast Cancer Antiestrogen Resistance 3 (BCAR3) in cellular processes that contribute to cell motility, including protrusion, adhesion remodeling, and contractility. Previous work from our group showed that elevated BCAR3 protein levels enhance cell migration, while depletion of BCAR3 reduces the migratory and invasive capacities of breast cancer cells. In the current study, we show that BCAR3 is necessary for membrane protrusiveness, Rac1 activity, and adhesion disassembly in invasive breast cancer cells. We further demonstrate that, in the absence of BCAR3, RhoA-dependent signaling pathways appear to predominate, as evidenced by an increase in RhoA activity, ROCK-mediated phosphorylation of myosin light chain II, and large ROCK/mDia1-dependent focal adhesions. Taken together, these data establish that BCAR3 functions as a positive regulator of cytoskeletal remodeling and adhesion turnover in invasive breast cancer cells through its ability to influence the balance between Rac1 and RhoA signaling. Considering that BCAR3 protein levels are elevated in advanced breast cancer cell lines and enhance breast cancer cell motility, we propose that BCAR3 functions in the transition to advanced disease by triggering intracellular signaling events that are essential to the metastatic process.

BCAR3 regulates Src/p130 Cas association, Src kinase activity, and breast cancer adhesion signaling

The nonreceptor protein-tyrosine kinase c-Src is frequently overexpressed and/or activated in a variety of cancers, including those of the breast. Several heterologous binding partners of c-Src have been shown to regulate its catalytic activity by relieving intramolecular autoinhibitory interactions. One such protein, p130(Cas) (Cas), is expressed at high levels in both breast cancer cell lines and breast tumors, providing a potential mechanism for c-Src activation in breast cancers. The Cas-binding protein BCAR3 (breast cancer antiestrogen resistance-3) is expressed at high levels in invasive breast cancer cell lines, and this molecule has previously been shown to coordinate with Cas to increase c-Src activity in COS-1 cells. In this study, we show for the first time using gain- and loss-of-function approaches that BCAR3 regulates c-Src activity in the endogenous setting of breast cancer cells. We further show that BCAR3 regulates the interaction between Cas and c-Src, both qualitatively as well as quantitatively. Finally, we present evidence that the coordinated activity of these proteins contributes to breast cancer cell adhesion signaling and spreading. Based on these data, we propose that the c-Src/Cas/BCAR3 signaling axis is a prominent regulator of c-Src activity, which in turn controls cell behaviors that lead to aggressive and invasive breast tumor phenotypes.

Breast cancer antiestrogen resistance-3 expression regulates breast cancer cell migration through promotion of p130Cas membrane localization and membrane ruffling

Antiestrogens such as tamoxifen are widely used in the clinic to treat estrogen receptor-positive breast tumors. Resistance to tamoxifen can occur either de novo or develop over time in a large proportion of these tumors. Additionally, resistance is associated with enhanced motility and invasiveness in vitro. One molecule that has been implicated in tamoxifen resistance, breast cancer antiestrogen resistance-3 (BCAR3), has also been shown to regulate migration of fibroblasts. In this study, we investigated the role of BCAR3 in breast cancer cell migration and invasion. We found that BCAR3 was highly expressed in multiple breast cancer cell lines, where it associated with another protein, p130(Cas) (also known as breast cancer antiestrogen resistance-1; BCAR1), that plays a role in both tamoxifen resistance and cell motility. In cells with relatively low migratory potential, BCAR3 overexpression resulted in enhanced migration and colocalization with p130(Cas) at the cell membrane. Conversely, BCAR3 depletion from more aggressive breast cancer cell lines inhibited migration and invasion. This coincided with a relocalization of p130(Cas) away from the cell membrane and an attenuated response to epidermal growth factor stimulation that was characterized by a loss of membrane ruffles, decreased migration toward EGF, and disruption of p130(Cas)/Crk complexes. Based on these data, we propose that the spatial and temporal regulation of BCAR3/p130(Cas) interactions within the cell is important for controlling breast cancer cell motility.

