Involvement of growth factor receptor-bound protein-2 in rat hepatocyte growth

Negative regulation of receptor tyrosine kinases by ubiquitination: Key roles of the Cbl family of E3 ubiquitin ligases

Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) serve as transmembrane receptors that participate in a broad spectrum of cellular processes including cellular growth, motility, differentiation, proliferation, and metabolism. Hence, elucidating the regulatory mechanisms of RTKs involved in an assortment of diseases such as cancers attracts increasing interest from researchers. Members of the Cbl family ubiquitin ligases (c-Cbl, Cbl-b and Cbl-c in mammals) have emerged as negative regulators of activated RTKs. Upon activation of RTKs by growth factors, Cbl binds to RTKs via its tyrosine kinase binding (TKB) domain and targets them for ubiquitination, thus facilitating their degradation and negative regulation of RTK signaling. RTKs such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGF), fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) and hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGFR) undergo ubiquitination upon interaction with Cbl family members. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge related to the negative regulation of RTKs by Cbl family proteins.

Hepatocyte growth factor ameliorates hyperglycemia and corrects β-cell mass in IRS2-deficient mice

Insulin resistance, when combined with decreased β-cell mass and relative insufficient insulin secretion, leads to type 2 diabetes. Mice lacking the IRS2 gene (IRS2(-/-) mice) develop diabetes due to uncompensated insulin resistance and β-cell failure. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) activates the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway in β-cells without recruitment of IRS1 or IRS2 and increases β-cell proliferation, survival, mass, and function when overexpressed in β-cells of transgenic (TG) mice. We therefore hypothesized that HGF may protect against β-cell failure in IRS2 deficiency. For that purpose, we cross-bred TG mice overexpressing HGF in β-cells with IRS2 knockout (KO) mice. Glucose homeostasis analysis revealed significantly reduced hyperglycemia, compensatory hyperinsulinemia, and improved glucose tolerance in TG/KO mice compared with those in KO mice in the context of similar insulin resistance. HGF overexpression also increased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in IRS2(-/-) islets. To determine whether this glucose homeostasis improvement correlated with alterations in β-cells, we measured β-cell mass, proliferation, and death in these mice. β-Cell proliferation was increased and death was decreased in TG/KO mice compared with those in KO mice. As a result, β-cell mass was significantly increased in TG/KO mice compared with that in KO mice, reaching levels similar to those in wild-type mice. Analysis of the intracellular targets involved in β-cell failure in IRS2 deficiency showed Pdx-1 up-regulation, Akt/FoxO1 phosphorylation, and p27 down-regulation in TG/KO mouse islets. Taken together, these results indicate that HGF can compensate for IRS2 deficiency and subsequent insulin resistance by normalizing β-cell mass and increasing circulating insulin. HGF may be of value as a therapeutic agent against β-cell failure.

Delphinidin inhibits cell proliferation and invasion via modulation of Met receptor phosphorylation

The HGF/Met signaling pathway is deregulated in majority of cancers and is associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer. Delphinidin, present in pigmented fruits and vegetables possesses potent anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic properties. Here, we assessed the anti-proliferative and anti-invasive effects of delphinidin on HGF-mediated responses in the immortalized MCF-10A breast cell line. Treatment of cells with delphinidin prior to exposure to exogenous HGF resulted in the inhibition of HGF-mediated (i) tyrosyl-phosphorylation and increased expression of Met receptor, (ii) phosphorylation of downstream regulators such as FAK and Src and (iii) induction of adaptor proteins including paxillin, Gab-1 and GRB-2. In addition, delphinidin treatment resulted in significant inhibition of HGF-activated (i) Ras-ERK MAPKs and (ii) PI3K/AKT/mTOR/p70S6K pathways. Delphinidin was found to repress HGF-activated NFkappaB transcription with a decrease in (i) phosphorylation of IKKalpha/beta and IkappaBalpha, and (ii) activation and nuclear translocation of NFkappaB/p65. Inhibition of HGF-mediated membrane translocation of PKCalpha as well as decreased phosphorylation of STAT3 was further observed in delphinidin treated cells. Finally, decreased cell viability of Met receptor expressing breast cancer cells treated with delphinidin argues for a potential role of the agent in the prevention of HGF-mediated activation of various signaling pathways implicated in breast cancer.