HEI10 negatively regulates cell invasion by inhibiting cyclin B/Cdk1 and other promotility proteins

Human enhancer of invasion, clone 10 (HEI10) (CCNB1IP1) was first described as a RING-finger family ubiquitin ligase that regulates cell cycle by interacting with cyclin B and promoting its degradation. Subsequently, other studies suggested specific upregulation of HEI10 in metastatic melanoma and demonstrated direct interaction between HEI10 and the tumor suppressor Merlin, encoded by the neurofibromatosis 2 gene. These and other results led us to hypothesize that HEI10 also influences the processes of cell migration and metastasis. We here show that cells with depleted HEI10 both migrate more rapidly and invade more effectively than control cells. HEI10 depletion post-transcriptionally increases the expression of a group of promotility regulatory proteins including p130Cas, paxillin, Cdk1 and cyclin B2, but excluding Merlin. Among these, only inhibition of Cdk1/cyclin B activity specifically reversed the motility and invasion of HEI10-depleted cells. Finally, HEI10 is abundantly transcribed in many human tissues, and particularly abundant in some tumor cell lines, suggesting that it may be commonly involved in coordinating cell cycle with cell migration and invasion.

Requirement of Nck adaptors for actin dynamics and cell migration stimulated by platelet-derived growth factor B

The Nck family of Src homology (SH) 2/SH3 domain adaptors functions to link tyrosine phosphorylation induced by extracellular signals with downstream regulators of actin dynamics. We investigated the role of mammalian Nck adaptors in signaling from the activated platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor (PDGFbetaR) to the actin cytoskeleton. We report here that Nck adaptors are required for cytoskeletal reorganization and chemotaxis stimulated by PDGF-B. Analysis of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins demonstrated that Crk-associated substrate (p130(Cas)), not the activated PDGFbetaR itself, is the major Nck SH2 domain-binding protein in PDGF-B-stimulated cells. Both Nck- and p130(Cas)-deficient cells fail to display cytoskeletal rearrangements, including the formation of membrane ruffles and the disassembly of actin bundles, typically shown by their WT counterparts in response to PDGF-B. Furthermore, Nck and p130(Cas) colocalize in phosphotyrosine-enriched membrane ruffles induced by PDGF-B in NIH 3T3 cells. These results suggest that Nck adaptors play an essential role in linking the activated PDGFbetaR with actin dynamics through a pathway that involves p130(Cas).

Distinct mechanisms of integrin binding by Yersinia pseudotuberculosis adhesins determine the phagocytic response of host macrophages

The enteropathogenic yersiniae express two outer membrane adhesins, invasin and YadA, that contribute to pathogenesis. While invasin binds directly to beta1 integrin receptors with high affinity, YadA binds indirectly through extracellular matrix (ECM) components. In this study, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis inv and yadA mutants were used to investigate how these distinct binding mechanisms compare and potentially compete in activating signalling pathways and promoting bacterial uptake by host macrophages. The efficiency of adhesin-mediated phagocytic responses was found to be dependent on the relative expression of invasin and YadA on the bacterial surface as well as the expression of ECM proteins in the extracellular milieu. Under conditions of low concentrations of ECM, invasin was found to be the dominant adhesin, promoting high levels of phagocytosis coincident with robust and sustained activation of the protein tyrosine kinases Fak and Pyk2, phosphorylation of the adaptor molecule Cas and activation of the small GTPase Rac1. In the presence of higher concentrations of ECM, YadA became the dominant functional adhesin through its ability to engage integrin receptors via an ECM bridge. We propose a model whereby invasin promotes robust and prolonged activation of phagocytic signalling cascades by inducing a 'high-affinity' integrin conformation as well as integrin clustering. We postulate that YadA-ECM promotes phagocytosis through a more transient activation of signalling cascades that arises from integrin clustering in the context of a cross-linked fibrillar ECM network.

p130Cas interacts with estrogen receptor α and modulates non-genomic estrogen signaling in breast cancer cells

Steroid hormones bind to their receptors and trans-activate target genes. Rapid non-genomic action of steroid hormones has been proposed in addition to the one at the genomic level. Estrogen has been described to activate c-Src kinase and this activation has been shown to be responsible for estrogen-dependent mitogenicity. A major substrate of c-Src kinase activity is the cytoskeletal protein p130Cas, originally identified in v-Src-transformed cells. We show that in the human breast carcinoma T47D cells, upon estrogen treatment, p130Cas rapidly and transiently associates with the estrogen receptor α in a multi-molecular complex containing the c-Src kinase and the p85 subunit of PI 3-kinase. Association of p130Cas with the estrogen receptor α occurs within 3 minutes of estrogen treatment and is dependent on c-Src kinase activation. Transient overexpression of p130Cas in T47D cells increases estrogen-dependent Src kinase and Erk1/2 MAPKs activities and accelerates their kinetics of stimulation. A similar effect was detected on estrogen-dependent cyclin D1 expression, suggesting a role for p130Cas in regulating estrogen-dependent cell cycle progression. Double-stranded small RNA interference (siRNA) by silencing endogenous p130Cas protein, was sufficient to inhibit estrogen-dependent Erk1/2 MAPKs activity and cyclin D1 induction, demonstrating the requirement of p130Cas in such events. Therefore, our data show that the adaptor protein p130Cas associates with the estrogen receptor transducing complex, regulating estrogen-dependent activation of c-Src kinase and downstream signaling pathways.

An endogenous inhibitor of focal adhesion kinase blocks Rac1/JNK but not Ras/ERK-dependent signaling in vascular smooth muscle cells

Humoral factors and extracellular matrix are critical co-regulators of smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration and proliferation. We reported previously that focal adhesion kinase (FAK)-related non-kinase (FRNK) is expressed selectively in SMC and can inhibit platelet-derived growth factor BB homodimer (PDGF-BB)-induced proliferation and migration of SMC by attenuating FAK activity. The goal of the current studies was to identify the mechanism by which FAK/FRNK regulates SMC growth and migration in response to diverse mitogenic signals. Transient overexpression of FRNK in SMC attenuated autophosphorylation of FAK at Tyr-397, reduced Src family-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK at Tyr-576, Tyr-577, and Tyr-881, and reduced phosphorylation of the FAK/Src substrates Cas and paxillin. However, FRNK expression did not alter the magnitude or dynamics of ERK activation induced by PDGF-BB or angiotensin II. Instead, FRNK expression markedly attenuated PDGF-BB-, angiotensin II-, and integrin-stimulated Rac1 activity and attenuates downstream signaling to JNK. Importantly, constitutively active Rac1 rescued the proliferation defects in FRNK expressing cells. Based on these observations, we hypothesize that FAK activation is required to integrate integrin signals with those from receptor tyrosine kinases and G protein-coupled receptors through downstream activation of Rac1 and that in SMC, FRNK may control proliferation and migration by buffering FAK-dependent Rac1 activation.

Synergistic promotion of c-Src activation and cell migration by Cas and AND-34/BCAR3

The adapter molecule p130Cas (Cas) plays a role in cellular processes such as proliferation, survival, cell adhesion, and migration. The ability of Cas to promote migration has been shown to be dependent upon its carboxyl terminus, which contains a bipartite binding site for the protein tyrosine kinase c-Src (Src). The association between Src and Cas enhances Src kinase activity, and like Cas, Src plays an important role in cell proliferation and migration. In this study, we show that Src and Cas function cooperatively to promote cell migration in a manner that depends upon kinase-active Src. Another carboxyl-terminal binding partner of Cas, AND-34/BCAR3 (AND-34), functions synergistically with Cas to enhance Src activation and cell migration. The carboxyl-terminal guanine nucleotide exchange factor domain of AND-34, as well as the activity of its putative target Rap1, contribute to these events. A mechanism through which AND-34 may regulate Cas-dependent cell migration is suggested by the finding that Cas becomes redistributed from focal adhesions to lamellipodia located at the leading edge of AND-34 overexpressing cells. These data thus provide insight into how Cas and AND-34 may function together to stimulate Src signaling pathways and promote cell migration.