Tyrosine residues 654 and 670 in beta-catenin are crucial in regulation of Met-beta-catenin interactions

beta-Catenin, a key component of the canonical Wnt pathway, is also regulated by tyrosine phosphorylation that regulates its association to E-cadherin. Previously, we reported its association with the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor Met at the membrane. HGF induced Met-beta-catenin dissociation and nuclear translocation of beta-catenin, which was tyrosine-phosphorylation-dependent. Here, we further investigate the Met-beta-catenin interaction by selectively mutating several tyrosine residues, alone or in combination, in beta-catenin. The mutants were subcloned into FLAG-CMV vector and stably transfected into rat hepatoma cells, which were treated with HGF. All single or double-mutant-transfected cells continued to show HGF-induced nuclear translocation of FLAG-beta-catenin except the mutations affecting 654 and 670 simultaneously (Y654/670F), which coincided with the lack of formation of beta-catenin-TCF complex and DNA synthesis, in response to the HGF treatment. In addition, the Y654/670F-transfected cells also showed no phosphorylation of beta-catenin or dissociation from Met in response to HGF. Thus, intact 654 and 670 tyrosine residues in beta-catenin are crucial in HGF-mediated beta-catenin translocation, activation and mitogenesis.

Effect of serotonin receptor 2 blockage on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in the rat liver

The effect of serotonin receptor 2 blockade (5-HT(2)) on liver regeneration after 30-34% and 60-70% partial hepatectomy in the rat liver was investigated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Male Wistar rats were subjected to 60-70% (group I) and 30-34% (group II) partial hepatectomy. Serotonin receptor 2 blockade was exerted by intraperitoneal administration of ketanserin at different doses and time points after partial hepatectomy. The rats of all groups were killed at different time points until 96 h after partial hepatectomy. The rate of liver regeneration was evaluated by the mitotic index in hematoxylin and eosin sections, the immunochemical detection of Ki67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigens, the rate of [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation into hepatic DNA and liver thymidine kinase enzymatic activity.

RESULTS

Liver regeneration peaked at 24 and 32 h after partial hepatectomy in 60-70% hepatectomized rats. In 30-34% hepatectomized rats liver regeneration peaked at 60 h, whereas low rates of regenerative activity were observed between 24 and 72 h after partial hepatectomy. Ketanserin administration arrested liver regeneration only when administered at 16 h after 60-70% partial hepatectomy. Ketanserin also abrogated the observed peak of regenerative activity at 60 h in 30-34% hepatectomized rats when administered at 52 h after partial hepatectomy. All indices of liver regeneration were affected by ketanserin administration.

CONCLUSIONS

Serotonin receptor 2 blockade can arrest liver regeneration only when administered close to G1/S transition point, and that while serotonin may be a cofactor for DNA synthesis, it does not play a role in initiation of liver regeneration.

The hepatoprotective effect of hepatic stimulator substance (HSS) against liver regeneration arrest induced by acute ethanol intoxication

Male Wistar rats were randomized to receive ethanol (2.5 ml/kg by gastric intubation every 8 hr; group I), equal volumes of isocaloric to ethanol sucrose solution (group II), or ethanol and HSS (100 mg/kg intraperitoneally 10 and 16 hr after partial hepatectomy; groups III and IV, respectively) for up to 96 hr after partial hepatectomy, with ethanol administration starting 1 hr prior to partial hepatectomy. Animals were killed at 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48, 60, and 96 hr after partial hepatectomy. The rate of liver regeneration was evaluated by the mitotic index in H&E-stained sections, immunochemical detection of Ki67 nuclear antigen, rate of [3H]thymidine incorporation into hepatic DNA, and liver thymidine kinase enzymatic activity. The biological activity of HSS in groups I and II rats was evaluated using a bioassay. Ethanol administration arrested liver regeneration during the first 32 hr after partial hepatectomy and suppressed HSS activity throughout the period examined. Liver regeneration progressed after 32 hr despite the low levels of HSS activity. HSS administration at 10 and 16 hr reversed liver regeneration arrest induced by ethanol. Acute ethanol administration induces cell cycle arrest during the first 32 hr after partial hepatectomy and suppression of HSS biological activity seems to contribute to this effect. HSS administration reversed the inhibitory effect of ethanol on liver regeneration and caused synchronized entrance of hepatocytes in the S phase of the cell cycle. HSS seems to participate in the network of growth factors controlling the G1/S cell cycle checkpoint.