Cas, Fak and Pyk2 function in diverse signaling cascades to promote Yersinia uptake

The interplay between pathogen-encoded virulence factors and host cell signaling networks is critical for both the establishment and clearance of microbial infections. Yersinia uptake into host cells serves as an in vitro model for exploring how host cells respond to Yersinia adherence. In this study, we provide insight into the molecular nature and regulation of signaling networks that contribute to the uptake process. Using a reconstitution approach in Fak-/- fibroblasts, we have been able to specifically address the interplay between Fak, Cas and Pyk2 in this process. We show that both Fak and Cas play roles in the Yersinia uptake process and that Cas can function in a novel pathway that is independent of Fak. Fak-dependent Yersinia uptake does not appear to involve Cas-Crk signaling. By contrast, Cas-mediated uptake in the absence of Fak requires Crk as well as the protein tyrosine kinases Pyk2 and Src. In spite of these differences, the requirement for Rac1 activity is a common feature of both pathways. Furthermore, blocking the function of either Fak or Cas induces similar morphological defects in Yersinia internalization, which are manifested by incomplete membrane protrusive activity that is consistent with an inhibition of Rac1 activity. Pyk2 also functions in Yersinia uptake by macrophages, which are physiologically important for clearing Yersinia infections. Taken together, these data provide new insight into the host cellular signaling networks that are initiated upon infection with Y. pseudotuberculosis. Importantly, these findings also contribute to a better understanding of other cellular processes that involve actin remodeling, including the host response to other microbial pathogens, cell adhesion and migration.

Mechanisms of CAS substrate domain tyrosine phosphorylation by FAK and Src

Tyrosine phosphorylation of CAS (Crk-associated substrate, p130(Cas)) has been implicated as a key signaling step in integrin control of normal cellular behaviors, including motility, proliferation, and survival. Aberrant CAS tyrosine phosphorylation may contribute to cell transformation by certain oncoproteins, including v-Crk and v-Src, and to tumor growth and metastasis. The CAS substrate domain (SD) contains 15 Tyr-X-X-Pro motifs, which are thought to represent the major tyrosine phosphorylation sites and to function by recruiting downstream signaling effectors, including c-Crk and Nck. CAS makes multiple interactions, direct and indirect, with the tyrosine kinases Src and focal adhesion kinase (FAK), and as a result of this complexity, several plausible models have been proposed for the mechanism of CAS-SD phosphorylation. The objective of this study was to provide experimental tests of these models in order to determine the most likely mechanism(s) of CAS-SD tyrosine phosphorylation by FAK and Src. In vitro kinase assays indicated that FAK has a very poor capacity to phosphorylate CAS-SD, relative to Src. However, FAK expression along with Src was found to be important for achieving high levels of CAS tyrosine phosphorylation in COS-7 cells, as well as recovery of CAS-associated Src activity toward the SD. Structure-functional studies for both FAK and CAS further indicated that FAK plays a major role in regulating CAS-SD phosphorylation by acting as a docking or scaffolding protein to recruit Src to phosphorylate CAS, while a secondary FAK-independent mechanism involves Src directly bound to the CAS Src-binding domain (SBD). Our results do not support models in which FAK either phosphorylates CAS-SD directly or phosphorylates CAS-SBD to promote Src binding to this site.

PKC-dependent activation of FAK and src induces tyrosine phosphorylation of Cas and formation of Cas-Crk complexes

SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells are a well-characterized model for studying the induction of neuronal differentiation. TPA treatment of these cells induces cytoskeletal rearrangements that ultimately result in neurite extension. However, the signaling pathways that precede these changes are poorly understood. Other investigators have shown that TPA treatment of SH-SY5Y cells results in increased tyrosine phosphorylation of cytoskeletal-associated proteins, including the adapter protein Cas. In this report, we examine the events upstream and downstream of Cas phosphorylation. We show that TPA treatment induces the PKC-dependent association of tyrosine-phosphorylated Cas with Crk. The activity of two protein tyrosine kinases, Src and FAK, was shown to be necessary and sufficient for TPA-induced Cas phosphorylation. We propose that the PKC-dependent phosphorylation of Cas by Src and FAK promotes the establishment of Cas-Crk complexes and that these interactions may play an important role in regulating the actin cytoskeleton during neuronal differentiation.

Identification of two focal adhesion targeting sequences in the adapter molecule p130(Cas)

The adapter molecule CAS is localized primarily within focal adhesions in fibroblasts. Because many of the cellular functions attributed to CAS are likely to be dependent on its presence in focal adhesions, this study was undertaken to identify regions of the protein that are involved in its localization. The SH3 domain of CAS, when expressed in isolation from the rest of the protein, was able to target to focal adhesions, whereas a variant containing a point mutation that rendered the SH3 domain unable to associate with FAK remained cytoplasmic. However, in the context of full-length CAS, this mutation did not prevent CAS localization to focal adhesions. Two other variants of CAS that contained deletions of either the SH3 domain alone, or the SH3 domain together with an adjoining proline-rich region, also retained the capacity to localize to focal adhesions. A second focal adhesion targeting region was mapped to the extreme carboxy terminus of CAS. The identification of this second focal adhesion targeting domain in CAS ascribes a previously unknown function to the highly conserved C terminus of CAS. The regulated targeting of CAS to focal adhesions by two independent domains may reflect the important role of CAS within this subcellular compartment.

CAS/Crk signalling mediates uptake of Yersinia into human epithelial cells

Uptake of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis into mammalian cells involves engagement of beta1 integrin receptors by the bacterial protein invasin. This triggers a host response that involves tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins and the induction of actin rearrangements that lead to cellular uptake of bacteria. In this report, we show that the focal adhesion protein CAS plays an important role in Yersinia uptake, and that its function is linked to the phosphorylation-dependent interaction between CAS and Crk. These studies demonstrate that Yersinia binding to host cell receptors initiates a cascade of events involving tyrosine phosphorylation of CAS, subsequent formation of functional CAS-Crk complexes and the activity of the small GTP-binding protein Rac1. The delineation of this pathway lends support for a model in which Yersinia uptake into human epithelial cells is dependent upon aspects of host signalling pathways that govern actin cytoskeleton remodelling and cell migration.

BCAR1/p130Cas expression in untreated and acquired tamoxifen-resistant human breast carcinomas

High BCAR1/p130Cas expression in primary breast tumour cytosol predicts a poor chance of response recurrent disease to tamoxifen treatment in patients with oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast carcinomas. In this study, we assessed whether BCAR1/p130Cas expression is altered during acquisition of anti-oestrogen resistance. BCAR1/p130Cas protein was quantitatively measured by chemiluminescent Western blot analysis in the cytosol of 34 predominantly ER(+) carcinomas that initially responded to primary tamoxifen treatment and subsequently progressed (n = 22 ) or developed during adjuvant tamoxifen treatment (n = 12) and compared to 54 untreated ER(+) human breast carcinomas. We did not detect significant differences in the level of BCAR1/p130Cas protein in untreated and acquired tamoxifen-resistant carcinomas. Our results indicate that in tumour progression towards tamoxifen resistance, increase of BCAR1/p130Cas may be only one of the molecular mechanisms. Thus, high BCAR1/p130Cas protein levels appear to be a hallmark for intrinsic resistance to tamoxifen in breast carcinomas.

Regulation of c-SRC activity and function by the adapter protein CAS

SRC family kinases play essential roles in a variety of cellular functions, including proliferation, survival, differentiation, and apoptosis. The activities of these kinases are regulated by intramolecular interactions and by heterologous binding partners that modulate the transition between active and inactive structural conformations. p130(CAS) (CAS) binds directly to both the SH2 and SH3 domains of c-SRC and therefore has the potential to structurally alter and activate this kinase. In this report, we demonstrate that overexpression of full-length CAS in COS-1 cells induces c-SRC-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple endogenous cellular proteins. A carboxy-terminal fragment of CAS (CAS-CT), which contains the c-SRC binding site, was sufficient to induce c-SRC-dependent protein tyrosine kinase activity, as measured by tyrosine phosphorylation of cortactin, paxillin, and, to a lesser extent, focal adhesion kinase. A single amino acid substitution located in the binding site for the SRC SH3 domain of CAS-CT disrupted CAS-CT's interaction with c-SRC and inhibited its ability to induce tyrosine phosphorylation of cortactin and paxillin. Murine C3H10T1/2 fibroblasts that expressed elevated levels of tyrosine phosphorylated CAS and c-SRC-CAS complexes exhibited an enhanced ability to form colonies in soft agar and to proliferate in the absence of serum or growth factors. CAS-CT fully substituted for CAS in mediating growth in soft agar but was less effective in promoting serum-independent growth. These data suggest that CAS plays an important role in regulating specific signaling pathways governing cell growth and/or survival, in part through its ability to interact with and modulate the activity of c-SRC.