Additive and inhibitory effects of simultaneous treatment with growth factors on DNA synthesis through MAPK pathway and G1 cyclins in rat hepatocytes

Several growth factors play an important role in liver regeneration. Once hepatic injury occurs, liver regeneration is stimulated by hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha, and heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF), whereas TGF-beta1 terminates liver regeneration. In this study, we analyzed the effect of a combination of HGF and epidermal growth factor (EGF) on mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity and G1 cyclin expression in primary cultured rat hepatocytes. Treatment with a combination of HGF and EGF, in comparison with that of either HGF or EGF, induced tyrosine phosphorylation of both c-Met and EGF receptor (EGFR) independently and additively stimulated MAPK activity and cyclin D1 expression, resulting in additive stimulation of DNA synthesis. On the other hand, although TGF-beta1 treatment did not affect tyrosine phosphorylation of c-Met and EGFR, MAPK activity, and cyclin D1 expression, which were stimulated by HGF and EGF, DNA synthesis was completely inhibited through a marked decrease in cyclin E expression. These results indicate that potent mitogens, such as HGF, TGF-alpha, and HB-EGF, could induce the additive enhancement of liver regeneration cooperatively through an increase in Ras/MAPK activity followed by cyclin D1 expression, and that TGF-beta1 suppresses the growth factor-induced signals between cyclin D1 and cyclin E, resulting in the inhibition of DNA synthesis.

Analysis of FAK-associated signaling pathways in the regulation of cell cycle progression

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is an important mediator of signal transduction pathways initiated by integrins in cell migration, survival and cell cycle regulation. The ability of FAK to mediate integrin signaling in the regulation of cell cycle progression depends on the phosphorylation of Tyr397, which implies a functional significance for the formation of FAK signaling complexes with Src, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) and Grb7. We have previously described a FAK mutant, D395A, that selectively disrupts FAK binding to PI3K, but allows FAK association with Src. Using this mutation in a mislocalized FAK mutant background, we show here that formation of a FAK/PI3K complex is not sufficient for cell cycle progression but the formation of a FAK/Src complex plays an essential role. We also show that mutation of D395 to A disrupted FAK association with Grb7. This suggests that a FAK/Grb7 complex is not involved in the cell cycle regulation either, which is supported by direct analysis of cells expressing a dominant negative Grb7 construct. Finally, we provide evidence that the Src-dependent association of FAK with Grb2 and p130(Cas) are both required for the regulation of cell cycle progression by FAK. Together, these studies identify important FAK downstream signaling pathways in cell cycle regulation.

Dynamin and its role in membrane fission

Dynamin, a 100-kDa GTPase, is an essential component of vesicle formation in receptor-mediated endocytosis, synaptic vesicle recycling, caveolae internalization, and possibly vesicle trafficking in and out of the Golgi. In addition to the GTPase domain, dynamin also contains a pleckstrin homology domain (PH) implicated in membrane binding, a GTPase effector domain (GED) shown to be essential for self-assembly and stimulated GTPase activity, and a C-terminal proline-rich domain (PRD), which contains several SH3-binding sites. Dynamin partners bind to the PRD and may either stimulate dynamin's GTPase activity or target dynamin to the plasma membrane. Purified dynamin readily self-assembles into rings or spirals. This striking structural property supports the hypothesis that dynamin wraps around the necks of budding vesicles where it plays a key role in membrane fission. The focus of this review is on the relationship between the GTPase and self-assembly properties of dynamin and its cellular function.