The cytoplasmic tyrosines of integrin subunit beta1 are involved in focal adhesion kinase activation

We have previously shown that mutation of the two tyrosines in the cytoplasmic domain of integrin subunit beta1 (Y783 and Y795) to phenylalanines markedly reduces the capability of beta1A integrins to mediate directed cell migration. In this study, beta1-dependent cell spreading was found to be delayed in GD25 cells expressing beta1A(Y783/795F) compared to that in wild-type GD25-beta1A. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) tyrosine phosphorylation and activation were severely impaired in response to beta1-dependent adhesion in GD25-beta1A(Y783/795F) cells compared to that in wild-type GD25-beta1A or mutants in which only a single tyrosine was altered (beta1A(Y783F) or beta1A(Y795F)). Phosphorylation site-specific antibodies selective for FAK phosphotyrosine 397 indicated that the defect in FAK phosphorylation via beta1A(Y783/795F) lies at the level of the initial autophosphorylation step. Indeed, beta1A-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of tensin and paxillin was lost in the beta1A(Y783/795F) cells, consistent with the impairment in FAK activation. In contrast, p130(CAS) overall tyrosine phosphorylation was unaffected by the beta1 mutations. Despite the defect in beta1-mediated FAK activation, FAK was still localized to focal adhesions. Taken together, the phenotype of the GD25-beta1A(Y783/795F) cells resembles, but is distinct from, the phenotype observed in FAK-null cells. These observations argue that tyrosines 783 and 795 within the cytoplasmic tail of integrin subunit beta1A are critical mediators of FAK activation and cell spreading in GD25 cells.

A role for focal adhesion kinase in phenylephrine-induced hypertrophy of rat ventricular cardiomyocytes

A variety of agonists including phenylephrine (PE) induce hypertrophy in neonatal ventricular cardiomyocytes. Here we report that signals provided by extracellular matrix proteins (ECM) augment the PE-induced hypertrophic response of cardiomyocytes and provide evidence that ECM-dependent signaling is mediated in part by the protein tyrosine kinase, focal adhesion kinase (FAK). Addition of PE to cultured neonatal cardiomyocytes stimulated sarcomeric organization, increased cell size, and induced atrial natriuretic factor in cardiomyocytes plated on the ECM protein laminin or fibronectin. In contrast, cardiomyocytes plated on the non-adhesive substrate gelatin exhibited a reduced capacity to undergo these PE-stimulated hypertrophic changes. In cardiomyocytes cultured on ECM, PE stimulated a rapid increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion proteins including FAK, paxillin, and p130 Crk-associated substrate and subsequent formation of peripheral focal complexes. Inhibition of the PE-induced hypertrophic response by genistein and herbimycin-A indicated a requirement for protein tyrosine kinases in PE signaling. To determine whether activation of FAK is required for PE-induced hypertrophy, a dominant-interfering mutant form of FAK, termed FRNK (FAK-related non-kinase), was ectopically expressed in cardiomyocytes using a replication-defective adenovirus expression system. FRNK expression attenuated PE-stimulated hypertrophy as assessed by cell size, sarcomeric organization, and induction of atrial natriuretic factor. These data indicate that the signal transduction pathways leading to cardiomyocyte hypertrophy are strongly influenced by and/or dependent upon an integrin-mediated signaling process requiring FAK.

Crk-associated substrate p130(Cas) interacts with nephrocystin and both proteins localize to cell-cell contacts of polarized epithelial cells

Crk-associated substrate (p130(Cas), Cas) is a docking protein first recognized as having elevated phosphotyrosine content in mammalian cells transformed by v-Src and v-Crk oncoproteins. Subsequent studies have implicated Cas in the control of normal cell behavior through its roles in integrin-mediated signal transduction and organization of the actin cytoskeleton at sites of cell adhesion. In this study, we sought to gain new insight into normal Cas function by identifying previously unrecognized interacting proteins. A yeast two-hybrid screen using the C-terminal region of Cas as a bait identified the Src homology 3 (SH3) domain of the mouse "nephrocystin" protein-orthologous to a human protein whose loss of function leads to the cystic kidney disease familial juvenile nephronophthisis. The putative full-length mouse and partial canine nephrocystin sequences were deduced from cDNA clones. Additional studies using epitope-tagged mouse nephrocystin indicated that nephrocystin and Cas can interact in mammalian cells and revealed that both proteins prominently localize at or near sites of cell-cell contact in polarized Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial cells. Our findings provide novel insight into the normal cellular activities regulated by both Cas and nephrocystin, and raise the possibility that these proteins have a related function in polarized epithelial cells.

The role of SRC-CAS interactions in cellular transformation: ectopic expression of the carboxy terminus of CAS inhibits SRC-CAS interaction but has no effect on cellular transformation

Several lines of evidence indicate that the adapter molecule p130CAS (crk-associated substrate (CAS)) is required for src-mediated cellular transformation. CAS has been shown to be heavily tyrosine-phosphorylated in src-transformed cells, and genetic variants of src that are deficient in CAS binding are also unable to mediate cellular transformation. In this report, we investigated whether CAS phosphorylation and/or its association with src are required elements of the transformation process. Expression of the carboxy-terminal src binding domain of CAS in Rat 1 fibroblasts expressing a temperature-sensitive allele of v-src inhibited the formation of src-CAS complexes and also inhibited tyrosine phosphorylation of CAS. However, expression of this protein had no effect on morphological transformation, src-mediated actin rearrangements, or anchorage-independent growth of these cells when grown at the src-permissive temperature. Thus, the ability of activated src to mediate cellular transformation is either largely independent of endogenous CAS phosphorylation and/or its association with CAS or, alternatively, the carboxy-terminus of CAS may substitute for endogenous CAS in the process of src-mediated transformation.

Regulation of fibroblast motility by the protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP-PEST

The protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP-PEST is a cytosolic enzyme that displays a remarkable degree of selectivity for tyrosine-phosphorylated p130(Cas) as a substrate, both in vitro and in intact cells. We have investigated the physiological role of PTP-PEST using Rat1 fibroblast-derived stable cell lines that we have engineered to overexpress PTP-PEST. These cell lines exhibit normal levels of tyrosine phosphorylation of the majority of proteins but have significantly lower levels of tyrosine phosphorylation of p130(Cas) than control cells. Initial cellular events occurring following integrin-mediated attachment to fibronectin (cell attachment and spreading) are essentially unchanged in cells overexpressing PTP-PEST; similarly, the extent and time course of mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in response to integrin engagement is unchanged. In contrast, the reduced phosphorylation state of p130(Cas) is associated with a considerably reduced rate of cell migration and a failure of cells overexpressing PTP-PEST to accomplish the normally observed redistribution of p130(Cas) to the leading edge of migrating cells. Furthermore, cells overexpressing PTP-PEST demonstrate significantly reduced levels of association of p130(Cas) with the Crk adaptor protein. Our results suggest that one physiological role of PTP-PEST is to dephosphorylate p130(Cas), thereby controlling tyrosine phosphorylation-dependent signaling events downstream of p130(Cas) and regulating cell migration.

Polarized distribution of Bcr-Abl in migrating myeloid cells and co-localization of Bcr-Abl and its target proteins

Bcr-Abl plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of Philadelphia chromosome-positive leukemia. Although a large number of substrates and interacting proteins of Bcr-Abl have been identified, it remains unclear whether Bcr-Abl assembles multi-protein complexes and if it does where these complexes are within cells. We have investigated the localization of Bcr-Abl in 32D myeloid cells attached to the extracellular matrix. We have found that Bcr-Abl displays a polarized distribution, colocalizing with a subset of filamentous actin at trailing portions of migrating 32D cells, and localizes on the cortical F-actin and on vesicle-like structures in resting 32D cells. Deletion of the actin binding domain of Bcr-Abl (Bcr-AbI-AD) dramatically enhances the localization of Bcr-Abl on the vesicle-like structures. These distinct localization patterns of Bcr-Abl and Bcr-Abl-AD enabled us to examine the localization of Bcr-Abl substrate and interacting proteins in relation to Bcr-Abl. We found that a subset of biochemically defined target proteins of Bcr-Abl redistributed and co-localized with Bcr-Abl on F-actin and on vesicle-like structures. The co-localization of signaling proteins with Bcr-Abl at its sites of localization supports the idea that Bcr-Abl forms a multi-protein signaling complex, while the polarized distribution and vesicle-like localization of Bcr-Abl may play a role in leukemogenesis.